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Buried in Wolf Lake: A Winnebago County Mystery
When a family’s Golden Retriever brings home a woman’s dismembered leg, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department launches an investigation unlike any other. Who is the young woman and where is the rest of her body? Sergeant Corrine Aleckson and Detective Elton Dawes soon discover they are up against an unidentified psychopath targeting women with specific physical features. Can they find him in time to prevent another brutal murder? Buried in Wolf Lake continues the Minnesota-bases series.
- GenresMystery
316 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2018
About the author
Christine Husom
32 books133 followersChristine Husom is the Minnesota author of the medium-boiled Winnebago County Mysteries and the cozy Snow Globe Shop Mysteries. She holds an undergraduate degree from Concordia University in St. Paul, trained with the St. Paul Police Department, and served with the Wright County Sheriff's Department. Husom is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America. She loves meeting readers at book clubs and other venues.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 2, 2011
In the second book BURIED IN WOLF LAKE of the series A Winnebago County Mystery Thriller by Christine Husom, the heroine that we have come to know and love, Sergeant Corinne “Corky” Aleckson has been thrust into another frightfully in-depth investigation to find the identity of a psychopathic killer who targets women with specific features. After a family dog returns home with a young woman’s dismembered leg, the investigation ensues as the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department attempts to unveil the mysteries buried in Wolf Lake. Will they work fast enough to keep another victim from the clutches of the evil that lurks nearby?
Christine Husom uses her past experience from when she worked for a sheriff’s department to fill her books with realistic scenarios. Although fictionalized, the books are based on actual incidents. Christine has a natural talent when it comes to being able to immerse her readers into her books. The characters and atmosphere are rich in detail and realistic. I have to give Christine Husom great credit for being able to achieve such balance and readability. Her imaginativeness is to be commended and celebrated.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery/suspense or psychological thriller. I almost hesitate to label the book within these categories, because while the content is intense, it’s not overboard. I would hate for anyone to pass up the opportunity to read this series based on book genre. Furthermore, the characters really become familiar and respected as you follow their daily lives and become immersed in their friendships, families and love lives.
Personally, I admire this series. After reading Murder in Winnebago County, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. I read Buried in Wolf Lake in one day. I couldn’t stand to put the book down for long, because I was always wondering what would come with the flip of the page. The passion that Christine Husum writes with is powerful and compelling. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment and have high hopes that Christine will continue with this series. Do yourself a favor and pick this book up. Once you do, you’ll be hard-pressed to set it back down.
Christine Husom uses her past experience from when she worked for a sheriff’s department to fill her books with realistic scenarios. Although fictionalized, the books are based on actual incidents. Christine has a natural talent when it comes to being able to immerse her readers into her books. The characters and atmosphere are rich in detail and realistic. I have to give Christine Husom great credit for being able to achieve such balance and readability. Her imaginativeness is to be commended and celebrated.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery/suspense or psychological thriller. I almost hesitate to label the book within these categories, because while the content is intense, it’s not overboard. I would hate for anyone to pass up the opportunity to read this series based on book genre. Furthermore, the characters really become familiar and respected as you follow their daily lives and become immersed in their friendships, families and love lives.
Personally, I admire this series. After reading Murder in Winnebago County, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. I read Buried in Wolf Lake in one day. I couldn’t stand to put the book down for long, because I was always wondering what would come with the flip of the page. The passion that Christine Husum writes with is powerful and compelling. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment and have high hopes that Christine will continue with this series. Do yourself a favor and pick this book up. Once you do, you’ll be hard-pressed to set it back down.
October 22, 2010
Christine Husom’s Winnebago County series continues very satisfyingly with this second book, Buried in Wolf Lake, a delightful combination of well-researched police procedural and small-town romance. Her characters continue to grow and change, both believably and surprisingly. And the author’s choice to keep the events of book one in mind is a wise one, lending depth to the world and characters. The combination of present tension and past memory is very skillfully rendered, the tension tightening and relaxing convincingly, keeping the storylines taut and intact.
The novel’s narrator, Sgt Corky Aleckson, continues to be both wise and vulnerable. Her mixed feelings for older cop Smokey and the imminently eligible Nick pull her in different emotional directions. Her mother remains both over-protective and ever-helpful. And her friends, and enemies, keep showing new and more complex sides to themselves.
Meanwhile, as in the first book, there are glimpses of a murderer’s thoughts and motivations in intervening chapters. His story and Corky’s are on a collision course; the tapestry of twisted threads slowly drawing to a final knot. And the combination of hard-boiled investigation with well-drawn romance creates the perfect cozy mystery for a long winters’ evening.
Book three in this series was recently released by Second Wind Publishing and is definitely one to look out for. I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book, after reading Murder in Winnebago County. Christine Husom very kindly inscribed it to me with birthday wishes. A great birthday present… now I’m waiting for Christmas and An Altar by the River!
The novel’s narrator, Sgt Corky Aleckson, continues to be both wise and vulnerable. Her mixed feelings for older cop Smokey and the imminently eligible Nick pull her in different emotional directions. Her mother remains both over-protective and ever-helpful. And her friends, and enemies, keep showing new and more complex sides to themselves.
Meanwhile, as in the first book, there are glimpses of a murderer’s thoughts and motivations in intervening chapters. His story and Corky’s are on a collision course; the tapestry of twisted threads slowly drawing to a final knot. And the combination of hard-boiled investigation with well-drawn romance creates the perfect cozy mystery for a long winters’ evening.
Book three in this series was recently released by Second Wind Publishing and is definitely one to look out for. I was lucky enough to win a copy of this book, after reading Murder in Winnebago County. Christine Husom very kindly inscribed it to me with birthday wishes. A great birthday present… now I’m waiting for Christmas and An Altar by the River!
June 26, 2016
Buried in Wolf Lake is the well-written and highly enjoyable second installment in the Winnebago County series written by author Christine Husom. As the story begins, the characters, including narrator Corky Aleckson, are still trying to pull themselves together following the harrowing events of the first book, Murder in Winnebago County. They all just want to get the upcoming trial over with, and have a chance to heal both physically and emotionally, when a dog makes a gruesome discovery that sets Corky and the rest of the police force on the trail of a psychopath with a very specific, and somewhat familiar, M.O.
Christine Husom has successfully taken the characters from the first Winnebago County book, and continued to develop them into believable personalities that I have come to care about to the point where I have to stay up half the night reading just to be sure nothing bad happens to them. Ms. Husom also gives a peek into the psychology of a serial killer without making him seem like a victim of his childhood that we should feel sorry for or, like Dexter Morgan, someone we cheer for as he perpetrates his evil on others. It is the story of good vs. evil with a focus on good bringing evil to justice.
Overall, Buried in Wolf Lake is a satisfying novel with smart and relatable characters that should be able to sustain as many books as the author chooses to write. I, for one, can’t wait to read what is next for Corky as well as the rest of the residents of Winnebago County.
Christine Husom has successfully taken the characters from the first Winnebago County book, and continued to develop them into believable personalities that I have come to care about to the point where I have to stay up half the night reading just to be sure nothing bad happens to them. Ms. Husom also gives a peek into the psychology of a serial killer without making him seem like a victim of his childhood that we should feel sorry for or, like Dexter Morgan, someone we cheer for as he perpetrates his evil on others. It is the story of good vs. evil with a focus on good bringing evil to justice.
Overall, Buried in Wolf Lake is a satisfying novel with smart and relatable characters that should be able to sustain as many books as the author chooses to write. I, for one, can’t wait to read what is next for Corky as well as the rest of the residents of Winnebago County.
November 12, 2011
Just when Sergeant Corrine (Corky) Aleckson thought her life was getting back to normal after she was attacked by a sociopathic woman bent on revenge and who had killed three prominent community members. Life goes ahead and throws her another bone. Some ones dog pulls a human leg out of Wolf Lake! The sheriff’s department is called in to find and dredge up other body parts. Life gets even more complicated for Corky as Alvie Eisner (villain in Book #1) wants to see her and her love life gets complicated. Not to mention the bad guy here has targeted her as well as the other dead women.
Christine Husom has done it again. She has written an easily flowing tale of a psychopathic killer and has combined the suspense of this with relationships and family issues into one exciting tale that will keep the reader turning pages or clicking the forward button on their e-readers.
I highly recommend this book and give it 5 sheriffs’ stars. Way to go Christine on a great solid read.
Christine Husom has done it again. She has written an easily flowing tale of a psychopathic killer and has combined the suspense of this with relationships and family issues into one exciting tale that will keep the reader turning pages or clicking the forward button on their e-readers.
I highly recommend this book and give it 5 sheriffs’ stars. Way to go Christine on a great solid read.
January 11, 2014
I was given a copy for free in exchange for an honest review . Buried in wolf lake is the second book in the series. After a family dog brings home a women's dismembered leg the county sheriffs department attempts to unveil the mysteries buried in Wolf Lake. Sgt Corky Aleckson is thrust into another investigation to find the psychopathic killer who targets women with specific features, will they be able to catch him before he claims his next victim ? A wonderfully written mystery/thriller/suspense story. If you love murder/mystery stories that have you on the edge you can't put the book down than i highly recommend you read this series.
November 10, 2009
I just finished Chris Husom's second book, Buried in Wolf Lake after meeting her at a Writers Retreat in October. I loved her new book. It was even better than the first book, which is also wonderful, and it was so fun to get to see what was going on in the lives of my favorite characters. The story line was very riveting, with a lot of unexpected twists and turns. Chris' voice is warm, and appealingly Midwestern. I felt right at home with the Corky and Smoke - their joys, concerns, and conversations are candid and very real. Thanks for another great book, Chris!
December 11, 2009
When a family’s Golden Retriever brings home the dismembered leg of a young woman, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department launches an investigation unlike any other. Who does the leg belong to, and where is the rest of her body? Sergeant Corrine Aleckson and Detective Elton Dawes soon discover they are up against an unidentified psychopath who targets women with specific physical features. Are there other victims, and will they learn the killer’s identity in time to prevent another brutal murder?
February 5, 2011
Great story. Great characters. Great read.
January 28, 2012
Much better than her debut book. The first book read way too quickly, seemed to skip places where she could have explained or elaborated. This book was a much better who-done-it.
September 22, 2025
Buried in Wolf Lake is a fast-paced, suspenseful read that kept me guessing until the end. Christine Husom does a great job blending small town charm with edge of your seat mystery. A must-read for mystery lovers!
November 2, 2025
Enjoyed the second book of this series, looking forward to reading more.
May 19, 2026
3.5⭐️ Entertaining with a couple of twists. I give it 3.5 ⭐️ leaning more towards 4⭐️ than 3.
July 21, 2026
I really like the main characters - Corky and Sheriff Twardy and all of them but the mystery part was too gruesome for me this time. I didn’t enjoy that.
March 26, 2021
On to book three!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews