In the Matter of Michael Vogel

Like any good mystery novel, "In the Matter of Michael Vogel" is well-structured. Set in a small town where not much happens, the inciting incident--the apparently accidental drowning of a young boy--sets off the discovery of many hidden secrets.The novel is narrated in the first person by three different characters, which means that the reader is often privy to information which hasn't yet been revealed to one or more of the key characters, a device that works well with the novel's theme of secrets. However, this doesn't mean that the reader always knows what's going on, as even the narrators keep their cards close at times. In fact, the use of multiple narrators increases the suspense in the story, as whatever note a chapter ends on will often be the last that we hear from that character for two more chapters.Moving along, I am compelled to admit that the story's voices (the dialogue and the narration) were not among the best that I've read and that the "small town" aspect was oversold at times. Fortunately, these things did not detract from the value of the narrative. The pacing of the revelations and plot twists was very good, and overall this was an enjoyable mystery.

I highly recommend Drew Yanno's novel, "In the Matter of Michael Vogel". This tale of lies and secrets in a small upstate NY town in the 60's was a page turner that stuck with me. It reminded me of a time, not too long ago, when life was slower, there were no cell phones, and moral standards were more similar to 1713 than to 2013. The characters are well developed, and the tale is compelling. The story is told in the first person with 3 rotating narrators, reminiscent of the historical fiction of Michael and Jeffrey Shaara. It works. Beautifully.We now live in a very different world. How have the social and technological changes of the last 50 years altered the fundamental nature of interpersonal relations? Perhaps they haven't changed the fact that, as Chuck Hogan notes in his review on the title page, "...a secret is a story you tell about others. A lie is a story you tell about yourself." The novel made me think about how it feels to know that people are lying to you every day or, at least, not telling the whole truth. Even if you are not a cop or a DA, and even "good" people!

Although not a half-crazed, obsessive mystery reader, I really liked this book. As a fan of the late Robert Parker's work, his Spenser novels being the only mystery series I truly care to keep up with (and look forward to), I primarily dug this book because of its engaging and straightforward, uncomplicated and accessible writing style. I could BELIEVE I was inside the minds of each character as they chattered to themselves (or to us readers, maybe) about what was going on. Their expressed emotions, recollections, confusion and speculation all felt genuine enough to entice me to keep track of the plot developments and to care about them... something I cannot always claim to be the case with other mysteries I have read and ATTEMPTED to finish.So fans of Parker (and Hemingway for that matter!) will really enjoy Drew Yanno's book as I did, and will care about what's coming next, and from whom, and by whom, and TO whom, and will wonder and theorize and be surprised etc. You can't help but stay involved.Put this book on your Christmas or birthday or book club list and give it away to someone you know who loves mysteries. Then give it to yourself as well. IOW ... treat yourself!

I read this book in a couple of days, which is fast for me. Here's why I loved it: it was clever, very nicely written, exciting and quite easy to follow. The author gives you a lot of key information early on which sets the tone for an organized, comfortable read. You can wait for the payoff, which most certainly comes, because the author feeds you tasty pupus (Hawaiian for appetizers) along the way. The premise involves the murder of a child in a small town. The suspicion is that some townies, including prominent people, dabbled in the occult and sexcapades. That adds interesting layers, but it doesn't pander to pervs and weirdos. There are coming of age elements which include adolescents trying to sneak makeout sessions in the woods with people they'd probably want to advertise they shared company with, and others they wouldn't dare to kiss and tell about. Sounds like people I know. There were issues of honesty between children and parents, and how the truth doesn't always set you free. How true, at least initially. The ending had appropriate closure and left no unanswered questions. It was like a good meal. When it was all over, I was satisfied and well fed.

drew yanno' s first novel is classic " who dunnit " with numerous twists and turns. the plot revolves around the murder of a young boy in upstate new york. his body is found in the community swimming pool, but no one can recall seeing him there. the story is told through the eyes of three diverse characters all of whom are somehow involved in both the seemingly sensless killing and its ultimate solution.mr. yanno convincingly creates the toughts and actions of his characters, who include a policeman trying to solve the case, a teenage boy who was unwittingly involved in the boy' s death and a strange man who seems to know " too much " about what happened. the pacing of the novel is terriffic and as it builds towards the climax - i could not stop reading it. i have read numerous novels of this genre, but this is the most unique and satisfying novel i have read in a long time: no cliches, no stock charcters, plenty of excitement and plot twists that never seem to stop.do yourself a favor and grab this book. hopefully mr. yanno can follow this up with another unique offering, because i have become one of his biggest fans.

This is Drew Yanno's first novel, and it a polished work. The death of a small child hits any community like a hammer blow, especially when it appears to be murder. Three members of the tiny community attempt to investigate. This turns out not to be straightforward; all sorts of peculiarities of the town and its inner life begin to emerge. In particular, a open-air mass orgy of unknown, masked adults out by an old hobo camp seems to have a bearing on the case. What might little Mikey Vogel have seen, and who would have a motive to silence him?Death, vendettas and suspects proliferate. The tension increases a notch with almost every chapter, and the fascinating technique of having three, equally important and distinct protagonists adds to the drama. I give the beautifully written and composed "In the Matter of Michael Vogel" my highest recommendation.

This is a tale of death in a quirky small town, pop. 8787, in the 1960s. An inquest has been launched into the death of 8-year-old Michael Vogel. In shades of "Sunset Boulevard", his body was found in a swimming pool--but here, the mystery is total, and all the more inexplicable for the age of the child.The story rotates between three characters, for a chapter at a time: Sam Fisher, Yancey Hager and Daryl Miggs. I have to join the blurb reviewers in comparing Yanno's book to Twin Peaks. It shares not only the death-of-a-youngster MacGuffin in a small American town, but also David Lynch's focus on the eccentric mysteries that lie just below the surface of everyday people and their lives, and his multiplicity of protagonists. These are real joys of the book, in addition to the genre elements. If you have felt starved of this unique style of murder mystery for twenty years, herein lies salvation.