Heart of a Runaway Girl by Trevor Wiltzen

Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5


WOW! This is an amazingly well written book about a small town in the 1980s’ when white supremacy, drugs and racism were common practice. However this town, Blue River, has been taken over by just those things and even the local sheriff seems to have no power to control it. The racist drug dealer thugs have a leader, Larsen, and it seems nothing is done without his permission.

Mabel Davison is a local motel owner and waitress who is truly a firecracker at heart yet is also empathetic and caring…..makes for a great character. Always wearing a smile and eage to make your day brighter. She works hard and even harder making sure you enjoy a good cup of coffee and a plate of food. The motel she owns is going through a little construction and luckily for her the workers are coming into the diner for food. One afternoon she noticed Winston, a local young black man sitting in a booth with Karen a white 18 yr old and the two were in a heated discussion. As time passed, Mabel looked again and noticed they were gone.
Shortly afterward, the sheriff came in and explained they had found a dead girl that had been raped and murder. They were looking for the last person seen with her. Of course Mabel knew it was Winston and after she informed the sheriff he was off to arrest him. Once the local mob of racist thugs found out, they wanted to have vigilante justice but Mabel showed up at just the right time. That however did not go over well with the locals and since her boys went to school with theirs, she had to become a protective mama bear.
Mabel decides that she is going to investigate the murder herself. She takes down the drug lords and criminals in order for justice to be done. But what is the justice this town needs? Can she find the real killer or is it Winston after all?
The dialect is perfect and spot on and the characters are absolutely malicious, except for Mabel who is well developed and the Wiltzen does a great job of bringing out he vulnerabilities. The story has a great pace to it and is maintained with everything needed to keep the readers interest. I could not stop eating this book and hope to read more by this author.

Release Date January 10, 2021

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

Trevor Wiltzen masterfully crafts a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The 1980s mountain town setting adds a gritty and atmospheric backdrop, immersing readers in a world fueled by the drug trade and filled with secrets and danger. The author's attention to detail effectively transports readers to this era, capturing the essence of the time with vivid descriptions and authentic dialogue.

The character of Mabel Davison is a standout in the novel. With her big heart and big hair, she is a relatable and empathetic protagonist who becomes a beacon of justice in the face of adversity. As she digs deeper into the murder case, Mabel uncovers shocking secrets that threaten to destroy not only the lives of those involved but also her own. Wiltzen skillfully develops Mabel's character, exploring her vulnerabilities and strengths as she navigates the treacherous path to uncover the truth.

The pacing of the story is well-maintained, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the final pages. The author expertly balances suspense and character development, creating a narrative that is as emotionally engaging as it is gripping. The supporting cast of characters adds depth and complexity to the story, each harboring their own secrets and motivations that contribute to the overall intrigue.

"Heart of a Runaway Girl" is a remarkable debut that showcases Trevor Wiltzen's talent for crafting a captivating mystery. The book's originality, well-drawn characters, and atmospheric setting make it a standout in the genre. Fans of mysteries and thrillers will be enthralled by the secrets unveiled in this novel, eagerly awaiting future installments in the series.

In conclusion, "Heart of a Runaway Girl" is a highly recommended read for those seeking an immersive and gripping mystery set in a vividly portrayed 1980s mountain town. Trevor Wiltzen's writing will leave readers eager for more as they unravel the tangled web of lies and deceit alongside the determined and compassionate Mabel Davison.

Thanks to all the reviewers who have reviewed my book. I really appreciate it!

From the author,
Trevor Wiltzen

I got this arc on netgalley and I enjoyed it. I liked Mabel, though it was hard to imagine someone fighting so hard to prove innocence for someone who is practically a stranger. And the police force annoyed me so badly though I know it was realistic for many small towns. It is a story that I feel is important to tell and it's well written and was a read that was good though for me a bit hard to believe.

4 stars. I really liked the story. The characters meshed well and kept the plot going. There seemed to be some unnecessary back and forth between characters just for the sake of the interaction, but it didn’t detract from the read that much. Quick read and enjoyable.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A suspenseful/thriller. It is a great weekend read.

This was a very compelling novel. I liked how this was more of a who-done-it type thriller. However, what really impressed me was the issues that this novel discussed. This was a very thought-provoking novel, and I will be on the lookout for the rest of the series.

A good ol' small-town murder mystery. I'm so excited that this is going to be a series, because I really enjoyed this -- it's timely and compelling.

Mabel's diner becomes the last place that Karen was seen alive. Mabel knew that something was wrong when she saw Karen and Winston arguing in the back booth. Whether it was from guilt for not intervening or just a strong sense of justice, Mabel puts herself in harm's way as she fights to prove Winston's innocence and that Karen was working to overcome addiction. As Mabel unveils numerous hidden secrets within her small town, she and her family edge closer to danger.

Can Mabel protect her family while also proving Winston's innocence? Or should she have remained at her diner and away from the local drug kingpin? Be sure to check out Heart of a Runaway Girl, available on Amazon. Overall, 4/5 stars!

