The River Runs Black

North Country #2

by Tessa Wegert

A small town on the water where things aren’t as perfect as they look . . .

After the recent death of a teenager by overdose, a record drug seizure along the Canadian border is a game changer for New York State’s criminal investigation team. The detectives are relieved that the haul will never make it to the idyllic small-town streets of Alexandria Bay.

But drugs are still circulating, and the lab results confirm it: the cocaine that killed the teenager and the cocaine from the bust are not the same.

Investigator Tim Wellington and his team seem to be chasing a network of ghosts who use the North Country as their criminal playground.

How long will it be until another Thousand Islands youth becomes not just a victim, but a target? Because the dangerous players won’t shy away from violence when protecting their valuable goods―even if it means gambling with innocent lives . . .

This twisty mystery coupled with heart-pounding suspense will appeal to fans of the Chief Inspector Gamache Mysteries and the Alex Cross thrillers, as well as books by Meg Gardiner, Ann Cleeves, and Ruth Ware.

Genres: Procedural, Thriller

288 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2026

About the author

Tessa 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).

Reviews

[megs_bookrack · Rating 4 out of 5]

The River Runs Black is the 2nd-book in Tessa Wegert's North Country series. I loved her entire Shana Merchant series, the series previous to this one, and highly recommend it if you love Police Procedural Mysteries.

I haven't yet read the 1st-book in this series, In the Bones, but I did end up checking it out from my local library after I started this one. I'm really looking forward to getting to it!



I actually knew nothing about this going in. I thought it might be set in the same area geographically as the Shana Merchant series, but I had no idea that it's a spin-off of sorts. I was so stoked to discover that.

While Shana isn't a main character in this story, her husband, Tim Wellington, is and Shana does make appearances. I've really grown to love Shana over the course of the 6-books in that original series, so was delighted to have more access to her and her life.



You might be asking, do I need to read the Shana Merchant series first? My answer to that would be, no, definitely not. This is completely it's own thing.

You may be inspired to go back and pick up the books in that original series if you end up enjoying this as much as I did, but it's definitely not a necessity.



The mystery in this novel has a few different pieces. It begins when a local teenager dies of a drug overdose, and subsequently one of the deputies in Shana and Tim's department ends up making a record-breaking drug seizure along the Canadian border.

While initially celebrated as a victory for the investigative team, little do they know it's but a pebble in the pond of what is actually going on in Alexandria Bay.

After Lab results end up showing that the drugs that killed the teen, and the drugs recently seized, are not of the same origin, it indicates they have a much bigger problem on their hands than they initially realized.



Once they start seeing it, the evidence of drug activity is everywhere. Adding fuel to the fire of the investigation, two young women end up going missing, and it seems like this mysterious drug ring could be involved.

It's a race against the clock as Tim and the rest of the team try to find the young women before it's too late, and rid their town of these dangerous criminal elements.



As mentioned above, even though this doesn't follow Shana Merchant, it does include many of the characters from the original series, such as Tim, Val and Mac.

I loved that it was set in the same town and I felt like I was already attached to them. It made it very easy for me to just settle into the mystery and get invested.

The setting is the Thousand Lakes region of upstate New York, which sits on the border to Canada, and offers up plenty of room for intriguing cases being on a prominent border. I always love Wegert's mystery elements. They're well-plotted and I love the way she paces her reveals and clues. You can always count on plenty of twists and turns.



I feel like the stakes are always high and propulsive. I'm usually at the edge of my seat by the end, wondering how everyone I care about is going to make it out unscathed.

Wegert always does a great job as well developing her characters and sense of place. I feel like after you read this, you'll want to know more about all of them. I can't sing Wegert's praises enough. I'm a big, big fan and highly recommend checking out either series.

Thank you to the publisher, Joffe Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm locked into this series for the long haul now!

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent second book in the North country series. Twisty mystery that came together in a satisfying way. This series is a continuation of the Shana Merchant series, and although it stands alone, those characters are featured in these books and their pasts are referred to along the way.

A local teenager is dead from an overdose. A huge drug bust takes place, and everyone is breathing a sigh of relief--until they discover that the drugs came from a different source. A young woman who had traveled to the area aboard a luxury yacht goes missing. Her wealthy stepfather is worried. The police agencies involved want to figure out what is going on.

I love these complex police procedural novels. There are so many good vs. evil themes throughout, and many of those in law enforcement want to root out the corruption before it's too late. I love these characters, and with each book they have become more distinct and well drawn, at this point I feel as if they are real people that I actually know.

