Several days into the project, Vinnie fails to appear one morning. Checking on Vinnie’s whereabouts, Alex learns Vinnie’s mother is concerned because Vinnie’s brother Tom has not returned from what was supposed to be a week’s trip to Canada as a hunting guide for five men from the Detroit area. Vinnie cajoles Alex into accompanying him to the Canadian hunting lodge where Tom was to meet his clients. As they approach the Canadian border, Alex learns why Vinnie is acting so guilty. He had arranged this trip for his brother as a therapeutic exercise to jolt Tom out of his depression and feeling of worthlessness. Tom was jobless and a close enough friend of alcoholic beverages that his driver’s license had been suspended.

Even though he knew better, Vinnie lent Tom his license so he would have identification to cross the border. Now, since Tom still has Vinnie’s license, some skillful negotiating on Alex’s part is necessary for Alex and Vinnie to enter Canada. They are eventually successful and locate the lodge where Tom was to have met his clients. There they learn that the men had been there, spent the week hunting, returned and departed for the Lower Peninsula. No one has seen them since. As Vinnie becomes more and more concerned for his brother’s safety, Alex pledges to help him locate his missing brother.

In 1998 Steve Hamilton’s A Cold Day in Paradise was published. The story of ex-baseball player, ex-cop Alex McKnight was an overwhelming success and, deservedly, won an Edgar. In the years following, Hamilton had two sequels published, The Hunting Wind and North of Nowhere. While both are good novels, they fall short of the brilliance of A Cold Day in Paradise. However, Mr. Hamilton’s latest offering, Blood is the Sky is equal, if not better than his first book. The plot is distinctive and flawless, a tale you literally cannot stop reading until it is done and then you feel sad it has ended. The logic of Alex’s, Vinnie’s and even the minor characters’ actions cannot be disputed. Events propel them to act as they do.

There is much more to like and appreciate within the covers of this work beyond a well-executed plot. Hamilton’s knowledge of Ojibwa culture and tradition is vast and clearly communicated to his audience. As the author points out, from physical features alone it might be difficult to recognize an Ojibwa as a member of his tribe, but their philosophy and approach to life testify to their special qualities.

In addition, author Hamilton’s way with words is evident from the very first page. His comparison of water and fire, the ability of these two phenomena to change the environment is truly thought provoking. He makes the reader feel the emotions and physical hardships of his characters. One can feel the pain that Vinnie experiences when he is shot, and the excruciating agony that Alex has after his feet have been exposed to extremely cold water for a prolonged period of time.

Do yourself a favor and save this book for a time when you will be able to read it at one sitting. It is difficult to find a place to stop midway. It is such a good novel that you will inhale it and then be sorry when it is finished.

--Andy Plonka