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Jo A. Hiestand grew up on regular doses of music, books, and Girl Scout camping. She gravitated toward writing in her post-high school years and finally did something sensible about it, graduating from Webster University with a BA degree in English and departmental honors. She writes two British mystery series: the McLaren Mysteries and the Peak District Mysteries, both based in Derbyshire, England. She also writes a Missouri-based cozy mystery series that is grounded in places associated with her camping haunts. The camping is a thing of the past, for the most part, but the music stayed with her in the form of playing guitar and harpsichord, and singing in a folk group. Jo carves jack o’ lanterns badly and sings loudly. She loves barbecue sauce and ice cream (separately, not together), kilts (especially if men wear them), clouds and stormy skies, and the music of G.F. Handel. You can usually find her pulling mystery plots out of scenery—whether from photographs or the real thing.
Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite
The Swim by Jo A. Hiestand is billed as a prequel to her novels featuring the former police detective Michael McLaren. Teenager Michael and his best buddies, Sean and Jamie, are sweltering in a British summer when the idea of a swim in one of the local ponds comes up. Soon the three lads are cavorting in the water. When a storm brews and both Michael and Sean are in danger, it is only through the courage and fast thinking of a passing stranger that Michael is rescued. Sean, though, is not so lucky. As Michael and Jamie ponder the future direction of their lives, Michael is certain of only one thing; he wants a career where he can help people and make a difference. After much consideration, the two best friends find themselves on a two-year training course to become fully-fledged police constables. Michael has found his path in life but what unexpected obstacles are waiting for him?
Not having read any of author Jo A. Hiestand’s McLaren Mysteries, I had no idea what The Swim would reveal. However, the author does a wonderful job of setting the scene for how Michael developed into the character in the later books. For those who have read some of the McLaren Mysteries, I have no doubt this book will give great insight into the motivation behind Michael’s fight against injustice. As a newcomer, the prequel endeared me to the character and his story and made me want to read more of his adventures as he began solving cold cases and old mysteries. The highlight of this prequel was the attention the author takes in creating the relationships between the principal characters, especially between Michael and the man who saved him from drowning as a teenager. It was wonderful to read an author who puts characters and relationships on an equal footing with mystery, action, and plot. This was an enjoyable and enlightening read that suggested a whole new set of stories for me to consume. I highly recommend this read.
