Review Copy

Just when I thought Gwen Proctor's life was all wrapped up and settled down Rachel Caine took her on a wild ride full of twists and turns that left me wondering if anything I knew was correct.

There was so much packed into this novel, almost too much. I wanted to know more. She explained everything fully and I was completely satisfied with the ending, nut I have to admit that I wouldn't have minded another 50-100 pages just to round out the people of Wolfhunter. But that's just me. Caine really nailed the characters, but she just scratched the surface of some. I'd love to know more.

Don't even try to read this book out of order. Don't be that person that comes in at the middle of the movie. If you haven't read the series, start now! If you've read the first two books, get ready....this is heartstopping.

And highly recommended. Go get it.

This was such a wonderful series. It has mystery, suspence, romance and everything else you would want in a story. The perfect balance of all emotions. Even though Ms. Caine has ended the series satisfyingly I still think about how hard it will be for a family to heal from a situation like this. Start this three book series, you won't be sorry.

What would you do if you found out that your husband and the father of your children was a serial killer who tortured and brutally murdered countless women under the same roof you lived in? Would it be impossible to believe that you had absolutely no clue that all of this was taking place? What if you were implicated as a partner to his crimes? How far would you go to keep your life together and your children safe from the thousands of people who don’t believe in your innocence? That is the reality Gwen Proctor and her two kids have to live with. After escaping his clutches and saving her family, Gwen tries to create a life of normality of her children’s sake. Until one day, she receives a call from a frightened woman, and Gwen and her family find themselves caught up in a remote town near Wolfhunter River that is rotten to its core. As enemies come crawling out of the darkness from all sides, the fight for their safety and their lives begins once more.

This is the third book in the Stillhouse Lake series by Rachel Caine. Just as with the first two books, I simply could not put this down and stayed up late to finish it in the wee hours of the morning. Was the creep factor high? Definitely; but not so high that I couldn’t fall asleep after reading it.

This was a fast paced read that delivers endless high intensity scenes right after another. Rachel Caine does an awfully good job at highlighting the depravity of human beings and often times it’s a little distressing to read about the extent of cruelty we so easily inflict upon one another. The author goes to prove the dangers of the “pack mentality” and how easy it is for strangers, and even those who were your friends, to turn with the tide against you. This is especially the case when it comes to the great wide web, where the mask of anonymity make people more vulgar and daring. In protesting against someone’s innocence, other people can really come to think and act just as cruelly as the murderers themselves—with their “an eye for an eye” mentality.

While reading I couldn’t help but shout in anger and grind my teeth in frustration at the situations Gwen and her family are placed in. My heart ached as they continually tried to find peace in a world that wishes them nothing but ill will, and even death. One of my favorite things about this series is the strength of Gwen’s character. She’s smart, fierce, and although incredibly paranoid, she proves time and again just how far she’ll go to protect her family and the people she loves. She’s truly a badass that rises up time and again, when it would be simple to take the easy way out.

The plot of Wolfhunter River was a little less straightforward than the first two books, with various storylines being introduced and their connection only revealed in the last 20% of the book. I actually felt that it was just a little bit too much to be plausible or probably, but it didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story, although you definitely have to pay more attention to keep it all straight! It was gratifying to have some of my theories be correct as well, as I was constantly reformulating my theories until the end! Rachel Caine does a great job in intertwining the various storylines into jaw-dropping reveals and a satisfying final showdown.

If you're looking for a good, quick and thrilling read, you need look no further! However, I highly recommend reading the first two books before jumping straight to this one. Technically, you can still following along, as the author incorporates the backstory quite well, but you’d be missing out on a lot, and where’s the fun in that? You still have time to read the other two before this comes out, as it's planned for publication 23 April 2019.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher Thomas & Mercer for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Gwen Proctor has been surviving for a long time now. So have her kids, Lanny and Connor. With Melvin Royal dead, they're finally starting to rebuild some sort of life for themselves with Sam Cade. Until, all at once, specters from both Gwen and Sam's pasts return. A terrifying phone call asking for Gwen's help begins an ordeal that could destroy the family they've formed.

This series is tense and well-plotted and the mysteries in this third book are no different. But it's the characterization and the deep understanding Rachel Caine brings to the characters and their circumstances that are the true stars.

[I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.]
#WolfhunterRiver #NetGalley #StillhouseLake

I adore this series and was so excited to see another book was coming out. I was a little skeptical as to where the story line would take us based on how the last book ended. I was definitely not disappointed.

