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Dave Cubiak #4
Death Rides the Ferry
It’s a sparkling August day on Washington Island and the resonant notes of early classical music float on the breeze toward the sailboats and ferries that ply the waters of Death’s Door strait. After a forty-year absence, the Viola da Gamba Music Festival has returned to the picturesque isle on the tip of Wisconsin’s Door County peninsula. Sheriff Dave Cubiak enjoys a rare day off as tourists and a documentary film crew hover around the musicians.
The jubilant mood sours when an unidentified passenger is found dead on a ferry. Longtime residents recall with dismay the disastrous festival decades earlier, when another woman died and a valuable sixteenth-century instrument—the fabled yellow viol—vanished, never to be found.
Cubiak follows a trail of murder, kidnapping, and false identity that leads back to the calamitous night of the twin tragedies. With the lives of those he holds most dear in peril, the sheriff pursues a ruthless killer into the stormy northern reaches of Lake Michigan.
The jubilant mood sours when an unidentified passenger is found dead on a ferry. Longtime residents recall with dismay the disastrous festival decades earlier, when another woman died and a valuable sixteenth-century instrument—the fabled yellow viol—vanished, never to be found.
Cubiak follows a trail of murder, kidnapping, and false identity that leads back to the calamitous night of the twin tragedies. With the lives of those he holds most dear in peril, the sheriff pursues a ruthless killer into the stormy northern reaches of Lake Michigan.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published May 8, 2018
36 people are currently reading
267 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
October 7, 2025
I have really enjoyed the rest of this series, but this one was soooooo slow! It started out with an interesting plot line, but the end was so dragged out. I couldn’t wait to finish. I gave it 3 stars, but in actuality it’s a 2 1/2 for me.
October 3, 2021
[Minor spoiler alert]
Read this book while on a short vacation at Door County. Skalka did a good job laying out the clues for the reader at the crime scene and introduced her characters (Washington Island and the water ways were characters too and much more robust than several human characters were).
Skalka builds a complex mystery surrounding the music festivals held on Washington Island both current and 40 years previously involving multiple deaths and the theft of a valuable musical instrument.
The final ¼ of the book devoted to action and suspense became tedious as over and over different scenarios debating who needed to live to provide incentive/ emotional blackmail to the characters needed to ensure the villains’ escapes unfolded. Unfortunately for this reviewer, there were a few too many switches in the ‘shell game’ of the identities of prominent suspects with the villains’ fates casually discarded and Skalka became too unsporting in concealing clues and information from the reader.
Skalka kept the locals of Door County innocent with the perpetrators being either German or Tunisian.
Despite these flaws, the book earns four stars as a sound effort, interesting combination of the music world and a great use of the popular tourist area.
Best line: “Music is the only art form you can take with you wherever you go, no matter who you are.”
Read this book while on a short vacation at Door County. Skalka did a good job laying out the clues for the reader at the crime scene and introduced her characters (Washington Island and the water ways were characters too and much more robust than several human characters were).
Skalka builds a complex mystery surrounding the music festivals held on Washington Island both current and 40 years previously involving multiple deaths and the theft of a valuable musical instrument.
The final ¼ of the book devoted to action and suspense became tedious as over and over different scenarios debating who needed to live to provide incentive/ emotional blackmail to the characters needed to ensure the villains’ escapes unfolded. Unfortunately for this reviewer, there were a few too many switches in the ‘shell game’ of the identities of prominent suspects with the villains’ fates casually discarded and Skalka became too unsporting in concealing clues and information from the reader.
Skalka kept the locals of Door County innocent with the perpetrators being either German or Tunisian.
Despite these flaws, the book earns four stars as a sound effort, interesting combination of the music world and a great use of the popular tourist area.
Best line: “Music is the only art form you can take with you wherever you go, no matter who you are.”
March 24, 2020
I'm hooked on these Wisconsin Door County mysteries by Patricia Skalka. This story set on Wasington Island revolves around a musical festival and the disappearance of a rare stringed instrument and several murders in the past as well as during the current event.
It was difficult trying to figure out how the crime was done, and who the murderer could be.
It was difficult trying to figure out how the crime was done, and who the murderer could be.
July 26, 2023
After a trip to Door County I realized I was behind on the Dave Cubiak series. This book was ok, I got a little lost in the description of the gambia and the mystery surrounding the instrument, but it was a good read, filled with familiar places
March 27, 2025
A little bit too focused on the fine details that are hard to follow. Once getting into more of the action of this book it was easier to stay engaged.
August 22, 2019
If your definition of an excellent mystery novel includes a complex, good-hearted detective, an exciting plot with twists and turns that takes place in an interesting, authentic setting, then this latest in the Patricia Skalka’s terrific series is the book for you. Dave Cubiak, the detective, is a guy you want to spend time with, the plot involves a stolen viol, murder, of course, and old crimes setting off current crimes, all taking place in Door County, Wisconsin, one of the Midwest’s playgrounds and a place that Skalka must know well. Her knowledge and love of the place makes you feel like a regular when you stop with Dave for coffee in the dockside café and experience the terror of the dark while sailing on the starless midnight waters of Lake Michigan. I have an aversion to mysteries that are gory, misogynistic, and take place in an unrealistic world. Skalka is a writer who knows how to write a gripping story without excessive gore, although with plenty of fear and suspenses, the only category of people she dislikes are those who do evil. This book, like the other Dave Cubiak novels, I read too fast because I couldn’t stop.
September 5, 2022
Protagonist, Dave Cubiak is in a good place in his life -- he's married to a woman he dearly loves, he's working in idyllic Door County and has made some pretty great friends along the way. Life is good ... until it isn't. Dave takes a day off to attend a music festival on Washington Island and is soon pulled into a murder/mystery that takes the reader on a 'who done it' journey through the history of stringed instruments, friendships gone bad, desperation and the truth. When two people connected to the case are found found dead by the same cause, Cubiak is puzzled and wonders if this could have something to do with an earlier music festival that was also held on Washington Island. While this is all brewing, he's forced to deal with an event that happened in his past that is preventing him from moving forward. Skalka has walked the places that she brings the reader into and brings out the mystery in the places that are part of the allure of Door County. She builds on the deep commitment to friendship and why we need a friend to help us to understand ourselves and inspire us to go one step further.
June 27, 2020
Sheriff Dave Cubiak is off duty on Door County peninsula's Washington Island during a music festival when he's informed of a woman found dead aboard one of the ferries. What's more mysterious is he saw this woman earlier in the day with a bag that is no longer to be found.
The fourth book by Patricia Skalka in the Dave Cubiak Door County Mystery series, "Death Rides the Ferry" is gripping from the beginning. When a second body is found, Cubiak begins to sense the urgency of solving the mystery. It's tourist season in Door County, and besides the festival, a documentary film crew scatters the area, mixing locals with visitors. So who is this woman and what happened to her bag? And what was in her bag? Are these deaths somehow connected to what happened at the first music festival on the island years ago?
Although in the middle of a series, I didn't read the preceding books before I read this one, and although it might be helpful for some minor background information, Skalka does a fine job of giving what is necessary for a smooth read.
The fourth book by Patricia Skalka in the Dave Cubiak Door County Mystery series, "Death Rides the Ferry" is gripping from the beginning. When a second body is found, Cubiak begins to sense the urgency of solving the mystery. It's tourist season in Door County, and besides the festival, a documentary film crew scatters the area, mixing locals with visitors. So who is this woman and what happened to her bag? And what was in her bag? Are these deaths somehow connected to what happened at the first music festival on the island years ago?
Although in the middle of a series, I didn't read the preceding books before I read this one, and although it might be helpful for some minor background information, Skalka does a fine job of giving what is necessary for a smooth read.
August 3, 2018
Another great Dave Cubiak story. Actually this was much more of a Door County story than the other books. Yes, there was an important subplot involving our favorite Sheriff's life but this was much more a tale of a piece of the penninsula's history and place on the world stage (even if a fictional story). I would really love to hear some live viol da gamba music. Thankfully Spotify has a great playlist.
What I love about the author's writing is that you are able to easily immerse yourself in the story. There is no large build up to the main story. You step off and go. I was able to knock out the first 175 pages in one evening. That's not say that this is a "simple" story or an easy read. There was great information on the music, instruments and cultural history on which the story winds its way. Everything is presented effortlessly and the plot moves along steadily.
I look forward to the next book!
What I love about the author's writing is that you are able to easily immerse yourself in the story. There is no large build up to the main story. You step off and go. I was able to knock out the first 175 pages in one evening. That's not say that this is a "simple" story or an easy read. There was great information on the music, instruments and cultural history on which the story winds its way. Everything is presented effortlessly and the plot moves along steadily.
I look forward to the next book!
April 13, 2020
I just read Death in Cold Water and loved it from start to finish. I'm now reading Death Rides the Ferry and so far I like it too. Until that is I find out he's now married. Married! I'm really confused that at the end of the Death in Cold Water he and Cate were hardly a couple, hardly talking in fact and in this next one they're not just a couple they're married AND she's pregnant! With a new expensive custom built house I might add. Yet not one word to indicate how they went from barely seeing each other to this married state. It's not just confusing it's really annoying IMO that the author made no effort at all to explain this marriage. It's kind of put me off the book which I realize is ridiculous but either she's part of the story or not and this half way measure just doesn't work for me at all.
July 1, 2018
This is Skalka at her best! Again, Door County compels a beautiful vista painted with clear, lyrical language. And this time there is music in the spheres, with viola de gamba musicians bringing the 15th century up to ours.
A bucolic Gamba festival offering simple, bright viol performances is suddenly shattered by intrigue. Here a 40 year old crime and two current murders collide.
Again, Cubiak, is thrown into an investigation of a life time that threatens a personal trial by fire. Excruciating flash backs from one other such trial breath down his neck as he tries to put all the missing pieces in place.
A bucolic Gamba festival offering simple, bright viol performances is suddenly shattered by intrigue. Here a 40 year old crime and two current murders collide.
Again, Cubiak, is thrown into an investigation of a life time that threatens a personal trial by fire. Excruciating flash backs from one other such trial breath down his neck as he tries to put all the missing pieces in place.
June 19, 2018
I've been a fan of Patricia Skalka for a few years, and her Dave Cubiak series caused me to take a vacation to Door County, where the series is set. This, her fourth book, is as delightful as the other three.
The ferry in question is a ferry that connects Washington Island to the rest of the Door County peninsula, and, having ridden on that ferry, I found the opening chapters fascinating. The rest of the book was good as well, with her detective having to solve two crimes - a forty-year-old one and a very recent one. Well written and suspenseful.
The ferry in question is a ferry that connects Washington Island to the rest of the Door County peninsula, and, having ridden on that ferry, I found the opening chapters fascinating. The rest of the book was good as well, with her detective having to solve two crimes - a forty-year-old one and a very recent one. Well written and suspenseful.
July 25, 2018
I discovered Skalka's mystery series and my local bookstore and added it to my "easy reading" summer. These short novels feature a sheriff beginning his life anew in Door County Wisconsin (after a tragedy of course). This newest in the Dave Cubiak series involves murder, theft of a priceless musical instrument and confusion enhanced by the influx of tourists to this area. Compared to the first in the series, Ms Skalka has created a more complex and interesting character line.
August 4, 2020
Full disclosure, Patricia Skalka was an acquaintance of mine from our days working on the Flyer News at the University of Dayton. So while I might be a tad biased, I feel I can objectively say Patricia has mastered the art of the regional mystery series. I enjoyed this one every bit as much as the others I’ve read thus far. Easy read but with just enough layered complexity and suspense to hold the reader’s interest.
August 3, 2021
Having visited Door County a number of times, I always enjoy reading about the area. This is a good mystery series and I look forward to reading more. It's a bonus when I learn something -- I had never heard of the musical instrument featured in this book -- the viola da gamba -- and did a little internet searching to see what it looked like and some of the history. I regret that in our trips there we never took the ferry to Washington Island, the location featured in this book.
