This is the fifth book in the author's Alaska Wild series. It took me awhile to get up to speed with the characters and plot as I hadn't read the previous four books, but I found it suspenseful and engaging and will likely go back and read the series from the beginning.

Thank you #NetGalley and #MinotaurBooks for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

"Lost Hours" by Paige Shelton is a thrilling mystery that grabs hold of your attention from the very first page and doesn't let go until the final revelation. Shelton's masterful storytelling, complex characters, and atmospheric setting make this novel appealing for mystery enthusiasts and anyone seeking a pulse-pounding literary adventure.

Shelton weaves a web of intrigue and suspense that keeps readers guessing at every turn. The cleverly plotted narrative, filled with unexpected twists and secrets buried deep within a small town, is evidence of the author's skill at creating an engrossing and suspenseful plot.

The characters in "Lost Hours" are relatable. The protagonist, who returns to her hometown to unravel the mystery of her father's death, is a compelling figure with a well-drawn backstory and a determination that readers will admire. The supporting cast, each with their own motives and secrets, adds depth to the story and keeps readers on their toes.

Shelton's evocative writing transports readers to a small town where secrets are closely guarded, and every corner holds a potential clue. The atmospheric descriptions paint a vivid picture of the setting, immersing readers in the town's history, its hidden mysteries, and the eerie sense that something isn't quite right. The sense of place is so palpable that it becomes a character in itself.

The theme of unraveling family secrets and discovering the truth is a universal and compelling one. "Lost Hours" explores this theme with depth and sensitivity, revealing the complexities of family dynamics and the impact of long-buried secrets on the present. It's a story that invites readers to reflect on the mysteries within their own lives.

The pacing of the novel is spot-on, with each chapter revealing just enough to keep readers engaged and eager to uncover the truth. Shelton skillfully maintains tension throughout the story, making it difficult to put the book down. She has crafted a mystery that is intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

"Lost Hours" is a riveting mystery that delivers on all fronts. Its expertly constructed plot, well-developed characters, and immersive setting are brilliant. Prepare for a journey into a world of secrets, lies, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

3.5 Stars.
Lost Hours is the most recent addition to the Beth Rivers Alaska mystery series. Beth is still in Benedict, Alaska, writing and distributing the local paper and poking into police business when she can. Her kidnapper has finally been caught and is in jail, and Beth's real identity and location are not a secret any longer. In this story we have a fresh murder mystery which brings new characters along with the series regulars.

As I started this book, I thought that I must have skipped one in the series, so went back to find out, but I hadn't missed a book. I was a little disappointed that there were storylines that I didn't know enough about, and ones that were dangling. While I enjoyed the story overall, it felt a bit rushed, and confusing at the end. The mystery became so complicated that the last chapter had to be one character explaining to everyone else what happened.

While this was not my favorite in the series, I will still read what comes next. I think fans of this series will enjoy this installment.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I strongly suggest reading this series as a series and in order to get the maximum impact of the characters and situations.

It is now Mid July 1975 and a warm rare sunny day. Beth & Tex are on a boat tour to see the glaciers when the boat detours to rescue a woman on an island. A family visiting Benedict Alaska with their teenage daughter who is a fan of Beth's books written under a pen name. When Gracie goes missing a plot planned by teenage girls has everyone fearing for their lives.

The ending is not a cliff hanger like earlier books but the plots are not all solved so hopefully book 6 will be out soon and wrap up the on-going story.

Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Title: Last Hours
Author: Paige Sheldon
Series: Alaska Wild #5
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery
Pub Date: December 5, 2023
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 266

Although this the fifth in Alaska Wild series and I have only read one other, I felt I would be okay with moving on.

On reader’s description If you will like this ~
• Edgy cozy mysteries
• Remote locations/small towns
• Mysteries/secrets
• Amateur-sleuth
• Female-centric

Hmm Since I love Cozy Mysteries – which typically always mean a female, in a small town who is an amateur sleuth uncovering a murder mystery- I thought Yep that’s me – However ‘edge cozy’ gave me a concern- I did check and Paige Shelton is listed on the Cozy Mystery site –
https://cozy-mystery.com/Paige-Shelton.html

In the previous stories we know that - Beth had been kidnaped and escaped from Travis Walker. She lives at the Benedict House in Benedict which is a house for non-violent felons. She lived there under an assumed name. Once Travis was caught and is presently in prison. She has gone back to her real name.

In this story after a year in Benedict, Beth Rivers is feeling at home in Alaska.
Beth and her father, Eddy Rivers found get other —actually he found her and is now a fishing guide in Benedict and wants to make up with Beth for not being her father for so many years. Beth is trying to find a balance as she is still angry but also wants to forgive.

I think is my favorite ~ Okay I haven’t read that many but I did like it!

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for December 5, 2023.

Great addition to the series. Great characters and location. Each book gets better and better. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

3.5 / 5.0 stars

Having read books from Ms. Shelton's Scottish Bookshop series, I anticipated an equally engaging read in this fifth installment of her Alaska mystery series. This book proved to be more challenging in this regard. Perhaps it was foolish to start the series so far into it as it was a bit confusing and the relationships were apparently previously well established. It was also a touch grittier than I had anticipated.

Regardless, Ms. Shelton did a great job of beautifully describing the wild nature of a most scenic Alaska. The ruggedness of Benedict's residents was well communicated. The protagonist, Beth Rivers, (Elizabeth Fairchild, her nom de plume), after a year hidden in a remote village of Alaska, is still a bit fragile after her harrowing kidnapping experience. She is trying to ease back into the world with strained courage. While working on that, she is out on a harbor tour boat which is called to one of the islands to rescue a young woman in much distress. This girl claims to have been kidnapped and has escaped her captor whom she says was attacked and killed by a bear. Beth is called upon to assist in comforting and calming the young woman as they appear to have a shared experience. The young woman is brought to the same inn where Beth lives while the local authorities try to figure out what's what.

The story is told and guided by the protagonist and centered on how she felt and received the information within the story. In that regard, it was more like a psychological thriller than a straight mystery. It focused on Beth's relationship with her father, her man-friend, folks from Benedict and a few tourists. Yet, it also touches upon the mystery and inconsistencies of the young woman's story. As much as the two women had shared experiences, the stories didn't resonate together. To this reader, it felt more as though I was reading two books. I had a difficult time connecting with the characters, perhaps owing to not having read the previous four books.

In all fairness, it would serve any reader well to go back to the series' beginning and grow in understanding alongside the characters from the start.
I am grateful to Minotaur Books for having provided a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.

Publication Date: 12/05/2023
Publisher: Minotaur Books
ISBN: 978-1250846617
No. of pages: 288

This is the first book from this series that I've read. While I may have missed some past history from the previous books, I feel it didn't detract from what happened in this book. It was a fast-paced, gripping read and had me guessing who were the guilty parties. The ending implied that more was coming. I liked the setting of this series and many of the characters. I plan to read the first four books that I've not read yet. Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for the ARC.

This was my first introduction to this author and I definatley will be checking out the other books in the series! It was easy to pick up information about previous installments. Characters and story line were detailed. A must series to check out!

Such interesting plots and characters appear in this series, making it hard to put down AND hard to wait for the next book!

Wow so many stories in this one mystery. The setting is pretty cool, small town Alaska. The main character is interesting and has found her place is this small town as she waits for a trial to begin. She is the main witness. Her dad has found his way to her location but they are not close. She is close to people she has met in the town. Her dad has a boat and on a fishing trip a family that becomes part of the story. I found the book interesting and enjoyed it.

This is a good series that must be read in order. Beth, the main character, is a believable survivor of an abduction. Benedict, Alaska sounds like an interesting place to visit.Each supporting character is distinctly unique. The plot is complicated with lots of lies peppered throughout.. It does all make sense in the end. There’s a tension-filled cliffhanger at the end of the book.

The Lost Hours is a book that brings you right into the story as a local watching it all unfold. Having just traveled to Alaska, it was fun to read a book that takes place in that part of the country and being able to visualize the places the author talks about throughout the story. The characters are well developed, the plot is well thought out and the pace is easy to follow. As the story unfolds, you get a feel for who each character really is. The protagonist is a sharp, somewhat troubled woman who thinks on her feet. The other characters come into and out of her life page by page and it's easy to see why she fell in love with this town and her new friends. The mystery is somewhat contrived but the author does keep you guessing. It takes awhile before the story arc merges it all together to solve this one.

I don't want to give too much away, but this is a story that I will definitely recommend to my friends and bookclub.

Ms. Shelton's lead character, Beth Rivers, has been "outed" in Alaska.. Her true identity known by her friends and to complicate matters, her Dad (who left so long ago) has seemed to take up residency and is running a small tour boat. As Beth and her significant other take a boat tour of the glaciers, a woman appears on an island in a distance. After she's rescued, Beth speaks with her (Sadie) to learn she's been kidnapped and fears she killed her abductor. Sadie is interviewed by the Sheriff who feels something is off and takes her to Viola's half-way house (where Beth also lives). The book navigates truths, lies, and what some will do for those they love... This series has one of the best supporting casts around - and is a must-read each time a new book is released. And, where Ms. Shelton left off - holy smokes! I can't wait to see what's for Beth. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for an advanced reader of this book - the opinion expressed are my own.

Love this series and this latest does not disappoint. I really enjoy how the author brings Alaska alive , I always feel like I am there when reading this series. I hope this will be a really long series.

Lost Hours is book 5 in the Alaska Wild series by Paige Shelton.
I enjoyed this book and the characters were very interesting and are fantastically written and kept me flipping the pages.
The mystery was well plotted with twists and turns that kept me reading and intrigued.
The plot was so well executed, with lots of twists to keep you guessing.
Overall, this was a suspenseful story with a great mystery

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Minotaur Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing
eARC!

Lost Hours
Beth lives in a small Alaskan town after surviving a kidnapping. She has created a new life and wants to stay there. She is taking a glacier tour for the first time when a woman is spotted on an island. She is covered in blood and says she has been kidnapped and the kidnapper was killed by a bear. She won’t talk to the Captain but talks to Beth after she hears that Beth is a kidnap survivor, too. Sadie tells Beth she is in Witness Protection and does not trust the Juneau Police.
Later the body of a man is found but he was not killed by a bear. Did Sadie kill him? Is she telling the truth about what happened? Beth can’t help but get involved.
This is the fifth book in the Alaska Wild series. I have not read the series so some of it was confusing. I enjoyed the book very much.

I love this series. I got my daughter hooked and a friend of mine! I loved Lost Hours because the lack of cell towers added to the level in intrigue! I love the Alaskan setting and I love all the characters!

I really enjoyed this book and love the setting in Alaska. It is obviously one in a series, which I did not realize, but the author makes it easy to keep up with events and characters. There is enough back story to keep a new reader up to speed, but not so much as to bore readers who have read the previous books. The story has mystery, kindness, love of animals, what's not to like. I would recommend this book and will go back and read others in the series.

Lost Hours is the 5th book in Paige Shelton's Alaska Wild series, but it is the first book in this series that I have read. I have read several novels in the Scottish Bookshop Mystery series. To be honest, the Scottish Bookshop series is a more interesting and better written series than this 5th novel in the Wild Alaska series. The Alaska Wild series was confusing, since I had no idea who some of the characters are, for example Orin? Lost Hours is not a stand-alone novel. I think readers will be better served by starting with book 1 of this series.

Beth is the narrator and central protagonist in Lost Hours. She has a complex background, which is not fully explained. Readers are expected to be able to fill in the blanks, but as a first time reader to her story, I seemed to only be getting part of the story, especially when it came to the characters, who surround Beth. The balance between telling too much and not telling enough can be difficult for writers to manage. In this case, more information about some of the peripheral characters would have helped.

There are a lot of different plots going on in Lost Hours. Keeping all this plots straight was confusing, and there were some gapping holes that Shelton tried to tie together at the end, but the result was a bit of a mishmash of plots. I did not think I needed to be diagramming the plots and connecting them to characters, as Beth finally seemed to be doing. I suspect that fans of this series will be more enthusiastic than I am about Lost Hours, since they will know these characters, but I was not captivated and had to force myself to finish this novel.

I do want to thank St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for providing this ARC. I wish I could be more enthusiastic about this novel, which ends with a cliff hanger, sort of like a TV show at the end of the season. Thank you also to NetGalley for facilitating access to this novel.