Upstream

The Poison River #2

by Jennifer M. Lane

It’s 1901. It’s been a year since Charlotte arrived on the Chesapeake Bay and discovered the poison that killed her parents was in the water… and killing people downriver.

Together, Charlotte and Weylan use the power of his newspaper to launch an assault against Nels Pritchard and the coal town responsible, printing the truth behind the lies.

But they haven’t launched their relationship. When he asked her to marry him, she said “Yes, but not yet.” Her heart can’t settle until justice is won. And though poisoning the water isn’t illegal (yet), a lawyer is willing to help them, if they find proof of their claims.

Then they’re presented with an offer they can’t refuse: an attractive proposal to work undercover in Pritchard’s inner sanctum. There, they’ll have access to all the proof they can carry. But as they close in on evidence of Prichard’s schemes, an ally goes rogue and embroils Weylan in his plot.

Before the ash settles on his fiery plans, innocent people lose their lives, Charlotte loses the evidence she needs, and Weylan could lose himself. Picking up the pieces means choosing between the past she can’t leave behind and the future she may never grasp.

The newest book by award-winning author Jennifer M. Lane is perfect for fans of Jeannette Walls’ Hang the Moon and the fiery protagonist in The Hunger Games.

Paperback

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

A Maryland native and Pennsylvanian at heart, Jennifer M. Lane holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Barton College and a master's in liberal arts with a focus on museum studies from the University of Delaware, where she wrote her thesis on the material culture of roadside memorials. Her interest in writing historical fiction is rooted in her research of historic house museum residents and building interpretive plans. She is a member of the Authors Guild and the Historical Novel Society.

Lane's debut book, Of Metal and Earth, won the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Award for First Novel and was a finalist in the 2018 IAN awards for General / Literary fiction.

She is also the author of Stick Figures from Rockport; the six-book series of The Collected Stories of Ramsbolt; Downriver and Upstream, the Poison River Duology; and the upcoming Tinker, an alternate historical romance.

Reviews

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in this duology with the first book being Downriver. This takes place roughly 1 year after the events in book one.

This book gave me Erin Brockovich vibes but in a historical setting. I don't want to give too much away in case you haven't read book one, but what I will say is the mystery, intrigue. and suspense from the first book carries over into this book as well. It centers around a small Pennsylvania coat mining town.

Charlotte and Weylan are the perfect match for one another. However, due to the circumstances, they just can't seem to take their relationship to the next level. Charlotte is tenacious and just doesn't know how to give up. Giving up is just not a word in her vocabulary but justice is.

This is a great duology and I definitely recommend it to everyone.

[Jeff Hillison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The biggest thing that struck me while reading this book is how America has regressed into what we were 125 years ago when we fought monopolies, polluters and grifters. But then we had Teddy Roosevelt leading the way, and now we have, well, you know.

But one thing we'll always have are heroes fighting the good fight, and in this book, that's Charlotte. Charlotte's a journalist at heart, but the corrupt mine owner of her hometown destroyed her family, and he's expanding his industrial empire to destroy even more lives. Charlotte won't rest until justice is served and she fights with every tool at her disposal.

Even more than ever, we need Charlottes in our time, too. May this book inspire them.

I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Shelly Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like your historical fiction immersive, with gorgeous prose and characters so full of heart you just want to hug them and tell them it’ll be okay?Upstream takes the stakes of Downriver and lights a fire under them. This is the kind of book you fall into wholeheartedly because you know in its first pages it’s going to take you on one hell of a ride. Loved this series. Loved this book. Cannot recommend it enough!

[Cheyanne Fletcher-Berger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in a duology about a handful of young people fighting to keep their town self from the health hazards, and overall livelihood, of an over zealous coal boss.

These characters have quite a bit to work through when it comes to facing Pritchard, as he has deep enough pockets and a far enough reach, that he can find them wherever they go.

This was a great wrap up to Downstream and I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author.

[Nikkiya Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.25/5 ⭐️ Worth a Round-Up!

YA Historical Fiction I have discovered, might not be for me. However, this book was enjoyable to read. It is a well-written duology with good character development and a well-thought-out plot. As a 48-year-old adult, I found it a little boring, predictable, and flat at times. I would highly recommend this series for ages 11+.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book even more than the previous one in the series. I loved seeing Weylan and Charlotte working together undercover and trying to take down Pritchard's corruption. It was fascinating watching them work through moral quandaries and encounter people with uncertain allegiances.

This was so close to being a five-star read for me, and I don't give those lightly. However, some things were just too convenient and the ending felt too rushed.

Overall, this is a great read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with depth, complexity, character development, and romance without "spice." I hope more people find this series!

Thank you to BookSirens and Jennifer M. Lane for the free eARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily with my honest opinions.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great follow up to downstream. The struggle between the characters is very genuine and the romance aspect was a great YA romance read. This series is great for YA historical fiction readers, especially those that like reading about early advocacy for the environment.