Northwoods, releasing January 9, is a debut novel by Amy Pease. Northwoods of Wisconsin is a vacation area near the small town of Shaky Lake with its sheriff’s department working within a too small budget. When a teenage boy is found dead in a boat, Eli North begins the investigation as he is a deputy there working under the supervision of his mother the sheriff.

Eli was once a strong, thriving young man with a job he loved and a wife and son. After deployment to Afghanistan, his powers of investigation are still sharp but his emotional wounds run deep and cloud his judgment. He copes by drinking, which is to say he is not coping well.

When it is determined the deceased was injected with opioids and suffered two head injuries, the entire sheriff’s department—all three deputies and the sheriff herself—has its hands full. Worse, during the investigation, they find that a teenage girl is missing.

Before the cases are solved, a pharmaceutical company trying to push its new drug that promises to save opioid addicts becomes entangled in the case. Eli determines that there is more going on than a dead boy and a missing girl. This case is his chance to redeem himself as the man he once was, but if he fails, he could lose everything.

Amy Pease, a nurse practitioner, is a nationally recognized HIV specialist. She lives in Wisconsin with her family.
My review will be posted on Goodreads starting November 21, 2023.

I would like to thank Atria Books/Emily Bestler Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

Northwoods opens with a disclaimer. This one with trigger warnings concerning the usual, helpful, suspects. Northwoods runs rampant with PTSD, teenage murder, suicide, and (hold my drink) substance abuse. The book also contains other, non-listed trigger warnings, albeit those of a more personal nature: first-time author; first-time woman author; first-time woman author with a male protagonist who comes with a menu-listing of faults.

But can I say it now? With my fortitude in place and an undying respect for Chandler and Cain and Leonard intact, I am glad I read Northwoods. Amy Pease has a terrific style and the book was entertaining as hell.

Set at a resort lake somewhere to the left of Milwaukee, Sheriff’s Deputy Eli North finds the dead body of a vacationing teen. A death that does not make sense, especially after it was confirmed as murder. Then a teen girl goes missing. Then the FBI turns up. And during it all? Eli is on a bender trying to forget his tours in Afghanistan. Unreliable narrator? You betcha.

Northwoods might be set in a tight-yet-tranquil environment but has a larger scope, mainlining hard into the opioid crisis. Pease throws in a helping of under-funded law enforcement, too. Eli’s mother, Marge - Sheriff Marge, mind you - tries to deal with it all. She is gruff enough to be in a Taylor Sheridan show yet is compassionate with Coen Brothers ideals. Murder in the Northwoods of Shaky Lake is bad enough. Her son’s suicidal tendencies are a whole other jam. Through it all, Pease has created a fun crime tale.

Her style is straightforward and honest. She does tend to add her pose with a few too many adjectives but such color will no doubt drain if her work continues in the cold gutter of crime fiction. Pease rightfully deviates from the clipped LA noir heaviness. But even better? She thankfully ignores those shameless Chick Lit trappings. Eli North might be far from perfect but Pease makes him human, respectable, and gosh-almighty(!) likable.

Within Northwoods, Pease builds exciting suspense and properly moves that in between character development. The murder mystery keeps you guessing and delivers a satisfying ending.

Northwoods has a publication date of January 2024. Go buy a copy once it’s available.

Thank you to Atria and Emily Bestler Books for contacting me with the advance read - and convincing me with the pitch.

What a remarkable debut from author, Amy Pease!

Northwoods is the story of Eli North, a former deployed veteran, turned sheriff’s deputy in his hometown where his mom is the sheriff. One night Eli stumbles upon the death of a local teen, Ben, murdered and left in a boat. It comes to light that Ben’s friend is missing. It is up to Eli and the sheriff’s department to solve the case. With the help of his mom and an FBI agent brought in to assist, Eli begins a fight against the demons of his past as he struggles to solve the case.

Northwoods held my attention throughout as I wanted to learn the details behind the crime. This book is a great start for, hopefully, a new series! I look forward to many more books by Amy Pease!

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions and thoughts expressed above are my own.

Eli is a veteran struggling with addiction and PTSD from a tour in Afghanistan. He is put on the case of a missing boy in his town where his mom is the Sheriff. Eli enters the world of opioid addiction, big pharmaceutical companies and a lot of people who doubt his abilities to work on this case.

I really enjoyed this book and the very intricate story told so well. Eli is definitely a character I was pulling for from the beginning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the chance to read and review this book.

Eli is not okay; he’s struggling with PTSD and surviving by drinking. After he lost his job, his mom offered him a position as a police officer in the small town of Shaky Lake. Their budget is constantly dwindling and the town is struggling from the fallout of the opioid epidemic.

When the body of a teenage boy is found in the lake it sets in motion that leads Eli into a tangled web. Will he be able to solve the case and get the redemption he so desperately needs? Or will this be something else that eludes him?

This book deals with some heavy and dark topics including PTSD, addiction, and the opioid epidemic. This book was very atmospheric and drew me into the surroundings. I enjoyed how it was written and I could imagine everything along the way, I felt like I was right there next to the characters. The characters were well developed. Eli, was multi-faceted and really grew as a character throughout the book. His mom was also a fantastic supporting character, and I loved their relationship. I struggled a little with some of the attitudes towards those with mental health and addiction struggles. While very realistic, I struggled with reading it as it hit very close to home for me. This was a really enjoyable book and it was well written. I enjoyed reading it.

If you are looking for a well written and atmospheric novel, then check this one out.

Thank you to Atria books, Emily Bestler Books and Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The writing from debut author Amy Pease is beautiful in this book.

Eli North suffering from PTSD from his service in Afghanistan and trying to hide it while working as a Sheriff's deputy, and hurting from being separated from his wife and son, leaves him with alcohol for comfort. HIs boss, the Sheriff, is his mother. So things are complicated for Eli trying to hide his drinking and blackouts. But you also have a heart for his mother who is grateful he survived his service but knows he is suffering terribly.

Eli discovers a teenage boy dead just across the lake from his house, and a teen girl is missing. Quiet Shady Lake, Wisconsin has now become a place they will turn upside down. Solving these cases while peeling back the layers of Eli's life now and his past service gives the reader sympathy but also frustration over wanting him to get help.

Opiod addiction is also addressed in this book that deals with some dark issues of addiction and mental health, but ultimately is a story of healing and hope.

My thanks to Cindy Burnett with Thoughts From a Page, Net Galley, and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this book. Publishes January 9, 2024.

In Northwoods by Amy Pease, readers are immersed in the haunting atmosphere of a small Wisconsin town grappling with a sinister undercurrent. Eli North, a broken detective battling PTSD and alcoholism, becomes the focal point when a teenage boy's body is discovered, unraveling a complex web of secrets involving the opioid epidemic, corporate malfeasance, and the aftermath of war. Pease skillfully crafts a richly textured world, blending picturesque scenes with dark realities. Eli's gradual character development and the well-crafted supporting cast, including his resilient mother and a young FBI agent, add depth to the narrative. Despite occasional plot twists bordering on the unbelievable, Northwoods stands out as a gripping murder mystery with a poignant exploration of societal issues, leaving readers eagerly anticipating more tales from Pease's intricately crafted small town.

This is a voluntary review for a complimentary ARC kindly provided by NetGalley and the author/publisher.

This captivating crime novel debut has strong character development led by a veteran struggling to deal with the emotion cost of war that has this prestigious investigator working for his mother in a Wisconsin sheriff’s office as his life is falling apart. The story ties into the opioid epidemic and involves a young FBI agent who must prove her worth.

There’s something you can’t help but like about Eli and how his mother deals with what he’s going through. Her character is very level headed and compassionate. Some of the drama surrounding the headaches and injuries seems a little overdone, but overall the read is a solid one with a good ending.

Amy Pease’s debut is a compulsively readable literary mystery set in a small town in Wisconsin, perfect for fans of William Kent Krueger and Long Bright River. When a teenage boy is found dead and a girl goes missing, the small sheriff’s department with the help of a young FBI agent work to uncover a larger plot, involving opioid addiction, corporate corruption, and big pharma.

Eli, the main protagonist, is the deputy sheriff and a wounded veteran dealing with PTSD. Despite his many flaws, Pease’s writing and character development make it easy to root for him. Equally endearing are Marge, his mother and the sheriff, and Alyssa, the young FBI agent assigned to the case.

While I figured out some of the plot twists, it did not take away from my enjoyment of the story. I highly recommend this one to those who enjoy literary mysteries with strong character development.

Thanks to Atria books and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

First of all brava to Amy Pease for a fantastic debut novel! This book had me hooked from the beginning. I am a sucker for a good mystery any day, but one with a rich backstory and compelling characters is pure gold and this is it!

Eli North is back in his small resort hometown in in Wisconsin and barely getting by. His time in Afghanistan has left him with PTSD and an alcohol problem. Now his family has fallen apart and he is working for his mom as a deputy sheriff trying to solve the murder of a young boy.

I found myself cheering so hard for Eli to overcome his trauma and get his life back on track while solving this crime. I also loved his mom as the town sheriff. We need more great female characters like her!
So many great characters and themes here. 5 stars from me!

In her debut novel, Amy Pease looks at a small resort town and the secrets it hides. When the body of a teenager is found in a boat, it unleashes a storm upon the town that will leave many stones overturned in its wake. Northwoods looks at not only the murder of a local teenager, but at the lengths some people will go to hide secrets and also to help others when for money and power.

I really enjoyed this slower paced mystery that had me guessing the answers. I didn't quite guess all the answers by the end, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It's harder for me to find mysteries I can't completely solve by the end of the novel. I can easily see the characters in Northwoods popping up in future novels. Like many real-life people, the characters Pease developed have their own trauma and burdens to bear. I enjoyed the realistic nature of the mystery and the character involved.

I can't wait to see what Pease writes in the future. Rating: 3.5/5

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley in exchange for review consideration.

3.5 stars — this is a crime novel that covers a lot of heavy topics (PTSD, opioid epidemic) but does it through the lens of a character you can’t help but root for.

