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Black Point
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Expected 28 Jul 26In an insular small town steeped in Norse traditions, a teen’s developing romance with a newcomer becomes fraught as dark secrets from the past rise to the surface in this gorgeously atmospheric mystery by New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline West.
Lucia Sorenson holds on hard to the things she loves. Her tiny Wisconsin hometown clings to the bluffs above the Mississippi River, threatened by weather, time, and the creep of climate change. Her mother is pushing her to go away to college and see the world beyond their small town, but Lucia is determined to stay and to keep her grandfather’s Viking museum going.
When the Black Point Hotel, a 150-year-old landmark that’s been empty for decades, is bought by an outsider, tongues start wagging. Lucia meets the new owner’s teenage nephew, Max, and as they grow closer, she discovers there’s something thrilling about getting to know someone who hasn’t known her all her life—and maybe something more.
Then Max discovers some ominous things about Black Point hidden away in the hotel—stories of ghosts and mysterious disappearances. Lucia refuses to believe that her town is hiding a sinister past. But the river is rising, and more secrets are washing to the surface. Soon, Lucia will have to choose between the home she thought she knew and uncovering the dark truths hidden underneath.
Lucia Sorenson holds on hard to the things she loves. Her tiny Wisconsin hometown clings to the bluffs above the Mississippi River, threatened by weather, time, and the creep of climate change. Her mother is pushing her to go away to college and see the world beyond their small town, but Lucia is determined to stay and to keep her grandfather’s Viking museum going.
When the Black Point Hotel, a 150-year-old landmark that’s been empty for decades, is bought by an outsider, tongues start wagging. Lucia meets the new owner’s teenage nephew, Max, and as they grow closer, she discovers there’s something thrilling about getting to know someone who hasn’t known her all her life—and maybe something more.
Then Max discovers some ominous things about Black Point hidden away in the hotel—stories of ghosts and mysterious disappearances. Lucia refuses to believe that her town is hiding a sinister past. But the river is rising, and more secrets are washing to the surface. Soon, Lucia will have to choose between the home she thought she knew and uncovering the dark truths hidden underneath.
- GenresMysteryMystery Thriller
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication July 28, 2026
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Ahh, this was so well done! The cover alone immediately passes the creepy vibe check. This is all about history, lore, and what ties people to certain places.
Lucia is a Black Point lifer. She knows exactly what she will be doing after high school. She is going to follow in her grandfather's footsteps and run the Viking Museum, filled with generations of theirs and the other founding family's history. I like that she is so certain. She loves her town: the history and the traditions... and she has no desire to branch out because she has everything she needs.
A strange boy lurking around the museum catches her attention and she confronts him. Max is new in town. His aunt has bought the old Black Point Hotel and they are renovating it. Black Point isn't welcoming to these newcomers, but Lucia doesn't mind Max's company. As he learns more about the hotel and the surrounding town, the more concerned he is. The hotel is supposedly haunted and Max is beginning to make some really terrifying connections to this town and some tragic events, while Lucia is torn between the town she loves and the secrets that are washing in with the coming flood.
I thought the storytelling was so great. I enjoyed the history and I enjoyed the setting. The creepy/supernatural elements were eerie and gave so much gravity to the story. I loved this one.
Lucia is a Black Point lifer. She knows exactly what she will be doing after high school. She is going to follow in her grandfather's footsteps and run the Viking Museum, filled with generations of theirs and the other founding family's history. I like that she is so certain. She loves her town: the history and the traditions... and she has no desire to branch out because she has everything she needs.
A strange boy lurking around the museum catches her attention and she confronts him. Max is new in town. His aunt has bought the old Black Point Hotel and they are renovating it. Black Point isn't welcoming to these newcomers, but Lucia doesn't mind Max's company. As he learns more about the hotel and the surrounding town, the more concerned he is. The hotel is supposedly haunted and Max is beginning to make some really terrifying connections to this town and some tragic events, while Lucia is torn between the town she loves and the secrets that are washing in with the coming flood.
I thought the storytelling was so great. I enjoyed the history and I enjoyed the setting. The creepy/supernatural elements were eerie and gave so much gravity to the story. I loved this one.
April 4, 2026
Lucia wants to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps and run the Viking Museum that had been in their family for generations… though some things might get into the way of her plans and the odd boy lurking in the museum was only the start of things.
This book had supernatural elements and an overall eerie atmosphere that really brought the creepy factor up a level. This definitely lived up to the creepy vibes I was hoping for. There was so much lore and disturbing history in this book and I loved it. The way the story was told was lovely. The main character clearly loved her town at the beginning, she knew a lot about it only to be met with new facts, traditions she didn’t know.
Also, the formatting of this book is so pretty. The art at the tittle pages and at the top of each chapter is really a nice touch.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Spice Level: n/a
Sad Level: 💧💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Lucia
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🧍♂️👻🌊
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Moderate: Animal death, Drug use, Murder
Minor: Death, Injury/Injury detail
This book had supernatural elements and an overall eerie atmosphere that really brought the creepy factor up a level. This definitely lived up to the creepy vibes I was hoping for. There was so much lore and disturbing history in this book and I loved it. The way the story was told was lovely. The main character clearly loved her town at the beginning, she knew a lot about it only to be met with new facts, traditions she didn’t know.
Also, the formatting of this book is so pretty. The art at the tittle pages and at the top of each chapter is really a nice touch.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Spice Level: n/a
Sad Level: 💧💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Lucia
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🧍♂️👻🌊
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Moderate: Animal death, Drug use, Murder
Minor: Death, Injury/Injury detail
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews