Northern Light

Coast to Coast Michigan Mysteries #1

by Deb Davies

After the death of her husband, Claire is finding it hard to adjust to being a widow in northern Michigan. She and her cat quickly find themselves surrounded by visitors, including her best friend, Laurel.

The empty house soon feels more like home until a raven mysteriously appears inside, resulting in a disastrous mess, and a new friend for houseguest Charles, an eccentric ornithologist.

Although the company initially offers the support and distraction Claire needs, random attacks soon escalate and no one is safe.

When the unlikely group comes face-to-face with someone intent on murder, will their newfound friendship be strong enough to protect them?

Genres: Mystery

248 pages, Paperback

First published August 20, 2020

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I live in Michigan and just an hour or so from all of the places that the author inserted into the story…so it became a very special offering to me. The writing was so easy and flowed very well to tell the story of a recently widowed woman and the friends and family that soon arrived to fill her house…but something else seemed to have arrived also. They represented different times in Claire’s life so even though she knew them…they didn’t all know one another. That added a bit of suspense and mystery to the happenings taking place. It wasn’t a ghost story but it had that feel. Strange things started to happen almost from the time the people arrived starting with the raven and escalated to attacks that targeted random people. It’s difficult to say much about the storyline without giving a lot away but I will say that I read the entire book in a day and I will be watching for more by this author. I got the idea that she may be making this into a series…and that would be great.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. The views expressed by this reviewer are entirely my own.

[Riya Reads · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a mystery novel set in Michigan. It revolves around Claire, her group of friends and her BFF Laurel who comes to stay with her after the demise of Claire's husband. The book has an atmospheric cozy suspense vibe to it which makes you feel as though you are part of the story, (eg: the description of the old house where they are staying.) All is well until a mysterious raven starts showing up to their house followed by a string of deaths.

I felt a bit distracted in between the story and could not immerse myself as deep as I had anticipated.

Thank you NetGalley and Deb Davies for providing me an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

[Susan Wiseheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent two days reading this book every spare moment I had until I finished it. I love the character who knows so much about and loves Michigan wildlife and plants. The women are strong and believable. The settings are interesting and well-described. The plot is well-crafted and surprising. It is novel-like and a mystery. Since I love both genres and am interested in how people relate, I enjoyed that aspect of it. There is much respect for the landscape and how the adults are figuring out their lives. The author is deft at great similes and wonderful details. I am very fond of the characters and look forward to the next one. Great start to a new series.

[Bets · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lyrical book has been described as a mystery within a novel. Davies creates a world rich in character and surrounding environment. In fact, I began by becoming so invested in the characters, The mystery came as much a shock to me as them. To say—this is no boiler plate from any of the sub genres, while it is closest to the climaxing chills of a thriller and the more heart than any cozy. Rather than our expected chic, young things populating this book or old, grim hacks, Davies manages to create funny, intelligent characters well into their lives when the mystery comes knocking to make them rethink everything they have assumed.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was confusing to me. I think part of the problem was too many characters to keep track of. Claire and her husband returned to his childhood home to retire. He died shortly after the move and now friends of are visiting and taking over her house. When accidents start to happen it's clear that someone isn't happy that Claire isn't leaving town. Set in Michigan the story seems to drag in places. It's a good mystery as the house visitors try to stay alive long enough to catch the murderer. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Paula Kramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character, Claire who recently was widowed, has several friends who come to support her. Laurel is one who she has known a while. While these guests support Claire, mysterious things start happening. I got a little lost in the number of characters there were and the cat and the bird being named human names didn't help keeping the characters straight. It flowed well, but I just didn't get into it that much. Its funny, but I can't remember the ending or who was causing the problems. Getting old I guess as it just didn't stick in my mind.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping and highly entertaining mystery that kept me guessing.
i liked the well thought characters, the fascinating setting and the solid mystery.
It's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific book. Interesting people, lots of animals, a tour of north-central Michigan, and a whodunnit you don't figure out until the end. My copy will get increasingly battered by guests reading it at my cabin right near where all the action takes place.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

What seemingly starts as a cozy mystery turns out not to be for the faint of heart. The curious events that happen in the first half bloom into pure evil in the second.

The story reads like a literate mystery combined with a violent thriller. The author has created a very specific world. Readers who love northern Michigan and animals, will enjoy this book. For example, she is "passionate about rescued animals and nature," so those topics find their way into the story. Michiganders will recognize places, products, and traditions the author weaves throughout the book.

The characters, of which there are many, are living in our pre-Covid 19 world and dealing with all the challenging modern day issues. The dialogue and banter seems natural as does the friendship between Claire and Laurel.

The quirky characters make it difficult to believe that any of them could be guilty of so much wanton destruction and death.

RECOMMENDED. With her love song to Northern Michigan disguised as a mystery, Deb Davies is an author to watch.