From my blog: Always With a Book

This is the third book in Tessa Wegert’s Shana Merchant series and I cannot tell you how much I love this series. It really is the perfect combination of police-procedural and psychological thriller, with a locked-room mystery thrown in…and I just love it!

This latest installment is full of twists and misdirection and really kept me guessing the entire time. As much as this book could be read as a stand-alone in the fact that has a self-contained case for Shana and her colleagues to solve, it also deals with a continuing thread that started in the first book and has been building ever since. This thread weaves itself into the current case and while the author does give a bit of backstory for those who haven’t read the previous books, you will have such a richer reading experience if you have. But maybe if this is the first one you are picking up, it will leave you eager to go back to the beginning.

I loved the character development we get here, not only for Shana but also on Bram. I feel like we learn quite a bit more about him and this makes for a much more thrilling, chilling and downright eerie read. I already didn’t like the guy and learning more about him just makes my feelings that much stronger towards him.

I think what I love best about this series is the small-town feel and how claustrophobic and atmospheric it can be. As Shana is focused on trying to solve the local murder, she is also trying to get to Bram before anyone else suffers. What ensues is quite the cat-and-mouse game until things come to quite a surprising end.

I went into this book thinking it was the last one of the series and when I got to the end, I felt like it had been wrapped up quite well, but then I found out there was another book coming, which pleases me immensely. I am excited and quite intrigued as to where things go next for Shana…and will definitely be eager to get my hands on that next book! If you haven’t picked this series up yet, I highly recommend it.

Complete the sentence-
NEVER HAVE I EVER________.



#deadwind by Tessa Wegert.
#march2022release

What if one gets to know one's cous is an abductor, a serial killer?
What if he's playing games, is on a spree on killing women & the count is unknown?
What if he gives you clues to reach him?
What if you are able to resolve the mystery, his reasons & understand his psyche when it's too late?
📍If these questions intrigue you, you wouldn't want to miss on this page turner👇

The author:
Tessa Wegert is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, The Huffington Post, Adweek, and The Economist.

#netgalley
Blurb:
The body is discovered on Wolfe Island, under the shadow of an enormous wind turbine. Senior Investigator Shana Merchant, arriving on the scene with fellow investigator Tim Wellington, can't shake the feeling that she knows the victim - and the subsequent identification sends shockwaves through their community in the Thousand Islands of Upstate New York.

Politics, power, passion . . . there are dark undercurrents in Shana's new home, and finding the killer means dredging up her new friends and neighbors' old grudges and long-kept secrets.

That is, if the killer is from the community at all. For Shana's keeping a terrible secret of her own: eighteen months ago she escaped from serial killer Blake Bram's clutches. But has he followed her . . . to kill again?

Tessa Wegert, Author of “Dead Wind” has written a third novel in the Shannon Merchant series. Although it is beneficial to read the other books, this can be a stand-alone. The author writes a tense, captivating, suspenseful psychological thriller. The genres for this novel are Suspense, Mystery, Psychological thriller, and Fiction. The story is presented in the current timeline but goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The author describes the dramatic characters as complex and complicated. There are a few characters that don’t appear to be who they are. There are some quirky and evil characters. There are betrayals, gaslighting, threats, and murder. There are also many deep dark secrets.

Detective Shannon Merchant finds herself in a suspenseful and mysterious situation when there is a murder that she is investigating. There is a feeling of deja-vu, and dread as she realizes something feels so familiar. This murder seems to reveal problems with power, politics, and different personalities.

It also seems that people that are close to Shannon, are getting hurt, threatened, or possibly murdered. What is the connection? As Shannon investigates she realizes that she is in terrible danger. I would highly recommend this intriguing and thought-provoking novel. There are twists and turns. I also was taken aback by the ending.

I have to say I love this series and this author in general so I highly suggest you check out the other before getting to this. With that, I loved this book and I really enjoyed seeing how Shana developed over the course of the books. This book is both character and plot driven, which made for such an overall well rounded story. It was such a suspenseful read I highly recommend!!

This was the first book I read in this series which made it a little confusing for me. I think if I read them from the start it would have been better. There was a lot of suspense and tense moments in this one though. Psychological thriller isn’t always my favorite but I could see others loving this one.

This was a great way to wrap up the series! I loved the small town, island vibe and set up throughout the 3 books. The psychological games are strong with this one and the ending wrapped up with an explanation about Shana and Bram’s relationship I’d been waiting for! 👏🏻

Thanks for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 3 in this mystery series that combines psychological thriller and police procedure.

In this book, we have a new mystery of a murdered woman whose body was positioned at a wind farm in Canada. This victim was just days away from being sentenced for corruption charges so the list of potential suspects is vast.

