Dead Meat

Brady Coyne #5

by William G. Tapply

In Maine, Brady investigates a deadly business deal

He may be a millionaire, but Vern Wheeler never forgot that he is a son of Maine—land of big sky, wide lakes, and the fattest salmon on the East Coast. To escape the boardroom, he buys a rundown fishing lodge in the wilds of his home state, and with his brother turns it into the most fashionable retreat in New England. After years of happy fishing, the Wheelers have no interest in selling Raven Lodge. But a local Native American group won’t take no for an answer.

Claiming that Raven Lodge is located on protected land, the Native Americans threaten to sue for ownership of the property, and Wheeler sends his attorney, fishing enthusiast Brady Coyne, to negotiate. But when Brady arrives at Raven Lake, he finds danger in and out of the water. A fisherman has been scalped, and placid, idyllic Maine is about to erupt into mayhem.

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Fiction

213 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

William G. Tapply (1940–2009) was an American author best known for writing legal thrillers. A lifelong New Englander, he graduated from Amherst and Harvard before going on to teach social studies at Lexington High School. He published his first novel, Death at Charity’s Point, in 1984. A story of death and betrayal among Boston Brahmins, it introduced crusading lawyer Brady Coyne, a fishing enthusiast whom Tapply would follow through twenty-five more novels, including Follow the Sharks, The Vulgar Boatman, and the posthumously published Outwitting Trolls.

Besides writing regular columns for Field and Stream, Gray’s Sporting Journal, and American Angler, Tapply wrote numerous books on fishing, hunting, and life in the outdoors. He was also the author of The Elements of Mystery Fiction, a writer’s guide. He died in 2009, at his home in Hancock, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[James Thane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fifth novel featuring Boston attorney Brady Coyne opens when Brady gets a call from one of his very wealthy clients, a guy named Vern Wheeler. With his brother, Tiny, Wheeler owns an exclusive hunting lodge on Raven Lake in the remote woods of northern Main. Tiny Wheeler runs the place with a staff of guides and others. It's pretty rustic--no phones or TV, and as a practical matter, the only way in and out if by seaplane. The fishing there is excellent and so naturally, Brady, who is an avid fisherman, has occasionally been a guest at the lodge, particularly at the time when the salmon are biting like flies. In addition to being Vern's attorney, he's an old friend of Tiny, Tiny's wife, and the rest of the staff.

But now, Vern and Tiny have a problem. A group of Indians has offered to buy the resort and when the Wheelers refuse to sell, the Indians claim that there is a sacred burial ground on the property and that they will sue to force the Wheelers out. Vern sends Brady up to investigate, not that it's all that hard to get Brady out of the office for a week or so when there's fishing to be done.

Brady arrives at the lodge to discover that the Wheelers' problems are multiplying. A guest has vanished in the woods and no one can find him. The missing guest's brother is on his way up to the lodge to demand answers, and Tiny Wheeler is concerned about his liability in the event of a lawsuit. Then another guest is murdered and scalped and Brady and the Wheelers are up to their necks in trouble. Meanwhile, Brady's also got to contend with a couple of randy females and it's going to be a miracle if he finds any time to go fishing at all.

This is another solid, entertaining entry in the series that should appeal to readers who enjoy a fairly traditional mystery set in the great outdoors.

[Jerry B · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Meat” is the fifth in Tapply’s likable Brady Coyne series. His attorney protagonist, an avid and expert fisherman (as is our author), is half on vacation (by client request) at a remote Maine fishing and hunting lodge accessible only via seaplane. There’s some problems with an offer ostensibly by an Indian tribe to buy the resort; and soon a missing person followed by a brutal murder via cross-bow heats up the plot and interferes with Brady’s angling adventures. The owner’s wife and her daughter present some other diversions, although Brady’s behavior is somewhat unusually circumspect.

Naturally in the end all the issues are resolved – and a prologue that didn’t seem to make much sense finally helped explain the source of all the difficulties in this easy reading classic mystery.

[David Highton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brady Coyne gets caught up in a disappearance and a murder in remote northern Maine, at his favourite fishing camp

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Good; Continuing character: Brady Coyne; people are dying at a remote resort, and Coyne tries to hlp friends figure out what is going on

[Marna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was introduced to the Brady Coyne character in Philip Craig's Vineyard books. They're kind of fun, nothing out of the ordinary...

[Sherrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really don't even remember picking this up at the library, but it was in my bag! A light, pleasant read: I might not search it out, but I'd be glad to read another book in this series if one fell into my lap (as this one apparently did)

[Owlsinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is Brady growing up? Or getting a bit more mature? Appreciated the story more without the usual female "diversions"; glad to see him with some self-control.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

March 2017 However, I know I've read this around 2010 or earlier. I was hoping to simply piggy-back on my 2010 review. Alas, here goes the 2010/2017 version: I liked this book the first time I read it and it was equally a page turner the second time. As always I enjoy Tapply's characters. Some of the characters were obvious, at least, who they were not. It still rates ****. The Native American references are dated and racist but getting more politically correct. And I do need to remember - the story is set in the State of Maine in 1987 , not in California in 2017. I'm sorry the editor didn't lock the young woman's age at 18, not "She was 17 or 18.," Statutory Rape should not be handled willy-nilly.
Otherwise, I enjoyed the plot lines and the characters.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another solid entry in the Brady Coyne series for lovers of standard mystery thrillers. Tapply doesn't try to invent twists and turns for their own sake. He just presents a problem and has Brady solve it in a plausible fashion. Be warned with Dead Meat, however. There are times you will think you have picked up a copy of Izaak Walton's The Compleat Angler by mistake. Brady does love his fishing!

[L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm just having a blast with this series. These are fast reads, not earth shaking, but satisfying.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#5 in the Boston attorney Brady Coyne series.

Boston attorney Brady Coyne series - In Maine, Brady investigates a deadly business deal. He may be a millionaire, but Vern Wheeler never forgot that he is a son of Maine--land of big sky, wide lakes, and the fattest salmon on the East Coast. To escape the boardroom, he buys a rundown fishing lodge in the wilds of his home state, and with his brother turns it into the most fashionable retreat in New England. After years of happy fishing, the Wheelers have no interest in selling Raven Lodge. But a local Native American group won't take no for an answer. Claiming that Raven Lodge is located on protected land, the Native Americans threaten to sue for ownership of the property, and Wheeler sends his attorney, fishing enthusiast Brady Coyne, to negotiate. But when Brady arrives at Raven Lake, he finds danger in and out of the water.

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Tapply's Brady Coyne character - will probably pick up some more by him. The fact that Coyne's a Boston attorney tickles my Boston roots. A pleasant, light read, not too complex, but Coyne grows on you as a realistic protagonist - you could see youself doing most of what he does - same vein as Phillip Craig's Vineyard Mysteries, but not quite as laid back.

[Dale · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first sample of William Tapply. Not a bad book, it kept my interest most of the way. Pretty good ending, not exactly what I was expecting. I'll probably read another of the "Brady Coyne" series.

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

That Brady is one principled man. We need more like him. Good series. Lots of clues to keep you guessing until the end to see if you are right which so far I haven't been. So that is what makes it intersting.

[Sandra Munger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice mystery. Didn't figure out what was going on til the end. Nice descriptions of Maine.

[Don Gorman · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2). I have had so much fun patiently going through this series. These short, procedural books are always fun and Brady Coyne is a most civilized protagonist. That being said, this is weakest of the bunch so far. It starts off slowly, picks up, and then resolves itself in a mostly confusing manner. Either way, I have the next one on my for later shelf at the library whenever I am ready. Only 16 more to go! Always a good, comfortable read.

[Helen Campbell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was only the fifth book in the Brady Coyne series so it seems that Tapply hadn't quite perfected the style that makes his writing so special. This book read like an article in Outdoor Life (for which Tapply also wrote) promoting a special sportsmen's location. Plenty of fishing - actually too much fishing - but some fundamental omissions in basic crime solving. Not a problem. Tapply finally got it right.

[Thad Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The setting of this book was different than most of the Brady Coyne mysteries. Most of it takes place in an expensive fishing camp in northern Maine. The story and characters are good. The ending is a bit convoluted and different than most of the ones I have read in the series.

[Dosha (Bluestocking7) Beard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! This is a great series. This may be true for me because the home base is my hometown,Boston,ZmA, but this particular book takes place primarily in Maine. Those Maniacs are something else! I look forward to the next one.

[Brian O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Brady Coyne

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining mystery featuring lawyer Brady Coyne who travels to a Maine fishing camp on the behest of one of his wealthly clients.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/B+ I really love this series and every time I read one ...I wonder why I haven't advanced further in the series. So many books...so little time...

[Hugh Heinsohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and suspenseful. Engaging plot. The Brady Coyne character is compelling and interesting to spend time with. Another enjoyable book from William Tapply.

[Sidney Dopilka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Tapply book finished and another twist and great ending, left me feeling satisfied! Great characters and great storyline as per usual!

[Stephanie Siegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got a good 80s vibe from this one. Solid story, masculine POV.

[Catsalive · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/1...

[Alfred New · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 and a half stars