I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After the rather thrilling conclusion to Killman Creek, and the very definitive end to the two novel storyline, I was interested to see where this could go in terms of continuing the series. I admit, I was a bit disappointed. Nothing happens for a good two thirds of the novel, with a lot of unnecessary subplots and a very slow pace. It was a struggle to plow through this at times. The new characters introduced also seem lacklustre and underdeveloped compared to the powerhouse that was Melvin Royal. There’s none of the tension that was present when Gwen is hiding from her ex husband, and because of that the atmosphere throughout just feels flat and dull.

That said, the writing is still really good and flows well, and I enjoy Gwen as a character. She’s grown significantly from the frightened woman of Stillhouse Lake into a confident, intelligent woman intent on protecting her children at all costs. This hasn’t changed here - I just wish there was more drama and danger for her to sink her teeth into. I also like this rather modern concept of an internet threat, that is hinted at previously, turning into something more sinister. It elevates the story somewhat into something a little different compared to typical thrillers.

I understand that this is probably more of a ‘filler’ book between two main overall arcs, and there are a few glimmers of hope scattered throughout that promises more to come, but this definitely didn’t live up to the previous novels.

I've read many of Rachel Caine's books, in different genres, and enjoyed every one of them. Her writing is smooth so you keep reading to see what happens next. Her heroes and villains are clearly developed and defined. The action is suspenseful, just what you read her books for. As long as she keeps writing, I'll keep reading her work.

Suspenseful. Gripping. Terrifying.
The perfect ending of a whole trilogy.
It is something about psychological thrillers that just gives me goosebumps. This book gave me plenty of it and I am not complaining. Absolutely magnificent!

I received a copy of this book from netgalley in return for my honest review. This book was so good. It kept my attention and really kept me guessing!!!! I never knew what was going to happen next!!!! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery!!

Where Stillhouse Lake and Killman Creek (the first two books in an apparently ongoing series) were fast-paced and laser-focused, Wolfhunter River had a plot that was pieced together indistinctly and dragged on and on as a result.

The first two books, though the plot seemed slightly exaggerated from reality, marked a personal journey/battle for Gwen Proctor and her family. And with the ending of Killman Creek, I felt satisfied with the outcome. Curious as I was to see what a third book could offer, I was disappointed to find that it was basically a book to bridge the gap and take Gwen into a new and expanded role. I can see that the logical step for the author is to expand the main character's role and carry on as a protector of sorts for the people like her, but just knowing that's where this was headed (I see a fourth book is slated already), I quickly lost interest. While I think the concept is interesting, I just am not personally invested enough in Gwen as a lead in a long-running series.

I had my doubts because this series suffered from the second book slump. But, this one went right back to the twists and turns that I loved in the first book. The family decides to go and help out a girl who keeps calling and is very vague. They just didn’t realize all the issues they would come across and how deceptive a whole town could be. They all wanted to leave because a film crew is doing a documentary on her husband and they want blood because they feel that she got away with murder too. They will stop at nothing to prove it and it all starts with an interview on tv that she decides to do. But, as with this whole book there is something that is going on with this crew that everyone things. I loved this so much and I really hope there is a 4th.

Gwen Proctor, Lanny Connor and Sam are left reeling after what they went through because of Gwen’s serial killer husband but they are still determined to live life as best as they can.
Now, their ordeal is public knowledge and the subject of a TV talkshow hosted by Miranda Tidewell who is a nemesis for Gwen because Miranda blames her for the death of her child. Miranda is the creator of the “Lost Angels” and wants to cover Gwen’s family’s story.
When a few calls come in from a woman named Marlene who is in danger, Gwen takes the decision to go there. Who is behind this? Marlene’s daughter Vee or someone else?
Gwen is strong and decisive while Connor and Lanny are courageous and willing to take risks. All the characters are very real and the settings are well thought out but I didn’t feel as quite on edge as I did with Stillhouse Lake or Killman Creek. There was more suspense in those books. I felt like the ending of Wolfhunter river left a cliffhanger but a calmer one than Killman Creek. I’m really looking forward to book 4 in the Stillhouse Lake series, Bitter Falls, which will be out next year.
I already have it on my list of books to listen to.
Thanks to Rachel Caine and Thomas & Mercer Publishers for my ARC in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.

4.stars

This is the 3rd book in the Stillhouse Lake series. I absolutely love Rachel Cain’s writing style. This story was jammed packed with twists and turns and jaw-dropping moments. Highly recommend the series especially if you love psychological thrillers.

