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Woods Cop #7
Shadow of the Wolf Tree
Grady Service, Detective for Michican Upper Peninsula's DNR, is running hot and cold--Chasing an eco-terrorist trained in the most advanced and explosive guerrilla tactics AND tackling an eighty-year-old cold case involving racism, gold, and murder.
339 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
49 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Heywood
28 books186 followersSee also Joe T. Heywood
Joseph Heywood is the son of a career USAF officer. His dad was from Rhinecliff, New York on the Hudson River in Dutchess County, and his mother is from Mize, Mississippi in Sullivan County. His mother’s maiden name was Hegwood and she had only to change one letter to convert to her married name.
He is a 1961 graduate of Rudyard High School in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Chippewa County). Played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track.
1965 graduate of Michigan State University (BA-Journalism). Joseph played on the Michigan State Lacrosse Club for three years, crease attack, tri-captain in 1965. He was in the last class of mandatory ROTC for land grant universities and predictably chose the Air Force.
In 1965, he married Sandra V. Heywood (1943-2002) of East Lansing. Five children, one dog. Widower.
1965-1970, USAF Instructor Navigator, KC-135 tanker, honorably discharged as captain. Vietnam veteran. Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Graduate studies, Western Michigan University, 1974-75, completed course work for MA in English Literature; no degree.
Joseph worked for The Upjohn Company [now Pfizer], 1970-2000, retiring as vice president for worldwide public relations.
He walks every day in all weather conditions, and have hunted and fished Michigan since 1958, mostly alone.
Joseph Heywood's Woods Cop mysteries are based on the lives of Upper Peninsula conservation officers, and for going on seven years has spent about one month a year on patrol with officers, in all kinds of weather, all times of day and under sundry conditions. He worked in all 15 Upper Peninsula Counties as well as in another 15-16 counties BTB (Below the Bridge).
In preparation for work with COs, he often hikes alone at night (flashlight for emergencies) using only ambient light. He has spent nights alone in jungles and on mountains. Has canoe-camped in Michigan, Missouri and Arkansas, over the years he has had one close encounter with a wolf (six feet away in tag alders on the Iron River), and with a cow elk and her calf (in Idaho). Too many close meetings with black bears to count, no injuries.
He loves to take photographs while walking, hiking and fishing, and use some of the pix for his paintings.
Joseph always carry a ruck with emergency equipment, compass, etc. even for short sorties on foot in the U.P. It’s too easy to get under cedars and old growth in an overcast and get hopelessly turned around. He does not use a GPS. "When it comes to lost in the woods there seem to be two categories of people: Them that have been and them that will be. Iron ore deposits can make compass navigation interesting…."
The Upper Peninsula is not just a setting and base for Joseph Heywood but serves as a character in many of his novels. "When I write, I try to take readers to places and events in the U.P. they might not have occasion to visit or experience on their own. For me, the U.P. is a natural jewel and I am always surprised by how little people from BTB know about it."
"The day we arrived in the U.P. to report to Kinross Air Force Base (later renamed Kincheloe, and since decommissioned) my mother cried as we drove up the several-mile two-lane to the front gate; looking at all the woods passing by, I had a feeling I was coming home."
Joseph Heywood is the son of a career USAF officer. His dad was from Rhinecliff, New York on the Hudson River in Dutchess County, and his mother is from Mize, Mississippi in Sullivan County. His mother’s maiden name was Hegwood and she had only to change one letter to convert to her married name.
He is a 1961 graduate of Rudyard High School in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (Chippewa County). Played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track.
1965 graduate of Michigan State University (BA-Journalism). Joseph played on the Michigan State Lacrosse Club for three years, crease attack, tri-captain in 1965. He was in the last class of mandatory ROTC for land grant universities and predictably chose the Air Force.
In 1965, he married Sandra V. Heywood (1943-2002) of East Lansing. Five children, one dog. Widower.
1965-1970, USAF Instructor Navigator, KC-135 tanker, honorably discharged as captain. Vietnam veteran. Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters.
Graduate studies, Western Michigan University, 1974-75, completed course work for MA in English Literature; no degree.
Joseph worked for The Upjohn Company [now Pfizer], 1970-2000, retiring as vice president for worldwide public relations.
He walks every day in all weather conditions, and have hunted and fished Michigan since 1958, mostly alone.
Joseph Heywood's Woods Cop mysteries are based on the lives of Upper Peninsula conservation officers, and for going on seven years has spent about one month a year on patrol with officers, in all kinds of weather, all times of day and under sundry conditions. He worked in all 15 Upper Peninsula Counties as well as in another 15-16 counties BTB (Below the Bridge).
In preparation for work with COs, he often hikes alone at night (flashlight for emergencies) using only ambient light. He has spent nights alone in jungles and on mountains. Has canoe-camped in Michigan, Missouri and Arkansas, over the years he has had one close encounter with a wolf (six feet away in tag alders on the Iron River), and with a cow elk and her calf (in Idaho). Too many close meetings with black bears to count, no injuries.
He loves to take photographs while walking, hiking and fishing, and use some of the pix for his paintings.
Joseph always carry a ruck with emergency equipment, compass, etc. even for short sorties on foot in the U.P. It’s too easy to get under cedars and old growth in an overcast and get hopelessly turned around. He does not use a GPS. "When it comes to lost in the woods there seem to be two categories of people: Them that have been and them that will be. Iron ore deposits can make compass navigation interesting…."
The Upper Peninsula is not just a setting and base for Joseph Heywood but serves as a character in many of his novels. "When I write, I try to take readers to places and events in the U.P. they might not have occasion to visit or experience on their own. For me, the U.P. is a natural jewel and I am always surprised by how little people from BTB know about it."
"The day we arrived in the U.P. to report to Kinross Air Force Base (later renamed Kincheloe, and since decommissioned) my mother cried as we drove up the several-mile two-lane to the front gate; looking at all the woods passing by, I had a feeling I was coming home."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 8, 2016
PROTAGONIST: Grady Service, game warden
SETTING: Michigan
SERIES: #7 of 7
RATING: 3.25
The seventh book in the Woods Cop series features game warden Grady Service opening two investigations at almost the same time. Grady has finally been able to find some time to go fishing with his best friend Lutitious Treebone when his dog, Newf, digs up some skeletal remains. As it turns out, they are more than eighty years old. What is puzzling is that there are remnants of gold dust on the bones, and there has never been a really significant gold find in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The second case involves what appears to be an eco-terrorist group who is using guerrilla tactics to advance their agenda. They’ve set up a series of barriers along the river, as well as traps that have killed one man and seriously injured one of the Department of Natural Resources deputies. There are a strange series of events that may or may not be related to the group, including a trap called a “wolf tree” which is something that has rarely been seen in the area.
My main issue with the book had to do with the female characters. Although Grady is well into middle age, every female he meets seems determined to get him into bed. None of them take no for an answer, and they all pursue him relentlessly. It’s hard to imagine that professional women would behave in the way depicted here; it’s highly inappropriate to engage in this kind of conduct with a co-worker and/or superior. This particular area of the narrative also led to some extremely annoying dialogue. One of the females, a brilliant researcher, talks in the third person. “Zhenya chooses her words most carefully—except during copulation. She understands what is expected…” The main love interest, Tuesday Friday, who is a police detective on loan for the investigation, constantly speaks in sexual double entendres.
The book is action packed and exciting, but there were far too many threads to the narrative, which made it extremely difficult to follow. A strange settlement at a local lake, the traps, gold dust, the wolf tree, the origin of the skeletal remains, PLUS five homicides – it was hard to remember what was going on, much less tie it all together. Although Heywood may have been overly ambitious in the creation of the plot, the pacing was excellent and the core mystery set in the present day was well developed. There’s a lot to like here, but the reader has to work to get beyond the flaws.
SETTING: Michigan
SERIES: #7 of 7
RATING: 3.25
The seventh book in the Woods Cop series features game warden Grady Service opening two investigations at almost the same time. Grady has finally been able to find some time to go fishing with his best friend Lutitious Treebone when his dog, Newf, digs up some skeletal remains. As it turns out, they are more than eighty years old. What is puzzling is that there are remnants of gold dust on the bones, and there has never been a really significant gold find in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
The second case involves what appears to be an eco-terrorist group who is using guerrilla tactics to advance their agenda. They’ve set up a series of barriers along the river, as well as traps that have killed one man and seriously injured one of the Department of Natural Resources deputies. There are a strange series of events that may or may not be related to the group, including a trap called a “wolf tree” which is something that has rarely been seen in the area.
My main issue with the book had to do with the female characters. Although Grady is well into middle age, every female he meets seems determined to get him into bed. None of them take no for an answer, and they all pursue him relentlessly. It’s hard to imagine that professional women would behave in the way depicted here; it’s highly inappropriate to engage in this kind of conduct with a co-worker and/or superior. This particular area of the narrative also led to some extremely annoying dialogue. One of the females, a brilliant researcher, talks in the third person. “Zhenya chooses her words most carefully—except during copulation. She understands what is expected…” The main love interest, Tuesday Friday, who is a police detective on loan for the investigation, constantly speaks in sexual double entendres.
The book is action packed and exciting, but there were far too many threads to the narrative, which made it extremely difficult to follow. A strange settlement at a local lake, the traps, gold dust, the wolf tree, the origin of the skeletal remains, PLUS five homicides – it was hard to remember what was going on, much less tie it all together. Although Heywood may have been overly ambitious in the creation of the plot, the pacing was excellent and the core mystery set in the present day was well developed. There’s a lot to like here, but the reader has to work to get beyond the flaws.
June 28, 2017
The 7th Woods Cop Mystery in this great series! Interesting characters, both old and new. Strong story line.
March 10, 2012
Joseph Heywood's protagonist in the Woods Cop Mysteries, Grady Service, fits the mold cast by other writers in the mystery/crime genre. An ex-marine, Viet Nam vet, he is drawn into law enforcement right after discharge. After a brief stint with the Michigan State Troopers, he settles in with the Department of Natural Resources working in the Upper Peninsula as a Conservation Officer (translate: Game Warden).
Like other mystery/crime heroes, Service has difficulty in his relationships with women, losing them to death, failed marriage ... or just plain driving them off. Service describes himself as a "shit magnate," but in Shadow of the Wolf Tree he is also somewhat of a "chick magnate" with no less than three women eager to share their beds with him. While two of the three seem only to be interested in using him to put another notch on their diaphragms, his partner in this current episode,Tuesday Friday, appears to have more serious plans. It remains to be seen what befalls this relationship in future episodes.
In Shadow of the Wolf Tree, Grady is on a fishing trip with his life-long buddy, Luticious Treebone, when his dog, Newf, unearths a pair of old human skulls. The discovery of these old bones opens an eighty year-old cold case that cartwheels into the present day involving murders, meth labs, eco-terrorists, a not-so-philanthopic foundation and the IRS. At first glance, the plot would seem unweildy, but Heywood is masterful in weaving it, tying up all the loose ends at the conclusion. I really enjoyed this book, and Joseph Heywood remains one of my favorite contemporary authors.
Like other mystery/crime heroes, Service has difficulty in his relationships with women, losing them to death, failed marriage ... or just plain driving them off. Service describes himself as a "shit magnate," but in Shadow of the Wolf Tree he is also somewhat of a "chick magnate" with no less than three women eager to share their beds with him. While two of the three seem only to be interested in using him to put another notch on their diaphragms, his partner in this current episode,Tuesday Friday, appears to have more serious plans. It remains to be seen what befalls this relationship in future episodes.
In Shadow of the Wolf Tree, Grady is on a fishing trip with his life-long buddy, Luticious Treebone, when his dog, Newf, unearths a pair of old human skulls. The discovery of these old bones opens an eighty year-old cold case that cartwheels into the present day involving murders, meth labs, eco-terrorists, a not-so-philanthopic foundation and the IRS. At first glance, the plot would seem unweildy, but Heywood is masterful in weaving it, tying up all the loose ends at the conclusion. I really enjoyed this book, and Joseph Heywood remains one of my favorite contemporary authors.
May 2, 2025
What a delight to come across a crime/mystery series set in Michigan's Upper Peninsula! All kinds of authentic touches, from unusual names, to "Finndians," to the unique vernacular and accent that lives in the Midwest's great Northwoods. Woods cops have to tromp through sphagnum bogs and Tamarack forests. My one beef with the verisimilitude of this book was that it's set in late May through June, and Heywood chose to omit the kind of extreme measures one would have to take to deal with the mosquitoes, so thick at that time in that place, that it's hard to inhale without taking in multiple bugs up the nose. Not to mention ticks, black flies, and chiggers. Oh, and Lyme disease.
But I digress. This book is stuffed full of interesting characters, from reprobate old poachers who only use verbs and nouns in their speech, to hard-working women cops who aren't afraid to express their opinions. The main character, Grady Service, seems to have an interesting back story, which makes the reader want to pick up other books in this series. The main plot is a nice mix of the fantastic (secret gold caches), deadly (river booby traps), and ominous (secret compounds in the woods guarded by private security.)
I would definitely read more in this series.
But I digress. This book is stuffed full of interesting characters, from reprobate old poachers who only use verbs and nouns in their speech, to hard-working women cops who aren't afraid to express their opinions. The main character, Grady Service, seems to have an interesting back story, which makes the reader want to pick up other books in this series. The main plot is a nice mix of the fantastic (secret gold caches), deadly (river booby traps), and ominous (secret compounds in the woods guarded by private security.)
I would definitely read more in this series.
March 23, 2023
Shadow of the Wolf Tree was number seven of the Woods Cop series by Joseph Heywood. I read the previous six. If you decide to read this rambling mystery, make sure you keep a scorecard. I just finished the book, and I could not tell you the number of murders. As is usually the case, the reader follows Grady Service, a Michigan DNR investigating detective, as he travels around the Upper Peninsula following seemingly unrelated clues. The UP (Upper Peninsula), characters are colorful and the language is unique, but remembering all the characters from day to day and chapter to chapter is quite a challenge. I will definitely keep a flowchart for book eight. I feel like this series lost its heart when Grady's love and partner Maridly was killed. In this volume he partners with a female state trooper, Tuesday Friday, and a romance kindles. I rated this book a four, but it is really a rambling tale that is difficult to follow. In spite of this I will likely undertake book eight, when it rolls around in my alphabetical survey of mysteries and thrillers with outdoor themes.
August 2, 2025
I was excited to read a book set in the Upper Peninsula, but unfortunately this book did not deliver. Poor quality writing, WAY too many characters to keep track of, and a convoluted plot (or multiple plots) made it difficult to slog through. The author also does not know how to write female characters to the point it was just insulting. I will definitely not be reading any more books by this author.
September 27, 2021
I'm familiar with the area so I enjoyed the geographic setting. I struggled in the beginning with the number of characters. Some of the drop out halfway through so it got easier. The romantic-type scenes are kind of plain and perfunctory, no build up. I will probably read another just due to the geography.
May 2, 2018
Another solid Grady Service installment. I would have enjoyed a little more bad guy development, or back story at the end, but that is probably similar to real life investigations. You never get the full story.
August 13, 2018
Excellent story by Joseph Heywood; what started as a story about a wolf tree turned into finding 8 dead bodies. Once again one of those books that I couldn't put down for too long.
Enjoyed it all the way through to the end.
Enjoyed it all the way through to the end.
January 24, 2021
DNR Detective Grady Service becomes embroiled in investigating incidents that eventually resolve into two separate cases: a murder resulting from a love triangle and a long-running hidden goldmine with adjacent corruption, maimings, and murders, not to mention tax evasion.
March 17, 2023
Grady Service, Detective for Michican Upper Peninsula's DNR, is running hot and cold--Chasing an eco-terrorist trained in the most advanced and explosive guerrilla tactics AND tackling an eighty-year-old cold case involving racism, gold, and murder.
April 23, 2018
This series takes place in Michigan. I highly recommend it.
July 1, 2019
Love an old mystery that gets solved!
May 19, 2020
Another great story
A great story. Started a week ago with book 1... now book 7 and going strong. Looking forward to the next Grady Service Yooper adventure.
A great story. Started a week ago with book 1... now book 7 and going strong. Looking forward to the next Grady Service Yooper adventure.
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June 4, 2022Grady Service - Upper Michigan
February 19, 2017
This one had twists and turns throughout. still felt the ending was rushed
November 30, 2012
#7 in the Woods Cop series. CO Grady Service is once again alone following the death of lover Maridly Nantz and his newly found son Walter (Strike Dog (2007)). Approaching 55 years old, it is amazing the number of nubile women strewing themselves in his path, but Grady is pure of heart (or posibly slightly demented)rejecting the advances of Zhenya Leukonovich, the IRS special ageny known as Super Z and CO Dano Denninger, an Academy clasmate of Marisly. He is further put to the test by a State Trooper with the unlikely name of Tuesday Friday.
Woods Cop series - The discovery of skeletal remains sheds troubling light on an eighty-year-old cold case involving racism, gold, and murder. Combine that with present-day ecoterrorism and Service's particular brand of grizzled, sexually tense, and action-packed police work for a hardboiled crime novel of the great outdoors.
Woods Cop series - The discovery of skeletal remains sheds troubling light on an eighty-year-old cold case involving racism, gold, and murder. Combine that with present-day ecoterrorism and Service's particular brand of grizzled, sexually tense, and action-packed police work for a hardboiled crime novel of the great outdoors.
January 31, 2011
Joe does another good one. The plot is complicated, the clues are apparently unconnected. He,of course, with his 'partner' Tuesday Friday (where did he borrow that name?), a State Trooper, work together to solve the mystery with many other CO's and ST's and local and legal people to solve a mystery 80 years old and counting.
Surprised to find a couple proofreading errors: 'him to her' instead of 'her to him' in one place, Tibia to identify a bone from hip to knee which should have been femur, and moody instead of mood in a sentence. Still I was entranced by the story and couldn't put it down for long.
Surprised to find a couple proofreading errors: 'him to her' instead of 'her to him' in one place, Tibia to identify a bone from hip to knee which should have been femur, and moody instead of mood in a sentence. Still I was entranced by the story and couldn't put it down for long.
July 21, 2015
I was glad to see CO Service get back into action after a rather sedate and cerebral challenge in the previous book. This is a good story, told at a rapid pace. Plenty of quirky characters for the reader to try to peg as good guys or bad guys. Only two mild complaints about the series up to this point. I have to admit to getting a little tired of every female law enforcement person wanting desperately to jump into the sack with Grady. It does not speak well of women in the field and it is unrealistic. The other thing is I would like to offer my services as a proof reader for Heywood's books in the future. They could be cleaned up considerably.
November 12, 2016
Another great Woods Cop Mystery. This time it's harvesting game and gold in the UP. A great job capturing the place. When I travel the UP I don't meet characters like Limpy: my loss. Love that Grady Service is so busy, sometimes conflicted and often imperfect but has such a rich, rewarding life. Great study of how being comfortable in your own skin and making good choices is critical.
February 1, 2011
Very good story and action throughout. Just was looking for a little bit more of the 'why' from the culprits, maybe that's for another novel. Over very good and interested to see where things go from here.
January 11, 2015
This is a great series, especially for people who love the outdoors and the UP. I thought the series was over in 2008 after Heywood didn't write any for a couple years but I guess he was just taking a break.
November 16, 2016
At last Grady has a new love interest! Again several plot lines exist and, as usual, they don't intersect. Highly entertaining but you need to keep track of the different character names - many of which are very unusual. I wonder if the names in the UP are really that weird!
August 19, 2010
This the seventh in a series, strikes me as the best. I hope Heywood is working on the eighth.
April 3, 2011
Another great novel with Grady Service. Kept me enthralled the whole way through.
June 3, 2013
This book read smoother than the last in the series, I could keep details and people in my head and didn't have to go back to figure who was who and where they came into the story.
July 1, 2013
Fun, fast-paced mystery. Perhaps my favorite of the series.
March 26, 2015
Heywood writes an extremely detailed book with great description. However, too many characters. At the end I did not know the bad guy from when he first appared.
September 26, 2016
Very complicated story. Grady is the Stone Barrington of woods cops, everyone wants to sleep with him. Read them in order it's better
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews