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The Devil's Kettle
Three missing persons cases over a two-year period collide in this novel. The most recent person gone missing, Seth Tryton, has friends in low places that won’t let the case stand as is. Placing his freedom in peril, fugitive from the law, Gerald Hodges, returns to Minnesota to help find out what happened, A couple of associates accompany him as they roam the streets of Duluth and travel the North Shore in search of clues to his disappearance. They discover that Peter Karonen, a local man living in the small town of Finland may hold the key to all three disappearances. He is a man who has lost everything important in his life—his wife to cancer, and a daughter mired in a persistent vegetative state. His dark journey leads him on a collision course with Gerald Hodges and his crew. Complicating matters, the local police discover that Hodges is in the vicinity and pursue him with vigor. Hodges must not only find his friend but dodge the police in the process.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2017
17 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 27, 2021
The plot of this book is good! That’s what got it to 3 stars. The writing leaves a lot to be desired. He really needs a better editor. I do love the local setting.
September 18, 2017
The Devil’s Kettle by J.J. Ollman is a unique tale in which friendship withstands everything. Three missing people in a short span of time, they all have one thing in common – well, two if you count the man that abducts them! Two friends and a reporter band together and try to track down their missing friend Seth. However, one friend has a deadly secret that is about to become well known and thus begins the thrilling page-turning novel by J.J. Ollman. The two friends, Mancoat and Hodges are perfect foils for the police and kidnapper working together effortlessly. The race against time and Hodges’ past is about to turn things around to an even deadlier outcome!
This is not just your ordinary missing person, serial killer, and mystery. Ollman makes it so much more when he keeps throwing in twists that keep you sitting on the edge of your chair with the turn of each page. Just when you think you have it figured out – wham! He does it again. Even with the barrage of twists and turns in the mystery, Ollman keeps the story clear and flowing. The reader never becomes confused about what’s going on - the story flows so well that the reader can do nothing but set back and wait for the next twist knowing it is coming but not just when or how!
The characters were well developed as was the storyline. Everything fit together nicely with no lingering questions. While this book involves characters from another book, this one can be read as a stand-alone book. It is clear that Hodges did something horrible but is a seeking redemption while also staying free.
This is perfect for people who enjoy the edge of your seat type of novel, mysteries, and thrillers. Ollman is a masterful storyteller. His books are well researched and pack a powerful punch! I cannot wait to read his other books!
This is not just your ordinary missing person, serial killer, and mystery. Ollman makes it so much more when he keeps throwing in twists that keep you sitting on the edge of your chair with the turn of each page. Just when you think you have it figured out – wham! He does it again. Even with the barrage of twists and turns in the mystery, Ollman keeps the story clear and flowing. The reader never becomes confused about what’s going on - the story flows so well that the reader can do nothing but set back and wait for the next twist knowing it is coming but not just when or how!
The characters were well developed as was the storyline. Everything fit together nicely with no lingering questions. While this book involves characters from another book, this one can be read as a stand-alone book. It is clear that Hodges did something horrible but is a seeking redemption while also staying free.
This is perfect for people who enjoy the edge of your seat type of novel, mysteries, and thrillers. Ollman is a masterful storyteller. His books are well researched and pack a powerful punch! I cannot wait to read his other books!
August 5, 2021
As a mystery/thriller it was so-so, but as a tour guide for some of the North Shore's most scenic destinations, it's great!
I hadn't read Ollman's previous book featuring Gerald Hodges, so I didn't have context for the murders that were only alluded to in The Devil's Kettle, but they sounded pretty heinous which made it a lot harder to empathize with him as a reader compared to the characters in the book who seem to warm to him right away. It is totally out of character for Cassie to essentially sacrifice her freedom for a man who she knows nothing about other than he has killed people. Basically as a reader, I didn't feel as warm and inclined towards Gerald as all of the characters did and the text keeps referring to Gerald as a kind, relatable man instead of showing him as such.
I picked up this book during a camping trip on the North Shore and the thrill of reading about parks, towns, and roadside stops that I was experiencing myself made this fun. It's worth picking up if you are also camping on the North Shore, but otherwise it can be skipped.