I'm gonna make this one short as I'm way too pregnant to write coherent sentences in English. I actually love Rachel Caine's Stillhouse Lake series and its courageous no-nonsense heroine Gwen Proctor, who went from naive and doting wife to fierce defender of her children and her life. But this newest installment was somewhat disappointing. The completely harebrained story was in no way credible and with Melvin the story has lost its super villain. Gwen is still threatened by a group of vigilantes who do not believe in her innocence regarding her husband's murder spree. Some of them plan on making a documentary about Gwen, aiming not only at destroying her reputation but her whole life. And once again, Gwen and Sam, have to face the demons of the past. When Gwen gets a phone call from a woman in Wolfhunter, a dreary place where women regularly disappear. Can Gwen solve the mystery?

The plot is ridiculous I'm still in a forgiving mood because 1. Gwen and 2. Sam 😍

Wolfhunter River is the third book in the Stillhouse Lake series and while I absolutely loved the first two books I have to admit that I thought second book, Killman Creek, was the end of the story. It seemed to wrap things up pretty satisfactorily leaving me wondering whether a third book was needed and where the story could possibly go next. I did consider not picking this up (I’ve found Caine has a habit of keeping series’ running longer than they should) but curiosity got the better of me and I had to know what was next for the Proctors and Sam Cade.

Unfortunately however while Wolfhunter River is an engaging and enjoyable read it lacks the punch of the first two in the series and it feels a little muddled in places. I’ve read a few reviews describing this as a sort of bridging book and I think that’s spot on.

The story picks up not long after Killman Creek and continues some of the storylines and issues from the previous books but also starts to take it in a new direction. Gwen and her family are still facing threats from associates of her serial killer ex husband and dealing with suspicion and accusations of complicity in his crimes, Gwen and Sam (brother of one of her ex husband’s victims) are trying to figure out whether they can really have a relationship, and someone from the past is making threats against them. At the same time Gwen is receiving phone calls from strangers looking for help or advice, one of which leads her to Wolfhunter River, a small town with something sinister going on.

There’s a lot going on in the story but it still manages to feel at times like there’s not much in the way of action and it becomes a little slow in places. The different storylines don’t seem to fit naturally together and it often feel like they’re competing against each other, one elbowing its way to the fore only to be shoved aside by the other a few chapters later.

That’s not to say there’s not a lot to like about this book. Caine knows how to write an engaging story and I more or less devoured this in one go. It may be a little confused in terms of plot but main character Gwen is pretty awesome and I’ve been loving watching her, and her family, develop and grow. It’s also good to see a bit more from Sam this time around, he’s an intriguing and possibly the most conflicted character.

I did get the feeling from this book that there’s a lot more to come in this series and hopefully now that the building blocks are in place it can move forward. I’m not sure I’ll stick with it but I definitely want to read the next one.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

Gwen Proctor is trying to settle into normal life in Stillhouse Lake with her kids and boyfriend. However, she can never outrun the stain that being married to a serial killer has tainted her with. Melvin is dead and she was exonerated of the charges brought against her for having any part in his crimes. But some people will never believe her innocence.

After much discussion, Gwen has decided to go on TV to tell her side of the story. She wants to clear the air in hopes of finally being able to live a normal life! She picked which show to go on carefully, but not carefully enough as she quickly starts feeling railroaded by the host. He brings up topics she told him beforehand she wouldn’t discuss. Then, he brings out the woman who has dedicated her life to ruining Gwen, Miranda Tidewell. Miranda’s daughter was one of Melvin’s victims and Miranda is horrified that Gwen is allowed to walk around free when she feels Gwen is just as guilty as Melvin. Now she is here to discuss her new documentary she is funding to roast Gwen in the court of public opinion.

Once Gwen gets back home she tries to wrap her head around everything that happened and figure out how to protect her kids from what is to come with the documentary. They quickly learn that the film crew has already descended on their town and Sam thinks it would be a good time to leave for a bit.

Then, Gwen gets a call from a woman in Wolfhunter wanting her help. The woman is very vague on what has happened, but she’s afraid of someone. However, since she refuses to tell Gwen what’s going on she decides not to go to her. She’s afraid it could be a trap.

However, when she gets a call from the woman’s daughter and learns the Marlene is dead and the daughter is arrested for the murder Gwen must act. Sam refuses to let Gwen go off alone so the whole family makes the trip to Wolfhunter to uncover the secrets of the corrupt backwater town. But they quickly discover they aren’t wanted there and some residents will kill in order to keep their secrets. Some of those residents are on the police force and nobody can be trusted. Sam and Gwen must band together now more than ever, but can secrets from the past unravel even their bond?

