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North Country #1
In the Bones
The arrival of a celebrity athlete on a remote peninsula in New York’s Thousand Islands unearths dark and deadly buried secrets in this heart-pounding blend of suspense and mystery, the first in the new North Country series—Agatha Christie meets Ruth Ware and Lucy Foley
It’s almost summer in Cape Vincent, and as the heat rises, ex-professional ice hockey superstar Mikko Helle arrives, ready to move into his extravagantly renovated waterfront home. Mikko is 30, handsome, and wealthy. He’s a stranger in town. There’s no reason to suspect Mikko is anything other than he seems.
Local married mother-of-two Nicole Durham works her connections hard to get hired as his cleaner. She needs this job—and not just because of the money. Nicole is desperate to expose a secret, and she’s running out of time.
But when Nicole disturbs an intruder while cleaning, New York State Police Investigator Tim Wellington discovers that the luxury mansion is hiding its own unthinkable truth. Deep in the basement lie the bones of a young woman, identity unknown.
The celebrity athlete. The local. The thief. Everyone is hiding something—but someone in the North Country’s a ruthless killer, and one of the three knows exactly who it is.
It’s almost summer in Cape Vincent, and as the heat rises, ex-professional ice hockey superstar Mikko Helle arrives, ready to move into his extravagantly renovated waterfront home. Mikko is 30, handsome, and wealthy. He’s a stranger in town. There’s no reason to suspect Mikko is anything other than he seems.
Local married mother-of-two Nicole Durham works her connections hard to get hired as his cleaner. She needs this job—and not just because of the money. Nicole is desperate to expose a secret, and she’s running out of time.
But when Nicole disturbs an intruder while cleaning, New York State Police Investigator Tim Wellington discovers that the luxury mansion is hiding its own unthinkable truth. Deep in the basement lie the bones of a young woman, identity unknown.
The celebrity athlete. The local. The thief. Everyone is hiding something—but someone in the North Country’s a ruthless killer, and one of the three knows exactly who it is.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2025
30 people are currently reading
2784 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Wegert
7 books658 followersTessa Wegert is the critically acclaimed author of the Shana Merchant mysteries, as well as the North Country series. Her books have received numerous starred reviews and have been featured on PBS and NPR Radio. A former journalist and copywriter, Tessa grew up in Quebec and now lives with her husband and children in Connecticut, where she co-founded Sisters in Crime CT and serves on the board of International Thriller Writers (ITW).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
December 7, 2025
Yet again, the insanely talented Ms. Tessa Wegert has knocked it out of the park. A fast-paced mystery/thriller filled with brilliant twists and compelling characters, In the Bones was as suspense-laden as it was creepy. The first book in a brand-new series, the plot centered around a character who was caught in the act of “phrogging.” Go ahead and look it up. I promise that the definition alone will give you nightmares even after you’ve searched your house from top to bottom. That, however, was just the start of this unputdownable tale. From there the returning characters from Wegert’s prior series delivered a story that kept me guessing. Shifting this way and that with each new reveal, it was all I could do to hang on for the ride. You see, with an hair-raising start, an adrenaline-fueled climax, and a neatly wrapped-up conclusion, this small-town whodunnit delivered it all, including a truly unforgettable ending.
All said and done, I was utterly bowled over by the continuing saga of Thousand Islands and its tight-knit communities. Jumping off from the events in Wegert’s Shana Merchant series, while this novel could easily be read as a standalone, I highly recommend first reading her prior novels. Not only will you be able to appreciate the brilliant character development better, but each of the twisty mysteries are freaking fantastic. Suspenseful, tense, and laced with clever red herrings, this one was no different and I flew through the pages in one single go. You see, it was as unique and well-plotted as it was chilling. Narrated by multiple distinct POVs, I was beyond impressed by the immersive quality of the story. But it was the jaw-dropping ending that blew me away in spite of its partly open-ended conclusion. Now I guess I’ll just have to wait to find out what happens next. Come on, Ms. Wegert, I’m on pins and needles already. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
It’s almost summer in Cape Vincent, and as the heat rises, ex-professional ice hockey superstar Mikko Helle arrives, ready to move into his extravagantly renovated waterfront home. Mikko is 30, handsome, and wealthy. He’s a stranger in town. There’s no reason to suspect Mikko is anything other than he seems.
Local married mother-of-two Nicole Durham works her connections hard to get hired as his cleaner. She needs this job—and not just because of the money. Nicole is desperate to expose a secret, and she’s running out of time.
But when Nicole disturbs an intruder while cleaning, New York State Police Investigator Tim Wellington discovers that the luxury mansion is hiding its own unthinkable truth. Deep in the basement lie the bones of a young woman, identity unknown.
The celebrity athlete. The local. The thief. Everyone is hiding something—but someone in the North Country’s a ruthless killer, and one of the three knows exactly who it is.
Thank you to Tessa Wegert and Severn House for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 4, 2025
Content warning: burglary, murder, breaking and entering, mention of: infidelity, violence
All said and done, I was utterly bowled over by the continuing saga of Thousand Islands and its tight-knit communities. Jumping off from the events in Wegert’s Shana Merchant series, while this novel could easily be read as a standalone, I highly recommend first reading her prior novels. Not only will you be able to appreciate the brilliant character development better, but each of the twisty mysteries are freaking fantastic. Suspenseful, tense, and laced with clever red herrings, this one was no different and I flew through the pages in one single go. You see, it was as unique and well-plotted as it was chilling. Narrated by multiple distinct POVs, I was beyond impressed by the immersive quality of the story. But it was the jaw-dropping ending that blew me away in spite of its partly open-ended conclusion. Now I guess I’ll just have to wait to find out what happens next. Come on, Ms. Wegert, I’m on pins and needles already. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
It’s almost summer in Cape Vincent, and as the heat rises, ex-professional ice hockey superstar Mikko Helle arrives, ready to move into his extravagantly renovated waterfront home. Mikko is 30, handsome, and wealthy. He’s a stranger in town. There’s no reason to suspect Mikko is anything other than he seems.
Local married mother-of-two Nicole Durham works her connections hard to get hired as his cleaner. She needs this job—and not just because of the money. Nicole is desperate to expose a secret, and she’s running out of time.
But when Nicole disturbs an intruder while cleaning, New York State Police Investigator Tim Wellington discovers that the luxury mansion is hiding its own unthinkable truth. Deep in the basement lie the bones of a young woman, identity unknown.
The celebrity athlete. The local. The thief. Everyone is hiding something—but someone in the North Country’s a ruthless killer, and one of the three knows exactly who it is.
Thank you to Tessa Wegert and Severn House for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 4, 2025
Content warning: burglary, murder, breaking and entering, mention of: infidelity, violence
November 11, 2025
the setup…
Cape Vincent is part of New York’s Thousand Islands peninsula and the town is preparing for the “summer people.” Nicole Durham is a house cleaner and used her connections to get newcomer Mikko Helle to hire her on to care for his newly renovated waterfront home. He’s a former NHL star who likes to party and she has a reason to want access. But while Nicole was in the home, she discovers an intruder, a young woman who was “phrogging” homes in the neighborhood and hiding in Mikko’s attic. When police search the entire home, they find human bones in the basement crawl space.
the heart of the story…
This is more than a police procedural as the lives of some of the townspeople are also center stage. Nicole and her husband Woody are at a crossroads, with their daughter getting ready for college and finances strained. Sheriff Maureen (Mac) McIntyre is facing a formidable challenger and investigator Tim Wellington is seeing the world differently now that he’s the father of toddler daughter. The list of suspects kept growing as the investigation progressed and I had a good time developing theories.
the narration…
Callie Beaulieu and Danny Montooth made this feel like a full cast narration because of their many voice distinctions and great storytelling. I’ll be listening to the series going forward.
the bottom line…
I really enjoy character driven police procedurals as the story then has so many layers. This one has lots of twisty turns and my theories kept changing. I also was deeply invested in the characters and am glad this is the first in a series. I will also go back and read the Shana Merchant series as this is a spinoff, though I lost nothing by starting here. Now I know what all the fuss is about the author as she’s excellent at plotting.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Tantor Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Cape Vincent is part of New York’s Thousand Islands peninsula and the town is preparing for the “summer people.” Nicole Durham is a house cleaner and used her connections to get newcomer Mikko Helle to hire her on to care for his newly renovated waterfront home. He’s a former NHL star who likes to party and she has a reason to want access. But while Nicole was in the home, she discovers an intruder, a young woman who was “phrogging” homes in the neighborhood and hiding in Mikko’s attic. When police search the entire home, they find human bones in the basement crawl space.
the heart of the story…
This is more than a police procedural as the lives of some of the townspeople are also center stage. Nicole and her husband Woody are at a crossroads, with their daughter getting ready for college and finances strained. Sheriff Maureen (Mac) McIntyre is facing a formidable challenger and investigator Tim Wellington is seeing the world differently now that he’s the father of toddler daughter. The list of suspects kept growing as the investigation progressed and I had a good time developing theories.
the narration…
Callie Beaulieu and Danny Montooth made this feel like a full cast narration because of their many voice distinctions and great storytelling. I’ll be listening to the series going forward.
the bottom line…
I really enjoy character driven police procedurals as the story then has so many layers. This one has lots of twisty turns and my theories kept changing. I also was deeply invested in the characters and am glad this is the first in a series. I will also go back and read the Shana Merchant series as this is a spinoff, though I lost nothing by starting here. Now I know what all the fuss is about the author as she’s excellent at plotting.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Tantor Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
June 17, 2025
A few years ago, I watched a documentary series about phrogging. If you’re not familiar with that term, it means secretly living in somebody’s (occupied!) house. Besides triggering months of nightmares, the show got me wondering what might compel a person to skulk in someone else’s attic, basement, or walls. That led to another question: What secrets might they accidentally uncover while hiding in a house?
This is where the inspiration for IN THE BONES came from. It's atmospheric and creepy and packed with surprises, and it kicks off the new North Country series, set in the Thousand Islands of Upstate New York and Ontario, Canada. I hope you enjoy it, and thank you for reading!
This is where the inspiration for IN THE BONES came from. It's atmospheric and creepy and packed with surprises, and it kicks off the new North Country series, set in the Thousand Islands of Upstate New York and Ontario, Canada. I hope you enjoy it, and thank you for reading!
November 20, 2025
I have ever heard of phrogging before I read this book. What a scary thought of someone living in your house unbeknownst to you! I was checking all the cupboards and doors in the house!! A great concept for a thriller and I loved how Tessa wrote about how the idea came about.
The start of a new series but still set in the same area and with the same characters around, but a shift in the focus. It was nice to see some familiar faces and learn more about some of the previous side characters. What a great way to start a new series.
Really enjoyed this fast paced, page turning thriller, creepy and intense with some humorous moments in there as well..
Thanks to Severn House on NetGalley for my advanced copy to read. You can grab a copy on November 4th.
The start of a new series but still set in the same area and with the same characters around, but a shift in the focus. It was nice to see some familiar faces and learn more about some of the previous side characters. What a great way to start a new series.
Really enjoyed this fast paced, page turning thriller, creepy and intense with some humorous moments in there as well..
Thanks to Severn House on NetGalley for my advanced copy to read. You can grab a copy on November 4th.
October 4, 2025
Okay guys.. when one of my MOST anticipated books of the year show up… I dropped everything to read it!! Thank you so much @tessawegert @severnhouseimprint for my gorgeous gifted copy. 🥰
Pub date is 11/4/25! 🥳
I loved this book SO much!! Five stars ⭐️… First off.. this is NOT a part of the Shana Merchant series.. in fact it is a kickoff to the new North Country series. So no need to stress if you haven’t read Shana.. which you should read it..😉 I mean it is Finn’s favorite series. Just saying.. 🤷♀️
Listen to this… As any typical small town.. people know each other and everything about them. You have your year long residents.. and your “summer residents.” That being said… have you heard the term phrogging?? 🤔 No? Me either… see below..⬇️
Phrogging- Secretly living in someone’s occupied house…. Umm WHAT?! 😳 Hmm 🤔 maybe like homes that have been empty all year?? What if you looked 👀 up to your ac vent and someone was looking back?! 😳 🏃 🏃♀️
In typical @tessawegert fashion.. this was off the chain intense!! SO creepy!! Wait until you read this…. You will be checking your vent, attic and under the bed. 😳😂🫣 I am not kidding.😬
I loved seeing some familiar faces that I didn’t expect!! Again this is completely a standalone and one of my very favorites by this author. I can’t recommend it enough!!
Pub date is 11/4/25! 🥳
I loved this book SO much!! Five stars ⭐️… First off.. this is NOT a part of the Shana Merchant series.. in fact it is a kickoff to the new North Country series. So no need to stress if you haven’t read Shana.. which you should read it..😉 I mean it is Finn’s favorite series. Just saying.. 🤷♀️
Listen to this… As any typical small town.. people know each other and everything about them. You have your year long residents.. and your “summer residents.” That being said… have you heard the term phrogging?? 🤔 No? Me either… see below..⬇️
Phrogging- Secretly living in someone’s occupied house…. Umm WHAT?! 😳 Hmm 🤔 maybe like homes that have been empty all year?? What if you looked 👀 up to your ac vent and someone was looking back?! 😳 🏃 🏃♀️
In typical @tessawegert fashion.. this was off the chain intense!! SO creepy!! Wait until you read this…. You will be checking your vent, attic and under the bed. 😳😂🫣 I am not kidding.😬
I loved seeing some familiar faces that I didn’t expect!! Again this is completely a standalone and one of my very favorites by this author. I can’t recommend it enough!!
October 30, 2025
This was my first read from Tessa Wegert and I was excited to read it, as readers love her!
A retired hockey player moves into a newly renovated home in the small town of Cape Vincent, NY. One day, a woman cleaning his home hears some noise coming from the attic. When police show, they find a woman who has been living there undetected, which I found is called phrogging. It’s a real thing.
When she is discovered, a dead body of bones is discovered in the basement too. Who is the phrogger, who’s dead body is that, and who killed them?
This is a slow burn character driven mystery and part police procedural. I enjoyed getting to know everyone and the setup for this series. Looking forward to book 2.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Severn House and Tessa Wegert for my gifted copy.
Pub date 11/4/25
A retired hockey player moves into a newly renovated home in the small town of Cape Vincent, NY. One day, a woman cleaning his home hears some noise coming from the attic. When police show, they find a woman who has been living there undetected, which I found is called phrogging. It’s a real thing.
When she is discovered, a dead body of bones is discovered in the basement too. Who is the phrogger, who’s dead body is that, and who killed them?
This is a slow burn character driven mystery and part police procedural. I enjoyed getting to know everyone and the setup for this series. Looking forward to book 2.
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Severn House and Tessa Wegert for my gifted copy.
Pub date 11/4/25
December 15, 2025
This is the first book in the new North Country Series.
Multiple POVs.
Creepy good.
I needed to keep turning the pages.
I recommend In The Bones!
Below is a line from the book that caused me to chuckle.
[It is not a spoiler.]
“It isn’t every day someone offers you an autograph during an interrogation.”
Multiple POVs.
Creepy good.
I needed to keep turning the pages.
I recommend In The Bones!
Below is a line from the book that caused me to chuckle.
[It is not a spoiler.]
“It isn’t every day someone offers you an autograph during an interrogation.”
October 31, 2025
This was so good! My third book by Wegert and probably my favorite so far. This whole “Phrogging” thing creeps me the hell out! I can't believe I had never heard of that before. Either way, it made for a fantastic plot. We got multiple POV’s which worked great for this book. They each added so much to the story. I also loved all the twists and fast pace. It kept me flipping through the night and staying up way too late. A fantastic, suspenseful murder mystery that you should definitely pick up!
