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Northwoods
The dark underbelly of an idyllic Midwestern resort town is revealed in the aftermath of a murder with ties to America’s opioid epidemic in this unputdownable and thrilling debut. William Kent Krueger, and Mindy Mejia.
Eli North is not okay.
His drinking is getting worse by the day, his emotional wounds after a deployment to Afghanistan are as raw as ever, his marriage and career are over, and the only job he can hold down is with the local sheriff’s department. And that’s only because the sheriff is his mother—and she’s overwhelmed with small town Shaky Lake’s dwindling budget and the fallout from the opioid epidemic. The Northwoods of Wisconsin may be a vacationer’s paradise, but amidst the fishing trips and campfires and Paul Bunyan festivals, something sinister is taking shape.
When the body of a teenage boy is found in the lake, it sets in motion an investigation that leads Eli to a wealthy enclave with a violent past, a pharmaceutical salesman, and a missing teenage girl. Soon, Eli and his mother, along with a young FBI agent, are on the hunt for more than just a killer.
If Eli solves the case, could he finally get the shot at redemption he so desperately needs? Or will answers to this dark case elude him and continue to bring destruction to the Northwoods?
Eli North is not okay.
His drinking is getting worse by the day, his emotional wounds after a deployment to Afghanistan are as raw as ever, his marriage and career are over, and the only job he can hold down is with the local sheriff’s department. And that’s only because the sheriff is his mother—and she’s overwhelmed with small town Shaky Lake’s dwindling budget and the fallout from the opioid epidemic. The Northwoods of Wisconsin may be a vacationer’s paradise, but amidst the fishing trips and campfires and Paul Bunyan festivals, something sinister is taking shape.
When the body of a teenage boy is found in the lake, it sets in motion an investigation that leads Eli to a wealthy enclave with a violent past, a pharmaceutical salesman, and a missing teenage girl. Soon, Eli and his mother, along with a young FBI agent, are on the hunt for more than just a killer.
If Eli solves the case, could he finally get the shot at redemption he so desperately needs? Or will answers to this dark case elude him and continue to bring destruction to the Northwoods?
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2024
908 people are currently reading
22584 people want to read
About the author
Amy Pease
4 books288 followersAmy Pease is an alumnus of the University of Wisconsin and the Madison Writer’s Studio, and works as a nurse practitioner, where she is a nationally recognized HIV specialist. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two children. Northwoods is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,502 reviews
January 4, 2024
Northwoods
by Amy Pease combines a crime thriller with a police procedural and a story of the personal struggles of the main character Eli North. This gripping and suspenseful novel pulls at the heart strings as it takes readers to the events occurring in Shaky Lake, Wisconsin. Eli is working as a deputy, but the only reason he has the job is that his mother is the sheriff. He is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after a deployment to Afghanistan. Now his drinking is out of control and his marriage and career are on the line. When Eli finds the body of a teenage boy and then a teenage girl is reported missing, Eli and rest of the small sheriff’s department along with FBI Agent Alyssa Mason must unravel the multiple mysteries.
Eli uses alcohol to cope with memories resulting in broken promises and lateness. However, he also has the need to discover the truth, is kind, and loves his son and wife. His relationships with them, his mother, and others in the town made Eli more relatable. Most of the characters have significant depth that is shown through their actions and dialogue.
This novel has a complex and multi-layered plot that is intriguing and pulls readers into the story quickly. Most of the action is at the end of novel, but it didn’t feel slow. This may be because I was emotionally engaged in the various character struggles that are revealed, which felt authentic and held my interest.
Gripping scenes and an emotional story intermix with contemporary issues. Themes include relationships, family, friendship, substance abuse, mental health, power, greed, ethics, and much more. The realistic issues made this story somewhat disturbing, but a feeling of hopefulness and the encouragement and support of some of the characters helped to offset this.
Overall, this tense, suspenseful, and tragic novel gripped me from the beginning. It’s more character-driven than action-driven, but kept me ensnared in the events making it hard to put the book down. The ending wraps up the main mysteries, but there are threads that could be used for a sequel. I would love to see more books featuring Eli.
The author brings strong characters, a great plot, fascinating relationships, and excellent pacing to the novel. Written for those who love crime novels and police procedurals, Northwoods is a thought-provoking debut book. I can’t wait to read what the author writes next.
Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books and Amy Pease provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for January 9, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.95 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Eli uses alcohol to cope with memories resulting in broken promises and lateness. However, he also has the need to discover the truth, is kind, and loves his son and wife. His relationships with them, his mother, and others in the town made Eli more relatable. Most of the characters have significant depth that is shown through their actions and dialogue.
This novel has a complex and multi-layered plot that is intriguing and pulls readers into the story quickly. Most of the action is at the end of novel, but it didn’t feel slow. This may be because I was emotionally engaged in the various character struggles that are revealed, which felt authentic and held my interest.
Gripping scenes and an emotional story intermix with contemporary issues. Themes include relationships, family, friendship, substance abuse, mental health, power, greed, ethics, and much more. The realistic issues made this story somewhat disturbing, but a feeling of hopefulness and the encouragement and support of some of the characters helped to offset this.
Overall, this tense, suspenseful, and tragic novel gripped me from the beginning. It’s more character-driven than action-driven, but kept me ensnared in the events making it hard to put the book down. The ending wraps up the main mysteries, but there are threads that could be used for a sequel. I would love to see more books featuring Eli.
The author brings strong characters, a great plot, fascinating relationships, and excellent pacing to the novel. Written for those who love crime novels and police procedurals, Northwoods is a thought-provoking debut book. I can’t wait to read what the author writes next.
Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books and Amy Pease provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for January 9, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.95 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
October 31, 2023
All it took was a recommendation from William Kent Krueger for me to want to read Northwoods. And luckily, my choice was not misplaced. This is Amy Pease’s debut novel, but it doesn’t read like a debut.
Northwoods is set in a small lakeside resort town in Wisconsin. The sheriff’s office is consistently understaffed and underfunded. So, when the dead body of a young teenager is found and another teenager is missing, it stretches them to their limits even with the help of an FBI agent.
Pease has created a great main character. Eli North returned home from Afghanistan with a serious case of PTSD which he attempts to keep under wraps by self medicating with alcohol. But it’s not working. His wife has asked for a divorce. And the only reason he still has a job as a deputy is that his mother is the sheriff. The secondary characters, including his mom, the FBI agent and the other deputies and the parents of the two teenagers are equally well done.
The plot gets more complicated as it goes along. It strays slightly into unbelievable territory. I had a strong suspicion (rightly so) of who was behind the crimes, but it didn’t dampen my enjoyment. The story covers themes of addiction, corporate malfeasance and absent parents. Pease does an excellent job setting a scene. I could feel myself right there.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
Northwoods is set in a small lakeside resort town in Wisconsin. The sheriff’s office is consistently understaffed and underfunded. So, when the dead body of a young teenager is found and another teenager is missing, it stretches them to their limits even with the help of an FBI agent.
Pease has created a great main character. Eli North returned home from Afghanistan with a serious case of PTSD which he attempts to keep under wraps by self medicating with alcohol. But it’s not working. His wife has asked for a divorce. And the only reason he still has a job as a deputy is that his mother is the sheriff. The secondary characters, including his mom, the FBI agent and the other deputies and the parents of the two teenagers are equally well done.
The plot gets more complicated as it goes along. It strays slightly into unbelievable territory. I had a strong suspicion (rightly so) of who was behind the crimes, but it didn’t dampen my enjoyment. The story covers themes of addiction, corporate malfeasance and absent parents. Pease does an excellent job setting a scene. I could feel myself right there.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
January 17, 2024
Set in the small vacation town of Shaky Lake - a vacationer’s paradise for the wealthy with its posh country club and vacation homes - in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, the story begins with the discovery of a teenager’s body in a fishing boat docked in the lake behind a cabin in a local resort. The dead teenager, Ben Sharpe was supposed to be meeting his friend sixteen-year-old Caitlin Wallace, who is missing. Sherman County Sheriff Marge North heads local law enforcement, an understaffed and underfunded institution in a town dealing with the fallout of the opioid epidemic, with bare minimum resources. Her son Eli, who works as a deputy, was the one who found Ben’s body. FBI Agent Alyssa Mason joins Eli and Marge in their search for Caitlin for Caitlin, though she might know more about the case than she initially reveals. Caitlin’s father, a pharmaceutical sales professional, was supposed to join his family in Shaky Lake but stayed back in Chicago and is also proving difficult to trace. What follows is a complex web of murder, kidnapping, greed, crime and much more, revealing a darker side to the lakeside resort town. Eli, Marge, and Alyssa must race to find the killer and locate the missing teenager before it is too late.
Eli was an investigator with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service before he served in Afghanistan , joining local law enforcement after he returned from his deployment. Battling severe PTSD for which he is reluctant to seek help, his dependency on alcohol contributed to his failing marriage though he deeply cares for his soon-to-be ex-wife and eleven-year-old son. His mother’s position has helped him secure and keep his present job. As the story progresses, we also follow Eli’s journey as he battles his personal demons while trying to find a killer and locate the missing teenager.
With a cast of interesting characters, a dark and suspenseful vibe and a solid mystery at its core, Northwoods by Amy Pease is a gripping thriller/ police procedural that touches upon several important issues such as PTSD, alcoholism, mental health, substance abuse and the opioid crisis. Needless to say, this is not an easy read, but I was completely immersed in the story and thought that the plot was well structured and consistently paced. I must mention that the author has succeeded in striking a perfect balance between the plot-driven, primary murder mystery/procedural aspect and the character-driven aspects detailing the characters’ personal struggles, which is quite impressive given that this is the author’s debut novel. Though we do get a resolution to the murder mystery, the ending indicates there is much more to this story and I’ll be eagerly waiting for the follow-up installment.
Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Northwoods was published on January 9, 2023.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
Eli was an investigator with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service before he served in Afghanistan , joining local law enforcement after he returned from his deployment. Battling severe PTSD for which he is reluctant to seek help, his dependency on alcohol contributed to his failing marriage though he deeply cares for his soon-to-be ex-wife and eleven-year-old son. His mother’s position has helped him secure and keep his present job. As the story progresses, we also follow Eli’s journey as he battles his personal demons while trying to find a killer and locate the missing teenager.
With a cast of interesting characters, a dark and suspenseful vibe and a solid mystery at its core, Northwoods by Amy Pease is a gripping thriller/ police procedural that touches upon several important issues such as PTSD, alcoholism, mental health, substance abuse and the opioid crisis. Needless to say, this is not an easy read, but I was completely immersed in the story and thought that the plot was well structured and consistently paced. I must mention that the author has succeeded in striking a perfect balance between the plot-driven, primary murder mystery/procedural aspect and the character-driven aspects detailing the characters’ personal struggles, which is quite impressive given that this is the author’s debut novel. Though we do get a resolution to the murder mystery, the ending indicates there is much more to this story and I’ll be eagerly waiting for the follow-up installment.
Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Northwoods was published on January 9, 2023.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
January 14, 2025
**3.5-stars**
Northwoods is a debut Crime Thriller/Mystery from author, Amy Pease. I love checking out new authors and am glad that I picked this one up.
Set in the small resort town of Shaky Lake, Wisconsin, this mystery circles around a well-known crisis in America, the opioid epidemic. Eli North is a deputy in Shaky Lake, whose own life is a bit shaky at the moment.
Eli, after returning from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, turns to alcohol as a way to cope with his overwhelming PTSD. As expected, it has disastrous effects.
His marriage is over and he's had to take a job working for his Mom, the only person who would actually hire him and keep him on, putting up with his less than savory habits. His mother just so happens to be the Sheriff of Shaky Lake...
The mystery begins with a teenage boy's body being found in a boat, and a teenage girl being reported missing. As a resort town, the lake draws a lot of outsiders, so solving crimes like these aren't always as simple as it may seem and this one is anything but simple.
We follow Eli, and the rest of the small department, as they try to figure out this mess and set their beloved town to rights. They're also joined by FBI Agent, Alyssa Mason.
I enjoyed this, it's a good story. I liked how nuanced the mystery was and the setting was great. I live in a resort town, so I totally understand the vibes and the different challenges that these characters were facing there.
I also tend to enjoy main characters like Eli; a little damaged, going through some major struggles, but still doing their best and trying to do the right thing.
I liked how Pease chose to make his Mom the Sheriff. I thought that was a interesting dynamic, particularly as it influenced the investigation. The Department is small and they have limited resources. It made them feel like more than coworkers; they were all in this together.
I'm not sure really, I guess I haven't looked into it, whether or not this is going to be a series, but I would definitely be picking up the next book, if there is another one.
I feel like Pease did a great job here setting the foundation for what could be a fantastic, gritty, page-turning Police Procedural Mystery series.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Caz Frear's Cat Kinsella series. This reminded me a lot of that, as far as the overall tone and having a compelling protagonist struggling with personal issues.
Further, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Crime Thrillers that examine the underbelly of our society, and aren't afraid to really dig into why some of these societal issues may exist, or where they stem from.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I am glad to have been introduced to Amy Pease. I'm looking forward to picking up whatever she writes next!
Northwoods is a debut Crime Thriller/Mystery from author, Amy Pease. I love checking out new authors and am glad that I picked this one up.
Set in the small resort town of Shaky Lake, Wisconsin, this mystery circles around a well-known crisis in America, the opioid epidemic. Eli North is a deputy in Shaky Lake, whose own life is a bit shaky at the moment.
Eli, after returning from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, turns to alcohol as a way to cope with his overwhelming PTSD. As expected, it has disastrous effects.
His marriage is over and he's had to take a job working for his Mom, the only person who would actually hire him and keep him on, putting up with his less than savory habits. His mother just so happens to be the Sheriff of Shaky Lake...
The mystery begins with a teenage boy's body being found in a boat, and a teenage girl being reported missing. As a resort town, the lake draws a lot of outsiders, so solving crimes like these aren't always as simple as it may seem and this one is anything but simple.
We follow Eli, and the rest of the small department, as they try to figure out this mess and set their beloved town to rights. They're also joined by FBI Agent, Alyssa Mason.
I enjoyed this, it's a good story. I liked how nuanced the mystery was and the setting was great. I live in a resort town, so I totally understand the vibes and the different challenges that these characters were facing there.
I also tend to enjoy main characters like Eli; a little damaged, going through some major struggles, but still doing their best and trying to do the right thing.
I liked how Pease chose to make his Mom the Sheriff. I thought that was a interesting dynamic, particularly as it influenced the investigation. The Department is small and they have limited resources. It made them feel like more than coworkers; they were all in this together.
I'm not sure really, I guess I haven't looked into it, whether or not this is going to be a series, but I would definitely be picking up the next book, if there is another one.
I feel like Pease did a great job here setting the foundation for what could be a fantastic, gritty, page-turning Police Procedural Mystery series.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Caz Frear's Cat Kinsella series. This reminded me a lot of that, as far as the overall tone and having a compelling protagonist struggling with personal issues.
Further, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Crime Thrillers that examine the underbelly of our society, and aren't afraid to really dig into why some of these societal issues may exist, or where they stem from.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
I am glad to have been introduced to Amy Pease. I'm looking forward to picking up whatever she writes next!
March 4, 2024
the setup…
Eli North is a former US Fish and Wildlife Services investigator who is now a deputy sheriff in Shaky Lakes, Wisconsin, working for his mother Marge after his return from Afghanistan. He’s suffering from PTSD and his cure is alcohol…and he’s not winning. His marriage is over, his relationship with his son Andy suffering and his mother is the only thing holding his career together. When he answers a noise disturbance call late one evening, he literally stumbles upon the body of Ben Sharpe, the teenage son of one of the wealthy annual guests to the resort town. They later discover that Caitlin Wallace, his teenage companion, is missing.
the heart of the story…
Most of the story is told from Eli’s point of view, an alcohol hazed mess but through it all you could still tell this man had strong investigative skills. If he could just stop drinking. The Sheriff’s Department is underfunded and understaffed, needing him to get it together. It’s also clear the opioid crisis has reached the Northwoods, both with resident users and a network of dealers masked by respectability. FBI Agent Alyssa Mason is assisting with the investigation and though she sees right through Eli’s problems, she also recognizes his value. The mystery was highly intriguing and intricate but it’s the extraordinary character insights that pull you in. My heart ached for Eli even while his behavior frustrated me as well.
the narration…
One narrator carries the weight of the story, voicing the points of view of several characters, and another provides the voice for Cal Wallace, Caitlyn’s father. I enjoyed both especially the primary narrator as his characterization of Eli was just perfect. They were really good storytellers.
the bottom line…
This small resort town looks idyllic on the surface but its underbelly reveals what really lies beneath isn’t pretty. I continue to be shocked at how the opioid crisis has affected so many families, lives and cities in our country, with no visible end in sight. I wanted Eli to triumph, not just in solving this case but finding his way out of the torture of his past. It felt hopeless at times but there are glimmers of light that kept me engaged. It’s remarkable that this is the author’s debut novel as it reads with a higher level of seasoning. Sign me up for whatever she has next. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Eli North is a former US Fish and Wildlife Services investigator who is now a deputy sheriff in Shaky Lakes, Wisconsin, working for his mother Marge after his return from Afghanistan. He’s suffering from PTSD and his cure is alcohol…and he’s not winning. His marriage is over, his relationship with his son Andy suffering and his mother is the only thing holding his career together. When he answers a noise disturbance call late one evening, he literally stumbles upon the body of Ben Sharpe, the teenage son of one of the wealthy annual guests to the resort town. They later discover that Caitlin Wallace, his teenage companion, is missing.
the heart of the story…
Most of the story is told from Eli’s point of view, an alcohol hazed mess but through it all you could still tell this man had strong investigative skills. If he could just stop drinking. The Sheriff’s Department is underfunded and understaffed, needing him to get it together. It’s also clear the opioid crisis has reached the Northwoods, both with resident users and a network of dealers masked by respectability. FBI Agent Alyssa Mason is assisting with the investigation and though she sees right through Eli’s problems, she also recognizes his value. The mystery was highly intriguing and intricate but it’s the extraordinary character insights that pull you in. My heart ached for Eli even while his behavior frustrated me as well.
the narration…
One narrator carries the weight of the story, voicing the points of view of several characters, and another provides the voice for Cal Wallace, Caitlyn’s father. I enjoyed both especially the primary narrator as his characterization of Eli was just perfect. They were really good storytellers.
the bottom line…
This small resort town looks idyllic on the surface but its underbelly reveals what really lies beneath isn’t pretty. I continue to be shocked at how the opioid crisis has affected so many families, lives and cities in our country, with no visible end in sight. I wanted Eli to triumph, not just in solving this case but finding his way out of the torture of his past. It felt hopeless at times but there are glimmers of light that kept me engaged. It’s remarkable that this is the author’s debut novel as it reads with a higher level of seasoning. Sign me up for whatever she has next. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
April 2, 2024
A disappointing debut, of which I really wanted to like.
I will preface this by saying this is literary fiction, and despite the genre not working for me in the past, I went into this debut with high expectations, really expecting to be blown away, however I was left feeling very underwhelmed, finding it mostly uneventful and somewhat dull.
I suppose one of my biggest issues was with the main character, Eli North. He is a veteran who saw action in Afghanistan, including a tragic incident he was directly involved with, the details of which are unknown for a large portion of this read, the result of which has left him emotionally damaged and scarred. He's obviously got a major case of PTSD, and he's turned to alcoholism and other addictions to cope, which is illustrated throughout this novel, repeatedly. He's come back home to Shaky Lake, a small resort community, and been offered a job working under his mother, who is the Sheriff. Despite a fresh start, Eli mopes about through most of the novel, catching break after break because his mother is his boss, allowing him to regularly come in to work late and hung over, and he also continually lets his young son down as well. After a few chapters of the same nonsense, I found his attitude just got tiresome and boring, and I wanted to reach through the pages of this novel and grab the guy and shake him, telling him to 'get it together and man-up!'
When he receives a noise complaint call and discovers a young man dead in a boat on the lake, an investigation ensues. As Eli and an FBI agent named Alyssa slowly work the case I found myself growing less and less interested, and when all was revealed and the case was resolved I was relieved it was over. I understand and appreciate this book was mostly a story about redemption and recovery from grief, but it just didn't work for me, mostly. It was most definitely a slow-burn, police procedural if there ever was one, and it just didn't do much for me, unfortunately.
Despite this one not knocking it out of the park for me, I will still say the writing style was above-average, and it's undeniable this author has talent, and I'm also sure I am in the minority on this one, as it's received plenty of praise, but I can't help but be honest here. If you are a fan of the above-mentioned genres, then I recommend you give this one a read, but if not, maybe this should be a 'pass' for you.
I will preface this by saying this is literary fiction, and despite the genre not working for me in the past, I went into this debut with high expectations, really expecting to be blown away, however I was left feeling very underwhelmed, finding it mostly uneventful and somewhat dull.
I suppose one of my biggest issues was with the main character, Eli North. He is a veteran who saw action in Afghanistan, including a tragic incident he was directly involved with, the details of which are unknown for a large portion of this read, the result of which has left him emotionally damaged and scarred. He's obviously got a major case of PTSD, and he's turned to alcoholism and other addictions to cope, which is illustrated throughout this novel, repeatedly. He's come back home to Shaky Lake, a small resort community, and been offered a job working under his mother, who is the Sheriff. Despite a fresh start, Eli mopes about through most of the novel, catching break after break because his mother is his boss, allowing him to regularly come in to work late and hung over, and he also continually lets his young son down as well. After a few chapters of the same nonsense, I found his attitude just got tiresome and boring, and I wanted to reach through the pages of this novel and grab the guy and shake him, telling him to 'get it together and man-up!'
When he receives a noise complaint call and discovers a young man dead in a boat on the lake, an investigation ensues. As Eli and an FBI agent named Alyssa slowly work the case I found myself growing less and less interested, and when all was revealed and the case was resolved I was relieved it was over. I understand and appreciate this book was mostly a story about redemption and recovery from grief, but it just didn't work for me, mostly. It was most definitely a slow-burn, police procedural if there ever was one, and it just didn't do much for me, unfortunately.
Despite this one not knocking it out of the park for me, I will still say the writing style was above-average, and it's undeniable this author has talent, and I'm also sure I am in the minority on this one, as it's received plenty of praise, but I can't help but be honest here. If you are a fan of the above-mentioned genres, then I recommend you give this one a read, but if not, maybe this should be a 'pass' for you.
July 30, 2023
A thrilling murder mystery incorporating topical themes with strong, interesting characters. So well done. Investigator Eli was my favorite. I hope to see more of him from storyteller Amy Pease.
January 8, 2024
This book I picked up because I thought I would like it after reading the description. This is the first book I've read by Amy Pease (and after reading it I found out this is her debut novel). Well done Amy Pease and I hope this will be a series!
Description:
Eli North is not okay.
His drinking is getting worse by the day, his emotional wounds after a deployment to Afghanistan are as raw as ever, his marriage and career are over, and the only job he can hold down is with the local sheriff’s department. And that’s only because the sheriff is his mother—and she’s overwhelmed with small town Shaky Lake’s dwindling budget and the fallout from the opioid epidemic. The Northwoods of Wisconsin may be a vacationer’s paradise, but amidst the fishing trips and campfires and Paul Bunyan festivals, something sinister is taking shape.
When the body of a teenage boy is found in the lake, it sets in motion an investigation that leads Eli to a wealthy enclave with a violent past, a pharmaceutical salesman, and a missing teenage girl. Soon, Eli and his mother, along with a young FBI agent, are on the hunt for more than just a killer.
If Eli solves the case, could he finally get the shot at redemption he so desperately needs? Or will answers to this dark case elude him and continue to bring destruction to the Northwoods?
My Thoughts:
This is both a crime thriller and a police procedural. The story was engrossing and kept me guessing. I liked Eli and was rooting for him to get a handle on his alcohol addiction and PTSD from his service in Afghanistan and get back on track for himself and his family. The story moved at a good pace and I kept turning the pages. The town seemed nice as a resort destination, but there is something darker going on beneath the facade. The death of a teenager and then another missing teenager triggers the investigation that follows. Pease seemed able to put me into the town and feel what was happening there. I would recommend this to any of my friends who like crime drama.
Thanks to Atria Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. Expected publication is January 9, 2024.
Description:
Eli North is not okay.
