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Sheriff Matt Callahan #1
A Dangerous Remedy
After a horrific mutilation renders former Chicago police detective Matt Callahan a recluse, he is given a second chance at life as sheriff of tiny Nicolet County in the Northwoods of Michigan. Idyllic, peaceful, and sparsely populated, the island community hides a web of secrets Callahan and his young female deputy must uncover before a great city an ocean away explodes in violence and is thrown back into a half century of carnage.
Irish paramilitaries, the British Royal Family, a century-old Irish enclave in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the long reach of modern terrorism, and the incendiary effect of a single spark on the lasting peace of a nation combine to make a volatile brew in this engrossing Midwest mystery.
Irish paramilitaries, the British Royal Family, a century-old Irish enclave in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the long reach of modern terrorism, and the incendiary effect of a single spark on the lasting peace of a nation combine to make a volatile brew in this engrossing Midwest mystery.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2017
84 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Russell Fee
3 books8 followersRussell Fee grew up in Washington, D.C. and London. After graduating from the College of William and Mary, he served in the army as intelligence officer and then became a trial lawyer, litigating civil rights and civil liberties cases, before becoming a teacher. In their inimitable ways, these careers inspired his novels and book of poetry. He and his wife have traveled the world and are dual citizens of the United States and Ireland. They now live in the Midwest, which they both love.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 25, 2018
An interesting read. It starts out simply enough, a former member of the Chicago PD becomes the sheriff for a tiny island in Lake Michigan where everyone is related somehow and the information grapevine is buzzing at all times. Our hero, Callahan, has some serious damage and pain in his past, both physical and mental, and he hopes this new post will help him heal.
He is pointed towards 3 seemingly unrelated events by his predecessor. The more inquiries he makes, the more he ruffles the feathers of the islanders, who don't take kindly to an outsider nosing around. The deeper he delves, the more he discovers that underneath the small town veneer, there are lots of secrets and clandestine plots afoot, some stretching across the Atlantic to Ireland.
I really liked Callahan's character, as well as his trusty deputy, Amanda, who practically forced him to hire her. The character of Breslin, I thought was a little heavy handed and pulled right out of central casting.
He is pointed towards 3 seemingly unrelated events by his predecessor. The more inquiries he makes, the more he ruffles the feathers of the islanders, who don't take kindly to an outsider nosing around. The deeper he delves, the more he discovers that underneath the small town veneer, there are lots of secrets and clandestine plots afoot, some stretching across the Atlantic to Ireland.
I really liked Callahan's character, as well as his trusty deputy, Amanda, who practically forced him to hire her. The character of Breslin, I thought was a little heavy handed and pulled right out of central casting.
January 30, 2019
First book I've read by this author. It kept my interest and had a different sort of plot line than many mysterys that I read. Being from Michigan, it was easy to recognize the locale as a thinly disguised Beaver Island but I liked the way the author used the island's history within the plot.
February 13, 2018
A decent mystery
The story had intrigue and intensity with pretty good character development. The small rural community was also very apply described.
The story had intrigue and intensity with pretty good character development. The small rural community was also very apply described.
July 6, 2017
A Dangerous Remedy is a smart, unpredictable mystery novel featuring complex characters, small-town intrigue, a sweet love story, and international terrorism in an intricate plot that keeps the story shifting. Setting the scene – a new sheriff is coming to a quaint town on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – Russell Fee employs short, brisk chapters to move the story along. And while the plot starts out in adagio to develop the main characters as they engage in the tedium of local police work, in a manner reminiscent of the classical English mystery writers, it soon picks up speed toward allegro vivace in an explosive climax.
Matt Callahan is starting a new life as the sheriff on the island of Nicolet County after being terribly disfigured, and emotionally scarred, in an acid attack while a detective on the Chicago police force. Helped by his two local employees, Amanda, a beautiful young female deputy and Julie, a former librarian as a dispatcher, Callahan starts following up on the three open – seemingly minor and unrelated – cases left by his predecessor. But the discovery of the body of an unidentified man leads to the realization that these cases are neither minor nor unrelated, and possible links to the local population’s generations-old Irish heritage start to emerge. Soon Callahan, Amanda, and Julie find themselves in a vortex involving corruption, and international terrorism with possible ties to the IRA, and online efforts to foment political unrest.
Fee is a gifted storyteller who successfully weaves romance, as well as Callahan’s emotional recovery from his scars, into this original thriller. Starting out as an exploration of local color and characters on this remote island, the story develops into an edge-of-your seat page turner with a surprising conclusion. It would be a safe bet that a sequel to this highly satisfying story is already in the works.
Matt Callahan is starting a new life as the sheriff on the island of Nicolet County after being terribly disfigured, and emotionally scarred, in an acid attack while a detective on the Chicago police force. Helped by his two local employees, Amanda, a beautiful young female deputy and Julie, a former librarian as a dispatcher, Callahan starts following up on the three open – seemingly minor and unrelated – cases left by his predecessor. But the discovery of the body of an unidentified man leads to the realization that these cases are neither minor nor unrelated, and possible links to the local population’s generations-old Irish heritage start to emerge. Soon Callahan, Amanda, and Julie find themselves in a vortex involving corruption, and international terrorism with possible ties to the IRA, and online efforts to foment political unrest.
Fee is a gifted storyteller who successfully weaves romance, as well as Callahan’s emotional recovery from his scars, into this original thriller. Starting out as an exploration of local color and characters on this remote island, the story develops into an edge-of-your seat page turner with a surprising conclusion. It would be a safe bet that a sequel to this highly satisfying story is already in the works.