I'll be the first to admit that I don't always love books featuring drug cartels and trying to capture drug dealers, but this book has so much more than that and I was fully onboard throughout. Great series and I can't wait to read the next one.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.

[Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not love this book more!!! Thank you @severnhouseimprint @tessawegert for the gorgeous gifted copy!! 🥰

Pub day is today!!! 🥳🥳🥳

@tessawegert is one of my ALL time favorite authors!! She made me a series loving girl. Shana Merchant was my favorite series. YET I can’t believe I am going to say this but this might be my favorite yet!!! This is the second in the North Country series but it can be totally read as a standalone. 😉

Hands down five stars!!! 🌟

Listen to this… it’s spooky season and things are getting disturbing very quickly in this small town. After a teenager overdosed… it rocked this small town. Everyone knew him and was in shock. Not Drew. 😳🥺

Halloween 🎃 in a town that has been shook to the core. A girl sneaks out to a Hallway party… and doesn’t come home. What is going on in this sleepy little town?!!! ALOT people… ALOT!!

This police 👮 procedural had me loving that my old friends were there. This was the perfect combination of their private lives and the ongoing mysteries quickly escalating in this town.

The tension was off the charts!! It was so atmospheric that I felt I was right there with them. The details were amazing!! I feel like @tessawegert is holding out on us and she is a detective in real life!! 😂 Really though.. you can tell an amazing amount of research went into this to turn out this page turner.

Bottom line.. I can’t recommend it enough!! This is definitely on my top 10! That ending!! 😳🤯🤯 Don’t cheat!! No peeking at the end of the book!! 😂

[suspenseisthrillingme · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Another fun, wild ride of small-town secrets, multi-layered plot lines, and richly drawn characters, The River Runs Black had Tessa Wegert at the top of her game yet again. The second book in the North Country series, I was thrilled to be reunited with the tight-knit team of police investigators and A-Bay locals as the facts slowly linked the multiple mysteries into one interwoven case. Twisty, intense, and fast-paced, the storyline was exactly what I have come to expect from this author’s two binge-able crime thriller-meets-police procedural series. All tightly plotted, complex puzzles of ordinary people doing morally gray or outright awful things, it’s a given by now that I’m going to be sucked into the story until I reach the last perfectly set-up page. I mean, there is a reason why I set aside time to read her books in one single sitting without any distractions.

So what was my favorite part of this novel? Emotionally layered, messy, and real, Wegert’s character work was the star of the show yet again. Well, on top of the ominous atmosphere and cleverly constructed plotting, that is. A well-rounded tale of dark secrets, missing persons, and shocking conspiracies, this book was a tangled web of deceit from start to finish. Did I guess one or two of the twists before they were revealed? Fine…okay…I did. That being said, the big, giant revelation towards the end? I missed that one completely. Paired with an intimate look at not only a handful of characters but a small town rocked by the appearance of drug trafficking on their shores, and I was utterly blown away. So if you love binge-worthy novels with slight The Woman in Cabin 10 vibes, grab this one now. It was a truly phenomenal read. Rating of 4.75 stars.

P.S. While you can read this book as a standalone, I highly recommend starting with the first book in the series…or maybe Wegert’s very first book period. After all, they all overlap with the same central characters. A profoundly memorable cast, I suggest spending as much time with them as you possibly can.

Read if you’re a fan of:
- Fast-paced police procedural
- Crime thrillers
- Memorable characters
- Complex puzzles
- Small-town settings
- Short chapters
- Oodles of secrets
- Twisty plotting
- Emotional depth to the cast
- Multiple POVs
- Interlinking book series
- Shocking endings
- Books under 300 pages

SYNOPSIS:

After the recent death of a teenager by overdose, a record drug seizure along the Canadian border is a game changer for New York State’s criminal investigation team. The detectives are relieved that the haul will never make it to the idyllic small-town streets of Alexandria Bay.

But drugs are still circulating, and the lab results confirm it: the cocaine that killed the teenager and the cocaine from the bust are not the same.

Investigator Tim Wellington and his team seem to be chasing a network of ghosts who use the North Country as their criminal playground.

How long will it be until another Thousand Islands youth becomes not just a victim, but a target? Because the dangerous players won’t shy away from violence when protecting their valuable goods―even if it means gambling with innocent lives…

Thank you Tessa Wegert and Severn House Imprint for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: October 6, 2026

Content warning: drug trafficking, drug use, blackmail, missing person, gun violence, kidnapping, confinement, violence, mention of: child death, drug overdose, death of a parent, adult/minor relationship, murder, fire

[TarHeelReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tessa Wegert’s books. I’ve read all of the Shana Merchant series, and The River Runs Black is book two in the North Country series, of which I’ve also read book one. I think this book can also stand on its own because the backstory to set it all up is present in the beginning. I think you’ll want to read all of Tessa’s books when you finish, either way.

The River Runs Black features drug bust in a well-developed mystery full of twist and turns and superbly drawn characters. I was on the edge of my seat and coming up with theory after theory about what was happening only to be proved wrong- and I love when that happens. Highly recommended.

I received a gifted copy.

Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The River Runs Black" by Tessa Wegert
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.25/5

“The River Runs Black" tightens its hold with every page.

Thanks to the author and Severn House Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC through Zooloo's Book Tours. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

Set against the haunting wonder of New York's Thousand Islands, a teenager's overdose and a sweeping drug bust near the Canadian border point to the story's main conflict. Book two in Tessa Wegert's North Country series offers another impressive location to experience through a story.

Investigator Tim Wellington and his team dig into a tangled case of trafficking, secrets, and changing loyalties. As the investigation grew, each new clue raised the tension and made me question everyone’s motives.

Some stretches moved more slowly than the book's strong moments, but the mystery never lost its grip. The danger beat through the pages, and the final twists surprised me.

Dark, atmospheric, and deliciously twisty, this story buzzes with tension. It delivers as a police procedural, but the messy, genuinely human characters make the stakes feel personal. “The River Runs Black” pulled me in and left me excited to return to this world. If you crave layered mysteries set in frozen settings, add this one to your list.

[Larry H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa Wegert has done it again!! This is her eighth book and I just love the characters and the community she’s created. She always delivers a twisty thriller with some emotional depth, and her books are always so satisfying!

New York State’s North Country, not far from the Canadian border, has been left reeling by the recent death of a high school senior due to a cocaine overdose. His parents say he had never taken drugs before; his friends will not divulge any information they might have about who supplied the cocaine.

When an enormous drug bust is made on a speedboat traveling from Canada to the North Country, the local investigators are excited by the record haul they recovered. But when they discover that the cocaine they seized doesn’t match the cocaine that killed the young man, they realize there must be a larger drug ring than they ever fathomed.

When an obviously high young woman is found wandering around downtown with barely any clothes on, the police try to help her. But she runs away from them, leaving them to wonder what she was running from and who was keeping her high. And when the teenage daughter of a local investigator goes missing, the stakes grow even more dangerous.

I love the dogged police work of Tim Wellington and Shana Merchant, and it was great to see their return as well as that of other characters, like Mac and Val. I’ve so enjoyed watching these characters develop and transform into something deeper. I felt as if there were hints about a 3rd book in this series—I sure do hope so!

See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.

Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.

[Elise Kipness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa Wegert once again proves herself a master of atmospheric suspense. Set against the eerie backdrop of Halloween in the Thousand Islands, the RIVER RUNS BLACK delivers a taught, twisty mystery where every shadow feels ominous and every revelation raise the stakes. Wegert’s gift for creating a palpable sense of place—reminiscent of Tana French—immerses readers in a setting where the tension is as unsettling as the crimes themselves. With a compelling investigation, escalating danger, and a community haunted by secrets, this is a gripping mystery that will keep readers turning pages late into the night.
 

[Danielle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE RIVER RUNS BLACK is Book #2 in the North Country Novel Series. I read it as a standalone and really enjoyed it. Police procedurals can be a little hit or miss for me, but this one HIT! I really got sucked in to the story through the multiple POVs. I was kept guessing and wow, what a great ending!

Many thanks to Tessa Wegert for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.

[Aristotle · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Finally half stars and quarter stars

A wholelotta drugs in such a remote part of the USA
A local teen dies of a drug overdose. The hunt for the dealer and supplier
Not bad but her writing is a bit annoying.
Detective confronts the bad guy bad guy gives up an even more badder guy. Who's the more badder guy? Wait till next weeks episode. No!
Read book 1 in series to better understand the characters

[Jason Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wegert stakes ownership of the NY/Canada riverlands the same way Jordan Harper writes about LA or Shawn Cosby does about Virginia. This hypertwisty mystery spreads itself expertly over upstate New York in the fall. You feel every breeze, smell every cider. Wegert is a master of sense of place—and character. I devoured this in one rainy afternoon. It’s the perfect fall whodunit.

[Laurie • The Baking Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: Thanks to the author for gifting me a paperback copy of this book. I'm sharing my opinions of this book voluntarily.

4.5 STARS The River Runs Black is a strong follow-up in this newer 'suspense meets small-town police procedural' series that began with In The Bones. This series is an offshoot of the Shana Merchant series (which I highly recommend you read) and I enjoyed seeing characters from that series in this book.

It's been a hot minute since I read In The Bones so it took me a bit to remember who was who but Wegert leaves reminders of who and how everyone is connected so readers needn't worry. Reading the first book will give you background on the characters, but this book could be read as a standalone.

The impetus of this book is the overdose death of a local teenager that leaves the small community in the 1000 Islands region reeling. After a big cross border drug bust, police are surprised they didn't find the source of the drugs. Add in a missing woman from a visiting luxury yacht, small-town corruption and you've got an ominous and twisty read where small-town secrets are revealed, families are shattered and readers will be staying up waaaay too late reading to see if Investigator Tim Wellington and his team can crack this case.

Wegert excels at atmospheric tension-building suspense and has created a strong cast of characters who will do whatever they can to protect their community. I eagerly look forward to reading whatever Tessa Wegert puts out next.

[Melissa (Nissa_the.bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🕵🏻‍♀️ enjoy a good police procedural
👻 love Halloween
🏃‍♀️ have ever run away
👀 like several different POVs

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

Three days before Halloween, a young woman staggers down a quiet street in Clayton. No shoes. No coat. Nothing but a bikini and a fist closed tight around something she won't show anyone.

She won't say where she came from. She won't say what was done to her.

Then she runs.

The North Country is already reeling. A high-school senior is dead of an overdose. But the record haul seized from a speedboat doesn’t match the cocaine that killed him.

Someone else is still selling. And they are very close.

The clock is ticking for Tim to track down the drug dealers. Then another local girl disappears . . .

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

This was another amazing addition to the North Country series! With a slew of viewpoints, I was loving every minute of this new case. While I do occasionally miss just Shana’s POV, I like seeing things through other viewpoints as well and I’ve come to really love Tim! I don’t want to say too much and spoil the plot, but this one has a lot of twists and turns you never see coming until you’re just about there! I couldn’t believe I hadn’t figured it out sooner. I was also really rooting for one character in particular but was completely shocked by the ending, most particularly that final sentence! Like what?!? Are you kidding me? I would love to see another book where we see this particular character taken down! I highly recommend this one for spooky season since it takes place around Halloween.

[Kim McFall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I’ve read by this author & I really enjoyed it! While this is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. I absolutely plan on going back and reading book one though because book two was that good!

I love a good detective/crime mystery! The River Runs Black is a suspenseful, atmospheric book that draws you in from the beginning, subtly drops clues throughout, and neatly comes together at the end.

I really enjoyed the characters, so I’m looking forward to reading more of this series and getting to know them a little bit more!

Thank you NetGalley, Joffe Books & Zooloo Book Tours for this advanced reader copy!

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a big fan of Tessa Wegert. This is book two in the North Country series. I loved book one, IN THE BONES, and I'm happy to say this one was another winner. So good! A twisty crime mystery that had me gripped. The setting of the Thousand Islands was excellent and atmospheric. As each new clue, you get to piece the mystery together. An excellent, fast paced read!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Thrillerswineandchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

💊 T A R G E T E D T U E S D A Y review 💊 featuring “The River Runs Black” by Tessa Wegert!

The New York State Police has seen its biggest drug bust yet as a record breaking drug seizure along the Canadian border gets wrapped up after a teenage boy died from a drug overdose. The Alexandria Bay investigative team feels relieved that the deathly drugs won’t circulate around their small town … until test results come back proving that the cocaine that killed the teenager is different than the drugs from the big bust.

Now it’s up to Tim, Val, Shana, Mac and Raymond to hit the streets and find out where the drugs are coming from before another teenager from the North Country winds up missing OR dead …

💭 I am always thrilled to go back to the Thousand Islands and find out what the Alexandria Bay investigative team is up to next! Dark, gritty, eerie and atmospheric, this small town is riddled with secrets and community members who have sinister motives. This books follows a high stakes investigation that is action packed and time sensitive. Drug lords and drug related crimes adds so much tension to the story and just how dangerous and protective that scene truly is!

This is book two in the North Country series, but can totally be read as a standalone. As a die hard Tessa Wegert fan, I think everyone should read the entire Shana Merchant series AND book 1 of this newer series!

Thank you kindly to @tessawegert @severnhouseimprint @netgalley for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases on October 6, 2026!

[Charlie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually didn’t realise this was the second book in the North Country series until I started reading! I haven’t read the first book, but thankfully this can be read as a standalone, so I was still able to follow the story. 📖👀

We start with a local teenager found dead from an overdose, while the police have just carried out a huge drug bust. 😩 They soon discover that the drugs involved in the teenager’s death came from a completely different source, leaving them with more questions than answers. Then a young woman who arrived in the area on a luxury yacht goes missing, and the police are left trying to work out what’s really going on and how everything is connected. 🤔

There was plenty to uncover throughout the story, with the investigation gradually revealing more clues and different pieces of the puzzle coming together. There were twists along the way, and seeing how everything eventually connected towards the end. 🤨

If you enjoy police investigations, mysteries and stories where you’re trying to piece together what has happened, then this could be one for you. 🤪

Thank you to Zooloos Book Tours for letting me take part in this tour. It was nice to discover Tessa’s writing and give this one a go! ♥️

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 8th book I have read by Tessa Wegert and she NEVER disappoints!🙌🏻 Every time I see a new book being released I can't get my hands on it fast enough!

The River Runs Black is the second installment in the North Country series. These books can be read as standalones but don't do it!! Start at the beginning and get the full experience!!

With tension building suspense, emotional depth and a reveal that will give you whiplash, fans of police procedurals will love this book!

I cannot wait to see what's next for these characters!!

My thanks to Suzy Approved Book Tours and the author herself for the gifted copy.

[Jennifer Smith · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

Thank you to@suzyapprovedbooktours and @tessawegert for the #gifted book.

There’s nothing quite like a seemingly peaceful small town hiding a whole lot of dark secrets! With a Halloween festival, local orchard hayrides, and even costumed parties, this is perfect for spooky season.

This is Book 2 in Tessa Wegert’s police procedural series, North Country, and it is delivered a twisty crime investigation where a local teenager’s death, a suspicious drug seizure, and a dangerous criminal network leave Investigator Tim Wellington and his team chasing answers. With multiple POVs, a complex multi-layered investigation, and increasingly high stakes suspense, I was hooked from that shocking prologue to the twisty conclusion!

Wegert’s writing is propulsive, and despite jumping between multiple characters, I never lost sight of the narrative as Wegert seamlessly wove the plot lines together. I especially enjoyed how she further developed characters of the investigative team focusing this mystery on Valerie Ott and her daughter, Bobby. I appreciate the emotional depth Wegert brings to their personal lives as well-developed believable characters you enjoy returning to in future installments.

If you’re in the mood for an intricate police investigation in a small town atmosphere with cleverly placed clues, be sure to check out this new release! Out Now!

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Tessa Wegert book and another one I just loved.

She has a way with police procedurals that I just can’t resist.

Twisty, atmospheric, dark, and with just the right touch of disturbing, this one kept me on the edge of my seat.

If you like police procedurals and haven’t read Tessa Wegert yet, this is your sign. This is book two in the North Country series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone.

[Krista crone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to the North Country series, you are in for a deadly mystery that you won’t want to put down! Tessa Wegert is my go to police procedural author and her books just keep getting better. Everytime that I thought I figured out the plot and the culprit and source of the drugs in Thousand Islands, I was wrong every-time!

I highly recommend the North Country series for the non-stop suspense and the autumn setting!

😘 Many thanks to Tessa Wegert and @suzyapprovebooktours for my gifted signed copy!

This book and series is available now on Kindle+ (Kindle Unlimited).

[Jody Blanchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t visited Tessa Wegert’s North Country, you are missing out. Alexandria Bay is a quaint area, right on the Canadian border, that always seems to have trouble. Even a serial killer hung out there for a few books..Don’t go for the crime though, go for the small town police force that gets sh:t done!
This is book two in the North Country books, a spinoff from the Shana Merchant books. All my favorite characters make an appearance, working together to find a missing girl. But it’s never as simple as that. There’s always more to the story that has them bouncing around the Thousand Islands looking for clues. This time we have drug dealers involved, so you know it’s dangerous.
Is it weird to say these are my comfort books? I know the characters and feel like I’m involved with their investigations. The fact that Shanna and Tim have been in my life for a few years is kind of a big deal. Im committed. But I also know that each book is going to be a quick read filled with thrills and mystery, and some moments with heart. Tessa Wegert has made my fictional family so real, I’ve yelled at her about moving around characters. lol don’t mess with dedicated readers. We love hard.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a HUGE fan of Tessa Wegert’s work, and honestly, whatever she writes, I will read!

The River Runs Black completely pulled me in. Set against the breathtaking Thousand Islands, the beautiful waters provide the perfect backdrop for a story filled with hidden secrets, tension, and an atmosphere that gets under your skin.

This book goes deep into your bones. Tessa’s writing is so immersive and vivid that I felt completely transported into the story. I devoured every page and couldn’t turn them fast enough! The atmosphere, the characters, the secrets waiting to surface, it all came together in such a gripping and unforgettable way. And when I reached the end, I honestly wasn’t ready to say goodbye.

I also loved seeing characters from the Shana Merchant series return! If you haven’t started that series yet, I highly recommend reading it first. Not only is it an incredible series, but it will give you so much more background and connection to the characters. Trust me, you’ll be glad you did!

The River Runs Black is an immersive, atmospheric, and utterly gripping thriller that reminded me once again why Tessa Wegert is an author I will always pick up.

Thank you so much to Tessa Wegert, and Severn House for my eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Julia Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this story had a great storyline, it just didn’t grab me like I had hoped. Keeping several of the characters straight confused me. The ending was really good, and I love having everything wrapped up nicely!

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another one of those thrillers/mysteries that was not nearly as exciting or suspenseful as it seemed like it would be.

I just wasn't made to really care about these characters or what they were doing or going through. Something about the writing really flattened them and their experiences.

And it didn't move as quickly as I felt like it should've. I think it would've been a lot more impactful if it was faster paced. I think that would've helped with my attention and investment.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Sam “My Cosy Book Nook” · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine if you will that one of your best friends had invited you to a party they were hosting. You accepted the invitation without question, not least because this friend is someone that you would happily do anything for. But as the event draws closer, and you realise that actually, you know very few of the other guests, your introverted nature – and I suspect that a lot of readers won’t have too much difficulty imagining this – causes you to stop looking forward to it. To the extent that, even though you knew you aren’t actually going to make an excuse at the last minute, you think about it.

Then comes the evening of the party. It follows, as Sod’s Law dictated, a difficult day at work and as you enter the room, your brain is already struggling to maintain a smile on your tired and overwhelmed face. And, as you’re introduced to multiple new people whose names you struggle to hear above the music and whose faces you know you’re not going to remember, it threatens to implode. You look longingly back at the door, wondering if anyone will notice if you make a sharp exit and head home.


Thankfully, however, it gets easier from there. Your friend catches sight of you, and you do manage to have a conversation. You get some food and drink inside you. You start chatting to a few of the other guests, and get on well together. At some point, it dawns on you that smiling is no longer an effort and when someone invites you to have a dance, you accept with enthusiasm. It ends up being a wonderful night and you feel hugely glad – and relieved – that you didn’t run away at the beginning.

I feel wretchedly guilty at saying this, because I think it’s mostly not the author’s fault. But that’s a little bit like how it felt to read The River Runs Black by new-to-me author Tessa Wegert.

This book is one that I was drawn to by the blurb, which makes it sound both mysterious and atmospheric. And it’s one that I signed up to read as part of a tour organised by the wonderful Zoe, whom I would hate to let down after agreeing to support her – even though I know she’d be understanding. But, without wanting to turn this post into a personal sob story, let’s just say that this last week hasn’t been the easiest. Reading is something that’s necessarily been limited to late evenings, by which time, even though I really wanted to read more of the book, it wasn’t long before my eyes began to close of their own accord.

This meant that the number of new characters to which I was introduced in the early chapters felt more than a little bewildering. Perhaps, if I’d been able to read the early chapters in a single sitting with a clear head, this wouldn’t have been an issue. But life meant that there were a few instances, over several days, when I struggled to remember who was who, or even whether or not I had read about a particular character already.

This was a shame, because even I could see that the multiple new characters were all well-portrayed. My head could admire Tim and Shana, for whom policing the local neighbourhood isn’t easy, especially when they’re married to each other and have a young daughter. But they’re committed, dedicated and doing their best. Meanwhile, my heart was ready to ache for Val, who as a police officer who has seen the worst, can’t help but be over-protective of her teenage daughter Bobby. And whilst Bobby is mature enough to sympathise with her mother, she still can’t help but feel suffocated. And it was also easy to feel sorry for Raymond, who is clearly no saint but is just as clearly in an impossible situation.


I don’t think the initial pace of the book helps. The story begins with a police case having apparently been concluded, and being celebrated. That’s OK, but it almost felt like an anti-climax to read about. And from there, it seemed to introduce multiple minor mysteries, which to my tired out brain felt more perplexing than intriguing. I think it could have done with a single, initial, stronger hook: something to make even a reader who isn’t feeling at their best sit up and take notice.

Thankfully, I read approximately the second half of the book early this morning and everything fell nicely into place. The pace, and the tension increased enough to have me quickly turning the pages. There were moments that had me gasping in horror, and other gasps of sheer relief. But none of the action came at the expense of the plot, which is tightly and cleverly done.

By the end of the book, much like my hypothetical party, the overwhelming start had ceased to matter. I’m left feeling delighted that I persevered, and looking forward to reading more by this author.

My thanks to Zooloo’s Book Tours for including me on the blog tour for The River Runs Black, which was published in the UK on 8th September 2026 and which I have reviewed voluntarily and honestly.

[Karolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is my review for The River Runs Black by Tessa Wegert

This was a very intriguing crime thriller set in the North Country, up in the far corner of New York State. A high school senior has passed away due to drugs but when they find a supply of drugs, they don't match. One night Val is with her daughter, Bobby, and they are walking around when they spot a woman staggering towards them. She’s only wearing a bikini, no shoes and no coat. She has something in her fist. When Val offers to help her and that she is police. The woman turns and runs. Just what is happening in this little community?

I found this to be a terrific read and very detailed. I liked the setting as it was somewhere different and although this is the second book in the series, the author still gives us a bit of background on her characters. The characters are a mixture but are well described and well thought out. The story seems well written, well thought out and well plotted. Drugs and girls disappearing stories do seem to appeal to me when reading to see how the author handles them. This was a multiple povs story and those types of stories I usually tend to enjoy reading as you learn more from each person involved.

Synopsis :

Up in the far corner of New York State, past the last of the cities, lies the North Country. Summer people come for the boats and the sunsets. Then the season turns, the water goes dark, and the river towns close in on themselves.

It’s an impossible place to police. But New York State Police Investigator Tim Wellington, born and raised here, will do whatever it takes to keep his community safe.

Three days before Halloween, a young woman staggers down a quiet street in Clayton. No shoes. No coat. Nothing but a bikini and a fist closed tight around something she won't show anyone.

She won't say where she came from. She won't say what was done to her.

Then she runs.

The North Country is already reeling. A high-school senior is dead of an overdose. But the record haul seized from a speedboat doesn’t match the cocaine that killed him.

Someone else is still selling. And they are very close.

The clock is ticking for Tim to track down the drug dealers. Then another local girl disappears . . .

This twisty mystery coupled with heart-pounding suspense will appeal to fans of Melinda Leigh, Kendra Elliot, Lisa Regan, Danielle Girard, Paul Doiron and Karin Slaughter.

MEET THE DETECTIVES
Born and raised in the North Country, New York State Police Investigator Tim Wellington knows every dock and back road in the county, and he’s never wanted to work anywhere else. Married to fellow investigator and team leader Shana Merchant, with a young daughter, Tim is fiercely devoted to his family — and to protecting the close-knit communities he calls home.

Working alongside them are steady Jeremy Solomon, whose quiet instincts have an uncanny habit of proving to be right, and Valerie Ott, five foot nothing and hard as nails. They’re supported by tough, loyal Maureen “Mac” McIntyre — the first woman ever elected sheriff in New York State. Because while the North Country might be full of spectacular beauty and close-knit island communities . . . the maze of islands and waterways provides endless places for dangerous people to hide.

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The River Runs Black by Tessa Wegert is a highly recommended police procedural/thriller set in New York’s Thousand Islands area. This is the second book in the North Country series following In the Bones, but it can be read as a standalone novel.

Bobby, 16, and her mother Valerie Ott, a NY State criminal investigator, are attending the Punkin' Chunkin' event by the St. Lawrence River in Clayton. It should be a fun day but the talk of the town is about the overdose of local teen Drew Fielding. Then the two see a shoeless young woman in a bikini walking down the street looking beaten up and like a zombie. When Valerie offers to help, telling her she is a police officer, the young woman runs.

Three days earlier the team, New York State’s criminal investigators Tim Wellington, Shana Merchant, Jeremy Solomon and Valerie, had just celebrated a huge drug bust, but clearly the drug problem is still ongoing in the small town of Alexandria Bay. The drug involved in the smuggling operation is cocaine. Valerie is in a relationship with Raymond Stoll and it is revealed to readers that he is hiding something from her. Then Bruce Milton, the new Jefferson County Sheriff threatens to blackmail him with the information Raymond wants to hide. Maureen McIntyre (Mac) the previous sheriff knows Bruce is a fraud and liar. Then Bobby disappears, kidnapped, and the search is on.