In Wolfhunter River, we find that Gwen, Sam and the kids are still trying to enjoy the life they've managed to build for themselves on Stillhouse Lake. Gwen has even decided to make a public appearance on a popular talk show in attempts to tell her story to the public. Unfortunately, the show had something else in mind for Gwen. After bringing out Miranda, the mother of one of Melvin's victims, Gwen quickly realized what a mistake she's made. Miranda is so consumed with grief and determined to prove that Gwen did in fact help Melvin kidnap and murder his many victims. Miranda lets the viewers know that she plans on creating a documentary about Melvin and 'Gina'. Gwen quickly realizes what this will mean for her and her children. All eyes on them....again.

Wolfhunter River was fast paced and exciting. We read from not only Gwen's POV but from Sam, Lanny and Connor at times. We follow the family as they head to a place called Wolfhunter River after Gwen receives a series of unsettling phone calls from two women in that area. Both desperate and obviously afraid for their lives. She tries to blow the calls off, but she can't. And with all the drama coming at them from the documentary, it seems like a good time to get out of town anyway. So they head off to see what they can discover in Wolfhunter and they definitely discover a whole mess of crazy!

The rest of the story is so exciting and fast paced. I love how it ended and I hope Ms. Caine continues the series...I'm hooked.

Wolfhunter River is the latest story in the Stillhouse Lake series by Rachel Caine. Wolfhunter River does work as a stand alone novel, but I suggest you read Stillhouse Lake and Killman Creek first. There comes a time in Wolfhunter River that this book is impossible to put down. I was given an early copy to review.

Wolfhunter River is the third book in the Still house Lake Series. This is a fabulous addition to the series and it amazes me how the author expands on the story. Fabulous writer and great characters.

I love the Stillhouse Lake series and recommend them to everyone! Although I was excited for a third installment, I was uncertain where it could possibly go with these characters. I love the direction that Wolfhunter River takes! The same tension and danger that were in the earlier books is here, maybe evwn moreso. The mystery is intriguing, especially set against the backdrop of the problems that Gwen and the kids are still having. The complicated relationship between Gwen and Sam is raw and evolving. I care about these characters and can't wait for book 4.

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!

Stillhouse Lake and Killman Creek were two of my favorite reads of 2018. And I recommended these two five star novels to everyone that I could. When Wolfhunter River was announced I was excited to see where Caine would take her characters next. I was fortunate enough to get an early copy of this novel via Rachel Caine and Netgalley, which I am grateful for. Because I had no idea that Caine would go this far with the third novel. After finishing this book I can safely say that I am in shock.

Wolfhunter River is the third novel in the Stillhouse Lake series by Rachel Caine. It is published by Thomas and Mercer Publishers, an imprint of Amazon. It has been a few months since Gwen Proctor's terrifying final showdown with her serial killer ex-husband, Melvin Royal. Royal and his psychotic followers have tormented and stalked Gwen and her children across many states. Now she is ensconced in what appears to be a quiet life in the community surrounding Stillhouse Lake in Tennessee. Although many believe that Melvin and Gwen (Gina Royal at the time) were partners in his kidnapping and murder of young women, her closest friends know the truth and are furiously protective.

To bring her side of the story into the light, Gwen agrees to appear on a live talk show. The host has promised a one-on-one interview, but through some underhanded events, Gwen is forced to face Miranda Tidewell, the mother of one of Melvin's victims. She announces that she is about to make a documentary showing the world that what she fears is true: Gina Royal is a killer just like her husband. Gwen does her best to keep her composure, but ultimately she storms off the stage. Once she is home with her children, Connor and Lanny, and her boyfriend, Sam Cade, she decompresses.

But that is cut short when she receives a mysterious call from a woman needing help in the neighboring town of Wolfhunter. Since Melvin's death, Gwen has worked to help other women escape many forms of violence. The woman's cry for help is distressing, but with the little information given to her, Gwen does not know what she can do. Soon the woman's daughter, Vee, calls Gwen saying that her mother is dead. And Gwen bears witness to the girl's arrest while on the phone. Fearing for the fate of the fifteen year old, Gwen decides to visit Wolfhunter. Connor, Lanny, and Sam accompany her to the small, dilapidated town. There they discover a corrupt police force that may not care if Vee lives or dies.

