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Blake Larsen #3

Among the Pines

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Pine Ridge is a haven for lost souls.
What happens when a haven becomes a living hell?

Lieutenant Blake Larsen is on the trail of her own family tragedy when another rips apart Pine Ridge Retreat, a troubled teen camp on the edge of Northern Pines. A girl named Chloe Perez is dead, and a missing teenager with a troubled past—Jax Mitchell—is the prime suspect. Though Blake is desperate to uncover the truth about her parents’ horrific murder-suicide, duty calls.

When deputies first arrive at Pine Ridge, security refuses to let them through the gate. Why? What are they hiding—and why will no one talk? Does it have anything to do with the strange devotion the camp’s staff have for their leader?

When Blake learns that Chloe’s father is the speaker of the State House, she finds herself in the eye of yet another public storm. With her suspect list growing, and bodies piling up, Blake’s investigation itself comes under pressure. Someone wants to shut her down. But Blake made a dead girl a promise.

326 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2023

636 people are currently reading
217 people want to read

About the author

Jack Slater

21 books350 followers

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5 stars
1,354 (58%)
4 stars
745 (32%)
3 stars
184 (7%)
2 stars
21 (<1%)
1 star
10 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Stacy.
18 reviews
June 3, 2024
Book #3 was good, I enjoyed following Blake on her adventures solving murders. I was very happy to read there will be a book # 4, as there are many lose ends from Blake’s past that need to be put to rest.
Profile Image for Faith Townsend.
52 reviews8 followers
June 17, 2024
Not my favorite in the series

Not as good as the first two. Also, I felt a lot of story lines were left hanging.
I will never understand why male authors feel the need to make. strong female leads very "manly". The first book did not do that. And do not get me started on the romance part. I can't speak for other readers , but I'm not looking for some whirl wind , the Notebook relationships but geez. Mr. Author, you can have tough strong female leads that can admit she needs.someone. poor Ryan smh
Profile Image for Sharon Bowen.
212 reviews1 follower
August 23, 2023
I am a big fan of Jack Slater's books and am very happy that he has added the Blake Larson series to his works. I have loved all of the Jason Trapp books with all of their adventure and non-stop action, but I have found the Blake Larson series is just as compelling and nail biting as the other. Blake is trying to unravel secrets from her past and that thread, though not the main focus of the story, is cleverly woven into the background of each book in the series. As Among the Pines ends, there is a cliffhanger that made me moan. Simply because we have to wait until the next installment to find out what is going on. Jack Slater has a great way of leaving his readers wanting more, and that goes for either series.
Profile Image for Jaume Ayala.
409 reviews1 follower
February 4, 2025
When I started to red this one I thought that was the last one in this series released so far and I cloase its last page disappointed Blake Larsen was over..... but just realized the fourth one is already available so I got it!!!!
Walking through all the different suspects and trying to imagine the reasons for each and every suspect to be guilty or not is keeping me trapped in the entire series.
As an extra, little pills related to Blake's past and common to the three books are ensuring you will look for the next book to, hopefully, get the final development for that plot there
Profile Image for Jeff Benham.
1,709 reviews15 followers
August 11, 2023
Blake Larsen is called to investigate the murder of a teenage girl at the camp for disturbed teens. A teenage boy goes missing and immediately becomes the prime suspect. All the evidence points in his direction. The murder of a staff member also points right to him. If he isn't the perp, it sure is an elaborate set up. But if he didn't do it, who did and what was the motive? The possibilities seem endless.
Profile Image for Jamie.
74 reviews2 followers
September 28, 2023
The first 2 books in this series were 4 and 3.5 stars (unable to give the correct star in rating). I Like Blake, Ryan (I hope to see more about their relationship) and Melissa. Among the Pines is a good read, however I found myself jumping paragraphs or pages looking for interplay between characters. There was so much filler, thoughts from Blakes mind etc…that it was dull. I will read the 4th book when it come out, but only to see what happened in Blakes past.
395 reviews3 followers
August 14, 2023
Kids as commodities and damaged goods

Difficult to remember that some youth rehab programs exploit clients and staff. Difficult for investigators to look beyond expertise and flashy advertising to learn that evil and greed drive a rehab program. Gruesome ending must have something to do with the next book about Blake Larsen.
212 reviews
September 4, 2023
Always leaves you wanting more!!

Jack Slater knows how to capture his readers' attention. Well-developed characters, unusual plots, and gripping dialog keep you from putting the book down. Blake Larsen is a great heroine, one with a conscience and reliable instincts.
I highly recommend this series!
Profile Image for James.
594 reviews31 followers
September 10, 2023
Pretty good. The characters were well developed and the plot was interesting. I don’t think the author got the Blake Larsen character exactly right, but I believe it’s difficult for a man to write a woman character and vice versa.
My complaint about the writing is that it is overly descriptive and slows down the pace and burdens the reader. Other than that it was pretty well done.
15 reviews
January 12, 2024
Oh Boy..

You better forget your household chores and nighttime sleep! You will NOT be able to put this book down! Absolutely loved it and the prior Blake Larsen novel- now on to the next one to see who is the evil behind her parents and brothers death. It almost makes you wonder how many psychopaths are amongst us and why?
58 reviews
February 7, 2024
series

I didn’t realize this was a series or I would never have read it.
It is a well written entertaining book but the ending is a cliff hanger to get you to buy the next book. I hate that. An author should respect his audience enough to write a complete story and make the characters interesting enough that one wants to read another COMPLETE story about them, in my opinion.
10 reviews
October 22, 2025
I’m hooked!

Each Blake Larsen book is better and better the cross current stories and hints that leave you thinking you know how it will end are perfect suctions into reading quicker and now I can’t wait to read the next book, despite the time!! Cliff hanging and more I want from characters already met! Love this series!
1,985 reviews22 followers
August 22, 2023
Questions

I want the answer to the question of what's behind the little tidbits that have quietly been dropped into the larger story. A story, that by the way is horrific tale of child abuse for financial gain.
824 reviews7 followers
August 31, 2023
Excellent

Fast paced story with surprises in every chapter. The story subject is horrifying. This story might get some people tonthink about what might be going on in their own community.
I like Jack Slater’s books and have read all I can find.
Profile Image for Jim Cerone The Perfect Host DJ MC.
366 reviews6 followers
September 2, 2023
Solid Mystery

Author Slater is getting better as he goes in this Blake Larsen series. This is a taught, carefully woven mystery with believable dialogue. The ending, however, seemed rushed and too neat.
415 reviews
October 22, 2023
what a tangled web we weave, when we deceive!

A child dies after being placed in a program supposed to help them deal with their issues. Another young person is blamed for the death! But Blake Larson has doubts and will not quit until all involved are brought to justice!
Profile Image for Kimber Schieber.
52 reviews
January 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was my favorite of the series. I did enjoy all the book. But I followed this one a little better than the other because I had just listen to a memoir about the same stuff. So that was neat.
239 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2024
Murder at a rehabilitation Camp

Our heroine Blake Larsen is called upon to solve the murder of youths at an expensive camp for correction of these youths due to various unlawful acts.
However, murder has found it's way and Blake is sent to discover what as happened!
246 reviews3 followers
March 1, 2024
A Bit Confusing

A very good plot. I was routing for Jax. It was a bit confusing concluding whether or not Kingsley committed suicide, though. That's all for now. I'm looking forward to the discoveries in Book 4. Thank you, Jack. "Let's do this."
210 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2024
Among the Pines

Very good book, lots of twists and turns. A crazy camp for troubled teens, turns several dead bodies up. Our two police women had there hands full trying to solve what the help going on.
14 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2024
Twists & Turns, a Great Read

Hate to see the Blake Larsen saga end. This one involved so many social issues that the murders sometimes faded into the background. Can’t wait for the final episode and wish there were more.
202 reviews
January 6, 2025
Good book

This book is suspenseful, exciting and has intrique throughout. The main characters are familiar and the new ones brought in were interesting especially with TBE plot turns
Profile Image for Karen Saltzman.
14 reviews1 follower
July 11, 2025
Interesting characters and overall good read

Among the Pines has been the best of the series. Tough subject to explore and unfortunately, there may be some truth behind this work of fiction.
Profile Image for Kylee Barber.
21 reviews
October 27, 2023
can’t wait for the next book

Loved this one. I can’t wait for the next installment of Blake Larsen to be released. I will be purchasing the entire series for my mom for Christmas.
27 reviews
January 28, 2024
Lost in the excitement of the Pines

Great plot. Blake Larsen is a most believable character. Her raw emotion struts through each chapter. A remarkable and exhilarating read.
Profile Image for Erth.
4,593 reviews
May 8, 2024
Another great book. Audio narrator was great too!Would recommend you read in sequence
91 reviews2 followers
May 29, 2024
I very much enjoy Jack Slater’s books. The Jason Trapp ones are my favorite but these Blake Larson books are suspenseful and action packed
61 reviews
June 17, 2024
good reading

I really liked this book. A lot of action throughout. Always had me guessing.
The only thing I didn’t like was the ending. It was like hanging in the air.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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