Cold Hearted River

Sean Stranahan #6

by Keith McCafferty

In the sixth novel in the acclaimed Sean Stranahan mystery series, Montana's favorite detective finds himself on the trail of Ernest Hemingway's missing steamer trunk.

"Keith McCafferty is a top-notch, first-rate, can't-miss novelist."
--C.J. Box, #1 New York Times bestselling author

When a woman goes missing in a spring snowstorm and is found dead in a bear's den, Sheriff Martha Ettinger reunites with her once-again lover Sean Stranahan to investigate. In a pannier of the dead woman's horse, they find a wallet of old trout flies, the leather engraved with the initials EH. Only a few days before, Patrick Willoughby, the president of the Madison River Liars and Fly Tiers Club, had been approached by a man selling fishing gear that he claimed once belonged to Ernest Hemingway. A coincidence? Sean doesn't think so, and he soon finds himself on the trail of a stolen trunk rumored to contain not only the famous writer's valuable fly fishing gear but priceless pages of unpublished work.

The investigation will take Sean through extraordinary chapters in Hemingway's life. Inspired by a true story, Cold Hearted River is a thrilling adventure, moving from Montana to Michigan, where a woman grapples with the secrets in her heart, to a cabin in Wyoming under the Froze To Death Plateau, and finally to the ruins in Havana, where an old man struggles to complete his life's mission one true sentence at a time.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Novels, Contemporary, Crime

333 pages, Paperback

First published July 4, 2017

About the author

Keith McCafferty is the Survival and Outdoor Skills Editor of Field & Stream. He has written articles for publications as diverse as Fly Fisherman Magazine, Mother Earth News, Grays Sporting Journal and the Chicago Tribune, and on subjects ranging from mosquitoes to wolves to mercenaries and exorcism. Based in Montana and working on assignment around the globe he recently spent a month in India trekking the Himalayas, fishing for golden mahseer and studying tigers. Keith has won numerous awards, including the Robert Traver Award for angling literature. He has twice been a finalist for a National Magazine Award.

Reviews

[J.L. Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I’ve been on a Hemingway-themed kick lately, I skipped ahead in Keith McCafferty’s Sean Stranahan Series specifically to read the sixth volume, Cold Hearted River. This Sean Stranahan mystery begins with the premise that Ernest Hemingway’s fly fishing gear (which had been in a steamer trunk when it was lost or stolen in 1940) might have been found (along with a potentially unpublished Hemingway manuscript). When dead bodies pile up, the common thread around the murders turns out to be Hemingway’s mythical fishing gear. I really enjoyed how McCafferty used Hemingway (and not subtly) to evoke the iconic writer and his connection to the Rocky Mountain West (Wyoming, Montana and Idaho).

Rural parts of these states are little changed since Hemingway spent time hunting, fishing and writing here. Many of the novel’s characters go to extraordinary lengths to link themselves to Hemingway and the mythology he evoked. Here I think McCafferty is spot on in how much Hemingway continues to resonate in the region. Cold Hearted River works as a standalone book and comes to a satisfying conclusion.

[Cindy Burnett (Thoughts from a Page) · Rating 4 out of 5]

While Cold Hearted River is the 6th book in the Sean Stranahan mystery series, it served as my introduction to the series, and I look forward to going back and reading the rest (I actually went to our local bookstore as soon as I finished this one and bought the first two for my husband to bring on vacation). The stories take place predominantly in Montana and remind me somewhat of C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett series though the particular crime at issue in Cold Hearted River is more literary oriented than the crimes in Box’s books. This mystery features Ernest Hemingway extensively, specifically his fishing gear and a potentially undiscovered manuscript; a subject matter that delighted me to no end. McCafferty’s characters are an interesting bunch (in a good way), indicative of individuals I would expect to find in rural Montana. The mystery is intriguing if a bit drawn out; I loved the Hemingway storyline and its various components, but I was ready for it to be over before it was.

As I frequently mention, I am a huge fan of cool book covers and prefer covers that relate to the story inside. This series contains distinct, unique covers that are very appealing and represent the tale being told. I always love that.

Cold Hearted River was a nice change of pace for me; McCafferty writes beautifully, and the book was a joy to read. Thanks to First to Read for this ARC.

[Randal White · Rating 4 out of 5]

McCafferty has penned another great mystery. The series follows the adventures of Sean Stranahan, an artist/fly fisherman/private detective. This time, the story incorporates Ernest Hemingway into the fold. The author is a wonderful writer, his descriptions (especially of the rivers Stranahan is fishing) make you feel like you are there. The character development, even of the minor ones, is thorough, you are made to feel like you actually know the people. The stories flow very well, and I especially appreciate that McCafferty manages to wrap up all the loose ends in his books, and doesn't leave you hanging at the end. The only complaint I can make about this book is that the main character, after several books, is getting a bit stale. The eventual seduction of every interesting woman he meets is cliche, almost like the author wants him to be James Bond. Other than that observation, the book is very good. Cold Hearted River is the latest in the series, but it could be read as a stand-alone book. I received an advance copy of this book from "First To Read" in exchange for a fair review.
 
 


 

[BB · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about many things of which I have no interest. Fly fishing, fly tying, rods and reels, actual fishing descriptions and Ernest Hemingway. And yet the writing was good and the story a mystery, I liked many characters.
Was heading to 4 stars but for some reason the love interest writing was noticeably worse than the mystery and fishing parts and I did not like Martha at all.
6th book in series. Will definitely go back and start from scratch BUT would think author would not be so stilted and awkward when discussing sex as the lead character Sean has sex with every woman he meets.

“Are you okay?”Yeah, I just stumbled on your Ruger.“ It had been their ritual once, Martha removing her belt and letting it drop before taking him to bed. Or the other way around, Sean reaching to unbuckle it. “Take the bullets out and bring it back to the bed. “
He dropped the cartridges onto the floor.
“Put the muzzle on my chest.“
“No, Martha, that’s—“
“just do it.“
He hesitated, then pressed it against her sternum. “More to the right. “
He moved it onto the swell of her left breast.
“Cock the hammer. “
He thumbed the hammer back.
“Shoot me” she said.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Again the author draws on history for the theme of this story. Apparently Ernest Hemingway was quite the fisherman and had a trunk of tackle go missing when traveling West. When a wallet of fishing flies with EH engraved on it is found near a suspicious death and the president of the Madison River Liars and Fly Tiers Club is contacted about fishing gear said to belong to Hemingway Sean seems to think the events are connected. He is then hired to track down the items rumored to belong to the author. This takes him not only around the Montana/Wyoming area but all the way to Michigan and beyond. All to find the truth.

I love these characters, they are very believable and have become like dear friends. Sean and Martha have found their way back to each other which doesn’t make his former girlfriend very happy. I think the relationship may continue to be in flux as they are both very independent people, with Martha being very opinionated and strong willed while Sean seems to go with the flow. I love their dialogue with each other. I am anxious to see their story pan out.

The book starts with a heart-wrenching telling of 2 people trapped in a storm that brings a search party out. I was captivated immediately. I really enjoyed this story and the way Mr. McCafferty weaves Hemingway’s history right into this current day story. It takes many twists and turns as each new clue is uncovered. I do love the way this author writes, his laid back style, he is a very descriptive writer. This time I felt we were covering the same places more than once with the same details so it dragged just a little bit for me in places but enough to ever stop reading. I was totally taken by surprise at the ending. Hook, Line, and Sinker, put me in the net. The last twist, priceless. I was right there with Martha as Sean told her what happened.

A mystery, some history, drama, and romance makes this an enjoyable escape.

[Charlotte Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold Hearted River, the sixth volume in Keith McCafferty’s Sean Stranahan series, is a definite must read for mystery fans. Intriguing and beautifully written, it will keep you up turning pages late into the night.

(Advance Reading Copy obtained by request from First To Read.)

[Emmitouflee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 2.75

Thanks to Penguin, I received an ARC for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this book very much, the premise was very promising and the story itself was well-crafted (weighed down occasionally by the discussions of fly fishing), however, ultimately I could not get on board with the writing. The writing style was very reminiscent of Ernest Hemingway's style (Heminingway also features heavily in this book) who in turn was influenced by his years as a journalist. I enjoy Hemingway's style at times, but it did not work for me here. The short truncated sentences, describing merely events made me feel as though I was watching scenes unfold through a blurry screen, a constant barrier hampering my imersion. In addition, frequently events will be skipped over, and the reader only knows it happened because Sean will summarize it to Martha the next day, which only made me feel further removed and disconnected from the characters.

This meant that the characters felt very two dimensional to me, I would recommend this book to those who want to enjoy a mystery novel and are not looking to get heavily involved with the characters.

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed some of the characters, but the Sheriff is terribly depressing in her relationships and life. Narrator does a nice job with the characters and entire storyline.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel, the 6th in the Sean Stranahan series, checks some of the boxes that make it a satisfying continuation of the Sean and Martha romance and fleshes out Sean’s friend Sam’s story as a married man and a new father. He is less of a caricature in this book, which I appreciated. The plot revolves around the existence of a steamer trunk that belonged to Ernest Hemingway that was filled with fly fishing rods, ties and paraphernalia connected to life on the Madison and Yellowstone rivers. The loss of the trunk is historically accurate; the process of Sean locating it, solving a few murders and connecting the dots that take him to Michigan and Cuba makes for an interesting, fictionalized version of the story.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is based on the story of Ernest Hemingway's fishing gear that was stolen in Wyoming. When a rod turns up years later at a murder site, Stan Stranahan is hired to recover the rest of the missing gear. A string of deaths follow as others have the same quest. A nice story with the exception of McCafferty more frequent use of sex.

[Chris Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a bit of a struggle with this but cannot say why. I really enjoy this series and one bump in my road won't keep me from reading more.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, had me going till the very end. Deadly combination: fly fishing, Montana/Wyoming, Hemingway.

[Tommy Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Keith McCafferty.

[Marco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chuck and Frieda Toliver are lost in the cold wilderness as the book opens and are then separated. When detectives Martha Ettinger and Sean Stranahan find Frieda dead, Chuck later commits suicide.

From there, Martha and Sean investigate how these two came to be lost and Frieda dead while other bodies turn up murdered in their jurisdiction. When the connections relate to missing Ernest Hemingway memorabilia, Martha and Sean look around for a killer that may be closer than they think.

"Cold Hearted River" is a very slow novel, one that I would classify more as a western than anything else due to its pacing and throwback lifestyle to limited cellphones and no Internet, where the wilderness rules and people are second to it.

Martha and Sean also have a very complicated relationship that started earlier in this series and might have more weight reading those books first since it seems very volatile in this one. I couldn't tell whether they were in love or have no one else to put up with them.

It's all very messy and complicated as most small town stories tend to be. Fans of Hemingway will respond with stories about the complicated writer that dominate most of the book.

The closest I can compare this novel to is if Stephanie Plum from Janet Evanovich's series got serious about her job.

With the series reaching this number, it's reached a fan base that I'm sure knows what they're doing to get this series this far. The writing is terrific and the slow burn of the plot makes you want to reach the next page, but it still felt like I stumbled onto a conversation that had already started and had that awkward time trying to fit in.

For fans of the series or of 'Fargo'.

[Cheyenne · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I received this early electronic review copy from Penguin’s First to Read Program in exchange for an an honest review.*

I read this not knowing anything about the series or the author. The story follows the myth of a lost trunk belonging to Ernest Heminingway containing premium fishing gear and potential samples of his unpublished work.

I liked how this started, but as the story progressed, I had a hard time following the characters and maintaining interest. While I liked the descriptions of the Montana and Wyoming landscapes, I just didn’t have enough interest in fishing or Ernest Hemingway to make this book enjoyable.

2 stars for the characters and setting.

[Kris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read all the titles and this one I did not like. I so love these characters but this one had too much fly fishing lingo and Sean sleeping with or flirting with every woman he knows and meets. I mean the scene with Martha and the gun in bed was just so out of character. I am sad that the author has taken strong, independent women and made them into love crazy snippy bitches. Tired of Sean. More detective work please. More descriptions of country and the people. Not sure I will finish series. Sigh. Farewell, Montana.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novel that would be greatly enjoyed if you are an avid fly fisherman and a huge fan of Earnest Hemingway. I like freshwater fishing and Hemingway but this novel took me too deep into the woods on both fly fishing and Hemingway.

[Justine Derousse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the twist at the end and integration of E. Hemingway history.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the Sean Stranahan mystery series. Stranahan is a private investigator and fly fisherman in Montana. Author Keith McCafferty is the survival and outdoor skills editor of Field & Stream magazine.

The mystery is based on a true, but little known incident. Ernest Hemingway loved Montana and Idaho; he also loved fly fishing. On one of his trips to Montana, his steamer trunk of expensive, custom fly fishing gear disappeared en route, never to be found again. Hemingway's son has stated that an unpublished short story may also be in the trunk.

Suddenly, it seems that the trunk has been found, as bits of custom vintage fishing equipment, some marked 'EH' begin to turn up in Sean's area. And bodies begin to accumulate.

It starts out with a grisly tale of having to survive a freak spring storm inside a horse carcass a la Luke Skywalker on the Ice Planet. Unfortunately, while the author may be a survival specialist, I don't think he's a horseman, as the horse details are a bit off.

I was also annoyed that Stranahan had women throwing themselves at his feet, or, rather, his bed. Perhaps the author believes he is writing strong, independent women with non-traditional careers, but since none of the women actually talk to another woman in the book, it fails the Bechdel test.

I loved the outdoor details and I was not aware of the Hemingway lost trunk. All in all a decent enough mystery, which perhaps I would have appreciated more if I had read the previous titles, and not jumped in mid-series.

[Jenny Houle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from FirstToRead for an unbiased opinion.
From Amazon: "In the sixth novel in the acclaimed Sean Stranahan mystery series, Montana's favorite detective finds himself on the trail of Ernest Hemingway's missing steamer trunk."

I have not read the previous five books in the Stranahan series, but this book worked as a stand alone mystery. (Often in mystery series, this has not been my experience. The characters' relationships tend to leave something to be desired if you don't know the background, but this was not a problem with COLD HEARTED RIVER.)

The story of Ernest Hemingway's missing steamer trunk was new to me (I had heard of his lost briefcase on a train, of course, because what reader has not?). McCafferty does include how he first came to learn of the steamer trunk from Jack Hemingway at the beginning of the novel. Many collectors will tell you that the value of an object is entirely subjective, so while finding the suitcase of manuscripts would mean a great deal to me, I can understand why the steamer trunk is considered the same mythological item among fishermen.

McCafferty creates a way for even those who are not fisherman, or those who are not familiar with the harshness of Montana's wilderness, to experience both without loosing interest. The characters were well developed, the plot line was interesting, and the mystery...stayed a mystery until the end.

[Homerun2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sixth installment in the Sean Stranahan mystery series is a corker. Sean is a private investigator, fly fisherman, and artist, and he's talented at all three. The Montana setting only adds to the enjoyment and mystique of these tales.

This time out, Sean becomes involved in a legend -- the possibly mythical existence and whereabouts of a lost Ernest Hemingway trunk, filled with vintage fishing gear and perhaps unpublished writing, along with the nearly irresistible odor of machismo attached to any Hemingway belonging.