4 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a great start to a new series!

Mabel is the owner of a diner in small town that is run by drug thugs and racists. When a black teenage boy is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Mabel hits the case to prove his innocence.

The characters were very well developed. I loved Mabel! Let me count the ways: She’s fierce, she’s strong willed, she’s brave and she speaks her mind! What’s not to love about a female character like that?

Fantastic job with this one! Anxiously looking forward to book #2!

Thank you to NetGalley and Trevor Wiltzen for my advanced copy to read and review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The book is set in Blue River, WA in the 1980s a time when white supremacy, racists, and drugs were around. The main character is Mabel owner of a motel/diner with construction crews as the majority of her patrons.
She is aware of a couple one evening an 18 year old Karen and her boyfriend Winston who is black having a heated discussion. Later that evening Karen is found raped and dead in the mill. Winston sees her being picked up in a black truck but is charged with the murder. Mabel doesn’t believe it is him.
The character of Mabel takes off, with a big heart, ability to read people, care for injustice begins to investigate the black truck. She visits the mill gets some evidence turns over to the sheriff.
She becomes a private investigator and follows her leads to resolve the crime. She additionally goes after the drug lords and runners in the story.

It is a bit of a stretch that a diner owner goes to the extent of the Mabel character, but the author makes it worthwhile and a good read! I totally enjoyed reading the story and look forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Independent Book Publishers’ Association for a complimentary ARC in return for an unbiased review.

I did enjoy reading this thriller though I felt like there some issues with it. Lots of purple prose was used along with "telling" rather than "showing", forcing the story to be less engaging with the audience. I had to stop myself from sighing every time Mabel went on her internal monologues or how nice of a person she was to be doing nice things for other people.

Mabel's journey was heartwarming through which she not only found the killer but her true calling. Though she isn't a likable character. There's no depth to her. A lot of the parts of her character seemed forced. The ending was abrupt with minuscule details. The story felt... hallow. Characters were too superficial for my taste.

It was a quick read, if the book had been any longer I would not have finished it.

So, if you are wondering what I liked about this book?

It was the sense of community, and help that everyone tried to provide for one another. Sure, it is a fictional world but that affection is missing nowadays. Along with the idea of gender equality and tolerance which Mabel was trying to accomplish.

2.8/5, this would've been a lovely read if it was in a journal format with all the descriptions that it lacked.

I went into this book with high hopes. Unfortunately, this was not for me. I found that I was forcing myself to finish this book. The story is interesting but I found it a bit unrealistic with the characters, at times the conversations seemed campy. The main character was frustrating to like, the local busy body who stuck her nose into other's business instead of fixing her own issues.

This was definitely not the book for me.

Set in a small rural backwater town where the sole sheriff is powerless against the local drug lord, as he owns the mine and employs most of the locals. One citizen, Mabel owns and runs a diner and motel while trying to raise her two sons and niece on her own. When a young customer of hers turns up brutally murdered, Mabel is not convinced the black boyfriend is to blame, despite the lynch mob trying to issue their own form of justice. A most enjoyable crime novel with a feisty hero, so three-and-a-half-star rating. With thanks to NetGalley and the author for a preview copy for review purposes. All opinions expressed herein are freely given and totally my own.

What a fabulous debut! I'm so thrilled this is the first in a series

It's 1986, and Mabel lives in the middle of nowhere with her 2 sons and her niece. During her shift at the local diner she observes a young couple arguing. Later that day, the girl is found murdered and the black boy who she was with is arrested for her murder.

In her gut, Mabel knows he's innocent but living in a racist community, she is alone with that opinion as everyone is quick to convict him. This story follows Mabel and her unwavering quest for the truth.

One word can describe Mabel: fierce! She is someone I would want on my side as a mother, sister or friend. She is a well developed highly likable character and I am always sucker for a good character. Mable for the win!

Thank you IBPA and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is definitely a slow burn, but you get so invested into the characters that you have to keep reading.

The story is about a small diner/hotel owner and the lengths she will go to clean her town up, protect her kids and prove a young black man didn't commit a horrendous crime. You really start to understand the way of life for the town through the authors descriptions, and it is very clearly the start to a series.

I think I should put a disclaimer up front and say, while I understand why people like this book and why they've recommended it to me, this book wasn't for me, *personally*. I will try to give as unbiased a review as possible, but it is possible that some of my feelings will come through and if that is the case, I apologize.

Now that that is out of the way, let us begin.

So first of all, I really like the premise of the book. And the overall story reads like a Murder, She Wrote story, which I enjoyed. (Also, the synopsis contains a good portion of the plot, so I won't really touch on that for fear of giving too much away.)

The novel contains some heavy/ sensitive content (ie racism, discrimination) which is still, unfortunately, prevalent and relevant in today's day and age, considering the setting of the book is in the 80s. But! In my personal opinion, I think that those topics could have been explored deeper because I found myself wanting at times, especially since that was the central, underlying conflict.

The protagonist, Mabel, is a character I have conflicting emotions about. On first glance, I loved her and related to her on several levels. (I'm the "Mom" friend in my friend group for a reason.) However... I found myself frequently annoyed with her actions and often felt that she was meddling in affairs she ought to have left alone. (If you argue that Nancy Drew is a classic example of this, especially in this genre, I agree *now*, but when I read that series as a 10-year-old, I had vastly different opinions.) But overall, I liked Mabel as a person and appreciated her efforts.

My last point will probably sound a bit nitpicky, but I would be remiss to not mention this. The pacing was probably *my* biggest issue because I felt that there could have been more urgency, more tension, etc. I don't normally gravitate towards this genre, but when I do, I tend to prefer books that have me on the edge of my seat or constantly guessing/ worrying about what's going to happen next. I was missing those elements in this book, but if they were here, whew! I probably wouldn't have been able to put it down.

So overall, while I had fun reading this from time to time, ultimately, it just wasn't my cup of tea. If you want a change of pace from normal mystery/ thrillers, I'd try giving this a go, but if you prefer something with more tension and higher stakes, this might not be for you.

Happy reading!

Mabel is a motel and restaurant owner/waitress in a small mountain town, Blue River. When a girl is murdered and her boyfriend is arrested for it, Mabel decides she can't let a boy who she believes to be innocent go to jail. She decides to investigate and battles racism, ignorance, and the local drug lord along the way.

The pros:

Mabel is a sweet and likeable character who tends to make very impulsive and not-well-thought out decisions. She's messy and a busybody, but her heart is in the right place. At times she's annoying and you roll your eyes at her dumb conclusions. However as a main character she carries the book.
But girl, if you didn't jump to conclusions so much, you wouldn't need to make so many apology pies!

The cons:

I really disliked the writing style of this book. To me this author needed to follow the cliche, "show, don't tell." Most scenes came off as completely expository and took me out of the story. The dialogue is stilted and melodramatic by turns. However, I did think both issues got a little better as the book went on.

At times the moments in the book where a character learns something became preachy. I thought it was great that Wiltzen brought themes of racism, police corruption, and drug use up front and center to discuss, however I thought that the way the characters talked about them came off as "staged," if you will. Again, show, don't tell might have come in handy here.

Overall it was a quick and easy read. It introduced a main character who is a lot of fun. I look forward to seeing what trouble Mabel can get herself into in the next book!

3.5 stars

This was a very intriguing read, I found it so compelling that I read it in one sitting. Heart of a Runaway Girl is murder mystery set in a small mountain town called Blue River in the 1980s.

The story begins when Mabel Davison, the hard working owner of a motel and diner, sees a young couple fighting in a diner. When the girl turns up brutally murdered, the main suspect is her boyfriend, however Mabel instincts tell her the police are wrong, and the amateur sleuth goes about trying to prove his innocence.

I did feel like the character accused of murder did feel like a bit of a stereotype. I was also worried that it read like Mabel had a saviour complex, however it did not come across that way at all. The author does a good job of writing a character with a big heart, and it's easy to believe she'd want to help no matter who the person being accused of murder was.

The character of Mabel was an endearing single mother with a seemingly endless amount of patience and goodwill and she was a large part of why this book was a pleasure to read. I also appreciated that there wasn't an uneccesary amount of build up, and the book jumps pretty much straight into the main plot.

The only aspect of this book which prevented it from being a 4 star read for me was that, at times, the dialogue felt stilted and forced, and came across more like an information dump for the reader rather than flowing, organic conversation.

If you're looking for a small town murder mystery with an interesting plot and a unique lead, then this could be a read for you.

When the young couple began arguing in Mabel’s Diner, the small town of Blue River in Washington State would soon see drugs, white supremacy and murder come to the fore. Mabel Davison was shocked to hear of the murder of the young girl, and even more so to have Blue River’s small-town sheriff arrest the girl’s boyfriend for the murder. The murdered girl was white; the boyfriend black – so his arrest was automatic, even though he kept declaring he was innocent of the crime.

Mabel knew in her heart that Winston didn’t kill that girl, and with the drug lord and all his minions demanding their own kind of justice, tensions were rising. Mabel – single mother, owner of the diner and the motel alongside, with two boys and a niece in her care, was a woman who wasn’t to be messed with. She was determined to find the evidence to prove Winston innocent, as well as find the real killer. But she had no idea of the danger she faced. Would she succeed in her quest? Or would she just bring danger to her own doorstep and family?

Heart of a Runaway Girl is the first in the Mabel Davison series by Trevor Wiltzen and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Mabel was amazing; her strength of character, her ability to focus on the difference between right and wrong, and her bravery in facing up to the bad guys (even though she was terrified) was remarkable. Jaded law enforcement: jaded public defenders – the 1980s was a hot bed of badness in Blue River. I can’t wait until #2 is published! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Trevor Wiltzen for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.