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A Loon Lake Mystery #19
Dead Big Dawg
Murder, She Wrote
meets Fargo in the Northwoods of Wisconsin in the nineteenth “gripping, atmospheric, and smart” (T. Jefferson Parker, New York Times bestselling author) installment of the Loon Lake series.
When the bodies of a wealthy Chicago industrialist and his wife are discovered in their summer home at the same time that a local lawyer disappears, life becomes complicated for Loon Lake Chief of Police Lew Ferris.
Relying on the forensic dental expertise of her close friend and acting coroner, Doc Osborne, Lew soon finds the investigations are even more complicated than she thought when a rarely used computer belonging to a local sawmill operation is taken over by foreign hackers. Add to that the family issues facing both Lew and Doc, and this Northwoods summer becomes both hot and dangerous.
Engaging and fast-paced, Dead Big Dawg is a clever mystery perfect for fans of Lee Goldberg and Janet Evanovich.
When the bodies of a wealthy Chicago industrialist and his wife are discovered in their summer home at the same time that a local lawyer disappears, life becomes complicated for Loon Lake Chief of Police Lew Ferris.
Relying on the forensic dental expertise of her close friend and acting coroner, Doc Osborne, Lew soon finds the investigations are even more complicated than she thought when a rarely used computer belonging to a local sawmill operation is taken over by foreign hackers. Add to that the family issues facing both Lew and Doc, and this Northwoods summer becomes both hot and dangerous.
Engaging and fast-paced, Dead Big Dawg is a clever mystery perfect for fans of Lee Goldberg and Janet Evanovich.
- GenresMystery
210 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2019
108 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Houston
36 books273 followersShe is the author of the Loon Lake Mystery Series -- DEAD ANGLER, DEAD CREEK, DEAD WATER, DEAD FRENZY, DEAD HOT MAMA, DEAD JITTERBUG, DEAD BOOGIE, DEAD MADONNA, DEAD HOT SHOT, DEAD RENEGADE. DEAD DECEIVER, DEAD TEASE, DEAD INSIDER, DEAD HUSTLER, DEAD RAPUNZEL, DEAD LOUDMOUTH, DEAD SPIDER, DEAD FIREFLY, DEAD BIG DAWG and WOLF HOLLOW in hardcover, trade paperback and as an eBook from Simon & Schuster. The mysteries are set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin against a background of fishing – fly fishing as well as fishing for muskie, bass, bluegill and walleyes.
Houston’s mystery series was featured in a story on the front page of The Wall Street Journal (January 20, 2004) and on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation with Neal Conan” (February 2, 2006). Both can be seen/heard on the website: www.victoriahouston.com.
She has also written or co-authored over seven non-fiction books. An award-winning author specializing in family issues, Houston’s non-fiction books include the highly recommended ALONE AFTER SCHOOL: A Self-Care Guide for Latchkey Children and Their Parents (Prentice Hall, 1985); the national bestseller, LOVING A YOUNGER MAN: How Women Are Finding and Enjoying a Better Relationship (Contemporary Books (1987); Pocket Books (1988); MAKING IT WORK: Finding the Time and Energy For Your Career, Marriage, Children and Self (Contemporary Books, 1990) -- which was published by Simon & Schuster's Fireside imprint in August 1991 as a trade paperback titled MAKING IT WORK: Creative Solutions For Balancing Your Career, Marriage, Children And Personal Life. Houston co-authored RESTORE YOURSELF: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Libido and Passion for Life (The Berkley Publishing Group/2001) with Dr. James Simon, a Past President of the North American Menopause Society.
Houston’s mystery series was featured in a story on the front page of The Wall Street Journal (January 20, 2004) and on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation with Neal Conan” (February 2, 2006). Both can be seen/heard on the website: www.victoriahouston.com.
She has also written or co-authored over seven non-fiction books. An award-winning author specializing in family issues, Houston’s non-fiction books include the highly recommended ALONE AFTER SCHOOL: A Self-Care Guide for Latchkey Children and Their Parents (Prentice Hall, 1985); the national bestseller, LOVING A YOUNGER MAN: How Women Are Finding and Enjoying a Better Relationship (Contemporary Books (1987); Pocket Books (1988); MAKING IT WORK: Finding the Time and Energy For Your Career, Marriage, Children and Self (Contemporary Books, 1990) -- which was published by Simon & Schuster's Fireside imprint in August 1991 as a trade paperback titled MAKING IT WORK: Creative Solutions For Balancing Your Career, Marriage, Children And Personal Life. Houston co-authored RESTORE YOURSELF: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Libido and Passion for Life (The Berkley Publishing Group/2001) with Dr. James Simon, a Past President of the North American Menopause Society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 15, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Another trip north to Loon Lake and again Doc and Lew have their hands full. First, with their grandchildren, especially when they disappear and are found a short time later at a neighboring farm. They also find agents from the FBI Cyber Security Team. Russian Hackers have worked their way into the Northwoods unbeknownst to the owners of the farm and the owners of an old computer they use for recordkeeping.
