Eleven Miles to Oshkosh

by Jim Guhl

As the Vietnam War grinds on and the Nixon presidency collapses, Del "Minnow" Finwick's small world in Wisconsin has blown apart. His father, a deputy sheriff, has been murdered by the unknown "Highway 41 Killer." His mom has unraveled. And a goon named Larry Buskin has been pummeling Minnow behind Neenah High.

Minnow finds support in the company of his roguish grandfather, his loyal pal Mark, and beautiful Opal Parsons, who has her own worries as the first African American student in their school. When the sheriff seems in no hurry to solve the murder, Minnow must seek justice by partnering with unlikely allies and discovering his own courage.

Genres: Teen, Historical Fiction

312 pages, Hardcover

Published October 2, 2018

Reviews

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-done mystery told from the point of view of Del Finwick, a sophomore at Neenah, Wisconsin high school during the early 1970s. Del's father, a deputy sheriff, has been murdered while on the job by the so-called Highway 41 Killer. In the face of the Sheriff's inattention to the case, Del and his friends begin to look for clues and set off a series of events that threatens Del's life as well as the lives of the remaining members of his family. What makes Eleven Miles to Oshkosh compelling is the author's faithfulness to the setting (even I found the segments on fishing and duck hunting of interest) and the complexity of its secondary characters, who surprise both Del and the reader throughout the book. Though my local library shelved this in the Young Adult section, I think adult readers who like cozy mysteries will also warm to this novel, owing to its sympathetic main character and the vivid school-friends-home-church community who both challenge and support him. Excellent.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book set in the place where I grew up. I'd call it a high-quality young adult mystery/coming-of-age story.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Written more on a young adult level but entertaining. Different to read a book that takes place in the Fox Valley and Neenah...I am sure folks who grew up here would really like this trip down memory lane....

[Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to read the work of local writers so I gave this story a try. At first I didn’t think I’d like it. Seemed a little too cute with the main character reminiscent of Opey from Mayberry. But it grew on me. The plot kept moving along with several surprises and I found I wanted to find out what happened to this 15 year old main character.
I once lived in Neenah where the story takes place. I enjoyed thinking about all the places that were mentioned in the story. That was fun.
The voice of the main character seemed a little younger than a 15 year old in 1972. More like a 12 year old in 1962. But I fully enjoyed reading this story and would recommend it. Even if you never lived in Neenah.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is set in my hometown in the early seventies. This is coming of age story about a boy whose father was murdered by the "Highway 41 Killer." Having grown up in Neenah he captured it perfectly.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living in Neenah makes this book interesting as it is set here. Not my favorite style of writing.

[Debbie Strick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't beat reading a good novel set in your own hometown!

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fun read, for me. I enjoyed the storyline, the characters AND it took place in the town I live. It is part murder mystery and part coming of age as the reader follows a teen named Del "Minnow" Finwick navigate the nature of adolescence, bullies, racial issues and the death of his father. The central theme of the book is Del and his friends trying to solve the murder of his father - a policeman who was shot and killed along a local highway. The story, however is so much more. Set in the 1970s, it was like reading a little time capsule of what life was like in Neenah, Wisconsin. Some of antics seemed a little far fetched but very entertaining. All in all, it definitely held my attention. I had a hard time putting the book down. I recommend this YA book for youth and adults alike.

[David Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim and I were friends in Grade school in the late Sixties. I moved from Neenah for one year and returned in 8th grade. I attended Horace Mann and Shattuck High the same time as the Character in the story, Del.

Jim Guhl does a wonderful job of painting what life was like in a small midwestern town in the early 70s. He brought me back to those innocent days when we were allowed to be children and make our own decisions. Del tells his Mom he is going out in the early morning and that he will be home for dinner. Mom was ok with that. So was my Mom when I did the same, but I was chasing something safer than a killer.

Jim brought warm memories and a smile to my face. A good story that makes the current days seem a bit better like a good cup of coffee makes the morning better.

Thanks Jim.

[BookReader1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Wisconsin, this is a great read! The main character is a likeable 15 year-odd boy who has a ton of challenges including a father who was recently murdered. Del and his friends set out to solve the crime themselves. Interesting characters, surprising twists, and an exciting conclusion. A page-turner. Can't wait for this author's next book.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked: the narrative told from Del’s (high school misfit) POV , the plot, the setting, fishing descriptions (made me want to try ice fishing), and the theme that wasn’t shoved down my throat, but intertwined within a compelling plot.
Only 1 dislike, but it dampened my overall love of this book to just a like. The far fetched events toward the end. Made the story too unbelievable.

[Marla · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent kids' / YA murder mystery, especially if you're from central Wisconsin and know the area (like me). Some is quite unrealistic (fiction after all ), and overall simplistic, but has a satisfying, yet predictable ending. A similar kid's novel - Black Duck (Lisle) - is a super awesome intricate story of boys also trying to solve a murder, including a crooked sheriff, but set during the Prohibition.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book! I mean, there’s definitely some seriousness to it, but it’s a YA, easy reading book with some funny one liners. The main character is a typical teenage boy who grows up in all sorts of ways as the story progresses. I enjoyed the backdrop of the story as it’s right in my backyard and even though I didn’t grow up during that time period, I can certainly appreciate the time and place. Good read, especially for locals!

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed most the coming of age elements of the book the most, but story is also intertwined with a crime/murder mystery. 5 star rating for how much I enjoyed it. Not saying it is great literature, but definitely a fun readSince I graduated Neenah High School 2 years after the events of this book, I must advise that I had a lot of positive bias since the story occurs in the Neenah, Wisconsin. Go Rockets!

[Robin Temmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book mostly because I grew up in Oshkosh and am familiar with the places described in the book. Doty Island, the Lake Butte does Morts Bridge and even Radar Hill to name a few.
The characters were like able and the book was easy to read! In most parts it had a down home feel as Del searched for the person that killed his father as well as being with family and trying to make it through school.

[Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe this book was more like 2.5 stars….I liked the first half of the book. It is very Wisconsiny….ai don’t know that people from other states would enjoy it as much as Wisconsinites who are familiar with the cities of Neenah, Oshkosh, Menasha, and Fond du Lac. I thought this was a pretty decent coming of age type story but it got a little too repetitive for me my liking….and I didn’t like the ending at all (last 20% of the book)

[Jan Williamsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this great first novel set in my hometown during the time I was a young adult. Full of local history and lots of suspense. Minnow could have been a friend of my brother's as they rode their bikes through town finding all the best fishing spots. Clever name for the Lutheran church on the Island - Ebenezer Lutheran Church which was probably St Paul's where I went. Good story.

[Bob Rapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the authenticity of the places and happenings during the time the story took place. The characters represented a more innocent time and the author stayed true to that.
The story was at times pretty predictable. That plus the lack of sadness presented from the boy’s aspect so soon after his father’s death kept me from giving it 4 stars. A quick and absorbing read however.

[Lauren Archer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so good. This is coming of age story about a boy who’s father was murdered while doing a traffic stop. I just adored Del, and his perseverance to solve the mystery of his the murder. I could not put this one down. Very well written.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, especially if you like fishing. A few to many details about fishing for my taste, but I learned a few things. The later part of the book really picked up. It deals with hard times with strength and love.
High-quality young adult mystery/coming-of-age story with adventure.

[Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nostalgia-filled YA story that takes place in the Fox Valley of Wisconsin in the mid-1970s. Certainly had the Wisconsin voice down: Jeez! As is common with YA books, the protagonist is at the center of everything, which is usually too much.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book ended up being better than I thought. It’s told from the point of view from a 15 year old boy and is at the young adult level. I had a hard time really getting into it. I eventually started enjoying it more towards the end!

[Quinn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice young adult novel about growing up in a small town in Wisconsin in 1973. Del’s father was murdered and the police don’t seem too interested in solving the crime. Del is on a mission to solve the murder

[Chris Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having grown up in Neenah, this was a fun read. The language, the names of the roads, schools and parks were all places I knew. Beyond that, it was a pretty good story.

[Dawn Liebherr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think of 1972 in Central Wisconsin. Tang. Red Owl grocery stores. Del is 15 and has more troubles than most of his peers. This mystery was a fun read! I definitely recommend.

[Sharon L. S. Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of the writing style, but the characters were delightful. And it was fun to recognize the locations in the book.

[Barbara Van loenen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a delightful ‘coming of age’ story. Recommend...

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you grew up in Neenah, Wisconsin, you might enjoy this book. If not, give it a pass.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun to read this book set in the place I now live. Sure, I saw some flaws but overall a quick, easy read!

[Carrie Abitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

YA novel. I was born and raised in Neenah so the book is a nice trip down memory lane. Good storyline and interesting characters.