Eli was a world class investigator before a tour in Afghanistan mentally and physically changed him. Now he is heavily drinking to get through the day, separated from his wife and son, and a deputy sheriff at an understaffed office — a job he’s only managed to keep because the sheriff is his mom. The death of a young teenage boy brings in a talented FBI agent who starts to unravel a conspiracy that goes far beyond their sleepy lake town.

This was a solid debut and while I can see (and hope) it is setting the stage for future novels with this protagonist, the conclusion could have used a little more depth. I still had a lot of lingering questions about major elements of the conspiracy and I don’t love when books end that way! Parts of Eli’s struggles had me in tears, there was so much raw hurt and depth to his character that I would definitely read more of his story (and hoping for some answers and happier storylines in his future.)

Northwoods is an impressive crime fiction debut that pulled me in from the beginning with its small town setting, shocking crime, and complex characters. Their struggles were portrayed in such an honest, relatable way that I felt fully invested in our main character's personal stories just as much as the main mystery.


The mystery was well done and compelling, touching on relevant topics such as PTSD, the Opioid crisis, the darker side of the pharmaceutical industy, and the destructive power of addiction, not just for the person struggling but also those around them.


The author has a gift for creating flawed, multi-layered characters who I couldn't help but root for even as they struggled with personal demons. The central mystery was nicely paced with a crime at the center that became more and more tangled and complex as the story progressed. This is an outstanding addition to the crime drama genre, and Ms Pease is an author to watch. There feels like plenty of story left to tell in this rural, lakeside community, and I sincerely hope we see more of these characters in future books.


Thank you to Netgalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for providing me a copy to read and review.

I was so excited to get an ARC of this one as i grew up in the Northwoods. I recently relocated back here after 15 years on the east coast. I was looking for and hoping that the author would appropriately describe this special and sometimes eerie place. I thought the author did a nice job of this and the imagery of the Northwoods as I know it was present throughout. As for the content. I enjoyed the storyline but got a bit lost throughout as it seemed to drag in a few spots. Still a good mystery thriller worth picking up.

A debut!?!? I am speechless! This was so so soooo good and needs to be on your radar! I could not put this down and while some parts were slower than others, that did not deter me from wanting more and needing to know what happened. I loved Eli, the main character, and couldn’t help but root for him.

I cannot wait to see what comes next from Amy Pease after this amazing debut!

Many thanks to atria and netgalley for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What a great debut! It hooked me from the beginning and drew me in. I always love a good murder mystery, but this story has more depth to it.

In the Northwoods of Wisconsin, Eli North is a vet with PTSD and a big drinking problem. He’s working in a small town sheriff’s department, with his mother for his boss. When he comes across the dead body of a teenage boy, things start to spiral out of control.

‘Shaky Lake was a small town; everyone knew everyone else’s business, and Eli’s business could kill a good mood faster than a flat tire on the way to a party.’

With a focus on the opioid epidemic intertwined with the death and a missing girl, this book keeps you turning the pages. If you enjoy a good suspense/thriller with some unusual twists and turns, I think you’ll find this is the book for you. The ending left me wanting to know more.

I felt so many varying emotions reading this book. In parts, it made me feel a little sad, addiction is such a terrible disease. It was easy to feel for the characters in their hard life situations and choices. I could relate somewhat with Marge, Eli’s mom. A mother who would do almost anything for her child.
Highly recommend!

CW | Highlights PTSD, substance abuse, not explicit.
Some instances of strong profanity.

Wow! What a great debut novel. Engaging characters, well paced storyline and a few unexpected twists. I hope this is the beginning of a series because I got very attached to the main characters. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for an advanced reader copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the copy of Northwoods by Amy Pease. I tried to read this a couple of times before it really started to grab me, but I ended up skimming the numerous long descriptions because they didn’t add much to the story. The concentration on Eli and his wife and son seemed like this is the first book in a series, and it totally overshadowed the crime, which was a shame because the crime was more compelling. I loved the reason behind the crime and how it ended up being so timely. The best parts about Eli were his past and what happened in Afghanistan, and it would have made me more sympathetic to him if I had learned about it earlier in the book instead of after I already disliked him. If this is a series, I would give a second book a chance, because this was a promising debut! 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you NetGalley & Atria for this advance copy. Northwoods is a debut novel from Amy Pease about a murder investigation in a small Midwest resort town, a missing teenager, rampant opioids and a military hero suffering with PTSD after his time in Afghanistan. For me, the characters were the highlight of this novel. I was really rooting for detective Eli. His mother, the local sheriff, was an awesome strong older female character (which we don’t get enough of in literature). I would love to see this as the start of a series. My only complaints: some things were fairly predictable and the pacing was slow through the middle but rushed at the end. Amy Pease shows lots of promise in this debut novel and I’m excited to see what she does next.

A great debut thriller! I enjoyed the characters as well as the underlying themes of the book. This book highlights the big Pharma induced opioid crisis which I think is a very important topic to address. It also brings to light PTSD and the mental health sufferings of our veterans. I enjoyed the mystery and thrill as well as the twists. I hope to see more from Amy Pease in the future, maybe even more of Eli and Marge.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books, Atria/Emily Bestler Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.