Then, in the middle of the night Chief of Police Lew Ferris is alerted to a double fatality. A businessman and his wife from Illinois in their summer home. At first, thought to be a murder/suicide, Lew doesn’t think so and calls in the “Wausau Boys” and Ray Pradt to work the scene. Together they all will try to figure out what really happened and why.
On the homefront, Doc’s daughter is home for a visit and she has brought along her new boyfriend and runs into a high school classmate.
Wisconsin is a place where many bigwigs from the Chicago area have their summer homes so it was not surprising that a couple from there are our victims this time. The question is was the killer from the area or did trouble follow them over the border.
___
The core characters in this series have become friends after 19 books. I love that the children and grandchildren again are part of the story. That being said, the author gives enough background info to read this or any of the books in this series on its own. The characters are well developed and genuine, some have the quirky traits fans of this genre look for. There are also plenty of suspects to keep readers guessing.
The later books in this series run about 200 pages and Victoria Houston packs them full. She tangles the main plot and subplots together with believable dialogue and wonderful descriptions of the area. What I love best is that the characters always have time to do a little fly-fishing. They find a certain amount of peace on the water and sometimes that is when a crucial clue falls into place.
The Loon Lake Mysteries are comfortable stories with the perfect amount of suspense and drama. Lew, Doc, and Ray are good people and true friends. Strong, smart, people who work and play well together. The romantic relationship between Doc and Lew is what I would call relaxed. They each know what they want and understand each other so well. The younger Ray is a very special guy, still playing the field and that usually works for him. Most people are amazed by the way women just seem to fall for him. It does bring some great humor to each story.
I have enjoyed each story in this series. Dead Big Dawg was a quick read that was fun and entertaining. I look forward to my next trip north.
Another trip north to Loon Lake and again Doc and Lew have their hands full. First, with their grandchildren, especially when they disappear and are found a short time later at a neighboring farm. They also find agents from the FBI Cyber Security Team. Russian Hackers have worked their way into the Northwoods unbeknownst to the owners of the farm and the owners of an old computer they use for recordkeeping.
Then, in the middle of the night Chief of Police Lew Ferris is alerted to a double fatality. A businessman and his wife from Illinois in their summer home. At first, thought to be a murder/suicide, Lew doesn’t think so and calls in the “Wausau Boys” and Ray Pradt to work the scene. Together they all will try to figure out what really happened and why.
On the homefront, Doc’s daughter is home for a visit and she has brought along her new boyfriend and runs into a high school classmate.
Wisconsin is a place where many bigwigs from the Chicago area have their summer homes so it was not surprising that a couple from there are our victims this time. The question is was the killer from the area or did trouble follow them over the border.
___
The core characters in this series have become friends after 19 books. I love that the children and grandchildren again are part of the story. That being said, the author gives enough background info to read this or any of the books in this series on its own. The characters are well developed and genuine, some have the quirky traits fans of this genre look for. There are also plenty of suspects to keep readers guessing.
The later books in this series run about 200 pages and Victoria Houston packs them full. She tangles the main plot and subplots together with believable dialogue and wonderful descriptions of the area. What I love best is that the characters always have time to do a little fly-fishing. They find a certain amount of peace on the water and sometimes that is when a crucial clue falls into place.
The Loon Lake Mysteries are comfortable stories with the perfect amount of suspense and drama. Lew, Doc, and Ray are good people and true friends. Strong, smart, people who work and play well together. The romantic relationship between Doc and Lew is what I would call relaxed. They each know what they want and understand each other so well. The younger Ray is a very special guy, still playing the field and that usually works for him. Most people are amazed by the way women just seem to fall for him. It does bring some great humor to each story.
I have enjoyed each story in this series. Dead Big Dawg was a quick read that was fun and entertaining. I look forward to my next trip north.
October 25, 2019
It is always a pleasure to spend time in the northwoods of Wisconsin with retired dentist Paul Osborne and Loon Lake police chief Lew Ferris.
