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Lew Ferris #1
Wolf Hollow
Murder stalks the Wisconsin northwoods in a gripping novel from the author of the acclaimed Loon Lake mysteries.
It's mid-May in the tiny northwoods Wisconsin town of Loon Lake, and the fish are biting. Walleye's not the only thing on the hook. There are rumors that a precious vein of nickel and copper is buried on the property of wealthy Grace McDonough, and the drilling is about to begin. But not if environmentalist Pete Ferris can help it.
When Grace's 24-year-old son, Noah, is caught in a sordid sex crime, police chief Lew Ferris, makes the arrest. But a day later, Lew is stricken when her brother Pete turns up dead, a bloody pry bar found in the woods nearby. Then, Grace's body is discovered in a car at the bottom of a river--and Noah has vanished. Lew puts out a statewide APB, but before long, Noah is also found murdered on the McDonough property.
It's beginning to look like mother and son were killed by the same person. And when Lew learns that her brother had planned to file a lawsuit to prevent drilling for the sulfide mine, a key piece of the puzzle suddenly falls into place.
Lew is beginning to close in on the truth. But has the killer set his bait again, angling for his biggest catch yet?
It's mid-May in the tiny northwoods Wisconsin town of Loon Lake, and the fish are biting. Walleye's not the only thing on the hook. There are rumors that a precious vein of nickel and copper is buried on the property of wealthy Grace McDonough, and the drilling is about to begin. But not if environmentalist Pete Ferris can help it.
When Grace's 24-year-old son, Noah, is caught in a sordid sex crime, police chief Lew Ferris, makes the arrest. But a day later, Lew is stricken when her brother Pete turns up dead, a bloody pry bar found in the woods nearby. Then, Grace's body is discovered in a car at the bottom of a river--and Noah has vanished. Lew puts out a statewide APB, but before long, Noah is also found murdered on the McDonough property.
It's beginning to look like mother and son were killed by the same person. And when Lew learns that her brother had planned to file a lawsuit to prevent drilling for the sulfide mine, a key piece of the puzzle suddenly falls into place.
Lew is beginning to close in on the truth. But has the killer set his bait again, angling for his biggest catch yet?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2022
83 people are currently reading
527 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Houston
36 books273 followersShe is the author of the Loon Lake Mystery Series -- DEAD ANGLER, DEAD CREEK, DEAD WATER, DEAD FRENZY, DEAD HOT MAMA, DEAD JITTERBUG, DEAD BOOGIE, DEAD MADONNA, DEAD HOT SHOT, DEAD RENEGADE. DEAD DECEIVER, DEAD TEASE, DEAD INSIDER, DEAD HUSTLER, DEAD RAPUNZEL, DEAD LOUDMOUTH, DEAD SPIDER, DEAD FIREFLY, DEAD BIG DAWG and WOLF HOLLOW in hardcover, trade paperback and as an eBook from Simon & Schuster. The mysteries are set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin against a background of fishing – fly fishing as well as fishing for muskie, bass, bluegill and walleyes.
Houston’s mystery series was featured in a story on the front page of The Wall Street Journal (January 20, 2004) and on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation with Neal Conan” (February 2, 2006). Both can be seen/heard on the website: www.victoriahouston.com.
She has also written or co-authored over seven non-fiction books. An award-winning author specializing in family issues, Houston’s non-fiction books include the highly recommended ALONE AFTER SCHOOL: A Self-Care Guide for Latchkey Children and Their Parents (Prentice Hall, 1985); the national bestseller, LOVING A YOUNGER MAN: How Women Are Finding and Enjoying a Better Relationship (Contemporary Books (1987); Pocket Books (1988); MAKING IT WORK: Finding the Time and Energy For Your Career, Marriage, Children and Self (Contemporary Books, 1990) -- which was published by Simon & Schuster's Fireside imprint in August 1991 as a trade paperback titled MAKING IT WORK: Creative Solutions For Balancing Your Career, Marriage, Children And Personal Life. Houston co-authored RESTORE YOURSELF: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Libido and Passion for Life (The Berkley Publishing Group/2001) with Dr. James Simon, a Past President of the North American Menopause Society.
Houston’s mystery series was featured in a story on the front page of The Wall Street Journal (January 20, 2004) and on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation with Neal Conan” (February 2, 2006). Both can be seen/heard on the website: www.victoriahouston.com.
She has also written or co-authored over seven non-fiction books. An award-winning author specializing in family issues, Houston’s non-fiction books include the highly recommended ALONE AFTER SCHOOL: A Self-Care Guide for Latchkey Children and Their Parents (Prentice Hall, 1985); the national bestseller, LOVING A YOUNGER MAN: How Women Are Finding and Enjoying a Better Relationship (Contemporary Books (1987); Pocket Books (1988); MAKING IT WORK: Finding the Time and Energy For Your Career, Marriage, Children and Self (Contemporary Books, 1990) -- which was published by Simon & Schuster's Fireside imprint in August 1991 as a trade paperback titled MAKING IT WORK: Creative Solutions For Balancing Your Career, Marriage, Children And Personal Life. Houston co-authored RESTORE YOURSELF: A Woman’s Guide to Reviving Her Libido and Passion for Life (The Berkley Publishing Group/2001) with Dr. James Simon, a Past President of the North American Menopause Society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
April 12, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was a fantastic start to a new series by this author. I loved the small lake town setting. It was well written and well paced. The plot was engaging and pretty straightforward. There weren't a lot of twists and turns or red herrings, but I think that worked well in this story. I found Lew to be a strong female lead. That said, I found it a little odd how detached she seemed to her brother's death. Which made her come across as wooden and cold when talking about it. 🤷🏻♀️ There is also a lovely cast of secondary characters that rounded out the story, and I can't wait to see what Lew and Doc and the gang get up to in the next book!
**ARC Via NetGalley**
This was a fantastic start to a new series by this author. I loved the small lake town setting. It was well written and well paced. The plot was engaging and pretty straightforward. There weren't a lot of twists and turns or red herrings, but I think that worked well in this story. I found Lew to be a strong female lead. That said, I found it a little odd how detached she seemed to her brother's death. Which made her come across as wooden and cold when talking about it. 🤷🏻♀️ There is also a lovely cast of secondary characters that rounded out the story, and I can't wait to see what Lew and Doc and the gang get up to in the next book!
**ARC Via NetGalley**
January 5, 2022
This is my first Victoria Houston book, but it sure won't be my last! A well plotted mystery surrounding a strong, intelligent female sheriff in a small lake town in Wisconsin that will entertain and delight for hours to come. The characters and victims are extremely realistic and just enigmatic enough to draw you and make you want to untangle their personalities to see what happened to them. This appears to be the first book in a potential new series and I must say it is an excellent one! I thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook as the narrator did an outstanding job of bringing the story to life, but I will be looking for a print version of this book for husband to read as soon as I finish writing this review!
January 5, 2022
A cozy-ish mystery that takes place in a beautiful scenic community. Just look at that beautiful cover. And I’m definitely going to try to fly fishing after this. I really felt like I was there learning about how to do it. This had likable characters and ones to hate! The mystery wasn’t like all these new books, gruesome and scary. I found it entertaining and enjoyable. The whole thing had a wholesome town feeling with genuine friendships. Something I really don’t see anymore.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and really liked the narrator Whitney Dykhouse. I recommend this if you like a cozy mystery.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via NetGalley.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and really liked the narrator Whitney Dykhouse. I recommend this if you like a cozy mystery.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via NetGalley.
January 23, 2022
A great start to a new series. Fly-fishing is mentioned several times but one doesn't have to be a fan of the sport to enjoy this gripping mystery.
January 29, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Wolf Hollow has bodies dropping like flies!
While she would rather be fishing her job is keeping her darn busy. First, she has to arrest Noah McDonough for a scheme to kidnap a minor. Then she learns his mother Grace, is about to sign a huge deal to mine the nickel and copper buried on her land. Lew’s brother Pete is part of a group trying to stop the entire thing in its tracks. But then Pete is found dead and Lew calls in the “Wausau boys” to help find the killer. Then they find Grace’s SUV at the bottom of the river with her dead body inside. Noah is nowhere to be found at first but then his body is found by some kids in the woods. All the deaths have to be connected and Lew leans heavily on the crew from Wausau, Doc, and Ray as she tries to piece all the clues together but the killer has another target on his list . . . Lew!
I am so happy this series has found a new home at Crooked Lane Books. It has been a favorite series of mine since the beginning but don’t worry the author gives plenty of background so new readers will be able to read and enjoy and old fans will love it too.
Ms. Houston has created a group of very down-to-earth characters. They take their jobs seriously but know sometimes it takes putting on your waders, getting in some water with your fly reel in your hands to think through the clues until they all fall into place. In this story, another woman joins the group and she wants to learn to flyfish too. She is welcomed with open arms and Lew is happy to teach her. Her exploits delivered a few good chuckles. This being a long-running series the characters feel like old friends. They are genuine, strong, smart, kind, and each quirky in their own way but Ray is the signature odd duck and one of my favorites.
There are a lot of lines to untangle in this well-plotted mystery. The story starts with an attempted citizen’s arrest of a probable sexual predator by some unexpected characters and then spins out of control as bodies start to pile up. It was very interesting to watch the investigation pan out. The characters have worked a lot of cases together and each has their strengths. The whole story unfolds at a very comfortable pace with drama and suspense in all the right places.
The series is set on Loon Lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The author is very familiar with the area and she describes each place so well. I felt like I was right there for each scene. Mentions of real places also drew me into the story. Ms. Houston also imparts her knowledge of fly fishing throughout the story. My grandfather was a fisherman and I always picture him there on loon lake casting his rod. I am sure there are some great lakes and streams in heaven where he is now casting his line.
While fly fishing is the main theme of this series you need to fish to enjoy this book/series. They are truly stories about family and relationships and coming together to find justice for the victims. I love that a woman is in charge and her influence and knowledge may expand farther than the reaches of Loon Lake in future installments. She did put her job first and I don’t think she has really experienced the grief of losing her brother yet, but I was so happy with the farewell she put together to honor him when the case was put to bed.
Wolf Hollow took me back to Loon Lake in all its beauty to visit the characters I have come to love over the years. I am excited to see this series continue especially now that Lew is taking a leap. I can’t wait to see how she lands.
Wolf Hollow has bodies dropping like flies!
While she would rather be fishing her job is keeping her darn busy. First, she has to arrest Noah McDonough for a scheme to kidnap a minor. Then she learns his mother Grace, is about to sign a huge deal to mine the nickel and copper buried on her land. Lew’s brother Pete is part of a group trying to stop the entire thing in its tracks. But then Pete is found dead and Lew calls in the “Wausau boys” to help find the killer. Then they find Grace’s SUV at the bottom of the river with her dead body inside. Noah is nowhere to be found at first but then his body is found by some kids in the woods. All the deaths have to be connected and Lew leans heavily on the crew from Wausau, Doc, and Ray as she tries to piece all the clues together but the killer has another target on his list . . . Lew!
I am so happy this series has found a new home at Crooked Lane Books. It has been a favorite series of mine since the beginning but don’t worry the author gives plenty of background so new readers will be able to read and enjoy and old fans will love it too.
Ms. Houston has created a group of very down-to-earth characters. They take their jobs seriously but know sometimes it takes putting on your waders, getting in some water with your fly reel in your hands to think through the clues until they all fall into place. In this story, another woman joins the group and she wants to learn to flyfish too. She is welcomed with open arms and Lew is happy to teach her. Her exploits delivered a few good chuckles. This being a long-running series the characters feel like old friends. They are genuine, strong, smart, kind, and each quirky in their own way but Ray is the signature odd duck and one of my favorites.
There are a lot of lines to untangle in this well-plotted mystery. The story starts with an attempted citizen’s arrest of a probable sexual predator by some unexpected characters and then spins out of control as bodies start to pile up. It was very interesting to watch the investigation pan out. The characters have worked a lot of cases together and each has their strengths. The whole story unfolds at a very comfortable pace with drama and suspense in all the right places.
The series is set on Loon Lake in the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The author is very familiar with the area and she describes each place so well. I felt like I was right there for each scene. Mentions of real places also drew me into the story. Ms. Houston also imparts her knowledge of fly fishing throughout the story. My grandfather was a fisherman and I always picture him there on loon lake casting his rod. I am sure there are some great lakes and streams in heaven where he is now casting his line.
