The title of this book is a place I've been many times over the years, and so caught my attention in book lists - it's a little place, hole-in-the-wall, off the usual tourist's map. But there is actually a UFO Festival celebrating the photographs which are the subject of this book of fiction (05/17,18/2024 McMenamins UFO Fest, if you are interested).

Honestly, it took me a third of the way in to get that this was a book of fiction, not non-fiction. The delivery up front feels very journalistic. Once that understanding came over me, my relationship to the book changed appreciably. I was less concerned about truth, less invested (but very interested) in outcome, and was able to overlook many aspects of the tale that seem to be convenient or over-the-top.

Still, there is something very appealing about Ray Baker, retired NYPD detective. Hanging out in his head is not uncomfortable, and works for the entire book, despite some very unbelievable twists and turns. Yet, they serve the story that is told and this reader was satisfied at its end.

*A sincere thank you to Derrick McCartney, MK Author Marketing Services, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* #McMinnville #NetGalley 52:49

Excellent read….look forward to more from this author. Kept me entertained throughout the entire story.

This one was to slow for me . I loved the setting and the story line ad I lived there for 5 years and they still have a UFO festival but the book was just ok
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

In 1950 a man takes two photos of what he says are UFO's After the death of his wife and now his impending death retired detective Ray Baker is looking for something to occupy his time and decides to investigate the authenticity of the photos. Good solid mystery.

Disappointed, thought I was going to have fun with this one due to how minimal the cover is I thought it would be a little subdued and have more of a hey what's going on vibe but that is not what I got.

McMinnville by Derrick McCartney is a fairly long and complex work of fiction that follows Ray Baker, a retired detective who is dying of cancer and dealing with the death of his wife. He discovers an unresolved case of photographs of a UFO at a place near his childhood home in Oregon. Ray applies his detective skills and concludes... I can’t finish that or it would spoil the plot – but it’s about much more than just UFOs. The book is very well-written and although long and complex, it is easy to read and follow along. I enjoyed it and had to repeatedly remind myself that it’s fiction.

Perfectly satisfied my craving for "weird." A bit spooky, A bit mysterious, a bit detective investigation. A fun adventure with an eerie twist.

As someone who was obsessed with the paranormal growing up the cover alone had me hooked. I really enjoyed this read and cannot wait to see if there is more in the series

This book was perfect. A retired detective investigates two UFO photos with his analytical skills which is seemingly at odds with most paranormal phenomenon. In this story, it works so well. The history and facts of the event were obviously well researched making this an enlightening read

Ray Baker, a recently retired NYPD detective stumbles across two photographs taken in the 1950's by his friends parents of a UFO. Are these photos fake or are they real?

This book is like nothing I have ever read before and I loved it. I have had a fascination with UFOs since i was a teenager (brought up when The X Files was a hit TV show) but I have never read a story with a detective investigating a suspected alien abduction. It really was a fascinating read with Chapter 4 giving us a quick recap of UFO phenomena from the 1950s right up to 2011. If like me you are fascinated by the phenomena I highly recommend giving this a read.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.l