First a wealthy industrialist from Chicago and his wife are found shot dead in their lavish summer home, then a young female school teacher has her head bashed in. A 90 year old friend of Ray's is missing and Ray is worried. What could these 4 have in common?
Creepy people around town included Bill Kimble, a serial philanderer and Judith Kerr, a woman who once lived near the Osbornes and was a neighbourhood troublemaker as a child. She confirms my theory about rotten kids growing up to be rotten adults. Judith is going around town lying about being an NSA agent and has her sights set on Bill Kimble, ignoring the fact that he is married.
Houston tells a good story and "almost" makes us want to go fishing. The outdoorsy and strong fishing background is a refreshing change from the usual cozy mystery setting.
First a wealthy industrialist from Chicago and his wife are found shot dead in their lavish summer home, then a young female school teacher has her head bashed in. A 90 year old friend of Ray's is missing and Ray is worried. What could these 4 have in common?
Creepy people around town included Bill Kimble, a serial philanderer and Judith Kerr, a woman who once lived near the Osbornes and was a neighbourhood troublemaker as a child. She confirms my theory about rotten kids growing up to be rotten adults. Judith is going around town lying about being an NSA agent and has her sights set on Bill Kimble, ignoring the fact that he is married.
Houston tells a good story and "almost" makes us want to go fishing. The outdoorsy and strong fishing background is a refreshing change from the usual cozy mystery setting.
June 11, 2019
Another great mystery set in Northern Wisconsin! The nineteenth in the series written by Victoria Houston a resident of Rhinelander, Wisconsin. I love her mysteries and delight in the fact that I know the artist personally and can run into her while shopping in Rhinelander while visiting my hometown.
I can hardly wait for the next book to read more about Lew, Doc, Ray and the mysteries in Loon Lake.
I can hardly wait for the next book to read more about Lew, Doc, Ray and the mysteries in Loon Lake.
August 7, 2022
Foreign hackers and murder is some of the things going on in Dead Big Dawg the latest book in the Loon Lake mystery series by Victoria Houston. As usual Lew Ferris gets help From Doc Osborne and Ray his neighbor. I have had some fun reading this entire series so I can continue with the new series called Lew Ferris mystery.
March 27, 2022
Another good story. Kind of short. I hope the author writes more.
May 21, 2020
Classic start with a murder/suicide requiring Chief Ferris & Doc Osborne to interrupt their family time. Their daughters & grandchildren happen to be visiting, so the investigation aborts their grand-parenting. Or, is it just homicide? Seems so, after the crime lab does their work & the autopsy results are in for the Mr & Mrs Powers case. But, then the schoolteacher is found drowned, or was she? The "Wausau boys" determine she was struck with a blunt object before ending up in the lake. Before those murders are solved, a local older woman, avid birder, who the fishing guide Ray brings bluegills to goes missing & also turns up dead. Three suspicious deaths in a small town keeps Chief Ferris & Doc Osborne busy, but they find time to sneak in some fly fishing for trout. The description of their brief time in the "river" makes you want to try fly fishing for yourself. Concurrently, the feds have taken over the neighbors business computer in the barn as it was hacked by some unknown person who uses it to infiltrate other networks. The lead investigator had worked for the NSA but now works for a private contractor whose expertise is cybersecurity. This is a lot of mystery in a northern Wisconsin town the size of our village of Johnson Creek, about 3,000. But Loon Lake blooms to around 20,000 in the summer when the summer residents, tourists & fishermen arrive.
Doc Osborne's daughter Mallory comes to visit with a new BF, 12 yrs younger than her. When her Dad raises concern over the age difference, she asks him about the age difference between him & Chief Ferris, LOL !
Another Loon Lake native, Judith Kerr, returns as all of this is going on, renting a cottage for the time she is in town. She persuades Ray to take her out on his boat to fish for muskies along with the local casanova, Bill [a married man who has no shame.]
Judith brags that she had worked for the NSA....do we believe her?
This one ended more predictably than some of the author's previous stories. Still enjoy the characters & the term "razbonya", as we all know one or two of them.
Doc Osborne's daughter Mallory comes to visit with a new BF, 12 yrs younger than her. When her Dad raises concern over the age difference, she asks him about the age difference between him & Chief Ferris, LOL !
Another Loon Lake native, Judith Kerr, returns as all of this is going on, renting a cottage for the time she is in town. She persuades Ray to take her out on his boat to fish for muskies along with the local casanova, Bill [a married man who has no shame.]
