I enjoyed the first part of this book, but found as it got near the end, it dragged a bit. The story line was good, with plenty of twists and turns, and I enjoyed the characters. For fans of historical fiction and mystery.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to finish this book, so I decided not to review it on my site or any of the major retailers/Goodreads. I loved the author's previous book though.

Rated 3.5 - BEYOND THE WILD RIVER by Sarah Maine is a great historical adventure to North America during the 1893 World Fair, enhanced by the dangers on a Canadian Nipigon River fishing expedition.

Evelyn Ballantyre leads a boring life as a Scottish heiress under her father’s strict guidance. When he discovers her friendship with his groom, he ensures she’ll never see him again. Determined to win back his daughter’s affection, Charles Ballantyre takes her with him to the 1893 World Fair in Chicago, followed by a fishing expedition up the Canadian Nipigon River.

James Douglas, Ballantyre’s former groom, has a new life in America, but no one expects they’ll ever be reunited, including James. Will that one horrific night they experienced in the Scottish Borders play out once again in the Canadian wilderness?

This book moves very slowly through several storylines, gradually building anticipation of a showdown you’re sure will come. The fun part is that I didn’t expect the twists and conclusion.

The novel focused on rich financiers who seem to rule everything they touch, including people. It’s a life full of opulence in America, even though the rich fear losing it all. Evelyn is in the middle of it and not thrilled with her father’s constant business transactions that pull him away from her. Stuck with his friend and business partner, Larson, Evelyn is left to wonder if she’ll ever truly know her father.

What I enjoyed most was the Nipigon River wilderness part of their expedition. A fascinating adventure that only the rich experienced, their journey pops off the pages with engaging characters and anticipation of danger.

Even though I wasn’t as enamored with this book as much as with THE HOUSE BETWEEN TIDES, it’s a good suspense that covers a time and place in history I don’t see often in historicals. Sarah Maine writes absorbing historical detail. Her ability to cast suspicion and spin a web of deceit makes me anticipate whatever she writes next.

Reviewed by Dorine, courtesy of Romance Junkies.

"Beyond the Wild River" is an atmospheric historical fiction tale set in Scotland and then in North America, both the United States and Canada. Our main character Evelyn sees the trip from Scotland to the U.S. and Canada as a way to both have an adventure and show her father that she is mature and can be trusted. This new world will hold secrets to the past that Evelyn could have never expected.

I was attracted to this book because of the mention of the World's Fair in Chicago. I am so intrigued by the World's Fair and was interested in how the author would portray it and whether or not it would echo anything else that I have read. The author certainly adds a lot of detail to this story. The detail sometimes took away from the story itself but most of the detail was quite interesting. I especially liked the rich description of the Canadian wilderness, a relatively new setting for me.

It took me a very long time to get into the story. Evelyn seems very young in the beginning of the book and naive to the point of feeling younger than her 19 years. I think this is one reason I had a hard time getting into the story. I thought that there were a handful of scenes in the beginning of the book that could have been streamlined in order to capture the reader's attention faster.

Overall, I liked the setting of the book but wished for more fast paced action.

The was a very intriguing story. The only I did not like about it were the characters. They were very distant. Still, I recommend this novel for fans of Sarah Perry, Sara Green, and Jennifer Mahon.

2.5 Stars.

Beyond the Wild River, by Sarah Maine, neglected to capture my attention or imagination until the last 25% of the book. I found the most of the novel to be boring and slow moving and though it picked up at the end, that didn’t make up for the rest of the book.

In the late 1800’s, Evelyn Ballantrye is a nineteen year-old girl, living in the Scottish countryside. She has lived a sheltered life and has hardly traveled. When she was younger, she was close to her father, but when she became friends with a young man named Patrick, and that friendship was misinterpreted by her father, everything changed. Though it hasn’t been discussed since, her father has never forgiven her. Shortly thereafter, a man named James, who was in their employ was accused of a horrible crime and was banished. Years later, Evelyn is given the chance to accompany her father on a trip to the Americas. To Chicago and the World’s Fair. To Lake Michigan and Canada. The trip of a lifetime for Evelyn. She imagines rebuilding the relationship that she lost with her father oh so many years ago. Yet for him, this is a business trip and her hopes are dashed. In an unbelievable turn of events, and upon their arrival in Canada for a fishing trip, Mr. Ballantyre and Evelyn discovery that James, their former employee who was banished from their estate, is their guide. No one but Mr. Ballantyre and Evelyn recognizes him. And they keep his secret. And for different reasons, both know that he did not commit the crime he was accused of. And both father and daughter decide to help him prove his innocence.

While the synopsis of the book sounds exciting, it took until the last quarter of the book to get to a point where it became so. The first three-quarters was long, drawn out and boring. I was hoping to find that the writing to be layered and rich due to the different landscapes in which the story took place but that wasn’t the case. Further, I found Evelyn to be an empty shell of a girl whose character didn’t develop as the novel wore on. I didn’t care about her or any of the other characters, even as the novel approached the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Sarah Maine for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Published on NetGalley and Goodreads on 3/23/17. ; Revised 6/11/17.

*Will be Published on Amazon on 4/18/17.

I loved Sarah Maine's debut novel, The House Between Tides and got very excited when I heard there was a new one being released. While reading the blurb for this new book I was immediately drawn to references to Kate Morton and Beatrice Williams, both our favorites of mine and each have a unique, intricate and mesmerizing writing style that draws me right in. Those are mighty big shoes to be compared with, making me somewhat apprehensive now on whether this book could deliver the same feelings.

I love the plot for this book it sounded interesting, beginning in Scotland and traveling to New York Chicago and then up to Canada, Lake Nipigon which is an area I am familiar with. The book starts out with a double murder and the disappearance of a young man, then the drama when he just happens to be at this location in Canada.

I wanted to love this book I wanted it to be the type of book I had a hard time putting down and based on her previous novel I kind of expected it. However I found the book moved a bit slow for my liking and I struggled to connect with the characters. It wasn't until the last quarter of the book that things picked up both with the plot and character building. While I found the first part over descriptive I did joy the setting in northern Ontario and I loved a glimpse of the history from that area. Definitely some serious research took place here.

All in all an interesting mystery that played out differently from what I expected The author's notes were great, I love Canadian history and enjoyed the links and references to this countries past. I never realized that trips to northern Ontario by Europeans were popular in that time period.

My thanks to the publisher (via Netgalley) for an advanced e-book copy of this book.

All I had to see was, “for fans of Kate Morton and Beatriz Williams” and I knew I needed to read this book, Beyond The Wild River by Sarah Maine. It offers so much of what I look for in a novel from being a historical novel to having a suspenseful storyline.

I started it last night and was blown away by the authors rich and detailed descriptions.

Here’s the synopsis:

Nineteen-year-old Evelyn Ballantyre has rarely strayed from her family’s estate in the Scottish Borderlands, save for the occasional trip to Edinburgh, where her father, a respected magistrate, conducts his business—and affairs of another kind. Evelyn has always done her duty as a daughter, hiding her boredom and resentment behind good manners—so when an innocent friendship with a servant is misinterpreted by her father as an illicit union, Evelyn is appalled.

Yet the consequence is a welcome one: she is to accompany her father on a trip to North America, where they’ll visit New York City, the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, and conclude with a fishing expedition on the Nipigon River in Canada. Now is her chance to escape her cloistered life, see the world, and reconnect with her father.

Once they’re on the Nipigon, however, Evelyn is shocked to discover that their guide is James Douglas, the former stable hand and her one-time friend who disappeared from the estate after the shootings of a poacher and a gamekeeper. Many had assumed that James had been responsible, but Evelyn never could believe it. Now, in the wilds of a new world, far from the constraints of polite society, the truth about that day, James, and her father will be revealed…to stunning consequences.

Sarah Maine has joined my list of favorite authors!!! This book is a wonderful twist on late Victorian British mysteries!!! Maine adroitly moves her characters among the Chicago World's Fair, Scotland, and the wilds of Canada as she outlines the various mysteries that keep the reader guessing. Her fast pace and edge-of-one's-seat suspense often make it very hard to stop reading. The fact that she chose a little-known wilderness location as the location for much of the book adds just the right amount of educational value to a well researched work. I'd like to read more about what happens to the varied, fascinating characters in this book or meet new ones created by Maine. Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing access to such a delightful eARC!,

I received this ARC from netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

Set in the 1880's, this book moves from Scotland to America to Canada. Evelyn was seen in a compromising situation with a servant so her father takes her traveling abroad.

Although the writing is good the narrative moves along very slowly, it's flat lined reading. I skip read the last half of the book, the tale never quite captured my attention and imagination.

2.5☆ rounded up to 3☆

I really enjoyed Sarah Maine's debut novel, The House Between Tides, last year. I noted at the end of my review that I was looking forward to Maine's next book. Well that next book is here - Beyond the Wild River.

1888. Beyond the Wild River opens with a heartbreaking prologue - and death - on the Ballantyre Scottish estate.

1893. Nineteen year old Evelyn Ballantyre lives with her widowed father on their somewhat isolated estate in Scotland. Her father is often away for business and Evelyn finds herself somewhat bored. But when she begins an innocent friendship with a servant, it is seen as dangerous - in many ways. Evelyn will be accompanying her father on his next trip. That trip takes them to New York City, The World's Fair in Chicago and up to the wilds of Canada to fish in the Nipigon area. But that event from 1888 has reverberations that cross years and oceans.

I enjoy historical novels and their sense of propriety and manners as well as the language. But those same mores are confining. I appreciated Evelyn's questioning and quick mind, but her naiveté is worrying. She could easily be taken advantage of. And of course there is someone quite prepared to do that - after all as the only child, she will have quite the dowry and inheritance coming to her. But fate steps in in the form of James, a favourite groom from Evelyn's childhood who now works as a fishing guide in Canada. But how did he end up here and more importantly why? That night in 1888 holds the answers.

At the heart of Beyond the Wild River is the secret of that fateful night in 1888 and it's repercussions. The who, why and ending were well executed. But there's also a young woman's coming of age as well as a romantic thread.

Maine does a lovely job of weaving history into and throughout her story. I especially enjoyed those scenes set in Canada, having visited the Lake Nipigon area.

Historical novels such as this take time to tell their story. Those looking for a fast paced read won't find it here. Those looking for an atmospheric tale to savour will want to pick up Beyond the Wild River.

And yes, I will be looking forward to Sarah Maine's third book!

Thanks Atria Books and netgalley for this ARC.

This is a epic journey and awakening for all involved. We get a tour from Chicago to the wilds of Canada- from the perspective of Evelyn and James. The elements that are held beyond of view make the tension and suspense all the more exciting. When the showdown comes, you'll be blown away.

A poacher is killed on a Scottish estate and James Douglas is accused of the murder. He flees to Canada where he works as a guide. Five years later Evelyn Ballentyre is accused of becoming too close with their stable hand and her father Charles takes her with him to the Canadian wilderness. Once there, they discover that their guide is none other than James Douglas who used to work on their estate. The story moves between past and present as we learn more about the poacher’s death.

I was intrigued by this book once I noticed it’s set in Canada because I haven’t read many books set in there. Throw in some Scotland and what’s not to like?

The middle part was a bit slow going but once things started to happen, it does pick up. But the end felt a bit rushed like trying to cram up all the happenings in the end.

Evelyn was ok but I didn’t really connect with her. Her friend Clementina was just silly but I did like James. I would have liked to learn more about how he worked his way to Canada.
I didn’t buy all the situations that Evelyn had as a woman living in the 1800’s.

I liked the murder mystery and thought it wrapped up good in the end. We learn more about Charles as the mystery is revealed.

In the end, it was an okay and quick read but I felt like it could have been so much more.

An atmospheric narrative, rich personalities, and a secret that’s been festering for too long: perfect ingredients for a very enjoyable read.
The plot is set in three places. Chapters alternate between those, and sometimes two settings are combined in the same chapter, as memories are mixed into the narrative:

the Ballantyre’s estate in Scotland in 1898. Charles and McAllister, one of his keepers, are in constant conflict with poachers on their lands. An incident happens and old poacher Jacko got shot. James, the stable hand, suspected of the crime, flees
1893, at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Charles and his daughter Evelyn visit, in company of business associates and friends
After the exposition, they go to a fishing expedition on the Nipigon River in Northern Ontario. Charles and Evelyn are surprised to meet again James, now part of a group of anglers taking groups to fish. This will be the occasion to clarify what really happened on that dreadful day on the Ballantyre’s property and to settle accounts.

At first, it felt too convenient that James would be exactly where the Ballantyre are heading to, but then you get caught up in the story and it really doesn’t matter.
I enjoyed a lot Evelyn’s personality. She’s 19 in 1893. For five years, she’s lived with the memory of what she saw the night Jacko’s death, without understanding clearly what really took place.
She loves her father, but also feels he is hypocrite and hides her something fishy.
She’s also very critical of her rich milieu and its pretense and dreams of independence, represented in the personality and life style of James, who first introduced her to the secrets of nature.
Evelyn is eager for truth and justice. This shows particularly when she sees how Natives and women are treated and portrayed during the Columbian Exposition.
This has actually a very interesting view of the exposition, quite different form the one I had perceived through Death at the Fair.
As for Charles, he does appear at first both distant and possessive, and too self-centered.
Through his business dealings and interests, we get glimpses of the banking word, as well as mining and railway projects in Ontario at the time.
There are many elements in common to Maine’s both novels, even one of the main heroes having the same first name. I actually wondered all along if somehow James Cameron and James Douglas could be the same person.
There are some common areas as well, as the story is partly set in Scotland.
And a lot of beautiful descriptions of the landscape, especially the water. Maine has definitely a knack for painting these scenes, whether they are calm serene scenes or turbulent and life threatening waters of rapids. This is assuredly one of her main writing strengths. And when the narrative slows downs, you can just enjoy very word of these beautiful evocations.
She is just as gifted to create an ambiance, tension between people, like the tension in the atmosphere before a thunderstorm. The “court room” scene around a campfire in chapter 27 is very well done in that respect.
This is the type of book where at the same time you want to keep turning the pages to figure out the secret, but also want to leisurely savor every word of the beautiful descriptions.

Back in January, I highlighted Beyond the Wild River in my week-long series on books I need to get my hands on. A historical novel set in the wilderness of Canada. A Scottish heiress and a run-in with a childhood friend – five years after he left their estate following a shocking double-murder. This book has my name written all over it and I couldn’t wait to dive in. Imagine my utter delight when the publicist reached out and invited me to be part of the tour! I couldn’t say yes fast enough!!

Evelyn Ballantyre is nineteen-years-old and finally – finally! – getting the chance to leave her father’s estate to see what lies beyond Scotland’s borders. So what if the trip was brought on by a mistaken friendship with a servant (completely and wholly innocent); the misinterpretation on her father’s part will allow her the trip of a lifetime. If she’s honest, she’s hoping it’ll serve as an opportunity to mend their once-strong relationship and in doing so, she’ll get to visit the World’s Fair in Chicago and end the journey with a Canadian fishing trip.

Much to Evelyn’s surprise, one of the guides is actually her childhood friend James, a street urchin her father once took in and who ultimately disappeared five years ago on the night of a horrific double-murder on the estate’s grounds. All these years Evelyn firmly believed James had been innocent…but if he wasn’t responsible for the crimes, then why would he run? And what secrets from that night has her father been keeping?

For such an atmospheric, moody novel, I have to admit that I struggled to really get into Beyond the Wild River! I was so looking forward to it – especially since it was pitched as being for fans of Kate Morton and Beatriz Williams, two authors I absolutely adore. This novel had so much going for it, so many things about it that were tailor-made for me as a reader…but I simply didn’t feel a connection to the story. There were flashback chapters from the night of the murders and I tore through these. The more I think of it, I suppose I wanted more of a mystery novel instead of the painstakingly slow, meandering story I got.

Evie and her friend, a married woman a few years older, are the only women on the trip and while I feel Evie would have been content to have a proper go at camping in the woods, her friend’s attitude completely took me out of the story. This was a woman who was used to – and expected – the finer things in life: sleeping in tents and holes in the ground for toilets were NOT among them. At one point she’s knocked out cold during a brutal storm and even then she managed to be all woe is me.

Once Beyond the Wild River revealed what truly happened on that night five years ago (and the role Evie’s father played in it and James’s disappearance) I wasn’t entirely satisfied. I wanted something big, some deep, dark, juicy secret about the killer and the motive and was a big let down. Again, I think that, because I went in expecting a mystery novel, I also expected a big and bold mystery novel ending so the disappointment here is entirely misplaced and completely on me.

Despite my misgivings, I actually did enjoy the novel! Beyond the Wild River was so richly detailed that I had no problem whatsoever imagining the forests of Canada, the rivers, this band of highbrow Scots and their native guides. In that regard, Maine did an excellent job: this book was moody and broody and breathed the Canadian wilderness. However, the story itself felt lacking and unfortunately I never truly connected with any of the characters. What could have been a great novel ended up being simply an okay read due to the weak plot. Still, the premise of Beyond the Wild River and Maine’s gorgeously vivid writing have me excited to see what she does next!

Beyond the Wild River is the story of a wealthy Scottish magistrate and a young boy he took in and hired as a stable hand. The story begins in Scotland, then weaves its way to New York City, the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and finally to a fishing expedition on the Nipigon River in Canada.

The Nipigon River is really where the story begins. Aside from the adventure of being in the wilderness, there is quite a bit of tension among the travelers. Confined to a small camping area with little privacy made conditions even more difficult for those harboring secrets and old grievances.

As with many novels, this one got off to a bit of a slow start, but once the stage was set, I was was captivated by what might happen next. I never guessed the extent of the whole story and was pleased with the way it ended. This one had adventure, murder, mystery and a bit of romance all wrapped in one exciting story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me an advance copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I was very excited to read this book as the description of mystery, murder, the wilderness and a possibly raging river all seemed to spell tension and drama. The story started out very strong and I was drawn to James and felt bad that he was obviously going to be blamed for the killing of the poacher. The next scene on the yacht where were getting to know Evelyn was just ok. I felt that it actually went from high action and tension to a slower pace that made me feel a little bored.

When they reached the river, I fully expected the scenes to be dramatic. I mean they're on the rapids of a river and James has been in hiding and someone has committed the murder that sent him into hiding and it's the wilderness...it all should've been tension packed and dramatic but for me it wasn't. It moved too slow for the setting and I found Evelyn to be only mildly likable. The mystery was the best part of the book for me and the reason I stuck it out. Overall, an average read in my opinion

This book had so much potential. The synopsis was very intriguing and sounded like a book I would really like. However, it failed to really live up to it's promise. It had some really good elements and the story was interesting, but I just felt there was so much more depth that could have been explored and wasn't. It won't keep me from reading a book by Sarah Maine again, but I was disappointed that it didn't live up to more.

One of the things that caught my eye about this book was that it’s marketed to fans of Kate Morton and Beatriz Williams. Both of these authors have a very unique and lyrical storytelling style and their books are typically family sagas or dramas with hints of romance.

So when I read this marketing description I was totally intrigued by this book and wanted to read it. I also loved that this book sounded highly atmospheric and suspenseful, though it’s set in North America it is about a Scottish heiress who unexpectedly encounters her childhood friend in North America in 1890, five years after he disappeared from her family’s estate the night of a double murder.

Nineteen-year-old Evelyn Ballantyre has rarely strayed from her family’s estate in the Scottish Borderlands, save for the occasional trip to Edinburgh, where her father, a respected magistrate, conducts his business—and affairs of another kind. Evelyn has always done her duty as a daughter, hiding her boredom and resentment behind good manners—so when an innocent friendship with a servant is misinterpreted by her father as an illicit union, Evelyn is appalled.

Yet the consequence is a welcome one: she is to accompany her father on a trip to North America, where they’ll visit New York City, the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, and conclude with a fishing expedition on the Nipigon River in Canada. Now is her chance to escape her cloistered life, see the world, and reconnect with her father.


Once they’re on the Nipigon, however, Evelyn is shocked to discover that their guide is James Douglas, the former stable hand and her one-time friend who disappeared from the estate after the shootings of a poacher and a gamekeeper. Many had assumed that James had been responsible, but Evelyn never could believe it. Now, in the wilds of a new world, far from the constraints of polite society, the truth about that day, James, and her father will be revealed…to stunning consequences (description from Goodreads).

As you can guess from the description, this book sounded wonderful and full of things to love. A family saga and a murder mystery with a brooding tone should be a book that I would absolutely LOVE, however this one was just ok for me.

For me, the book moved a little too slow. There were parts in it that I was feeling frustrated by. I think that I expected there to be a lot more drama and rich storytelling based on the location of the story. For me, this was a completely new setting. I haven’t read a lot of books set in the wilderness or in Canada so I guess my expectations were high when it came to utilizing the setting to enrich the story. I think the setting could have added a lot more to the novel but instead it just seemed like it was just ‘there’ and not used to its full potential.

Evelyn was just ok for me, I didn’t LOVE her but I didn’t dislike her either. She served a purpose and seemed to fit within the story well. Although there were some things she would do that seemed a little unrealistic for her character, like setting traps and cooking over open fires etc but on the whole she seemed well suited within the story.

The one thing that saved this book for me was the mystery. The murder mystery was intriguing and wrapped up well in the end. I really enjoyed those parts of the story and felt invested enough in the mystery to continue reading the book.

On the whole this book earned a three star rating from me. It was ok but didn’t completely blow me away. I would agree that fans of Kate Morton would probably like this book, it’s not quite the same caliber but atmospheric all the same.

Challenge/Book Summary:

Book: Beyond the Wild River by Sarah Maine

Kindle Edition, 336 pages
Expected publication: April 18th 2017 by Atria Books
ASIN B01HMXRZEG
Review copy provided by: Publisher/Author in exchange for an honest review
This book counts toward: NA

Hosted by: NA
Books for Challenge Completed: NA
Recommendation: 3 out of 5

Genre: Historical fiction, mystery, family saga

Memorable lines/quotes:

Evelyn Ballantyre has grown up in a privileged but sheltered life on Ballantyre estate in the Scottish Borderlands in the 1890's. Her father is a respected magistrate and has spent his life carefully building up his wealth and taking care of his holdings. One choice Ballantyre has made was to take in a young man found poaching on his estate; James Douglas was given the role as a groom and became a companion to the younger Evelyn. Years later, a hunting incident leaves an older poacher dead on Ballantyre grounds. The poacher was James' friend from his youth. The murder is pinned on James and he very nearly escapes. Both Ballantyre and Evelyn know of his innocence; however Ballantyre has no evidence-yet and Evelyn is just simply confused. Five years after the murder Evelyn is whisked away with her father on a trip to North America where they travel around New York City, Chicago's World Fair and finally a camping and fishing trip up the Nipigon River. On the Nipigon fate will take its turn to bring everyone together from the day of the murder on Ballantyre estate where the truth will finally come out, revenge will be served and past mistakes made right.


Beyond the Wild River took a path much like a meandering river; beginning with a murder, then an extravagant trip dotted with flashbacks to Evelyn's time growing up at Ballantyre and an explosive ending with a waterfall. It did take me a while to feel like I was taken into the story and it took me until about 30% of the way through to really get into it. I'm not sure how much of the trip before arriving at the Nipigon was really necessary. Once the mystery between Evelyn, Ballantyre, James and inadvertent guest Rupert Daltson begins to unravel, I had trouble putting the book down. Much like the river rapids, the four travellers could not keep their memories about the night five years ago tucked away and their emotions soon bubbled over. However, Ballantyre is a surprising force to be reckoned with and I was truly astonished at how he planned on resolving everything. The characters also took me a little while to get to know; Evelyn and James were the main focus. I really wanted to like Evelyn, however she was a little hard to identify with. Evelyn eventually grew on me as she made her way camping and fishing in the wilderness. James was the most thorough character and I did want to know more about his past. I do wish that a little of James and Evelyn's future would have been revealed at the end. Overall an interesting and intricate historical mystery that will take you from the upper class Scotting Borderlands to the wild Canadian rivers.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.