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The Other Side
How do you start an investigation when you have no evidence that a crime has been committed?
When a seventeen-year-old girl abruptly disappears, the ensuing investigation probes dead-ends seemingly as deep as Flathead Lake—the geographic and investigative center of The Other Side. In sleepy Lakeside, Montana, Britany Rodgers’s disappearance is as unexpected as the sudden, violent appearance of a storm sweeping off the lake. The search to find her unearths crimes but none that can explain her disappearance, and Detectives Steven Wendell and Stacey Knudson face one empty trail after another.
Wendell, unlike the girl for whom he searches, has never quite fit the expected norms of his peers. Meticulous, cerebral, a loner, he has the distinction of being the oldest graduate of the Montana Police Academy. When he and Knudson grow suspicious that Britany has been murdered, they have scant evidence and no body.
The investigation to discover what has happened to Britany takes readers into starkly contrasting environments—inside spectacular lakefront mansions and within gritty trailer parks—and into the lives of those who exhibit motivations as murky as the fog-choked Montana woods and mist-shrouded Flathead Lake bays.
The Other Side offers readers a tense crime novel with a literary heart.
When a seventeen-year-old girl abruptly disappears, the ensuing investigation probes dead-ends seemingly as deep as Flathead Lake—the geographic and investigative center of The Other Side. In sleepy Lakeside, Montana, Britany Rodgers’s disappearance is as unexpected as the sudden, violent appearance of a storm sweeping off the lake. The search to find her unearths crimes but none that can explain her disappearance, and Detectives Steven Wendell and Stacey Knudson face one empty trail after another.
Wendell, unlike the girl for whom he searches, has never quite fit the expected norms of his peers. Meticulous, cerebral, a loner, he has the distinction of being the oldest graduate of the Montana Police Academy. When he and Knudson grow suspicious that Britany has been murdered, they have scant evidence and no body.
The investigation to discover what has happened to Britany takes readers into starkly contrasting environments—inside spectacular lakefront mansions and within gritty trailer parks—and into the lives of those who exhibit motivations as murky as the fog-choked Montana woods and mist-shrouded Flathead Lake bays.
The Other Side offers readers a tense crime novel with a literary heart.
306 pages, Paperback
First published June 8, 2021
4 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 6, 2021
Steve wendell is the detective put in charge of the disappearance of Britany Rodgers. He is determined to find out what happened to her no matter how long it takes.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel there were so many twists and turns I really did not expect half of what happened or the outcome of the case and not to brag but I'm normally quite good at figuring these kind of things out. There was alot of emotion involved in the story and I felt every bit of it.
Deffinatly a gripping novel fantastically written 4/5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel there were so many twists and turns I really did not expect half of what happened or the outcome of the case and not to brag but I'm normally quite good at figuring these kind of things out. There was alot of emotion involved in the story and I felt every bit of it.
Deffinatly a gripping novel fantastically written 4/5 stars
July 30, 2021
There is so much in this novel that I love in a mystery – small town secrets, lots of potential suspects, plenty of twists and turns. The characters are well-crafted, and the Montana setting feels genuine. I can’t wait until the next book comes out!
August 7, 2021
357 pages
5 stars
This is a wonderful, thoughtful book.
Seventeen-year old Brittany Rodgers has disappeared. Her mother Sheila is beside herself, but the rest of the family think that she is overreacting. Brittany was a dreamer and a bit of a moocher.
Enter Detective Steven “Steve” Wendell. He has had many jobs in the past, one a parole officer. He got tired of dealing with parolees who often went back to crime. He was the oldest person in his police instruction class, but he didn’t let that bother him. He is a calm man, a thinker who has studied psychology.
The parents of Brittany are visibly upset. The mother sheds tears, while the father is an angry man who resents what he sees as Wendell’s intrusion into their privacy.
Wendell and his partner Stacey interview many, many people. Brittany’s friends, co-workers, family friends are all spoken to, but they have few leads. Wendell and Stacey are floundering. Then they get a good lead from the young man who finally states that he was with Brittany on the night she died. This leads to a horrifying discovery about the caretaker of the home on whose property Brittany was last seen. Wendell is certain the man is also responsible for Brittany’s death. But the man consistently denies it.
Months have passed. And nothing new has happened on the case. When Wendell meets and talks with an attractive anthropologist, he begins to see things a little differently. Could he have it wrong?
This is a remarkably well written and plotted story. It is interesting to watch Wendell go through his thought process and feelings about Brittany’s case. Sufficient information is given about the protagonist to flesh him out nicely, but not so much that it intrudes on the story. The reader has a very good understanding of who Wendell is and what makes him the person he is. I truly enjoyed this book and will look out for more from Mr. Leichliter.
I want to thank NetGalley and Level Best Books/IBPA for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
5 stars
This is a wonderful, thoughtful book.
Seventeen-year old Brittany Rodgers has disappeared. Her mother Sheila is beside herself, but the rest of the family think that she is overreacting. Brittany was a dreamer and a bit of a moocher.
Enter Detective Steven “Steve” Wendell. He has had many jobs in the past, one a parole officer. He got tired of dealing with parolees who often went back to crime. He was the oldest person in his police instruction class, but he didn’t let that bother him. He is a calm man, a thinker who has studied psychology.
The parents of Brittany are visibly upset. The mother sheds tears, while the father is an angry man who resents what he sees as Wendell’s intrusion into their privacy.
Wendell and his partner Stacey interview many, many people. Brittany’s friends, co-workers, family friends are all spoken to, but they have few leads. Wendell and Stacey are floundering. Then they get a good lead from the young man who finally states that he was with Brittany on the night she died. This leads to a horrifying discovery about the caretaker of the home on whose property Brittany was last seen. Wendell is certain the man is also responsible for Brittany’s death. But the man consistently denies it.
Months have passed. And nothing new has happened on the case. When Wendell meets and talks with an attractive anthropologist, he begins to see things a little differently. Could he have it wrong?
This is a remarkably well written and plotted story. It is interesting to watch Wendell go through his thought process and feelings about Brittany’s case. Sufficient information is given about the protagonist to flesh him out nicely, but not so much that it intrudes on the story. The reader has a very good understanding of who Wendell is and what makes him the person he is. I truly enjoyed this book and will look out for more from Mr. Leichliter.
I want to thank NetGalley and Level Best Books/IBPA for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely great book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
June 3, 2021
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Other Side by Mark Leichliter is a mystery novel.
The story is about a seventeen-year-old girl, Britany Rodgers, who went missing. Throughout the story, we follow the detective Steve Wendell trying to solve the mystery of her disappearance.
I will start with the technical parts of the book. It is written in a simple way that makes it easier to follow since you don’t have to search dictionaries. The detailed descriptions intrigued me the most. Not only helped you in recreating the scenes but also intensified the feelings. One part that made me get goosebumps was the revelation of what happened and that was because of the vivid
descriptions. There aren’t many authors who could make me experience that.
About the plot: At first glance, it seems like most mysteries, a girl disappearing. But soon the suspense and the twists made it stand out. It’s a story that unintentionally urges you to guess what happened and I did that plenty of time, but I was wrong and quite surprised by the outcome.
About the characters: There were a lot of names mentioned but I could only focus on Steve. He was the main character but something made him stand out more to me. I think that it was the fact that he seemed like a hero since he had never given up on the girl and her family. Plus he seemed more human than the other officers and with more feelings.
One of my favorite scenes was the ending, it was sweet and heartbreaking.
The Other Side is a mystery that I highly recommend you to buy. It can keep you on edge the whole time and there isn’t a chance of getting bored. I will rate it with 5 stars.
The Other Side by Mark Leichliter is a mystery novel.
The story is about a seventeen-year-old girl, Britany Rodgers, who went missing. Throughout the story, we follow the detective Steve Wendell trying to solve the mystery of her disappearance.
I will start with the technical parts of the book. It is written in a simple way that makes it easier to follow since you don’t have to search dictionaries. The detailed descriptions intrigued me the most. Not only helped you in recreating the scenes but also intensified the feelings. One part that made me get goosebumps was the revelation of what happened and that was because of the vivid
descriptions. There aren’t many authors who could make me experience that.
About the plot: At first glance, it seems like most mysteries, a girl disappearing. But soon the suspense and the twists made it stand out. It’s a story that unintentionally urges you to guess what happened and I did that plenty of time, but I was wrong and quite surprised by the outcome.
About the characters: There were a lot of names mentioned but I could only focus on Steve. He was the main character but something made him stand out more to me. I think that it was the fact that he seemed like a hero since he had never given up on the girl and her family. Plus he seemed more human than the other officers and with more feelings.
One of my favorite scenes was the ending, it was sweet and heartbreaking.
The Other Side is a mystery that I highly recommend you to buy. It can keep you on edge the whole time and there isn’t a chance of getting bored. I will rate it with 5 stars.
March 8, 2022
This was a wonderful murder mystery. There was excitement on every page. The central theme was what happened to Britany Rodgers. She disappeared but why or did something happen to her? As the story unfolds, we meet many of the local people and their involvement with Britany and the Rodgers family. Britany's friends and peers also provide information about her and her interests. A hard book to put down.
September 3, 2022
I bought this book at a cafe when I was in Bigfork, MT. The girls at the counter told me it was a local author and after reading the summary I was intrigued.
The book is definitely a slower pace than other mystery books I’m used to. It felt like a 10-part murder-mystery series you would watch on TV that doesn’t get to the juicy details until the later half.
I enjoyed the plot and I liked that it was set in the same town I was visiting. I give it 3 stars because I wish it was more interesting/exciting earlier on in the book.
The book is definitely a slower pace than other mystery books I’m used to. It felt like a 10-part murder-mystery series you would watch on TV that doesn’t get to the juicy details until the later half.
I enjoyed the plot and I liked that it was set in the same town I was visiting. I give it 3 stars because I wish it was more interesting/exciting earlier on in the book.
June 8, 2021
The Other Side is a compelling mystery that follows the disappearance of seventeen-year-old Britany Rogers. Detectives Steven Wendell and Stacy Knudsen are assigned the case, however, they face one empty trail after another as there’s no sign of Britany’s body and scant evidence to explain her disappearance. Wendell attempts to retrace her steps and uncovers some shocking crimes along the way.
I really admired Wendell’s character because despite him being assigned the case nearly forty-eight hours after Britany’s disappearance when potential leads have grown cold, he still does everything he can to ascertain if she’s still alive and what really happened to her. His character really stood out for me, perhaps because of how he approached the investigation. At forty-eight, he’s considerably older than his peers and he’s considered a loner because he’s not interested in making friends or going on trips. When he first takes on the investigation, he interviews Britany’s closest friend and then he retraces their steps and walks the route they might have taken before Britany disappeared. I liked how he took the time to get to know Britany’s character and then retraced her steps. It felt like he really cared about finding her and that it was more than just a case to him. He could see beyond the investigation to a teenage girl and a worried family who loved her and wanted her to come home.
Another aspect I admired about his character is that even though he’s been warned countless times not to get close to victims or their families, he never gives up on investigating Britany’s disappearance even when the trail runs cold and other cases take priority. Hers is one he continues to revisit and investigate in his own time. It means the story is quite drawn out but in my opinion it made it more realistic because it wasn’t instantly solved. Wendell constantly faces challenges and numerous of his leads end up hitting a dead end, but he never gives up on Britany and he’s determined to provide closure for her family. I admired him for that and despite how harrowing the investigation was at times, I enjoyed seeing his way of thinking and his determination to pick up the next lead after the previous one had grown cold.
Another character I admired is Knudson. I enjoyed her scenes with Wendell and thought they worked really well together. They both seemed to knuckle down and get the job done without wasting any time, even if certain approaches made them uncomfortable. One example is Greg Evans, who is a caretaker for the Tomlinson estate, which Wendell believes was Britany’s last known location before she disappeared. He’s a very slippery character and there’s cracks in his alibi. Knudson has to have some pretty uncomfortable conversations with him in a bid to get him to open up more about what else he gets up to when he’s watching the house. Evans isn’t the only suspect they visit though as Leichliter throws in plenty of red herrings to throw you off and it left me furiously trying to work out if any of them were involved in Britany’s disappearance before I reached the shocking reveal. I was very impressed with the amount of twists Leichliter includes to throw you off and I was definitely left chasing the wrong lead. I didn’t see the ending coming at all and it was very shocking.
If you’re a fan of books about missing persons, you definitely won’t want to miss this one. The Other Side is filled with plenty of twists and shocking revelations that will leave you picking your jaw up off the floor. It will leave you wanting more and not being able to turn the pages fast enough as it races towards what really happened to Britany the night she disappeared.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
I really admired Wendell’s character because despite him being assigned the case nearly forty-eight hours after Britany’s disappearance when potential leads have grown cold, he still does everything he can to ascertain if she’s still alive and what really happened to her. His character really stood out for me, perhaps because of how he approached the investigation. At forty-eight, he’s considerably older than his peers and he’s considered a loner because he’s not interested in making friends or going on trips. When he first takes on the investigation, he interviews Britany’s closest friend and then he retraces their steps and walks the route they might have taken before Britany disappeared. I liked how he took the time to get to know Britany’s character and then retraced her steps. It felt like he really cared about finding her and that it was more than just a case to him. He could see beyond the investigation to a teenage girl and a worried family who loved her and wanted her to come home.
Another aspect I admired about his character is that even though he’s been warned countless times not to get close to victims or their families, he never gives up on investigating Britany’s disappearance even when the trail runs cold and other cases take priority. Hers is one he continues to revisit and investigate in his own time. It means the story is quite drawn out but in my opinion it made it more realistic because it wasn’t instantly solved. Wendell constantly faces challenges and numerous of his leads end up hitting a dead end, but he never gives up on Britany and he’s determined to provide closure for her family. I admired him for that and despite how harrowing the investigation was at times, I enjoyed seeing his way of thinking and his determination to pick up the next lead after the previous one had grown cold.
Another character I admired is Knudson. I enjoyed her scenes with Wendell and thought they worked really well together. They both seemed to knuckle down and get the job done without wasting any time, even if certain approaches made them uncomfortable. One example is Greg Evans, who is a caretaker for the Tomlinson estate, which Wendell believes was Britany’s last known location before she disappeared. He’s a very slippery character and there’s cracks in his alibi. Knudson has to have some pretty uncomfortable conversations with him in a bid to get him to open up more about what else he gets up to when he’s watching the house. Evans isn’t the only suspect they visit though as Leichliter throws in plenty of red herrings to throw you off and it left me furiously trying to work out if any of them were involved in Britany’s disappearance before I reached the shocking reveal. I was very impressed with the amount of twists Leichliter includes to throw you off and I was definitely left chasing the wrong lead. I didn’t see the ending coming at all and it was very shocking.
If you’re a fan of books about missing persons, you definitely won’t want to miss this one. The Other Side is filled with plenty of twists and shocking revelations that will leave you picking your jaw up off the floor. It will leave you wanting more and not being able to turn the pages fast enough as it races towards what really happened to Britany the night she disappeared.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
June 9, 2021
I received this book as an ARC directly from the author who kindly contacted me asking for a honest review.
The Other Side is about a 17-year-old girl who suddenly disappears without leaving any trace. Did she leave freely? Or did something happen? The detective is Steve Wendell who is assigned to the case and over the course of the story we get to know him better.
What I think
First of all I would like to say that I am finally reading a book set not in the usual part of the United States. We are in Montana, a state where I have never been with my imagination and we are in the middle of the nature of Flathead Lake (which I had never even heard of) very close to an Indian Reservation. These premises make the book a must read. It may seems frivolous but after reading tons of books set in New York or Los Angeles this is fresh and new (and I think I know those cities better than Americans).
Anyway, the case is interesting and also how it comes to the conclusion. The book is not boring at all so it reads quickly because with each chapter you want to go on without stopping. Maybe it slows down a bit in the middle but picks up right away and from there on, you just want to know the solution.
For a moment I wanted the case to end differently because the premises for a different solution were there, but although it is bad to say this (and if you read the book you understand why) I am happy with how it all turned out.
Style
I really liked the author’s style. The chapters are not very long, there are descriptions but they are not interminable and the story is in third person, but from the point of view of the detective who, apart from the first chapters, is always present. I read the book in the original language and found no difficulty in both understanding the English and following the story.
Characters
Being a thriller, the characters don’t have that depth that can be found in characters from other genres, but the protagonist, the detective is a good character. I especially liked the depth of his final gesture. It’s not easy to find characters with such empathy for others and I think the final scene touched me more than any other scene in the book. I also liked his tenacity and moreover, he is the only person in the police force who cares about the girl and her family.
Conclusion
I want to thank again the author for the opportunity to read his book. I don’t know if it will be part of a series (I hope so, but even as a standalone it is beautiful) but I highly recommend it. I hope it will be translated into Italian (and other languages) and that I will find Steve Wendell in the future. Please buy this book, you wan’t be disappointed!
Recensione in italiano: https://eiencafe.com/it/the-other-side/
Posted here, too: https://eiencafe.com/the-other-side/
The Other Side is about a 17-year-old girl who suddenly disappears without leaving any trace. Did she leave freely? Or did something happen? The detective is Steve Wendell who is assigned to the case and over the course of the story we get to know him better.
What I think
First of all I would like to say that I am finally reading a book set not in the usual part of the United States. We are in Montana, a state where I have never been with my imagination and we are in the middle of the nature of Flathead Lake (which I had never even heard of) very close to an Indian Reservation. These premises make the book a must read. It may seems frivolous but after reading tons of books set in New York or Los Angeles this is fresh and new (and I think I know those cities better than Americans).
Anyway, the case is interesting and also how it comes to the conclusion. The book is not boring at all so it reads quickly because with each chapter you want to go on without stopping. Maybe it slows down a bit in the middle but picks up right away and from there on, you just want to know the solution.
For a moment I wanted the case to end differently because the premises for a different solution were there, but although it is bad to say this (and if you read the book you understand why) I am happy with how it all turned out.
Style
I really liked the author’s style. The chapters are not very long, there are descriptions but they are not interminable and the story is in third person, but from the point of view of the detective who, apart from the first chapters, is always present. I read the book in the original language and found no difficulty in both understanding the English and following the story.
Characters
Being a thriller, the characters don’t have that depth that can be found in characters from other genres, but the protagonist, the detective is a good character. I especially liked the depth of his final gesture. It’s not easy to find characters with such empathy for others and I think the final scene touched me more than any other scene in the book. I also liked his tenacity and moreover, he is the only person in the police force who cares about the girl and her family.
Conclusion
I want to thank again the author for the opportunity to read his book. I don’t know if it will be part of a series (I hope so, but even as a standalone it is beautiful) but I highly recommend it. I hope it will be translated into Italian (and other languages) and that I will find Steve Wendell in the future. Please buy this book, you wan’t be disappointed!
Recensione in italiano: https://eiencafe.com/it/the-other-side/
Posted here, too: https://eiencafe.com/the-other-side/
August 27, 2021
The Other Side is a police procedural story set in Montana centered around Detective Steve Wendell's quest to determine what happened to a missing seventeen-year-old girl, Britany Rodgers. When Britany doesn't come home one night, the search for her leads Wendell down paths that all eventually turn up nothing. After a lead takes them to a mansion on a lake and the appearance of a definite crime, Wendell is sure Britany has been murdered. However, there is no body and no clues as to why she would have been at this mansion. Wendell will not stop digging until he knows the truth.
The author does a good job setting the tone and pace for this mystery from the very beginning. I wanted to keep reading to find out what ultimately happened to Britany. The story begins heavy with dialogue. There was very little character development in the beginning. We learn more about Wendell's history later in the story. I would have loved to know his backstory earlier in the novel.
I did enjoy this mystery. It was well done and kept me turning the pages. I read this in a few sittings. I would love to read more mysteries featuring Detective Steve Wendell as the main character.
The author does a good job setting the tone and pace for this mystery from the very beginning. I wanted to keep reading to find out what ultimately happened to Britany. The story begins heavy with dialogue. There was very little character development in the beginning. We learn more about Wendell's history later in the story. I would have loved to know his backstory earlier in the novel.
I did enjoy this mystery. It was well done and kept me turning the pages. I read this in a few sittings. I would love to read more mysteries featuring Detective Steve Wendell as the main character.
August 24, 2021
This is a thrilling police procedural about the hunt for a young woman who disappears without a trace in the Flathead Lake area of western Montana.
Steve Wendell, the detective on the case, sorts through masses of evidence, mostly circumstantial, until he pieces together what seems to be a jigsaw puzzle with infinite pieces. Despite many blind alleys and often useless information, he persists for about nine months, ironically the time it takes to gestate a human baby, until he has solved the mystery and gotten a confession from the killer. Even then, however, there is an unsolved mystery: is the killer charged and then what happens?
I had a hard time putting this book down. The character development is outstanding, as is the description of this part of Montana, about which I already knew a little. I have recommended this book to my friends. It’s a great read.
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher.
Steve Wendell, the detective on the case, sorts through masses of evidence, mostly circumstantial, until he pieces together what seems to be a jigsaw puzzle with infinite pieces. Despite many blind alleys and often useless information, he persists for about nine months, ironically the time it takes to gestate a human baby, until he has solved the mystery and gotten a confession from the killer. Even then, however, there is an unsolved mystery: is the killer charged and then what happens?
