Heartwood - a tense search for a lost hiker on the Appalachian Trail.

Valerie Gillis, a 42-year-old nurse, embarks on the challenge of hiking the Appalachian Trail. While along the trail in Maine, Valerie, known by the code name Sparrow, goes missing. Her husband, Gregory Bouras, reaches out to the authorities for help when Valerie fails to show up for their scheduled meeting point. Lieutenant Beverly Miller, a seasoned member of the Maine Warden Service, mobilizes the search. The story alternates between Valerie's writings and thoughts, Bev's relentless efforts, interviews with Santo, a fellow hiker who got close with Sparrow, and the perspective of Lena Kucharski. Lena, a 76-year-old resident of a Connecticut nursing home, becomes involved when someone she met online seems to have some ideas as to what might have happened to Valerie.

Heartwood by Amity Gaige is a mystery thriller that gradually unfolds, keeping the suspense high until the end, with the stories of Bev and Lena as compelling as Valerie's. The characters are very well crafted, and the writing is beautiful. I'm pleased to have read it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars.

Mystery Thriller | Suspense | Literary Fiction.

Publication Date: April 1, 2025.

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