This book kept me on the edge of my seat!! I never knew what was going to happen and then was surprised. All in all a good yarn. Than you to NetGalley and the publisher

I really enjoyed this one! Short, digestible chapters, great voice and characters and kept me hooked the entire time! I will definitely be reading more by Amy Pease!

This debut novel is exceptional! Set in a small town, it unravels a gripping mystery involving both a murder and a disappearance. Eli, the protagonist, is determined to solve the case, but his own troubled past adds complexity to the investigation. The plot kept me hooked, and the characters were well-developed and compelling. Overall, a beautifully written and thoroughly enjoyable read!

I liked the mental illness representation, it was really solid work. But I found the plot to be too subtle here, considering the challenging themes.

Full review:

Thank you to my newest autobuy author Amy Pease, publishers Atria Books, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of NORTHWOODS. I found an audiobook copy on Libby. All views are mine.

"He swallowed over and over, until his throat hurt and his mouth was bone dry. He tried to reason with himself: the boat and its passenger weren't there anymore! Besides, I'd he didn't follow the agent to the water, she might ask him why. Or worse, she might come to her own conclusions. What finally got him out of the car were the mosquitoes." loc.1419

NORTHWOODS is an example of how writers can appropriately empathize with their mentally ill characters (in this case addiction) and the readers who will get to know those characters. It's difficult for writers to treat such characters with humanity, and even for readers to.give that much grace in such a hard world. Pease strikes this perfect balance in her debut novel, a literary mystery with a mmc with PTSD and addiction issues. I was excited to see how readers rsponded to this depiction of mental illness, which i consider in my experience with PTSD to be well-researched and impeccably applied. (I read numerous reviews that said the reader suffered while reading about the character– not in empathy or even sympathy, but that the character's addiction and PTSD made the readers uncomfortable and mad at the character, or put off the book. Thank goodness the author treated this character with the humanity the readers are incapable of. And is it any wonder mentally ill people are so stigmatized and alienated in western capitalist culture?) It is good to find fiction that attempts to understand the plight of the addict, rather than just judging him. Coupled with the trigger warnings in the front matter, this has made me a permanent Pease reader.

While this might have been the most important subject for me, this book has much more to offer. Pease's style is efficient, bold, and she can make her way around a description.

While this is a character driven novel, which is not usually my first choice, the characters and relationships develop along interesting lines. I particularly love the precarious dynamic between the mmc and his mom / boss.

The plot is a little flimsy and it's hard to keep hold of the primary conflict here. The ending can easily pass by unnoticed because of the flat story arc. I had to backtrack for it on my audiobook because the book ended when I expected to find another couple chapters!

All said, a really enjoyable read. I recommend this for fans of Gothic elements, mental health and addiction rep, unlikable leads, strong character development, and literary-genre fiction mashup.

Reading Notes:

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. Pease gets mega points for trigger warnings in the front matter!

2. Dang this writer has a serious knack for description! "Rachel had clearly been camping out there for a while, in a nest of bed pillows and tangled blankets, the glass coffee table pulled up to the edge of the couch. It was covered with dirty dishes, smudged cocktail glasses, and an overflowing ashtray. Half a dozen prescription pill bottles sat uncapped, and a few more were visible on the floor beneath the coffee table. A velvet-lined jewelry box, the sort that would hold a huge diamond necklace but probably now held drugs, sat on the glass, and there was a plate-sized splotch of something on the carpeting. The room smelled of cigarettes and overripe fruit, and an overflowing trash bag sat in the middle of the kitchen. The reflected light from the television danced on the glass coffee table as the white-suited preacher was replaced by an advertisement for expensive adjustable beds. It was a familiar tableau—the mess, the drugs, the woman huddled on the sofa. Only this time, Ben wasn’t there. For the first time tonight, Marge’s eyes pricked with emotion." loc.311

3. Pease clearly did her research on addiction and she's handling the subject well: At least so far! I'll edit this comment if I change my mind.

4. This is a good mystery, tangled up with a theme that hits close to home for a lot of Americans. It makes for compelling reading!

5. This is one of the most humane treatments of addiction I've seen in fiction. Thank you to the author for empathizing so deeply with her characters and readers 💜

6. I really like characters that react naturally, like here, but sometimes it goes on for too long or otherwise derails the plot or even the other characters.

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. I really like this book, but the story focuses too much on the characters, in disservice to the plot, which is the mystery. Huge chunks of this book go by without any mention of the case at hand.

Rating: 🩸🩸🩸🩸 /5 drops of blood
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: Sep 11 '24
Format: Digital arc; Audiobook, Libby
Read this book if you like:
🔍 mysteries
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 family stories, family drama
👤 mental illness and addiction
🧌 genre mashup
🕯 gothic elements

Catching up on an older arc. Wow, I was taken on a ride with the twist and turns in this debut novel. The characters are so well written. I throughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by Amy Pease.

