Northwoods

Northwoods opens with a disclaimer. This one with trigger warnings concerning the usual, helpful, suspects. Northwoods runs rampant with PTSD, teenage murder, suicide, and (hold my drink) substance abuse. The book also contains other, non-listed trigger warnings, albeit those of a more personal nature: first-time author; first-time woman author in crime fiction; first-time woman author with a male protagonist who comes with a menu-listing of faults.

But can I say it now? With my fortitude in place and an undying respect for Chandler and Cain and Leonard intact, I am glad I read Northwoods. Amy Pease has a terrific style and the book was entertaining as hell.

Title: Northwoods (2024)
Author: Amy Pease
Publisher: Atria // Emily Bestler Books

Book jacket: When the body of a teenage boy is found in the lake, it sets in motion an investigation that leads Eli North to a wealthy enclave with a violent past, a pharmaceutical salesman, and a missing teenage girl. Soon, Eli and his mother, along with a young FBI agent, are on the hunt for more than just a killer.

Joe says: Pease has created a fun crime tale that is entertaining as hell.

Set at a resort lake somewhere to the left of Milwaukee, Sheriff’s Deputy Eli North finds the dead body of a vacationing teen. A death that does not make sense, especially after it was confirmed as murder. Then a teen girl goes missing. Then the FBI turns up. And during it all? Eli is on a bender trying to forget his tours in Afghanistan. Unreliable narrator? You betcha.

Northwoods might be set in a tight-yet-tranquil environment but has a larger scope, mainlining hard into the opioid crisis. Pease throws in a helping of under-funded law enforcement, too. Eli’s mother, Marge – Sheriff Marge, mind you – tries to deal with it all. She is gruff enough to be in a Taylor Sheridan show yet is compassionate with Coen Brothers ideals. Murder in the Northwoods of Shaky Lake is bad enough. Her son’s suicidal tendencies are a whole other jam. Through it all, Pease has created a fun crime tale.

Her style is straightforward and honest. She does tend to add her pose with a few too many adjectives but such color will no doubt drain if her work continues in the cold gutter of crime fiction. Pease rightfully deviates from the clipped LA noir heaviness. But even better? She thankfully ignores those shameless Chick Lit trappings. Eli North might be far from perfect but Pease makes him human, respectable, and gosh-almighty(!) likable.

Within Northwoods, Pease builds exciting suspense and properly moves that in between character development. The murder mystery keeps you guessing and delivers a satisfying ending.

Northwoods has a publication date of January 2024. Go buy a copy once it’s available.