Death of Lake Michigan

Death on Lake Michigan by Steven Arnett  224 pages 

I must admit, that when I agreed to read this book, I didn’t realize that it was the same author who penned “The Summer of Robert Byron.” That book was in desperate need of an editor.

I am happy to report that this mystery novel is much, much, much better, although the title could use some creativity.

It’s the summer of 1973. Reporter Mike O’Brien is sent to cover the story of a body washed ashore on the shore of Lake Michigan, a resort town.  The body is easily identified as that of a local drug dealer named Rich Mallon. And while the identification is easy, the cause of death also easy, the motive fairly obvious, but who did it is quite the mystery.

Mike becomes obsessed with finding Rich’s killer, although it seems that he didn’t think much of Rich while he as life.  The murder gets Mike’s blood roiling, much like it did when he as a star reporter and crusader for the Michigan State News when he as in college.

The writing is much, much better the “The Summer of Robert Bryon.” There isn’t as much poor grammar and syntax, although it does creep up from time to time. It was an easy read and quite satisfactory as a murder mystery. The back over claims it’s a bit of a romance too, but I had to look hard for that. Therefore, Death on Lake Michigan receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.