Thanks to Bold Strokes and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for my review.

When I saw that the sequel to 'Come Find Me in the Midnight Sun' was on Netgalley I jumped at the chance to read it. I had fallen in love with Seward and all it's inhabitants and found myself falling in love all over again with 'The Land of Death and Devil's Club'. The story picks up pretty much around where Midnight Sun leaves off, Linebach is determined to get enough evidence on Mr. Drew that even all this money and connections can't save him. She's then sent on a wild ride of abandoned 'haunted' logging towns, swampy marshes, and secrets and revelations that rock not only the inhabitants of Seward, but many over the vast distances of Alaska's wilds.

I slammed through this book quickly, so happy that it was just as gripping as the first. The new characters introduced mesh well with those already established and I love Dolly and Linebach's dynamic. Prickly, but with enough trust there that there's no denying the comradery of two women trying to find answers and look out for one another (even if neither really has a choice in the beginning).

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. You should read it!

This book is everything you could want it to be. It had a little bit of mystery, a little bit of murder, and a little bit of spice sprinkled in. This was the first book I have read from this author, and I can't wait to read more. This book had me hooked from the very first page.

The characters in this book were very like able and were written about in a way that you could really relate to them. However, it was the other characters that stole the show. They were so beautifully written and they just seemed to complete the book. My favorite character/story line was Dolly's. her story ripped my heart apart and then somehow it mended my heart all at the same time.

I didn't realize that this was the second book in a series, but I think you could easily read this book as a stand alone book. Either way, I can't wait to read the first book and am really hoping there is a third book in the future!

Really good story. This book had intrigue, mystery, murder, and suspense, with a bit of romance on the side. This was a gripping read that kept me on the edge of my seat reading to the very end. This main characters were written well and the secondary characters really helped to make this book an excellent experience to read. I was really invested in this story, and hoping that they would catch the bad guys. I won't give any spoilers here. You'll just have to read this book to find out. This is actually the second book in this series. The first book was excellent as well. I would definitely recommend this book and author, and I look forward to what's coming next.

Police investigation set in Alaska
This book excels in catching the breath-taking Alaskan setting of the Kenai peninsula. It excels in letting the main and secondary characters take the stage: Louisa who singlemindedly pursues Mr Drew and his shady business until she finds out what all those dead young men are about, Mickey, her former partner and Seward police chief, a pillar of the community, National Parks Service ranger Dolly Agapov and her family, and Louisa‘s love interest, medical examiner, Anna Fenway. I really savored the setting and the characters.
The story starts slowly but picks up more and more speed up to a big showdown.
The end leaves an opening for a sequel and I hope to get my hands on it soon.
BTW: the book can be read as a standalone.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via netgalley. The review is left voluntarily.

The follow-up to the first book 'Come Find Me in the Midnight Sun', set in the wilds of Alaska, this book sees a resolution to the cases from that first book of the men who have gone missing throughout the area. Officer Louisa Linebach, in a joint operation with the Feds, fakes her move back from Seward to Anchorage but really she is hiding out at a remote hunting lodge in Kenai Fjords National Park, keeping an eye on the possible drug-smuggling operation run by Mr Drew. Joined by dog Tails, & the prickly park ranger, Dolly Agapov, can Louisa get enough information on Drew to shut him down for good?

Again, this is a fairly slow-paced book until the last third, but the characters are the most important aspect of this series. Louisa's on/off relationship with medical examiner Anna Fenway is part of the story, but the most interesting character was Dolly - a member of one of the indigenous peoples of the area. Dolly's previous experience with the police force is not the best as when her granddaughter went missing several years before, it was perfunctorily investigated before being filed as a runaway teen. Louisa & Dolly's journey to actually learning to trust one another is a big part of the story. I did think, however, that the actual resolution of the case was a bit of an anti-climax in many respects. 'Baddie' Mr Drew barely featured in the story until the last third & it was all over very quickly. A minor quibble though overall.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Bold Strokes Books Inc, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

A very enjoyable book. This mystery had many twists and turns that will keep you captivated and on your toes. I definitely recommend this book.

Thank You Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

The Land of Death and Devil’s Club by Bailey Bridgewater is a riveting sequel that plunges readers back into the chilling depths of the Kenai Peninsula’s mysteries. Bridgewater crafts a narrative that is both a complex crime thriller and an intimate study of resilience in the face of darkness.

Louisa Linebach returns as the Special Liaison to the FBI, her character arc deepening as she grapples with the weight of her past successes and the daunting task ahead. The novel opens with a stark reminder of the stakes at play—three men’s lives have been claimed, and the elusive Mr. Drew remains at large. Bridgewater’s portrayal of Louisa is nuanced, capturing her determination tinged with vulnerability, particularly as she battles her anxiety—a humanizing detail that adds layers to her role as a protagonist.

The setting of Kenai Fjords National Park serves as more than a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing entity that Bridgewater uses to mirror the tumultuous journey of the characters. The land is both beautiful and treacherous, a duality that reflects the novel’s central themes.

Supporting characters like Seward Police Chief Mikey Harper, medical examiner Anna Fenway, and National Parks Service ranger Dolly Agapov are well-drawn, each contributing to the narrative’s rich tapestry. The dynamic between Louisa and Anna is particularly compelling, offering a tender contrast to the novel’s darker elements.

The plot is tightly woven, with Bridgewater masterfully escalating tension as Louisa’s stakeout unfolds. The disappearance of Dolly’s grandchild, Ryne, adds a personal urgency to the investigation, blurring the lines between the professional and the personal.

Bridgewater’s prose is sharp and evocative, with a pacing that keeps the pages turning. The Land of Death and Devil’s Club is a testament to the author’s ability to balance action with emotional depth, creating a story that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

The Land of Death and Devil’s Club is a must-read for mystery fans. It’s a book that provides an engrossing mystery and delves into the psyche of its characters, exploring themes of justice, survival, and the indomitable human spirit.

Bridgewater has solidified her place as a storyteller of remarkable talent, and this novel is a shining example of her craft.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this brilliant second book in the series

have to say i loved catching up with the characters in this book....

Louisa is back and is hoping to catch mr drew this time, she knows she needs to get the evidence that she suspects is just below the surface....that he is heavily into the drugs trade. the missing men and a whole other host of crimes but she doesnt have the evidence yet....

her new role with the fbi is something she is very proud of and so she begins the next phase and thats hiding from mr drew so that she can best investigate without anyone knowing shes around.....

its an elaborate plan though it does means she underground and though help is a phone call away she will still be on her own with many dangers around

how this author brought everything together was amazing to read.... seeing how louisa progresses with her investigations and her battle with anxiety brought it all home

can only hope there is another book in this brilliant two book series fingers crossed but i for one will be on the look out for more books by this author

I enjoyed Come Find Me in the Midnight Sun (Nov 2023) but was slightly disappointed in the ending because not everything was resolved. This is a sequel and although there is some catch up the story makes more sense reading the book sequentially. And I love the distinctive covers.

Louisa Linebach is an Alaskan state trooper and is now also a liaison with the FBI. The story begins with Louisa doing surveillance from a remote cabin at a state park on the mysterious Mr. Drew. They know he runs drugs but she wants evidence of his whole operations and for killings that happened in the first book. While there she meets Dolly, a park ranger, who like a lot of indigenous is mistrustful of the police. Dolly’s grandchild also gets involved. I was happy to see medical examiner Anna Fenway return to the story. In the first book she is a potential romance and it progresses further in this book. But this is first and foremost an investigative mystery with a smidge of romance.

There are good twists and turns, and I love that Linebach is seeking justice. (She isn’t going rogue.) We know who the bad guy is but there is a lot of mystery that still gets revealed in this story. If the series continues I will line up for the book. But this one wraps up this storyline well and I’m very satisfied with the ending.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Louisa is determined to get justice for men who been murder. She goes on stakeouts to get evidence on Mr. Drew she knows is connected as she gather evidence she gets help from local park ranger Dolly even though she not that impressed by them because someone she loved went missing and they didn’t really investigate while raising her granddaughter Ryne who wants to help with the investigation especially when Mr. Drew approach her and with medical examiner Anna who she having a relationship with. As there are some twist and turns I enjoy the dynamic between the characters I like how the author had you right there with the characters solving the case rooting for them to take the bad guys down. Great mystery!!

The beginning is a bit of explanation of this novel premise and catch up on the previous. It is only through the catch up, I remember I read the previous, I enjoyed it but was disappointed it was episodic. Cue 6 months later for me ….. The reminders are good but depending how much the previous plot informs this novel, it might not be suitable as a stand alone. I also note from the scene setting that this, like the last will be a mystery novel, with the romance a garnish rather than even a side dish. The mystery plot certainly had me hooked in the last one. This is no different. I was satisfied with the ending, not episodic. I think the conclusion will be more satisfying if the first novel has been read. 3.5 rounded up.....