Thank you #NetGalley, #AtriaBooks, #AmyPease and #Northwoods for the e-book for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Northwoods is a thriller/police procedural hybrid that delves into some pretty tough subject matter like PTSD and the opioid epidemic. I found the quality of the writing to be strong and the pacing in particular was exciting and hooked me in. I felt that about halfway through the narrative the balance between Eli’s personal storyline and the investigation storyline was a tad uneven, and that led to events in the last quarter of the story feeling rushed and too neatly wrapped up. That being said, if this book is the first in a series, I would love to read the next books!

This novel skillfully blends the elements of a crime thriller with a police procedural, delivering a captivating narrative that kept me on the edge of my seat. Eli, the main character, is a deeply relatable figure, and I found myself rooting for him as he battled his alcohol addiction and PTSD from his time in Afghanistan. His personal struggles added a poignant layer to the fast-paced investigation, making the story even more compelling and keeping me eagerly turning the pages.

The setting of the seemingly picturesque resort town hides a sinister undercurrent, which becomes apparent as the plot unfolds. The story kicks off with the death of a teenager and escalates with the disappearance of another, sparking an intense investigation. The author expertly immerses the reader in the town's atmosphere, making every twist and turn of the plot feel vivid and real. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted crime drama with complex characters and an engaging storyline.
Thank you very much to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC which I read in exchange for my honest review.

Northwoods by Amy Pease is a gripping thriller set against the picturesque backdrop of Wisconsin's Northwoods. Eli North, the central character, is grappling with personal demons, including substance abuse and the aftermath of a traumatic deployment. His struggles are mirrored in the town of Shaky Lake, which faces its own crises amid its idyllic veneer.

The novel excels in weaving Eli’s personal battles into the broader narrative of a murder investigation that uncovers deeper, darker elements within the community. The case of a teenage boy found dead in the lake propels Eli into a complex investigation involving a troubled wealthy enclave, a dubious pharmaceutical salesman, and a missing girl. This layered plot keeps the tension high, as Eli and his mother, alongside a young FBI agent, navigate a web of secrets and corruption.

While the setting and the stakes are compelling, the pacing can sometimes feel uneven, with some parts dragging while others rush through crucial developments. Despite this, the character-driven narrative offers a poignant look at personal redemption and the impact of systemic issues. The depth of Eli's internal conflict and the intricate plot make Northwoods a gripping read, though it could benefit from a tighter focus on the unfolding mystery.

I am not sure why I waited so long to read this. It had everything I liked in a mystery. Fast enough paced it didn't drag, things I didn't see coming, enough tragedy I felt for the characters and the charm of Wisconsin despite the darkness of the book.

It was so well done, loved it!

Eli is a deputy called to a scene where a teen boy is dead. This investigation leads to looking for a missing teen girl. With the small town setting and limited police resources, the case becomes more complex.

The characters in Northwoods have depth and flaws. Eli is a veteran suffering from PTSD, and using alcohol as a coping mechanism. Despite his struggles, he maintains strong investigative skills. The mystery is intriguing and gritty.

Northwoods is a thrilling debut novel. Complex characters in a multilayered mystery.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A new to me author who writes mysteries set in Wisconsin's Northwoods? Bring it on! While the mix of a former soldier suffering from PTSD and drugs infiltrating a picturesque small town may seem already done, Any Pease tackles the plot and character with a measured finese. While Deputy Sheriff Eli North seems to be turning a corner toward healing by the end of the book, it is a fragile movement, leaving room for lots more personal reflection and even some backsliding should he and his mother and the northwoods crew face more danger in future stories (and I think future stories would be appreciated.)

Northwoods by Amy Pease is her debut novel and I was drawn in by the beginning of the story and it's setting in Wisconsin.

Amy is a great writer and I loved the details and how she makes you feel like you are at Shaky Lake where the story takes place. The main character Eli who struggles with PTSD and alcoholism, is working for the Sheriff's department, and finds a young boy dead on the lake from an overdose.

Towards the middle of the book I was losing interest and was getting confused with all the characters in the story and had to remember who was who since some names were only mentioned once or twice. The story picked back up towards the end, however I feel it was rushed and confusing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reading copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved this book - it was quick, smart, and had the right amount of complexity. The characters are flawed and believable, and the pacing was very solid, particularly for a debut. Loved the narrative voice and the author's ability to bring readers into the scenes.

**3.5-stars**

Northwoods is a debut Crime Thriller/Mystery from author, Amy Pease. I love checking out new authors and am glad that I picked this one up. Set in the small resort town of Shaky Lake, Wisconsin, this mystery circles around a well-known crisis in America, the opioid epidemic. Eli North is a deputy in Shaky Lake, whose own life is a bit shaky at the moment.

Eli, after returning from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, turns to alcohol as a way to cope with his overwhelming PTSD. As expected, it has disastrous effects. His marriage is over and he's had to take a job working for his Mom, the only person who would actually hire him and keep him on, putting up with his less than savory habits. His mother just so happens to be the Sheriff of Shaky Lake...

