A bit of the supernatural or alien feel to this story, I found it to be scary with a load of fighting and action. This book is a bit of a continuation of the author's other book The Beast of Barcroft. In this story the monsters are a little different but we have a carryover of some characters who were lucky enough to experience the Beast of Barcroft. New characters and enemies made this book interesting but would have to admit a 3rd book wouldn't interest me (though I think the author could do another).

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Hydra, for an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Davis Holland, once a Delta Force member, is a Customs and Border Protection Agent. He and a local sheriff are called to investigate reports of an illegal border crossing, but as the pair search in the northern Minnesota woods they come across a gruesome scene of a mass murder. There is one possible clue to discovering what happened: a small wooden chest precisely in the center of the scene. Holland is keenly aware that this is not a simple illegal border crossing ... some form of nightmare has entered his territory.

When the wealthy cryptozoologist, Richard Severance, gets wind of the Northwoods trouble, he sends his special team to investigate. That team (Ben McKelvie, Lindsay Clark, and Alex Standingcloud) was recently fighting for their lives against a shapeshifter and now, still not 100% healthy they'll face a tougher, more dangerous threat.

I had no idea what to expect as I went in to this book. It had been a few years since I received the ARC (clearly no longer an ARC) so it was really nothing more than a title on my Kindle. But given my interest in Minnesota and in horror fiction and supernatural fiction, I know why I requested this.

I really liked the general set-up of the story. Davis Holland comes across as the smart, capable hero that we're hoping for. And while I understand that by having him be former Delta Force we're creating a character who has had the best possible training in order to be prepared for the unexpected, but it does seem that this has become a bit of a cliche in a lot of fiction these days and in many ways this is taking the 'easy' way out ... our heroes come already prepared.

The nature of the supernatural element was a surprise to me and while I should have caught on sooner, I was caught up in the action.

The ending is a heroic thrill ride right out of Hollywood. It's pretty easy to see any one of a dozen leading actors wanting to take on this tough-guy-battling-beyond-his-breaking-point role.

So I liked the set-up and I liked the ending, but the middle portion dragged a bit too much for me. I was losing interest and I struggled to stay with the book for a time. I've often said that writing a horror length novel is difficult because it's hard to sustain a sense of wonder and horror for a novel's length, and this would be a case in point.

On the strength of the characters and the set-up and climax of the book, I rate this three and a half stars.

Looking for a good book? Northwoods by Bill Schweigart is an ominous horror story and the ending will have you on the edge of your seat.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

An engaging, suspenseful tale that’ll keep you guessing! The characters are relatable & the storyline is perfectly placed - looking forward to more with this author!! Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read & review.

NORTHWOODS, the sequel to Bill Schwiegart's THE BEAST OF BARCROFT, brings together characters from the first book and once again pits them against a powerful and brutal monster.

This is another great cryptozoological horror adventure and fans of Schwiegart's earlier work are sure to find lots to love about this one, too.

Plenty of action, strong characters, and another cool monster make this one a keeper.

I messed up and forgot to download this book..so when I went to finally read it (yes I'm a slacker) I didn't have it. I am very sorry!

I read The Beast of Barcroft in 2015 and really enjoyed it so I was glad to get the opportunity to read Northwoods. The storyline has all the familar characters--Lindsay, Ben, Richard, and Alex. We also get to meet a few new characters, and Gus the cat. As you get to know everyone you find yourself rooting for them to succeed. The story is exciting and keeps you on the edge of your seat. This book, Northwoods, is definitely as good as The Beast of Barcroft. If you like a good horror story give them both a try. I received this ebook free from NetGalley for an honest review.

Northwoods starts off with great promise of being an edge-of-your-seat read. Sequel to The Beast of Barcroft, it reunites old characters who’d faced down ancient evil on the east coast (ironically near the nation’s capitol) and who now are fighting the nightmarish creatures from Wisconsin Native American legend. I wanted it to be good, I really did as I enjoy books of this genre, but I found so many of the characters to be unlikeable and the switching of perspectives to be such a distraction that I had to struggle to reach the end. Although it had plenty of gore and suspense, I felt that the character of Lindsay was a distraction as the resident “token lesbian.” It seemed as if the author was trying to be PC by stressing the lesbian issue constantly and giving us flashes of her lusty thoughts regarding nearly every female that crossed her path. Not necessary, really.

I'm not a big fan of the horror genre but the description of Northwoods piqued my interest on NetGalley. It wasn't as fast paced as I like but was well written and had me looking over my shoulder when I thought I heard "bumps in the night". Isn't that what horror movies and novels are for? Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me the opportunity to read this book and give my honest opinion.

Foul, literary license revoked for not telling us it is PART OF A SERIES!!!!! Still I read it because of the doctor's fascination with cryptozoology, a pseudoscience involving the search for animals whose existence has not been proven due to lack of evidence. Buy it