"Hard Ground"
by Portage author Joseph Heywood (Lyons Press, $16.95) is an exceptional
paperback collection of short stories by the creator of the very popular
"Woods Cop" mystery series.
While Heywood
is not known for his short story prowess, this is likely to change;
these previously unpublished stories are addictive and compulsively
readable.
All of the action
takes place in the great outdoors of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. A small
map of the area is provided for those unfamiliar with the territory.
What's unexpected
is Heywood's distinctive sense of humor - many of these tales have hilarious,
memorable scenes.
The 29 colorful
short stories showcase a wide gamut of challenges faced by convseration
officers in Michigan's wilds.
In a brief introduction,
Heywood notes "If there are unifying themes beyond the wearing
of the same uniform, it seems to me they are the quest for justice and
search for self-vindication and all the strange forms these concerns
can take."
Heywood does
a wonderful job in maintaining reader's interest. The action is fast-paced,
the localized dialogue flows smoothly and the stories are filled with
an unending array of eccentric and bizarre characters.
Law-breakers
abound, including out-of-season hunters, deer-baiters, over-limit fishermen,
an under-age marksman, heavy drinkers and many, many more.
Other characters
include strange informants, an unusual judge, deadly villains, a hungry
bear, Elvis impersonators and a devious religion-spouting disposer of
animals.
But the real
heroes are the Woods Cops - the Upper Peninsula's dedicated conservation
officers who often lead quiet uneventful lives interrupted by unusual occurrences.
Veteran law-enforcers
aren't the only stars of Heywood's tales - nervous rookies and recently
transferred officers also share the limelight.
The author deftly
deals with a number of emotional issues, exploring strained relationships
between partners, other officers and assorted family members.
Long-time Heywood
fans will enjoy the inclusion of stories featuring Grady Service and
Lute Bapcat, heroes in his two popular series.
If you haven't
read any of these books, you're in for a real treat - there are eight
titles currently available in the "Woods Cop" series. Lyons
Press has also re-released in paperback Heywood's highly-acclaimed earlier
novel "Snow Fly".
"Hard Ground"
is a captivating, mesmerizing short story collection that shouldn't
be missed - it's certainly destined to be selected as one of this year's
Michigan Notable Books.
Ray Walsh, owner of East Lansing's Curious Book
Shop,
has reviewed crime novels and Michigan books regularly since 1987.
Find books by great local authors (and more!)
at the Curious Book Shop, an independent
book shop in East Lansing, founded in 1969.
Curious Book Shop
307 East Grand River Avenue
East Lansing, Michigan
517.332.0112
This review was published by the Lansing State Journal on May 26, 2013.
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