BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of Lost Hours by Paige Shelton from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

Well.

That was an awfully convoluted-y and—to me—rather boring mystery proper. Which I wasn’t expecting, because I finished the fourth book in Paige Shelton’s Alaska Wild series earlier this year on an up note, after having had not the greatest experience with the third, and was very excited to get an advance reader copy of Lost Hours.

I am still very interested in what’s going on with our main protagonist’s family, and the series through-arc, though, so I will continue with it.

DESCRIPTION
Lost Hours is the fifth instalment in Paige Shelton's gripping, atmospheric Alaska Wild series.

A year after arriving in Benedict, Beth Rivers is feeling very at home in Alaska, even as outsiders are starting to return to enjoy the brief summer perfection. Beth feels like she’s finally let go of most of her demons. She’s even found her father, Eddy Rivers—or, rather, he found her—and she's trying to find the middle ground between anger and forgiveness.

One sunny July day, Beth boards a tourist ship to see the glaciers, the main reason visitors venture to the area, and something Beth hasn’t attempted until now. But when the captain has to navigate to an island, a bloodied woman is found standing on the shore, waving for help. When she’s brought aboard, she claims she was kidnapped from her home in Juneau three days earlier, and that a bear on the island killed her captor. She, however, is unharmed.

The woman, Sadie, finds a sympathetic ear in Beth. She tells her that she’s been in Juneau under witness protection, and that the Juneau police don’t like her. When another kidnapping occurs, Beth and police chief Gril can’t help but think the two cases are interwoven, though the clues to solving them will be harder to unravel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I can't believe how good this series is. Shelton is such a versatile author. I love her cozy Scottish Bookshop mystery series so much but this series is even better! Beth helps Gril and Viola with a new arrival to Benedict. She also works on her feelings with her father Eddy. After the last chapter I'm impatiently waiting for the next installment.

I was so delighted to return to Benedict, Alaska with Beth Rivers and the quirky characters who surround her. The fifth in series, Lost Hours is a chilling thrill ride with twisty turns and the surprising appearance of Beth's father. I could not put this book down---and read it in one sitting! The tensions run high, as does the suspense, when a screaming, bloody female is rescued from an island as the story unfolds. Eddie, Beth's dad joins the cast of characters as he tries to repair his fractured relationship with his daughter. There are layers to the mystery that I found intriguing. I can't wait to see what is in store for future books.
#LostHours #NetGalley #StMartinPress #MinotaurBooks
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Loved reading about Alaska. The story was great and I couldn’t put it down - finished it in one day! I did not know there were other books in the series and I would love to read more!

Lost Hours is a wild ride and hang on for the ending because it will definitely leave you wanting more. When Beth and Tex venture out to see the glaciers, her plan is foiled when they pick up a kidnapped woman covered in blood claiming her kidnapper was killed by a bear. Tex, a local search and rescue member, hops off to explore the island he found no evidence of such and it leaves everyone with more questions than answers. As the town of Benedict slowly gathers answers about their unexpected guest another kidnapping occurs and it leaves them wondering if it’s all connected somehow.

This ends in a cliffhanger and I’m beyond ready for the next book. I love the life Beth has created for herself in Alaska and I don’t want to see that taken away from her but that’s easier said than done.


Thank you @minotaurbooks @paigebooks and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

Even though her kidnapper has been captured, Beth Rivers is in no particular hurry to leave her sanctuary in Alaska. She's grown used to the Alaska lifestyle and made friends, and is beginning to explore her surroundings. Despite the change in her appearance, she's even recognized by fans of her books, including a teenager on vacation with her family. Things start to go awry when Beth finds a woman who claims to have been in witness protection and then kidnapped from her home in Juneau. As Beth gets pulled into the investigation, she soon finds things aren't all as they seem. A solid entry in the Alaska Wild Mysteries.

Thanks to St Martins Press for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

A year after arriving in Benedict, Beth Rivers is feeling very at home in Alaska, even as outsiders are starting to return to enjoy the brief summer perfection. Beth feels like she’s finally let go of most of her demons. She’s even found her father, Eddy Rivers—or, rather, he found her—and she's trying to find the middle ground between anger and forgiveness. One sunny July day, Beth boards a tourist ship to see the glaciers, the main reason visitors venture to the area, and something Beth hasn’t attempted until now. But when the captain has to navigate to an island, a bloodied woman is found standing on the shore, waving for help. When she’s brought aboard, she claims she was kidnapped from her home in Juneau three days earlier, and that a bear on the island killed her captor. She, however, is unharmed. The woman, Sadie, finds a sympathetic ear in Beth. She tells her that she’s been in Juneau under witness protection, and that the Juneau police don’t like her. When another kidnapping occurs, Beth and police chief Gril can’t help but think the two cases are interwoven, though the clues to solving them will be harder to unravel.

I started this series because I like Paige Shelton's Scottish Bookshop series so much and now have read every title in the series. Again, she has picked a different setting than most cozy mysteries with some very unique characters. She continues to evolve the characters, and I love the descriptions of the Alaskan scenery. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting my request to read the newest book by one of my favorite writers.

Beth Rivers is settling in nicely in Benedict, Alaska. While on a tourist ship to see the glaciers, a blood-covered woman is spotted on an island waving for help. The woman Sadie states that she was kidnapped from her home in Juneau and that her abductor had been killed by a bear. Sadie bonds with Beth due to
both having been abducted. There are gaps in Sadie's story - is it really amnesia? When a girl goes missing on the same island, Beth wonders if the two are connected. What is Sadie hiding? Will they find the girl before it's too late? Are the cases connected?
Fifth in the series
#LostHours #NetGalley

Lost Hours is the 5th book in the Alaska Wild series. I have loved reading everyone of these books starting with Thin Ice. It takes place in the town of Benedict, Alaska. There are the main characters that make up the town as well as the new characters that add to the story. Beth Rivers is the main character who ran away to Alaska as she had been kidnaped and escaped from a man named Travis Walker and feared he was looking for her. She lives at the Benedict House in town run by Viola who runs the house for non-violent felons. She has lived under an assumed name until Travis was caught and is presently in prison. She has gone back to her real name and has resumed her life as an author.

Beth and her boyfriend, Tex are on a tour boat that went near the island Lillybook which is known for their caves. On the beach is a woman yelling for help. Captain Moorehouse sends a boat to the island and rescues her. They take her to the Benedict House. Her name is Sadie Milbourn who was kidnapped from CT and was put into the Witness Protection Program. Gril Samuels is the chief of police and is informed about her. She tells Gril that a bear was on the island and killed the man who kidnapped her. She did not know how she got the blood on her shirt.

Beth's father, Eddy Rivers, who was not in her life when younger has come to Benedict to get to know his daughter and hopefully make up for his not being in her life. He is now a fishing guide. He almost gets hit by the tour with his customers on it.

Viola tells Beth that Sadie will be staying at the house and might be in danger. Gril wants Beth to go elsewhere for her own safety but Beth refuses. Tex goes back to the island and finds a body which Officer Natno from the Juneau police tells Gril. The man was found with slashes not bear marks.

Eddie asks Beth to join him and his customers, Greg Dupont his wife Barbara and daughter, Gracie on his boat to go fishing. Their daughter is a fan of hers and would like to met her. Beth accepts and goes. She also wants to go back to the island to check it out again. After fishing they go to the island. His customers are taking a nap so both Beth and Eddie go to check everything out and to find a hidden cave. While there they run into two teenagers who are on the island. When they get back to the boat they find out that Gracie has disappeared. They call for help in finding her. The police arrive and all try to find her but she is not to be found. They all go back to Benedict.

This is where the reader is taken on an adventure that I will leave to the reader as it is too much going on to put on paper. The story has so many twists and turns that the reader is taken on a wild ride to the exciting conclusion. The ending is a surprise to Beth when Detective Major, she was originally on Beth's case with Travis, calls and tells her that Travis has escaped and was coming after her. She is on Eddie's boat with Tex and upon telling them they make a plan.

This will be an exciting adventure of the next story which I look forward to reading.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC.

I am a massive fan of Paige Shelton, not just becaus eshe is local but that's why I started reading this series. I just love these. They are creepy and yet still super wholesome. Every character is well developed and you really feel like part of this rural community. You can start the series with any book because they also work as standalones thanks to her putting in the needed details.
I loved this one. The island was compelling and she works hard to solve the mystery. I think this one might be scarier than the others because, well I can't reveal too much, but definately read it and see for yourself.
Thank you for the ARC!

Beth Rivers has been in Benedict for a year. And it feels like home. More than her home in Missouri where her kidnapper lives.

While a lot has changed in her life, such as her dad finding her and settling in Benedict as well, although her mom is still MIA.

In July Beth decides to overcome her fear of boats and take a tour of the glaciers that the tourists love so much. But before she can get to the glaciers, they spot a bloodied woman on the shore of Lilybrook Island.

When they bring her on board she says she has been kidnapped from Juneau by a man who has been killed by a bear. While Beth is sympathetic, her story is full of holes.

When another girl is kidnapped they believe there is a connection but what is it?

I enjoy these stories of Alaska. There is always more than one plot line going on and it's always a thrill ride! And this was a really good one.

.

NetGalley/ St. Martin's Press, December 05, 2023

Revolutionary equipment? Benedict’s got your back!

Lost hours is the fifth installment of Paige Shelton’s Alaska Wild series. And what an installment it is! Just when you think things are calming down and Beth Rivers is going to be able to get back to normal, bam! The next Benedict adventure begins.

All our favorite characters are back including some new faces visiting Benedict. But that’s how the adventure begins. I can tell you one thing, I won’t be kayaking the Alaskan waters anytime soon!

Question: do you read the book reviews before you read the book?

An even deeper question: can you quote the reviews of your favorite book?

Obviously everyone is different, but it poses interesting questions. Can these questions help solve the case? All will be revealed when you read this book!

