Thank you to NetGalley, Kim Herdman Shapiro, and Best Level Books for the ARC in exchange for my review.

This is book number 2 in a series, had it been more apparent, I would have started with book one (Raven's Cry) prior to reading this one. Nonetheless, this book is suitable for a standalone, as the author references parts of the story from the first book quite often. That being said, there was some parts I felt a little confused about that would have been better clarified had I read book one first. There was definitely some plot holes but nothing too major.

I LOVE the setting of the book being in Canada. As a Canadian, there is not many books set in Canada and it's lovely to see some representation.

I found many parts to drag on and to be more of a slower mystery than a thriller. There was a few twists I didn't expect but the real killer was someone I suspected from early on. It was completely obvious and I went back and forth a few times, but ultimately, I knew fairly early on.

There are a LOT of characters in this book to keep track of. It's harder to connect with the characters as their background and story isn't as fully developed as it could be with less characters. I didn't feel connected to any characters apart from Jupiter, the dog.

Kate (FMC) I found to be way too much. She was always overly involved in things she didn't need to. Constantly in everyone's business, nosey, and putting her opinions out there when it wasn't necessary. She was easily influenced into thinking who the killer was and really just made assumptions too quickly. The amateur sleuth 'I need to figure everything out' personality is annoying. Additionally, her boyfriend JUST died and she's already got several new love interests? I think it took away from the mystery of Rosalie's murder. Not every book needs a love interest and I think it did this book a disservice.

I will read more from this author but I think this is a classic case of less is more. Less characters, less love interests, less amateur sleuthing and this would have been a higher rated book for me. I'd give it 3.5 stars rounded up.

I was attracted to this book due to the title. As a Minnesotan, I was really excited thinking that this book was based in Minnesota.

This is typically not a book I would read out of the blue, I am generally a thriller/psychological thriller reader, so I was way out of my element with this book. It did take me awhile to read it and get into it, but I think that may be due to the genre. When I got about halfway through the book, I realized that there is a book that comes before this one. I was really bummed as I would have like to have read the first one and maybe that would have helped me getting into this one a little bit more.

Even though this isn't my typical book, I thought the ending was pretty good. The characters were very relatable and easy to follow. It would have been a 5 star read for me if the pace of this book was a bit faster.

Thank you for the chance to read this book before publication in exchange for my honest review.

Sweet love stories embedded in a murder mystery that ends up with several deaths and near deaths. The ending is fabulous, though.

I read this book without reading the others in the series. Despite that, it was still a very enjoyable read. Great character development and had me entertained throughout. Quick read.

Not knowing this was book two of a series I started reading The Loon’s Song. It can be a standalone but somehow I wished I had stop and read the first even though it did not take away from the story. I know others did not appreciate the amount of referencing to the first book -The Raven’s Cry, It helped me.
I enjoyed the historical references, the background romance, but what I enjoyed the most was the author’s ability to really have me second guessing til the end.

I didn’t realise this was the second book however you have cleverly written in tit bits from book one so I didn’t feel as if I didn’t know anything .

What I do know is that I need a Jupiter , I loved Kate’s wingmate . Brilliant pace and good storyline with Rosalie going back home after so many years .. it for me was what I call a cosy read I’ll be looking for book 3 ☺️

This was my first introduction to anything by Shapiro, and I already know it won't be my last. I was completely invested in finding the answer to who murdered Rosalie Morgann. The twists and turns are well paced and they kept me second guessing myself as I tried to figure it out like I was watching an episode of Dateline. I found myself completely invested in the story and lives of all the characters in the book. Absolutely loved it!

A few elements of the book (romantic subplots, primarily, but also backstory) I think would have been less confusing if I'd read The Ravens Cry first, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment if the book at all. Shapiro gives plenty of details from book one to keep anyone reading this book on track.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book! All opinions are my own and shared voluntarily.

This entertaining new mystery from Shapiro picks up where The Raven's Cry left off, putting the reader back into the world of Wynter Island again, with some familiar characters, mixed in with new faces. Although it is a standalone, there are spoilers for RC sprinkled throughout, so I recommend reading the series in order.

The story itself is beautifully written, with a diverse array of suspects and motives to keep the reader guessing until the end. The setting itself is evocative, with the misty forests and hidden coves adding to the vibe of a place full of secrets. The characters are well developed, with just enough detail to maintain the reader's interest without becoming bogged down.

The Loon's Song is a fast-paced read, perfect for a weekend escape.

It seems going back to your hometown isn’t a good idea. When famous actress Rosalie Morgann returns to Wynter Island after seventeen years, her reception is far from welcoming. Having left behind a string of broken marriages and resentful women on the island for a successful career in Hollywood, Rosalie’s sudden desire to come home is met with hatred and suspicion. There is no shortage of suspects when she is poisoned on-air at the beginning of the local television interview she insisted on doing. What did Rosalie want to tell the islanders, and who wanted to silence her?

Having read the first book in the Wynter Island series, I slipped comfortably into the second one, returning to the charming fictional B.C. island with its colourful characters. Although the author provides just enough background to allow The Loon’s Song to be read as a standalone novel, I would recommend reading The Raven’s Cry first to get the full immersive experience. Author Herdman Shapiro’s description of the landscape and the elements that affect the island’s population will draw you into the natural beauty off the coast of B.C. where television station manager Kate Thomas has chosen to make her home. Shapiro’s characters, a diverse blend of lovable locals, make Wynter Island a quaint, cozy community. If only people didn’t get murdered there.

There is more to this traditional murder mystery than the solving of a crime. Kate’s involvement in finding Rosalie’s killer puts her investigative reporter skills to use in an amateur sleuth role. Along with this are numerous side stories about the island’s characters, with revelations about each of them, making the reader part of their world. A touch of romance adds interest to the well-executed murder story-line. As well as piecing together the clues to solve the crime, readers will be rooting for the characters to find love.

A perfect mystery for fans of the genre, The Loon’s Song is an enjoyable read, one that will make you feel a part of the world of Wynter Island. Pick up your copy and take the virtual trip. You’ll want to return to the next book in the series.

This book is a fast-paced mystery novel about a dramatic poisoning committed on-air in a small island community. It was quick moving and a fun idea, but overall I thought this book was just OK.

I did not realize when I started reading this book that it was the second in a series, which is on me, but I personally disliked how much time was spent reflecting on the events of the prior book. I also felt like there was too much emphasis on the main character’s romantic feelings for various characters, without any real plot development or explanation of why those feelings existed or why we should care about them. Additionally, the main character was a little bit too willing to jump on the bandwagon of each suspect being guilty to the extent that I didn’t particularly trust her assessments of who might have committed the crime.
Lastly, the prevalence of typos in this book makes it feel like it could benefit from a final proofread.
Thank you to Net Galley for providing this book!

Kate Zöe Thomas, manager of the local community television station on Wynter Island, agrees to broadcast an interview with actress Rosalie Morgann. Rosalie left Wynter Island seventeen years previously and not many islanders are pleased to see her return and even fewer are interested in hearing what she has to say for herself. When Rosalie dies on-air, there are almost too many suspects for the RCMP to consider. With the station’s financial sponsorship now at risk, Kate must help the police find the killer or risk losing the station and her new home on Wynter Island.

I didn't realize this was Book 2 in a series but the author did a good job of working the important details of Book 1 into this story. If a person was interested in this series I'd recommend reading the first book first because this one covers the outcome of it pretty thoroughly.

Wynter Island is a fictional island located off the coast of British Columbia in Canada and the author is another fine Canadian author; at least I think she's Canadian although she apparently lives in New Hampshire now. I really enjoyed reading this book. It's written in a relaxed manner which makes it realistic and easy to read. The characters are varied and interesting and descriptions of the location and weather are very vivid. I fell in love with Kate's canine sidekick, Jupiter. The plot is quite clever and there are many red herrings. I probably wouldn't go back and read the first book now but I'll definitely be on the lookout for a Book 3.

My thanks to Level Best Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published: March 12, 2024

The Loon’s Song took a little bit to grow on me, but once it did I was hooked. Taking place on a small island really had an impact on this book. It felt small town, but in the best way possible. When I say I guessed a lot of the ending at the beginning, I mean it, but Kim Shapiro had a way of drawing my attention away and really planting the seed of doubt! I must have had 3 people I couldn’t decide between. Character wise, It felt like I was reading a book about people from the small town where I went to school, fun, kind, welcoming and personable. I felt like the (minimal) romantic interest was a little confusing to me? But I wasn’t here for the romance this time anyway! Loved the mystery!

This is the first book that I've read by Kim Shapiro, and it was a great read. I love thrillers, and I'm always disappointed when I can tell who did it right away. Well, Ms. Shapiro did an outstanding job of keeping me guessing. Who killed the beautiful Wynter Island native turned actress, Rosalie Morgan? The main character, Kate, local television station manager and journalist by trade, finds herself playing detective to uncover a murderer. Since Rosalie's unfortunate demise occurred during live broadcasting, the station's financial benefactor threatens to pull their funding unless the matter gets buttoned up quickly.  Thus, Kate and her trusty four-legged partner Jupiter start sniffing out clues. 

You quickly feel like you know the characters. You sit in their homes, interact with their pets, and follow them around Wynter Island. The relationship between Kate and Jupiter is special, and I love how she gives him a voice. The book was a definite page turner for me as I followed along with Kate, eager to know who the killer was. I enjoyed all the twists and turns. I look forward to reading more by this author.

I'm thankful to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. I am providing this review voluntarily.