I had a hard time putting this book down. The character development is outstanding, as is the description of this part of Montana, about which I already knew a little. I have recommended this book to my friends. It’s a great read.
I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher.
January 26, 2022
The Other Side by Mark Leichliter was a relief to read as a whodunnit without being over the top with all sorts of twists and turns. Yet, I was stilled glued to the e-reader, let me tell you.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.
January 23, 2022
One of the most engrossing mysteries I've read in a while, and I read a lot of them. The Montana setting is the subtext for a brooding and lonely detective's quest to find a missing teenager. The small town characters with secrets of their own seem to circle him as the puzzle unravels. Kept me up last night, but it was worth it! I hope this is the first in a series because I want to spend more time in Montana with Steve Wendell and his crew.
January 18, 2022
The prologue for this book was a great way of capturing my interest and I loved all the detail the author incorporated into the storyline. Also I admired Wendell’s commitment and perseverance and don’t know how he managed not to crack under the strain. He was also a highly skilled and intuitive officer who felt a connection with the dead.
I’m used to at least one body turning up early in a story and I’m not sure if it became frustrating, distracting or disappointing (perhaps all three) for me. The surprise ending made up for this!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of the book in return for an honest review.
I’m used to at least one body turning up early in a story and I’m not sure if it became frustrating, distracting or disappointing (perhaps all three) for me. The surprise ending made up for this!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of the book in return for an honest review.
July 5, 2021
Appealing detective in a fresh setting
What a pleasure to encounter a detective who is sober, smart, and sane. Through perfect dialogue Mark Leichliter paints a picture of striving and struggling characters determined to solve a likely murder. I, for one, never guessed the conclusion, yet it is logical and in its own way satisfying. Highly recommended. Hope it is volume 1 in a series.
What a pleasure to encounter a detective who is sober, smart, and sane. Through perfect dialogue Mark Leichliter paints a picture of striving and struggling characters determined to solve a likely murder. I, for one, never guessed the conclusion, yet it is logical and in its own way satisfying. Highly recommended. Hope it is volume 1 in a series.
August 6, 2021
Really enjoyed the authors writing style. Pacy, and easy to race through. Felt totally gripped from the off, too. I felt the ending wasn’t quite in keeping with the tone and the genre of the rest of the novel. Not to say it wasn’t satisfying in its own way, but it felt something of a stylistic departure. A compelling central character, and a sense of confidence and clarity of storytelling too. Would recommend!
August 31, 2021
I really enjoyed this book from page 1 - it is a fast-paced and well-plotted mystery! The writing style draws you in and with such compelling main characters I was left wanting another book in the series when I finished.
October 10, 2021
I'm not generally drawn to police procedurals, but I liked this one for the plot and the writing style. The MC is interesting and the story kept me engaged. Recommended to crime story fans of all kinds.
I really appreciate the free review copy!!
I really appreciate the free review copy!!
July 10, 2021
This is an engrossing detective mystery with well written characters that felt genuine and dialogue that moves briskly. I quite enjoyed my time with it!
September 6, 2021
Set in the Flathead valley, The Other Side is a mystery that kept me guessing until the end.
April 13, 2023
I really liked this book a lot! I picked it up because the setting is in the Montana Rocky Mountains and living near by, that intrigued me. But I quickly became entrenched with much more than that. The story is every parent's nightmare: your beautiful 17 year old daughter with a promising future just simply ... vanishes ... The story unfolds as her disappearance is investigated, and the police are as baffled and immersed into finding her as the family is. Several theories develop with very interesting characters playing pivotal roles in what might have taken place. The pace of the story is sometimes riveting, and sometimes methodical - which reflects a real-life investigation. But the REAL WINNER in this book is the author's "turn of a phrase". I found myself stopping several times just to savor his choice of words and highlighting full sentences. Anyone who loves books understands how delicious that is. My only minor complaint is that the publisher did not proofread the e-book version well enough, and there were a handful of duplicate words and other editing overlooks. Hopefully that will soon be corrected. I'm anxiously awaiting Mark's future novels!
November 23, 2023
The intrigue of this book was as all “who done it” stories. Britany, a 17-year old girl, goes missing and Steven Wendell is the detective assigned to the case. He goes through typical introductory investigative procedures; interviews all who saw her last, family, friends. Learns she’s obsessed with this house because of its enormity and her imagination of what goes on inside.
The first person Wendell interviews at the house is the security guy, who is essentially the house-sitter when the owners are away, which is often. However, the day the Britany goes missing, the house owner’s daughter and two friends are home for the weekend.
Wendell thinks he has his guy when it’s discovered the house-sitter has been committing some illegal activities anyway, but still no evidence of the girl’s whereabouts, a stout stand on innocence from the house-sitter, no body… he’s at a standstill.
It’s interesting to see how the case plays out, but the book goes through some dull moments. Little too much fluff. Some definite editing faux-pas, which is comical to me.
Enjoyable book overall. Good ending. Just not one I couldn’t put down.
The first person Wendell interviews at the house is the security guy, who is essentially the house-sitter when the owners are away, which is often. However, the day the Britany goes missing, the house owner’s daughter and two friends are home for the weekend.
Wendell thinks he has his guy when it’s discovered the house-sitter has been committing some illegal activities anyway, but still no evidence of the girl’s whereabouts, a stout stand on innocence from the house-sitter, no body… he’s at a standstill.
It’s interesting to see how the case plays out, but the book goes through some dull moments. Little too much fluff. Some definite editing faux-pas, which is comical to me.
Enjoyable book overall. Good ending. Just not one I couldn’t put down.
April 15, 2026
The Other Side by Mark Leichliter is a thoughtfully crafted crime novel that blends procedural tension with a distinctly literary atmosphere. Centered around the disappearance of a teenage girl in a quiet Montana town, the story leans into ambiguity and emotional undercurrents, creating a slow-burning mystery that is as much about people as it is about the crime itself.
Leichliter excels in building mood, using the haunting presence of Flathead Lake and its surrounding landscapes to mirror the uncertainty of the investigation. The absence of clear evidence heightens the stakes, forcing the narrative to rely on character insight, intuition, and persistence rather than conventional breakthroughs.
Detective Steven Wendell stands out as a compelling, introspective lead whose outsider perspective adds depth to the investigation. With its layered storytelling and atmospheric tension, The Other Side will resonate strongly with readers who appreciate crime fiction that prioritizes tone, character, and psychological nuance.
Leichliter excels in building mood, using the haunting presence of Flathead Lake and its surrounding landscapes to mirror the uncertainty of the investigation. The absence of clear evidence heightens the stakes, forcing the narrative to rely on character insight, intuition, and persistence rather than conventional breakthroughs.
Detective Steven Wendell stands out as a compelling, introspective lead whose outsider perspective adds depth to the investigation. With its layered storytelling and atmospheric tension, The Other Side will resonate strongly with readers who appreciate crime fiction that prioritizes tone, character, and psychological nuance.
November 28, 2023
I love to read writers from the Rocky Mountain region, and Leslie Budewitz (aka Alicia Beckman) recommended this author (who also writes as Mark Hummel).
Getting swept up into a story is always fun, and this book did that for me. It was not a light read, but an engaging and thought-provoking one. The protagonist is a nice guy/loner with the humanity and meticulousness we'd all love our detectives to have. The setting was portrayed with a keen eye for nature, and the mystery was enhanced by some stellar lyrical writing.
I'm going to search out Man, Underground by Mark (Hummel) for my TBR pile.
Getting swept up into a story is always fun, and this book did that for me. It was not a light read, but an engaging and thought-provoking one. The protagonist is a nice guy/loner with the humanity and meticulousness we'd all love our detectives to have. The setting was portrayed with a keen eye for nature, and the mystery was enhanced by some stellar lyrical writing.
I'm going to search out Man, Underground by Mark (Hummel) for my TBR pile.
August 4, 2023
4⭐⭐⭐⭐
- first book read from this author and did not dissapoint . it gotten be hooked from the first chapter .
i think the ending was lacking and need more answer but probably best if there is a season 2 for this and it will be answered . well recommended thriller!
+thankyou netgalley for the opportunity
❤️shaye.read
- first book read from this author and did not dissapoint . it gotten be hooked from the first chapter .
i think the ending was lacking and need more answer but probably best if there is a season 2 for this and it will be answered . well recommended thriller!
+thankyou netgalley for the opportunity
❤️shaye.read
January 19, 2023
This is my first book from the author, and I loved it! I don't typically grab murder/mystery books but this one kept me engaged throughout. I look forward to reading more novels from this author.
January 29, 2023
As a resident of the Flathead Valley, I enjoyed the nod to familiar places and current events that happened while the book was written.
August 14, 2023
Interesting story of crime in Montana.
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