His drinking is getting worse by the day, his emotional wounds after a deployment to Afghanistan are as raw as ever, his marriage and career are over, and the only job he can hold down is with the local sheriff’s department. And that’s only because the sheriff is his mother—and she’s overwhelmed with small town Shaky Lake’s dwindling budget and the fallout from the opioid epidemic. The Northwoods of Wisconsin may be a vacationer’s paradise, but amidst the fishing trips and campfires and Paul Bunyan festivals, something sinister is taking shape.
When the body of a teenage boy is found in the lake, it sets in motion an investigation that leads Eli to a wealthy enclave with a violent past, a pharmaceutical salesman, and a missing teenage girl. Soon, Eli and his mother, along with a young FBI agent, are on the hunt for more than just a killer.
If Eli solves the case, could he finally get the shot at redemption he so desperately needs? Or will answers to this dark case elude him and continue to bring destruction to the Northwoods?
My Thoughts:
This is both a crime thriller and a police procedural. The story was engrossing and kept me guessing. I liked Eli and was rooting for him to get a handle on his alcohol addiction and PTSD from his service in Afghanistan and get back on track for himself and his family. The story moved at a good pace and I kept turning the pages. The town seemed nice as a resort destination, but there is something darker going on beneath the facade. The death of a teenager and then another missing teenager triggers the investigation that follows. Pease seemed able to put me into the town and feel what was happening there. I would recommend this to any of my friends who like crime drama.
Thanks to Atria Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. Expected publication is January 9, 2024.
February 7, 2024
Way too much substance abuse, and I don’t enjoy reading about it. The deputy sheriff had way too many problems, not exactly original. The fact that his mother hired him is an argument against nepotism in hiring. I was bored and quit reading. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
January 20, 2024
2.5 rounded down. IMO Amy Pease tried to tackle too many subjects with Northwoods - addiction, PTSD, a kidnapping, big pharma, murder, DV abuse and divorce - and it was all too much. I didn’t think anything was really developed as fully as it should be and I was often frustrated by the different asides and flashbacks. The murder/thriller aspect was decent if not a little predictable but it kept me engaged enough to want to keep reading. I had pretty high expectations for this and was left feeling disappointed.
April 10, 2024
An interesting procedural mystery! CW: drug addition, violent scenes, descriptions of death on page, alcoholism, abuse, suicidal ideation
Northwoods was a fascinating debut that takes on the big job of tackling addition and it's connection to pharmaceutical companies. This wasn't what I necessarily expected, but I'm glad I gave it a try.
What Worked: This book has a layers and includes a complex narrative. I'm not a huge mystery/thriller reader, but it was nice to pick up a book that carefully and respectfully tackled the theme of addiction and the role that the medical industry plays in fueling addiction. At it's core, Northwoods is still a mystery; however, Pease definitely showcases her knowledge as a nurse practitioner throughout the course of the novel. It accurately highlights the opioid crisis that is plaguing the United States and the greed that comes from the demise of others. This novel is slow in some parts, but I felt that it worked well as Amy paints to different lens of addiction: one that's plaguing the main character and another that is closely tied to the murder of the teen boy. It gave the novel the necessary pacing to understand the interconnectedness of those two things especially has readers
What Didn't Work: Eli is difficult to relate to in some parts of the book, but a lot of that is connected to his addiction. Those parts where he's really struggling are some of the parts where I struggled the most as a reader.
This was an intriguing debut and I'm definitely excited to see what Amy Pease does in the future.
Northwoods was a fascinating debut that takes on the big job of tackling addition and it's connection to pharmaceutical companies. This wasn't what I necessarily expected, but I'm glad I gave it a try.
What Worked: This book has a layers and includes a complex narrative. I'm not a huge mystery/thriller reader, but it was nice to pick up a book that carefully and respectfully tackled the theme of addiction and the role that the medical industry plays in fueling addiction. At it's core, Northwoods is still a mystery; however, Pease definitely showcases her knowledge as a nurse practitioner throughout the course of the novel. It accurately highlights the opioid crisis that is plaguing the United States and the greed that comes from the demise of others. This novel is slow in some parts, but I felt that it worked well as Amy paints to different lens of addiction: one that's plaguing the main character and another that is closely tied to the murder of the teen boy. It gave the novel the necessary pacing to understand the interconnectedness of those two things especially has readers
What Didn't Work: Eli is difficult to relate to in some parts of the book, but a lot of that is connected to his addiction. Those parts where he's really struggling are some of the parts where I struggled the most as a reader.
This was an intriguing debut and I'm definitely excited to see what Amy Pease does in the future.
September 12, 2024
I liked the mental illness representation, it was really solid work. But I found the plot to be too subtle here, considering the challenging themes.
Full review:
Thank you to my newest autobuy author Amy Pease, publishers Atria Books, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of NORTHWOODS. I found an audiobook copy on Libby. All views are mine.
He swallowed over and over, until his throat hurt and his mouth was bone dry. He tried to reason with himself: the boat and its passenger weren't there anymore! Besides, if he didn't follow the agent to the water, she might ask him why. Or worse, she might come to her own conclusions. What finally got him out of the car were the mosquitoes. (3:22:08)
NORTHWOODS is an example of how writers can appropriately empathize with their mentally ill characters (in this case addiction) and the readers who will get to know those characters. It's difficult for writers to treat such characters with humanity, and even for readers to give that much grace in such a hard world. Pease strikes this perfect balance in her debut novel, a literary mystery with a mmc with PTSD and addiction issues. I was excited to see how readers responded to this depiction of mental illness, which I consider in my experience with PTSD to be well-researched and impeccably applied. (I read numerous reviews that said the reader suffered while reading about the character– not in empathy or even sympathy, but that the character's addiction and PTSD made the readers uncomfortable and mad at the character, or put off the book. Thank goodness the author treated this character with the humanity the readers are incapable of. And is it any wonder mentally ill people are so stigmatized and alienated in Western capitalist culture?) It is good to find fiction that attempts to understand the plight of the addict, rather than just judging him. Coupled with the trigger warnings in the front matter, this has made me a permanent Pease reader.
While this might have been the most important subject for me, this book has much more to offer. Pease's style is efficient and bold, and she can make her way around a description.
While this is a character driven novel, which is not usually my first choice, the characters and relationships develop along interesting lines. I particularly love the precarious dynamic between the mmc and his mom / boss.
The plot is a little flimsy, and it's hard to keep hold of the primary conflict here. The ending can easily pass by unnoticed because of the flat story arc. I had to backtrack for it on my audiobook because the book ended when I expected to find another couple chapters!
All said, a really enjoyable read. I recommend this for fans of Gothic elements, mental health and addiction rep, unlikable leads, strong character development, and literary-genre fiction mashup.
Reading Notes:
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. Pease gets mega points for trigger warnings in the front matter!
2. Dang this writer has a serious knack for description! Rachel had clearly been camping out there for a while, in a nest of bed pillows and tangled blankets, the glass coffee table pulled up to the edge of the couch. It was covered with dirty dishes, smudged cocktail glasses, and an overflowing ashtray. Half a dozen prescription pill bottles sat uncapped, and a few more were visible on the floor beneath the coffee table. A velvet-lined jewelry box, the sort that would hold a huge diamond necklace but probably now held drugs, sat on the glass, and there was a plate-sized splotch of something on the carpeting. The room smelled of cigarettes and overripe fruit, and an overflowing trash bag sat in the middle of the kitchen. The reflected light from the television danced on the glass coffee table as the white-suited preacher was replaced by an advertisement for expensive adjustable beds. It was a familiar tableau—the mess, the drugs, the woman huddled on the sofa. Only this time, Ben wasn’t there. For the first time tonight, Marge’s eyes pricked with emotion. Loc.314
3. Pease clearly did her research on addiction and she's handling the subject well: At least so far! I'll edit this comment if I change my mind.
4. This is a good mystery, tangled up with a theme that hits close to home for a lot of Americans. It makes for compelling reading!
5. This is one of the most humane treatments of addiction I've seen in fiction. Thank you to the author for empathizing so deeply with her characters and readers 💜
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. I really like this book, but the story focuses too much on the characters, in disservice to the plot, which is the mystery. Huge chunks of this book go by without any mention of the case at hand.