What secret did Vee's mother hold that resulted in her murder? What lengths will Miranda Tidewell go to destroy Gwen and her family? And what dangerous information is Sam holding back from Gwen? The darkness of this small town is about to engulf Gwen and her family. And if they are not careful they could find themselves dead.

Wolfhunter River is loaded with surprises and many twists and turns. It is fast-paced and delivers shock after shock. I was hooked from day one reading this novel and I found it harder and harder to put down. As the story unfolded I began to see the threads tighten on Caine's macabre tapestry of murder and lies. She went for the throat with this novel, giving the reader little time to breathe in between scares and action sequences. And the explosive finale seized me in its grip and left me gasping for breath. The character development was excellent as Gwen and her family learned from past mistakes and used their acquired knowledge of the world's darker side to their advantage. Connor especially was a shining example of lessons learned. Even as a pre-teen, he was quick on his feet and fast thinker. Caine also paid closer attention to Sam Cade and his past deeds. The emotions played out in this tale were visceral and often heartbreaking. The author knows she has created damaged players in her story, and she treats them all with respect and understanding.

Wolfhunter River was another five star extravaganza of suspense and chills. Rachel Caine's writing was biting and witty, as she brought me into the mind of the fiercest mothers ever to grace a novel. Gwen Proctor was never a cliche and always ready to defend her family. Her love for her children made them just as tough. And her relationship with Sam, as strained as it could be, was a light driving all characters forward. The fact that I have to wait another year for book four, Bitter Falls, is hard to bear. I wish I could jump into the next book. Caine has created a world that I cannot wait to read more of.

Also check out the playlist that Rachel Caine includes with her Stillhouse Lake novels. They are a great soundtrack to all the thrills and action. It is also a great way to try new music from some artists that you may not have heard before.

Wolfhunter River will be released on April 23, 2019

Because there is always time to read,

Xepherus Reads

In the third installment of the Stillhouse Lake series we find Gwen on the offensive. She has survived her serial killer ex husband and has decided not to run anymore. She gets drawn into a murder investigation in the backwoods hamlet of Wolfhunter River, where a woman has asked for her help. Could it be a trap?

While not as absorbing as the first book, Stillhouse Lake, i’m continuously impressed with Gwen’s strength, and bravery. I was also kept interested and intrigued by the unfolding mystery. I don’t want to give too much plot away, because half the fun is in the experience, but i can’t wait to see what happens next. I bet she’d make a great detective.

I’ve been devouring the previous books in this series over the past week or so and Wolfhunter River is another great addition. I loved the premise, and Gwen has been through so much that it’s hard not to root for her. Pacy, action-packed and a proper page-turner, I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Another great read by Rachel Caine.
Just when she thinks her life may have settle a bit the Royal/Proctor/Cades become targets again. This time involving kidnapping, murder and the usual crazies.
Excellent 3rd book and a great set up to create a lengthy series.

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I loved books one and two of this series but this one was just something different. I love the characters in this series and it was nice to see the development of Lanny and Connor. The relationship between Sam and Miranda was an interesting dynamic too. The plot twists were excellent and overall I just really loved it. 5 stars.

Once again another fantastic read by Rachel Caine. This is the continuation of the 'Stillhouse Lake' series. I am amazed on how the author takes different events and can mesh them into a thrilling story. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys stories that leave you on the edge of your seat.

Full review to be published online in late April.

WOLFHUNTER RIVER is the third book in Rachel Caine’s suspense thriller series ‘Stillhouse Lake’. The author is well known for her Urban Fantasy, and has now taken on the thriller genre, achieving mixed results. The first half of the book contained a great deal of exposition and backstory designed to catch a new reader up on past events in the series and the life of the protagonist; but for those of us who read the first two books, it was far too much retreading of familiar ground,

The second half of the story is where WOLFHUNTER RIVER breaks out in full glory. Once Gwen arrives in town and begins to investigate the murder and mystery surrounding it, the plotline clicks into place and shines. Very twist/turny psychological thriller.

Recommend read, but probably best to tackle the first two books before attempting this one. Caine still does UF better.

Thank you for putting this up, Netgalley! I wanted it in my hands as soon as possible!
I’m kind of sad the ride’s over, but it ended in the best possible way.

Wolfhunter River felt like high octane, dialed up to 10, for the ENTIRE BOOK. It started hitting and did not stop. It did all this in a good way; it never felt overblown, action for action’s sake, but that this was realistically what would’ve gone down in this situation.

Driving the plot: I’ve always felt this series was unique from other ‘thrillers’ or similar genre types, because of the unique action scenes – and that most of it is done by women, on behalf of women. This trilogy has taken women from a status of reduced-to-victims by Melvin Royal at first, to the hero(in)es of the story.

“Get your damn hands off my kids!” she shouts, and she spins around, still flat on her back, and kicks Mr. Sparks from behind. Not in the ass, like I would have, but right up between his braced legs. She kicks him like she means to score a field goal.”

Characters: The major players in this last book were all female – from Gwen, to a missing girl who spurs on the plot, to a grieving mother of one of Melvin’s victims, who is out for revenge against anyone. Gwen was an amazing protagonist from start to finish, and even her kids are impressive by book two and three. Add in Cute Sam, as I call him in my head, and you’ve got this awesome family unit of badasses, where everyone had a part to play in resolving the plot of this last book – threats on all sides, basically.

Setting: Hoo boy. If I was wary of the American rural south before…This book makes Tennessee seem terrifying, I’ll be honest, but really, any conservative region/county/town/space in America could be Wolfhunter River, where the police are on shady payrolls, high-up men in the social hierarchy have disturbing cult compounds, and women are disregarded at best and abused horrifically at worst. The misogyny presented throughout the series is, well, plausible, and very reminiscent of what women experience in our daily lives. We’re not all murdered or kept in dungeons, but still. There are throwaway remarks throughout that just..hit home. Rachel even threw in some subtle remarks about the Trump administration and current American affairs, and I enjoyed that a lot. This series I could very well see happening in real life - even if I hope it hasn't.

“Killing a cop’s bad enough, but killing a small-town cop in a town that thinks of the Civil War as being waged last week? Only way it gets worse for you is if you’re black. Which you’re lucky you’re not.”

“Three women went missing,” he says. I like that he’s so particular about his nouns; even at his age, he’s not falling into the trap of calling adult women girls, or worse, females.”

Final thoughts on the ending: I appreciate that there is a – well, if not a jumping-for-joy ending (which would hardly be believable with all of the traumatic experiences these characters have been through) not a terrible one either. Gwen Proctor’s situation was iffy at best this whole time, and you can’t eliminate something like a serial killer’s nationwide following, taunting via the internet, letters, and even in person - in three relatively-short books. So the ending was realistic and great, in my opinion, and kept around everyone who should’ve been kept around.

Rachel’s playlist at the end is fantastic, and I have copied it all onto my spotify now, so further kudos there?

I enjoyed this installment a lot. It was fast paced and intense. I like Gwen and Sam. I think Lanny is my favorite and Connor was okay in this one. I felt like this could be the end of the trilogy or it could be the start of a new chapter in Gwen's life. I am very interested in seeing what happens next.

What a riveting, heart-pounding adrenalin rush! My heart and head are still spinning and reeling as I try to come to grips with this story days after finishing it. Wolfhunter River, the third book in Caine's Stillhouse Lake series, is INTENSE and that's putting it mildly. You'll need to suit up and strap in for this one! I highly advise you read the first two books before venturing into this minefield of suspense and then enter at your own risk, but be prepared to maneuver the many twists and turns and shockers that threaten to bury readers and characters. While the author does an amazing job of weaving backstory into Wolfhunter River, you're going to want to get up close and personal with the complex cast and storyline before starting this one. And please . . . PLEASE avoid all spoilers!

As Wolfhunter River opens, Gwen, Sam, Lanny, and Connor are settling into a seemingly more normal life on Stillhouse Lake. While ghosts from their past still haunt them, they're relaxing their guard and cracking the door on a brighter future. Unfortunately, the past refuses to stay buried as evil reaches out from the grave to harass and terrorize them yet again. At the same time, Gwen receives a call for help from a terrified, desperate mother in the little one-horse town of Wolfhunter. When said woman turns up dead, Gwen, Sam, and the children drop everything to answer a plea from the woman's disturbed daughter - traveling to Wolfhunter to investigate and quickly falling prey to unknown dark forces themselves. Something is very wrong in this small, secluded, ill-boding town, and someone is willing to kill to keep it hidden. The story that unfolds is a dark, riveting, on-the-edge-of-your-seat thriller, delivering blow after blow to these characters. Told from multiple points of view, layers are peeled back and buried secrets exposed. No one is safe as the repercussions of past betrayals explode and spread like a contagious virus, threatening each of them. Who will be left standing when it's all over? Will they stand together . . . or apart?