Thank you to the publisher, netgalley, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher, netgalley, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy! All opinions are my own.
October 27, 2025
A brand new series from one of my favourite authors? Yes please! In The Bones was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and it did not disappoint! 5 stars from me!!
First off, multiple povs are my jam! Having the opportunity to see into the mind of multiple characters in a storyline gets me every single time. And these characters are fantastic!
I am so happy that Shana is back! I absolutely loved the Shana Merchant series and was ecstatic to find her as a secondary character, along with some other familiar faces.
Have you ever heard the term Phrogging? I hadn't! And as I sit here in my 1930's home with an unfinished basement and MANY places to hide I am a little creeped out. It's probably a good thing I don't read down there...
And that ending! I was WAY off! Extra props for that.
Very excited to see where this series takes us.
All in all, highly recommend this brand new series! My thanks to Severn House, Tessa Wegert, & Suzy Approved Book Tours for this gifted copy!
First off, multiple povs are my jam! Having the opportunity to see into the mind of multiple characters in a storyline gets me every single time. And these characters are fantastic!
I am so happy that Shana is back! I absolutely loved the Shana Merchant series and was ecstatic to find her as a secondary character, along with some other familiar faces.
Have you ever heard the term Phrogging? I hadn't! And as I sit here in my 1930's home with an unfinished basement and MANY places to hide I am a little creeped out. It's probably a good thing I don't read down there...
And that ending! I was WAY off! Extra props for that.
Very excited to see where this series takes us.
All in all, highly recommend this brand new series! My thanks to Severn House, Tessa Wegert, & Suzy Approved Book Tours for this gifted copy!
November 9, 2025
5 stars. I learned what the term “phrogging”means after reading Tessa Wegert’s latest and it’s chilling to the bone! I can’t imagine it.. but indeed it does happen within these pages. Told in multiple POV’s.. IN THE BONES’ originality, clever twists and suspense kept me listening.. and completely fixated on how Wegert would wrap it all up. It’s absolutely perfect. And seeing the addition of characters from her Shana Merchant series definitely peaked my curiosity on the role they would play in the storyline.. love that surprise! I can’t wait to continue this NEW series, “North Country.” 🎧 Pub. 11/4/25
October 31, 2025
This is my first book by this author and I can see why she is popular with thriller lovers.
An intruder living in a house unbeknownst to the home owner (this is actually a thing known as phrogging!), human bones discovered in the same basement, and a police investigation form the foundation of this story. Add in sister relationships, a marriage under pressure, deceit, betrayal, and some creepy scenes, and I was hooked!
The story, set in the New York 1000 Islands, is told from several POVs with flashbacks to the past. I especially enjoyed the police procedural aspects of the plot. While I did guess the villain just before the reveal at the end, I enjoyed the twists and turns and red herrings that led me there. This is the first in a new series and I am looking forward to the next installment!
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
An intruder living in a house unbeknownst to the home owner (this is actually a thing known as phrogging!), human bones discovered in the same basement, and a police investigation form the foundation of this story. Add in sister relationships, a marriage under pressure, deceit, betrayal, and some creepy scenes, and I was hooked!
The story, set in the New York 1000 Islands, is told from several POVs with flashbacks to the past. I especially enjoyed the police procedural aspects of the plot. While I did guess the villain just before the reveal at the end, I enjoyed the twists and turns and red herrings that led me there. This is the first in a new series and I am looking forward to the next installment!
Thanks to the publisher for the complimentary digital copy. All opinions are my own.
June 18, 2025
Praise the publishing gods—Tessa Wegert is back with a brand new North Country series, and some of her most beloved characters return with her. But even if you’ve never read the Shana Merchant series, you’ll be hooked from page one of IN THE BONES. With exquisite prose, a chilling murder, and a cast that includes a retired hockey star, a thief, and a tight-lipped local, Wegert delivers another knockout. IN THE BONES is a must-read mystery for 2025.
July 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this book in the beginning. But it started to get a little confusing when so many characters were mentioned. I loved the phrogging idea. And kinda wish it had been a mystery a little longer. I did like how it was wrapped up in the end but this thriller just wasn’t very thrilling. 3.5 stars rounded up
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September 30, 2025*Huge thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for a digital ARC!*
Now, you may be asking yourself – Wait? Steve’s reading what? That? Well, I didn’t know Steve read mystery/thrillers!
And you wouldn’t be crazy in your thinking. Though I have enjoyed more mainstream books in the past, I’ve definitely veered sharply over my life more towards the horror realm and it does take a lot to get me out of my chosen genre.
But, I’ll also push back about the lack of mainstream books in my reading history and remind you of who my favorite author is, who coincidentally might be one of the biggest mainstream horror writers we’ve ever seen.
And it was through that author that I connected with Tessa, and when I asked Andrew about how the book he blurbed for her was, he told me it was fantastic and highly recommended I check out her books.
So, here we are. Now, I wasn’t too sure what to expect outside of the set up – a former NHL player buys a house in a remote North East town. Folks are excited to have him as a member of the community. But that all changes when an intruder surprises a woman cleaning the house and the body of a young woman is found in the basement.
I was intrigued. Who wouldn’t be? And with that, I dove in and found myself smack in the middle of a wild who-dunnit.
