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Alaska Wild #1
Thin Ice
Beth Rivers is on the run - she's doing the only thing she could think of to keep herself safe. Known to the world as thriller author Elizabeth Fairchild, she had become the subject of a fanatic's obsession. After being held in a van for three days by her kidnapper, Levi Brooks, Beth managed to escape, and until he is captured, she's got to get away. Cold and remote, Alaska seems tailor-made for her to hideout.
Beth's new home in Alaska is sparsely populated with people who all seem to be running or hiding from something, and though she accidentally booked a room at a halfway house, she feels safer than she's felt since Levi took her. That is, until she's told about a local death that's a suspected murder. Could the death of Linda Rafferty have anything to do with her horror at the hands of Levi Brooks?
As Beth navigates her way through the wilds of her new home, her memories of her time in the van are coming back, replaying the terror and the fear--and threatening to keep her from healing, from reclaiming her old life again. Can she get back to normal, will she ever truly feel safe, and can she help solve the local mystery, if only so she doesn't have to think about her own?
Beth's new home in Alaska is sparsely populated with people who all seem to be running or hiding from something, and though she accidentally booked a room at a halfway house, she feels safer than she's felt since Levi took her. That is, until she's told about a local death that's a suspected murder. Could the death of Linda Rafferty have anything to do with her horror at the hands of Levi Brooks?
As Beth navigates her way through the wilds of her new home, her memories of her time in the van are coming back, replaying the terror and the fear--and threatening to keep her from healing, from reclaiming her old life again. Can she get back to normal, will she ever truly feel safe, and can she help solve the local mystery, if only so she doesn't have to think about her own?
275 pages, Hardcover
First published December 3, 2019
395 people are currently reading
7249 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 792 reviews
January 3, 2020
I'm somewhere between 4 and 4.5 stars.
I've commented before just how much I love books set in Alaska. It doesn't matter what kind of book—the imagery of the wilderness (and wildness), even the danger posed by the elements both animal and meteorological fascinate me. That was definitely one of the characteristics that led me to pick up Paige Shelton's new mystery, Thin Ice , but boy, it's so much more than just its setting.
Beth Rivers is known to the world as best-selling thriller author Elizabeth Fairchild. There are times she really can't believe a woman who started out a secretary to her police chief grandfather in Missouri could be a best-selling author. But when she is kidnapped and held captive in a van for three days, everything changes. She must overcome her fear and the ways her kidnapper has restrained her to escape, or she'll face certain death, if not worse before that.
She is able to escape the van one day but sustains a brain injury in the process. But with her kidnapper still at large, she worries how she can live the rest of her life without being afraid and looking over her shoulder every minute. So when she's (mostly) well enough, she decides she's going to run as far away as possible—to the remote town of Benedict, Alaska. It seems like the best solution, at least until the police find the suspect.
When she arrives in Benedict she discovers that a lot of people come to Alaska to run away from something, so while her presence drums up some curiosity, she probably fits in better than she would in most places. She also finds out that she booked herself a room at a halfway house for women rather than the historic inn she assumed she was, but she takes some comfort in knowing these women aren't violent felons, and the house is run under the watchful eye of Viola, a tough, take-no-prisoners-type of woman.
As she settles in, she finds that the fickle nature of the weather takes some getting used to, but she enjoys the relative isolation the town provides her. At the same time, she starts remembering bits and pieces of her kidnapping, which cause her to experience fear and paranoia, and prevent her from the full recovery she desperately needs. But when the local police chief, who knows her real identity (her pen name was how most people knew her), asks for her help looking into a suicide that doesn't quite look like one, it both gives her an opportunity to stay busy, and it forces her to confront some of the fears that sent her into hiding in Alaska.
I really enjoyed Thin Ice and read it in just a few hours. It's a mystery with lots of twists and turns, and while the culprit wasn't quite surprising (although I suspected the heck out of everyone who appeared in the book, which is my usual way with mysteries and thrillers), I love the way Shelton told her story. I'm hoping the cliffhanger-type ending means this is the start of a new series, because I really enjoyed these characters and the small-town setting.
I'm fairly critical of mysteries and thrillers because there are so many out there and many seem to share similar characteristics. Thin Ice hooked me from the get-go, and while it relies more on character development than action and danger, that's perfectly fine. I hope we'll see more of Beth and her fellow citizens of Benedict in the future.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
I've commented before just how much I love books set in Alaska. It doesn't matter what kind of book—the imagery of the wilderness (and wildness), even the danger posed by the elements both animal and meteorological fascinate me. That was definitely one of the characteristics that led me to pick up Paige Shelton's new mystery, Thin Ice , but boy, it's so much more than just its setting.
Beth Rivers is known to the world as best-selling thriller author Elizabeth Fairchild. There are times she really can't believe a woman who started out a secretary to her police chief grandfather in Missouri could be a best-selling author. But when she is kidnapped and held captive in a van for three days, everything changes. She must overcome her fear and the ways her kidnapper has restrained her to escape, or she'll face certain death, if not worse before that.
She is able to escape the van one day but sustains a brain injury in the process. But with her kidnapper still at large, she worries how she can live the rest of her life without being afraid and looking over her shoulder every minute. So when she's (mostly) well enough, she decides she's going to run as far away as possible—to the remote town of Benedict, Alaska. It seems like the best solution, at least until the police find the suspect.
When she arrives in Benedict she discovers that a lot of people come to Alaska to run away from something, so while her presence drums up some curiosity, she probably fits in better than she would in most places. She also finds out that she booked herself a room at a halfway house for women rather than the historic inn she assumed she was, but she takes some comfort in knowing these women aren't violent felons, and the house is run under the watchful eye of Viola, a tough, take-no-prisoners-type of woman.
As she settles in, she finds that the fickle nature of the weather takes some getting used to, but she enjoys the relative isolation the town provides her. At the same time, she starts remembering bits and pieces of her kidnapping, which cause her to experience fear and paranoia, and prevent her from the full recovery she desperately needs. But when the local police chief, who knows her real identity (her pen name was how most people knew her), asks for her help looking into a suicide that doesn't quite look like one, it both gives her an opportunity to stay busy, and it forces her to confront some of the fears that sent her into hiding in Alaska.
I really enjoyed Thin Ice and read it in just a few hours. It's a mystery with lots of twists and turns, and while the culprit wasn't quite surprising (although I suspected the heck out of everyone who appeared in the book, which is my usual way with mysteries and thrillers), I love the way Shelton told her story. I'm hoping the cliffhanger-type ending means this is the start of a new series, because I really enjoyed these characters and the small-town setting.