The mystery begins with a teenage boy's body being found in a boat, and a teenage girl being reported missing. As a resort town, the lake draws a lot of outsiders, so solving crimes like these aren't always as simple as it may seem and this one is anything but simple. We follow Eli, and the rest of the small department, as they try to figure out this mess and set their beloved town to rights. They're also joined by FBI Agent, Alyssa Mason.

I enjoyed this, it's a good story. I liked how nuanced the mystery was and the setting was great. I live in a resort town, so I totally understand the vibes and the different challenges that these characters were facing there. I also tend to enjoy main characters like Eli; a little damaged, going through some major struggles, but still doing their best and trying to do the right thing.

I liked how Pease chose to make his Mom the Sheriff. I thought that was a interesting dynamic, particularly as it influenced the investigation. The Department is small and they have limited resources. It made them feel like more than coworkers; they were all in this together.

I'm not sure really, I guess I haven't looked into it, whether or not this is going to be a series, but I would definitely be picking up the next book, if there is another one. I feel like Pease did a great job here setting the foundation for what could be a fantastic, gritty, page-turning Police Procedural Mystery series.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Caz Frear's Cat Kinsella series. This reminded me a lot of that, as far as the overall tone and having a compelling protagonist struggling with personal issues. Further, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Crime Thrillers that examine the underbelly of our society, and aren't afraid to really dig into why some of these societal issues may exist, or where they stem from.

Thank you to the publisher, Atria, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I am glad to have been introduced to Amy Pease. I'm looking forward to picking up whatever she writes next!

This book really didn’t work for me. It was heavy on action and crime drama and low on character depth. I expected more in the way of human stories. Felt like it was trying to tackle a lot. Opioid crisis, alcoholism, ptsd, plus lots of corruption. I just didn’t care by the end.

Northwoods by Amy Pease is a mystery, character study, and police procedural all wrapped up into one story.

I was immediately drawn in to both this story and it's setting. Amy Pease shows her strength in her writing and the characterization of her main characters. The main character Eli is working for the Sheriff's department, a fall from grace due to his struggles with PTSD and alcoholism following his tour in Afghanistan. He finds a young boy dead on the lake in his town and attempts to hold his life together while helping to solve the case.

I enjoyed how this mystery had several moving parts. As each new piece was uncovered I kept the pages turning to figure out how they would all fit together. In the middle of the book I felt like the mystery was put on hold and the author turned the book into more of a character study and family drama surrounding Eli, his mother, and the wife and son he is separated from. I personally did not enjoy this change in pace but I generally enjoy plot based vs. character based books.

The action picked back up in the last couple of chapters and the story did wrap up nicely although it was a bit quick and I had to go back and reread some of the details. I almost wish we had more time figuring out the intentions of how everyone connected.

Overall I thought this was a solid debut. I think fans of Tana French and Jane Harper will enjoy this book!

I’ve had this ARC since January. I requested it because I had heard good things about it, but after reading the synopsis, I got scared and let it sit. I finally put a hold on the audiobook version and after months of waiting, it finally came up and I listened to it yesterday and today. All I can say is I’m kicking myself for not reading it back in January, because it was just as wonderful as I’d heard.
Eli North’s life is fallen apart and he knows he’s to blame. The only way he can deal with his trauma from his tour in Afghanistan is by drinking, but his drinking has led to his losing both his marriage and his job. He ends up getting a job with the Sheriff’s office (because his mother is the Sheriff) and one drunken night he stumbles upon the body of a teenage boy. Working with his mother and a young FBI agent he hopes this puts him on the path to redemption he so desperately needs.
As I was listening to this book I kept seeing this in my head as a police procedural show. I tend to shy away from suspense books, but I love police procedural shows (go figure) so I found this to be extremely entertaining. I never saw the twist at the end coming and that just added to the fun of this book.
I am shocked that this is Amy Pease’s first novel; with a debut like this, I think she has a very long career in front of her and I can’t wait to see what else she’ll give us in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for an advanced copy of this; I’m sorry it took me so long to get to it. Northwoods hit the shelves on January 9th.

This crime thriller appealed to me when I requested it but the pacing is so slow, and it is not at all like it's description. I hope it found its audience, but it was not a hit for me.

As a Wisconsinite, I always love a book that takes place there! Especially when it’s a thriller. The grit of this one is really good. I enjoyed the opioid addiction and pharmaceutical aspect of this one as it’s something very prominent in todays society.

Excited for what’s next from Amy!

"Northwoods" is an interesting mystery/crime drama set in the beautiful resort town of Shady Lakes. Our lead character Eli is a veteran with PTSD and addiction issues who is trying to get his life together while helping to solve a murder. Overall, I did enjoy this book. There are a lot of characters and I sometimes forgot who was who. The writing was good and story development kept me engaged.

Be aware of many triggers: drug/alcohol abuse, mental illness, crimes against children (teens) and war-related trauma.

Thank you to Atria/Emily Bestler Books and Netgalley for an advanced readers copy of this book for my honest review.