“A hell of a first novel.” — Michael Connelly


Donald Harstad wrote and then released this grisly, fast-moving, and surprisingly humorous (considering the subject matter) police procedural back in the late 90’s, then followed it up with Known Dead, The Big Thaw, and Code 61. In my opinion, it should have reached the stature of Craig Johnson’s Longmire, or at least C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett books, but it seemed to fizzle after that. Whether it was a fickle public, or Harstad simply didn’t receive the big publicity push it deserved, I don’t know, but those first four entries in this series, especially this explosive debut, are as good and fun to read as any rural crime series you’re ever likely to come across.

Eleven days boasts a narrative filled with well-drawn supporting characters, a true rural farmland atmosphere that is palpable to the reader, and a human and likable hero in Deputy Sheriff Carl Houseman. The humor seems natural, and is often self-deprecating. This is a series that now has some years on it, but if you've never read it, it will be a great new find for you.

As a twenty-six-year veteran of the Clayton County Sheriff’s Department, Harstad perfectly captures the rural atmosphere of Iowa farm country. It is also still relevant — perhaps spookily so. This tense and exciting novel shows how a world gone askew morally reaches all the way into America’s heartland. Today the narrative (which I understand is based in truth) may seem less shocking, but that only makes it more relevant than it was back when it was written. In Eleven Days, a small town in the Bible Belt is suddenly confronted by mass slayings, satanic rituals and hidden amorality, in one of the best debuts in this genre I’ve personally ever read.

Harstad creates a believable crime story, and right off the bat gives readers a genuine feel for his setting. This is a place where a fax is "hi-tech" equipment for the cops. Homes and farms can be — and more often than not are — miles apart. We see everything which occurs through the eyes of Carl Houseman; from his relationship with his boss and co-workers, to a realistic marriage where he and his wife barely see each other, and must make the most of the moments they do have together. Despite the rather grisly subject matter, Eleven Days is also filled with humor and humanity in the face of the unthinkable.

This first entry in the Carl Houseman series is an adrenaline rush of a read, moving like a tornado through the sparse Iowa landscape. It is bloody and exciting, funny and disturbing at the same time. If you’ve been looking for a good rural mystery series, this will certainly get your attention. A terrific series that should have exploded, I highly recommend Eleven Days, and the three books that followed: Known Dead, The Big Thaw, and Code 61. ( )

Murder mystery set in NE iowa and written by a police officer from that area. ( )

This first novel is different and really good. Carl Houseman is a deputy sheriff in Iowa. They've got murders. Carl and his coworkers solve this crime about like you and I would. They are not slick, they are just good and the story of their work is excellent. My friend, Jeannie, says his second book is as good. Gotta get it! ( )

5598. Eleven Days A Novel of the Heartland, by Donald Harstad (read 26 Nov 2018) I recently heard of this author and learned he lived in Clayton County, Iowa. I tend to be willing to read at least one book when I learn of an Iowa author, This book was published in 1998 and is the author's first book. It is a police procedure novel, and supposedly is 'loosely based' on a crime that the author was involved with as a deputy sheriff in Clayton County. In the book the county is called "Nation" but the story refers to Iowa cities by their real names, e.g., Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, etc., which I like since it makes the novel seem more realistic. There is a lot of law enforcement jargon used, though I thought the crime and its surrounding happenings not very likely to happen in Iowa. The story is interesting enough so one wants to keep reading, even if the satanism seems not what one would expect in a rural Iowa county.. It ends with lots of fast and furious action. I doubt I will read any thing more by the author, though ( )

If you like police mysteries, then give “Eleven Days” by Donald Harstad a try. The book isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s gritty, grisly and scary, but it is a great read. Harstad grabs you on page one and doesn’t let go until the very end. Iowa Deputy Sheriff Carl Houseman is called to a murder in progress at a remote farmhouse during an Iowa winter. The book follows Carl as a strange case of murder and missing persons unfolds. The characters are believable and Harstad’s police background adds authenticity to the story. The plot is like the best rollercoaster you ever rode with gut-wrenching drops and hair-pin turns that keep you guessing all the way to the end. I wasn’t able to figure out whodunit and was surprised when the killer was revealed. A savvy and seasoned mystery reader may do better than I at solving the mystery, but “Eleven Days” will keep even the most jaded mystery reader riveted. ( )