Judith brags that she had worked for the NSA....do we believe her?
This one ended more predictably than some of the author's previous stories. Still enjoy the characters & the term "razbonya", as we all know one or two of them.
August 26, 2023
Another installment of Loon Lake mysteries that aren't in the ledger. These continue to come closer and closer to short stories and even for pulp mysteries they really don't have much mystery. This volume is only 193 pages and that's in font that almost qualifies as "large type".
If you like Doc, Lew, Ray and the gang from the Wausau crime lab then this one works on a basic level. It includes all the elements you expect from a Wisconsin Northwoods crime procedural but the mystery keeps getting thinner and thinner.
If you've read the others this is a decent installment. If you never have considering reading the first few which were pretty good, but set yourself a limit on when to stop. This is #19 after all. I read them because my mom buys then and I don't pay.
If you like Doc, Lew, Ray and the gang from the Wausau crime lab then this one works on a basic level. It includes all the elements you expect from a Wisconsin Northwoods crime procedural but the mystery keeps getting thinner and thinner.
If you've read the others this is a decent installment. If you never have considering reading the first few which were pretty good, but set yourself a limit on when to stop. This is #19 after all. I read them because my mom buys then and I don't pay.
July 1, 2024
Some time ago, I read the first book in this series, but I'd gotten away from it. Now I'm sorry I did. This is a fast-paced, if short mystery set in what is to me very familiar territory. We used to vacation 'up north' in a neighboring area, and the lakes, restaurants, resorts, and fishing/hunting stories Victoria Houston describes here are spot-on. It's like being on summer vacation at the lake again to read one of these.
The characters are engaging and the mystery is a good one. My only quibble is that another mystery being investigated alongside the murders is not concluded in this book. Nonetheless, the storyline that is solved is a good one.
The characters are engaging and the mystery is a good one. My only quibble is that another mystery being investigated alongside the murders is not concluded in this book. Nonetheless, the storyline that is solved is a good one.
January 2, 2020
Love this series and this addition is top notch!
This book as much as any in the series is like stepping out the cabin door, hearing the wind in the pines, smelling that lake smell, and hearing an outboard out on the water! It brings back childhood vacations in the Rhinelander area. No, there weren't murders, handsome old dentists or fly-fishing cops. Ah, but there might have been.....
This book as much as any in the series is like stepping out the cabin door, hearing the wind in the pines, smelling that lake smell, and hearing an outboard out on the water! It brings back childhood vacations in the Rhinelander area. No, there weren't murders, handsome old dentists or fly-fishing cops. Ah, but there might have been.....
February 15, 2020
This book by Victoria Houston was a pleasure to read. The creative characters, a Wisconsin setting, and an ending that was a sorta surprise kept this reader thrilled. As the setting in this story is very familiar to the reader it was a fun read as I compared the story setting to what I know. Pleasant read guess I should look into reading more of the Loon Lake Mystery series. copy right 2019 197 pages
May 2, 2020
Enjoyed this book. Members of my family have a cabin in this area of Wisconsin so can really identify with the locations. The small law enforcement and shared assets described perfectly what Chief Lew had to work with. Civilian help solving the crimes come into play via a local fishing guide, who knew who in high school and the group of retirees who meet every day down at the local diner. Would recommend for a quick easy read.
August 14, 2020
More of a novella then a full book, but with more dead bodies then most fully paged mysteries. Amidst the corpses, the author does an almost poetic job describing the Wisconsin woods and waterways around Loon Lake. I do totally enjoy every story about Chief Lew Ferris and Doc Osborne, but I took my rating down a star as the main culprit was way too obvious halfway through the book. Still a good story, if a tad too short.
Read
August 31, 2020I loved all the books. I am from Tomahawk originally so I feel at home. I was brought up with all the fishing and my husband caught a big Musky couple of years ago when we vacationed in the area. We have her mounted. I hope that Dead Big Dawg is not the end. This one had a different twist with Federal agencies involved. Lots of dead bodies, Doc has to be useful in the plot. Like it when the children of Doc and of Lew are in on the action.
April 13, 2021
Lew, Dr Osborne (Lew's lover), Ray, & Bruce are back on a case; this time a missing woman & multiple murders.
Two of the lovers, ex and otherwise of the local serial adulterer are murdered as is the husband of one, and a local bird watcher is missing.
A local couple's business computer is hacked, which merely brings another character who wants to learn to fish into the plot.