February 7, 2018
I had never read anything by this author and very much enjoyed this book. The main character is a former Chicago police detective, Matt Callahan. He and a companion were victims of a horrific burn from acid that was deliberately thrown on them and it scared his face. Matt leaves Chicago and takes the position of Sheriff in Nicolet County, Michigan, and hopes for peace to rebuild his life, but this is not to be. With quiet strength and determination, he investigates three cases that the former Sheriff left on the desk and becomes ensnared in secrets that some do not want known. In the mix, a young teenager who has passed her test to be a deputy. She pushes her way in to the department as she was raised in the small community and knows everything and everyone that will help Matt in his quest for justice. Mr. Fee’s writing style, in my opinion, reminds me of Craig Johnson’s “Longmire” and Frederick Ramsay’s, “Sheriff Ike Schwartz”, both authors and books that I love. I so enjoyed this book and hope that Mr. Fee has plans for more books about Sheriff Matt Callahan. I read this book on Kindle Unlimited and was not asked to write a review – just wanted to. (by paytonpuppy)
January 30, 2018
Spellbinding
I found this book difficult to put down. It was a good thing that it had short chapters so I could put it down. The mystery was well built and the characters were well developed.
I found this book difficult to put down. It was a good thing that it had short chapters so I could put it down. The mystery was well built and the characters were well developed.
February 4, 2018
A great new series
I hope this is just the beginning of a long series. Could hardly put it down.
I don't give 5 stars to a lot of books but, Imo, this was definitely worth it.
Give it a try, make yourself happy for a long afternoon .
I hope this is just the beginning of a long series. Could hardly put it down.
I don't give 5 stars to a lot of books but, Imo, this was definitely worth it.
Give it a try, make yourself happy for a long afternoon .
May 12, 2018
Excellent book!
Enjoyed reading every word and did not want the story to end ...but ...surprise what a great ending. I immediately went looking for the next Sheriff Matt Callahan Mystery. I will be looking for more books written by Russell Fee.
Enjoyed reading every word and did not want the story to end ...but ...surprise what a great ending. I immediately went looking for the next Sheriff Matt Callahan Mystery. I will be looking for more books written by Russell Fee.
March 9, 2022
YES!
I hadn’t had much luck in my selections lately, but this was a good one. Anxious to move on to the 2nd book. I enjoyed & got a good sense of the characters. I really like Mick.
I hadn’t had much luck in my selections lately, but this was a good one. Anxious to move on to the 2nd book. I enjoyed & got a good sense of the characters. I really like Mick.
May 25, 2022
A timely and well conceived story, well told
The author got it right. The location and peoples, the hopes, dreams and fears of the characters, and the brave, hopeless, and heroic fight of justice in a corrupt world are woven into a compelling tale.
The author got it right. The location and peoples, the hopes, dreams and fears of the characters, and the brave, hopeless, and heroic fight of justice in a corrupt world are woven into a compelling tale.
January 29, 2018
Good first of a series!
Would like more character development of the antagonist and the secondary characters. The plot was well written, no other concerns.
Would like more character development of the antagonist and the secondary characters. The plot was well written, no other concerns.
January 31, 2018
Very good read
Very well written and and easy read. Kept your interest. Liked the smaller adventures throughout the book. Hope their are more .
Very well written and and easy read. Kept your interest. Liked the smaller adventures throughout the book. Hope their are more .
February 6, 2018
Mystery at its best.
This was an excellent story plot. It kept me on the edge of my seat. The description of the island and its water was enjoyable. Always like a happy ending.
This was an excellent story plot. It kept me on the edge of my seat. The description of the island and its water was enjoyable. Always like a happy ending.
February 9, 2018
GREAT READ
Great reading GOOD PLOT. SOME FINE INFO. The Irish connect toNorthern Michigan was news to me and lived in central Michigan for fourty years. Live and learn.
Great reading GOOD PLOT. SOME FINE INFO. The Irish connect toNorthern Michigan was news to me and lived in central Michigan for fourty years. Live and learn.
February 21, 2018
Great book
I really enjoyed this book. The story drew together the Irish and the American problems with terrorism with a little romance thrown in.
I really enjoyed this book. The story drew together the Irish and the American problems with terrorism with a little romance thrown in.
March 23, 2018
Good book
I’m ready to read more about Sheriff Callahan on the island. It sure sounds like Beaver Island! Good writing and enjoyable book.
I’m ready to read more about Sheriff Callahan on the island. It sure sounds like Beaver Island! Good writing and enjoyable book.
August 16, 2021
I love to read sheriff books
I love to read sheriff books with beliveable characters and this one is really nice so is the nature scenes
I love to read sheriff books with beliveable characters and this one is really nice so is the nature scenes
January 7, 2022
My first read of a Russell Fee book - glad I tried it.
Former Chicago police detective, Matt Callahan, disfigured in an attack in Chicago, moves to become Sheriff in Nicolet County, an island in Michigan. Fee introduces the island and its residents, a community with deep Irish roots. He builds slowly, creating his cchracters and worls, introducing the mystery.
Well done and I'm on to his next case.
Former Chicago police detective, Matt Callahan, disfigured in an attack in Chicago, moves to become Sheriff in Nicolet County, an island in Michigan. Fee introduces the island and its residents, a community with deep Irish roots. He builds slowly, creating his cchracters and worls, introducing the mystery.
Well done and I'm on to his next case.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews