All Treat Mikkelson desires in his life these days is peace, quiet and a bumper cache of clams. After a lifetime spent investigating crimes and analyzing the criminal mind, Treat is now enjoying the well-earned solitude living on a private island in Puget Sound. Life truly couldn't get any better.

The death of eighty-seven year old Margaret Neillsen - a reclusive millionaire who made her money buying and selling real estate - really shouldn't bother Treat in any way. He didn't know Margaret, and despite feeling a certain sadness at her passing, the fact that she died falling downstairs doesn't strike Treat as suspicious or in any way murderous. She was elderly and infirm; it was to be expected.

However, according to Cassie McLaren - a friend of Margaret's - she was spry even at the ripe age of eighty-seven, and could never have tripped and fallen downstairs, because she knew the layout of her house like the back of her own hand. Cassie is convinced that Margaret Neillsen's death is actually murder and begs Treat to investigate it further; promising to try to accept her friend's death as natural if the coroner's report comes back clear. Cassie's request is one Treat cannot deny, even as his subsequent investigation exposes all manner of crime: from fraud to the horrific underbelly of child exploitation.

The Dancing Boy by Michael Matson dealt with some serious, tough, dark issues, and may not be appropriate for all readers. I, myself, found this a difficult book to read and I must say that I wasn't all that certain whether I liked the character of Treat Mikkelson that much at first. I found that Treat grew on me as I read, though. I enjoyed this mystery and am curious to know whether there will be more mysteries featuring Treat Mikkelson - I certainly hope so. I give this book an A! and will keep my eyes open for more books by Michael Matson. ( )

In The Dancing Boy, author Michael Matson easily draws the reader into this riveting mystery story as retired criminologist Treat Mikkelson is called out of retirement from his secluded cabin on Drake Island, a small Pacific Northwest Island off Pugent Sound, to conduct a murder investigation of a local elderly lady from La Conner. Treat's investigation becomes more complex and dangerous as he uncovers and exposes an even darker and seedier criminal activity, the exploitation and human trafficking of young boys into the US and Canada.

This is a fast-paced and intriguing multi-layered storyline that is gritty, raw, tension-filled, and riddled with a level of violence that is not for the faint of heart. It has enough suspenseful twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing what will happen next as they turn the pages. The author does a really great job of interweaving the murder and child exploitation investigations. The story flows smoothly and keeps the reader riveted with richly vivid descriptions and details that makes this story so hard to put down.

As a fan of noir mystery novels, I loved how the author provides the reader with a gripping mystery that slowly builds upon the tension and suspense throughout the story, he makes it exciting and enjoyable, especially since he delves into the difficult and hidden social issue of child exploitation and human trafficking.

With a large cast of characters; witty dialogue, dark humor, and dramatic interactions; and a riveting storyline that keeps the reader captivated until the surprising conclusion, The Dancing Boy is a must read for the hard-core noir mystery fans.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book Tours.

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-dancing-boy-by-michael-mat... ( )

4 STARS

It was a hard book for me to get started to read because I actually was reading a real book. I could not change font size to see better. Dancing Boy deals with a hard issue to think about child abuse. So many children are not protected. There are wonderful people trying to stop it too.

The characters seem real to me. I like Treat and the other characters in the book. I would like to see more of them.

The Dancing Boy had some slow parts to build the story and characters. I liked the last half of the book better. Their is some swearing, one sex scene lots of violence.

A elderly woman was murdered and looked like a accident. But one friend of hers Cassie does not believe it was accident. She tries to convince the Sheriff of that. He tells her that if she can convince Treat Mikkelson to look into it he would not have a problem with it.

Treat Mikkelson has retired he just wants to take it easy now. He was tired of helping to put bad guys away. He made enough money on writing books that he can just fish. Cassie convinces him to look into it more.

The setting of the book is a island off of Washington. But it reaches into Canada. There is two Sheriffs in the area because one is for the reservation.

I was given this book The Dancing Boy by Michael Matson so I could read it and write a review on it and be part of it's blog tour. ( )