Library Journal
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Fleeing a bad relationship, Annie Heston takes a job in the most remote location she can find—Lake Lumin, a small, close-knit town nestled in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. As the new game warden, she works closely with the local sheriff to track a cougar that has been spotted in the area. While warning Lake Lumin residents of the nearby danger, Annie meets Daniel, a young and handsome carpenter who keeps to himself in a lakeside cabin. Annie and Daniel quickly form a connection, bonding over their love of the lush outdoors and the natural beauty surrounding Daniel's cabin. When a woman's body is found in the briars by the lake, Daniel's hidden past comes into question, and friendships are broken. Annie races to solve the murder and stay alive, wondering all the while if she can trust the man she has grown so close to. VERDICT Crouch's (Middletide) latest goes beyond the typical thriller. It blends romance, suspense, and cozy small-town charm, all set against a vivid outdoorsy backdrop. Fans of Peter Heller will find much to enjoy.—Kerri Copus

Publishers Weekly
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Game warden Annie Heston seeks a fresh start in the misty forests of Washington State in the haunting latest from Crouch (Middletide). Following a bad breakup, Annie has relocated to the small town of Lake Lumins. Her first job tracking a cougar for local sheriff Jake Proudy takes a grim turn when Annie discovers the body of a young woman near the town’s central lake. Though the cause of death initially appears to be an animal attack, the coroner’s report soon reveals the girl was strangled. Annie’s subsequent investigation leads her to Daniel Barela, a reclusive 22-year-old who owns land near the lake. Their cautious friendship deepens as Daniel confides in Annie that his real name is Nico, and he faked his death as a teenager to escape an abusive stepfather who accused him of attempted murder. When a second killing rocks Lake Lumins, suspicion falls on Daniel, especially after Annie finds his belongings at the scene, but the truth is much more complicated. Crouch takes a character-first approach to this crackling regional mystery, grounding the intrigue in Annie’s emotional wounds before tying everything together in a tense, emotional conclusion. Readers will find it hard to look away. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Jan.)

Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

In the follow-up to best-seller Middletide (2024) game warden Annie Heston transfers to quaint Lake Lumin, Washington, to escape memories of her cheating ex. But instead of licking her wounds, she becomes the backup investigator in a murder case that tests her instincts. A hiker’s body is found on a mountain ledge, and the autopsy reveals bruised hand prints on her neck. Annie and Lumin Lake’s police officer, Jake Proudy, are assisting the manhunt for the hiker’s missing boyfriend when another woman’s bruised body is found in the woods. Annie and Jake receive late word that their quarry was apprehended before this victim’s death, and it’s clear that they’re dealing with a calculated copycat crime. Unfortunately, the most obvious suspect is secretive Daniel Barela, Jake’s best friend and Annie’s romantic interest, who was last seen with the victim. Crouch centers the story on themes of trust, with Annie’s compelling, well-paced narrative driving readers through the red herrings (and a few unresolved questions) hiding Lake Lumin’s killer. Highly recommended; readers will fall for Crouch’s storytelling.