Intense mystery!

Not satisfied with not having caught the man behind the murders of her last case, Louisa is determined to find him and get justice. On a mission to track his movements, everything is heightened when the grandchild of one of Louisa’s colleagues goes missing.

Following on from Come Find Me In The Midnight Sun, I recommend reading that before starting this story. It provides all the explanation to really understand who’s who in this story, and Louisa’s motivations for catching the person behind the murders. She’s driven, and it’s completely understandable when things get a little too close to home why she hesitates for letting Dolly’s grandchild get involved in all this. Yet, the payout of catching such a terrible person, also drove her to think twice.

So much was revealed throughout the story that had me gasping! I was completely shocked when we learned more about the whole operation. I adore Louisa, and how much she cares about everyone, getting justice, and making sure everyone is recognised for their efforts and kept safe. Despite the intensity and difficulties she has to endure, she never loses her true self, and even when her focus wavers a little, it isn’t long before she gets perspective and back on track.

This was such an emotional story, keeping me on the edge of my seat and invested in learning if they could finally get the all important answers they needed.

A sequel to 'Come Find Me in the Midnight Sun'. I was hoping there would be a sequel to this book. I enjoyed the first one and was pleased to read this second one. It was a good story and carried on the situation with Mr Drew that I felt had been left unresolved. A good follow up story that I would well recommend. Although not a mystery story as you know who Louisa is looking for but well written and keeps your attention.

An immersive amateur sleuth police procedural set in the remote Alaskan wilderness. FBI liaison Louisa Linebach follows a trail of unidentified murders to the secretive and wealthy suspect, Mr. Drew. She goes undercover to stake out Mr.Drew’s illicit activities, suspecting his involvement in drug trafficking. She employs the help of local park ranger, Dolly, as well as her own police department chief, and the love interest/ medical examiner Anna.

Although I haven’t read the first in the series, this sequel was easy to follow. The writing was engaging, the atmosphere was gripping, and the characters were really likeable. I enjoyed the character dynamics, and I was particularly fond of the stoic park ranger Dolly. The chemistry between Louisa and Anna is sweet. The action and suspense builds to a peak around 70%, with a smooth reconciliation of events and dramas towards the end. This is a great steady-paced and suspenseful queer police procedural.

I am a fan of any story set in the Alaskan wilderness, as someone who never quite got to travel there in my various trips around the US national parks!

Trigger warnings include dismembered body parts and burning flesh.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bailey Bridgewater and Bold Strokes Books Inc., for this advanced digital readers copy.

If you devoured "Come Find Me in the Midnight Sun" like I did, then you've been eagerly awaiting this sequel. And let me tell you, it's worth the wait. The author beautifully ties up loose ends, revealing the truth behind Mr. Drew's mysterious actions and the extent of his influence. Prepare for jaw-dropping plot twists and heartwarming reunions that will leave you shocked. While romance takes a backseat, it’s still there and effortlessly intertwines with the characters' Louisa and Anna’s journey . Familiar faces return from the first book, while fresh characters add depth to the story. Although you can dive into this installment without reading the first, I highly recommend it for the full experience. It's like witnessing a captivating movie unfold, keeping you hooked with its steady pace. And while we may find closure, I'm already yearning for more tales from these characters against the enchanting backdrop of Alaska.

Louisa is a liaison to the FBI. After identifying the bodies of three young men on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska, she is determined to find their killer. She devises a plan to investigate a wealthy, well connected man, Mr. Drew, and his illegal enterprise and how he may be connected to the murders. She decides to take up residence in a remote cabin where she can keep watch over his hidden airstrip and crew. With the help of her friend, Police Chief Mikey Harper, medical examiner and love interest Anna, an investigation is underway.
A friend of Anna’s, Dolly, who is a local tribal and counsel member takes her to the remote cabin and becomes an ally. Dolly is unimpressed with the police after her niece went missing many years ago and they wrote her off as a runaway. She is raising her grandchild, Ryne, who had been approached by Mr. Drew’s men with an offer of big money in exchange for working for them. Ryne wants to help the investigation and without letting Louisa or Dolly know, goes to meet with Mr. Drew.
The story unfolds from there, with all determined to bring down Mr. Drew and unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of many young men from the community.
The story is action packed and suspenseful. An intriguing read that you won’t want to put down. While there is a sapphic romance in the story, it is not the focus of the book. For sapphic thriller fans, it’s a must read.

I received and arc from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books an am leaving this review voluntarily.