Before the story is all told, there are bodies galore, some directly attributable to murder, and others flirting with the black darkness of Hemingway and suicide. Some characters are obsessed by the trunk's glamour, some are obsessed with its incalculable monetary value, and some because it belonged to Hemingway.

Knitted amongst the threads of investigation is Stranahan's intermittent and unresolved relationship with prickly Sheriff Martha Ettinger. The trail leads from Montana to Wyoming to Michigan to Cuba before all the answers are known. And even the last few pages contain a few surprises.

This novel, like all the previous in the series, is a pleasure to read and a rare treat. I received an ARC via Net Galley in return for my honest review.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#6 in the Sean Stranahan series. This 2017 series entry by author Keith McCafferty is a fine addition to this series that features the mysteries that naturally arise in the course of Montana fly fishing. This time around the plot features Ernest Hemingway artifacts surfacing after being stolen in 1940; a secondary story arc concerns the possible health benefits of elk antler velvet. I like characters aging, marrying and having children and reappearing from prior novels.

Sean Stranahan, the Montana fishing guide, helps Sheriff Martha Ettinger, retrieve Frieda Toliver's belongings from the ridge where she died during a surprise snowstorm. Among Frieda's effects is an old fly-fishing wallet bearing the initials "EH." Patrick Willoughby of the Madison River Liars and Fly Tiers Club identifies the contents as an obscure three-fly cast favored by Ernest Hemingway-an odd coincidence, given that someone recently offered to sell Patrick a collection of Hemingway's fishing tackle. Sean and Patrick go to appraise the gear and instead find the corpse of Frieda's stepbrother. Sean's efforts to locate the missing memorabilia and determine its provenance unearth tales of a stolen steamer trunk.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cold Hearted River by Keith McCafferty is a pretty decent private detective story. When a woman gets caught on a mountain and dies, she is found with an interesting piece of fishing tackle, a piece most likely owned by Ernest Hemingway at one time, from a steamer trunk that was stolen decades ago. Sean Stranahan, our detective/artist/fly fisherman, sets out to locate the lost trunk and tackle and comes across a few dead bodies in the process.

Hemingway's lost trunk is an interesting jumping off point and fits in nicely with the Montana setting. I learned a little bit about fly fishing and a little bit about Hemingway. I liked all of what seemed to be the main characters and think I could read the rest of the series because of them.

All around it was a good read and I think it would be a great camping read. There was one little surprise at the end that I did not like and felt was unnecessary. I am referring to what happened to Margarethe (a lead/suspect in the missing trunk/murder investigation) as a young woman. It did not need to happen for the story to make sense.

I received a digital galley of this book from Penguin's First to Read program.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Really interesting plot. I'm not a Hemingway fan but the mystery involving his trunk of fishing gear was great. I love the regular characters. Sean is an excellent protagonist. Smart ass handles himself well. I like Sam also and their comradery and dialogue are good. The characters specific to this plot were well developed, especially Peter Jackson. I think the author needs to work on his female characters. Martha is so under utilized in this series and is generally portrayed as a buzzkill. I want her more involved in the action, so maybe she needs to quit being the sheriff. I also thought the characterizations of Margrethe as a tragic abuse survivor and Jolene as a hard hearted whore were heavy handed and lacked the nuisance the author gave to Peter Jackson. It was also obvious when the despicable deputy, Leland Stokes, came into the plot that he was going to be the bad guy. Though ultimately, Sean discovered it was Peter who was the killer, from Margrethe. Hmm, after writing that, it makes me wonder what detective work Sean actually did. But I still loved the book and look forward to reading more in this series.

[Drick · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the preface the author explains that this novel is centered on the mystery of Ernest Hemingway's lost trunk of fishing tackle. Apparently, the trunk was stolen in 1940 on a railroad ride Hemingway was taking to a lodge in Ketcham Idaho. McCafferty takes on the challenge of exploring this missing trunk and what might have happened to it. As a result, while the story involves a series of murders of people connected to the missing trunk and its contents, it is also a story about the enigmatic Ernest Hemingway. As with all of McCafferty's novels one must have an appreciation for the intricacies of fly fishing, of which Hemingway was a devotee. However, the story also whets one's appetite for Hemingway himself, as anecdotes about the famous American author are also sprinkled in.

Because Keith McCafferty are old college friends and roommates, there are also interesting biographical notes sprinkled in about the author himself, which I will keep to myself, but which make the story all that more real.

[Lisa Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose given the combination of age and background of the author, a book containing a mystery involving Hemmingway was inevitable. I still loved Sean and the gang, but this story dragged. This was more six degrees of Hemmingway's trunk.

The story starts with a couple stuck in a surprise spring blizzard and from there goes into the questionable antler felt trade, the mystery of how they got the supply for that being what I expected this story to be about. Instead it serves as a lead in to a bunch of almost cameos of people also searching for the trunk as Sean tracks the trunk for the Liars and Fly Tiers group.

I think I was supposed to take from this the power of celebrity, with everyone chasing the gold of the potential of what this trunk might offer. You can't help but compare it to Pandora's box. He kind of wraps the Hemmingway curse into this. I get a lot of disconnected people who turn up at very convenient moments to make this story happen. This one just didn't do it for me.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for its characters more than the mystery. Even though I have not read any of the other books in the series, I didn't feel I was missing information about Martha and Sean (but now I want to read from the beginning to get more of their history). Martha and Sean had an easy banter and I found myself laughing aloud a few times at their dialogue. The mystery was good but somewhat muddied by the multiple characters who were a bit hard to keep track of. The Hemingway connection as the basis for the story was interesting. I certainly did not see the solution coming which always makes the story better for me. I will definitely recommend this to other mystery readers.

I received an advanced reading copy of this book from Penguin's First to Read program.

[Ana Harvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Private detective mysteries set in fly fishing country are not typically my first choice when reading. However, "Cold Hearted River" by Keith McCafferty is a very pleasant surprise. I found myself quickly absorbed by the characters and their relationships, even though there are a few tropes I can do without. Must every woman he meets throw herself at Sean every single time? The writing is smart and fast-paced and does an excellent job explaining several historical and cultural details without them dragging down the story. It was interesting to read about Hemingway's passion for fly fishing and learning about the gear he favored and used. McCafferty's book is a fun escape into a cooler world of mystery, murder, and adventure.

[Hans Erdman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep your line tight or it'll get away!
I'm a fly-fisherman, like good mysteries, and a bit of historical background thrown in, and "Cold Hearted River" has all of that. Based around the real-life story of a missing steamer trunk belonging to the great American writer, Ernest Hemingway, the story travels all the way from the Great Divide to Michigan's fabled AuSable River to Cuba, Sean manages to stay one step ahead of the Grim Reaper, catch nice trout, and keep his relationship with Sheriff Martha Ettinger intact. The plot twists at the end will have you re-reading (or my case, re-playing) the next to last chapter. My only spoiler; Sean and Martha finally admit their love to each other, rather than their dogs, the sky, whatever.

[Dave Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for these Sean Stranahan mystery novels. How could I not love well written novels with a fly fishing guide at the center of action. In this novel Ernest Hemingway plays a critical role, and the book made me consider reading some Hemingway novels. The relationship between Sean and Martha Ettinger sparks and sputters, as Sean once again operates outside the law and unravels the mystery. Much of the action centers on Cooke City, MT, but some side trips to Michigan and Havana, Cuba provide interesting contrasts. The usual cast of characters are present, but Sam Meslik, another fishing guide and friend of Sean, takes on an increased role. I love this character's Montana sized heart and his macho, fishing guide sense of humor. Book seven will certainly be on my Want to Read list.