While fly fishing is the main theme of this series you need to fish to enjoy this book/series. They are truly stories about family and relationships and coming together to find justice for the victims. I love that a woman is in charge and her influence and knowledge may expand farther than the reaches of Loon Lake in future installments. She did put her job first and I don’t think she has really experienced the grief of losing her brother yet, but I was so happy with the farewell she put together to honor him when the case was put to bed.
Wolf Hollow took me back to Loon Lake in all its beauty to visit the characters I have come to love over the years. I am excited to see this series continue especially now that Lew is taking a leap. I can’t wait to see how she lands.
July 13, 2022
I love small town mysteries and nature, when you combine those you get Wolf Hollow by Victoria Houston. For those that haven't read her books I do recommend that you start with Dead Angler in the Loon Lake mystery series. I started with this one thinking it was a new seires and it tis but the main character is the same and if you like me wants to follow the events in the right time order do as I say not as I do. Athough I am not a fly fisher and never will try it it doesn't bother me the least in these books. I found the book well written and the story great and will now start from the beginning with Lew Ferris.
January 14, 2022
One of the most straightforward procedurals I have read. In some ways it felt a bit too simplistic and there were absolutely no twists, no surprises and a shocking amount of detail on fly fishing.
Probably not a series I’ll return to
Probably not a series I’ll return to
February 20, 2022
3.5 stars
A quite fast read/listen with a lovely setting and a good, strong leading lady.
I liked it a lot, but somehow it didn't stand out much - which is why I'm not giving it 4 stars.
Even if I liked spending time with the book, and wouldn't mind returning for more books about Lew Ferris, I suspect it won't linger in my memory.
I'm not even a little interested in fly fishing in real life, but I did like how the hobby played a part in the book and I just loved the mature and reliable relationship between Lew and Doc. That felt like a really, really nice break from the teen angst I took part of in the book I listened to before this one. 😂
I recommend this book to all armchair detectives, looking for a relaxing, but still exciting mystery.
It's a really solid book.
A quite fast read/listen with a lovely setting and a good, strong leading lady.
I liked it a lot, but somehow it didn't stand out much - which is why I'm not giving it 4 stars.
Even if I liked spending time with the book, and wouldn't mind returning for more books about Lew Ferris, I suspect it won't linger in my memory.
I'm not even a little interested in fly fishing in real life, but I did like how the hobby played a part in the book and I just loved the mature and reliable relationship between Lew and Doc. That felt like a really, really nice break from the teen angst I took part of in the book I listened to before this one. 😂
I recommend this book to all armchair detectives, looking for a relaxing, but still exciting mystery.
It's a really solid book.
January 21, 2022
This introduction to a new series by Victoria Houston is fabulous! Set in the tiny northwoods Wisconsin town of Loon Lake, I really liked forty-odd police chief Lewellyn (Lew) Ferris who I found to be likeable and logical; she has a group of trusted friends and colleagues to help solve the murder of Pete Ferris, Lew's environmentalist brother. It’s always great to start a new series of cosy-type mysteries and this one was no exception to that. I did not guess the outcome until ⅗ of the way through and the characters were colourful. I'm eagerly anticipating book two as well as reading Victoria Houston's other series, also set in Loon Lake, starting with Dead Angler. 🙂 🐟
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
December 21, 2021
In a small town in Wisconsin, it's mid-may and a group of preteens is trying to citizen arrest a 24-year-old male because he was trying to lure a preteen off of social media. This male ended up getting away and he happens to be the son of a wealthy landowner Grace McDonough. However when the kids explain what they were doing and why they provide enough information to Police Chief Lew Ferris so she is able to make an arrest for the act.
Then the unthinkable happens, Lew Ferris's brother was murdered. So while Lew is getting people to work on her brother's case she is trying to work on the other case. Then when they had the arraignment for Grace's son Noah neither one of them showed and they soon found their bodies and they were murdered too. All three murdered people were connected to a piece of land, two trying to profit off of it and another trying to advocate for an endangered species and the natural habitat.
Now, Lew is put to the task of trying to figure out what happened and how all the pieces of these murders are connected.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrarator was great, she fit the part very well! If you are looking for a new mystery, then this should be your next read! Family secrets, affairs, secret plans, and of course murder make this book a great mystery novel!
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this one! It definitely was a treat!
Then the unthinkable happens, Lew Ferris's brother was murdered. So while Lew is getting people to work on her brother's case she is trying to work on the other case. Then when they had the arraignment for Grace's son Noah neither one of them showed and they soon found their bodies and they were murdered too. All three murdered people were connected to a piece of land, two trying to profit off of it and another trying to advocate for an endangered species and the natural habitat.
Now, Lew is put to the task of trying to figure out what happened and how all the pieces of these murders are connected.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrarator was great, she fit the part very well! If you are looking for a new mystery, then this should be your next read! Family secrets, affairs, secret plans, and of course murder make this book a great mystery novel!
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this one! It definitely was a treat!
November 12, 2021
Lew Ferris is a police chief in the small town of Loon Lake. One day, she is called out to arrest the son of a local wealthy landowner when he attempts to kidnap a minor, and things spiral from there. A few days later Lew's brother dies in mysterious circumstances, but he is not the only person to lose their life in Loon Lake in the days to follow. Lew has to find out if Pete's death has anything to do with the murders and investigate what is behind them.
Wolf Hollow was a fine book. It didn't particularly impress me, but I didn't hate it, either. My two main issues were that I didn't really connect with the characters, and I didn't like the writing style; I found it dry and flat. An example of both is when Lew talks about her just deceased brother as "the individual back in that room", which feels really cold and unnatural. The mystery was more of the "cozy" sort, there weren't many twists and turns, but it did keep me interested enough to keep reading until the end. It's a very quick read, but sadly pretty forgettable.
Wolf Hollow was a fine book. It didn't particularly impress me, but I didn't hate it, either. My two main issues were that I didn't really connect with the characters, and I didn't like the writing style; I found it dry and flat. An example of both is when Lew talks about her just deceased brother as "the individual back in that room", which feels really cold and unnatural. The mystery was more of the "cozy" sort, there weren't many twists and turns, but it did keep me interested enough to keep reading until the end. It's a very quick read, but sadly pretty forgettable.
