Rachel Caine did it again!! This is the 3rd book in the Stillhouse Lake series, & I have been impatiently waiting for this release. If you have read the two previous books, this one does not disappoint. I will devour any book by Caine.

Gwen Proctor, mother of two, & wife of serial killer, Melvin Royal. Gwen was put on trial for being Melvin's accomplice & found not guilty, but not everyone believes her. There are those who wish to destroy her & her children. All these books follow Gwen's journey. I advise reading the first 2 books before reading this one.

This is an action packed thriller that you will want to read in one sitting!

This series has a continuing story arc and I highly recommend the first two books be read before starting this one. The backstories are critical to fully understanding the main characters, appreciating from where they’ve come and who they are now.

Gwen Proctor thinks she can finally take a breath after having escaped the clutches of her serial killer husband and exposed and dismantled a dangerous group supporting his sick objectives. However, her family is still at risk from their increased notoriety spearheaded by a group comprised of the family members of Melvin Royal’s victims. And, that group is led by someone with unlimited resources and hatred of Gwen. Meanwhile, she receives a cryptic call from a Marlene Crockett, a stranger from the small town of Wolfhunter who is seeking guidance for herself and her daughter but, not long after, turns up dead with that daughter accused of her murder.

There’s so much going on in this story, especially when Gwen lands in Wolfhunter to help Marlene’s daughter, Vera (Vee) who reached out to her. It was hard to distinguish between the compromised law enforcement, those that just resented Gwen because of her history and the good guys. In the midst of all this is an abducted child and three missing young women feared dead, in addition to the relentless media assaults on Gwen and her family. There’s obviously something seriously wrong in this town and figuring that out is just as challenging. I had to pay close attention because the clues are all there.

I read the first two books and opted to listen to this one as this series is ideal to listen to because of the pace and action. I’m so glad I made the switch because the narrators masterfully handled the narratives of Gwen, her daughter Lanny, her son Connor and her lover Sam Cade. I especially liked the performance for Gwen as she adeptly captured the personality and steeliness of this fearsome woman. I highly recommend this format.

This next phase of life for Gwen and her family didn’t disappoint and it has some powerful, painful moments with some shocking betrayals. There’s nothing predictable about the story and it was beyond exciting and gnarly. At times things seemed a little convoluted but eventually made sense when I got to the outcome. It’s an intricate story and you better pay close attention to the details. It’s a worthy edition to this unique and exciting series.

Wolfhunter River is the third installment in the intensely thrilling Stillhouse Lake series. It picks up where #2 left off, with Gwen Proctor, formally Gina Royal, and her family recovering from a traumatic run-in with Melvin Royal, Gwen's ex-husband and a brutal serial killer. Gwen's family is still being stalked and receiving death threats from groups like the Lost Angels, vigilantes filming a "documentary" and intent on destroying Gwen and her kids on behalf of Melvin's victims.

When Gwen receives a phone call from a distressed woman in Wolfhunter River, she ignores it - not sure if it's a trap or not. Later, she receives a second phone call, this time from the woman's daughter who comes home to find her mother murdered and is being arrested for the crime. With the knowledge that something definitely isn't right in the backwoods town, Gwen travels to Wolfhunter River to do what she can to help the girl and to escape her own stalkers.

I got so drawn into the first two books in this series that I stayed up well into the night to finish each one. This one did not disappoint. While the first 1/3 is a little slow, it quickly picks up and I once again found myself racing through to the end well into the night. These books are intense; I was literally reading as fast as I could during some scenes, holding my breath. Gwen is such a badass woman and her kids are fiercely strong too. I'm looking forward to the next developments in their story. This book was a little bit of a transition into the next phase and I think the Proctors' adventures in helping others are just beginning. I'm excited to see that book #4 is already in the works.

Wolfhunter River by Rachel Caine is the third installment of the thrilling Stillhouse Lake series. The first book in the series, Stillhouse Lake, introduced readers to Gwen Proctor who had gone into hiding with her two children after it was found that her husband was a serial killer. The trio had been on the run for several years not only trying to make sure that her husband who had gone to prison wouldn’t know of their whereabouts but also the vigilantes that thought Gwen was an accomplice to the killings instead of an innocent housewife.

After years of being on the run and hiding Gwen and her children were tired of constantly being on the move and decide to finally settle at a home at Stillhouse Lake. This series continues their story from book to book and is best read from the beginning to get the full story on the dangers the family has faced and to get to know all the characters well. The second book, Killman Creek, picked up right where the story had left off and now Wolfhunter River has done the same.

I have followed this series from the beginning and have absolutely loved it giving the first two books five stars. I loved the way it digs deep into what happens to the family of a convicted killer bringing in the internet and media and their intrusion into their lives. The characters are likable, the story is one that has kept my attention and had me on the edge of my seat. The only reason I went with four stars this time is the story took a route I wasn’t quite expecting and seemed to not take advantage of where the second ended, it was still good though just not the wow I expected.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I loved the first two books in this series, however, I really didn't like this story and had a tough time getting through it. I am still looking forward to the next book in this series because I really do like the main characters.

Another great book in this series and it actually sets this up to be an even longer series which I was excited about!

When you think all the secrets are out, beware! Gwen, Sam and her kids are recovering from the events in the last book but Gwen has been helping people in trouble and somehow a woman in Wolfhunter River gets her number and asks for her help, Gwen doesn't really take it all that seriously until the woman dies, thus starts a new adventure with new foes and some old enemies that threaten the family Gwen and Sam have made.

I enjoy this series very much and I look forward to reading more of this family!

4 stars

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review

I’ve been with this series from the beginning and I’ve been so impressed with all three of them! I would highly recommend picking up Stillhouse Lake and Killman Creek prior to this one so that you can appreciate the character growth in Wolfhunter River. However, I don’t think it would be terrible to follow as a standalone. Books one and two are fantastic, so you won’t be wasting your time!

We’re back with Gwen, her kids, and Sam – they’ve all been through a lot but there’s more in store for them! When your ex-husband was a serial killer, it’s always hard to move forward and keep his terrible actions in the past. Gwen is back in Stillhouse Lake and trying desperately to live a normal life again, but when she is contacted by a woman in need of her help she immediately heads for Wolfhunter.

In true fashion with books one and two, there is the solid character building and development throughout. I think this installment is more character driven than the others, but there was still plenty of suspense and twists thrown at the reader! That’s one thing I can always count on with Caine – a fast-moving and expertly woven thriller. What took off a little bit in my rating was that it felt like there were too many moving parts to this story and got kind of difficult to keep it all straight. Or I felt like we were losing some elements or stories along the way – but Caine did get them all tied together in the end.

WOLFHUNTER RIVER definitely went in a different direction than books one and two, but considering the end of the last book, it was inevitable. I personally loved seeing the characters continue to grow and get more fleshed out as this series progresses, so I’m very curious as to where Caine will take this series next.

I absolutely love this series! Books one and two came and slapped me in the face and I loved every minute of it and book 3 did the same, just not as hard. ;)

This book starts off, like the other two, with a bang. Instant hookage. Then we get back to Gwen, Sam and her kids. I mean, they've already been through enough but it just NEVER ends. I suppose if you're the wife of a serial killer and then you end up killing him... well, things aren't going to be easy. The author does an amazing job bringing us right back in and the growth you see of each and every character was a pleasure to read.

The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because after the opening, I had no idea where that story line went. It all but seemed to have disappeared. Instead, we go on a different tangent and Gwen is off helping someone else.. and it took a bit to get to this point. Now, usually you'll get some glimpses of what's going on with said prologue character throughout the read and maybe all books don't need this but I wish there had been just a smidgen of these glimpses here. *shrug* Of course, it does come full circle at the end. At this point though I was like oh, finally. Here we are.

For me, this book wasn't even about this plot line. It had more to do with the relationships between Gwen and her children, Gwen and Sam and how each of these characters grew and that alone makes this book amazing.

Maybe this could be read as a standalone but I would suggest starting from the beginning so you can fully appreciate these characters. And quite frankly, all of these books are absolutely worth the read. I'm really looking forward to seeing where Caine takes us in the next installment.

This was the first book from this author. I really liked the book and the storyline. I told a few friends about the book, because I will definely real more from this author.

4.5 🌟
I'm very happy to see the direction the author has taken this series in. Even though Melvin Royal is dead, Gwen Proctor, her children and Sam Cade are living on. There was as much if not more action as the first book in the series. I look forward to reading future books in this series.


Thanks to Netgalley and Rachel Caine for my opportunity to read and review this copy.

I loved this series when it started! So, thank you Netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this! I still love this series, but after the first book, every book after that has kind of followed the same structure. That's the only complaint I have. I adore the characters and I really enjoy trying to solve the mysteries.

Wolfhunter River had me curious at the start to see what would happen now that Melvin was gone from the series, however, I was soon gripping at the end of my chair holding on for a whirlwind of a ride. This book was excellent. I loved the return of all of my favorite characters and the new dynamics of their relationships. I was left guessing at each turn and looking for the evil in every single character because as I have learned from the rest of the series, you never truly know exactly who to trust. If you are looking for an adventurous and crazy ride, grab a copy of Wolfhunter River, but be sure to buckle up.

Gwen Proctor, formerly known as Gina Royal, has already survived so much. Married to serial killer Melvin Royal, she and her children Lanny and Connor have finally escaped and settled in to life on Stillhouse Lake with Sam Cade, brother of one of Melvin's victims.
Unfortunately they are still being haunted and hunted by fanatical vigilantes who think she was in collusion with her ex-husband.
And it only gets worse when she finds out Miranda Tidwell, whose daughter was a victim of Melvin, is financing a documentary investigating Melvin's crimes and trying to link Gwen to them.
Gwen receives a phone call from Marlene Crockett of Wolfhunter, asking for help in something she is too fearful to speak about over the phone. But she is so vague, Gwen can't justify travelling to see her.
Later she gets a phone call from Vera Crockett, her daughter, telling her Marlene is dead. And Vera, the same age as her daughter Lanny, is the main suspect. Gwen and her family race to help, but they are facing an unknown enemy in a small, unfriendly town.
This is book three of an exciting series. There was action and intrigue throughout. Gwen and her children are sympathetic characters, also victims of Melvin. Looking forward to book four!
This could be read as a standalone, but I strongly recommend reading the series in order. You'll get so much more out of it.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really good transitional novel. If you've been reading the series, then you know that the second book wrapped up the storyline from the first. This third book takes our main characters in a new direction and sets the stage for future installments.

I found that towards the end of the book, there was a little suspension of disbelief as one storyline was wrapped up quickly. However, I generally found the story as engaging as the previous two and look forward to the new story arc in future books.

This book is not needed to enjoy the first two books in the series, as those wrap up well on their own. However, if you want to see more of Gwen and her family, this is a worthy read.

This is the third book in the Stillhouse Lake series but it read more as a standalone so don't feel obligated to read the first 2, although I highly recommend reading Stillhouse Lake and Killman Creek to get the backstory. Gwen, still living under the shadow of her serial-killer husband, receives a call from a woman in Wolfhunter asking for help. Gwen is used to people asking for assistance but something about this woman fills her with unease. This had as much action and tension as the first 2 books and overall, I enjoyed this one as well. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!

Danger seems to follow Gwen Proctor, her children Lanny and Connor, and her lover Sam. If you have read the previous 2 books in this series, you will likely be eager to read book 3. This one starts off slowly and I had to push myself to keep going, but by the middle of the book you won't be able to put it down. There are so many twists and turns, you will constantly be guessing about what will happen next and you will likely be surprised. Sit back and enjoy this rollercoaster ride. Gwen is quite a heroine and I am hoping for more books in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced read in exchange for this review.

This book sounded so amazing that I knew right then that I needed to spend the week reading book one and two so I could devour this third book in the series. I do not regret spending my time reading all of this and I'm already looking forward to the fourth book! I love the main characters so much that I could feel myself truly caring about their wellbeing. I can't wait to see what's next!

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This was my least favorite book in this series, by far. While I understand the author wants to take the book in a new direction and that's what the whole book is, setting the series up for a new plot line. I almost stopped after the first 100 or so pages because it didn't feel like anything was really happening, I liked the other two enough to push through and give this one the benefit of the doubt. That being said I still enjoyed it, don't get me wrong, but it just didn't suck me in like the others.

Rachel Caine is why I started reading suspense.

I’ve only been reading mystery and suspense novels for the past couple years, and it’s all Rachel Caine’s fault. I’d read a handful of books from this genre over the years prior, and they were always eye-roll inducing with predictable plots and awful female characters who were so one dimensional they were practically transparent.

Then I stumbled on Rachel Caine’s Stillhouse Lake series with main character Gwen Proctor and I was hooked. Gwen is complex and real and totally believable and relatable. I love everything about her.

After that, I’ve been hooked on suspense that features strong female leads and have been devouring novels by Sue Grafton, Nevada Barr, and Ruth Ware, to name a few.

But I’ll always credit Caine with opening up this world in a way that I truly appreciate and respect, and her latest book, Wolfhunter River, is a prime example of why. Complex, gritty, heart-pounding, and un-put-downable, Wolfhunter River picks up where Killman Creek left off, with the same level of non-stop action and unpredictability.

Gwen Proctor’s serial killer ex-husband is dead, but if she’s hoping that means life will return to normal, she’s dead wrong. Proctor still has to contend with the internet vigilantes who remain convinced she helped her husband murder all those women, and as if dealing with them online wasn’t bad enough, the main woman behind it all suddenly steps from the shadows to announce a documentary she’s developing which will tell the “truth” about Gwen. Suddenly, Gwen has camera crews following her and her kids’ every move.

Then, Gwen becomes embroiled in a mystery centered around the tiny town of Wolfhunter, and something is seriously wrong in this place. A woman reaches out to Gwen for help, and then is brutally murdered. But she’s not the first and she won’t be the last if Gwen doesn’t step in and try to unravel the town’s darkest secrets.

This book was seriously impossible to put down and I kept having to remind myself to breathe because I’d realize I’d been holding my breath for pages at a time.

I just did a quick Google search and saw that there’s a fourth book, Bitter Falls, scheduled for release next year, and that makes me so happy. I feel like Wolfhunter River left off in a really great place for Gwen, and Caine could take this in several different directions. I’ll just have to remind myself to keep breathing until then.

This was my most anticipated read this month! I have been devouring Gwen Proctor’s series and this one didn’t disappoint! I wasn’t sure where the story was going after the first two books, but this one proved to be as intense as the others! Gwen again taking everybody out (in a badass-mom way) to protect her children from the hateful trail that her ex-husband/serial killer brought to them. What’s new in this one? She is kinda turning into a some sort of “save-everyone-in-trouble” super woman.