A solid mystery! While not my favorite, this was fast-paced and overall an enjoyable read. This is the first book in a new series following Sherrif Hammergren as she solves mysteries in her small Minnesota town and I look forward to the next book!

Sherif Red took us through a roller coaster all while she was juggling a missing girl, cold cases, and processing the loss of her husband. She isn’t one to give up, though and boy was my heart racing. I can’t wait to read more by this author!

I’m really into cold cases and missing character plots, so this one totally worked for me. It was a solid, enjoyable read just the right kind of book to curl up with over the weekend.

I found the plot to be very interesting with this novel, and the reveal was not one that I predicted, but I did find the characterization to be flat, and the ending to be rushed,

This is the first book in the Sheriff Red series. The story begins with a creepy incident involving a character named "Not Me". that drew me right in. It hints at what is going to happen, but suddenly ends! I was turning pages in the beginning because I wanted to see what was going on with Not Me.
From here, we segue into the present. A teenage girl has gone missing, and Sheriff Red begins looking for her. She soon discovers that there is a lot more going on: drugs, connections to cold cases of other missing girls. Add to this mix a cast of characters that is vast in this tiny town, making the suspect pool very large!

I liked the no nonsense Sheriff Red. She is strong, honest and persistent. However, there were times when she would go on political rants that went against the norm of the local townies. I found this very jarring because it took me out of the story. The investigation is thorough, but it drags a lot in the middle. We get to see the inner thoughts of Red, and sometimes i felt it was unnecessary and slowed the story down. The large amount of characters were hard to keep track of, and by the end I couldn't remember exactly who was who, and what all the connections were. I did find the ending to be a surprising twist that I did not figure out! However, I question the portrayal of the killer's mental health because it seemed to be revealed rather suddenly.

Overall this is a decent read, with a bit of a drag in the middle.

Thank you NetGalley and Severn River Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Wasn’t able to read this one digitally but I did order a copy of the book so will be reviewing it after I’ve read it. I’m really excited for it as I’ve only heard great things about it.

Such a well paced and suspenseful book! The twists were believable and not predictable.
It had excellent writing and a fascinating plot.
And the Lake Will Take Them by Linda Norlander is a book which kept me thoroughly engaged from beginning to end.
I can’t wait for book two in Sheriff Red Mysteries.

Sheriff Red Hammergren works in the harsh climate of rural Minnesota, trying to keep the peace and solve crimes for her community. A critically injured drug dealer is a victim of a burned-out cabin. In addition, a young girl is missing, and Red is determined to find her and solve the mystery. The case is further complicated by the fact that the missing person is the daughter of a man who was the victim in a case that remains unsolved. In her quest for answers, Red discovers a drug-trafficking ring in her town. During a snowstorm, a killer is at work trying to stop her investigation. It's an exciting read, and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you Netgalley & Severn River Publishing for an eARC ♥️♥️♥️


Minnesota's rural landscape is picturesque, but don't let the snow-covered trees and frozen lakes fool you. In the midst of a raging snowstorm, Sheriff Red Hammergren is about to uncover the dark underbelly of her community. The kind of secrets that can destroy lives and shatter trust.
A missing teen, Missy Klein, sets Red on a desperate search for answers. As she digs deeper, she exposes a web of secrets and lies that lead her down a treacherous path. Drug trafficking, high school scandals, and decades-old cold cases all come to light, threatening to destroy the very fabric of the town.
The more Red investigates, the more she realizes that nothing is as it seems. The town's idyllic facade hides a complex network of alliances and rivalries, all connected to the mysterious forces driving the town's underworld.
But Red's investigation has awakened a killer who'll stop at nothing to keep those secrets buried. And with the storm raging on, it's like the whole town is trapped in a nightmare. The roads are impassable, the phones are down, and Red is running out of time.
Red's got her work cut out for her - navigating treacherous landscapes, confronting her own demons, and rescuing Missy before it's too late. She'll have to rely on her instincts, her experience, and her determination to uncover the truth, no matter how ugly it may be.

I enjoyed this. It had so many twists and turns. The main character is a great female lead (and she’s a sheriff!) So much got uncovered in this book secret wise. I think it’s a great start to a series with this character.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Linda Norlander’s "And the Lake Will Take Them" is a gripping debut in the Sheriff Red Mysteries series, set against the stark and unforgiving backdrop of rural Minnesota. With its atmospheric setting, complex characters, and a plot that intertwines cold cases with present-day peril, this novel is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling.

The story begins with a fierce snowstorm sweeping across the icy shores of Hammer Lake, where an isolated cabin fire leaves a high school drug dealer critically injured and a teenage girl, Missy Klein, missing. Sheriff Red Hammergren, a determined and resourceful protagonist, is thrust into a race against time to find Missy. As Red delves deeper into the case, she uncovers chilling connections to unresolved cold cases, including the murder of Missy’s father years earlier. The investigation reveals a dark web of drug trafficking, small-town secrets, and a malevolent presence lurking in the storm.

Norlander’s portrayal of Sheriff Red is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Red is a gritty, no-nonsense character whose dedication to justice is matched only by her compassion for the vulnerable. Her interactions with the townsfolk, each harboring their own secrets, add depth and authenticity to the narrative. The supporting cast is equally compelling, with characters who feel as real and layered as the snow-covered landscape they inhabit.

The setting itself is a character in the story, with Norlander’s evocative descriptions of the frozen woods and storm-bound town creating a sense of claustrophobia and urgency. The relentless snowstorm serves as both a physical and metaphorical barrier, heightening the stakes as Red battles the elements and time to uncover the truth.

The plot is intricately woven, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. Norlander skillfully balances the tension of the investigation with moments of introspection, exploring themes of loss, resilience, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. The pacing is brisk, yet the story never feels rushed, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the mystery.

"And the Lake Will Take Them" is a standout in the mystery genre, offering a perfect blend of suspense, character development, and atmospheric storytelling. Linda Norlander has crafted a tale that is as chilling as the Minnesota winter and as satisfying as solving a long-buried puzzle. For fans of small-town mysteries and strong female leads, this book is an absolute must-read. Sheriff Red Hammergren is a character you’ll want to follow through many more storms to come.

Linda Norlander’s “And the Lake Will Take Them” is hopefully the first book in a new series featuring Sheriff Red Hammergren. Red’s office gets a call about a cabin on fire and the caller says there’s a person inside. Upon her arrival she discovers an injured high school male student and a potentially missing girl, Missy Klein.

As Red investigates the fire and tries to locate Missy, she begins to discover what may be connections to a couple cold cases. One of the cases is relatively recent and the other one is almost two decades old. Red inherited the cold cases from the former Sheriff, who was also her husband, before he passed away. Helping her along the way are a few friends she meets regularly for poker games.

Set in Minnesota during winter, this book had an atmospheric feel to it as I was reading. The story had a nice pace to it and I appreciated the chapters were short. While it was challenging, at times, to keep track of all the characters, I enjoyed the overall storyline.

Overall, I recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

A well written story of a search for a missing girl, with connections to past cold cases and present drug case. The view is from the sheriff and how she manages with detective work and instincts to figure out the past and present. I really enjoyed this read, and how the ending resolved all.

There are some things in this book I really enjoy. Red, her backstory, her women friends and their wise and witty relationships, and the scene by scene writing. For me, those are offset by things I don't really enjoy about it. The prologue (which for me sets up an expectation of further chapters focusing on Not Me) and the pacing, which feels slow to me, are the two biggest. Also, the title sets up a different kind of vibe than the book delivers on. I think other readers will enjoy it much more, because Norlander is clearly a good writer. I feel like it's just not my cup of tea. It feels a bit like an endless search for one person after another. Your mileage will probably vary!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. Twists and turns that kept me coming back. Love a good female lead. All the secrets she uncovers. Can’t wait to read the next book.

I loved reading this in the Winter and as my own snow storm was approaching. I will say the way this story was written was a little harder for me to enjoy but I pushed through mainly because I love a strong female lead and Sheriff Red was great.

I really enjoyed this story and am excited to see that it's the first of a series. Red is a great character. It kept me guessing and engaged in the plot. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.

This was such a good thriller. I loved Red and I love a small town mystery. It was really engaging. I couldn't put the book down!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was a chilling cold mystery/thriller to read.

I loved it very much, and lots of twists kept coming.

Definitely a author to discover!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this e-arc! This was a very captivating suspense novel and I’m excited to look into more work from this author in the future.