Rachel Caine weaves an intricate, complex tapestry of dark, menacing plot lines throughout Wolfhunter River, leaving characters and readers reeling time and time again. The fast paced action is virtually non-stop. There came a time later in the story when I felt like the colliding plot lines and continuous revelations and punches came close to being a little too over-the-top . . . almost entering unbelievable territory. And yet, I couldn't stop reading as I burned through the pages to find out how it would all turn out. I enjoyed the character growth we see in this one, especially from the children, Lanny and Connor, who add so much dimension to this story, and I loved delving into Sam's background as readers learn how his secret past influenced these characters' present lives and how it overshadows their future. As always, the setting is a major player as it flows menacingly and flawlessly throughout. As in previous books, Wolfhunter River continues the study of the power of evil, and its ability to spread like wildfire consuming and destroying everyone in its path. Definitely fuel for thought. The author uses a twist in this story as a nice setup for what could be a new direction in Gwen's future. I can't wait to see when/if she goes there. All in all, Wolfhunter River is another insanely complex, frenzied, action-packed Must Read in this highly addictive series! I'm giddy from anticipation for the next one!

A simple interview they said. A way to get your ability to clear yourself they said. A way to let the people see the real you, not the killer some think you are they said. They lied. Welcome to the third book in the Stillhouse Lake series.

Because of the TV show and the fact that they included in the interview, Miranda Tidewell, a mother who lost a daughter to Gwen's former serial killer husband, Melvin Royal, the world it seems is once again alerted, and Gwen and her children are again in the eye of a storm. Miranda had also set up a group of modern day vigilantes who believe in Gwen's complicity in her husband's crimes. Gwen becomes a target and so are her beloved children.

Poor Gwen Proctor, never to be forgiven for once being married to a serial killer. She and her children, who she fiercely defends, are drawn into a land of fright and terror, after she receives a phone call from a woman and her daughter terrified of what they seem to know, living in Wolfhunter River. There is something strange but also something alluring in the women's plea and it draws Gwen, Lanny, Connor and her boyfriend, Sam, (the brother of one of the victims of Melvin Royal), into a place that seems to be imbued with evil.

Because of the nature of the phone call she received, Gwen, her children, and Sam journey to Wolfhunter River, searching for answers, so willing to help. However, there are nasty things running through Wolfhunter River and as happenings become more dangerous, Gwen is called to look into herself and her relationships, especially that with Sam. It becomes a game of who do you trust and this game has deadly occurrences.

The Stillhouse Lake series has been a winner for me. It does hold your attention and provide a wonderful amount of thrills and chills. This book was not the strongest of the series, but it again shows the allure and charisma Rachel Caine has created in the Stillhouse Lake series. I recommend that you read this series from its start for it is one those who so enjoy well done thrillers will find enticing.

Thank you to Rachel Caine, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy of this thriller.
This book is due to be published on April 23, 2019

Thank you Rachel Caine and Netgalley for an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.
This is the third book in the Stillhouse Lake series by Rachel Caine. She does not disappoint. Although this story could be read as a stand alone, it really builds on the previous two installments. Gwen Proctor's ex-husband was a serial killer and has made his family's life miserable since he was caught. The victims' families believe that Gwen helped her husband lure and kill his victims. They have made it their mission to torment Gwen. In this installment, the torment continues in the form of a documentary made by the mother of one of the victims. What Gwen doesn't know is that someone very close to her was involved with this mother and may have been the one to start the ball rolling on all the stalking and torment that has plagued her since her husband was captured. There is another storyline that weaves its way through this installment. Gwen received a call from a woman in nearby Wolfhunter River asking her for help because someone is going to kill her. because she knows too much. She doesn't give much more info but later hears from the woman's daughter that in fact, her mother was murdered and the daughter has been arrested for the killing. Gwen and the family go to Wolfhunter River to find out why she was contacted by this woman. What they fall into in the small town is nothing short of diabolical and dangerous. Will Gwen be able to find the answers to what happened to the mother and daughter? What does this have to do with missing women and children? Will her family survive this town? You will not be disappointed in this installment of Stillhouse Lake. Please Ms. Caine, keep the stories coming.