I really loved the first book in this series, Stillhouse Lake. And, I was excited to see that Caine was continuing the series. I do really enjoy the characters, but sadly neither of the subsequent books in the series have lived up to that first one! I’ve enjoyed watching the kids grow and seeing Gwen try to create a normal life. And, I’ve especially enjoyed meeting Sam! However, there is something about these books that keeps me from truly enjoying them. I’ve found these last two to be pretty dull and way too easy to put down. I actually enjoyed the prologue about Ellie White’s kidnapping more than I did the rest of the book. I kind of wish the book had delved more into that and less into the corruptness of Wolfhunter … or approached that corruptness differently.

I was thinking that this book would probably be the final one in this series, but the way the story ended I’m thinking it left the door open for many more to come. I just hope that if the series does continue that Caine can recapture the magic she found with Stillhouse Lake.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title*

I really enjoyed this book and the characters. It’s the third book in the Stillhouse Lake series and like the two previous books, it didn’t disappoint. The pacing of the story was great and then it really picked up to make a really good finish. I continue to enjoy the development of Gwen’s story and her continuous fight to protect herself and her kids. I’m looking forward to the next book is this series.

Thanks to NetGally for the ARC of this book and the opportunity to share my honest feedback.

# 3 in the series!!! Go get it people. Great book and i love the author. This is certainly a must read for all the bookish bibliophiles out there. I highly recommend this to people. Thank you for the approval

I had only read the first book in the Stillhouse Lake series but Gwen Proctor’s story immediately sucked me in and I knew I had to continue on. After getting caught up and then finally reading Wolfhunter River, I have to say…Rachel Caine does not disappoint!

This installment of Gwen’s story brings us even further into her life and branches off from the original storyline of Gwen and Melvin (though the demons never really go away, do they?) with a new set of obstacles and a whole slew of crazy.

If this book proved one thing to me, it’s that Gwen Proctor is a BADASS! I’m not saying this because she spends the entire book kicking ass and taking names….I say this because she is one helluva strong woman. I mean, she has ghosts that will never leave her….ever. That’s just simple fact but even though she continues to be haunted, she perseveres. In the midst of having a serial killer ex, a family she’s trying to keep safe (though why she moved them to Crazytown, USA is beyond me) and an entire town that is going completely batsh*t crazy against her…she keeps going. THAT is strength. THAT is what we need to see more of.

I’m not saying that Gwen is perfect and that she doesn’t have her moments. You can definitely feel her pain and frustration through this book, which speaks so highly of the author’s writing capability. Not every writer can make you feel and Caine has definitely made me feel for this character time and time again. I love how easy it was to get wholly immersed in her life and her story….again.

A big problem I have with thrillers lately is that I tend to get bored and I am absolutely thrilled (ha!) that this wasn’t an issue here. I will admit that Wolfhunter River was paced quite a bit slower than the earlier books in the series but there was so much to pay attention to that it just didn’t bother me. The craziness overpowers the lag.

Wolfhunter River is a dark, twisted and compelling example of a thriller and I would absolutely recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who is a fan of the genre. Summer is coming...this would make for an excellent read for that weekend at the cottage!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my own, honest opinion.

Gwen Proctor and her family have been through more than any average family has ever experienced. Despite the turmoil they have gone through and still battle with every day, Gwen can’t ignore those who need her help. Gwen has managed to escape her serial killer husband and save her family repeatedly. Now she must help another innocent victim. Marlene Crockett has reached out to Gwen. Something has gone horribly wrong in her small hometown of Wolfhunter and now Marlene believes her own life and that of her daughter’s may be in jeopardy.

Gwen finally decides that she and her family are strong enough to work to help others in need, but before they can arrive in Wolfhunter, Marlene is dead and her daughter has been blamed for the murder. Gwen doesn’t believe this accusation and isn’t willing to leave town until the real killer has been found. Stopping her at every corner are the residents of this tiny, isolated town. They seem to be hiding the truth about what happened to Marlene, as well as potentially a much larger secret. Gwen’s life and those of her family are in danger, but none of them are willing to walk away.

WOLFHUNTER RIVER is the third installment in Rachel Caine’s Stillhouse Lake series. Each of the previous installments focused on Gwen and her children working though the discovery and impact that their husband/father was a serial killer. This time around the family is working to help others faced with their own terrible situations. I was so curious what direction Caine would take this series after the ending she gave book two, KILLMAN CREEK. This book did not disappoint at all!

Caine once again follows the format from the previous two books in this series of alternative POVs. She sticks most strongly with Gwen and Sam narrating the story, but also sporadically includes sections told by Lanny and Connor, Gwen’s children. I love how these additions to the two main narrators give the story a more well-rounded level of detail. Without them there are certain situations which would have Gwen or Sam guessing what had happened to other characters, whereas Lanny and Connor were intimately connected to those situations.

One of my favorite aspects of all of Caine’s books in the Stillhouse Lake series is her use of setting. The town of Wolfhunter is one of those backwoods, rural villages that make you fascinated by the scheming that takes place in them. Everyone knows everyone and you are either in on the secrets or a target. So much is swept under the carpet in Wolfhunter that every time you think you know the truth about this town, you don’t! I loved how Caine kept me guessing about who to trust and who to mentally scream at Gwen, Sam, Lanny, and Connor to get away from.

When I went to drop my rating on Goodreads after finishing up reading this book I saw that there are plans for a fourth book to hit shelves next year and I could not be more excited! I love this series and the direction Caine has chosen to take the story of Gwen and her family. If you’re looking to get started I highly recommend beginning with book one, STILLHOUSE LAKE, and making your way through. There are important links between each story that make this series being read in order essential.

I have enjoyed this series immensely. This books feels to be setting Gwen up for a different phase. Gwen is such a strong, independent character and I look forward to further installments.
Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I read the first two books of this series and found them interesting, this one had too many convuluted plots, too much violence and less emphasis on the emotional impact of what was happening, that got swept under the rug with all the violence taking over. How to survive being an unwitting spouse of a serial killer and how to have relationships and raise your children has interesting enough questions in and of itself.

Wolfhunter River by Rachel Caine is the perfect addition to the Stillhouse Lake series. After the events of book two, you would think things would begin to calm down for Gwen Proctor. You thought wrong! I won’t go into too many details about the plot of the book, but I will say that I finished this book in about a day and a half. Even though the issue with Melvin was wrapped up in book two, there was no lack of action in this book. It kept me interested the entire time. I do wonder how the series would go on with the conclusion of Melvin’s story line. I hope we do not veer too far off course. I do not recommend reading this as a standalone.
Book one- Stillhouse Lake
Book Two- Killman Creek

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Although I love Gwen's character and her family, I think this novel was unnecessary. The pacing was a little slower than the other two books. And I think Gwen made mistakes, like going to Wolfhunter, that she would not normally make. Overall, like others are saying this is a connecter book to continue the series. I am not sure if I will continue on with the series though. I will have to wait and see if the premise of the next book peeks my interest.

Wolfhunter River by Rachel Caine is the third in the Stillhouse Lake thriller series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Melvin Royal was a serial killer who was brutally murdering women in the family garage/workshop, while his wife and children played board games just a few rooms away. Although the family knew nothing of his actions, his wife became known as Melvin’s Little Helper. Gwen took her kids and ran, trying to escape both the crazy fans of her ex-husband, and those that thought she deserved to be dead. When Melvin escaped prison, Gwen decided to make a stand. Now Melvin is dead, but those that want her dead are still out there. Gwen is determined to make a safe home for her family, preferably in Stillhouse Lake.


My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
It doesn’t seem to matter that her psycho killer ex-husband is dead. He set things up so that his presence is still known. Threatening letters still appear in Gwen’s mailbox, as well as other unpleasant things.

From one disaster to the next, Gwen is now being followed by a television crew lead by Miranda Tidewell, a very wealthy woman who has had it in for Gwen from the beginning. Miranda’s daughter was the second victim of Melvin Royal, and Miranda is out for revenge. Melvin may be dead, but Gwen and her kids are still alive, and Miranda plans to make them suffer for eternity.

When a woman reaches out to Gwen from the nearby town of Wolfhunter River, it is hard to refuse her. Gwen has been trying to help women who are in bad situations. Sometimes it’s just by listening. Sometimes it is by pointing them toward the right government body that can help. This time the woman doesn’t give her enough information. But a second call has Gwen packing up her family and headed to Wolfhunter River. She is going to find much more than she bargained for.

Then there is the matter of Sam. Their relationship has always been complicated, but they might not survive the events that unfold.



My Opinions:
This is a great series. A lot of suspense, action, and twists. Please, read these books in order, or you will miss out on a lot of the back-story.

I like how Rachel Caine tells the story from different perspectives, thereby continuing to add depth to each of her characters. I also feel that these individual stories run true. Things aren’t always perfect in relationships, whether they are between friends, family, or lovers, and Caine shows the issues instead of sugar-coating things.

There is a lot of action in this book, and the pace is fast. There are definitely a couple of unexpected twists that I did not see coming, but I am beginning to expect this from the author.

I thought the last book was good, but this one definitely added another level to the intrigue. The author continues to surprise, and it looks like she is going in a good direction with her characters. I am looking forward to more!