Rating: 🩸🩸🩸🩸 /5 drops of blood
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Sep 11 '24
Format: Digital arc; Audiobook, Libby
Read this book if you like:
🔍 mysteries
👨👩👧👦 family stories, family drama
👤 mental illness and addiction
🧌 genre mashup
🕯 gothic elements
Full review:
Thank you to my newest autobuy author Amy Pease, publishers Atria Books, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of NORTHWOODS. I found an audiobook copy on Libby. All views are mine.
He swallowed over and over, until his throat hurt and his mouth was bone dry. He tried to reason with himself: the boat and its passenger weren't there anymore! Besides, if he didn't follow the agent to the water, she might ask him why. Or worse, she might come to her own conclusions. What finally got him out of the car were the mosquitoes. (3:22:08)
NORTHWOODS is an example of how writers can appropriately empathize with their mentally ill characters (in this case addiction) and the readers who will get to know those characters. It's difficult for writers to treat such characters with humanity, and even for readers to give that much grace in such a hard world. Pease strikes this perfect balance in her debut novel, a literary mystery with a mmc with PTSD and addiction issues. I was excited to see how readers responded to this depiction of mental illness, which I consider in my experience with PTSD to be well-researched and impeccably applied. (I read numerous reviews that said the reader suffered while reading about the character– not in empathy or even sympathy, but that the character's addiction and PTSD made the readers uncomfortable and mad at the character, or put off the book. Thank goodness the author treated this character with the humanity the readers are incapable of. And is it any wonder mentally ill people are so stigmatized and alienated in Western capitalist culture?) It is good to find fiction that attempts to understand the plight of the addict, rather than just judging him. Coupled with the trigger warnings in the front matter, this has made me a permanent Pease reader.
While this might have been the most important subject for me, this book has much more to offer. Pease's style is efficient and bold, and she can make her way around a description.
While this is a character driven novel, which is not usually my first choice, the characters and relationships develop along interesting lines. I particularly love the precarious dynamic between the mmc and his mom / boss.
The plot is a little flimsy, and it's hard to keep hold of the primary conflict here. The ending can easily pass by unnoticed because of the flat story arc. I had to backtrack for it on my audiobook because the book ended when I expected to find another couple chapters!
All said, a really enjoyable read. I recommend this for fans of Gothic elements, mental health and addiction rep, unlikable leads, strong character development, and literary-genre fiction mashup.
Reading Notes:
Three (or more) things I loved:
1. Pease gets mega points for trigger warnings in the front matter!
2. Dang this writer has a serious knack for description! Rachel had clearly been camping out there for a while, in a nest of bed pillows and tangled blankets, the glass coffee table pulled up to the edge of the couch. It was covered with dirty dishes, smudged cocktail glasses, and an overflowing ashtray. Half a dozen prescription pill bottles sat uncapped, and a few more were visible on the floor beneath the coffee table. A velvet-lined jewelry box, the sort that would hold a huge diamond necklace but probably now held drugs, sat on the glass, and there was a plate-sized splotch of something on the carpeting. The room smelled of cigarettes and overripe fruit, and an overflowing trash bag sat in the middle of the kitchen. The reflected light from the television danced on the glass coffee table as the white-suited preacher was replaced by an advertisement for expensive adjustable beds. It was a familiar tableau—the mess, the drugs, the woman huddled on the sofa. Only this time, Ben wasn’t there. For the first time tonight, Marge’s eyes pricked with emotion. Loc.314
3. Pease clearly did her research on addiction and she's handling the subject well: At least so far! I'll edit this comment if I change my mind.
4. This is a good mystery, tangled up with a theme that hits close to home for a lot of Americans. It makes for compelling reading!
5. This is one of the most humane treatments of addiction I've seen in fiction. Thank you to the author for empathizing so deeply with her characters and readers 💜
Three (or less) things I didn't love:
This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.
1. I really like this book, but the story focuses too much on the characters, in disservice to the plot, which is the mystery. Huge chunks of this book go by without any mention of the case at hand.
Rating: 🩸🩸🩸🩸 /5 drops of blood
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Sep 11 '24
Format: Digital arc; Audiobook, Libby
Read this book if you like:
🔍 mysteries
👨👩👧👦 family stories, family drama
👤 mental illness and addiction
🧌 genre mashup
🕯 gothic elements
September 26, 2025
8.5/10: 4.25⭐️’s
Narrators: Chris Henry Coffey & Zac Aleman- excellent job
Eli North is having a really rough time of it. His life is falling apart. The only reason he has managed to maintain employment by the local sheriffs department is because his mom is the sheriff and the department is severely understaffed.
The body of a teenage boy is found in a boat on Shaky Lake. And then a teenage girl goes missing. Just what is going on in this small Wisconsin resort town? Can Eli, his mom the sheriff and Alyssa, an FBI agent from Chicago who has come to help the investigation, figure out what is going on and how it is all connected.
First of all, as a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan, I loved when the Packers were brought up. 💚💛. I kept getting the go Pack go chant in my head.
Now to the book. This was a completely random pick as I was scrolling through available audiobooks on the Libby app. I had never heard of this book, but boy am I glad I came across it! I was surprised to see it is a debut book after starting it and then reading the full summary for it. What an excellent debut!
I don’t know what it is about this book, it wasn’t terribly fast paced, I wasn’t sitting at the edge of my seat, but I was 100% engaged and into this book from the beginning. It must have the right combination of secret ingredients that a book needs to have for me to enjoy it, and enjoy it I did! I wish I could pinpoint exactly what it is that drew me in, but I suppose it doesn’t matter as long as I was drawn in.
I had pieced a few things together, but that didn’t take anything away from the book for me. Eli…I am rooting for you!
I am excited for the next book in this series! Definitely recommend this book, even without knowing the specifics that made me like it so much! It’s just one of those books that really clicked for me.
Original rating and review posted: 9/26/25
Narrators: Chris Henry Coffey & Zac Aleman- excellent job
Eli North is having a really rough time of it. His life is falling apart. The only reason he has managed to maintain employment by the local sheriffs department is because his mom is the sheriff and the department is severely understaffed.
The body of a teenage boy is found in a boat on Shaky Lake. And then a teenage girl goes missing. Just what is going on in this small Wisconsin resort town? Can Eli, his mom the sheriff and Alyssa, an FBI agent from Chicago who has come to help the investigation, figure out what is going on and how it is all connected.
First of all, as a lifelong Green Bay Packer fan, I loved when the Packers were brought up. 💚💛. I kept getting the go Pack go chant in my head.
Now to the book. This was a completely random pick as I was scrolling through available audiobooks on the Libby app. I had never heard of this book, but boy am I glad I came across it! I was surprised to see it is a debut book after starting it and then reading the full summary for it. What an excellent debut!
I don’t know what it is about this book, it wasn’t terribly fast paced, I wasn’t sitting at the edge of my seat, but I was 100% engaged and into this book from the beginning. It must have the right combination of secret ingredients that a book needs to have for me to enjoy it, and enjoy it I did! I wish I could pinpoint exactly what it is that drew me in, but I suppose it doesn’t matter as long as I was drawn in.
I had pieced a few things together, but that didn’t take anything away from the book for me. Eli…I am rooting for you!
I am excited for the next book in this series! Definitely recommend this book, even without knowing the specifics that made me like it so much! It’s just one of those books that really clicked for me.
Original rating and review posted: 9/26/25
January 12, 2024
This story is told in third person and follows multiple characters in the Northwoods of a small lake town in Wisconsin that is short on law enforcement personnel amid an opioid problem. The small community of Shaky Lake with its fancy summer vacation homes and run down lake cabins displayed a sharp contrast between the country club set and working-class locals setting the perfect scene for this moody, atmospheric mystery.
The characters were vivid and distinct from the young FBI agent with mysterious scars to the father of a missing girl caught up in a corporate conspiracy. The mystery had me quietly absorbed while these characters slowly revealed their prospective thread in the larger web of the story. I did have an issue with the plausibility of a lawnmower incident as I have been mowing my own lawn since I was ten and thought that it could have been handled in a more realistic manner given current modern safety requirements.
I found the central character of Eli to be multi-faceted from his problems with alcohol, PTSD from serving in Afghanistan and challenging relationships with the locals and his own family including his mother, the sheriff and his estranged wife and son. His mental struggles were met very realistically by the other characters in his life with compassion, love, and frustration, some at the end of their rope and others holding out hope. I came to feel very protective of him by the end and I look forward to any future installments of this series.
