Northwoods Wolfman

Monsters in the Midwest, Book 2

By: Scott Burtness

Narrated by: Ray Lesniewski

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

When Dallas, the self-proclaimed hero of Trappersville, is recruited by an ancient order of monster hunters, he’s more than happy to sign up. The group’s leader, Colton, is solid as oak. Randall ain’t half bad, despite his tendency to whine. The whip-smart, beautiful, and totally badass Aletia is whip-smart, beautiful, and totally badass.

Under their guidance, Dallas learns everything there is to know about hunting monsters (or close enough) and pledges to keep his friends safe. Now there’s a werewolf in town, Dallas and Stanley are on the case. As far as Dallas is concerned, monsters are monsters, and they have no place in Wisconsin. Or do they?

When an unexpected discovery and an unlikely reunion turn his world upside down, Dallas realizes he may not get to choose which side he’s on.

©2015 Scott Burtness (P)2019 Scott Burtness

Reluctant hero to monster hunter!

Scott Burtness delivers another adrenaline-pumping adventure with 'Northwoods Wolfman.' Ray Lesniewski's narration adds depth to each character, especially Dallas, whose journey from reluctant hero to monster hunter is as captivating as it is humorous. Burtness's writing is as sharp as Aletia's silver bullets, making this Midwest monster hunt a howling good time.

Good follow-up to book 1.

I am enjoying this series so far. It's turning out to be a pretty good balance of action, downtime, and laughs.

The narration is good, although the voice of the main character takes a bit to get used to. The fun of the story more than makes up for it.

I'll check out the next one.

World of Midwest Monsters Grows... And I Love It!

(I received this copy free from the author, but the review is my own opinion)

I'd read the paperback of book 1, Wisconsin Vamp, and really enjoyed the world that Burtness has created. My problem is busy life coupled with ADHD, so sitting to read is harder than it was years past. So Scott hooked me up w/the audiobooks for MotM 2 & 3. I Finished Northwoods Wolfman yesterday, and damn... I had a smile on my face.

The main antagonist from book 1, Dallas, is front and center as the MC in this sequel and I'm so glad he is. Following the events of Wisconsin Vamp, Dallas is in a weird state of existence. Still arrogant, still dense, still oblivious to the obvious, still a narcissist, but there is a pathos to him. An earnestness we get now that we're in his head. And while he really is the guy who peaked in HS and never left town who still sees himself as the big man on campus, there is sadness in him. A mix of survivor's guilt and a creeping self-awareness. Kudos to Scott for fleshing him out like this.

The worldbuilding is what also really pulled me in. As Dallas is recruited into a group of monster hunters, we learn more about the stakes of this world, the powers that be who are aware of the supernatural, and the lengths they'll go to in eradicating anything non-human. And that's where the books shines. It asks the questions: what is human, and what does evil look like?

I think what I like most about the Monsters of the Midwest series is the simple, good-natured depiction of these folk, and how the supernatural mixes. The secondary characters shine as they come together to form a family-like unit around Dallas in his time of need.

As for the narration, it was pretty good. There were times when it felt like it was being performed and times when it sounded like ti was being read aloud. But I was into the story, so it wasn't too distracting.

Overall, I loved my time w/this sequel and I've already started book 3!

I think the Author may be stalking me.

First this is book 2 so make sure you get the entire series. Being named Dallas and living in Wisconsin is just the start of what my wife called a perfect representation of me. I'm glad my name twinn is a Werewolf. When You start this three book series you will find yourself drawn in until you get to the very end. Author Scott Burtness provides the perfect mix of "Holy Crap" "Did he just say that" and "What the heck is next". This humorous Horror title will drag you to the North woods of Wisconsin and won't let you out until you have decided you want to become part of this Clan of mixed up monsters. Narrator Ray Lesniewski did a perfect job of bringing these characters to life.