Wolfhunter River is the third in the series by Rachel Caine. Gwen Proctor and her family - Lanny, Connor and Sam are all dealing with the aftermath that comes after the publicized death of her ex-husband Melvin Royal. As with the previous novels, every book is named after a body of water. Gwen receives a phone call from a woman in desperate need of help. Cautious and skeptical, Gwen isn't sure how to proceed. And why? She is threatened and terrorized daily in person and via the Internet.

This series is always a fun read, but the third in the series is very obviously bridging the gap between a victimized mother and a woman who will become the helper herself. This becomes a little too obvious and can diminish some suspense. The novel has some very funny dramatized lines, but it somehow seems to work because it seems like this is just how Gwen thinks.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC. I give this 3 stars. It's a fun and at times ridiculous read, and also the weakest of the three.

I really couldn’t get into this story. Not sure if it is because I haven’t read the other stories, but I felt like I was trudging through it just to get it finished.

This was Rachel Caine's third book in her Stillhouse Lake series. Gwen Proctor is the ex-wife of a serial killer. She and her children have been targeted by internet stalkers and weird murder-fanatics for years. Some of those people have wanted to harm Gwen as a favor for her ex, and some of them still believe she played some role in his crimes. In this book, a woman from a rural town reaches out to Gwen for help. Gwen has to decide if this woman truly needs help or if it's a trap to lure her into another bad situation. When the woman turns up dead, Gwen realizes she needs to step in to help solve the crime.
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I remember when I got the first book, Stillhouse Lake, as a free Kindle book from Amazon. I didn't expect much from a free book, but I was truly blown away. Stillhouse Lake was so good, in fact, that I convinced my brother to read it and he loved it too! The second book, Killman Creek, sort of made an ending to the storyline that had begin in the first book, so I was interested to see how the third would fit into the series. This book didn't necessarily follow the storyline that had previously been set up - the target being on Gwen and her children because of her ex-husband's crimes. Instead, Gwen finds herself working alongside an investigation team to help solve a crime for someone else. I'm curious to see if Caine will make Gwen a character in other books as well. Check this one out on its publication day - April 23rd!
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**Thank you to @netgalley and @ for providing me with a free copy of the book to review.
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Third in the stillhouse lakes series, this latest book manages to continue the saga of the previous two books even though there were a lot of storylines that were ended in the last book, I did nt entirely enjoy each chapter being from a different characters point of view, this sometimes made it difficut to keep track, but again Caine came through with an excellent read.

I enjoyed the previous two books, Stillhouse Lake and Killman Creek, but I wasn't looking forward to continuing. I felt that there was nothing more to add to the story and I liked a clear harmonic end of the second book. But when I found out that the third book was coming, I couldn't also say "no" to it. So I started it with a mixed feeling of curiosity and some initial skepticism.

Unfortunately my fears were confirmed: I found the third book the weakest in the series until now. Yes, until now, because Wolfhunter River won't be also the last book in the series. More books are coming. But somehow it is not that surprising. The author NEEDED to come with something totally new- if she wanted to keep her Stillhouse Lake Series alive, because the old story had already worn out, IMO - and this something new that would provide the basis for further books has indeed occurred, only in the last quarter of the book. And the way to this new turn was very repetitive and long-winded (for the first two quarters of the book), and appeared to be rather implausible and potentially unconvincing (for me at the end).

Rachel Caine knows pretty well how to create a thrill-packed ride and keep her reader close to a heart attack. It is why I think she should try her skills in film scripts for action movies (and sell them at a high price to film studios :)). Wolfhunter River could make a fine action movie, but I found it as a book OVERLOADED.

This is one high octane thrill ride!

You'd think by book four in the series, things would slow down for Gwen Proctor and her family. And you'd be very wrong. With everything Gwen has been through since her husband's arrests for a series of murders, I thought she'd be on guard more. For whatever reason, she makes decisions that aren't in her best interests, and it always seems to backfire. That's how this book kicks off, when Gwen makes the decision to appear on a TV show, and is ambushed by the woman who wants to destroy her at all costs, Miranda Tidewell

From there, the wheels come off on this bat shit ride, with the group facing a multitude of problems:
- A group of nut jobs, the Lost Angels, are working on a documentary on Gwen, and how should face the same fate as her now deceased husband.
- Hillbilly neighbors begin to threaten the family, due to Sam's (Gwen's bf) previous actions in book one.
- Gwen receives a mysterious call from a woman in Wolfhunter Creek, who later ends up dead.
- A young girl is abducted.
On top of all that, there is drama between Gwen and Sam, as he reveals some truths about his past.

While I expected the documentary nuts to be focus of this story, it is only the first half of the book, with the second half being about the crazy town of Wolfhunter, where it seems no one, even law enforcement can be trusted.

One thing that frustrated me with book three was some of the immaturity of her kids, Connor and Lanny, and the decisions they've made. So I was pleased to see that they have matured from those days and understand everything they do is under the spotlight and could have major consequences. They also have formed a better bond with Gwen, and Sam, which I think was crucial for Gwen's own sanity.

I'll be honest, I don't know how Gwen's character continues day to day. I would suffer a nervous breakdown, if not be suicidal. Her kids might be the only thing stopping her from going over the edge. Given everything she's faced for four books now, her character might not be realistic, but it makes for an entertaining read.

With how this story plays out, it will be interesting to see if the author switches gears for Gwen's character. This series will never bore you, so if you are interested in a story with non-stop action/drama, check this one out!

Another wonderful thriller in the Stillhouse Lake series, in this novel Gwen is still living in the shadow of her late serial killer husband, and having a hard time keeping the haters from her family. Then she receives a call from a women upstate, claiming that something dodgy is going on in her town, but doesn't let on what. Soon after the woman's daughter calls Gwen back, saying she has just found her mother's body and the police are coming to get her. So just what is going on in Wolfhunter River?

With an incarcerated fifteen year old girl, three missing young women, and a kidnapped child, life is certainly interesting in Wolfhunter River, a backward town where everyone knows, or is related to everyone else, and outsiders aren't tolerated, let alone trusted. Gwen finds her work cut out for her, and during all this the threats to her family are escalating...

Well, I just couldn't put this book down, reading it in a day. We again feel Gwen's pain as she tries to protect her family against the odds, finding it especially tough in Wolfhunter River, where the locals close ranks against her. The angst of her teenage daughter, the growing strength of character of her young son, and the confusion her lover Sam still feels are all well portrayed. But gee, how much can one woman go through in a lifetime? Gwen deserves a break, and maybe, just maybe, she finds it in the end.

I recommend this book to all lovers of crime thrillers.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Y’all. When I read Killman Creek a while back I wondered how there could be a 3rd book. I am here to tell you, there can TOTALLY be a 3rd book. In fact, this might be my favorite of the series. Maybe because I am familiar with the characters, or maybe because they are coming into their own and a new plot twist is introduced, but I devoured this one and am now sad it is over.

To be honest, this started off a little slow, and we began re-hashing the online conspiracy theories created by internet trolls that Gwen must have had something to do / knowledge of / assisted with her serial killer ex-husband’s murders. Yes, I understand there has to be some re-telling to bring those up to speed that start with this book, however, we stayed in this space so much that it began to feel a little book one all over again, and I was getting a little meh because I have already read book one.

But then. It takes off. It is no longer book one but it is now Wolfhunter River and I AM THERE FOR IT. This was so good, I could not click the Kindle fast enough! The additional setting / new plot was refreshing, and the book one Melvin Royal / Gina Royal conspiracy theories carryover were needed for conflict but I got why, as the book went on. We also got resolution to the Sam/Gwen history, with a new twist that was unexpected but good.

You will have to read it yourself to know what happens, but good news, it is out this Tuesday 4/23. This was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 stars, and I highly recommend, especially if you have read the other two books in the series. If you have, I don’t need to tell you there are all kinds of trigger warnings in here, it is after all a psychological thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this to review. All opinions above are my own.

This is my first book in the Stillhouse Lake series. I understand her ex husband Melvin was a serial killer and he is now dead, and that Gwen was not involved. A woman in Wolfhunter River contacts Gwen and asks for her help. Gwen goes to Wolfhunter River and finds the woman dead and her daughter charged with the murder. And so begins Gwen in a fight for her life and her family.
This is an action packed suspenseful thriller that is slow at first but once it picks up, you don’t want to put down!
I recommend this book to anyone who likes a strong courageous woman who fiercely protects her own.
A big Thank you goes out to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer who provided me with an advanced digital read. The opinions here are my own.

Gwen Proctor is a magnet for evil and a force to be reckoned with in Rachel Caine's Wolfhunter River (Stillhouse Lake #3)!

Melvin Royal might be dead but his notoriety as a serial-killer continues to haunt Gwen and their children. All she wants is to try to provide her children with some sense of normalcy but a group of internet vigilantes who believe she is as evil as her ex-husband are seeking their own brand of justice and simply won't allow it.

Seen as a fighter and a survivor to some, there are people who have begun to seek Gwen out for help facing their own demons. When Gwen receives a series of desperate calls hailing from Wolfhunter River from a woman and then her daughter, it's not something she can simply ignore.

Wolfhunter River proves to be a secluded, eerie town with rules all their own. It's the kind of town where the inhabitants are not keen on outsiders and they have no problems expressing their hostility. Gwen and her family find themselves putting their lives at risk to help the daughter of the deceased woman who initially called her. Soon Gwen finds herself fighting against a town of pure evil. Can they make it out of Wolfhunter River alive?

I appreciated the directional leap this book has taken as we move beyond the initial Gwen versus Melvin storyline. Gwen and Sam's relationship is tested once again in this book with the truth being bared once and for all. I look forward to seeing where they go from this point.

Gwen is an intelligent, strong, courageous and determined character. I enjoy watching her battle evil in all its forms via this series and look forward to continuing to do so with future books. I'm already looking forward to #4!

Though Gwen Proctor, originally Gina Royal, the wife of notorious and recently dead Melvin Royal, thinks that she and her kids can finally settle in at Stillhouse Lake with her new boyfriend, Sam Cade. Recently, however, social media and the press have resumed attacks on her character, accusing her of being complicit in the serial killings her husband was responsible for and convicted of.

Since Melvin Royal is gone and can't torture them any longer, Gwen and her little family are trying to restart their lives, making friends and just living normally. Unfortunately her notoriety hasn't waned and she's contacted by a woman who says there is trouble in a small town in Tennessee known as Wolfhunter. Despite it probably not being in her own best interests, Gwen, Sammy, Connor and Lanny head that way. And, they get involved in much more than they could have ever anticipated. NO SPOILERS.

This is definitely bloody and action-packed with Gwen, Sam and the kids helping to save the day in Wolfhunter. The threat of Melvin is gone, but there is still evil out there. Now it seems that the series may continue with Gwen going in a new direction though it's probable that there will still be more of the fallout from her being the wife of a mass murderer and her still trying to escape her past. Gwen does a lot of internal angsting that seems to go on and on and gets old but I am curious to see what she makes with her new relationship and for her family. She's definitely no wallflower.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Back in 2017, I devoured books one and two in this series in four days. I absolutely loved them, so I was really looking forward to the long-awaited third instalment. It didn't quite deliver on the fronts I hoped it would, but it was still a good read overall.

At the heart of the novel is the Proctor family, along wtih Sam Cade, trying to move on with their lives post-Melvin Royal. Their pasts still haunt them in ways they could never imagine, and there are betrayals lurking around every corner. I enjoyed this character-driven stuff even as I was a bit disappointed that the suspense was lacking.

The crime story and the suspense really picked up in the last third. Up until the 60% mark, I was thinking that not much had really been happening plot-wise, but there was enough in that last third to make up for the rest. It did get a bit complicated and I had to remember who a lot of different people were. A few different sub-plots all came together, so there was a lot to keep track of.

I suspect that this is something of a bridging book between the original Melvin Royal duology and future crime-solving instalments. I am definitely interested to see if/how this series continues.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

This is the third book in the Stillhouse Lake series. I loved the first two books. I think that the premise is so great. These books are told from the POV of the wife of a serial killer - and she had no idea what her husband was. However, the first two books wrapped up nicely, so I was not sure where this one was going to go. Unfortunately, it was not my favorite. 

I liked being back with these characters again, and I was excited to see where this story would go. I was left feeling that it was unfinished. There are subplots started in the beginning that I did not feel came to fruition at all throughout the story. It all seemed to be forgotten once the new plot direction started. I think that Gwen is such a strong character, but she felt lost by the plot in this story.

This review was originally posted on <a href="http://booksofmyheart.net/2019/04/16/wolfhunter-river-by-rachel-caine/" target="_blank"> Books of My Heart</a>
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Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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This <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/201150-stillhouse-lake" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em><strong>Stillhouse Lake series</strong></em></a> is a terrifying blur of survival.  You need to read these in order.  I wanted to read this as soon as I got it. I'm bummed it took me until last week.

At the end of <strong>Killman Creek</strong>,  Gwen was in rough shape.   I have to say she has amazing strength and intelligence.  She works so hard to protect her family. Doing all the running, self defense training, shooting and other skills takes consistent dedication and has to be exhausting. I admire her tenacity.  She protects her children mentally as well as physically, shielding them from the worst hate mongers and making sure they get counseling.

A perfect storm of a victim's family going after the Proctors harder, another woman in trouble and a kidnapped child throw them all into dire circumstances again. Sam is part of their family but he has some secrets from the past.  I can understand not sharing them when they would only hurt Gwen and are in the past. However, holding back once they become a current problem is not cool.

<strong>Wolfhunter River</strong> is a rough journey with a light at the end of the tunnel. I wasn't sure where the series would go after the last book but I know where I hope they go now. Gwen may be taking on a new career which will bring plenty of strong women and exciting adventures in the future. Next year, <strong>Bitter Falls</strong> is expected in March.

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I love this series although I will say that this book was a bit hard to read. Not because it wasn't good and suspenseful and twisty and well written but because I feel for Gwen so much. I just want some peace for her at this point but this is definitely not the case . . . YET! I don't want to give anything away but you will not see this coming -- it's amazing how Rachel Caine can come up with these books and execute them so well. Can't wait for more!!

Wolfhunter River comes out next week on April 23, 2019, and you can purchase HERE. The first book in this series, Stillhouse Lake, was absolutely incredible and you can read my review of book 2, Killman Creek, HERE, which I also loved! And, I just found out that there will be a fourth book, Bitter Falls, YAY!!!

So I do. I tell him about marrying my ex, about our early life when I had no clue that the demands he placed on me in the home, in our bedroom, were anything but normal. I was too young and too sheltered to know better. I'd been told to be sweet, be accommodating, be what my husband expected from me. And once the kids came, it was too late to listen to my instincts. I was too afraid to look at the truth.

My day was put on hold so i could devour this book. I'd been so excited to read it and once again Rachel Caine did not let me down. It was incredibly well written, the tension steadily building as Gwen, Sam and the kids headed to Wolfhunter River. The town felt so unsettling and claustrophobic, even when they ventured into the vast forest. The emotional impact of the story was just as shocking as the action and i'm so excited to see what happens next.

This is Caine’s third in the Stillhouse Lake series, yet stands well on its own. The story includes a strong ensemble of characters and kicked into high gear midway, becoming quite intense. I believe I may have missed out by not reading the first two books in the series as there is little about the family’s backstory. I believe more insight would have made this good book better, providing a frame of reference and a more informed understanding of how the family and Sam got to this point.

Will post in additional online venues upon publications.

Ever get that feeling when you're reading a book that you just feel really bad for the characters? I'm not sure there's much more that Rachel Caine can put Gwen Proctor and her family through (I feel like I'm throwing down a challenge here, but really, how much more can these people survive?!). This is the kind of story you race through because you can't imagine how it's possibly going to end up ok in the end.

Gwen wasn't the bad guy- her husband was - but there are a lot of people out there who want to make her pay. An ill considered decision to give an interview leads to a real mess for her but she's compelled to assist Marlene. Unfortunately, Marlene is found dead and her daughter Vee is the suspect. It's hard to compress the plot into a review (and probably best not to in any event). It's also hard if you like me have not read the first two books to fully appreciate this one. There's clearly a huge and important back story that hangs over it and while Caine does a good job of including it, her effort is probably more valuable to those who need to be reminded than to those who know nothing. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. A good fast read for those who are familiar with the characters.

I’ve been so excited to return to the world of Gina Royal/Gwen Proctor since I last heard a third book in the Stillhouse Lake series was coming! Due to the events of Killman Creek, it’s only natural that the story would have to move in a bit of a different direction - something I’ve seen other reviewers be less than thrilled with but I found a total breath of fresh air! Seeing badass momma bear Gwen fiercely protect Lanny & Connor while cultivating a relationship with Sam is quite entertaining as is a new mystery that’s uncovered in Wolfhunter River. If I was Gwen, I’d probably stay away from all these towns with their dangerous lakes/creeks/rivers!

I hear there will be a 4th book and I’ll be adding it to my list for sure!

Thank you to Amazon publishing for an advance copy. All opinions are my own!