What I liked: If you’ve read any of my prior reviews, you’ll know that one of my biggest pet peeves is multiple POVs. Well, guess what? That’s this book. But where I normally roll my eyes and huff out in frustration, I just went with it, understanding the need for the switches.
The book loosely focuses on Nicole, the wife of Woody, who owns a seasonal mini-golf location. They have two daughters, the oldest about to graduate and head to college, and – as with many people these days – money is tight. They’re also struggling personally, as behind Nicole’s back, Woody signed on to be a partner with Mikko Helle, former NHLer, in an upstart business in town. Woody’s given Mikko their entire life savings and after a party at Mikko’s, Nicole isn’t sure if she can trust him like she used to.
From this point on, we jump between a bunch of characters, getting the present happenings of the investigation, while also seeing tidbits from the past. It works well to keep us informed, while Wegert also plants little seeds of ‘potentials.’ Those moments where we’re certain we know who did it, only to discover they couldn’t be the one… only to have that seed replanted when new information comes to light.
The pacing picks up throughout, which works perfectly to ramp up alongside the investigation and it leads us to the big reveal where we discover who did it.
Wegert guides us well, keeping us on our toes from start to finish.
What I didn’t like: Hey, look at that – I actually liked the multiple POVs! As for what didn’t work for me, there were two aspects. The first – and I think this is a case of me not reading much in this current landscape of mystery/thrillers – is there was a lot of exposition in a lot of the opening chapters. And it happened later on. I get that the characters are kind of rambling through thoughts and trying to figure out what was going on, but there were times when it just seemed like a lot considering where we were in the story.
The second thing itself was the ‘big reveal’ and events at the end. It always grinds my gears when we have all of this build up only for the ‘ta-dah!’ to be a few paragraphs long and this fell closely into that world. Again, I think this is a case of ‘standard plotting’ for this type of novel and what the readers like to eat up who read largely in this genre, but I wanted more of a ‘final confrontation.’
Why you should buy this: Tessa is known for her critically acclaimed Shana Merchant series, and Shana is a secondary character within the book as this branches off from that world, so fans of that series and of Shana’s will definitely be flocking over to this one.
For those who’ve not read Tessa’s work yet, this is a smart, sharp, edge-of-your-seat novel that felt a lot like how CSI and NCIS used to feel back when it started and was fresh. There’s a lot of moving pieces, Tessa delicately and expertly works them around each other and together and we’re all the richer for how well she handles this thriller.
This was a lot of fun, and even though it was far outside my standard reading preference, I was hooked and I’ll definitely be keeping my eye open for when we see a North Country #2 down the road.
Now, you may be asking yourself – Wait? Steve’s reading what? That? Well, I didn’t know Steve read mystery/thrillers!
And you wouldn’t be crazy in your thinking. Though I have enjoyed more mainstream books in the past, I’ve definitely veered sharply over my life more towards the horror realm and it does take a lot to get me out of my chosen genre.
But, I’ll also push back about the lack of mainstream books in my reading history and remind you of who my favorite author is, who coincidentally might be one of the biggest mainstream horror writers we’ve ever seen.
And it was through that author that I connected with Tessa, and when I asked Andrew about how the book he blurbed for her was, he told me it was fantastic and highly recommended I check out her books.
So, here we are. Now, I wasn’t too sure what to expect outside of the set up – a former NHL player buys a house in a remote North East town. Folks are excited to have him as a member of the community. But that all changes when an intruder surprises a woman cleaning the house and the body of a young woman is found in the basement.
I was intrigued. Who wouldn’t be? And with that, I dove in and found myself smack in the middle of a wild who-dunnit.
What I liked: If you’ve read any of my prior reviews, you’ll know that one of my biggest pet peeves is multiple POVs. Well, guess what? That’s this book. But where I normally roll my eyes and huff out in frustration, I just went with it, understanding the need for the switches.
The book loosely focuses on Nicole, the wife of Woody, who owns a seasonal mini-golf location. They have two daughters, the oldest about to graduate and head to college, and – as with many people these days – money is tight. They’re also struggling personally, as behind Nicole’s back, Woody signed on to be a partner with Mikko Helle, former NHLer, in an upstart business in town. Woody’s given Mikko their entire life savings and after a party at Mikko’s, Nicole isn’t sure if she can trust him like she used to.
From this point on, we jump between a bunch of characters, getting the present happenings of the investigation, while also seeing tidbits from the past. It works well to keep us informed, while Wegert also plants little seeds of ‘potentials.’ Those moments where we’re certain we know who did it, only to discover they couldn’t be the one… only to have that seed replanted when new information comes to light.
The pacing picks up throughout, which works perfectly to ramp up alongside the investigation and it leads us to the big reveal where we discover who did it.
Wegert guides us well, keeping us on our toes from start to finish.
What I didn’t like: Hey, look at that – I actually liked the multiple POVs! As for what didn’t work for me, there were two aspects. The first – and I think this is a case of me not reading much in this current landscape of mystery/thrillers – is there was a lot of exposition in a lot of the opening chapters. And it happened later on. I get that the characters are kind of rambling through thoughts and trying to figure out what was going on, but there were times when it just seemed like a lot considering where we were in the story.
