Perfect Storm

Paige Shelton has done it again! Perfect Storm, the sixth book in the Alaska Wild series, combines mystery, suspense, danger, and adventure into another satisfying thriller set in and around fictional Benedict, Alaska. The novel is combines traditional police detective work and amateur sleuthing with outdoor adventure and multiple subplots. Secrets, deaths, and a horrific experience that continues to haunt and traumatize the main character make for a suspenseful and riveting read.

Beth Rivers, a successful thriller writer known as Elizabeth Fairchild, is still recovering in Alaska following her abduction a year ago. She needs to disappear again. Her one-time abductor Travis Walker has escaped capture during a prison transfer and has indicated he’s coming to kill Beth.

Beth and her boyfriend, Tex, decide to camp in the woods, away from Benedict. On their way, they need to pass through Blue Mine. This gold mining community has seen several tragedies during the last two months, forcing Beth and Tex to change plans. They bring the widow of a recently deceased man back to Benedict, but lies abound.

By this sixth book, many of the repeat characters have depth and feel like old friends. Beth’s character is complex. She continues to be a flawed protagonist who has shown growth through making friends and learning to trust people. She is curious, somewhat nosy, and tends to ignore sensible advice. While she is flexible and uses words to help her work through her emotions, she still tends to project her own fears and situation on others.

The author’s writing style continues to hook me quickly, and the story builds momentum that leads to an action-filled and satisfying conclusion with a hint about what might be a plot or subplot in the next novel. With twists, turns, and surprises along the way, the intricate plot kept me guessing. The world-building is fantastic with the rugged landscape, mud, storms, rising creeks, and more. The atmosphere is tense and serious throughout the novel.

From the quirky and eccentric residents to the descriptions of Alaska to the various mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I could easily visualize the setting and felt transported to Alaska. Several themes run through the tale including murder, trust, betrayal, found family as well as biological family, secrets, lies, family dynamics, forgiveness, and much more.

Overall, this enjoyable mystery was engaging, suspenseful, atmospheric, and full of adventure. Darker than many cozy mysteries, the well-developed ideas with good pacing from scene to scene kept me turning the pages. If you enjoy well-written amateur sleuth mysteries, then I recommend you check out this series. The books are best read in order. I’m looking forward to book seven.

St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Paige Shelton provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for December 03, 2024.