Clearly, there is a whole lot going on in this well-written procedural, which features an involved investigation, atmospheric setting, and a large cast of characters to follow. While in the middle of the investigation the pace does even out for a time, but there is also a plethora of information being uncovered during this time. The narrative is told through multiple points-of-view as several different inquiries are followed in the investigation. The setting in the Thousand Island area plays an important role in the plot.

The cast of characters is large, which can be initially off-putting, but they do sort themselves out as individuals while you are reading. This is, perhaps, the one thing that would make The River Runs Black more challenging to read as a standalone since being acquainted with the characters from previous novels can help. Bobby's safety after her kidnapping kept me personally glued to the pages and interested in the investigation.

There are little clues dropped along the way, plenty of secrets, as well as suspicious characters which all work together to keep both your interest and the suspense high. Expect plenty of twists and surprises at the end. I thought I had most of the plot figured out but there was one twist which surprised me and some information that could become very important in a future novel.

The River Runs Black is a great choice for those who enjoy police procedurals and everyone already following the series. Thanks to Severn House for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

https://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/...

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Everything You Think You Know Is Wrong

This was an excellent follow-up to the first book in the series, In the Bones. I enjoyed it immensely and, once again, found myself completely drawn into the story.

The plot was extremely involved and devious, with twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout. There were many occasions when I was absolutely certain that I knew how everything would end. I was convinced I knew who the killer was and, more importantly, what their motive was. I became so certain of my theory that I completely dismissed all the other possibilities. Needless to say, when the truth was finally revealed, I was taken completely by surprise! I was amazed at how cleverly I had been led in the wrong direction and how much I had missed along the way. That, for me, is a sign of a very skilful author. Tessa Wegert has a real talent for building suspense, planting clues and red herrings, and keeping the reader hanging on every word.

There is also a great deal of emotion running through this story. Tim's worry and concern for his daughter, alongside Val's fears for her own daughter, added another layer to what was already a very complex case. These personal concerns made the characters feel much more real and gave the investigation an emotional depth beyond simply solving a crime. It was also wonderful to see Mac return and become part of the team again as they worked together to try to crack this particularly complicated case.

It was lovely to meet up once more with the main characters from In the Bones. By this point, I already felt that I knew them, and it was a pleasure to see their stories continue to develop. We also learned much more about some of the characters who had only been briefly introduced in the first book. This added depth to the story and gave me that wonderful feeling of gradually getting to know them almost as though they were becoming part of the family.

One of the things I particularly enjoy about Tessa Wegert's writing is her ability to introduce a character who appears completely honest and trustworthy, only to turn everything on its head later. Just when you think you have someone figured out, she manages to make you question everything you thought you knew. It certainly kept me on my toes!

Tessa Wegert has firmly established herself as one of my favourite authors. The River Runs Black was a gripping, cleverly constructed mystery with plenty of suspense, emotion and surprises, and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I shall certainly be eagerly awaiting the next book in this fabulous series.

[Nikkyg reads 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
The River Runs Black by Tessa Wegert
Okay, this one had me suspicious of pretty much everyone by the end.
The River Runs Black is the kind of mystery that quietly pulls you in and then keeps dropping little breadcrumbs until you're questioning every character, every motive and basically your own detective skills.
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of this one. Suspenseful and interesting with enough information given that you don’t feel it’s waiting for a big twist at the end as it doesn’t need one and then there was one that I didn’t see coming! Rare that happens after reading a lot of thriller/police/mystery books. I spent half the book mentally interrogating everyone like I’d been personally hired by the police. Apparently my toxic trait is believing I am a professional detective after reading approximately 147 thrillers.

The investigation kept me turning the pages because I wanted to know what was actually going on, and naturally, I also wanted to see whether my theories were anywhere near the mark. I was unsure on one thing, discounted it and then… well you need to read and see what you discover and think will happen.

There were a few moments where I felt the pacing dipped slightly, first half being slower, but worth it for the story to unfold. I also found that, as the book had a lot of characters, I wasn’t deeply connected to anyone over the other and so the emotional side with Bobby and Val didn’t quite get me as much as with some similar stories, but that made the book more interesting in other ways as it’s not about just one or two people.
Overall the plot was engaging and there was enough going on to keep me invested.
And because apparently I can't read a thriller without trying to solve it myself… yes, I did manage to figure out some of what was coming. But that didn't take away from the enjoyment for me at all and I didn’t work it all out.

A solid, atmospheric mystery with plenty of secrets, suspicious people and enough twists to keep things interesting.
4⭐️ suspicious of everyone, trusting no one, and thoroughly entertained.