The second thing itself was the ‘big reveal’ and events at the end. It always grinds my gears when we have all of this build up only for the ‘ta-dah!’ to be a few paragraphs long and this fell closely into that world. Again, I think this is a case of ‘standard plotting’ for this type of novel and what the readers like to eat up who read largely in this genre, but I wanted more of a ‘final confrontation.’
Why you should buy this: Tessa is known for her critically acclaimed Shana Merchant series, and Shana is a secondary character within the book as this branches off from that world, so fans of that series and of Shana’s will definitely be flocking over to this one.
For those who’ve not read Tessa’s work yet, this is a smart, sharp, edge-of-your-seat novel that felt a lot like how CSI and NCIS used to feel back when it started and was fresh. There’s a lot of moving pieces, Tessa delicately and expertly works them around each other and together and we’re all the richer for how well she handles this thriller.
This was a lot of fun, and even though it was far outside my standard reading preference, I was hooked and I’ll definitely be keeping my eye open for when we see a North Country #2 down the road.
November 11, 2025
I'm embarrassed to say I haven't read the extremely popular, so well loved, Shana Merchant series. What kind of thriller lover am I really? The shame 😂
I am, however, happy to be here front and center for the kick off of Tessa Wegert's brand new North Country series.
This was a phenomenal kick off. Shana fans win be happy too, as she is featured as a supporting role.
The characters were so well developed, the mystery expertly crafted.
Shana Merchant, here I come!
I am, however, happy to be here front and center for the kick off of Tessa Wegert's brand new North Country series.
This was a phenomenal kick off. Shana fans win be happy too, as she is featured as a supporting role.
The characters were so well developed, the mystery expertly crafted.
Shana Merchant, here I come!
December 1, 2025
The start of a new series is off to a creepy start. I'll read anything Tessa Wegert writes and loved being in a new series with some familiar faces and a truly creepy mystery to solve in the past that comes crashing into the present.
December 3, 2025
The start of the story was a bit confusing and overwhelming, with a lot of characters introduced all at once. I struggled to figure out who was who and what exactly was going on. But once I hit around the 20% mark, everything began to settle into place, and I found myself getting more invested, especially when the first big reveal happened and the bones were discovered.
From that point on, the pacing felt steadier and the plot held my interest. The final revelation about who did it was a little off-putting for me, but it didn’t ruin the experience. Overall, it turned into a decent and engaging read once it found its footing.
From that point on, the pacing felt steadier and the plot held my interest. The final revelation about who did it was a little off-putting for me, but it didn’t ruin the experience. Overall, it turned into a decent and engaging read once it found its footing.
September 25, 2025
Another fantastic mystery by a favorite, Tessa Wegert!
November 18, 2025
Audio:
4 stars for Callie Beaulieu
4 stars for Danny Montooth
Book: 4.5 stars
4 stars for Callie Beaulieu
4 stars for Danny Montooth
Book: 4.5 stars
July 25, 2025
This is the first book by Tessa Wegert that I’ve read, and overall I was impressed. I thought the writing was well done, and the storyline kept me guessing and interested. I didn’t love how many characters there were, and the fact that many went by more than one name made it a bit hard to keep track of who was who. Character building could have used a bit more work as well, but the setting was beautifully described and made me feel like I was there! Overall, I’d rate the book 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 for Goodreads purposes. This was a great summer read and I definitely recommend reading if you’re into summer mysteries! Thank you NetGalley for an early copy!!
July 20, 2025
No year is complete without a visit to The Thousand Islands! Like any Tessa Wegert book this was filled with a captivating mystery, characters that you can’t help but root for, and a town that is intriguing and creepy all at the same time.
For those Shana Merchant fans don’t worry, she does appear in this book but it’s focused more on the current case than Shana and her past. Our girl has grown! You don’t need to read the Shana books before reading this as it acts as a stand alone but why would you ever skip one of the best back stories of any thriller series?
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Can’t wait to read more North Country books!
For those Shana Merchant fans don’t worry, she does appear in this book but it’s focused more on the current case than Shana and her past. Our girl has grown! You don’t need to read the Shana books before reading this as it acts as a stand alone but why would you ever skip one of the best back stories of any thriller series?
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Can’t wait to read more North Country books!
August 19, 2025
I'm so grateful to have received an advanced readers copy of this book. I have been reading the Shana Merchant series for years now, and was excited to hear that Tessa Wegert had a new series in the works. I loved seeing the familiar characters from the Shana Merchant books, just presented in a different way. The multi-POV style was fun, getting in the head of some of the characters. There were a lot of threads in this story, and while I loved how they all weaved together in the end, at times it was hard to keep track of everything. I'll definitely be interesting in seeing where this series goes next. Highly recommend!
November 11, 2025
It’s no secret…. Tessa Wegert writes amazing police procedural! After reading several in the Shana Merchant series, I couldn’t wait to try her next series! This is a major winner! I was hooked and kept guessing till the very end.
Please do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR!
****Many thanks to Tessa Wegert, Suzy Approved Book Tour, and Severn House for my gifted copies!
Please do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR!
****Many thanks to Tessa Wegert, Suzy Approved Book Tour, and Severn House for my gifted copies!
Read
November 5, 2025Review to come
November 30, 2025
Thank you netgalley for this advanced copy!
In the Bones absolutely blew me away. Tessa Wegert kicks off this new series with a mystery that is fast-paced, creepy in all the best ways, and packed with twists that had me clinging to every page. The whole “phrogging” angle? I had to look it up, immediately regretted it, and then couldn’t stop thinking about it—it sets the tone perfectly for a story that never once lets you settle in or feel safe. And from there, Wegert layers in familiar faces from her Shana Merchant world, weaving a fresh plot that zigzags so sharply you can practically feel the whiplash. The pacing, the atmosphere, the way every reveal made me question everything I thought I knew—this is small-town suspense at its absolute finest.
What impressed me most, though, is how immersive and tightly crafted the whole thing is. Even with multiple POVs, every voice feels distinct and purposeful, and the tension just builds and builds until that wild, adrenaline-filled ending. It’s chilling, clever, and so ridiculously engaging that I tore through it in a single sitting. While you can read this without diving into Wegert’s previous series, I honestly recommend reading those first—not because you’ll be lost otherwise, but because the character development across all her books is so strong, and the payoff here feels that much richer.
This is a 5-star start to a new series I already know I’ll be obsessed with, and I cannot wait to see what she does next.
In the Bones absolutely blew me away. Tessa Wegert kicks off this new series with a mystery that is fast-paced, creepy in all the best ways, and packed with twists that had me clinging to every page. The whole “phrogging” angle? I had to look it up, immediately regretted it, and then couldn’t stop thinking about it—it sets the tone perfectly for a story that never once lets you settle in or feel safe. And from there, Wegert layers in familiar faces from her Shana Merchant world, weaving a fresh plot that zigzags so sharply you can practically feel the whiplash. The pacing, the atmosphere, the way every reveal made me question everything I thought I knew—this is small-town suspense at its absolute finest.
What impressed me most, though, is how immersive and tightly crafted the whole thing is. Even with multiple POVs, every voice feels distinct and purposeful, and the tension just builds and builds until that wild, adrenaline-filled ending. It’s chilling, clever, and so ridiculously engaging that I tore through it in a single sitting. While you can read this without diving into Wegert’s previous series, I honestly recommend reading those first—not because you’ll be lost otherwise, but because the character development across all her books is so strong, and the payoff here feels that much richer.
This is a 5-star start to a new series I already know I’ll be obsessed with, and I cannot wait to see what she does next.
October 3, 2025
With expertly drawn characters and beautiful prose, Tessa Wegert created a world in which I was immediately eager to lose myself in. Between the unique premise and the finely interwoven storyline, with perfect pace and just the right amount of eeriness, there is so much to keep you turning the page until the very end. And no, you won't see it coming!
November 26, 2025
★★★.5
Nicole Durham, a Thousand Islands local, cleans summer homes for the wealthy vacationers who flock there every year. Desperate for both cash and answers, she takes on a new client, a former NHL star with a recently renovated home. But from the moment she steps inside, Nicole can’t shake the eerie feeling that she isn’t alone. That is when she uncovers a phrogger, someone secretly living in homes without the owners’ knowledge, hiding in crawl spaces. And as it turns out, that is not the only chilling discovery awaiting her inside the house.
Small towns are one of my favorite settings. I never get tired of the sinister secrets hidden beneath idyllic scenery. The Thousand Islands have already delivered countless mysteries through the Shana Merchant series and I was eager to dive into this new one. Unfortunately, the first installment did not land as strongly as I had hoped.
I knew from early buzz that some familiar faces would make appearances, which excited me at first but ultimately left me a bit confused. Shana is still present (unsurprisingly, given her role), but we also get Tim’s POV (her husband) and Maureen’s POV (also known as Mac, the local sheriff). There were scenes of family life with Shana and Tim, heavy drama with Maureen’s sister Nicole who plays a major part in the mystery, and Maureen’s reelection campaign. Between the shifting perspectives and personal subplots, I often felt pulled in too many directions and the story slowed when I wanted it to build momentum.
The mystery started strong and kept my attention, although I did guess the culprit before the reveal. Even then, several plot points were difficult for me to fully believe.
The setting and cast remain compelling and are still what draw me to this world. I will be reading the second book in hopes it returns to what made the Thousand Islands stories so captivating in the first place.
Nicole Durham, a Thousand Islands local, cleans summer homes for the wealthy vacationers who flock there every year. Desperate for both cash and answers, she takes on a new client, a former NHL star with a recently renovated home. But from the moment she steps inside, Nicole can’t shake the eerie feeling that she isn’t alone. That is when she uncovers a phrogger, someone secretly living in homes without the owners’ knowledge, hiding in crawl spaces. And as it turns out, that is not the only chilling discovery awaiting her inside the house.
Small towns are one of my favorite settings. I never get tired of the sinister secrets hidden beneath idyllic scenery. The Thousand Islands have already delivered countless mysteries through the Shana Merchant series and I was eager to dive into this new one. Unfortunately, the first installment did not land as strongly as I had hoped.
I knew from early buzz that some familiar faces would make appearances, which excited me at first but ultimately left me a bit confused. Shana is still present (unsurprisingly, given her role), but we also get Tim’s POV (her husband) and Maureen’s POV (also known as Mac, the local sheriff). There were scenes of family life with Shana and Tim, heavy drama with Maureen’s sister Nicole who plays a major part in the mystery, and Maureen’s reelection campaign. Between the shifting perspectives and personal subplots, I often felt pulled in too many directions and the story slowed when I wanted it to build momentum.
The mystery started strong and kept my attention, although I did guess the culprit before the reveal. Even then, several plot points were difficult for me to fully believe.
The setting and cast remain compelling and are still what draw me to this world. I will be reading the second book in hopes it returns to what made the Thousand Islands stories so captivating in the first place.
October 18, 2025
Tessa Wegert, the Author of “IN THE BONES” has written an intense and suspenseful thriller and mystery. This is the first in a new series by Tessa Wegert, and some of the characters are from her other series. I was glued to this horrific story and didn’t stop reading until I was finished. The location for this story is in an obscure peninsula in New York’s Thousands Islands, called Cape Vincent. Usually a very quiet area, the worst recent crimes are clothing, or food that are stolen from some local’s homes. There haven’t been any terrible crimes in years, This is a small community and the regulars seem to know everything. There are secrets, betrayals and danger. In this well written suspenseful thriller, the author vividly describes the setting and the dark and dramatic characters. The characters are described as complex and complicated. Mikko Helle , a retired famous ex-professional ice hockey player is moving into his new very expensive and expanded mansion. Nicole Durham has worked hard to get the cleaning position for Mikko’s home. There are contractors still working on the finishing touches for the house, and the police is looking into who is stealing common things such as food and clothing. That is until something is found in the basement that turns this house into a crime scene. . Some one is looking for something, and the sound of silence can be killing. Sadly, there are characters that appear to be suspects.
One of my favorite new words from this story is phrogging. It is “ when someone secretly lives in another person’s home without their knowledge. The Name comes from the idea of leapfrog, with the intruder hopping from place to place like a frog, whether that be someone’s basement or attic or crawlspace.” There is a difference between phrogging and squatting. Phrogging takes place usually in an occupied home, and squatting takes place usually in an unoccupied place.
I highly recommend this edgy, intense mysterious novel.
August 18, 2025
Tessa Wegert’s “In the Bones” is the first installment in her new North Country series. It’s still set in New York’s Thousand Islands region and the characters I’ve come to love from her Shana Merchant series make appearances in this book.
While this book could, technically, be read as a standalone, I would highly recommend those unfamiliar with Tim, Mac, and Shana’s history to go back and read the Shana Merchant books first. They provide background knowledge that will be useful when reading this book.
It’s late spring in New York and Mikko Helle, a retired professional hockey player, is getting ready to move into his newly renovated house. He bought the house the previous Labor Day, but renovations didn’t start until a few months ago. Mikko hires Nicole Durham to clean his house before he’s fully moved in, but things don’t go as planned.
After Nicole discovers an intruder who has been phrogging in the house (as well as others in the area), she calls the police. The intruder tells the police there are bones in the basement of Mikko’s house. Tim, Shana, Mac and the rest of their team work to identify the phrogger, as well as the identity of the murder victim. After they’ve done both, they then need to unravel what happened to the victim and how the pieces of the case are connected.
Overall, I recommend this book. I missed Shana being the focus of this book, but it was a solid entry. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.
While this book could, technically, be read as a standalone, I would highly recommend those unfamiliar with Tim, Mac, and Shana’s history to go back and read the Shana Merchant books first. They provide background knowledge that will be useful when reading this book.
It’s late spring in New York and Mikko Helle, a retired professional hockey player, is getting ready to move into his newly renovated house. He bought the house the previous Labor Day, but renovations didn’t start until a few months ago. Mikko hires Nicole Durham to clean his house before he’s fully moved in, but things don’t go as planned.
After Nicole discovers an intruder who has been phrogging in the house (as well as others in the area), she calls the police. The intruder tells the police there are bones in the basement of Mikko’s house. Tim, Shana, Mac and the rest of their team work to identify the phrogger, as well as the identity of the murder victim. After they’ve done both, they then need to unravel what happened to the victim and how the pieces of the case are connected.
Overall, I recommend this book. I missed Shana being the focus of this book, but it was a solid entry. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.
October 25, 2025
From the very first page, this book had me hooked. A Washington Capitals player? Say no more. And then it referenced Stranger Things and I was officially obsessed. Hockey and Stranger Things are two of my favorite things, and y’all know the Caps are my team, so this book felt like it was written just for me. I was sick the day I started it, ended up taking the day off work, and instead of sleeping I read the entire thing in one sitting. It was that bingeable. Tessa’s writing is pure gold and everything she puts out instantly becomes a favorite of mine. I loved her first series, and this new spinoff is the perfect continuation of that world. I really enjoyed seeing familiar characters cross over and getting to explore new ones too.
Tessa kept me guessing until the very end with so many twists, red herrings, and shocking moments that had my head spinning. It was gripping, atmospheric, and completely addicting from start to finish. I’ll admit I was a little bummed at first when I realized it wasn’t a Shana Merchant story, but she still makes an appearance and I loved every minute of it. An excellent, suspenseful thriller and the perfect start to a new series. I cannot wait for what’s next.
Tessa kept me guessing until the very end with so many twists, red herrings, and shocking moments that had my head spinning. It was gripping, atmospheric, and completely addicting from start to finish. I’ll admit I was a little bummed at first when I realized it wasn’t a Shana Merchant story, but she still makes an appearance and I loved every minute of it. An excellent, suspenseful thriller and the perfect start to a new series. I cannot wait for what’s next.
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