Recommended to quiet or slow-burn mystery/suspense lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for a copy provided for an honest review.
The characters were vivid and distinct from the young FBI agent with mysterious scars to the father of a missing girl caught up in a corporate conspiracy. The mystery had me quietly absorbed while these characters slowly revealed their prospective thread in the larger web of the story. I did have an issue with the plausibility of a lawnmower incident as I have been mowing my own lawn since I was ten and thought that it could have been handled in a more realistic manner given current modern safety requirements.
I found the central character of Eli to be multi-faceted from his problems with alcohol, PTSD from serving in Afghanistan and challenging relationships with the locals and his own family including his mother, the sheriff and his estranged wife and son. His mental struggles were met very realistically by the other characters in his life with compassion, love, and frustration, some at the end of their rope and others holding out hope. I came to feel very protective of him by the end and I look forward to any future installments of this series.
Recommended to quiet or slow-burn mystery/suspense lovers.
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for a copy provided for an honest review.
July 28, 2023
This is Amy Pease's first novel and I cannot wait to read more. I had thought I had reached my fill of detective and police procedurals but this North Wisconsin atmospheric story pulled me right it.
Eli North is barely surviving. He has ptsd from serving and he mitigates it with alcohol costing him his marriage and possibly his career. He is, in fact is only serving as a detective in the sheriff's department because his mother is sheriff. Marge is ready to retire but is sticking it out to help Eli and help her beloved town.
When a summer local boy is found dead the department is stretched beyond it's abilities. The FBI send someone and Eli and his mom down the rabbit hole of legal pharmaceuticals, illegal opioids and power. It's really fascinating and the world Pease has shared with us will stay with you for a long time. It wasn't until midway through the book that you learn how Eli's background lends him to be a great investigator. I think knowing that earlier in the story would have made the start seem more credible, but I may have personally missed more hints. Eli is an intriguing character and I hope so much that we get a book 2 or 20 of his adventures! If you like an underdog, interested in the opioid and pharma-caused crisis or just want to read a first novel from a spectacularly talented author, Northwoods is for you!
#Atria #AmyPease #Northwoods
Eli North is barely surviving. He has ptsd from serving and he mitigates it with alcohol costing him his marriage and possibly his career. He is, in fact is only serving as a detective in the sheriff's department because his mother is sheriff. Marge is ready to retire but is sticking it out to help Eli and help her beloved town.
When a summer local boy is found dead the department is stretched beyond it's abilities. The FBI send someone and Eli and his mom down the rabbit hole of legal pharmaceuticals, illegal opioids and power. It's really fascinating and the world Pease has shared with us will stay with you for a long time. It wasn't until midway through the book that you learn how Eli's background lends him to be a great investigator. I think knowing that earlier in the story would have made the start seem more credible, but I may have personally missed more hints. Eli is an intriguing character and I hope so much that we get a book 2 or 20 of his adventures! If you like an underdog, interested in the opioid and pharma-caused crisis or just want to read a first novel from a spectacularly talented author, Northwoods is for you!
#Atria #AmyPease #Northwoods
April 20, 2024
★BOTM Pick★
Overall, I was impressed with the quality of writing in this debut novel. NORTHWOODS is a literary crime mystery that tackles the deadly opioid epidemic in a small Wisconsin resort town.
The deputy sheriff Eli North is troubled and struggling. Since he finished his tour in Afghanistan, he's suffered from serious PTSD and alcoholism. He only keeps his job because his mother is the sheriff, always covering for him. He spent the majority of the book drunk, hung over, or being a terrible father to his young son, which, let me tell you, was difficult to read.
This was definitely a character driven, slow-burn mystery. And while I think it was well written, I didn't enjoy the subject matter overly much. I'm disappointed that the young FBI Agent Alyssa Mason didn't play a bigger role, because she was my favorite character.
Overall, I was impressed with the quality of writing in this debut novel. NORTHWOODS is a literary crime mystery that tackles the deadly opioid epidemic in a small Wisconsin resort town.
The deputy sheriff Eli North is troubled and struggling. Since he finished his tour in Afghanistan, he's suffered from serious PTSD and alcoholism. He only keeps his job because his mother is the sheriff, always covering for him. He spent the majority of the book drunk, hung over, or being a terrible father to his young son, which, let me tell you, was difficult to read.
This was definitely a character driven, slow-burn mystery. And while I think it was well written, I didn't enjoy the subject matter overly much. I'm disappointed that the young FBI Agent Alyssa Mason didn't play a bigger role, because she was my favorite character.
January 10, 2024
4.5 stars! An excellent suspensive debut for crime lovers. This novel follows a mystery involving two teens, the opioid crisis, and mental illness. It centers on Sheriff’s Deputy Eli North whom while facing challenges of PTSD from serving in Afghanistan, family troubles and drinking to excess.. must help solve a case after finding the body of a teenage boy on Shaky Lake, and that of a teen missing girl he needs to find and fast! Amy Pease very skillfully took this police procedural and pulled me into the storyline, and the characters lives, becoming a story I’d easily see happening in current times. It’s a quick read at 287p., finishing with an open-ending leading me to believe there’s a second book in the works. If so I’m here for it. — Pub. 1/9/24
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the complimentary arc in exchange for an honest opinion.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the complimentary arc in exchange for an honest opinion.
December 28, 2023
Came across this one through some fellow GR members I follow who really liked this one. So glad I did because it is a good one (thx Liz, Pam & Kara). The book summary introduces the storylines with the primary one being the death of a teenaged boy, Ben, and a missing teenaged girl, Caitlin, who was last seen with Ben. There is a secondary storyline of the MC, Eli, who is a returning veteran suffering from a severe case of PTSD that is wreaking havoc on pretty much his whole life (job, marriage, fatherhood, etc…). There is also another storyline of the vacation resort owners, Mike and Kim, who are in the process of partnering up with a drug company to turn their resort into a drug rehab facility.
Most of the story revolves around the investigations of Ben and Caitlin. Eli and the Shaky Lake PD are also joined by an FBI agent, Alyssa, to assist in the investigation. The team soon discovers connections between Caitlin’s dad, Cal, who is a drug rep, and Ben who died of an overdose. There is also the connection of Ben dying at Mike and Kim’s vacation resort where Caitlin is a guest at the resort with her mother Beth. Most of the story flips back and forth between Eli and Cal
It's well into the second half that the storylines begin to merge and the Shaky Lake team begin to narrow in on what happened and concludes in a scary and intense scene with a twist out of left field that I never saw coming. However, there was kind of cliffhanger – sort of. Makes me wonder if this is maybe the first installment of a new series. Hmmm….. I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #AtriaBooks #Northwoods
Most of the story revolves around the investigations of Ben and Caitlin. Eli and the Shaky Lake PD are also joined by an FBI agent, Alyssa, to assist in the investigation. The team soon discovers connections between Caitlin’s dad, Cal, who is a drug rep, and Ben who died of an overdose. There is also the connection of Ben dying at Mike and Kim’s vacation resort where Caitlin is a guest at the resort with her mother Beth. Most of the story flips back and forth between Eli and Cal
It's well into the second half that the storylines begin to merge and the Shaky Lake team begin to narrow in on what happened and concludes in a scary and intense scene with a twist out of left field that I never saw coming. However, there was kind of cliffhanger – sort of. Makes me wonder if this is maybe the first installment of a new series. Hmmm….. I want to thank NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #AtriaBooks #Northwoods
April 9, 2024
Northwoods is a debut and what a debut! Pease has written a story that is a mystery and police procedural that delves into very serious subjects such as PTSD, opioid abuse, and “big pharma.” The action takes place in northern Wisconsin, in a lake resort area popular with summer vacationers. Eli North is currently a deputy sheriff (and his mother is the sheriff!) of the local county, which has a very small sheriff’s department. A fair amount of their time is taken up with noise complaints and other low-key issues. Eli has severe PTSD from his time in Afghanistan and is currently separated from his wife. They have an 11-year-old son, Andy. Eli’s drinking is out of control and is affecting his job performance and his relationships. When Eli discovers the dead body of a teenage boy in a small boat, his first thought is thankfulness that it’s not Andy. Later they find out that a teenage girl is missing, and the investigation expands.
There were several characters who we learn about in a bit of depth, at least one of whom is dealing with addiction, a theme in this story. Alyssa, an FBI agent who comes to town to assist (or lead!) the investigation, seems to have an interesting backstory, but we only get an inkling of that.
The mystery is a good one and held some surprises. I sped through this one, bouncing between the ebook and the audiobook, which was well narrated by Chris Henry Coffey and Zach Aleman.
While the main mystery is wrapped up at the end of the book, the author left a few threads dangling, so I’m hoping there’s another book in the works.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
There were several characters who we learn about in a bit of depth, at least one of whom is dealing with addiction, a theme in this story. Alyssa, an FBI agent who comes to town to assist (or lead!) the investigation, seems to have an interesting backstory, but we only get an inkling of that.
The mystery is a good one and held some surprises. I sped through this one, bouncing between the ebook and the audiobook, which was well narrated by Chris Henry Coffey and Zach Aleman.
While the main mystery is wrapped up at the end of the book, the author left a few threads dangling, so I’m hoping there’s another book in the works.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
January 10, 2024
Really enjoyed- 4ish, I wish the ending had been more wrapped up? But overall a very compelling read.
October 18, 2024
This was a solid mystery that I found through Book of the Month. While I was not racing to turn the pages at any point, it held my attention and I was curious to see how Cal's story would intertwine with the events occurring in Shaky Lakes; his chapters were the best imo. I also liked the representation re: PTSD and alcohol abuse. Investigator Eli North was a massive liability, but his mother did not give up on him. Our military and law enforcement officers certainly need more resources and support. I hope Eli sticks to his new plan, and I might like to see a sequel where he and Alyssa reconnect.
January 12, 2024
A lot is going on in this small lakeside resort town which has a woman sheriff and only two other police officers - one being her son Eli who has PTSD from his time in Afghanistan.
Eli only has the job because of his mother, and he tries to medicate himself with alcohol.
When Eli is asked to check on a cabin that has a radio blaring, he finds no one inside, but finds something worse - a dead child in a boat.
The autopsy indicates that the child was hit over the head and also injected with drugs.
Another interesting part about finding the child is that he was with another resident of the campgrounds during the day, but now she is missing.
We follow the investigation and hope Eli can help solve the murder and redeem himself and get some help with his problems.
NORTHWOODS was a bit confusing at first, but once the investigation got going, my interest picked up.
There were a few people I had in mind as the murderer and kidnapper and a few surprises, but I never suspected the real murderer.
Also addressed was PTSD and how it affects those suffering from it. Also addressed was alcohol abuse.
Enjoy if you read this well-written debut. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Eli only has the job because of his mother, and he tries to medicate himself with alcohol.
When Eli is asked to check on a cabin that has a radio blaring, he finds no one inside, but finds something worse - a dead child in a boat.
The autopsy indicates that the child was hit over the head and also injected with drugs.
Another interesting part about finding the child is that he was with another resident of the campgrounds during the day, but now she is missing.
We follow the investigation and hope Eli can help solve the murder and redeem himself and get some help with his problems.
NORTHWOODS was a bit confusing at first, but once the investigation got going, my interest picked up.
There were a few people I had in mind as the murderer and kidnapper and a few surprises, but I never suspected the real murderer.
Also addressed was PTSD and how it affects those suffering from it. Also addressed was alcohol abuse.
Enjoy if you read this well-written debut. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
December 23, 2023
Excellent debut novel!! With a recommendation from William Kent Krueger, had to check this one out and SOOO glad I did!!
Small town police force facing a murder and kidnapping, Eli finds the body of teen Ben Sharpe and discovers later Ben was to be with his friend Caitlin and she didn’t make it home. The FBI is called in to assist and agent Alyssa is written well and definitely adds to the story. The relationships between characters are woven so well also the drug company/ opioid addiction tie in really adds to the plot and kept me guessing!! I did not figure out all the bad guys by the end!! Can’t wait to see more from this author!!
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Small town police force facing a murder and kidnapping, Eli finds the body of teen Ben Sharpe and discovers later Ben was to be with his friend Caitlin and she didn’t make it home. The FBI is called in to assist and agent Alyssa is written well and definitely adds to the story. The relationships between characters are woven so well also the drug company/ opioid addiction tie in really adds to the plot and kept me guessing!! I did not figure out all the bad guys by the end!! Can’t wait to see more from this author!!
Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 18, 2024
I wanted to love this book, but it just didn’t have the wow factor I was hoping for. The plot was decent and with the way the story started, finding the dead body of a teenage boy, I really thought it would take off from there. But the focus was more on the backstory of the main character and his struggles. I do think the storyline played out well, it was just a little slow for me.
January 11, 2024
This was more of a family drama than a mystery thriller book. The mystery was maybe 20% of the book and the rest focused on Eli and his struggles with alcohol, ptsd and his failing marriage. I would give this author another chance as this is her debut and the book was very well written.
January 18, 2024
Bump to 4.5.
This is a very strong debut novel and maybe the start to what could be a fine series.
I loved the up north cabin town setting. That is the very essence of who I am.
I loved the mother-son relationship of Marge and Eli.
“…but she knew Eli like she knew her own soul. Knew what he used to be like. Strong and steady. A protector. Someone to be relied on to get things done, to have the answers, to keep cool when things were difficult….No, he needed more than just her love. She wasn’t so delusional as to think she could help him all by herself.”
What mom hasn’t wanted to love a son out of his problems? It’s a unique quality to that relationship.
I also loved Dan, rehabilitated and puppy lover.
This book has strong themes of PTSD in veterans and drug addiction. Having been around people with addictions my whole life long, I think it was well done and very realistic.
There was a line in the book that reminded Eli that he hadn’t chosen the addiction. That really resonated with me. If only we all believed this, we could remove the stigma and the hiding and secrets. That would be halfway to a solution.
This is a very strong debut novel and maybe the start to what could be a fine series.
I loved the up north cabin town setting. That is the very essence of who I am.
I loved the mother-son relationship of Marge and Eli.
“…but she knew Eli like she knew her own soul. Knew what he used to be like. Strong and steady. A protector. Someone to be relied on to get things done, to have the answers, to keep cool when things were difficult….No, he needed more than just her love. She wasn’t so delusional as to think she could help him all by herself.”
What mom hasn’t wanted to love a son out of his problems? It’s a unique quality to that relationship.
I also loved Dan, rehabilitated and puppy lover.
This book has strong themes of PTSD in veterans and drug addiction. Having been around people with addictions my whole life long, I think it was well done and very realistic.
There was a line in the book that reminded Eli that he hadn’t chosen the addiction. That really resonated with me. If only we all believed this, we could remove the stigma and the hiding and secrets. That would be halfway to a solution.
January 11, 2024
This novel is so well-written that it’s hard to believe it is a debut.
It is a very character-driven mystery/police procedural and will interest those who enjoy intense characters with tortuous personal struggles.
The intricate plot addresses PTSD in veterans, opioid abuse, alcohol abuse, and big pharma in the form of a drug company that has developed a miracle drug that will help opioid addicts.
When the body of a dead boy is found, it leads to a missing teenage girl from the Chicago area. This was a bonus because I spent part of my childhood around the areas discussed in the book.
#Northwoods #AmyPease #Mystery #Police #NetGalley #ARC #HonestReview #AtriaBooks #EmilyBestlerBooks #Debut #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMe #LoveToRead #BookAddict #ThrillerBookLovers #BookReviewer #Thriller #LoveBooks #ThrillerBookLoverPromotions #ThrillerFriendsUnite #ThrillerObsessedBookishClub #Bookstagrammer #BookReels
It is a very character-driven mystery/police procedural and will interest those who enjoy intense characters with tortuous personal struggles.
The intricate plot addresses PTSD in veterans, opioid abuse, alcohol abuse, and big pharma in the form of a drug company that has developed a miracle drug that will help opioid addicts.
When the body of a dead boy is found, it leads to a missing teenage girl from the Chicago area. This was a bonus because I spent part of my childhood around the areas discussed in the book.
