Edgar Award finalist Bryan Gruley’s new book ”The Hanging Tree” received a very positive review by Publishers Weekly in their latest edition. Gruley’s first book “Starvation Lake” was a finalist for an Edgar Award and is now being considered for two Anthony Awards.

I also recently read “The Hanging Tree” and I think I can safely say that Gruley, who grew up in Michigan and has set his two novels here, has avoided the sophomore slump. I think his second book is a much tighter mystery and sets him up for a popular series. I expect to do a review of his book in a couple weeks, closer to when it is due out on August 3.

Former Michiganian Gruley draws upon his love of hockey and his newspaperin’ days in Michigan small towns to write riveting stories about small town politics, corruption, hockey and of course, murder. Gruley now lives in the Chicago area and is a writer for the Wall Street Journal.

PW said “Gruley vividly evokes the frigid Michigan winters and the even chillier atmosphere of an insular community determined to keep its secrets.” Gruley begins his book tour in Petoskey and you can follow him on his website. His launch party is at McLean & Eakin Booksellers in Petoskey on August 3 at 7 p.m.