Northwoods by Amy Pease
1/9/24; 288 pages
Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Northwoods by Amy Pease is a very highly recommended
mystery/procedural. This excellent debut novel set in a small Wisconsin
town features a compelling mystery, substance abuse, a character seeking redemption, and
portrays the strength of the bond between parents and children.
Eli North is struggling. His marriage is over, he drinks too much, and he suffers from PTSD and panic attacks. After he returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, his job as a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service investigator was terminated. He did find a job as a detective with the small local sheriff's office in the town of Shaky Lake because his mother, Marge, is the sheriff in Sherman County, Wisconsin. When Eli is called to investigate a noise complaint at a lakeside cabin, he discovers in a boat tied to the dock the body of a teenage boy, Ben Sharpe. It is soon discovered that a teenage girl, Caitlin, is also missing and FBI agent Alyssa Mason arrives to help. The investigation appears to be tied to the opioid crisis but may have roots that extend much further out.
The writing is outstanding in this impressive debut novel. Pease does
an exceptional job following the
investigation and providing clues along the way while developing both
the plot and the characters. With the ties to illegal drugs and the
additional suspicions the
investigation uncovers, the complexity of the case increases along with
the tension and interest in finding out the truth. As the investigation
into Ben's murder and the search for Caitlin is underway, it becomes
clear that the bond between parents and their children is a central
theme. The setting also comes to life and plays a role in the plot.
While the mystery and investigation are complex and compelling, where Northwoods
really excels is in the depth and empathy found in the depiction of her
characters, especially Eli. All of the characters are fully realized as
unique individuals with strengths and weaknesses. The dialogue is
well-done and the interpersonal interaction between characters is
realistic. These characters feel like real individuals and they will
garner your sympathy and compassion as they do the best they can.
No comments:
Post a Comment