Fast & easy to read, it was easy to figure out "who done it".
Two of the lovers, ex and otherwise of the local serial adulterer are murdered as is the husband of one, and a local bird watcher is missing.
A local couple's business computer is hacked, which merely brings another character who wants to learn to fish into the plot.
Fast & easy to read, it was easy to figure out "who done it".
April 26, 2021
i just bing read all 19 loon lake mysteries.
Yes I"m retired so I have time. I loved these book. Yes, she made some money off me.
The mysteries are great, ok a little weak at times since I solve the case befofe the characters(maybe by design). I associate with Dr. Paul Osborne, i'm 65 and I love small towns (my small town has grown to big). The main characters are great, Lew, Ray and the McDonalds boys.
When will the next one be out?
Yes I"m retired so I have time. I loved these book. Yes, she made some money off me.
The mysteries are great, ok a little weak at times since I solve the case befofe the characters(maybe by design). I associate with Dr. Paul Osborne, i'm 65 and I love small towns (my small town has grown to big). The main characters are great, Lew, Ray and the McDonalds boys.
When will the next one be out?
June 26, 2019
Another Great Loon Lake Mystery!
I’ve read all 19 counting this one and I’ve enjoyed each one. Extremely enjoyable murder mystery with humor through out, with a little fishing thrown in. If I had one complaint, I believe this one had less fishing then all the others! Needless to say, I look forward to the next in the series!
I’ve read all 19 counting this one and I’ve enjoyed each one. Extremely enjoyable murder mystery with humor through out, with a little fishing thrown in. If I had one complaint, I believe this one had less fishing then all the others! Needless to say, I look forward to the next in the series!
July 25, 2019
Lew and Osbourne try to determine why women are being murdered in Loon Lake. Are the murders connected to the recent appearances in Loon Lake of those in the NSA, the CIA, or just a serial killer? Houston spins this story of murder and intrigue and once again I've finished it in only a couple of sittings. Can't wait for the next Loon Lake Mystery.
September 2, 2024
I love this series: the setting, the main characters--all of it. I've read them all now, and am enjoying the follow-up series (The Lew Ferris mysteries) which is really just a more aged version of the characters in the previous 19 or so books. I look forward to all of the next ones in Victoria Houston's compilation.
July 4, 2019
Another exciting experience in Loon Lake with all our favorite characters. I enjoyed this latest book with all the fun fishing descriptions. Since I can’t be in the Northwoods at the moment, this book is the next best thing.
March 5, 2020
Same time line problems as with others in this series, but this book has a reasonably complex plot that kept my interest. Multiple murders, some local people and some summer folks, very little fishing compare to the other books in the series. Quick entertaining read
April 4, 2020
I thoroughly enjoy the characters who run these stories; their interaction is humane, their appreciation of each other makes me feel secure, and the idea of fishing in the quiet on the lake is calming.
August 3, 2021
I can't get enough of Victoria Houston and her books. I love them so much. Always a summer favorite and this one was no exception. 4 murders, FBI, Doc, Lewis, Ray and a crazy woman who is a habitual liar. Great book!
December 26, 2023
Good Read
I've read each of the Loon Lake Mystery books. And more! Love everyone! I hope there will be new stories by Victoria in 2024! She's a great writer of WI North woods making me feel it all happens in my back yard. A must to read!!
I've read each of the Loon Lake Mystery books. And more! Love everyone! I hope there will be new stories by Victoria in 2024! She's a great writer of WI North woods making me feel it all happens in my back yard. A must to read!!
August 28, 2025
A wealthy couple is found dead then a lawyer. Chief Ferris and Dr. Osborne have their hands full with this case. Can they figure out the killer and still get time to go fishing?
Great summer mystery read. Laid back police procedural.
Great summer mystery read. Laid back police procedural.
Read
June 27, 2019Nice easy murder mystery
July 20, 2019
I enjoy reading Ms. Houston's stories. This one left one loose end-the foreign hackers. Perhaps that will be answered in the next episode of Loon Lake Mysteries
August 25, 2019
Great addition to the series
Read
August 26, 2019Love the characters, keeps me guessing. Really enjoy Victoria Houston's books.
September 17, 2019
Another enjoyable read from Ms Houston. Love the characters of Lew, Doc and Ray. My only complaint, is that it didn’t last longer. The Loon Lake Series never disappoints!
September 24, 2019
I've enjoyed all of Victoria Houston's books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews