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A review by kelly_e
DreadfulWater by Thomas King
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Title: DreadfulWater
Author: Thomas King
Series: DreadfulWater #1
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 1, 2002
T H R E E • W O R D S
Sharp • Quiet • Witty
📖 S Y N O P S I S
With his cop life officially behind him, Thumps now makes his living as a fine-arts photographer in Chinook - a western town snuggled up against a reservation that's struggling for economic independence via investment in a glitzy new resort and casino complex called Buffalo Mountain. It's a slow-paced, good life for Thumps and his eccentric cat, Freeway. Most of the time. But when a dead body turns up in one of the just-completed luxury condos, things change fast — and not for the better. Photographing corpses is not part of Thumps's master plan.
He can't help getting involved, especially when he realizes that the number one suspect is Stanley "Stick" Merchant, anticondo protestor and wayward son of Claire Merchant, head of the tribal council and Thumps's onetime love. If it affects Claire, it affects Thumps.
It seems that Stick disappeared just about the time of the murder. Coincidence? Or just bad timing? Thumps knows that the police often shoot smart-ass teenagers first and ask questions later. He doesn't want that to happen to Stick. But can Thumps find Stick in time? And can Thumps find a killer before a killer finds Thumps?
💭 T H O U G H T S
I picked up a copy of DredfulWater on a whim after reading and enjoying several of Thomas King's more recent works. Little did I know this is the first installment in a series he wrote under the pseudonym Hartley GoodWeather. I knew it was a mystery but didn't know anything else when I decided to pick it up.
Written with his signature dry humour and social commentary, this novel is a light, cozy murder mystery. The plot unfolds at a whodunit pace with little clues delivered throughout each chapter. There are several memorable characters, but of course, Thumps DreadfulWater steals the show. His car, Freeway, was a welcome addition and gave it the cozy mystery vibes. As the plot unfolds, the reader gets to know Thumps better, and it definitely is setting the stage for more to come. Thumps inner dialogue was beyond entertaining.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this quiet mystery from one of Canada's best authors. I originally didn't realize it was part of a series, but am definitely interested in continuing on with it, as well as continuing to explore King's backlist.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers in search of a quiet mystery
• anyone looking for a cozy winter read
• Thomas King devotees
Author: Thomas King
Series: DreadfulWater #1
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: January 1, 2002
T H R E E • W O R D S
Sharp • Quiet • Witty
📖 S Y N O P S I S
With his cop life officially behind him, Thumps now makes his living as a fine-arts photographer in Chinook - a western town snuggled up against a reservation that's struggling for economic independence via investment in a glitzy new resort and casino complex called Buffalo Mountain. It's a slow-paced, good life for Thumps and his eccentric cat, Freeway. Most of the time. But when a dead body turns up in one of the just-completed luxury condos, things change fast — and not for the better. Photographing corpses is not part of Thumps's master plan.
He can't help getting involved, especially when he realizes that the number one suspect is Stanley "Stick" Merchant, anticondo protestor and wayward son of Claire Merchant, head of the tribal council and Thumps's onetime love. If it affects Claire, it affects Thumps.
It seems that Stick disappeared just about the time of the murder. Coincidence? Or just bad timing? Thumps knows that the police often shoot smart-ass teenagers first and ask questions later. He doesn't want that to happen to Stick. But can Thumps find Stick in time? And can Thumps find a killer before a killer finds Thumps?
💭 T H O U G H T S
I picked up a copy of DredfulWater on a whim after reading and enjoying several of Thomas King's more recent works. Little did I know this is the first installment in a series he wrote under the pseudonym Hartley GoodWeather. I knew it was a mystery but didn't know anything else when I decided to pick it up.
Written with his signature dry humour and social commentary, this novel is a light, cozy murder mystery. The plot unfolds at a whodunit pace with little clues delivered throughout each chapter. There are several memorable characters, but of course, Thumps DreadfulWater steals the show. His car, Freeway, was a welcome addition and gave it the cozy mystery vibes. As the plot unfolds, the reader gets to know Thumps better, and it definitely is setting the stage for more to come. Thumps inner dialogue was beyond entertaining.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with this quiet mystery from one of Canada's best authors. I originally didn't realize it was part of a series, but am definitely interested in continuing on with it, as well as continuing to explore King's backlist.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers in search of a quiet mystery
• anyone looking for a cozy winter read
• Thomas King devotees
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content and Gun violence