#Northwoods #AmyPease #Mystery #Police #NetGalley #ARC #HonestReview #AtriaBooks #EmilyBestlerBooks #Debut #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMe #LoveToRead #BookAddict #ThrillerBookLovers #BookReviewer #Thriller #LoveBooks #ThrillerBookLoverPromotions #ThrillerFriendsUnite #ThrillerObsessedBookishClub #Bookstagrammer #BookReels
January 12, 2024
Eli North works for the sheriff’s department. He’s a former soldier who was deployed to Afghanistan and he has PTSD and a drinking problem. This usually quiet midwestern resort town is thrown when the body of a teenage boy is discovered and a girl goes missing. Eli will work with a young FBI agent to solve the crime. An added complication is Eli’s mother is the town sherrif.
I loved this unique and original debut. The story is simply captivating. I listened to it in one day and I’m so happy I bought a hardcover for my library. Don’t miss this one! I’m from Minneapolis so I enjoyed all the familiar landmarks. Northwoods was a Book of the Month selection for January. I was sold when I saw William Kent Krueger penned the blurb. The plot is great and the characters here are so well developed. The narration on audio by Chris Henry Coffey and Zac Altman is very good. I’m wondering if the author plans to write a sequel. If so, I’m all in!
January 11, 2024
Amy Pease hits the ground running with her standout, impressive, compelling, character-driven debut, NORTHWOODS — a gripping murder mystery crime thriller with vivid settings that explores the challenges of a small Midwestern resort town when the past and present collide and dark secrets emerge.
Set against the backdrop of America's opioid epidemic, both heartbreaking and deeply emotional, the author explores struggles and real consequences both with individuals and the community—from addiction, substance abuse, PTSD, and mental health with great insights into current issues of today with compassion and sensitivity.
It's a fantastic start to a new series, leaving readers eager to return to Shaky Lake and this electrifying cast of characters for the next installment.
Set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin in a small idyllic resort town of Shaky Lake (Beran's Resort), we meet a mother and son law enforcement team as they unravel a conspiracy when the past collides with the present in this sleepy small town—owned by Kim and Mike Beran. They have been approached to turn the resort into a healthcare facility.
The resort is rustic, nostalgic, and picturesque. From cabins, campfires, porches, firepits, screened porches, Adirondack chairs, canoes, a beach, and a long L-shaped pier across Shaky Lake. However, is it peaceful? While dark secrets lie underneath the surface?
Meet Sheriff Marge North and her son, Deputy Eli North (ex-wife, Michelle, and his son, 11-year-old Andy) of Sherman County Sherriff's Department. Eli is barely holding down the job his mother gave him as a functional alcoholic to cope with the memories from his deployment in Afghanistan.
Northwoods is a vacation paradise resort town where people go to fish, campfires, and festivals. However, is there something dark and menacing lurking beneath beyond the peace and beauty?
No one trusts Eli, but Marge cannot give up on her son. She is trying to protect their town and her beloved son from his destructive tendencies. Eli loves silence with no voices, noise, radios, motorboats, or helicopters.
Marge is pushing 60 and has migraines. She needed Eli's help. Eli's father had been in law enforcement and had been killed in the line of duty when Eli was three.
When Eli discovers the body of a sixteen-year-old boy, Ben, floating dead in a boat in Shaky Lake, this may be his shot at redeeming himself, and he is charged with finding the missing girl.
What he does not anticipate leading him to a wealthy enclave with a violent past, a pharmaceutical salesman, a dead teen boy, and a missing teen girl, Caitlin. What do drugs have to do with this? Who can be trusted?
The county will give them some outside help. This leads Marge, Eli, and a young FBI agent on the hunt for more than they bargained for.
NORTHWOODS is an unputdownable page-turner! From a small town police department stretched beyond its means, from pharmaceuticals, illegal opioids, and power. You will fall in love with complex and well-developed characters—Eli who is savvy and uses his investigative skills. I enjoyed the mother-son relationship. I loved Marge and Eli! I cannot wait for the next book!
Beautifully written, a powerful debut, and a fully immersive suspense mystery with solid character development that will keep you on the edge of your seat from page one to the ending, anxiously awaiting the next installment.
For fans of Joshua Moehling's Ben Packard series and authors Tim Johnson Distant Sons: A Novel, William Kent Krueger, Allen Eskens, and Karen Katchur's The Greedy Three.
Stay tuned for my #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A (pub day Jan 9th, 2024) with Amy, where we go behind the book's scenes and this newfound voice in fiction!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 9, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Jan 2024 Must-Read Books
Jan 2024 Newsletter
Q&A with Amy Pease
Set against the backdrop of America's opioid epidemic, both heartbreaking and deeply emotional, the author explores struggles and real consequences both with individuals and the community—from addiction, substance abuse, PTSD, and mental health with great insights into current issues of today with compassion and sensitivity.
It's a fantastic start to a new series, leaving readers eager to return to Shaky Lake and this electrifying cast of characters for the next installment.
Set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin in a small idyllic resort town of Shaky Lake (Beran's Resort), we meet a mother and son law enforcement team as they unravel a conspiracy when the past collides with the present in this sleepy small town—owned by Kim and Mike Beran. They have been approached to turn the resort into a healthcare facility.
The resort is rustic, nostalgic, and picturesque. From cabins, campfires, porches, firepits, screened porches, Adirondack chairs, canoes, a beach, and a long L-shaped pier across Shaky Lake. However, is it peaceful? While dark secrets lie underneath the surface?
Meet Sheriff Marge North and her son, Deputy Eli North (ex-wife, Michelle, and his son, 11-year-old Andy) of Sherman County Sherriff's Department. Eli is barely holding down the job his mother gave him as a functional alcoholic to cope with the memories from his deployment in Afghanistan.
Northwoods is a vacation paradise resort town where people go to fish, campfires, and festivals. However, is there something dark and menacing lurking beneath beyond the peace and beauty?
No one trusts Eli, but Marge cannot give up on her son. She is trying to protect their town and her beloved son from his destructive tendencies. Eli loves silence with no voices, noise, radios, motorboats, or helicopters.
Marge is pushing 60 and has migraines. She needed Eli's help. Eli's father had been in law enforcement and had been killed in the line of duty when Eli was three.
When Eli discovers the body of a sixteen-year-old boy, Ben, floating dead in a boat in Shaky Lake, this may be his shot at redeeming himself, and he is charged with finding the missing girl.
What he does not anticipate leading him to a wealthy enclave with a violent past, a pharmaceutical salesman, a dead teen boy, and a missing teen girl, Caitlin. What do drugs have to do with this? Who can be trusted?
The county will give them some outside help. This leads Marge, Eli, and a young FBI agent on the hunt for more than they bargained for.
NORTHWOODS is an unputdownable page-turner! From a small town police department stretched beyond its means, from pharmaceuticals, illegal opioids, and power. You will fall in love with complex and well-developed characters—Eli who is savvy and uses his investigative skills. I enjoyed the mother-son relationship. I loved Marge and Eli! I cannot wait for the next book!
Beautifully written, a powerful debut, and a fully immersive suspense mystery with solid character development that will keep you on the edge of your seat from page one to the ending, anxiously awaiting the next installment.
For fans of Joshua Moehling's Ben Packard series and authors Tim Johnson Distant Sons: A Novel, William Kent Krueger, Allen Eskens, and Karen Katchur's The Greedy Three.
Stay tuned for my #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A (pub day Jan 9th, 2024) with Amy, where we go behind the book's scenes and this newfound voice in fiction!
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 9, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars +
Jan 2024 Must-Read Books
Jan 2024 Newsletter
Q&A with Amy Pease
March 8, 2024
Dark things are going on in the aptly named Shaky Lake, a small vacation town in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. When the body of a teenage boy is found, the underfunded sheriff’s department seems ready to call it an overdose and move on. But not Eli North, the deputy with a past as a crack investigator, but whose PTSD post-Afghanistan has him drinking heavily and who only keeps his job with the department because his mom is the sheriff. He keeps pushing and uncovers that this was a murder with ties to Big Pharma and a sinister nearby club of the super-wealthy.
This was a propulsive, character-driven debut novel, and I’d be really pleased to see it as the first in a series featuring the unusual mother-son duo of peace officers.
This was a propulsive, character-driven debut novel, and I’d be really pleased to see it as the first in a series featuring the unusual mother-son duo of peace officers.
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