For the fourth time, Paige Shelton takes readers back to Benedict, Alaska where author Beth Rivers is hiding from the man who kidnapped her just over a year earlier. Beth’s survived a year in Benedict, and it’s Winter’s End.
Beth was responsible for finding homes for a man’s sled dogs when Elijah took off with her mother. Now, once in a while, she walks her dog, Gus, with Kaye Miller and Kaye’s dog, Finn. Beth hopes she’s found a friend. Then, the day of Benedict’s Death Walk, she hopes to see all the residents. It’s the day of the annual count to make sure residents made it through the winter. Everyone comes to town if they’re able. And, Kaye’s family shows up. Although she’s signed in, Beth doesn’t see her, and she’s worried that her friend might actually be missing. When she learns about the feud between the Millers and the Oliphants, she’s even more worried.
Despite her worries about Kaye, Kaye accompanies Orin, the local librarian to a cabin looking for a ninety-four-year-old man, Ol’ Al. But once Al is accounted for, Beth can turn her attention to Kaye again. Why can’t anyone find Kaye and her husband, Warren? And, how is Cyrus Oliphant involved in their disappearance?
While it seems as if there are too many threads in this mystery, it really comes down to a search for the missing woman, and answers as to why Kaye disappeared.
Although Beth suffers from PTSD a couple times, and just freezes, she seeks help or works her way through it. That behavior seems normal after her kidnapping experience, and the subsequent head injury. What doesn’t seem normal is Beth’s behavior as she hunts for answers. Personally, I was a little disgusted with her behavior. She was sneaking around, listening at doors, spying, even on friends, and even when she knew better. She was just a snoop.
I love the characters in Shelton’s Alaska Wild Series. Beth has a unique collection of friends who choose to live in Benedict. But, as with so many series I read, I’m getting a little tired of Beth’s snooping and sneaking around. I do get it that it’s a role for an amateur sleuth. For me, it’s a little too much after four books.
Paige Shelton’s website is https://www.paigeshelton.com/
Winter’s End by Paige Shelton. Minotaur Books, 2022. ISBN 9781250846594 (hardcover), 272p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley to review for a journal.
I read Dark Night, the previous book in the series. It was a good story, but nothing that tempted me to read the other books in the series.
Dark Night was my least favorite in the series, MM. I can see why you say that.
I haven’t read any of this series, but this entry is certainly intriguing. I’ll give it a try because of your recommendation.
Sandra, You might want to start with the first in the series.