Book Review: Deader by the Lake

Reviewed By: Woodstock - RAM

Deader by the Lake     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Doug M. Cummings
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller   Amateur Sleuth

The title is a wry reference to a phrase very familiar to anyone who calls or has called Chicago home. "Cooler by the lake" in heard almost daily in broadcast weather report - a reference to the impact of Lake Michigan on the weather of almost every season in that city.

Reno McCarthy is a broadcast journalist, but of late has been working for a radio station not always in the top of the Arbitron ratings list. He receives a request from his former boss in television - to investigate a proposal received from a call girl to expose high placed citizens of the area, based on information compiled by her. In return, McCarthy will receive a cash reward, and a possible return to his television career.

With only the girl's pseudonym to go on, McCarthy is nevertheless able to track her down. He follows her for a day or two but late one evening arrives at her apartment just shortly after her murder. He himself is attacked, arrested, and plunged into the middle of a tangled web involving high placed politicians, a Russian mob searching for a toe hold in Chicago, competing youth street gangs, and a great deal of danger.

This is a nice debut novel - plagued by editing goofs which are unfortunately all too common these days. One major character begins with a surname of Fredericks - ends the book with the surname of Fletcher. In one of the early chapters - the character's name flips between the two choices almost page by page. Very distracting!

I'll be interested to see if Cummings can continue and build on the good foundation laid by this book.

Woodstock - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Woodstock - RAM