This is the latest in the Alaska-set series about a thriller writer with horrors in her own past. It was the first I had read in the series and I could follow along just fine, although I will go back and read the earlier books in the series. I expected good writing and a compelling plot based on the author’s other series, and this delivered. Multiple odd and frightening events in Beth’s new hometown are slowly proven to be linked and part of a broader mystery from the past. The plot moves quickly, and the characters are strong and believable. This ends with some drama from Beth’s own past, so hopefully it’s not too long a wait until the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Beth's father Eddy is in Alaska and shes starting to get to know him. Even if she's still angry with him. Tex and Beth go on a tourist boat to see the glaciers and happen upon a woman covered in blood. The woman is claiming she's been kidnapped and the captor was killed by a bear. Beth talks to her and it brings a crazy mystery to Benedict. That all the local characters will have to ban together to solve.

I am in love with the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the whole series. I could not put this book down. I had to know what happened and who was connected with it all. The mystery was fantastic and kept me on my toes.
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This is the 5th book in the Alaska Wild series. This picks up after the end of the 4th entry, where Beth's attacker has been apprehended in the lower 48 and with her father, Eddy, having relocated to Alaska to try to forge a relationship with Beth. This novel starts with Beth and Tex (who's back in this book) taking a trip to see the glaciers--or trying to: the trip is disrupted when a bloody woman is found screaming on one of the islands they pass.

The mystery in this one is pretty good, if a little convoluted and with a plot hole or two. The character development continues to be a strong point. As usual, I'm smitten by most all of the residents of this small Alaskan town, except for Beth 😊. Chaz (from the last novel) did not return this time, though maybe he'll make a reappearance in future entries. And Beth's mom is still MIA, though Beth suspects she's hanging around the prison where Beth's attacker is housed to make sure he doesn't escape justice.

I like this series because it's both cozy and . . . not. It's a little darker than most cozies, but doesn't go full dark (if that makes sense). I love the characters and the town. This is definitely one to snag if you've been reading this series. You might be able to jump in without reading the earlier ones, but the reading is richer once you know the characters and their backgrounds.

LOST HOURS, by Paige Shelton, is the fifth book in the Alaska Wild Mystery series. This heart-pounding suspense novel had me on the edge of my seat as I turned pages faster and faster. Yet the author’s storytelling made me want to slow down. I wanted to savor the captivating setting of the Alaskan wilderness, and to get to know the fascinating characters. I’ve been a fan of this series from the very first. It’s been a pleasure watching the protagonist, Beth Rivers, settle into the small town of Benedict, Alaska, and become a part of the community. While each book has a standalone murder mystery for Beth to solve, the thread of her personal harrowing ordeal spans the series. As such, I highly recommend reading the books in order.

In this newest release, Beth’s estranged father has moved to Benedict and is a key player as the story unfolds. Ms. Shelton’s characters reflect genuine emotion and it was all too easy, as a reader, to get caught up in the dangerous situations they faced and lose track of time. Adding to the emotional stress is the storyline in which Beth interacts and tries to comfort two other women who had experienced similar trauma that Beth had faced before escaping. This ramped up my investment in what happens to the characters and I couldn’t put the book down until I’d read the very last page. There’s a strong hint of what may come next for Beth and I’ll be waiting on pins and needles for the next book!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another enjoyable title that is part of the Alaska Wild series. Beth Rivers is adjusting to life in Alaska but mysteries worthy of one of her books continue to surround her!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the fifth in the Alaska Wild series. This book can be read as a standalone, but you don’t appreciate the relationships that have been built between the characters in the town. Once again, Shelton takes us to Benedict, Alaska, and her quirky and interesting characters. We are entertained by Beth Rivers, a crime novelist., Viola, a manager at a halfway house, Orin, the librarian and computer genius and Gril, the police chief.

Beth and Tex are on a cruise to see the Glaciers when the captain on the ship notices a woman waving for help covered in blood. Once they can get to the woman and bring her on the ship, the captain decides to turn around and dock to ensure she is alright and notify the authorities. When Beth meets Sadie, Sadie tells her that she was kidnapped and that she could escape because her kidnapper was attacked by a bear and killed. Sadie also mentioned that she was in Witness Protection. Sadie is brought back to Benedict and placed with Viola in her halfway house, where Beth also lives. Gril would like Beth to move out because he doesn’t trust Sadie. Beth decides to help Gril and find out what exactly happened to Sadie and her kidnapper. Is Sadie innocent, as she says, or is she guilty of murder? Pick up this book and add it to your mystery selections.