Along with this current murder, Shana and her investigative partner, Tim, also continue the search for serial killer, Blake Bram, who always feels just out of reach.

I know my description of this book may be vague, but I really don’t want to give anything away.

I will tell you I had never seen a real live wind farm until I completed my first road trip from
Florida to Chicago in 2020. I love that stretch of Highway about an hour or so outside the city so I was fascinated to learn more about wind farms and why not everyone is in favor of that form of alternative energy.

I love the atmosphere of this book. It’s written with the intensity and feeling of a small town on the edge. I felt that nervous vibration throughout the read.

I was impressed with the twists involved in ALL aspects of the plot and am still a little shocked at how everything transpired in the end.

So the final question I always like to answer is, “Can this be read as a stand alone?”
I did read Book 2 before this book, but I actually am listening to book one (DEATH IN THE FAMILY) while I’m typing this review. So my answer is you can read book 3 first, but you will be hooked and feel the need to read the others for sure.

Third book in the series, and Shana Merchant is back for more! This is my favorite so far. I do recommend starting at the beginning, but this is my fav in the series. Definitely pick it up!

A spectacular climax to an outstanding series.
In this, the third book in the Shana Merchant series, we find Shana and her partner, Tim, knee deep in the muck of a murder while also trying to catch a serial killer. When the body of a prominent city official is found mutilated at the base of a wind turbine it has all the earmarks of another Blake Bram murder. The same Bram who has occupied much of Shana's thoughts throughout the series. As youngsters they were best friends and he was her cousin that she knew as Abe Skilton. When evidence that the killer of the woman found under a wind turbine may not be him it sets into motion a series of events the small town in upstate New York will not soon forget. It also makes for a great character driven story.
I absolutely loved this whole series. Getting to know Shana, Tim and the rest of the cast of characters has been a delight. I love a capable, strong female detective that drives the story while also showing her vulnerabilities which makes her a well rounded character. The authors writing style is succinct, atmospheric and compelling. The plot is brilliantly crafted and the story just flows like a river in the story.
Although I think this one can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend one starts at the beginning to get 'the whole' story.

Dead Wind is the newest installment in the police procedural series by @tessawegert and just as suspenseful and clever as the others. Shana is back but this time to investigate a murder of a woman left at the base of a wind turbine on an island off upstate New York. The investigation is all about power, politics and passion in such a juicy, page turning fashion. In addition, Shana is still determined to find her cousin and former abductor, Bram (if you read her earlier books, you have a deep hatred for Bram). It makes it like two mysteries being solved in one and adds to the twists, turns and red herrings. The character development continues to be so strong in this installment, allowing the reader to really understand what Shana is thinking and the protagonist’s tie to the serial killer makes it that much more eerie and addictive. I can’t wait for the next one. Thank you to @tessawegert and @suzyapprovedbooktours for my gifted copy. ebook is out now and the hardback version is out in April.

Great police procedural story.
A body is found on Wolfe Island under the wind turbines.
For Shana is more like a.message that a simple murder. Lots of secrets in the comunity so is not going to be easy to solve the murder.

This is a very good mix of police procedural and psychological thriller. It's set in a small town in upstate New York and is book 3 in the Shana Merchant series. I love the interesting mix of characters and the plot is full of suspense and twists. The first part is a slow burner but it soon picked up pace as the plot unfolded. I would definitely recommend reading the first 2 books in the series for background information. I felt the ending came a bit too sudden but it's an enjoyable read which I can recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This stunning, intense thriller kept my full attention.
I loved the first two books in the series but Dead Wind blew me away!
Really a truly intriguing and atmospheric mystery, with lots of twists and turns and a very captivating protagonist.
This book is so expertly plotted and executed I thought Tessa did a great job at captivating the readers into the plot. I would describe this novel as an intense dark mystery thriller.. effortlessly creating an exciting thrill ride of twists, turns, suspense, and tension. The writing is smooth and clear. And the characters are wonderfully written, damaged, desolate, and devious.
I loved how this book caught the readers attention right off rip. And never once did I want to look away!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Severn House,
Thank you so much for an advanced copy of Meant to Be Mine
I will post my review to B&N, platforms, blog and Waterstone close to pub date!.

This was a small town mystery that bubbles with secrets and intrigue. I really did race through Well written, with a plot and characters that haunt you long after you've finished.

Dead Wind is the 3rd book in the Shana Merchant series and they are best read in order. I missed book 2 but I did manage to pick the story up without too much trouble. I will be going back to read it though as ai really enjoy this fantastic series.

I love a good police procedural with a strong female lead character. Shana and Tim’s relationship and bond is interesting to see develop 5rough the books. And a serial killer with a strong link to our main character, love it so much. These books are written so well, sucking up you into Shana’s world and thoughts.

