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Woods Cop #3
Chasing a Blond Moon
Strange things are happening to the black bears of the Upper Peninsula. Grady Service is stumped until a Korean-born professor is murdered by cyanide-laced figs that contain two freeze-dried bear gall bladders. Sexy and suspenseful,
Chasing a Blond Moon
also introduces a new twist in Grady’s personal life: he meets a son he never knew he had.
The third in the Woods Cop mystery series.
For more on Joseph Heywood and the Woods Cop Mysteries, visit www.josephheywood.com
The third in the Woods Cop mystery series.
For more on Joseph Heywood and the Woods Cop Mysteries, visit www.josephheywood.com
480 pages, Paperback
First published August 24, 2003
65 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Heywood
50 books188 followersSee also Joe T. Heywood
Joseph Heywood is the son of a career USAF officer. His dad was from Rhinecliff, New York on the Hudson River in Dutchess County, and his mother is from Mize, Mississippi in Sullivan County. His mother’s maiden name was Hegwood and she had only to change one letter to convert to her married name.
He is a 1961 graduate of Rudyard High School in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Chippewa County). Played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track.
1965 graduate of Michigan State University (BA-Journalism). Joseph played on the Michigan State Lacrosse Club for three years, crease attack, tri-captain in 1965. He was in the last class of mandatory ROTC for land grant universities and predictably chose the Air Force.
In 1965, he married Sandra V. Heywood (1943-2002) of East Lansing. Five children, one dog. Widower.
1965-1970, USAF Instructor Navigator, KC-135 tanker, honorably discharged as captain. Vietnam veteran. Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Graduate studies, Western Michigan University, 1974-75, completed course work for MA in English Literature; no degree.
Joseph worked for The Upjohn Company [now Pfizer], 1970-2000, retiring as vice president for worldwide public relations.
He walks every day in all weather conditions, and have hunted and fished Michigan since 1958, mostly alone.
Joseph Heywood's Woods Cop mysteries are based on the lives of Upper Peninsula conservation officers, and for going on seven years has spent about one month a year on patrol with officers, in all kinds of weather, all times of day and under sundry conditions. He worked in all 15 Upper Peninsula Counties as well as in another 15-16 counties BTB (Below the Bridge).
In preparation for work with COs, he often hikes alone at night (flashlight for emergencies) using only ambient light. He has spent nights alone in jungles and on mountains. Has canoe-camped in Michigan, Missouri and Arkansas, over the years he has had one close encounter with a wolf (six feet away in tag alders on the Iron River), and with a cow elk and her calf (in Idaho). Too many close meetings with black bears to count, no injuries.
He loves to take photographs while walking, hiking and fishing, and use some of the pix for his paintings.
Joseph always carry a ruck with emergency equipment, compass, etc. even for short sorties on foot in the U.P. It’s too easy to get under cedars and old growth in an overcast and get hopelessly turned around. He does not use a GPS. "When it comes to lost in the woods there seem to be two categories of people: Them that have been and them that will be. Iron ore deposits can make compass navigation interesting…."
The Upper Peninsula is not just a setting and base for Joseph Heywood but serves as a character in many of his novels. "When I write, I try to take readers to places and events in the U.P. they might not have occasion to visit or experience on their own. For me, the U.P. is a natural jewel and I am always surprised by how little people from BTB know about it."
"The day we arrived in the U.P. to report to Kinross Air Force Base (later renamed Kincheloe, and since decommissioned) my mother cried as we drove up the several-mile two-lane to the front gate; looking at all the woods passing by, I had a feeling I was coming home."
Joseph Heywood is the son of a career USAF officer. His dad was from Rhinecliff, New York on the Hudson River in Dutchess County, and his mother is from Mize, Mississippi in Sullivan County. His mother’s maiden name was Hegwood and she had only to change one letter to convert to her married name.
He is a 1961 graduate of Rudyard High School in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Chippewa County). Played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track.
1965 graduate of Michigan State University (BA-Journalism). Joseph played on the Michigan State Lacrosse Club for three years, crease attack, tri-captain in 1965. He was in the last class of mandatory ROTC for land grant universities and predictably chose the Air Force.
In 1965, he married Sandra V. Heywood (1943-2002) of East Lansing. Five children, one dog. Widower.
1965-1970, USAF Instructor Navigator, KC-135 tanker, honorably discharged as captain. Vietnam veteran. Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Graduate studies, Western Michigan University, 1974-75, completed course work for MA in English Literature; no degree.
Joseph worked for The Upjohn Company [now Pfizer], 1970-2000, retiring as vice president for worldwide public relations.
He walks every day in all weather conditions, and have hunted and fished Michigan since 1958, mostly alone.
Joseph Heywood's Woods Cop mysteries are based on the lives of Upper Peninsula conservation officers, and for going on seven years has spent about one month a year on patrol with officers, in all kinds of weather, all times of day and under sundry conditions. He worked in all 15 Upper Peninsula Counties as well as in another 15-16 counties BTB (Below the Bridge).
In preparation for work with COs, he often hikes alone at night (flashlight for emergencies) using only ambient light. He has spent nights alone in jungles and on mountains. Has canoe-camped in Michigan, Missouri and Arkansas, over the years he has had one close encounter with a wolf (six feet away in tag alders on the Iron River), and with a cow elk and her calf (in Idaho). Too many close meetings with black bears to count, no injuries.
He loves to take photographs while walking, hiking and fishing, and use some of the pix for his paintings.
Joseph always carry a ruck with emergency equipment, compass, etc. even for short sorties on foot in the U.P. It’s too easy to get under cedars and old growth in an overcast and get hopelessly turned around. He does not use a GPS. "When it comes to lost in the woods there seem to be two categories of people: Them that have been and them that will be. Iron ore deposits can make compass navigation interesting…."
The Upper Peninsula is not just a setting and base for Joseph Heywood but serves as a character in many of his novels. "When I write, I try to take readers to places and events in the U.P. they might not have occasion to visit or experience on their own. For me, the U.P. is a natural jewel and I am always surprised by how little people from BTB know about it."
"The day we arrived in the U.P. to report to Kinross Air Force Base (later renamed Kincheloe, and since decommissioned) my mother cried as we drove up the several-mile two-lane to the front gate; looking at all the woods passing by, I had a feeling I was coming home."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
October 7, 2018
This is Woods Cop #3 but the 4th in that series that I've read. Fortunately, reading Running Dark, the 4th in the series before Chasing A Blond Moon was not a problem at all due to Running Dark being a flash back novel.
Blond Moon is the most complicated of the four books in the series I've read. There are more twists and turns than in a high capacity dryer full of sheets and socks. Normally this would detract from a story but Heywood does a bang up job with it. You don't know from chapter to chapter or sometimes even page to page what is going on, but your appetite to find out is whetted.
Speaking of appetite; Grady Service is a rough conservation officer, a man of the woods and the animals he's charged with protecting. But he's hardly one dimensional. He's a connoisseur of both wine and food, able to cook a fine French dinner while savoring a fine wine.
This novel has Grady performing his duties as the detective he's been promoted to. Or is it demoted? He loves his boots on the ground, in the mud and dust. But being a detective requires his presence in the office more than he would like.
This story is filled with the discovery of a son that Grady had no idea existed. It deals with a state senator and gubernatorial candidate that we met briefly in Blue Wolf In Green Fire, #2 in the series. It shows Grady feeling his age.
Does Grady get the bad guys? Yes. And no. Read the book to find out what that means.
Heywood shows us the wilds of the U P, both animal and man alike. The weather is every bit a character of this series, whether it's snow, rain, dust and humidity. The mix of characters, Nantz, Grady's lover, Walter his son, the Captain, his secretary, other COs, other cops and deputies; all cause this to be like a high quality stew; quite mixed as to ingredients but still able to taste those individual ingredients. Heywood makes it work. (Now if he would use less onions in his recipes.)
Crime and nature; if you like either of those and especially both, you will love this series.
Blond Moon is the most complicated of the four books in the series I've read. There are more twists and turns than in a high capacity dryer full of sheets and socks. Normally this would detract from a story but Heywood does a bang up job with it. You don't know from chapter to chapter or sometimes even page to page what is going on, but your appetite to find out is whetted.
Speaking of appetite; Grady Service is a rough conservation officer, a man of the woods and the animals he's charged with protecting. But he's hardly one dimensional. He's a connoisseur of both wine and food, able to cook a fine French dinner while savoring a fine wine.
This novel has Grady performing his duties as the detective he's been promoted to. Or is it demoted? He loves his boots on the ground, in the mud and dust. But being a detective requires his presence in the office more than he would like.
This story is filled with the discovery of a son that Grady had no idea existed. It deals with a state senator and gubernatorial candidate that we met briefly in Blue Wolf In Green Fire, #2 in the series. It shows Grady feeling his age.
Does Grady get the bad guys? Yes. And no. Read the book to find out what that means.
Heywood shows us the wilds of the U P, both animal and man alike. The weather is every bit a character of this series, whether it's snow, rain, dust and humidity. The mix of characters, Nantz, Grady's lover, Walter his son, the Captain, his secretary, other COs, other cops and deputies; all cause this to be like a high quality stew; quite mixed as to ingredients but still able to taste those individual ingredients. Heywood makes it work. (Now if he would use less onions in his recipes.)
Crime and nature; if you like either of those and especially both, you will love this series.
March 17, 2021
So many characters and so many side plots in this woods cop mystery number three. In order to follow this novel, one needs a pen and paper to record the names and clues. This reminds me of taking notes in a textbook, but it's not something I look forward to during my leisure reading. I love the character development of Grady, Maridly, and son, Walter; and there are interesting scenes where the conservation officers apprehend "violets", violators, unrelated to the main plot; but tracking all the characters and twists and turns is too much work for this casual reader. I will read book four and hope that the author scales back the complexity.
April 30, 2012
Does this guy ever win a fight? and at what cost? the son was a change of pace. not sure you could hang with a guy like Grady. the cooking is reminesent of spencer in the early days.
February 10, 2023
While I read this 20 years past publication, my assessment then would have been the same as it is now: it definitely isn’t a book for me. I was attracted to the story because of its setting in the UP of Michigan as well as Wisconsin, and a book club member had recommended it. To be fair, the interplay of the circumstances does have merit, but four major factors limited its appeal for me. 1. There were soooo many characters with unusual names and circumstances that it was hard to keep track of each one’s identity. Obviously, I could never have been a CO (conservation officer). How I would have loved to have a list of characters with brief descriptions in an appendix. 2. This was more crude than I would have imagined. Maybe this was supposed to be an attempt at realism, but I think this was the author’s idea of a male crotch classic. I should have made a chart of who slept with whom, but that might have been as long as the book. 3. Dialog is vital in fiction, but at times the story could have been condensed with a brief well chosen narrative. I suspect the author just wanted to include as many Yooper-isms as possible. 4. Stylistically, the author could have changed how he integrated the characters. For each character, the name was given followed by a paragraph describing the character before launching into—guess what—a dialog. The pattern became way too predictable. For me, a good story was ruined by technique and obsession. I won’t need to pick up a Haywood book again.
November 14, 2022
Michigan's Upper Peninsula, has a weird case on his hands. Strange things are happening to the black bear population. Grady Service can't pin this phenomenon to anyone or anything until a Korea-born professor from Michigan Tech is murdered by cyanide-laced figs and two freeze-dried bear gall bladders are found among the figs. Service is certain that bear poachers are at work, killing U.P. bears to fuel the Asian market for traditional medicines. The animal parts market is second only to drugs in global profitability: it's highly organized and the practitioners are ruthless and dangerous. Grady's nemesis, Michigan's governor, is ending his final term as governor, but has cut budgets so severely, that there are not enough conservation officers to cover the state. Service finds himself filling in for colleagues, chasing illusive poachers who leave little evidence, and wrestling with the usual cast of eccentric and entertaining characters.
November 12, 2017
I liked this book, although I thought it overly long with too many characters to try to keep track of. At times it really dragged and got confusing. I had previously read the first one in the Series ("Ice Hunter") and liked it a lot more than this one. I read about 30% of the next one ("Blue Wolf in Green Fire") and could not get into it at all! So, for me, this series is a little hit and miss. I will probably get around to trying the next one in the series (I DO like the main characters), but not anytime soon. (too many in my TBR pile!! :-)
April 26, 2019
This is the 3rd book in the series I've read. So far I'm enjoying them. It's interesting to read books that are Michigan-based.
I found this book to be a little slower, most likely due to the number of characters introduced. I couldn't focus on reading it quickly, so I had to sort of slog through it. It was difficult to put down and come back to without a lot of refreshing.
I am, though, enjoy Grady Service and the environmentalism seen throughout his books this far.
I found this book to be a little slower, most likely due to the number of characters introduced. I couldn't focus on reading it quickly, so I had to sort of slog through it. It was difficult to put down and come back to without a lot of refreshing.
I am, though, enjoy Grady Service and the environmentalism seen throughout his books this far.
July 10, 2019
This novel consists of an overload of characters and subplots which the author manages to mold into an engaging and entertaining package. A handful of proofreading errors somehow escaped notice and several passages of dialogue lacked clear clues as who was speaking. The novel succeeds through effective characterization, realistic setting, and well-crafted narrative. Judicious trimming of characters and length would have improved the overall product pushing the novel closer to five stars.
August 23, 2018
Some of the characters in Woods Cop #3 are Service, Nantz, Grady's 16-year-old son Walter, Tree, Governor Bosnian, Senator Timms, Limpy, and Honeypat. The story rotates around the animal parts black market, a blond bear, the gubernatorial race and the machinations of the Allerdyce crime family. The characters are as great as ever. The plot of #3 is overly complex and not well crafted.
September 4, 2023
Although I liked the first two books in this series, this one really dragged for me. There were so many characters, with so many unusual names and nicknames. So many communities, so many story lines. By mid book I was totally confused and just wanted to finish..the addition of Grady’s son was a nice twist, but pretty undramatic
July 20, 2017
Two many sub plots that detracted from the main story. 100 pages too long. The constant sexual innuendo between Grady & Nantz is juvenile and boring. Those who give Grady Service 4 or 5 stars would give Joe Pickett 14 or 15.
March 7, 2021
Another part of the story of Service. I think I have enjoyed him more by book 3 than I would have guessed. Love the addition of his son to the story, look forward to where this is going. On to the next book...and more binge in these quieter times.
July 9, 2021
I liked it, but it was a difficult read with so many characters and different events happening to keep up with. This book took me 8 days to slog through, but still a new fan of Grady Service and will read them all.
December 16, 2017
Another adventurous story of Grady Service, Conservation Officer in the UP!
June 30, 2018
After reading this awesome book it gave me an insight on bears and their nature habitat. Looking forward to reading the next book
December 30, 2018
Honestly? For me, it was too complicated. I needed to take notes to keep track of the characters!
March 5, 2019
Fun and funny, if the plots were twisted and convoluted. Almost gave it a five, but the cases really did kinda drag out and conclude with strange twists.
March 22, 2020
I liked the setting, Upper Michigan. A bit too long.
April 30, 2020
Another good read
Many twist and turns with new developments. Intriguing. Another great story in the life of Service Grady. Wood cops forever.
Many twist and turns with new developments. Intriguing. Another great story in the life of Service Grady. Wood cops forever.
February 27, 2022
I think this is the best of the series so far. It’s about bears in Michigan’s UP. Still trying to keep the characters straight.
April 1, 2023
Goodness. Do DNR officers really spend this much time on the road driving from one end of the Yoop to the other? Grady sure gets himself into more than his fair share of scrapes
February 28, 2024
Read only 150 pages, subject didn't interest me. I quit.
July 31, 2024
I just couldn't get into this book and story that a friend gave me to read, other than relating to the father-son relationship that unfolded in the story.
August 28, 2024
another good one
Being from Michigan and being close in age with Service really make Heywood’s book extra special. I look forward to read the next one.
Being from Michigan and being close in age with Service really make Heywood’s book extra special. I look forward to read the next one.
September 14, 2012
#3 in the Woods Cop series. This series just gets better. Conservation Officer Grady Service continues his torrid relationship with the beautiful, talented, well-to-do Maridly Nantz. He discovers that he has a son from a short-lived marriage with a woman who was later killed on 9/11. The son has an indifferent stepfather, so he and Maridly encounter no objections to serving as his guardians as he begins college and pursues hockey in his father's footsteps. The Blond Moon in the title is the name of a Cambodian bear that may be legendary, a new species, or a color phase of the Asiatic black bear. Blond hairs and bear scat are found at the scene of the murder of a Korean college professor and Koreans are the masterminds of a ruthless gang of criminals who ilegally kill bears to ship their gall bladders to Asian markets.
Woods Cop series - Having spent nearly 20 years patrolling in the U.P., Grady Service cares fiercely about the land, the animals, justice and a small handful of people, including Maridly Nantz, his extremely smart and sexy girlfriend. Long-divorced Service discovers he has a son, Walter, now almost 16. Slowly they move to respect and then affection, adding a new note of sweetness to Service's life. The main plot is centered on a rare species of bear being illegally hunted. Other problems pile up. Heywood vividly describes the skills, courage and humor C.O.s use to defuse confrontations.
Woods Cop series - Having spent nearly 20 years patrolling in the U.P., Grady Service cares fiercely about the land, the animals, justice and a small handful of people, including Maridly Nantz, his extremely smart and sexy girlfriend. Long-divorced Service discovers he has a son, Walter, now almost 16. Slowly they move to respect and then affection, adding a new note of sweetness to Service's life. The main plot is centered on a rare species of bear being illegally hunted. Other problems pile up. Heywood vividly describes the skills, courage and humor C.O.s use to defuse confrontations.
April 3, 2016
Grady Service DNR officer assigned to the UP nature police and my fictional hero. He is true to nature and his woman. Afraid of dogs shows his flaws but not his lack of character. I'm so thankful Sandy Chavez, Laingburg's greatest librarian talked me into reading Joseph Heywood....."the UP's answer to Ernest Hemingway and a MSU grad"
This story line twists state politics and global greed of the "black" bear market into a thriller. The story also provided some little known facts, Marquette County has more landmass than Rhode Island. The author Heywood also did his Lansing research (pg 197) to provide the proper history of Lansing Central High School. I was impressed.
For those that love the UP its a worthy read.....eh?
This story line twists state politics and global greed of the "black" bear market into a thriller. The story also provided some little known facts, Marquette County has more landmass than Rhode Island. The author Heywood also did his Lansing research (pg 197) to provide the proper history of Lansing Central High School. I was impressed.
For those that love the UP its a worthy read.....eh?
February 2, 2017
Of the three Woods Cop novels I've read so far, this has been the least satisfying. At 454 pages, I felt that much of the rising action in this book was superfluous. Once again, the secondary characters were fleshed out and engaging, but the relationship between Service and Nantz, as well as that between Service and Walter, left a little to be desired. The climax and resolution were a bit rushed, although there were several events that (hopefully) set the tone for the next few stories. I'm looking forward to reading #4, although I hope it is better than this was.
August 23, 2010
I had read Taxi Dancer and The Berkut around twenty years ago. The Woods Cop Mystery series is different reading, not better but and more to my personal taste and interests. A myriad of characters are developed; at times I had to go back to reacqaint myself with some, but most are memorable. The setting, Michigan's upper peninsula is familiar which helps to place and picture the action. I'll be reading more of the series.
October 29, 2014
Some interesting new characters are introduced in this third novel in the Woods Cop series. At times it seems like Heywood is having Grady Service approach - but not quite reach - a Mel Gibson level of physical punishment in the line of duty. Still, I enjoy the action, the characters and most especially the locations. The biggest bombshell in this story occurs in the prologue, but, trust me, keep going.
January 1, 2016
This is the first book I read of the Wood Cop series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was fun to imagine the U.P. places he wrote about since I travelled in those areas this past summer. The story was interesting enough and the characters well defined. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories about Michigan, wildlife and the outdoors, and the interesting life of a conservation officer.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews