It's my first read from Houston. I was unaware of the series.tho i didnt need tl read the other two in order to understand this one.
Nevertheless, I am disappointed with this book.
I do think the plot has potential , I liked it. The writing was very simple, no big brainer. easy, cozy read.
However, there were a lot of characters for a novella, and most of them were usless.
There wasn't depth to the story, nor the story offer any thrill or excitement. The story is very straightforward. I have a feeling that Houston was trying to build up complexity, thus so many characters??!
It's a typical detective plot, I was so upset when the kid was used as the reason of his death. Seriously?! I hated that to be honest.
It was so disappointing. The reveal was straightforward and simple - " Oh yesi did it now I will run" ...
There could have been a lot of chance for twist and thrilling reveal.
I hoped for some actions, some confrontation with the villain or some sort.
I am sorry, i just didn't not enjoy this.

Thanks for NetGalley for the ARC.
All opinions are my own.

The Lew Ferris books are a comfortable read with a folksy vibe. Lew is now sheriff with greater responsibilities but still takes a hands-on approach to crime solving. In the latest, a man is shot while practicing for a pickle ball championship and there appears to be no shortage of suspects. Packed with a quirky cast of characters, it's always fun to watch the story unfold.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for access to a digital ARC via NetGalley.

Victoria Houston’s recent books are more satisfying for those who enjoy the outdoors and reading about the tranquility of fly-fishing than they are for those of us who enjoy a satisfying mystery. In the latest book, At the Edge of the Woods, Sheriff Lew Ferris seems a little too abrupt, in too much of a hurry, as she investigates a suspicious death.

After serving as Chief of the Loon Lake Police Dept. for fifteen years, Lewellyn Ferris was elected sheriff in McBride County, the Wisconsin county in the Northwoods. When a dentist and avid pickleball player is shot and killed on the courts one morning, everyone jumps to guess that the obnoxious man was murdered. Lew is reluctant to call it murder because she’s seen too many accidental deaths involving guns. She hears lots of gossip, including stories of his wife, but nothing to point to a killer.

However, when there’s a second shooting and the death of a second pickleball player, Lew tries to put the pieces together. This time, there’s a witness who saw someone running with a gun, and the victim was shot twice. One death might have been an accident, but two of them?

As I said, the mystery actually takes second place to the accounts of fly-fishing, muskie fishing, and banding grouse. I found the actual solutions to be mundane, but that may have been just me. Fans of the two series featuring Lew Ferris may enjoy At the Edge of the Woods.

I loved the use of pickleball in this mystery novel, it had a great concept and executed it well. I was engaged with what was going on and thought it worked overall. The characters were everything that I expected and enjoyed figuring out what was going on.

They say Money is the Root of all Evil , & that happens to be a strong motive for the Murders that happen in this Book, I've only given 4*'s because for me some sections dragged a bit or seemed almost to repeat themselves, but it was a light hearted Murder Mystery. #NetGalley, #Goodreads, #FB, #Amazon.co.uk, #Instagram, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/8a5b541512e66ae64954bdaab137035a5b2a89d2" width="80" height="80" alt="200 Book Reviews" title="200 Book Reviews"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/ef856e6ce35e6d2d729539aa1808a5fb4326a415" width="80" height="80" alt="Reviews Published" title="Reviews Published"/>, #<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/aa60c7e77cc330186f26ea1f647542df8af8326a" width="80" height="80" alt="Professional Reader" title="Professional Reader"/>.

I received this book free of charge from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is the 3rd book in the Lew Ferris series and I'm here for it. I feel like I'm back with old friends in Lew, Doc, Ray and the Wausau boys in a northern Wisconsin town. Once again someone is murdered and Lew and team have to solve the mystery. Who would murder Bert? The wife? his lover and pickleball partner, Robin? It is even a bigger mystery when Robin is also shot. Now Lew has two murders to solve.

While the story and mystery are not complex, this is a fun and quick cozy mystery. I love that this book focuses on Lew and her view point and we get to learn more of her back story. While Doc and Ray are involved in the story, they take more of a back seat.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read and review an advanced copy of this book.

Victoria Houston’s books about the fictional Loon Lake, Wisconsin are ones that I eagerly wait for, possibly because I used to take vacations in Wisconsin in very similar settings. Again, Sheriff Lew Farris must solve the mysterious deaths of residents in the area, calling on her team and colorful, faithful friends (Doc and Ray) for help. In addition to the investigation, you can always expect some fishing side-stories (fly and bait fishing), as that is a real passion of the main characters.

I thoroughly enjoy these stories, and I can’t wait unit the next one is written.

Another Lew Ferris Mystery. This time pickleball players are being shot on the court and Sheriff Ferris is determined she will solve them. When a local pickleball player is shot in the head it appears to have been an accident from a stray bullet from local hunters. . But, then a second player is killed and Sheriff Ferris realizes this is not an accident.
Sheriff Ferris’ difficulties include a widow who wants to know who killed her husband and three other pickleball players who believe someone is targeting them. Sheriff Ferris is trying to determine who this someone might be and what motive they may have.
This is fast paced and fun to read with lots of twists and turns as the clues come in and the potential for more murders looms.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, Action, intrigue, mystery, revenge, murder, great who done it, great plot twist, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I've never read Victoria Houston and was unaware of her Lew Ferris series. At the Edge of the Woods is the third book in the series, and I was intrigued by the blurb. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The plot is good; however, the writing is very simplistic. The setting and characters are described well; however, the character descriptions don't seem to add value to the story. Which in turn made the character descriptions come across as padding in the story. I'm a crime thriller/mystery fan. This book had no real mystery, and the police procedures were almost non-existent. Even though sheriff Lew had deputies and staff members, she seemed to take on the bulk of the work and didn't actually do a very good job. The redeeming qualities (if you're into them) were the descriptions of nature and fishing and fishing techniques. The author gave a great deal of informative information on both topics. At the Edge of the Woods is a quick very simple read. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advanced copy of this book.

In At the Edge of the Woods by Victoria Houston, readers are transported to the intriguing setting of Michigan's Loon Lake, where a tantalizing mystery begins to unravel. The story commences with the shocking murder of Bert Willoughby, a local dentist with a reputation as both an expert pickleball player and an unpleasant individual. Sheriff Lew Ferris, tasked with investigating the case, soon discovers that in this tight-knit community, there's no shortage of potential suspects, given Willoughby's abrasive personality and numerous detractors.

The plot takes a riveting turn when Robin Carpenter, Bert's lover and pickleball partner, meets a tragic end on the very same court. With the stakes higher and the pressure mounting, Sheriff Ferris and her team must navigate the complex web of motives and alibis to uncover the truth. Is someone specifically targeting pickleball players, or is there a more sinister motive lurking beneath the surface?

Victoria Houston's storytelling prowess shines through in this atmospheric mystery, where the Michigan backdrop adds a layer of charm and intrigue. As readers dive deeper into the narrative, they'll be captivated by well-drawn characters, particularly the tenacious Sheriff Lew Ferris, her endearing companions Doc and Bruce, and the eccentric yet lovable Ray. On the flip side, Jane Willoughby and her daughter emerge as villains you'll relish disliking.

Moreover, At the Edge of the Woods isn't just a mystery; it's also an immersive lesson in various outdoor pursuits, from fly fishing to tracking muskies and understanding grouse behavior. The author's knack for seamlessly weaving in these informative elements adds depth to the story and enriches the reader's experience.

In conclusion, At the Edge of the Woods is a five-star read that promises a delightful blend of mystery, nature, and well-crafted characters. Many thanks to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Victoria Houston for the opportunity to enjoy this advanced copy.

A very solid, gripping book. The characters were the absolute highlight for me, but I also enjoyed every other aspect of the story. I'll happily read more from this author. Recommended.

Is Pickle Ball dangerous? Killing...murder and mayhem...secrets and red herrings. This talented author has written a cannot put down page turner. Mystery and intrigue. Pickle ball players are dropping...who is the killer? This is a quick read. These characters are realistic. This is a story of fiction that reads, at times, like nonfiction. Thanks to Netgalley.

I've now read all 19 of the Loon Lake mysteries (same characters as the Lew Ferris mysteries but with Doc in the lead) as well as the (so far) 3 Lew Ferris mysteries, all set in the Wisconsin Northwoods. I absolutely love both of these series and these characters and have never been disappointed with any of the books.

In this latest Lew Ferris installment, she deals with the murder of pickle ball players. As always, I learned more about fly fishing with each book, including this one

Love the characters, especially Lew, Doc, Bruce (one of the Wausau Boys) and the quirky Ray.

Great characters, always interesting plot, and plenty of Wisconsin Northwoods color. Absolutely love these books!!

Bert Willoughby, local dentist and expert pickleball player, is just starting to practice with his lover Robin Carpenter when he is shot dead. County sheriff Lew Ferris begins her investigation only to learn the most of the residents of Loon Lake are suspects. Not only was Willoughby a bad dentist and a bad husband, he was stingy, unpleasant and thoroughly unliked. The case changes abruptly when Robin Carpenter is also killed on the pickleball court. Are pickleball players being targeted? Or is there a darker reason for these deaths? Lew must find the murderer before there is another victim.

This is my first in the Lew Ferris series and it will not be my last. The Michigan location is captivating, the characters are well described, especially Lew, Doc and Bruce. Ray is delightful and quirky while Jane Willoughby and her daughter are villains you love to hate. Not only have I just finished a well written mystery, I’ve leaned a lot about fly fishing, finding muskies and grouse behavior. 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Victoria Houston for this ARC.