Accidental Summer: A Novel

by Sara Rath

Once again, Sara Rath has written a page-turner of a novel set in the present but brimming with historical authenticity. The star-crossed story of writer Jenny Burgess's summer in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where she plans to research a century-old unsolved murder, links the rough and rowdy history of the region with the reality of sex trafficking today. Fast-paced, fluidly written, chock full of sharply drawn and loveable characters, salted with some dashes of mystery and romantic entanglement, Accidental Summer is fun to read while drawing our attention to a serious and persistent social problem.

-Alan Berolzheimer, managing editor Vermont Historical Society

264 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2024

Reviews

[Chris Eirschele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accidental Summer is the story of a past murder and the tales of modern day Up North. The book starts with a question. What is Up North?

This book introduces readers to Jenny, Brian and Dash, the dog. Though, if you've read the first two books in the series you might remember Ginger and the Star Lake Resort, too.

I think each book could be a standalone, but it is fun to read all three in succession.

Published in 2024, the third book tells the story of The Last Resort and those who made it a success, all while solving crimes in their own area of the lake Up North.

I sure encourage you to read Accidental Summer. Whether you simply love murder mysteries, have an affection for Northern lakes, or have an appreciation of Wisconsin authors.

I enjoy Sara Rath's writing. This author has many books published, she makes her home in my beloved state of Wisconsin.

[Patty Hochschild · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this book at an “Up North” bookstore. Enjoyed reading the history. The last four chapters were too long. In my opinion should of wrapped it up sooner. The author’s point was made.

[William Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Rath's 3rd book set on the isolated Star Lake chain-of-lakes in Northern Wisconsin. There are a couple of her old, familiar Northwoods characters involved, but this novel revolves around a woman from Madison who accepts an offer to head north to research an 1890s murder of what I'd always heard called a 'Hurley Girl,' a woman who worked the rough and tumble saloons nestled among the pineries and mines in the UP/Northern Wisconsin woods in the 19th century.

Her research into the historical abduction of young women from cities in the 1890s, sheds light on the fact that things haven't really changed at all in the 130 years between her research and current times. Human trafficking is maybe even more rampant today.

In a show of empowerment, the women of the area come together to attempt to rescue 3 girls who are being held captive.

Rath's writing is crisp, and her story-telling is unique and insightful. I've read her prior 2 novels in this loosely connected series. And I hope that she continues to write novels centering around this chain-of-lakes.