My joy towards seeing different Wisconsin locales in the novel, alongside my amusement at a plot surrounding "the junior senator of Wisconsin" and his good friend the POTUS biases this book in my mind.
In terms of pure writing I would give this a 3/5 stars. Ted Vogel has a very adept writing style. The pacing was passable. The treatment of the one female character... eh.
But in terms of heart, this novel delivers and easily earns its 4th star in my mind. A truly enjoyable northwoods yarn.