I think if you’ve been reading this series for awhile, you’ll be happy with this next installment. It’s a very quick read, with little dull moments. The writing didn’t really make me want to go back and read the previous books, or keep an eye out for the next one. There were a lot of repeat phrases that I found distracting, but that’s probably a me thing. For instance, characters would say “I don’t disagree” on various occasions. Just kind of a weird thing to repeat that stuck out to me.

Overall if you’re a longtime reader of the series, definitely give this one your attention. But if it’s new to you, I wouldn’t strongly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

This is my first Shelton book. Having been to Alaska and loved it. I read any books that I can about Alaska. And this one did not disappoint! The author had a great plot and was very descriptive about what was happening and where they were. I felt like I was in Alaska too! Great read and I highly recommend for anyone looking for a good suspense book.

This is the fifth book in the Alaskan Wild series. I am beyond shocked to have only just heard of this series and must now go back to the start. Beth Rivers is a survivor and sleuth at heart and totally gives off edgy Nancy Drew vibes.

This 5th installment of the Beth Rivers Alaska series finds Beth drawn into a strange case involving a woman who claims she was abducted and saved by a bear, a missing teenager and an escaped convict. Can she figure out what they all have in common before someone else dies? I love how Shelton continues to build her characters and relationships in this series, all in the wilderness of Alaska.

Thank you to #StMartinsPress, #MinotaurBooks, and #NetGalley for providing this #ARC Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is December 5, 2023.

I don’t know how this series slipped by me, but this book was so adventurous and suspenseful that I need to go back and put the first four books in the series on my to-be-read list. I mean, really people, how often do you get a chance to read a novel set in Alaska?

This is the fifth novel in Paige Shelton’s Alaska Wild series. Beth, is on a boat tour of Alaskan glaciers. All of a sudden, the boat changes course and a siren sounds. They discover a woman in distress on the shoreline. The woman is covered in blood. Beth's friend, Tex, goes to help. Beth stays on the boat and he wonders if the woman is the victim or the perpetrator. Shortly after, a teenage girl goes missing …

#PaigeShelton #AlaskaWild #Bookstagram

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This story takes place in Benedict, a remote Alaskan town on the shore of Glacier Bay. Although this is the 5th in a series, it is easy to follow the continuing characters and get into the action.

Beth has been living in a boarding house for about a year and she is really coming to love the area and the people. She finally builds up the courage to take a boat to see the glaciers and icebergs in the Bay. While aboard, her trip is cut short when a bloodied woman, yelling for help, is spotted on a small island. They rescue the woman and head back to town.

Sadie tells them that her companion was attacked by a bear and killed. She just narrowly escaped. How much of this is true? As Gril, the local police chief, digs further, it is clear that there is more to the story.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Paige Shelton's novels.

This book is another great chapter in the life of Beth and her Alaskan adventures. It had me in suspense from the beginning to the end just waiting for the shoe to drop. The author’s use of the Alaskan setting is clear and concise, as if I was there along with her. Having visited the state I know that it is very accurate. The recurring characters also stay true to form. The ending, as always, leaves the reader wanting more.

I received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The title perfectly describes my feelings about this book. Convoluted plot, excess verbiage, uninteresting characters. I’m proud of myself for muddling through to the end.

This is the first Wild Alaska series book that I have read. (I have read and enjoyed the author's Scottish bookstore mysteries.) There was no difficulty diving into this series. Beth Rivers has lived in Benedict Alaska for the past year awaiting the trial of her kidnapper and grappling with the aftermath of her trauma. The local community has taken her protection as a given and has given her a sense of safety. For the first time Beth decides to play tourist and boards a boat headed to the nearby glaciers. However, while passing a small island, the tourists see a bloody woman frantically calling for help. Beth is instantly enlisted to help calm the woman once she is brought aboard. What follows is a complex series of events with a shocking conclusion. The mystery also involves Beth's long-estranged father who has moved to Benedict to make amends. Despite all that Beth has recently endured, she is stronger than she thought and helps to solve the mysterious case. The book ends with a cliff hanger so I am sure Beth and her cohorts will soon have another adventure for readers to enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur for the chance to read this book prior to publication.

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.