September 13, 2021
A change of plot, almost like a suspense/thriller novel. Adds a lot of tempo.
Author is racing the background along, 2 years have passed and DAve and Cate are married. Why skip all that? Why have the main character be in a relationship if your going to skip large chunks of time? SPOIILER. Cate is pregnant, how old is she? Dave is 49, so what is she 15 years younger? must be. don't recall any indication of a big age disparity. Plot is great, but poor attention to the background.
Author is racing the background along, 2 years have passed and DAve and Cate are married. Why skip all that? Why have the main character be in a relationship if your going to skip large chunks of time? SPOIILER. Cate is pregnant, how old is she? Dave is 49, so what is she 15 years younger? must be. don't recall any indication of a big age disparity. Plot is great, but poor attention to the background.
January 5, 2019
Skalka has composed a very involved plot that kept me guessing until the end; no easy elimination of possible culprits in this one! She also has developed her description of Door County and her ability to delineate characters to resemble real people. Fans will be glad to know that Dave is creating a new life for himself and it looks like it may turn out well for him.
October 30, 2020
This book is the second book I read by this author. I like the sense of place and culture. I like reading books that take place where I have traveled. This author does a good job with loose ends in the plot and characterization is good also. The reader feels for the characters. It was an enjoyable read. I recommend it to travelers who have been to Door County, Wisconsin.
July 6, 2022
Skalka's books never disappoint. The books are tightly written, not particularly long and the characters are well developed. Plots always have a twist or two and Death Rides the Ferry is no different. In addition, her sense of place is fabulous. Anyone who has been to Door Co. will recognize various setting and events in the book. Great beach read!
March 18, 2024
When an unidentified women dies on a ferry during music festival, Dave Cubiak faces a slew of challenges. First and foremost, who was she? and what was the cause of death? Was her death in any way related to the unsolved theft at a previous music festival forty years earlier? Dave follows the slim clues drawing the reader into a book that is hard to put down.
June 26, 2018
The most thrilling one of the series so far! What a chance to the end. I love how writers research and come up with things I never heard of....viol da gamba. Very interesting history and it just moved so well the the music festival story line and it's history. Well done Patricia Skalka!
November 4, 2019
fun read, complex plot but good clue - reveal - next clue - reveal evolution, with a few red herrings thrown in. Still don't buy how fast the sheriff gets from Sturgeon Bay to Gill's Rock or Northport - even off season there is more traffic than this guy seems to encounter!
March 14, 2020
Good entertainment for social distancing
A wonderful distraction from the news. Easy to read, engrossing plot, and an interesting crime that brings sheriff Dave Cubiak into the company of elite musicians during a festival on Washington Island.
A wonderful distraction from the news. Easy to read, engrossing plot, and an interesting crime that brings sheriff Dave Cubiak into the company of elite musicians during a festival on Washington Island.
September 19, 2022
The crimes are pretty gruesome, but the main characters in each of these books--especially Cubiak, Bathard, and Rowe--are really engaging. They, and the setting of my beloved Door County, Wisconsin, are why I keep reading this series.
December 3, 2024
This is the fourth book in the series that I have read. Was a little lost at the beginning since between book three and four Cubiak got married, moved into a new house and Butch died. Thought I was missing something. After that, the book was a great read.
May 2, 2018
I do not read many mysteries but I really like this series. Always some surprising twists and great descriptions of Door County and Lake Michigan. #4 lives up to its predecessors.
July 6, 2018
Fun to read since set in Door County-mystery with some surprises
July 12, 2018
This was a great addition to the series and I felt as if I was again on the Washington Island ferry... I love the musical interludes and history on the viol... a great read, for sure!
June 21, 2019
So good I had to stay up reading it until 3:45 am.
August 10, 2019
Loved the mystery and the complexity of the plot. I can't wait for the next book. This book is especially intriguing to those who know door county.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews