Shadow of the Wolf Tree: A Woods Cop Mystery Paperback – May 4, 2010

I wasn't that wild about the first Heywood book I read. But this one is a good, woods cop police procedural. Grady Service here, is a good solid investigator. A convoluted plot and more players than I could always keep track of, made this a book you have to pay attention to.Oxidized barbed wire strung across streams, white phosphorus, guns galore, the occasional bludgeoning and modified conibear trap make you point attention to whats going on around Service. He is surrounded by women who "get" him, and one he falls for, slowly and slyly. She's a match, and has her own baggage. But it's interesting. The cops range from Feds, troopers, sheriffs, conservation officers. There are a couple of too vague plot lines, with small payoff, or I would give this 5 stars.It's a good read, but was convoluted and a bit tedious.

I'm new both to the U.P. and to the Woods Cop series and I find the stories riviting!! I bought the latest three books from the series and "ate them up" one after the other, I enjoyed reading in depth about the UP since I have been to several areas mentioned and I enjoyed reading about the life of a completely different character A DNR detective. But even without the UP background the stories stand alone as very well written and really suspensful page turners! I even tried a trappers sandwich -- uh - that won't get a great review from me!

The story was developed nicely and highlighted the characters in an interesting manner. Tough and experienced but with a big heart Grady Service continues his effort to resolve, and solve, the serious issues he encounters. Having a renewed interest in a colleague may work for some, but not so likely in today’s world of enforced propriety. The ending was a bit abrupt for my tastes but can be built upon in future North Woods Cop iterations. Really enjoy Joe’s books and like his style..close to home.

Wow...I'll give it maybe 3 stars (...not all the stars for this novel) ...One star for the fact that it's nice to read about parts of Michigan. I, too, have trout fished and hunted parts of the state and have many fond memories of my 45 years (plus) of wading the waters. Volker was a nice touch along with many other small tib-bits that reminded me of those wonderful days...and, I also have seen wire strung across a stream. The second star here is for all the people you had running through this novel- wow!! Way too many to even mention or concentrate on. One line sentences with people you must have met having a drink after a night on the river and you promised to put them in a novel. Can't imagine all those you must have run into anywhere North of Mackinac Island. Way to many places...way to many organizations (and their intials) to make sense to have a sense of where the story is going. Although with all the names of people, places and things you never did name your cat. That's good- leave it at that, just "cat." The 3rd star I give you is that I never thought reading a novel I had to be required to take notes, with all those people , places, and government bodies, etc...wow! So I've given up about 65 % into your novel, felt brave that I kept trying to keep my interest. But, for now, I've dumped it from my Kindle and have gone back to authors such as: C.J. Box, Craig Johnson, Steve Hamilton, William Kent Krueger, to mention just a few.

There are no bad Heywood books. I have enjoyed every novel he has written even the ones a little strange. " The Snow Flies" and this book are examples of a very good writer and unusual themes and people. Anything he writes is more than worth your time. And you better be prepared to use your brain when a mystery is brewing. I always purchase at least one of his books a month on my Kindle so I have the option of rereading to get another view of his characters.

I am a huge fan of the Woods Cop series. I have read them all and I am not exactly sure what to say other than this is the Very Best Of The Best of this series.I am satisfies with this book. That when I finished it it was like a great Thanksgiving Meal. I just sat back satisfied that I had just finishe the very best offering ever of this series. It was just like when you finish a great meal you just want to sit there and digest what you have just read.

I have read all of Joe's books and find his writing to be educational, intriguing and ones that make you think about going into the woods alone. Actually it gives you insight into what conservation officers go through. The issue of them being downsized is discouraging, but Grady Service seems to get around and I'm glad there are folks like him in my UP. Service has made contacts and relationships with some folks that are interestingly weaved throughout these books.

The reader gets to follow the investigstor's logic in this episode. This fine series continues to reward its faithful followers. This series deserves to be a bestseller. Measures up to a lot of stuff that's already there. Once again we're in the UP, where Grady Service finds murder, drugs and mantraps. As usual, a whole collection of strange characters entertain. We even can glean some restaurant suggestions. Watch out when you go to the woods at night.