Tracking the Mist

by Clarice Montgomery

Detective Ryan Gibson has spent eight months tracking the vigilante who saved his career—and he's finally found her.

Following a trail of mysteriously solved cold cases, Detective Ryan Gibson lands in off-season Oak Island—gray water, stilted beach houses, and a police chief the locals treat like a saint. There he finds Erika Willett, a brilliant, elusive fixer who drifts through small towns and leaves impossible cases neatly closed. Erika is racing the clock to help a young woman, Christina, push a case the town would rather not consider—and Ryan, assigned to collaborate with the chief, is suddenly caught between the partner he came to impress and the stranger who keeps finding what others miss.

As winter settles over the coast, the case won't hold its shape—stories bend under pressure, loyalties rearrange themselves, and new clues surface from places no one thought to look. Ryan is pulled from locals-only pubs to darkened rentals on the shore and down into the sea-scoured caverns, chasing a narrative the island keeps revising in whispers. With each step he’s forced to decide who earns his faith and what he’s willing to sacrifice for it, knowing a single misread could drag the truth—and someone he can’t afford to lose—under.

Dark, coastal, and cut with knife-edge twists, this thriller will grip fans of Riley Sager and Lisa Jewell who crave atmospheric mysteries where nothing is what it seems.

Genres: Mystery

329 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Clarice is a novelist whose works include The Keepers of Men and Tracking the Mist. She obtained her bachelor’s degree from Rhodes College after growing up in the American South and now resides in the Midwest with her husband.

Reviews

[your mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was simply a book I couldn’t put down! I was so invested in the story that I found myself pulling up the kindle app whenever I had a spare moment- waiting around during the day, standing in line at the grocery store, even stopped at a red light (just once, please don’t judge!).

One of my favorite elements of this novel was the atmospheric setting. Oak Island, North Carolina during the off season was quiet, misty, and it perfectly set the mood for the story adding tension and suspense in the best possible way. The characters were all developed and engaging (LOVE the omniscient POV), and the mystery kept me guessing from start to finish. There were a few twists I genuinely didn’t see coming, which makes this a book that’s definitely worth a second read.

If you love atmospheric mysteries that completely pull you in then Tracking the Mist is definitely worth adding to your list. I couldn’t get enough of it!

Huge thank you to Ten Hut Media for the ARC!

[LoveMyAuthors · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tracking the Mist takes a bit too long to really get going in my opinion, but once you hit Part II and the twist is revealed I fell into the story a little easier. I find supernatural mysteries intriguing.

I was a little disappointed that I had such a hard time really connecting with either of the main characters, Ryan chasing an obsession without a real purpose and Erika just didn't come through as authentic for me. Connections are built on trust and these two spent so much time telling half-truths and withholding full disclosure that their personal relationship in this book was weak at best. The only truly authentic character for me was Carter, and they painted him the bad guy.

The story isn't completely without merit though, some of those unexpected twists, and there was more than one, really added to the appeal. The final two chapters were a bit unexpected, leaving the door open for this author to possibly give us more.

[Daina Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great mystery about a tenacious cross country search motivated by gratitude for a young woman guided by instinct.
I was able to see each of their perspectives and reasons for their actions; they both are so relatable.
Reading through the pages of the story made me feel like I was at the beach during the winter months, although this is a perfect airport/plane read!
I was reading a few different books at the time and found myself going back to “the beach mystery” and neglecting the other titles. It was enthralling in plot, but I also really liked the characters and wanted them to find what they were looking for.
So grateful for the advanced copy; I was waiting for this author to publish again. I have read her first book and love how this one is so different but the characters are just as interesting.

[Zenbookmistress · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Ryan Gibson arrives in off-season Oak Island and finds a town that worships its police chief—and buries its secrets. When Erika Willett becomes part of his investigation, Ryan learns the truth may be more dangerous than the crime itself.

As a first-time reader of Clarice Montgomery, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this book—and it absolutely did not disappoint. The story kept me guessing from start to finish, something that hasn’t happened in a long time.

The writing is strong, and the direction the story takes is both unexpected and deeply engaging. I could vividly picture each scene as I read, almost as if I were watching a movie unfold. In fact, this story would make a fantastic film adaptation.

I highly recommend this book and am very much looking forward to reading more from Clarice Montgomery.

[Kristina Olenick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually devoured this book! from the very beginning the story was unlike anything I had previously read and it continued to surprise me in unexpected ways. I really found myself needing to know what the character’s next moves were; I felt very attached to the journey. overall would definitely recommend to lovers of a mystery/thriller!!

I would have liked a little more depth into Ryan’s mind and his why and how he started down the path he was on. Same with Erika, she obviously has such an interesting “origin story” that I would have loved to unpack it a little more!

I also would love a sequel or second story bc i’m still dying to know what the future holds 🙊

huge thank you to Clarice & Ten Hut Media for the ARC!!

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 2 out of 5]

BOOK REPORT

⭐ 2.5 ⭐

Once again, not a bad book, just not a good one.

I kinda felt like I was slogging through some mud at times while trying to finish it. And I didn’t even care if I did, at a certain point, because it went on for so long and because everybody was just so dang stereotypical and boring. It pains me to say that, given that the nice people at Severn River Publishing/Ten Hut Media provided me with an advanced reader copy (ARC).

Oh dear. I seem to be in a bit of a reading slump again, do I not?

Sigh.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Very few things in this tale are as they seem. Excellent storytelling gives life to a plot which is nice and twisty and characters who are well-developed and believable. Highly recommended! I’m looking forward to more work from this author. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

[KerryO · Rating 3 out of 5]

A paranormal murder mystery which was a bit disjointed and left me as a reader unconnected with the two primary characters, Ryan and Erika. A clearer explanation from the beginning would have made for a more interesting story. I ew

[Betty Stoneking]

i never read book like this it strage worried

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick cozy type of read. Not much action and a little bit of a mystery. Sets the stage for another possible book with these characters.

[Erica Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twist on a thriller that I didn't see coming!

We meet Erika Willett, who is currently helping a women named Christina, prove her case of assault. Erika is great at her job, she is able to bring cold cases to a close and even change the course of open cases. Detective Ryan Gibson was someone who was able to close a case because of Erika's help. The thing is, she does this in the dark. Ryan is on the hunt for the person who helped him, because he wants to know how they did it. His search brings him to Erika and the chief of police in a small town that may have something to hide.

With a twist that threw me - this is a fantastic thriller. With characters that you connect with, and a plot that will keep you guessing!