Claire Kells' second mystery novel is as compelling as her first, and it has the same intriguing characters, Harland and Hux, who are following up on the suspicious and quixotic deaths of a couple in an Arctic National Park in Alaska. We learn that the couple has traveled to Alaska to find the head of a fertility cult, and like others who are involved in this strange search for help with infertility, are willing to do anything to have a child. How far will they go to reach this goal?

The setting, the inventive characters, the plot, and the burgeoning relationship of Harland and Hux kept me reading this book in one sitting and hoping for another Claire Kells' mystery soon. This book has everything that readers of mysteries crave and more.

The unforgiving place is the Gates of the Arctic National Park in the northern reaches of Alaska. This is not the place for novice backpackers or those first timers seeking authentic wilderness experience.. If something goes wrong here, you are on your own…..since help could be many hours away because of terrain, weather and communications.

From the National Park Service Investigative Service Branch Felicity Harland and her partner Hux are once again called upon to investigate a potential crime scene in that locale when two bodies are discovered. There are enough red flags to determine this death was not an accident. Using forensic skills and gaining knowledge about the locale (a survivalist, possible drug links, an older unsolved murder and a fertility cult) Harland and Hux build lots of theories. To test them out, they put themselves in harms way from killers, the environment and maybe a mythic but all too real bear.

Although the story is a bit wild, the wild setting makes the reader want to experience whatever befalls Harland and Hux on the trail of the killer(s). Bundle up and read it. Recommended. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this title.

An Unforgiving Place: A National Park Mystery by Claire Kells picks up a few weeks after Vanishing Edge. On assignment in Denali National Park, Investigative Service Branch Special Agent Felicity Harland is sent to the Gates of the Artic National Park to investigate the discovery of two bodies. Search and rescue is active in another part of the park looking for two hikers that have been missing almost a month. Timothy and Kelsey Greer might be the deceased or they might still be alive and lost in the vast wilderness.

Before long Special Agents Felicity Harland and Ferdinand Huxley (who has made the jump to ISB from being a Park Ranger and is being pulled from doing training modules- much to his relief) are at the scene of the two bodies. Unlike in most cases, there has been little involvement by animals. No obvious cause of death and no signs of defensive wounds. It is clear that they are dead, but the signs of what caused it are not clear. There are also clear indications that something strange was going on before they died. One example are the faint marks on the wrists on both bodies that indicate some sort of ligatures were used on them in recent days.

Harland and Huxley are on the case and soon forced to work undercover to ferret out the truth. Humans are one threat. Nature itself is another. Either can kill you dead if you let your guard down.

A worthy and enjoyable sequel to Vanishing Edge, much is going on in this complicated and action filled read. Events and backstory regarding the first book come up here. Quite a lot from book one is referenced, so it is strongly recommended that readers start with Vanishing Edge first. You will enjoy this very good sequel a lot more if you do so.

While the book is currently scheduled to be released on November 8th, I was able to read it now thanks to a digital ARC from Severn House via NetGalley.


Kevin R. Tipple ©2022

Ooooooh! Things just got VERY, VERY INTERESTING!

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Lots of emotional undercurrents between Felicity and Hux, but these two professionals seem to outdo each other in the professional stoicism category: I loved how excruciatingly CLOSE they came sometimes to revealing their true feelings for one another. So good!

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Claire Kells can be such a tease! (Loved it!)

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This was literally a wild and terror filled ride in the remotest reaches of Alaska! Stalker bears, fertility cults, and a prima donna millionairess who couldn't take no for an answer- and she had set her sights on MY HUX!!! Grrrrrr!

But I never doubted Felicity Harland's ability to set that entitled camper in her place!

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The mystery was top notch, as were the investigative techniques - as usual! During the investigation into the suspicious deaths of two of the fertility cult members, Felicity has her work cut out for her when her SAT phone AND her glock are stolen.

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To say that this second installment - of what is going to be a series of adventures for Hux and Felicity - was "action-packed" would be a massive understatement. No sooner did you catch your breath from one harrowing misadventure, but then you were almost immediately plunged back into unforeseen mayhem or danger.

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I tell you, I was standing - transfixed! - in the middle of a public gym - totally riveted while I read those terrifying passages involving the stalker bear and poor, besieged Felicity.

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I was thoroughly entertained! All the stars! My thanks to the author, Claire Kells, her publisher, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Loved it and can't wait for the next installment - especially after that tantalizing ending!!

An enjoyable mystery in a unique setting, the Gates of the Arctic National Park. Two hikers have died and Felicity Harland, an National Parks Investigation agent and her partner look into the deaths and their potential ties to a mysterious fertility cult in the area. A enjoyed the setting and the mystery, was a little annoyed by the sexual tension between the main character and her partner but it didn't intrude too much on the story.

Told in first person, this story follows Felicity Harland, an investigator with the National Parks Services, as she is pulled away from vacation while working on assignment in Denali when two bodies are found in the Gates of the Arctic National Park. Partnered once again with her trusty canine companion, Ollie, and Hux Huxley former Navy SEAL, Felicity ventures into remote wilderness areas in search of answers as to what happened to this couple, speculating on whether they were the victims of an accident or foul play. I still appreciate the setting of this series with the backdrop of the parks and wilderness. The hiking, mystery and adventure aspects of the book were quite enjoyable.

The mystery is filled with a variety of characters you might expect to find in such conditions from remote outfitters to individuals and couples seeking a life off the grid for their own purposes and, oddly enough, couples with fertility issues. I enjoyed the mystery in this second installment of the series. I was pleasantly surprised by a few of the revelations while finding others a bit predictable. I had a few moments of confusion when I thought certain parties had left a scene then suddenly were contributing again, but hopefully those will be fixed in the final draft and one of them was actually a red flag that led me to figuring out whodunnit. I also was a little incredulous that one of the characters was allowed to continue on in a canoe chasing suspects down a river at one point by their supervisor with what turned out to be a broken foot.

Looking forward to the next installment of this series!

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the free copy provided for an honest review.

This was a fun read. I like the character dynamics and the setting, however, I encountered several mistakes, improbabilities, and plot holes that I'm hoping are corrected in the final publication. (I read an ARC provided by NetGalley - thanks to the publisher and author.) This series has some good potential. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

A so.I’d second novel in a new series. It keeps the reader’s interest but is perhaps not quite as good as the series debut. It suffers from tales that feel a bit far fetched but redeems itself with action and a strong heroine central character. I’d definitely give a third in this series a try.

What an adventure! Claire Kelly certainly has the skills to take you out into the wilderness. Even though this is the second in a series, and I hadn’t read the first (but now I will definitely be looking for it), I felt quickly welcomed into Felicity’s world. I love a good mystery filled with red herrings and twists, and AN UNFORGIVING PLACE delivered that in a beautiful and harsh setting.

2.5 stars
I didn't realize going into this book that it was the 2nd in a series but I do think it could be read as a standalone. The plot was interesting but there were too many times the reader had to suspend their disbelief and I felt like the characters actions didn't often make a lot of sense. I also did not feel any chemistry between the two main characters.

In Book 2 of Claire Kells National Parks Mystery, An Unforgiving Place (Crooked Lane Books 2022), Investigative Services Bureau agent Felicity Harland and her hunky partner, ex-Navy SEAL Hux are sent to the Alaskan wilderness to investigate the death of two hikers--possibly or probably murder. Both Felicity and Hux thrive on challenges, and Alaska's icy wilds satisfies that desire. Early in the investigation, they find clues that the couple was here on a fertility retreat, to try to solve issues that prevented them from becoming pregnant, and something went terribly wrong. Hux and Felicity go undercover with the same retreat, pretending to be hikers lost in the same general backwoods area who are looking for safety within the larger group from the area's threats. It isn't long before they become the target of killers, intent on keeping whatever secret they have away from Federal law enforcement.

The story is fast-moving and soaked in the unforgiving world of wild Alaska. Highly recommended for those who like their FBI chases to have a lot of icy and feral teeth in them.

An Unforgiving Place by Claire Kells
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read this book published by Crooked Lane Books, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company LLC.
A brilliant read of survival, relatationships and endurance. The story was exciting from the go! Right until the end I was puzzelled as to 'who done it'! I loved the relationship between Hux and Felicity they complemented eachother. Although a bizarre ark in regards to Reynolds business it was a reviting read and I would highly recommend it and will also read Claires previous book and keep a look out for any future books she writes.

Review posted via GoodReads as of 5/23/2022.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4740666096
I read the entire thing in one night!
Felicity Harland and her partner Hux Huxley work for the NISB, or the National Investigative Services Bureau. They are working on a case in Alaska. A couple has gone missing and is found dead. Felicity and Hux believe the deaths to be related to a fertility cult hiding in the mountains.

I CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS BOOK!!
It was so good and there was no sexual content other than the verbal sexual language at times. I read the entire book in one night. I have my fingers crossed that there will be another book where Felicity and Hux explore their chemistry together. Sign me up! I will absolutely recommend this book to family and friends.

This book was phenomenal! I am a fan of survival stories and this one did not disappoint. It is the second book in a series but I wasn’t aware of that when I started it. I was able to pick right up and didn’t feel like I was missing any major information, but also will be immediately going to download book #1 because I liked the characters so much. This book was fast paced, had likable main characters, a good dose of mystery, a little “will they/won’t they” subplot that doesn’t distract from the story. I had a hard time putting it down to do that annoying real life stuff that takes away from reading time. Overall, I loved this and would highly recommended it to any fan of mysteries/thrillers!

I was trying to find new stories that were both mysteries and 'green-reads' similar to Alice Henderson's Alex Carter series. When I read An Unforgiving Place took place in Alaska in a national park with a suspicious murder and a gathering of odd characters, I was hooked.

Except the main characters felt out of place. I soon learned Felicity Harland not only had a missing husband, but also a rod in her back from injuries in Australia. I found it hard to believe she would be allowed to work as a Special Agent roaming the outdoors looking for a killer rather than working at a desk. She also kept her lust in place for her partner, Hux Huxley. He referred to her at all times as boss or Harland and, as far as she knew, was actively dating someone else. I never felt chemistry between the two, just some guilty thoughts.

The plot involving married couples desperate for a baby was a bit strange, too. Few things meshed. There was a lack of cohesiveness. I didn't understand why Felicity (view spoiler)

Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Kells and Crooked Lande Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before publication. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.

Writing: 4/5 tbh stayed in its lane | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 4/5

THE PLOT

Investigative Service Bureau and former FBI agent Felicity Harland and her partner-in-training Hux are called the Alaska's most remote corner to investigate the suspicious death of a couple. Why were they there? And why did someone want them dead?

MY OPINION

Ok, I'll be honest. My rating may be a little inflated. BUT, I had such good vibes while reading this, I didn't want 3 stars to dissuade any readers. So I will be explicitly clear: IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A CUTE, COZY MYSTERY TO READ OUTSIDE ON A BEAUTIFUL SPRING DAY, YOU WILL ENJOY THIS. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A COMPLEX, MULTI-LAYERED LITERARY MASTERPIECE OR SOMETHING ON PAR WITH ANGELA MARSONS' BOOKS, THIS WILL BE MEH. However, I don't think you can possibly have any bad feelings about Harland, Hux, and the world's goodest dog, Ollie.

This book is Honda Civic reliable. It doesn't try to do too much or be too much. It stays the course: wholesome agents trying to do what's right and solve crimes. Harland and Hux are loveable characters free of the typical "chip on your shoulder" law enforcement stereotype. All I want in the third book is for them to kiss. Fk that archeologist Hux might or might not be seeing. I'm team Huxland. Yep, even gave them a nickname.

I really enjoyed the setting of this book as well. It was cool to traverse through Alaska and battle all the elements while sitting on my lazy ass LOL. I even learned some interesting stuff about wildlife, IBS, and surviving in the wilderness.

The ending was solid. It wasn't OTT and it wasn't too conveniently wrapped up. Book #3 is set up nicely. The author also did a great job casting suspicion on a variety of characters... I even doubted myself a couple of times while reading. Minimal closed caption ass writing, short chapters, and a steady flow of action... YAY!!

All in all... GOOD VIBES!!!! I'll repeat myself: this is a CUTE and COZY mystery. If you pick up this book with that in mind, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: loved the setting and scenery descriptions, low on closed caption writing, stayed in its lane and didn't try to be too "gritty" or "deep", wholesome vibes all around, cute "budding" romance between Huxland (Harland + Hux hehe), solid ending

Cons: YES you need to suspend your disbelief a little bit and just be Helen Keller to a couple of plot holes but it didn't impact my enjoyment of the book tbh

ISB Agent Felicity Harland is back on the case with Park Ranger Hux Huxley, this time in Alaska. All set to leave for a long weekend in the lower 48, she gets assigned a missing persons case in the Gates of the Arctic. Finding the bodies is the easy part, trying to track down a self-proclaimed fertility guru, convince everyone that the deaths weren't just a tragic accident, and restrain herself in the presence of her hunky partner is the hard part. I can't wait to see where Felicity's next assignment will take her and Hux. If you like the Anna Pigeon series, give these a try.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for access to a digital ARC via NetGalley.

It was supposed to be a weekend off for National Parks Investigator Felicity Harland, but after hearing her cousin has gone missing in the wilds of Alaska, Felicity and her partner, Hux start searching. The duo uncover unsettling information about a fertility cult, the Kindred of the North and the unusual deaths of a couple in the area – one of the most remote places in the United States. Is there a chance that Felicity’s cousin could have joined the cult? To find out, Felicity and Hux must first climb one of the most challenging and deadly mountains in the world