I enjoyed this book very much. I haven’t read the previous books on the series but it didn’t take long the get the gist of the circumstances. I loved the plot, it’s twisty and there’s a lot happening. The ending thankful explains all the ins and outs of who did what. #LostHours #NetGalley

I was interested to read this because of the description and Alaskan setting, and had read anything by this author before. The book was a bit too much like a cozy mystery for me where I prefer thriller/suspense, but still a good read overall. Recommended for readers who enjoy stories set in the Arctic, books centered on relationships, and cozy mysteries. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the copy of Lost Hours by Paige Shelton. I always look forward to the next Beth Rivers book so I was excited for this one. You can certainly read this as a stand alone, but seeing Beth’s relationships evolve throughout the series is a big part of the appeal. This is the perfect mix of a thriller and a cozy mystery - enough excitement and action that won’t make you squeamish. The story was great because there was so much going on and so many moving pieces I had no idea what was happening. Of course it all came together at the end and made me anxious for the next installment in Beth’s story! This is a great series and you should start reading it now!

Do you enjoy

✔️Edgy cozy mysteries?
✔️Remote locations/small towns?
✔️Mysteries/secrets to uncover?
✔️Amatuer sleuths?
✔️Female-centric books?
✔️Taut plotting and layered characters?

Then you’ll surely be charmed by the local magic permeating the lovely community known as Benedict, Alaska. It’s literally surrounded by mountains and lies amidst some of the most impressive and majestic scenery and pristine wilderness areas left in the world. Benedict, although fictional, is based on Gustavus, a community situated at the gateway to Glacier Bay National Park. A plus for this series? The author has spent time there!

In addition to the rugged landscape, the community is also a star in this series. It’s comprised of an eclectic and realistic mix of cultures and varying ages. Shelton’s top-notch exploration of this community reveals its mystery and how its members support each other as a means of survival. She shows readers why community is so important and highlights the concepts of trust and care. With weather that can be unpredictable, a cell phone service that is almost non-existent, a remote location, and a life of co-existing with wildlife, survival means working together.

People often arrive in Alaska to get lost and are careful to cover their tracks; not so for a few of the characters in this book. Yes, they’ve come to get lost but they weren’t as careful as they thought. Add this to the small community setting where everyone has secrets and a rooming house where everyone is in everyone else’s business and you have a great setup for suspense and mystery. Not everyone is who they pretend to be!

We spent two days cruising Glacier Bay last week and a large majority of my time, when not snapping photos of the glaciers, was spent reading this book set in this very wilderness. Yes, I too, found myself grabbing the binoculars and scanning the shorelines of the islands for evidence of life - not necessarily wildlife. Why? Well, I was reading about people on the run, kidnapped people, escaped convicts, WITSEC, bear attacks, and close calls in Glacier Bay.

I’ve been following this Alaska Wild series since book 1 and find that it just keeps getting better. I hope there are more books planned for this series because I don’t want to say goodbye to Beth … yet.

Yes, this book can be read as a standalone but I think you’ll appreciate the build-up of community and character by starting with ‘Thin Ice.’

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

The best part of Shelton’s Alaska mystery series is the set of characters that populate the small town of Benedict. Beth Rivers is the crime novelist who came to Benedict a year ago to hide from her still-on-the-loose kidnapper (he was finally found and incarcerated in the last book); Viola, the tough-as-nails manager of the halfway house; Orin, the peace-sign flashing librarian and computer genius; and Gril, the grizzled police chief relocated from Chicago.

In this, the fifth installment, Beth gets involved with a woman claiming to have escaped her own kidnapper who was killed by a bear. But the woman is not exactly what she seems, and a whole pile of complicated connections must be unearthed before the solution can be found.

A little more filler in this one, but still an entertaining read.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, revenge, A great who done it, and a few crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity and o read Paige Shelton's Lost Hours, the latest installment in one of my favorite series. I love Benedict, Alaska and the characters Ms Shelton writes feel like old friends.