I hope there will be more o come. Thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read.

Dead Wind by Tessa Wegert is the third book in the Shana Merchant series. I just recently read the second one and I’m so glad I had this to follow. The continuation of the Blake Bram storyline is fascinating and kept me involved. I love Shana’s strength and determination. The atmosphere was so thick and claustrophobic, it was almost another character. While this can be read as a standalone, I believe it is much more satisfying to read in the series order.

This thriller had a great mix of suspense, mystery, and police procedural! I loved the small-town atmosphere that gave the story a claustrophobic feeling. It made everything feel more suspenseful, and I loved it!

Dead Wind is the third book in the Shana Merchant series, and it absolutely lived up to the previous ones! This one is coming off the ending of the previous book, and I do think it would make more sense to read the first two books before reading this one. There is a new murder mystery, but there is also the serial killer from the previous stories that is still a part of the story. It’s such a good blend of new story and previous history, but I think it works better if you’ve read the previous ones!

This had great character growth throughout the series, and I loved where Shana is in this book. She’s stronger and has shown her growth as an investigator. I enjoyed the secrets and surprises throughout this story! This is a great one for anyone that enjoys police investigation and serial killer stalking.

Dead Wind, A Shana Merchant novel
Author, Tessa Wegert
Pub date: 4.5.22
Available 3.1.22 on Kindle!

Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours, @severnhouseimprint, @tessawegert, and @netgalley for my e- arc!

This is the third novel in the Shana Merchant series and while the second and third can be read as stand-alones, I did buy the first novel so that I can read how it all began! I know that seems backwards, but oh well!

The body of a very public citizen involved in a small- town scandal is found on Wolfe Island under the wind turbines. It seems more like a message than a simple murder and Shana Merchant and Tim Wellington are on the case to discover who and why. Overwhelmed in the politics and power, the two being to uncover dark secrets from the community's past that make even the innocent seem suspicious.

In the meantime, Shana is still recovering from her kidnapping by serial killer Blake Bram eighteen months ago and just can't let go of her own dark past. What else can she learn about Blake that can lead her closer to not only understanding their shared past, but also never allowing him to hurt another again?

And Shana and Tim begin to recognize the spark in their relationship and start protecting each other much more than investigative partners do..

Dead Wind is a gripping psychological thriller that has it all- investment in the characters and their outcomes, engaging police investigations, and an atmospheric and close- knit community filled with secrets, passion, deceit, and drama that will keep you guessing until the final shocking reveal!

4.5 stars!

Dead Wind by Tessa Wegert: A Review

Set in the Thousand Islands in upstate New York bordering Canada, Tessa Wegert’s thriller Dead Wind follows the New York State police detective Shana Merchant during her first year in the remote area. This is the third installment of the Shana Merchant series, and it is even better than the first two, which were quite good to begin with. The first two, Death in the Family and The Dead Season, also take place during this first year.

The story begins when Shana and her partner Tim are called to a wind farm on a Canadian island to investigate the death of an American citizen, whose body was found at the base of an enormous wind turbine. The woman, a local figure who had recently been found guilty of corruption in a neighboring town was due to be sentenced for her crimes.

Shana and Tim set about to solve the mystery, investigating a wealth of suspects. But all the while both wonder if the murder is the work of Blake Bram, the serial killer from whom Shana had escaped when she was a New York City police detective. The closer Shana and Tim get to solving the crime, the more unnerved they are by proof that someone is following their every move.

Wegert’s writing is evocative, conjuring the bleak atmosphere of the end of winter in a historic summer community for the old wealth of the early 20th century. Her pacing is well-timed and the stakes keep rising with each chapter. The plot twists toward the end are well planned but not at all easy to see coming.

I’m looking forward to reading the next installment. Although, given the three adventures Shana has survived in her first year in the Thousand Islands, I wouldn’t blame her if our heroine wanted a vacation!

I'd like to thank NetGalley for an advance copy of the book.

tessawegert is back with another Shana Merchant novel! DEAD WIND is boom 3 in the series and it’s so satisfying.
Read if you like:
-serial killer thrillers
-small town mysteries
-police procedural
-book series

In this book, serial killer Blake Bram is on the loose yet again, having skipped past authorities after his last heinous crimes. He’s following Shana, watching her, and she’s determined to put an end to all of it. And him.
Investigator Tim Wellington is resigned to protect Shana and help her on this crazy quest. And he might just like her a little bit;)

Oh wait! There’s more, the body of a local woman found near a wind turbine. She doesn’t fit Bram’s typical MO, but he’s not exactly predictable.

I really enjoyed this one, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone, however reading the book before gives you a richness to the story that you wouldn’t otherwise have. And I need to get to reading the first book in the series!

.