January 15, 2022
I listened to a dozen or so Loon Lake mysteries before Audible removed them. So how fun to return to Loon Lake but with stories told from Lew Ferris's point of view. In this new series, Doc supports her as she solves the mysteries. A satisfying listening experience!
January 8, 2022
Wolf Hollow by Victoria Houston - 2/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a free copy of this audiobook. I am leaving this unbiased review independently.
If you are looking for a book about fly fishing full of fat phobia, this book is for you. If you're looking for a murder mystery set in a small fishing town, maybe keep looking.
I really wanted to like this book. Middle-aged female protagonist. An adult book that doesn't have a plot that hinges around sex or purity culture. But the amount of fat phobia was an unsurmountable barrier. For protagonist and side characters that were fat, it was just a descriptor, which is fine. Fat isn't a bad word. It was a strangely defining descriptor for characters whose involvement in the story should have lead to more in depth description, but that's beside the point. However, if an antagonist was fat, all bets were off. It was atrocious. And while their fatness wasn't turned into a central plot point like some books I've read, *cough* Sythedom series *cough* it was mentioned often enough that it certainly became a detractor. And any book that has the sentence "his stomach tended to enter a room before he did" is gonna be on my shit list.
Normally a book I had these issues with would be a one star, regardless of the quality of the story. However, out of a want to support Dreamscape Media and adult fiction that doesn't contain explicit sex scenes or gratuitous purity culture worship, I've given it 2/5, which is probably more than it deserves.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a free copy of this audiobook. I am leaving this unbiased review independently.
If you are looking for a book about fly fishing full of fat phobia, this book is for you. If you're looking for a murder mystery set in a small fishing town, maybe keep looking.
I really wanted to like this book. Middle-aged female protagonist. An adult book that doesn't have a plot that hinges around sex or purity culture. But the amount of fat phobia was an unsurmountable barrier. For protagonist and side characters that were fat, it was just a descriptor, which is fine. Fat isn't a bad word. It was a strangely defining descriptor for characters whose involvement in the story should have lead to more in depth description, but that's beside the point. However, if an antagonist was fat, all bets were off. It was atrocious. And while their fatness wasn't turned into a central plot point like some books I've read, *cough* Sythedom series *cough* it was mentioned often enough that it certainly became a detractor. And any book that has the sentence "his stomach tended to enter a room before he did" is gonna be on my shit list.
Normally a book I had these issues with would be a one star, regardless of the quality of the story. However, out of a want to support Dreamscape Media and adult fiction that doesn't contain explicit sex scenes or gratuitous purity culture worship, I've given it 2/5, which is probably more than it deserves.
January 19, 2022
I enjoyed this read, but overall the story really just fell flat for me. The audiobook was well done and definitely brought me right into the story, but I could not get myself into the story. This is likely just a personal issue as I tend to stay more on the thriller/suspense end of the spectrum rather than straight mystery, but overall I'm left feeling very "meh." Was not at all a bad book, but I couldn't bring myself to care much about the constant themes of fly fishing, birds and bougie land purchasing. Was definitely cool to hear the constant references to towns in my home state of Wisconsin and I really loved that aspect of it!
If you like domestic, legal mysteries set in a small Wisconsin lake town, I think you should give this one a try! Thank you again NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my ARC!
If you like domestic, legal mysteries set in a small Wisconsin lake town, I think you should give this one a try! Thank you again NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my ARC!
January 3, 2022
Wolf Hollow by Victoria Houston is a highly recommended mystery set in Wisconsin.
Police Chief Lewellyn (Lew) Ferris fights crime, teaches fly fishing classes, and enjoys the company of Doc Osborne in the northwoods town of Loon Lake, Wisconsin. When a group of 12 year-old preteens set a trap and try to instigate a citizen's arrest on a sexual predator, the man involved turns out to be Noah McDonough, the 24-year-old son of wealthy Grace McDonough, a local landowner. Lew makes the arrest and discovers this wasn't the first time Noah did this. She also uncovers the information that Grace is in the process of negotiating with a company for mining rights on her land. This would devastate the environment and the fishing in the area.
When Lew's brother Pete is discovered dead out by a nest of loons he has been observing, suspicions begin to rise since Pete, an environmentalist, was also involved with an organization planning to file a lawsuit to prevent the drilling on McDonough's land. The mystery deepens when Grace and Noah don't show up in court for his arraignment and can't be found. Then another body is found and it becomes clear that more investigation is needed to uncover the conspiracy that seems to be underway.
Wolf Hollow is an excellent choice for those who would enjoy a cozy-like mystery set in small town Wisconsin and love fly fishing. It is also perfectly easy to enjoy the novel even if you aren't a huge fan of fishing. All the characters you are supposed to trust are likable, and Lew has a group of trusted friends and colleagues to help solve the murder mysteries. The antagonists are very obvious. It is clear who you can trust so the enjoyment is found in the discovery of clues and information while putting all the pieces together to solve the crimes. There are not a lot of gory scenes and details, which is what makes the novel take on the feeling of a cozy mystery (with the exception of some language) but is also a procedural.
This is the first Lew Ferris novel in the continuing Loon Lake mystery series set in Wisconsin. There are many descriptions of fly fishing, as well as other fishing, which didn't bother me but may be a negative for some readers. It is easy to skim over the fishing scenes. They do add a natural element to the plot since the northwoods are an important part of the book and establishing the setting and culture of the area. The novel is well written. Although the mystery itself is not extremely complicated, it logically follows the clues and discoveries which is a plus in any procedural.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Crooked Lane Books.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/0...
Police Chief Lewellyn (Lew) Ferris fights crime, teaches fly fishing classes, and enjoys the company of Doc Osborne in the northwoods town of Loon Lake, Wisconsin. When a group of 12 year-old preteens set a trap and try to instigate a citizen's arrest on a sexual predator, the man involved turns out to be Noah McDonough, the 24-year-old son of wealthy Grace McDonough, a local landowner. Lew makes the arrest and discovers this wasn't the first time Noah did this. She also uncovers the information that Grace is in the process of negotiating with a company for mining rights on her land. This would devastate the environment and the fishing in the area.
When Lew's brother Pete is discovered dead out by a nest of loons he has been observing, suspicions begin to rise since Pete, an environmentalist, was also involved with an organization planning to file a lawsuit to prevent the drilling on McDonough's land. The mystery deepens when Grace and Noah don't show up in court for his arraignment and can't be found. Then another body is found and it becomes clear that more investigation is needed to uncover the conspiracy that seems to be underway.
Wolf Hollow is an excellent choice for those who would enjoy a cozy-like mystery set in small town Wisconsin and love fly fishing. It is also perfectly easy to enjoy the novel even if you aren't a huge fan of fishing. All the characters you are supposed to trust are likable, and Lew has a group of trusted friends and colleagues to help solve the murder mysteries. The antagonists are very obvious. It is clear who you can trust so the enjoyment is found in the discovery of clues and information while putting all the pieces together to solve the crimes. There are not a lot of gory scenes and details, which is what makes the novel take on the feeling of a cozy mystery (with the exception of some language) but is also a procedural.
This is the first Lew Ferris novel in the continuing Loon Lake mystery series set in Wisconsin. There are many descriptions of fly fishing, as well as other fishing, which didn't bother me but may be a negative for some readers. It is easy to skim over the fishing scenes. They do add a natural element to the plot since the northwoods are an important part of the book and establishing the setting and culture of the area. The novel is well written. Although the mystery itself is not extremely complicated, it logically follows the clues and discoveries which is a plus in any procedural.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Crooked Lane Books.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/0...
January 10, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the chance to listen to the audio version of Wolf Hollow by Victoria Houston. This was the first book of Victoria Houston's I have listened to or read. The summary sounded interesting but it was cozy mystery which I was not expecting. It also seemed to be a series sequel to the Loon Lake mysteries even though it was Lew Ferris #1. The mystery was ok, but a bit boring. It was nice that Sheriff Lew Ferris was a strong female character and the narrator, Whitney Dykhouse was great. I however just found I seemed to be missing some of the background of the various characters as I had not read any of the other series.
June 26, 2022
This the first book in as a spin-off of a previous series (I had not read them) but I bought the audio because I had received a free e-book copy of book two from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley and LOVED it. AND all the fly fishing tips!
This one is almost a stand-alone because the author does bring in continuing important characters in a way that does not leave the reader wondering who/what. The plot and the characters are intriguing and fast moving. Kept me reading too late!
Whitney Dykhouse narrator must be great doing bodice rippers.
This one is almost a stand-alone because the author does bring in continuing important characters in a way that does not leave the reader wondering who/what. The plot and the characters are intriguing and fast moving. Kept me reading too late!
Whitney Dykhouse narrator must be great doing bodice rippers.
January 15, 2022
Another great mystery set in northern Wisconsin. Easy and enjoyable reading!
February 21, 2022
First in the New Lew Ferris & Loon Lake series - Cozy mystery - fast read - characters are interesting and easy to follow - soft "romance" - friendships - money - greed all included ....
November 10, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this arc.
First in the Lew Ferris Mystery series, this novel is set in the small town of Loon Lake in Wisconsin. We follow the police chief Lew Ferris’ hard work to solve a serious of murders that happened in her quiet town and she faces the prospect that the killer is someone she knows - since in her town everybody knows each other.
This book is a page-turner. I put other books I was reading aside only to finish this one. It grabbed me by the throat and I needed to know what was coming next. I liked the writing style, the descriptions of the city and nature. Full of twists, Wolf Hollow is a great book and I surely want to read more books of this series.
First in the Lew Ferris Mystery series, this novel is set in the small town of Loon Lake in Wisconsin. We follow the police chief Lew Ferris’ hard work to solve a serious of murders that happened in her quiet town and she faces the prospect that the killer is someone she knows - since in her town everybody knows each other.
This book is a page-turner. I put other books I was reading aside only to finish this one. It grabbed me by the throat and I needed to know what was coming next. I liked the writing style, the descriptions of the city and nature. Full of twists, Wolf Hollow is a great book and I surely want to read more books of this series.
May 17, 2024
A fun local mystery.
August 6, 2022
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Wolf Hollow is the first book of a tie-in series to Loon Lake by Victoria Houston. Released 11th Jan 2022 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in Dec 2022. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a competently written straightforward procedural mystery with a strong female protagonist who's the chief-of-police in a very small town in Wisconsin. Despite being a fishing and nature paradise, the arrival of skullduggery, greed, and murder can ruin even the most pristine spot. That's where Lew Ferris brings her official and unofficial investigative skills to bear.
I felt the plotting was very linear. Readers who enjoy less back-and-forth in their investigations, and fewer twists, and red herrings will like this one. There is enough action to keep the plot rolling and the secondary characters (her partner "Doc" Olsen and her colleagues) add some depth but there's not a lot of time/effort spent on side distractions.
The language is PG, with some light cursing but nothing egregious. There are mentions of underage/statutory sex crimes and abuse which might be triggering to some readers, though there is nothing graphic on-page.
This is a standalone series and it doesn't seem necessary to be familiar with the author's other series to follow along here. It's a light cozy(ish) mystery and the denouement and resolution were satisfying and complete. Book 2 is due out in Jan 2023, and there are 19 books extant in her other series, so it might be a good candidate for a binge read.
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 6 hours and 26 minutes and is capably narrated by Whitney Dykhouse. For this read she has a nondescript lightly midwestern American accent with light nasal quality which was distracting for a few minutes but which became unapparent after a while. The narrator covers a range of ages and both male and female characters without problems. When she read emotionally difficult reactions from some of the characters, I found her overly emotional responses distracting (she nearly screams in a couple places and cries quite distressingly/convincingly). I'm not sure how else it could've been handled, given the subject matter (sudden death), but I did find it a bit much. Sound and production quality were high throughout.
Three and a half stars. I'm intrigued enough to pick up and review book two in the series.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Wolf Hollow is the first book of a tie-in series to Loon Lake by Victoria Houston. Released 11th Jan 2022 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback due out in Dec 2022. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a competently written straightforward procedural mystery with a strong female protagonist who's the chief-of-police in a very small town in Wisconsin. Despite being a fishing and nature paradise, the arrival of skullduggery, greed, and murder can ruin even the most pristine spot. That's where Lew Ferris brings her official and unofficial investigative skills to bear.
I felt the plotting was very linear. Readers who enjoy less back-and-forth in their investigations, and fewer twists, and red herrings will like this one. There is enough action to keep the plot rolling and the secondary characters (her partner "Doc" Olsen and her colleagues) add some depth but there's not a lot of time/effort spent on side distractions.
The language is PG, with some light cursing but nothing egregious. There are mentions of underage/statutory sex crimes and abuse which might be triggering to some readers, though there is nothing graphic on-page.
This is a standalone series and it doesn't seem necessary to be familiar with the author's other series to follow along here. It's a light cozy(ish) mystery and the denouement and resolution were satisfying and complete. Book 2 is due out in Jan 2023, and there are 19 books extant in her other series, so it might be a good candidate for a binge read.
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 6 hours and 26 minutes and is capably narrated by Whitney Dykhouse. For this read she has a nondescript lightly midwestern American accent with light nasal quality which was distracting for a few minutes but which became unapparent after a while. The narrator covers a range of ages and both male and female characters without problems. When she read emotionally difficult reactions from some of the characters, I found her overly emotional responses distracting (she nearly screams in a couple places and cries quite distressingly/convincingly). I'm not sure how else it could've been handled, given the subject matter (sudden death), but I did find it a bit much. Sound and production quality were high throughout.
Three and a half stars. I'm intrigued enough to pick up and review book two in the series.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
December 28, 2021
Loon Lake a picturesque town in Wisconsin is facing some environmental trouble, with a plot of land pending sell to a sulfide mine , people start showing up dead. Our story begins with Lou the small town sherif getting called to a citizens arrest by a group of young people attempting to arrest a 24 year old man who was having inappropriate contact with a young girl in the town. This man arrested by these you kids is Noah the son of the property owner Grace who is trying to sell her land to a sulfide mine. The next day Lou is called to the death of her brother Pete who died mysteriously in the woods. Unsure if foul play is involved Lou’s begins an investigation. Not long after the body of Grace shows up in the bottom of the river and Noah is missing. With Noah not showing up for his court date people begin to believe maybe Noah is responsible for both deaths. That is until Noah is also found dead in a hunting cottage. With suspects showing up dead Lou begins to look into the connections between her brother and Grace family to understand what is happening in this small town.
This story was very similar to what is available in the small town murder mystery genre and really did not stand out to me. The writing and narration was great but what fell short for me were the characters. I did not really connect with any of the characters and there were parts where what characters were doing did not make sense to me. One example of this is after her brother if found dead Lou decided to go fishing the next day. I personally found this strange and could not believe that she would go fishing and have a picnic with friends. Another issue I had with the book was the detail that it went into on types of fishing. I will admit I am not a huge fan of fishing and only occasionally fish but this book goes into extreme detail about fly fishing that I felt could have been better utilized as character development.
Overall this book was ok for what it was a small town murder mystery but not something I would continue on with in the future just because I did not really enjoy the extra information as far as the fishing goes. I would like to thank net galley and Dreamscape media for the opportunity to read this book!
This story was very similar to what is available in the small town murder mystery genre and really did not stand out to me. The writing and narration was great but what fell short for me were the characters. I did not really connect with any of the characters and there were parts where what characters were doing did not make sense to me. One example of this is after her brother if found dead Lou decided to go fishing the next day. I personally found this strange and could not believe that she would go fishing and have a picnic with friends. Another issue I had with the book was the detail that it went into on types of fishing. I will admit I am not a huge fan of fishing and only occasionally fish but this book goes into extreme detail about fly fishing that I felt could have been better utilized as character development.
Overall this book was ok for what it was a small town murder mystery but not something I would continue on with in the future just because I did not really enjoy the extra information as far as the fishing goes. I would like to thank net galley and Dreamscape media for the opportunity to read this book!
January 4, 2022
The story is a murder mystery but it also included wildlife conservation and fishing. The protagonist loves to fish and she also teaches how to fish correctly. Loon Lake a picturesque town in Wisconsin is facing some environmental trouble, with a plot of land pending sell to a sulfide mine , people start showing up dead. Our story begins with Lou the small town sheriff getting called to a citizens arrest by a group of young people attempting to arrest a 24 year old man who was having inappropriate contact with a young girl in the town. This man arrested by these you kids is Noah the son of the property owner Grace who is trying to sell her land to a sulfide mine. The next day Lou is called to the death of her brother Pete who died mysteriously in the woods. Unsure if foul play is involved Lou’s begins an investigation. Not long after the body of Grace shows up in the bottom of the river and Noah is missing. With Noah not showing up for his court date people begin to believe maybe Noah is responsible for both deaths. That is until Noah is also found dead in a hunting cottage. With suspects showing up dead Lou begins to look into the connections between her brother and Grace family to understand what is happening in this small town. My two main issues were that I didn't really connect with the characters, and I didn't like the writing style; I found it dry and flat. I enjoyed the outdoor feel of the book but the characters were not of much interest to me and the writing is flat not too exciting.
Want to thank NetGalley, the author and Dreamscape Media LLC ~ for this audio.
Want to thank NetGalley, the author and Dreamscape Media LLC ~ for this audio.
August 24, 2024
When money is the root of evil.
It didn't matter whether it was a good person or a bad person standing between a murderer and a chance at 50 million dollars. When you started out with little to no conscience or care for human life, the only thing, the most important thing, is the money. Someone killed Lew's brother, Pete. Pete was an environmentalist and conservationist. He was part of a group that studied and protected loons. When his alarm indicated that a predator was nosing around a nest with eggs that he'd been watching on his trail cameras, he went down to check on the eggs but he never arrived back home again. His not so grieving wife wanted everyone to believe he'd died from a stroke. Lew didn't believe it. She believed there was foul play involved and demanded an autopsy. Pete's death was just the start of a trail of murder and deceit that Lew will have to unravel to find the killer, or killers. Like every good detective says, "follow the money". I liked this book. It wss the first one I'd read by this author. Because I'm originally from Minnesota, a lot of the descriptions of places and things were familiar and comfortable. There was a rural, down home feeling to the people and places. I liked Lew and Osborne. They're good, homey people. I liked them and I felt satisfied with their relationship in the book. Both had been married, unhappily, and had found love later in life. Lew isn't in a big hurry to get married again, even though she realizes that Osborne is the love of her life. She's an independent woman and she's busy solving murders and running for sheriff. I liked that. I probably will go on to read the next book.
It didn't matter whether it was a good person or a bad person standing between a murderer and a chance at 50 million dollars. When you started out with little to no conscience or care for human life, the only thing, the most important thing, is the money. Someone killed Lew's brother, Pete. Pete was an environmentalist and conservationist. He was part of a group that studied and protected loons. When his alarm indicated that a predator was nosing around a nest with eggs that he'd been watching on his trail cameras, he went down to check on the eggs but he never arrived back home again. His not so grieving wife wanted everyone to believe he'd died from a stroke. Lew didn't believe it. She believed there was foul play involved and demanded an autopsy. Pete's death was just the start of a trail of murder and deceit that Lew will have to unravel to find the killer, or killers. Like every good detective says, "follow the money". I liked this book. It wss the first one I'd read by this author. Because I'm originally from Minnesota, a lot of the descriptions of places and things were familiar and comfortable. There was a rural, down home feeling to the people and places. I liked Lew and Osborne. They're good, homey people. I liked them and I felt satisfied with their relationship in the book. Both had been married, unhappily, and had found love later in life. Lew isn't in a big hurry to get married again, even though she realizes that Osborne is the love of her life. She's an independent woman and she's busy solving murders and running for sheriff. I liked that. I probably will go on to read the next book.
January 10, 2022
Wolf Hollow (Lew Ferris #1)
Victoria Houston
Several pre-teens set a trap and tried to make a citizen’s arrest of a man that attempted to entice a twelve-year-old girl off of social media. It turns out the man was Noah McDonough. He managed to escape the kid but not Police Chief Lew Ferris. Lew talked to the kids, and they explained what they were up to. She told them how dangerous their plan had been. Then she arrested Noah. He was the son of Grace McDonough an affluent landowner, she pulled strings and had him out of jail in a very short time. Noah was serial predator.
Grace was working with a company wanting to drill on her land. The results would ravage the ecosystem and the fishing in the vicinity. Lew’s brother Pete was an environmentalist and involved with a group trying to stop the drilling on the McDonough’s property. Pete had placed trail cameras along the path to a loon’s nest. They came in handy when Pete was found dead on the path and a bloody pry bar was close by. Neither Noah nor Grace show up at the appointed time for the arraignment. A short time later Grace’s body was found in her car at the bottom of the lake and Noah’s body was found on their property. Three murders and they all appeared to be related.
This is a cozy mystery, a quick, easy read. The novel has clues which are easy to follow. Lew Ferris is the Police Chief in Loon Lake, running for sheriff and teaches fly fishing in her spare time. I enjoyed the references to fly fishing. This is the first book in the Lew Ferris series.
Victoria Houston
Several pre-teens set a trap and tried to make a citizen’s arrest of a man that attempted to entice a twelve-year-old girl off of social media. It turns out the man was Noah McDonough. He managed to escape the kid but not Police Chief Lew Ferris. Lew talked to the kids, and they explained what they were up to. She told them how dangerous their plan had been. Then she arrested Noah. He was the son of Grace McDonough an affluent landowner, she pulled strings and had him out of jail in a very short time. Noah was serial predator.
Grace was working with a company wanting to drill on her land. The results would ravage the ecosystem and the fishing in the vicinity. Lew’s brother Pete was an environmentalist and involved with a group trying to stop the drilling on the McDonough’s property. Pete had placed trail cameras along the path to a loon’s nest. They came in handy when Pete was found dead on the path and a bloody pry bar was close by. Neither Noah nor Grace show up at the appointed time for the arraignment. A short time later Grace’s body was found in her car at the bottom of the lake and Noah’s body was found on their property. Three murders and they all appeared to be related.
This is a cozy mystery, a quick, easy read. The novel has clues which are easy to follow. Lew Ferris is the Police Chief in Loon Lake, running for sheriff and teaches fly fishing in her spare time. I enjoyed the references to fly fishing. This is the first book in the Lew Ferris series.
January 29, 2025
Murder shakes the quiet Wisconsin Northwoods in Wolf Hollow, the first book in Victoria Houston’s new series featuring police chief Lewellyn “Lew” Ferris. With a sheriff’s race underway, Lew juggles multiple cases—some of which hit too close to home.
When local landowner Grace McDonough’s son, Noah, is accused of a sex crime, Lew makes the arrest. But when her own brother, Pete, turns up dead, things take a darker turn. Then Grace is found dead in her submerged car, and Noah is soon murdered as well. As Lew digs deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets surrounding a controversial mining deal and a conspiracy that could cost her everything.
Houston skillfully depicts the Northwoods setting, and her familiarity with the area is evident. Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy the small-town atmosphere and outdoorsy details, though the book leans heavier on police procedural elements than a traditional cozy. Lew is a strong female lead in a nontraditional career, which was a highlight. However, the writing felt simplistic at times, lacking the emotional depth I wanted—especially regarding Lew’s reaction to her brother’s death. Some passages, particularly those on fishing, dragged on longer than necessary.
Overall, Wolf Hollow is a decent mystery with a compelling premise, but it didn’t fully hook me. While it’s an enjoyable read, it lacks the tension and depth to make it truly memorable. Not a standout for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.
When local landowner Grace McDonough’s son, Noah, is accused of a sex crime, Lew makes the arrest. But when her own brother, Pete, turns up dead, things take a darker turn. Then Grace is found dead in her submerged car, and Noah is soon murdered as well. As Lew digs deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets surrounding a controversial mining deal and a conspiracy that could cost her everything.
Houston skillfully depicts the Northwoods setting, and her familiarity with the area is evident. Fans of cozy mysteries will enjoy the small-town atmosphere and outdoorsy details, though the book leans heavier on police procedural elements than a traditional cozy. Lew is a strong female lead in a nontraditional career, which was a highlight. However, the writing felt simplistic at times, lacking the emotional depth I wanted—especially regarding Lew’s reaction to her brother’s death. Some passages, particularly those on fishing, dragged on longer than necessary.
Overall, Wolf Hollow is a decent mystery with a compelling premise, but it didn’t fully hook me. While it’s an enjoyable read, it lacks the tension and depth to make it truly memorable. Not a standout for me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3 stars)
** Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.
October 24, 2021
Set in small town Loon Lake, Wisconsin, this mystery was such a treat to read. Victoria Houston is a new-to-me author and I am so happy to have discovered her! How refreshing that the sleuth is older and more mature than many. Police chief Lew teams up with her retired boyfriend Doc Osborne in dead body cases as he is adept at tooth identification. As Doc is retired he enjoys early morning coffees with his circle of friends.
A young man is caught attempting a crime. Soon after a dead body is discovered, that of Lew's brother. Lew has a personal reason to find the killer and she cannot rest until she does. Meanwhile, there are other murders, property drama and the care of a environmentalist...a lot of angst and layer peeling. Deception and lies galore. Lew knows the importance of mental health in her occupation so takes time to fly fish with her close friends when she can. She also instructs others. How interesting to learn more about it! I've only seen it at a distance. The nature details are lovely, as is the cover.
We all deal with grief differently but Lew's reaction was a bit unconvincing. Her character is likeable, enough to care about what happens to her. The range of characters is great and the subplots are written in beautifully.
My sincere thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating mystery! I look forward to reading more of this author's works.
A young man is caught attempting a crime. Soon after a dead body is discovered, that of Lew's brother. Lew has a personal reason to find the killer and she cannot rest until she does. Meanwhile, there are other murders, property drama and the care of a environmentalist...a lot of angst and layer peeling. Deception and lies galore. Lew knows the importance of mental health in her occupation so takes time to fly fish with her close friends when she can. She also instructs others. How interesting to learn more about it! I've only seen it at a distance. The nature details are lovely, as is the cover.
We all deal with grief differently but Lew's reaction was a bit unconvincing. Her character is likeable, enough to care about what happens to her. The range of characters is great and the subplots are written in beautifully.
My sincere thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this fascinating mystery! I look forward to reading more of this author's works.
January 1, 2022
Story stars with four twelve year olds trying to make a citizen’s arrest on Noah the twenty-four year old son of Grace McDonough, a wealthy land owner. The kids say he was trying to pick up one of the friends on social media.
They explain all this to Lew Ferris the Police Chief in Loon Lake, Wisconsin.
As Lew is dealing with this, her finds out that her brother Pete is in the hospital and just died from a heart attack.. We soon find out that he was murder.
Story kept me interested. I like the idea of a fishing village in the mid west.
I read a lot of mysteries so found it predictable..
I also thought it would have been better as a cozy.
We cozy readers know there is a bit of a formula
Entertaining - character based
Mystery - no gore
The crime-solver is usually a woman who is well liked and has a love interest but no explicit
sex
Residences know each other and are likeable except for a few nasty characters.
---- Little to no profanity. ~ Nope doesn’t meet this criteria.
In fact, I thought the nasty language wasn’t necessary ~ but that’s me. I am sure most readers didn’t notice.
The narrator Erin Miller did a great job in performing the characters.
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media LLC ~ for this audio eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 11, 2022
They explain all this to Lew Ferris the Police Chief in Loon Lake, Wisconsin.
As Lew is dealing with this, her finds out that her brother Pete is in the hospital and just died from a heart attack.. We soon find out that he was murder.
Story kept me interested. I like the idea of a fishing village in the mid west.
I read a lot of mysteries so found it predictable..
I also thought it would have been better as a cozy.
We cozy readers know there is a bit of a formula
Entertaining - character based
Mystery - no gore
The crime-solver is usually a woman who is well liked and has a love interest but no explicit
sex
Residences know each other and are likeable except for a few nasty characters.
---- Little to no profanity. ~ Nope doesn’t meet this criteria.
In fact, I thought the nasty language wasn’t necessary ~ but that’s me. I am sure most readers didn’t notice.
The narrator Erin Miller did a great job in performing the characters.
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media LLC ~ for this audio eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for January 11, 2022
January 20, 2022
This was an interesting book that felt like a mix between a cozy mystery and a light suspense. It was almost as if it couldn’t make up its mind which it wanted to be. I wouldn’t call that a negative - it was a bit gritty to be a cozy but also not full on suspense for those liking more everyday life to their mystery books.
I think lost will figure out the culprit as soon as they walk onto the page but it was nice to see how it all fit together. I did have a bit of an issue with how distant the main character felt to me - but that seems more standard to a cozy.
I think the thing that brought it down a star (for me personally) was the fact that through the whole book I felt like I was missing something. Like I’d been dropped into the middle of a series without knowing it. I even went back to check several times but kept thinking - how is this book 1? I think where this comes from is another series and, being my first introduction to this author, perhaps I shouldn’t have started with this book. However, if it’s the first in a series it’s hard read feeling like there are worlds of info you don’t have which blurred the picture for me.
All in all, an interesting mystery that fans of this author are sure to love. If you are new (as I was) you may feel a little confused to what you’ve missed but you can still enjoy the mystery unfold.
Also, fans of fishing will love this haha.
My rating 3.4*
—-
Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
I think lost will figure out the culprit as soon as they walk onto the page but it was nice to see how it all fit together. I did have a bit of an issue with how distant the main character felt to me - but that seems more standard to a cozy.
I think the thing that brought it down a star (for me personally) was the fact that through the whole book I felt like I was missing something. Like I’d been dropped into the middle of a series without knowing it. I even went back to check several times but kept thinking - how is this book 1? I think where this comes from is another series and, being my first introduction to this author, perhaps I shouldn’t have started with this book. However, if it’s the first in a series it’s hard read feeling like there are worlds of info you don’t have which blurred the picture for me.
All in all, an interesting mystery that fans of this author are sure to love. If you are new (as I was) you may feel a little confused to what you’ve missed but you can still enjoy the mystery unfold.
Also, fans of fishing will love this haha.
My rating 3.4*
—-
Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced listening copy. All opinions are my own.
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