I hadn't read Ollman's previous book featuring Gerald Hodges, so I didn't have context for the murders that were only alluded to in The Devil's Kettle, but they sounded pretty heinous which made it a lot harder to empathize with him as a reader compared to the characters in the book who seem to warm to him right away. It is totally out of character for Cassie to essentially sacrifice her freedom for a man who she knows nothing about other than he has killed people. Basically as a reader, I didn't feel as warm and inclined towards Gerald as all of the characters did and the text keeps referring to Gerald as a kind, relatable man instead of showing him as such.
I picked up this book during a camping trip on the North Shore and the thrill of reading about parks, towns, and roadside stops that I was experiencing myself made this fun. It's worth picking up if you are also camping on the North Shore, but otherwise it can be skipped.
February 10, 2021
The setting is what pulled me in to this mystery—the North Shore of Lake Superior—one of my favorite places on earth. Duluth, Silver Bay, Tofte, Finland, the Lake Superior Hiking Trail, are a few of the places where the action of this story takes place. I can just feel the chilly air from the big lake, and smell the pungent pine forest after a rain—as close to heaven as I will ever get in this old world.
November 27, 2022
As a life long Minnesotan and a lover of the North Shore area, I very much appreciated J J Ollmas's true and accurate depiction of the North Shore area. Aside from the North Shore aspect of this story captured me and had me wanting to turn page after page. This is one of the best books I have read this year.
February 22, 2019
Very good mystery set in Northern Minnesota. It was a fairly quick read. I love J. J. Ollman 's writing and will be looking for another of his wonderful books when I visit my favorite independent bookskstore, Sweet Reads, in Austin. Minnesota.
March 20, 2021
MN North Shore
This tale of intrigue is set some beautiful parts of MN. Its fun to read a story like this set in a place you know. The only thing missing from the story was Wolf Ridge!
This tale of intrigue is set some beautiful parts of MN. Its fun to read a story like this set in a place you know. The only thing missing from the story was Wolf Ridge!
July 21, 2022
picked this book up because i live in the northern mn area, and the titled piqued my interest. the writing and story were pretty good overall, although i did think there were some holes in the plot (nothing major, just me being picky).
August 5, 2023
While I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the north shore, the story and writing were lacking. The plot wasn’t believable, and the characters weren’t likable. Maybe it would be different if I had known this was the second in a series, but I didn’t until the end.
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February 23, 2021Interesting mostly for it's setting and the twisting mystery. I've been to Devil's Kettle several times. It's a frightening wonder of nature.
March 9, 2021
A page-turner, one that looks beyond the facade of "Minnesota Nice."
January 6, 2022
I like to read books that take place in Minnesota or areas I am familiar with. Pretty well done, some twists and turns.
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May 31, 2017A nice take on the "Stockholm Syndrome" whereby someone who is kidnapped eventually becomes sympathetic with the captor. Although that's the springboard for the bigger plot, which is the hunt for an escaped serial killer (who is enlisted by friends to return to Minnesota to help find a friend, one of the "kidnappees."
Gerald Hodges, the serial killer, is probably an interesting character, but this is the sequel to the book in which he commits those crimes, so much of the detail of how he came to kill several people and his apparent remorse and transformation are only mentioned in passing, because it's assumed the reader has read the previous book (which is now on my to-read list).
Pacing is good, and tension escalates gradually toward to climactic ending. Peter Karonen is a sympathetic villain, although his motives seem a bit farfetched unless one assumes he went off the deep end after the tragedies that hit his life.
Fans of Minnesota mysteries and suspense should enjoy this, as much of the story takes place on the North Shore.
Gerald Hodges, the serial killer, is probably an interesting character, but this is the sequel to the book in which he commits those crimes, so much of the detail of how he came to kill several people and his apparent remorse and transformation are only mentioned in passing, because it's assumed the reader has read the previous book (which is now on my to-read list).
Pacing is good, and tension escalates gradually toward to climactic ending. Peter Karonen is a sympathetic villain, although his motives seem a bit farfetched unless one assumes he went off the deep end after the tragedies that hit his life.
Fans of Minnesota mysteries and suspense should enjoy this, as much of the story takes place on the North Shore.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews