The Sorrow Hand

Nick Drake #1

by Dwight Holing

For Vietnam veteran turned wildlife ranger Nick Drake, the war at home proves just as deadly. A contemporary western thriller.

Harney County, Oregon, 1968: Nick Drake has a chest full of medals and enough demons to fill a duffle bag. He's been trained to kill, but never retrained to rejoin society. Drake flees to the lonesome high desert in search of redemption and takes a job patrolling wildlife refuges where the only conflicts are keeping out stray cows and ticketing poachers. But then he stumbles across a girl's body ritually placed in a gully. Her murder is only the beginning, and Drake must face humanity's heart of darkness once again if he's to stop a killer from turning even more gullies into graves.

What readers are saying:
★★★★★ Fits right alongside Craig Johnson, C.J. Box, and Nevada Barr.
★★★★★ I'm a huge fan of contemporary westerns married with a mystery. This nails it.
★★★★★ Nick Drake is wonderfully complex. His backstory in Vietnam is beautifully (and horrifically) described.
★★★★★ The supporting characters feel so real. The old lawman, Deputy Pudge Warbler, is as flinty and resolute as his pitiless territory.
★★★★★ I absolutely loved the Native American character, her language and myths.
★★★★★ Got it on Friday and finished it on Saturday. An amazing read.
★★★★★ Smart, thrilling, and action-packed.
★★★★★ The prose crackles like the high desert setting.
★★★★★ The descriptions of the natural surroundings put me right there. I could touch, smell, and hear it.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Westerns, Audiobook, Crime, Native American

260 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2018

About the author

Dwight Holing is the award-winning author of over twenty books, including two popular mystery series: the acclaimed Nick Drake Novels and the witty Jack McCoul Capers. The 8th book in his Nick Drake series, The Broken Blood, won a Silver Falchion. His short story Gallopers was awarded the Arts & Letters Prize for Fiction.

His genre-spanning work includes standalone novels, short story collections, and books on natural history, conservation, wildlife, and outdoor travel. He lives beside a coastal river in California with his wife and two dogs who’d rather swim than walk.
Learn: Dwight Holing
Follow: Dwight Holing
Instagram: @dwight_holing

Reviews

[Haris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Drake is wonderfully complex character and I was invested in this story from the very first page. His backstory in Vietnam is beautifully (and horrifically) described. It was all very visceral and real, layered and emotional. I’m a huge fan of westerns and this felt very much like a
contemporary western married with a mystery. I love the setting and time period. Eastern Oregon in 1968. It was a time of incredible turmoil and change and the story vividly reflects all of it. The dialogue crackles with wit and honesty and the action scenes are beautifully written and really exciting. If you’re looking for a smart, thrilling, beautifully written pager-turner, look no further. I can't wait for book two.

[Gino Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sorrow Hand is a well-crafted story with believable three-dimensional characters, vivid, realistically drawn settings, plenty of red herrings and plot twists, and a troubled, deeply flawed, but sympathetic protagonist. The story is tightly woven, with very little wasted motion or breath. The author paints the wilds of Oregon with vibrant images and his characters with emotional veracity and depth. The story quickly captures the reader’s attention and imagination, and doesn’t let go.

[Clare McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dwight Holing has created a great character in Nick Drake. Haunted by his past, conflicted about whether or not he'll succeed in his future, but committed to his fulfilling his duties as a Fish and Wildlife officer in the rugged country of Eastern Oregon, when he discovers the body of a brutally murdered young woman, he is set in motion to find her Justice. The secondary characters are rich in personality and diversity. I look forward to meeting them and Nick again in the next book. If you like C J Box's Joe Pickett, you'll enjoy Nick Drake.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW !! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Wow, What a start to a wonderful new series! I was told by a friend on GoodReads to check out this series after I told her how much I enjoyed C.J. Box books. The lead character here is a deeply flawed Vietnam veteran suffering from PTSD and heroin addiction. He’s working a a federal wildlife officer on federal lands. The authors description of landscapes in this story was phenomenal. THIS IS AN AUTHOR AND SERIES I WILL CONTINUE. GOING TO GET BOOK 2 right now!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good character-driven mystery. Nick Drake is a flawed protagonist struggling in 1968 after returning from Vietnam and he is one to root for. There were many elements I enjoyed and I will read more of this series.

[Sandy Thorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorrow Hand

The details in this book concerning the War in Vietnam and those who fought there were extremely painful to me as a citizen of the USA. I remember wearing a peace symbol. I did not blame the GIs when they came home. I did blame the politicians and t h e high command of the Armed Forces. I have seldom read a first book in a series by an author New to me who has moved me to tears, sorrow and respect for the major character and those around him. Thank you to the author for reminding me of that time and bringing me a charaecter of such depth as Nick Drake. I look forward to reading all of the books in this series.

[jim eliuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book that captured and maintained my attention throughout. It was an easy but interesting read, with very compelling descriptions of the landscape involved throughout the story. The difference between this theme and plot from many other of the traditional cops/detective/mystery novels added a lot to keeping my interest.
It is good to discover another writer who peaks my reading interest.

[Traci Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic mystery! The characters were compelling, the setting was close to home (I live about an hour's drive from Burns), and the time period is fascinating! The author clearly based the commune on the real life Rajneesh cult that lived - and caused chaos - in Burns. And despite his bio saying the author is from California, he absolutely nails how "old timers", particularly ranchers, are from this part of the world. I look forward to reading more of this series!

[Kathy Schouten · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast read, but very good. Set in 1968,Nick is a Viet Nam vet, suffering from PTSD and narcotic withdrawal when he becomes a wildlife ranger in Oregon. His flashbacks to the war are heartbreaking. But his determination and perseverance are admirable. Looking forward to reading the next book

[Ronald Cramer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book!

I really like this book. I am also a vet of Vietnam. Some of the book resonates with me. The story works outside of that. I recommend it to anyone who likes a good mystery.

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the start of a new series by the author, based back in 1968 when the Vietnam War was a contentious issue. The main character, Nick Drake, is a Vietnam vet, turned wildlife ranger at a wildlife refuge in Harney County, Oregon. Like many vets, he has struggled with his memories of the war which plague his days and nights and PTSD episodes he needs to try and control. He was told, by the psychologist at the veterans’ centre, to find somewhere quiet, without the temptation of drugs on every corner. This place seemed ideal as somewhere to fight his demons.

On one of his routine patrols, instead of finding an animal, he has found the body of a young female. This is only the start and he ends up working with the previous Sherriff, now a Deputy, as a link to the missing daughter of someone in power and another body are found. You learn more about the area and also some of the history of the Native Americans from that area. Some of that is relevant to the story being told and is where the title comes from.

The first body is just the start. Mix in lots of missing young girls and boys at this time. Many running away to join religious cults, take off for some fun, or head off to San Francisco – party capital and hippy centre for the young of the day. A young intern, basically unpaid help at the Sheriff’s office, to while away his days until he is old enough to apply to the FBI, and teaching Nick and Deputy Pudge about what modern, new technology could do to help with investigations. Compiling facts on a spreadsheet (handwritten in those days) that once computers were more common, could be searched by all law enforcement.

This is an interesting mix of old Indian tales, the after effects for many Vietnam Vets, the era of free love, hippies, drugs and the policing problems in a rural, farming area. I loved the mix of characters colliding in this one remote area of Oregon. Those just managing their lives and nightmares and others with too much privilege or power. The skills of a soldier mixing with the local sheriff’s department, in a classic police procedure story, set in a different time than today. Old fashioned investigation procedures with a mix of Pudge’s experience and Nick’s skill set with tracking and compulsive tendencies.

An enjoyable read, which shows you a certain slice of history, in the story of a struggling vet and a possible serial killer. Quite different from the author’s Jack McCoul Capers, set in San Francisco. I will definitely read any more books the author writes in either series. Would recommended to others. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Barbara Lee Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE FIVE FINGERS MURDERS

A solder returning to a country that more press spit on them for fighting this war. The was was Viet Nam where many young men were killed or maimed both physically and mentally. This particular character Nick Drake became a heavy heroin user. His body still craved only because of his mine overwhelmed by flashbacks of the men in his battalion who he observed dying and those he dragged back to a pickup point where the helicopters could make a removal. The also was another rough time in American history. Nick Drake got a job working for the Forest Ranger Service in Oregon. He carried many inner demons, but somehow managed them, although it was a fight everyday, hour and seconds trying to stay the urges, cravings for "horse."
He's a good at his job, and it's good for him. He's alone his own boss, living his life in an old lineman shack, sagging front porch with a tired rocking chair. The area was beautiful, clear skies, bright night stars which included shooting stars. He gets involved with murders, dead girls found in ravines, they almost looked like ritual burials. Lots of suspicious suspects, such as the religious commune, the brothers Blaine and Jessie. Yes, a lot of suspicious suspects, but the wrong suspects. Native Americans beliefs that help solve the murdered girls and the reason behind the murderous rampage. As Nick Drake said he hoped that there will be an end to the murdering of young girls and women, but that's a long ways off, if it will ever end. A fast moving who did it and a glimpse into the deep deep dark places a mind can reside.

[Fred A. Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jesse Stone vs Spenser

Enjoyed this first Nick Drake adventure. Good plot, well written, with interesting characters to develop in subsequent books. Will Nick develop into a Spenser or a Jesse Stone? Robert Parker created Spenser as an extremely competent warrior, who finds peace in his personal life, and his mission as a private detective is to find justice for his client. Robert Parker created Jesse Stone as a competent detective with a serious addiction to alcohol, who can find no peace in his personal life, and his mission as a police chief is to find justice for those harmed under his jurisdiction. In this first Nick Drake book, Nick is extremely competent warrior, who can find no personal peace of mind, and his mission as a wildlife ranger is to find justice for those murdered in his jurisdiction.... Ok, Dwight, we shall see if I can enjoy Nick in subsequent reads as much as I respected how Robert Parker could convince me Jesse Stone was worth a read in spite of his addiction.

[Kathryn E Hagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt so sorry for Nick Drake, the main character of "The Sorrow Hand." Despite hospitalization after returning from Viet Nam, he still fought powerful demons. His memories of horrible things seemed real again at times and his longing to use drugs again threatened to overpower him.

Drake was one stop away from a state hospital or the federal penitentiary when he was placed in a US Fish and Wildlife position in rural Oregon. Fortunately the first person he met there was a fellow veteran, Deputy Warbler (nicknamed "Pudge"), who had fought at Iwo Jima.

Pudge asks Drake for his help in finding a missing girl. One missing girl turns into two and there is no shortage of suspects.

The story moves quickly and the perpetrator is hard to spot. I recommend "The Sorrow Hand" and am looking forward to reading the next installment. In addition to the mystery part of the book, I also wonder whether Drake will gradually conquer his demons. He has never spoken about his worst experiences to anyone and I'd like to know if that will change.

[Jim A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written book about an Fish and Game warden who is fighting his demons from Vietnam. The novel, set in ‘69, has Drake in the Oregon high desert near Burns. He gets involved in a missing person case that soon morphs into the search for a serial killer when three bodies turn up.

Part of the novel centers around an ashram fictionally located near Burns. A little more than 10 years later there was an actual ashram, Rajneeshpuram, located a little bit north of Burns. Pretty sure that was the idea behind the ranch in this novel.

Lawrence Block (Scudder) and James Lee Burke (Robicheaux), both have lead characters dealing with alcoholism. Holing’s character, Drake is fighting drug addiction. Holing does a credible job of describing the demons and the fight to not fall back into the pattern.

As of this review there are three books in the Nick Drake series. I’m looking forward to reading the other two.

[Kristopher Nunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I have read several novels of Vets who suffer from war, with some liked more than others, you know how that goes. But this novel is in class by itself. The story line was excellently executed, and the switching from the war to the present where our hero dwells was flawless, and made for easy understanding where I was in the plot of things. The good guys were good, the bad guys were bad.
I thought the editing was above par also. That must be such hard work. I need a good editor to follow me around, and catch all my speaking and writing flaws. But since my writing mostly includes signing my name on a check, or making a grocery list, I guess I'll have to manage on my own.
But everything about this work was so interesting and appreciated. The plot was better than most, the characters were presented as real, breathing people.
Loved this book.

[Dave Weller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of outdoor mysteries and thrillers, and this book fit the mold. I loved the character development of Nick Drake, Deputy Warbler, and his daughter, Gemma. There was a page where Nick asked Gemma a question, and she cut in before he could finish and enumerated a laundry list of conditions required before they could have a relationship. This was possibly my favorite passage, and it makes me wonder if Nick and Gemma have a future? This of course motivates me to read the next book in the series. Nick Drake is one of those characters that are hard to like. He is his own worst enemy with frequent flashbacks to Vietnam and cravings for his drug of choice, heroin. I guess the downside of being a risk taking war hero and crime solver is a tendency to addiction. The description of the sparsely inhabited desert landscape of southeastern Oregon adds to the allure. The plot was OK with a few red herring suspects and side plots, although the resolution seemed to come out of nowhere. It was an enjoyable read, and I plan to continue the series.

[Randy Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harney County, Oregon, 1968: Nick Drake has a chest full of medals and enough demons to fill a duffel bag. He's been trained to kill, but never retrained to rejoin society. Drake flees to the lonesome high desert in search of redemption and takes a job patrolling wildlife refuges where the only conflicts are keeping out stray cows and ticketing poachers. But then he stumbles across a girl's body ritually placed in a gully. Her murder is only the beginning, and Drake must face humanity's heart of darkness once again if he's to stop a killer from turning even more gullies into graves.
This was a good read. I can sympathize with the Vet struggling to adapt and to forget. The killer was a surprise, so I will look forward to the next in this series.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next 2 in the series. Nick is a Vietnam vet, troubled by flashbacks going back to that time, and trying to make it as a type of game warden in Oregon. The story takes place in the late 1960's with an assortment of characters who interactions are sometimes thorny and often humorous. The plot moved along at a decent pace. It was enlightening to discover how the title evolved. I was asking myself what the heck a sorrow hand could be and this is revealed later in the book. The follow up book is called "The Pity Heart" and that is another head scratcher.

[Fred Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read....

I enjoyed this book. The premise of Drake being a Vietnam Veteran was plausible, as was his reason for being in Harney County. However, I would have given it a higher score if some of the subplots were better fleshed out. For example, the rich father and his chauffeur, Gemma, and most importantly,... how did Drake figure out who was the killer. That was really thin. It seemed like the author has a good grip on his characters. I just wish he taken more time with them. If he had the book would have been more interesting and the story more round and inclusive.

[Edward Allstot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

The "Sorrow Hand" was my first Dwight Holing novel and the first in the Nick Drake series. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this novel set in 1968 in cattle country, specifically "Harney County, Oregon." Having lived in Burns, Oregon, which is mentioned many times in the book, I can relate to many locations noted. The author knows his history of eastern Oregon. Included are cowboys, the "Malheur National Wildlife Refuge," the Paiute Indian Tribe, and more. I found the novel to be educating, fun, and engaging. The deputy sheriff is hilarious. Steve Marvel, the narrator, did an excellent job. I have already finished the second one in this series, and it is also great.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best first novel I've read for the last year. It sucks you in, in the first chapter and keeps you up reading late into the night. The story is well told about the murders and the PTSD of the protagonist. I was not in Viet Nam but many friends were and this novel helped me understand some of their problems. The inclusion of the native American and Oriental religions in the story make it even more interesting. I do not know how many times, I said I would go to sleep at the end of a chapter but find myself reading another as if I were addicted to the book. I am looking forward to reading more books by Dwight Holing.

[Art · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's the promising first entry in a new series,featuring Nick Drake as a former Army Ranger now a park ranger patriolling the deserts of eastern Oregon -- kind of like C.J. Box meets Reacher.

Drake is happy to shoo loose cows and police the parks. But then he discovers a body posed ritualistically and is pulled back into a much more violent world than he had bargained for.

I like the Oregon setting (I wonder why?) and think this series has real potential.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel showed a lot of promise for the initial offering of a series. It was refreshing to read a western thriller that took place in the late 1960s, when I was in elementary school. Dwight Holing throws enough pop culture and Vietnam references to make me nostalgic, though not always in a good way. The ending seems to come too early and the pieces only fall easily into place late in the plot. Still the basic memory, action and side stories make for a darn good story.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really sick of Goodreads dropping how many stars I rate books, so I have started to write how many stars in the review. I didn't do that with this one, so I am having to guess that I rated it 4 stars back in May. I finished book #4 in the series and was looking back to see what I rated books 1-3. This fictional series is written about places that I have vacationed in Oregon a lot, so I can picture the scenes very clearly, adding to my enjoyment.

[Jane Bock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Drake is a highly introspective Vietnam War veteran. He works at overcoming his serious case of PTSD and moves those experiences into his highly ordinary job as a park ranger in rural, remote Western mountains. He collects a group of new friends who see him as a fine person and understand his mental troubles. He gets involved in the investigation of a nasty local crime spree and co tributes to justice being discerned. Well written, captivating read.

[R. Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Well done and Thank you

First of all, I loved the story, characters, inter-woven backgrounds, culture - all of it. And great potential and promise for more. And second...

I spent 25 years in the Marine Corps, much of it post-9/11. This book captures the conflicted mind and soul of a man from combat. Of the struggle to find morality after the maelstrom.

Thank you. Looking forward to the next.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

The characters of Nick Drake and Pudge are just the tip of the interesting parts of this novel. The locations are described so well you can feel yourself there. I look forward to reading more in this series. If you like CJ Box and Joe Pickett you will love this book also!

[Jennifer Dudley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to an audible.com sample of this book and thought the writing was too good not to read the book myself. Excellent writer, excellent characters, excellent story. I hope the Nick Drake series written by Dwight Holing goes on forever. (The author created one of the best character names ever: Pudge Warbler. )

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A western mystery set close to the end of the Vietnam war. This mystery novel also has a good dose of pathos due to the wounds left by war on different characters. This was a good mystery with a touch of the literary about it. I would recommend it to those who like C.J. Box, James Doss, and Tony Hillerman.