I'm fairly critical of mysteries and thrillers because there are so many out there and many seem to share similar characteristics. Thin Ice hooked me from the get-go, and while it relies more on character development than action and danger, that's perfectly fine. I hope we'll see more of Beth and her fellow citizens of Benedict in the future.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
February 8, 2020
To what lengths does one have to go to escape a crazed kidnapper? To the far-ends of the earth? Will that even be far enough?
Bestselling author Beth Rivers was kidnapped and tortured. Barely escaping with her life, she’s on the run. Her kidnapper, Levi Brooks has never been found and she knows he’s still out there hunting for her. She’s got to run fast and far. Question is, where might that be? Perhaps the wild, vast expanse of Alaska is remote enough to hide? Think again Beth! He may be coming for you and closer than you think!
Beth arrives in a dot-on-the-map Alaskan village only to be greeted by some very troubling news. There has just been a murder in this tiny, distant town. What’s more, the local ME has been unusually quick to declare it’s a suicide. Although everyone who knew the victim is positive she was murdered. But why? Everyone knows each other here, and they’ve always had to trust one another...right!?
A quick, easy read but failed to completely grip me. Lacking much action I felt like I was waiting for something epic to happen. If you enjoy a slow burn mystery, this is the perfect read for you. The ending sets us up for a follow up to Beth's Alaskan adventures or should I say hideaway.
A buddy read with Susanne.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for an ARC to read and review.
Bestselling author Beth Rivers was kidnapped and tortured. Barely escaping with her life, she’s on the run. Her kidnapper, Levi Brooks has never been found and she knows he’s still out there hunting for her. She’s got to run fast and far. Question is, where might that be? Perhaps the wild, vast expanse of Alaska is remote enough to hide? Think again Beth! He may be coming for you and closer than you think!
Beth arrives in a dot-on-the-map Alaskan village only to be greeted by some very troubling news. There has just been a murder in this tiny, distant town. What’s more, the local ME has been unusually quick to declare it’s a suicide. Although everyone who knew the victim is positive she was murdered. But why? Everyone knows each other here, and they’ve always had to trust one another...right!?
A quick, easy read but failed to completely grip me. Lacking much action I felt like I was waiting for something epic to happen. If you enjoy a slow burn mystery, this is the perfect read for you. The ending sets us up for a follow up to Beth's Alaskan adventures or should I say hideaway.
A buddy read with Susanne.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for an ARC to read and review.
February 20, 2022
This is my first Paige Shelton book. A good pace mystery in small-town Alaska. I'm looking forward to the next!
Beth Rivers is an accomplished writer. She narrowly escaped a kidnapping by a lunatic fan when she was taken in a moving van. She was injured in the process and lost short-term memory. Nervous that the kidnapper will be coming back, she made a haste arrangement and moved to Alaska arriving at Benedict House, a boarding house that also serves as a halfway house for non-violent felons.
We get to meet many engaging characters in this remote town. There are two mysteries, one with the locals and another with her abductor.
Paige Shelton is known for her cozy mysteries, but this one didn't feel too cozy. Overall I really enjoyed it.
Beth Rivers is an accomplished writer. She narrowly escaped a kidnapping by a lunatic fan when she was taken in a moving van. She was injured in the process and lost short-term memory. Nervous that the kidnapper will be coming back, she made a haste arrangement and moved to Alaska arriving at Benedict House, a boarding house that also serves as a halfway house for non-violent felons.
We get to meet many engaging characters in this remote town. There are two mysteries, one with the locals and another with her abductor.
Paige Shelton is known for her cozy mysteries, but this one didn't feel too cozy. Overall I really enjoyed it.
December 6, 2019
Thin Ice by Paige Shelton is a well-written suspense novel. The story is set in Alaska and centers around Beth Rivers, a successful thriller writer. She was kidnapped by a fanatic fan, escaped from him, but sustained a brain injury and she cannot remember what he looks like. While the police are still looking for him, she decides to recover and hide in Alaska until he is captured. While there she gets involved in an investigation of the death of one of the small town’s inhabitants.
This is a suspenseful and riveting story that hooked me with the first paragraph and kept me interested throughout. From the small town residents to the descriptions of Alaska to the various mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Beth’s character was well-developed for a first novel in a series as well as those of several of the town’s residents. Secrets are numerous and add to the enjoyment of the book.
Overall, it was a solid mystery that was engaging, suspenseful, fast-paced and compulsively readable. While it does leave one major plot point unresolved, all other items were resolved. This is the first book in the Alaska Wild series and I look forward to reading the next one.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Paige Shelton for a digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
This is a suspenseful and riveting story that hooked me with the first paragraph and kept me interested throughout. From the small town residents to the descriptions of Alaska to the various mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Beth’s character was well-developed for a first novel in a series as well as those of several of the town’s residents. Secrets are numerous and add to the enjoyment of the book.
Overall, it was a solid mystery that was engaging, suspenseful, fast-paced and compulsively readable. While it does leave one major plot point unresolved, all other items were resolved. This is the first book in the Alaska Wild series and I look forward to reading the next one.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Paige Shelton for a digital ARC of this novel via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
July 11, 2022
Beth Rivers is a best selling author who has run away to Alaska to hideout and recover from a kidnapping that has left a devastating physical and mental assault on her body and spirit and to make matters worse she has amnesia from the the assault and is fearful her kidnapper will find her again. The day Beth arrives she discovers that the town is more remote than she could have imagined with barely any cell phone or wi-fi signals available but that only makes her feel more secure with her surroundings until she finds out that a body has just been found moments after she arrived. What will happen to Beth now? Is she safe or has she now made the biggest mistake of her life?
This was a very clever and enjoyable read for me. It was not a cozy mystery but it was not the dark type of story I usually read. The characters were quirky and fun, I enjoyed th at there were several mysteries happening within this book at one time and I really didn't have the story completely figured it until the end, so that made this book a very worth while and entertaining read. It was also a nice break from my hardcore books.
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press" and Netgalley for allowing me he opportunity to read this book!
I do recommend this story to any mystery reader and have given a rating of 4 Clever 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
This was a very clever and enjoyable read for me. It was not a cozy mystery but it was not the dark type of story I usually read. The characters were quirky and fun, I enjoyed th at there were several mysteries happening within this book at one time and I really didn't have the story completely figured it until the end, so that made this book a very worth while and entertaining read. It was also a nice break from my hardcore books.
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press" and Netgalley for allowing me he opportunity to read this book!
I do recommend this story to any mystery reader and have given a rating of 4 Clever 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
February 12, 2020
3 Stars
Where better to escape maniacal killer Levi Brooks, than a tiny town in Alaska?
Beth Rivers is a famous author, whose beautiful face was plastered onto the back cover of mystery suspense novels, prior to being scarred for life. Now, she needs to be completely inconspicuous and she has found the perfect place to hide out: a halfway house for violent women located in Benedict, Alaska.
Beth is sure she won’t be found and is perfectly safe until a local woman is found murdered. Is Levi Brooks responsible or could there be another killer on the loose? Whatever the possibilities, Beth is terrified and she has reasons to be.
“Thin Ice” by Paige Shelton will make your pulse pound and will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. This is a crazy atmospheric mystery/suspense with lots of twists and turns. The beautiful yet harsh Alaskan setting sets the tone for this novel and truly makes for an adventurous mystery.
This was a buddy read with Kaceey.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and Paige Shelton for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 2.8.20.
Where better to escape maniacal killer Levi Brooks, than a tiny town in Alaska?
Beth Rivers is a famous author, whose beautiful face was plastered onto the back cover of mystery suspense novels, prior to being scarred for life. Now, she needs to be completely inconspicuous and she has found the perfect place to hide out: a halfway house for violent women located in Benedict, Alaska.
Beth is sure she won’t be found and is perfectly safe until a local woman is found murdered. Is Levi Brooks responsible or could there be another killer on the loose? Whatever the possibilities, Beth is terrified and she has reasons to be.
“Thin Ice” by Paige Shelton will make your pulse pound and will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. This is a crazy atmospheric mystery/suspense with lots of twists and turns. The beautiful yet harsh Alaskan setting sets the tone for this novel and truly makes for an adventurous mystery.
This was a buddy read with Kaceey.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and Paige Shelton for the arc.
Published on Goodreads on 2.8.20.
December 10, 2019
Thin Ice is the start of a new mystery series set in Alaska. Beth is on the run, and of all things, she’s a thriller author! A fan of hers, Levi, has become obsessed with her, and she has no choice but to go in hiding after she manages to escape his kidnapping attempt. When a woman is found murdered, she can’t help but think of Levi. Has he harmed this woman, too? Beth begins to wonder if she’ll ever feel safe again.
Thin Ice checks all the right boxes for a new mystery. I LOVED Beth. I loved the atmospheric setting. I think it laid the groundwork as the start of a series, and I can’t wait to hear more from Beth. Of course I think a thriller writer makes for an amazing main character!
I received a free copy from the publisher.
Many of my reviews can also be found on instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Thin Ice checks all the right boxes for a new mystery. I LOVED Beth. I loved the atmospheric setting. I think it laid the groundwork as the start of a series, and I can’t wait to hear more from Beth. Of course I think a thriller writer makes for an amazing main character!
I received a free copy from the publisher.
Many of my reviews can also be found on instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
December 19, 2019
Damnit, the second I read Alaska, female author protagonist, and creepy stalker fan, I was so excited to read this, but it was a major letdown.
For a little positivity I'll go over what I liked - the setting, mostly. Paige Shelton mentioned visiting Alaska to make sure she got it right, and that paid off in spades. There are moments I'd swear I could feel the cold - or the rain - and the sense of scale was similarly well-communicated. The central idea of the book was great too, just read that synopsis!
But unfortunately for me, the execution fell short, and largely it was in the main character. The woman is so, so damn stupid. And I HATE writing that. But would you go out into an Alaskan storm when you're not in proper winter gear? Would you later approach A WOUNDED BEAR when you literally have to leave a nice safe building to do so? Would you THEN go out into the woods by yourself when you think you've uncovered a murder, and have zero survival equipment?? It's not endearing, it's infuriating. This is a woman who has a successful book series and managed to survive a kidnapping by an obsessed fan. Not to mention the using your real name instead of your pen name to make sure said obsessed fan doesn't find you. It's not like obsessed fans ever want to know more about the object of their obsession than a pen name.
That was the most annoying of it, but there's more to it - some of the writing is clunky, particularly toward the start, but I tend to forgive that in a debut, or I would were it not for the rest. Writing is damn hard and getting a book out into the world is nothing to sniff at. There's some unravelling going on in the plotlines too, and unfortunately we hit a pet peeve of mine with a fricking cliffhanger ending. How many times, people, if you have to trick people into coming back for the next book with a cliffhanger, you're doing it wrong.
This all sounds really harsh, and I genuinely don't like being harsh in my reviews. I did finish the book and I might even come back for the next one, but damnit if this book didn't hit some really big buttons of mine.
For a little positivity I'll go over what I liked - the setting, mostly. Paige Shelton mentioned visiting Alaska to make sure she got it right, and that paid off in spades. There are moments I'd swear I could feel the cold - or the rain - and the sense of scale was similarly well-communicated. The central idea of the book was great too, just read that synopsis!
But unfortunately for me, the execution fell short, and largely it was in the main character. The woman is so, so damn stupid. And I HATE writing that. But would you go out into an Alaskan storm when you're not in proper winter gear? Would you later approach A WOUNDED BEAR when you literally have to leave a nice safe building to do so? Would you THEN go out into the woods by yourself when you think you've uncovered a murder, and have zero survival equipment?? It's not endearing, it's infuriating. This is a woman who has a successful book series and managed to survive a kidnapping by an obsessed fan. Not to mention the using your real name instead of your pen name to make sure said obsessed fan doesn't find you. It's not like obsessed fans ever want to know more about the object of their obsession than a pen name.
That was the most annoying of it, but there's more to it - some of the writing is clunky, particularly toward the start, but I tend to forgive that in a debut, or I would were it not for the rest. Writing is damn hard and getting a book out into the world is nothing to sniff at. There's some unravelling going on in the plotlines too, and unfortunately we hit a pet peeve of mine with a fricking cliffhanger ending. How many times, people, if you have to trick people into coming back for the next book with a cliffhanger, you're doing it wrong.
This all sounds really harsh, and I genuinely don't like being harsh in my reviews. I did finish the book and I might even come back for the next one, but damnit if this book didn't hit some really big buttons of mine.
March 21, 2020
I love books about Alaska and and enjoyed this in that it is the start of a new mystery series for this author. I felt the characters could have been developed a little more but as this is the first book in the series, it is setting the scene and introducing everyone. I have a feeling the characters will fill out more and, in some cases, become a little more interesting. The book is centered around Beth Miller, a successful author who is kidnapped by an obsessed stalker/fan, terrorized by him, and ends up suffering from a head wound, when she escapes, that causes amnesia. However, she has flashbacks as her memory slowly comes back. In order to heal and still be able to work, Beth hides in the most remote place she can find, Benedict, Alaska. It is here she will attempt to remain anonymous while assuming the duties of a former reporter for the town newspaper which will also allow her to write. The book centers around her mystery, in trying to find who kidnapped her and a subplot of a mystery in town involving a shooting that is deemed a suicide.
I am definitely looking forward to more books in this series.
I am definitely looking forward to more books in this series.
June 8, 2025
This is a well-written, entertaining mystery novel. It has a likable, intelligent female protagonist, engaging secondary characters, a beautiful setting, an intriguing mystery, and a satisfying conclusion. I am looking forward to reading the next entry in this wonderful series with great anticipation. The narrator, Ms. Suzie Althens, does an excellent job voicing the characters.
November 20, 2019
I enjoy Paige Shelton's Scottish Bookshop and Country Cooking School cozy mystery books. When I saw she had a new series starting, I jumped right on it. This new series is a bit more serious than the usual light-hearted cozy fare. Nothing graphic. But, there is a bit more meat to the characters and mystery plot. Loved it!
Beth Rivers is an author...a well known one. After a kidnapping incident where she was traumatized, she relocates to Benedict, Alaska to recover and hide out. Her kidnapper is still free....and she wants as far away from her memories, and him, as possible. She wants to hide her identity as an author and get her life back. Just as she starts trying to settle into her new remote Alaskan home, a resident of Benedict is murdered. The crime brings back memories of the hours she spent locked in a van, victimized by her kidnapper. But she's determined to help solve the crime.
I enjoyed this story! The characters have real personality. I liked the setting in a small rural Alaska town with its quirky citizens and its own culture. Beth is a strong and intelligent main character. The mystery moved along at a nice pace, with plenty of investigation and suspects. While the story started with quite a bit of background -- Beth's kidnapping, relocation, the town, etc -- the story didn't get bogged down in it. The mystery got started relatively quickly....with Beth's previous experience enhancing it, rather than taking away from it.
All in all, an entertaining read. I'm definitely going to read more of this new series!
**I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
Beth Rivers is an author...a well known one. After a kidnapping incident where she was traumatized, she relocates to Benedict, Alaska to recover and hide out. Her kidnapper is still free....and she wants as far away from her memories, and him, as possible. She wants to hide her identity as an author and get her life back. Just as she starts trying to settle into her new remote Alaskan home, a resident of Benedict is murdered. The crime brings back memories of the hours she spent locked in a van, victimized by her kidnapper. But she's determined to help solve the crime.
I enjoyed this story! The characters have real personality. I liked the setting in a small rural Alaska town with its quirky citizens and its own culture. Beth is a strong and intelligent main character. The mystery moved along at a nice pace, with plenty of investigation and suspects. While the story started with quite a bit of background -- Beth's kidnapping, relocation, the town, etc -- the story didn't get bogged down in it. The mystery got started relatively quickly....with Beth's previous experience enhancing it, rather than taking away from it.
All in all, an entertaining read. I'm definitely going to read more of this new series!
**I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
December 16, 2019
4 STARS for Thin Ice (Alaska Wild mysteries #1) (audiobook) by Paige Shelton read by Suzie Althens. I really enjoy getting to travel through reading books. In this book I got to go back to Alaska. The sense of small town Alaska really came through. It was interesting getting to know all these new characters. There is always some odd characters in these small towns. This is a great place to set a murder mystery. I’m looking forward to many more books in this series.
dnf
June 14, 2025I don't know what's stiffer ~ my boredom or the narrators tone. 🤷♀️ sorry, DNF at 48%
What to expect:
~ single 1st person POV
~ small town Alaska setting
~ woman on the run and hiding and I don't care what happens to her
What to expect:
~ single 1st person POV
~ small town Alaska setting
~ woman on the run and hiding and I don't care what happens to her
December 23, 2019
New series by Paige Shelton set in Alaska I’ve seen she’s written cozy mysteries I’ve never read but will check them out. This isn’t a cozy mystery it’s a lot of suspense and makes you think who actually kidnapped Beth Rivers and why!
A city girl who chooses to flee to Alaska and takes a room at the Benedict House the only place that survived the massive fire a few years ago but Beth expected a hotel but turns out into a halfway house for felons. She gets involved in a local investigation into a crime. She decides to stay for now. Story ends on a cliffhanger.
Thanks to NetGalley, St-Martin’s Press Minotaure Books and Paige Shelton for this advanced e-copy in exchange of an honest review.
A city girl who chooses to flee to Alaska and takes a room at the Benedict House the only place that survived the massive fire a few years ago but Beth expected a hotel but turns out into a halfway house for felons. She gets involved in a local investigation into a crime. She decides to stay for now. Story ends on a cliffhanger.
Thanks to NetGalley, St-Martin’s Press Minotaure Books and Paige Shelton for this advanced e-copy in exchange of an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2025
This is my first Paige Shelton read/listen and look forward to the next in the series. The setting is Alaska where bestselling author Beth Rivers escapes to avoid a maniac stalker who kept her hostage. There are a lot of things about the event she doesn't remember, including how she got away, but when a murder occurred in the town of Benedict, Alaska, memories gradually return. This story has interesting characters in a small town setting. The narrator, Suzie Althens, did a great job. I have the book in both Kindle and audio form from Chirp.
January 21, 2020
Fantastic! I have always enjoyed Paige Shelton's writing, especially her descritive voice, whether with characters or location. She has surpassed herslf.
October 3, 2021
A writer escapes to a remote town in Alaska to hide. I was intrigued by the blurb, by the setting, by the appeal of the Alaskan exploit. I’d never read anything by Paige Shelton, nor had I ever heard of her, but I was willing to take the plunge through Thin Ice. I’m not quite sure where the title comes from, but the book proved to be a rather cozy adventure.
I initially had my doubts about Beth Rivers. Who in their right mind takes off for Alaska without taking any cold weather gear, even for summer in Alaska? After all, this wasn’t a vacation she was taking. She was a fugitive! No, not that kind of fugitive, even though she’s going to be lodging at a halfway house for women. Beth Rivers, AKA thriller author Elizabeth Fairchild, was kidnapped and somehow managed to escape her captor. She underwent brain surgery and left the hospital on her own because she felt that she needed to be somewhere that her kidnapper would never find her. In her mind – muddled, perhaps from all that had happened to her – that meant Benedict, Alaska.
The folks she meets are unique individuals who reminded me a bit of some of the characters on the old TV series, Northern Exposure. At first, Beth isn’t sure whom she can trust, but it turns out that the police chief, Grilson “Gril” Samuels has been contacted by the St. Louis detective who was handling her case. So, she’s in good hands, it seems. She’s got a cover story to explain the scar on her head – not that most folks believe it – but word travels fast about the newcomer with the scar “who fell off a horse”.
When a resident is found shot to death, Beth’s old police instincts kick in. She worked as a secretary back when her grandfather was chief of police in Missouri and assisted him with crime scene measurements. So, when Gril asks her if she’d like to take over the town newspaper, she decides this might be a good way to get some information about the crime and a way to keep busy and keep her mind off her own worries.
Besides the locals, there are the women at “the House,” as it is known. None of them is violent. They are all there for crimes like shoplifting. The place is run by a woman named Viola, who seems like a woman who rules with an iron fist, but it turns out that’s not exactly accurate. I grew to like her quite a bit.
As for Beth, I liked her too. She has a lot about surviving in the wilds of Alaska, but she’s learning. As a wanna-be reporter/detective, she has some things she needs to learn about that too. But she’s got a lot on her plate. She’s trying to stay under the radar so that her kidnapper won’t find her. She uses burner phones and a brand-new email. Contacting her mother, her doctor, and the detective is not always possible because connections are spotty at best. This is what she wants, right? Except that she hopes to someday return home, and she’d like nothing better than to learn that her captor has himself been captured.
The author does a good job with flashbacks, panic attacks, and dreams. I got a sense that Beth has a long way to go before she will be free from the terrors that haunt her. However, she does manage to function, to deal with people, and to adapt to her new situation surprisingly well. And yes, it appears that she may be in Benedict, Alaska, for a while yet. That’s just fine with me. I’d like to see this series continue.
4 stars
I initially had my doubts about Beth Rivers. Who in their right mind takes off for Alaska without taking any cold weather gear, even for summer in Alaska? After all, this wasn’t a vacation she was taking. She was a fugitive! No, not that kind of fugitive, even though she’s going to be lodging at a halfway house for women. Beth Rivers, AKA thriller author Elizabeth Fairchild, was kidnapped and somehow managed to escape her captor. She underwent brain surgery and left the hospital on her own because she felt that she needed to be somewhere that her kidnapper would never find her. In her mind – muddled, perhaps from all that had happened to her – that meant Benedict, Alaska.
The folks she meets are unique individuals who reminded me a bit of some of the characters on the old TV series, Northern Exposure. At first, Beth isn’t sure whom she can trust, but it turns out that the police chief, Grilson “Gril” Samuels has been contacted by the St. Louis detective who was handling her case. So, she’s in good hands, it seems. She’s got a cover story to explain the scar on her head – not that most folks believe it – but word travels fast about the newcomer with the scar “who fell off a horse”.
When a resident is found shot to death, Beth’s old police instincts kick in. She worked as a secretary back when her grandfather was chief of police in Missouri and assisted him with crime scene measurements. So, when Gril asks her if she’d like to take over the town newspaper, she decides this might be a good way to get some information about the crime and a way to keep busy and keep her mind off her own worries.
Besides the locals, there are the women at “the House,” as it is known. None of them is violent. They are all there for crimes like shoplifting. The place is run by a woman named Viola, who seems like a woman who rules with an iron fist, but it turns out that’s not exactly accurate. I grew to like her quite a bit.
As for Beth, I liked her too. She has a lot about surviving in the wilds of Alaska, but she’s learning. As a wanna-be reporter/detective, she has some things she needs to learn about that too. But she’s got a lot on her plate. She’s trying to stay under the radar so that her kidnapper won’t find her. She uses burner phones and a brand-new email. Contacting her mother, her doctor, and the detective is not always possible because connections are spotty at best. This is what she wants, right? Except that she hopes to someday return home, and she’d like nothing better than to learn that her captor has himself been captured.
The author does a good job with flashbacks, panic attacks, and dreams. I got a sense that Beth has a long way to go before she will be free from the terrors that haunt her. However, she does manage to function, to deal with people, and to adapt to her new situation surprisingly well. And yes, it appears that she may be in Benedict, Alaska, for a while yet. That’s just fine with me. I’d like to see this series continue.
4 stars
December 8, 2019
Beth is on the run. She was abducted, held for several days, and somehow escaped. Because of an accident that resulted in a brain injury, she doesn't remember a lot of what happened to her.
She's a writer, so she can go anywhere she wants ... maybe using a different name. Until her abductor is caught, she's afraid of anyone knowing who and where she is.
She winds up in a small town in Alaska ... where it seems a lot of people who are also hiding who they are. Beth accidentally booked herself in a halfway house, run by a woman paid by the state to take care of women-only law breakers.
She's okay with this until she's told there has been a recent death. Murder or suicide?
when the local police ask for her limited help, she's more than happy to comply. . Can she get back to normal, will she ever truly feel safe, and can she help solve the local mystery, if only so she doesn’t have to think about her own?
I enjoyed the Alaskan setting. I liked most of the characters .. the ones I didn't like were written than way. I like small town mysteries ... plenty of suspects, and you just know that not everyone is who they say they are. The mystery is good .. maybe a step up from a cozy.
Beware .. this is part of a series and although one crime is solved, there is more to come and it ends with a huge cliff hanger.
Many thanks to the author / St Martin's Press / Minotaur Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this mystery. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
October 25, 2019
Thin Ice by Paige Shelton is a totally new direction for Ms. Shelton. I have enjoyed several of her cozy mystery series so I was intrigued to read this suspense story. I am so glad that I did because I was pulled into the story from the first page.
Ms. Shelton's descriptive writing made me feel like I was with Beth Rivers throughout the story. Benedict, AK became so real to me as I read that I felt like I could find it on a map of Alaska. Beth's character is well developed in this book and several of the secondary characters are developing into "real" people for me. I love that many of the town's residents have their own secret reasons for moving to Benedict. In spite of the reason why Beth chose Benedict to hide in, she is becoming an integral part of the town. A quickly paced plot with suspense made this a book that I didn't want to put down. Although Beth's main reason for being in Alaska is not resolved, the secondary mystery is complete by the end of the book. I am definitely going to be watching for the next one in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Minotaur Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Ms. Shelton's descriptive writing made me feel like I was with Beth Rivers throughout the story. Benedict, AK became so real to me as I read that I felt like I could find it on a map of Alaska. Beth's character is well developed in this book and several of the secondary characters are developing into "real" people for me. I love that many of the town's residents have their own secret reasons for moving to Benedict. In spite of the reason why Beth chose Benedict to hide in, she is becoming an integral part of the town. A quickly paced plot with suspense made this a book that I didn't want to put down. Although Beth's main reason for being in Alaska is not resolved, the secondary mystery is complete by the end of the book. I am definitely going to be watching for the next one in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Minotaur Books via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
November 25, 2019
I really liked this new series set in Alaska. In fact I was a little lonely this morning because I wanted to read what was going on with Beth and the other residents of small town of Benedict, AK. Luckily the ending left no doubt that there will be more books coming and I can't wait.
Beth Rivers is a well known author who is kidnapped by a crazed fan and held for several days. She is severely injured during her escape and has lost her memory but it is coming back slowly and erratically. The kidnapper has not been found so Beth decides to hide out in remote Alaska. She has made a good choice. It is hard to get to and snowed in for much of the year and has very spotty cell phone and Internet reception.
She accidentally books her self into a half way home for criminals and is totally unprepared for the weather. She has health problems. Yet she slowly merges into her new life and becomes the new volunteer editor of the newspaper and the object of curiosity. Then there's a murder and Beth is involved in the investigation. She worries its connected to her kidnapping.
The characters in this are delightful. It has a great story line with two separate mysteries, Beth's kidnapping and the town murder. The setting is breathtaking. I have read the author's series of a girl who gets a job in a Scottish bookstore which I enjoyed but this is even better. It has more depth and heart. I look forward to more. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this in exchange for a fair review.
Beth Rivers is a well known author who is kidnapped by a crazed fan and held for several days. She is severely injured during her escape and has lost her memory but it is coming back slowly and erratically. The kidnapper has not been found so Beth decides to hide out in remote Alaska. She has made a good choice. It is hard to get to and snowed in for much of the year and has very spotty cell phone and Internet reception.
She accidentally books her self into a half way home for criminals and is totally unprepared for the weather. She has health problems. Yet she slowly merges into her new life and becomes the new volunteer editor of the newspaper and the object of curiosity. Then there's a murder and Beth is involved in the investigation. She worries its connected to her kidnapping.
The characters in this are delightful. It has a great story line with two separate mysteries, Beth's kidnapping and the town murder. The setting is breathtaking. I have read the author's series of a girl who gets a job in a Scottish bookstore which I enjoyed but this is even better. It has more depth and heart. I look forward to more. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this in exchange for a fair review.
August 23, 2019
I really enjoyed this one! A little bit of mystery set in the wilds of Alaska made for a new twist on this type of book. I’m hoping for more in this series very soon!
November 19, 2021
3.5 Stars
I enjoyed this story as a cozy. It was based in a small town that took care of it's own. There was a mystery with the main character (that isn't solved yet!!) and there is a local murder that the townies are trying to figure out. I listened to it and I think that helped (after hearing others talk about it). I'm invested in Beth's story and will definitely be listening to the rest of the series.
I enjoyed this story as a cozy. It was based in a small town that took care of it's own. There was a mystery with the main character (that isn't solved yet!!) and there is a local murder that the townies are trying to figure out. I listened to it and I think that helped (after hearing others talk about it). I'm invested in Beth's story and will definitely be listening to the rest of the series.
January 27, 2025
Beth is on the run, wanting to escape a kidnapper she’s convinced is still after her. She travels to the furthest away spot in Alaska.
Slooooow buuuuurn. I kept wanting something to happen. My problem might have been worse because of the audio. The narrator would pop off the f-word with no exclamation points.
Slooooow buuuuurn. I kept wanting something to happen. My problem might have been worse because of the audio. The narrator would pop off the f-word with no exclamation points.
August 17, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Beth Rivers is a successful thriller author using the pseudonym of Elizabeth Fairchild. She has many fans but one fanatic took things way too far. Kidnapped and held in a van for 3 days, she manages to escape as the van was going down the road. Recovering in the hospital from her injuries her captor is still on the loose and she knows she is not safe. With a little help, she unexpectedly leaves the hospital to go to an undisclosed location.
Beth soon touches down in Benedict, Alaska with only her typewriter and a backpack full of paper and clothes. She has booked a room at the Benedict House, not knowing it is a halfway house for women who committed non-violent crimes. With lodging options at a minimum, she sets that aside because she feels safe, or at least safer than she felt before. That is until she learns a woman was killed shortly before she arrived. Could the death be connected to her? Had she been found already?
The police chief was contacted by the detective overseeing Beth’s case and he has vowed to keep her safe. She has come up with a cover story to explain her injuries and reasons for her travel for the rest of the town. She continues to have memories of those three days making it hard to move on but after learning more about her the police chief consents to let her help with his current case and even finds her a job to pass her time. She may never get back to normal but for the moment she is safe.
____
Paige Shelton gives readers a cozy-ish protagonist but she turns up the suspense as she deals with her kidnapper on the loose and her escape to Alaska. Beth’s injuries were serious, her head is scarred and she has a brain injury. She finds herself enmeshed in Benedict, getting used to the weather, getting to know the people and finding a killer. She is also striving to remember anything that would bring her kidnapper to justice. The severe headaches, mini seizures, and flashbacks really resonated with me. I also identified with her funky haircut. After my accident in 2001, I dealt with the same, thankfully no kidnapper was involved.
All the characters within this story have layers and I believe we have just started to peel them away. Benedict seems to be a place where everyone has come to escape from something and we really don’t find out too much about any of them except for the deceased and people directly connected to her. That means the author has plenty of material for this series going forward.
I really enjoyed the way Ms. Shelton described her settings. From the airplane and the images out the windows, the airport, the town, Benedict house, the forests, everywhere Beth traveled was brought to life and easily imagined. Readers are taken to the wilds of Alaska and yes, there is wildlife too.
The plot weaves Beth’s trauma together with the death in Alaska but only one is wrapped up by the final page. I really enjoyed the author’s approach to the entire story. The pace was quick and there were several happenings that could have turned the situations in different directions. You could feel that Beth was on edge the entire time.
I read this book incredibly fast and I want more! I was a little disappointed that both mysteries were not completed because I hate waiting for the other shoe to drop and I imagine and hope there are going to be many more suspenseful moments ahead before that other mystery will be wrapped up. I can’t wait!!
This book will be released on December 3rd and I highly recommend you pre-order your copy. I am very excited for this series to continue.
Beth Rivers is a successful thriller author using the pseudonym of Elizabeth Fairchild. She has many fans but one fanatic took things way too far. Kidnapped and held in a van for 3 days, she manages to escape as the van was going down the road. Recovering in the hospital from her injuries her captor is still on the loose and she knows she is not safe. With a little help, she unexpectedly leaves the hospital to go to an undisclosed location.
Beth soon touches down in Benedict, Alaska with only her typewriter and a backpack full of paper and clothes. She has booked a room at the Benedict House, not knowing it is a halfway house for women who committed non-violent crimes. With lodging options at a minimum, she sets that aside because she feels safe, or at least safer than she felt before. That is until she learns a woman was killed shortly before she arrived. Could the death be connected to her? Had she been found already?
The police chief was contacted by the detective overseeing Beth’s case and he has vowed to keep her safe. She has come up with a cover story to explain her injuries and reasons for her travel for the rest of the town. She continues to have memories of those three days making it hard to move on but after learning more about her the police chief consents to let her help with his current case and even finds her a job to pass her time. She may never get back to normal but for the moment she is safe.
____
Paige Shelton gives readers a cozy-ish protagonist but she turns up the suspense as she deals with her kidnapper on the loose and her escape to Alaska. Beth’s injuries were serious, her head is scarred and she has a brain injury. She finds herself enmeshed in Benedict, getting used to the weather, getting to know the people and finding a killer. She is also striving to remember anything that would bring her kidnapper to justice. The severe headaches, mini seizures, and flashbacks really resonated with me. I also identified with her funky haircut. After my accident in 2001, I dealt with the same, thankfully no kidnapper was involved.
All the characters within this story have layers and I believe we have just started to peel them away. Benedict seems to be a place where everyone has come to escape from something and we really don’t find out too much about any of them except for the deceased and people directly connected to her. That means the author has plenty of material for this series going forward.
I really enjoyed the way Ms. Shelton described her settings. From the airplane and the images out the windows, the airport, the town, Benedict house, the forests, everywhere Beth traveled was brought to life and easily imagined. Readers are taken to the wilds of Alaska and yes, there is wildlife too.
The plot weaves Beth’s trauma together with the death in Alaska but only one is wrapped up by the final page. I really enjoyed the author’s approach to the entire story. The pace was quick and there were several happenings that could have turned the situations in different directions. You could feel that Beth was on edge the entire time.
I read this book incredibly fast and I want more! I was a little disappointed that both mysteries were not completed because I hate waiting for the other shoe to drop and I imagine and hope there are going to be many more suspenseful moments ahead before that other mystery will be wrapped up. I can’t wait!!
This book will be released on December 3rd and I highly recommend you pre-order your copy. I am very excited for this series to continue.
December 22, 2019
This book is first in the series, and my first book to read from author Paige Shelton. I would have to say I enjoyed this read very much and enjoyed reading about a book with amazing destinations like the remote Benedict, Alaska which adds to the thrilling atmosphere of this suspenseful mystery. The story begins as our main character, Beth Rivers, who is a thriller author was kidnapped by a fan. Beth miraculously escapes capture but sustained a brain injury, which caused her to lose her memory. Reeling from a recent ordeal of being kidnapped, she finds a perfect place to hide in this remote town in Alaska. While in Benedict, she partners with the Police Chief Gril Samuels, while he works on a case involving the suspicious death of a woman who also seems to be hiding things.
Overall, I liked the character and how she tried to acclimate herself to this new town. It did hold my interest and found it to be an entertaining read. It did leave me hanging with lots of questions unanswered until the next installment which I am anxiously waiting for.
Overall, I liked the character and how she tried to acclimate herself to this new town. It did hold my interest and found it to be an entertaining read. It did leave me hanging with lots of questions unanswered until the next installment which I am anxiously waiting for.
December 2, 2019
Thank you, Minotaur Books for my copy of Thin Ice, in exchange for my honest review. This title releases December 3, 2019.
The story follows Beth Rivers, aka Elizabeth Fairchild, who escapes the throws of a fanatic kidnapper and runs off to Alaska to hide and deal with her traumatic experience.
I enjoyed the atmospheric setting of the storyline and the Alaskan remoteness. The author does a great job at setting the stage and making you feel like you are right there with the characters in the harshness of the wild.
It was a bit of slower burn for me but I still enjoyed trying to solve the murder mystery alongside Beth. I also loved the cliffhanger at the end – it definitely piqued my interest for future books in this series and reading where Beth will go next!
This was a fun mystery read with a strong female lead and major Agatha Christie vibes. I recommend picking this one up if you are looking for a quick mystery read that isn’t at all predictable.
My Rating: 3.5/5
The story follows Beth Rivers, aka Elizabeth Fairchild, who escapes the throws of a fanatic kidnapper and runs off to Alaska to hide and deal with her traumatic experience.
I enjoyed the atmospheric setting of the storyline and the Alaskan remoteness. The author does a great job at setting the stage and making you feel like you are right there with the characters in the harshness of the wild.
It was a bit of slower burn for me but I still enjoyed trying to solve the murder mystery alongside Beth. I also loved the cliffhanger at the end – it definitely piqued my interest for future books in this series and reading where Beth will go next!
This was a fun mystery read with a strong female lead and major Agatha Christie vibes. I recommend picking this one up if you are looking for a quick mystery read that isn’t at all predictable.
My Rating: 3.5/5
December 2, 2019
Beth Rivers, a.k.a Elizabeth Fairchild, a successful novelist, is kidnapped by her stalker Levi Brooks. She manages to escape by jumping out of a moving van, but gets a brain injury which necessitates an urgent operation. Unfortunately, Beth cannot remember much about her kidnapping, although her doctor says her memory will come back gradually. Not being able to remember even the face of her tormentor, she doesn't feel safe in the hospital and after a bit of ingenious planning, she is on her way to a little town of Benedict (population: 500) in Alaska. In her haste to put as much distance between herself and the hospital, Beth didn't do much research and managed to book herself into a halfway house, which is currently hosting only three non-violent felons. The local police chief has been informed about Beth's ongoing case (Levi Brooks hasn't been caught yet, so her whereabouts are known to just a few people) and is willing to do his best to make Beth feel welcome in the town. He offers her the positon of the editor of the local free newspaper and would even like her help in his investigation of a suspicious death of a local resident.
I really enjoyed this first novel in the Alaskan Wild Mysteries series. Beth with her uncanny powers of observation and sense of humour is a very likeable protagonist. The small town setting is ideal for the genre of mystery and the fictional world of Benedict, Alaska, is built up lovingly to make sure that the reader is going to look forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Minotaur Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
I really enjoyed this first novel in the Alaskan Wild Mysteries series. Beth with her uncanny powers of observation and sense of humour is a very likeable protagonist. The small town setting is ideal for the genre of mystery and the fictional world of Benedict, Alaska, is built up lovingly to make sure that the reader is going to look forward to the next book in the series.
Thank you to Edelweiss and Minotaur Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
November 22, 2021
I recently received an arc of book #3 in this cozy mystery series set in Alaska, Dark Night, and decided it would be wise to start reading the series from the beginning.
Beth Rivers is a best-selling author who was kidnapped by one of her biggest fans in St Louis, MO, and escaped three weeks later by jumping out of his van. Her kidnaper remains at large. While still recovering from traumatic brain surgery, she decides to check herself out of the hospital and fly to Alaska where she can hide from her kidnapper, her fame, and her past.
No sooner does she arrive in Benedict, Alaska, but she learns about the death of a local woman, either from suicide or murder--the verdict is still out. Beth is willing to help the local police chief work it out. One thing she learns pretty quickly is that most of the town's 500 residents are hiding from something, just like her.
This book has a lot going for it, including its marvelous wild setting, puzzling mystery, and eccentric and unique characters. I think I'm going to thoroughly enjoy this series.
Beth Rivers is a best-selling author who was kidnapped by one of her biggest fans in St Louis, MO, and escaped three weeks later by jumping out of his van. Her kidnaper remains at large. While still recovering from traumatic brain surgery, she decides to check herself out of the hospital and fly to Alaska where she can hide from her kidnapper, her fame, and her past.
No sooner does she arrive in Benedict, Alaska, but she learns about the death of a local woman, either from suicide or murder--the verdict is still out. Beth is willing to help the local police chief work it out. One thing she learns pretty quickly is that most of the town's 500 residents are hiding from something, just like her.
This book has a lot going for it, including its marvelous wild setting, puzzling mystery, and eccentric and unique characters. I think I'm going to thoroughly enjoy this series.
December 28, 2019
There are quite a few synopsis of the plot of Thin Ice already. So I will relate what I liked about the book as it was a good read. First of all, it was rich in characters. Beth, who was a victim of a kidnapping is on the run, to hide from her kidnapper and she goes to a remote town in Alaska. Oh, are there the interesting characters! One can see them in future books. The men are mainly rugged outdoor people. The sheriff who came from working in Chicago is experienced and wise. The people who are business people are all unique and their own person. You get the feeling that others have fled to Benedict Alaska to change their lives for secret reasons.
Beth books a room into a hotel that she doesn't realize is a half way house for women who have gone on the wrong side of the law. There will be many characters to draw from I am sure from the house in the future. The woman Viola who runs the house is tough, by the book and carries a gun. She could have a series written about her. She does make Beth feel safe though being under her watchful eye. Only one person in the town knows Beth backstory and that is the sheriff. Beth's mother is back in the states but she is a character and a half. She can be obsessive when tracking someone down. She could find herself in danger in future books.
The book read like an adventure. Beth moves to a remote area. She is rebuilding her life while living in fear and looking over her shoulder hoping she has chosen a safe hiding place. She even has to buy clothes as she left a hospital prematurely and fled with very little personal items. She becomes involved in solving a local murder, meets the people of the town and learns to adapt to remote Alaskan living. It was intriguing and I am looking forward to the next book.
Beth books a room into a hotel that she doesn't realize is a half way house for women who have gone on the wrong side of the law. There will be many characters to draw from I am sure from the house in the future. The woman Viola who runs the house is tough, by the book and carries a gun. She could have a series written about her. She does make Beth feel safe though being under her watchful eye. Only one person in the town knows Beth backstory and that is the sheriff. Beth's mother is back in the states but she is a character and a half. She can be obsessive when tracking someone down. She could find herself in danger in future books.
The book read like an adventure. Beth moves to a remote area. She is rebuilding her life while living in fear and looking over her shoulder hoping she has chosen a safe hiding place. She even has to buy clothes as she left a hospital prematurely and fled with very little personal items. She becomes involved in solving a local murder, meets the people of the town and learns to adapt to remote Alaskan living. It was intriguing and I am looking forward to the next book.
November 16, 2022
A fantastic introduction to a new series, Alaska Wild, featuring a traumatized author who flees to remote Alaska after surviving a kidnapping by an obsessed fan.
We all have experiences that make us feel like we are walking on thin ice. It comes upon us quickly; we hear the ‘cracking’ and the panic of falling into the reality of change makes us feel insecure. It was no different for the protagonist in this cozy mystery. Beth was thrust into a van and held captive for days before her dramatic escape. After healing physically, she heads to the harsh, cold and remote Alaskan bush. While she is confident that no one knows who or where she is, she still takes precautions, and the author takes advantage of that; the entire read has a foreboding sense of danger and paranoia. Hoping to evade her assailant who’s still at large, she assumes a new identity and starts to work for a local newspaper. However, a suspicious death in the community ramps up the tension and allows for Beth’s inner sleuth to be unleashed. Is her Alaskan adventure simply a jump out of the kettle and into the fire? You’ll have to read to find out.
I sympathized with the protagonist, enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Alaska, was thankful for the author’s taut and well-planned narrative, and thought the cliff-hanger ending was perfect! I look forward to more books in this series as I love the author's writing style!
We all have experiences that make us feel like we are walking on thin ice. It comes upon us quickly; we hear the ‘cracking’ and the panic of falling into the reality of change makes us feel insecure. It was no different for the protagonist in this cozy mystery. Beth was thrust into a van and held captive for days before her dramatic escape. After healing physically, she heads to the harsh, cold and remote Alaskan bush. While she is confident that no one knows who or where she is, she still takes precautions, and the author takes advantage of that; the entire read has a foreboding sense of danger and paranoia. Hoping to evade her assailant who’s still at large, she assumes a new identity and starts to work for a local newspaper. However, a suspicious death in the community ramps up the tension and allows for Beth’s inner sleuth to be unleashed. Is her Alaskan adventure simply a jump out of the kettle and into the fire? You’ll have to read to find out.
I sympathized with the protagonist, enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Alaska, was thankful for the author’s taut and well-planned narrative, and thought the cliff-hanger ending was perfect! I look forward to more books in this series as I love the author's writing style!
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