Loved it,
Anxiously waiting for the next,
x Sarah - Anneoftucson Reviews

Another fantastic read by this author - a very strong 4.5 stars! The writing style is one that I really enjoy reading and makes me feel like I am a part of this quirky Alaska community. Descriptions and character development are such a strong part of this series and this book. I can't wait for the next in this series! And for any other new Paige Shelton books! Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC - all comments are mine. Pick up this book if you like great writing, a bit of a mystery, and a touch of local community - you won't be disappointed!

Paige Sheldon does it again! Another perfect 5 star read! Seriously if she writes it I buy it because it is always a 5 star read. This book is the 5th in the Alaskan Wild series staring Beth Rivers and it is a great book! I love this series!! No spoilers so Just read it and you will agree it is amazing!!
I just reviewed Lost Hours by Paige Shelton. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

This is the latest in the Alaska-set series about a thriller writer with horrors in her own past. It was the first I had read in the series and I could follow along just fine, although I will go back and read the earlier books in the series. I expected good writing and a compelling plot based on the author’s other series, and this delivered. Multiple odd and frightening events in Beth’s new hometown are slowly proven to be linked and part of a broader mystery from the past. The plot moves quickly, and the characters are strong and believable. This ends with some drama from Beth’s own past, so hopefully it’s not too long a wait until the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Beth's father Eddy is in Alaska and shes starting to get to know him. Even if she's still angry with him. Tex and Beth go on a tourist boat to see the glaciers and happen upon a woman covered in blood. The woman is claiming she's been kidnapped and the captor was killed by a bear. Beth talks to her and it brings a crazy mystery to Benedict. That all the local characters will have to ban together to solve.

I am in love with the series. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the whole series. I could not put this book down. I had to know what happened and who was connected with it all. The mystery was fantastic and kept me on my toes.
I

This is the 5th book in the Alaska Wild series. This picks up after the end of the 4th entry, where Beth's attacker has been apprehended in the lower 48 and with her father, Eddy, having relocated to Alaska to try to forge a relationship with Beth. This novel starts with Beth and Tex (who's back in this book) taking a trip to see the glaciers--or trying to: the trip is disrupted when a bloody woman is found screaming on one of the islands they pass.

The mystery in this one is pretty good, if a little convoluted and with a plot hole or two. The character development continues to be a strong point. As usual, I'm smitten by most all of the residents of this small Alaskan town, except for Beth 😊. Chaz (from the last novel) did not return this time, though maybe he'll make a reappearance in future entries. And Beth's mom is still MIA, though Beth suspects she's hanging around the prison where Beth's attacker is housed to make sure he doesn't escape justice.

I like this series because it's both cozy and . . . not. It's a little darker than most cozies, but doesn't go full dark (if that makes sense). I love the characters and the town. This is definitely one to snag if you've been reading this series. You might be able to jump in without reading the earlier ones, but the reading is richer once you know the characters and their backgrounds.

LOST HOURS, by Paige Shelton, is the fifth book in the Alaska Wild Mystery series. This heart-pounding suspense novel had me on the edge of my seat as I turned pages faster and faster. Yet the author’s storytelling made me want to slow down. I wanted to savor the captivating setting of the Alaskan wilderness, and to get to know the fascinating characters. I’ve been a fan of this series from the very first. It’s been a pleasure watching the protagonist, Beth Rivers, settle into the small town of Benedict, Alaska, and become a part of the community. While each book has a standalone murder mystery for Beth to solve, the thread of her personal harrowing ordeal spans the series. As such, I highly recommend reading the books in order.

In this newest release, Beth’s estranged father has moved to Benedict and is a key player as the story unfolds. Ms. Shelton’s characters reflect genuine emotion and it was all too easy, as a reader, to get caught up in the dangerous situations they faced and lose track of time. Adding to the emotional stress is the storyline in which Beth interacts and tries to comfort two other women who had experienced similar trauma that Beth had faced before escaping. This ramped up my investment in what happens to the characters and I couldn’t put the book down until I’d read the very last page. There’s a strong hint of what may come next for Beth and I’ll be waiting on pins and needles for the next book!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another enjoyable title that is part of the Alaska Wild series. Beth Rivers is adjusting to life in Alaska but mysteries worthy of one of her books continue to surround her!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is the fifth in the Alaska Wild series. This book can be read as a standalone, but you don’t appreciate the relationships that have been built between the characters in the town. Once again, Shelton takes us to Benedict, Alaska, and her quirky and interesting characters. We are entertained by Beth Rivers, a crime novelist., Viola, a manager at a halfway house, Orin, the librarian and computer genius and Gril, the police chief.

Beth and Tex are on a cruise to see the Glaciers when the captain on the ship notices a woman waving for help covered in blood. Once they can get to the woman and bring her on the ship, the captain decides to turn around and dock to ensure she is alright and notify the authorities. When Beth meets Sadie, Sadie tells her that she was kidnapped and that she could escape because her kidnapper was attacked by a bear and killed. Sadie also mentioned that she was in Witness Protection. Sadie is brought back to Benedict and placed with Viola in her halfway house, where Beth also lives. Gril would like Beth to move out because he doesn’t trust Sadie. Beth decides to help Gril and find out what exactly happened to Sadie and her kidnapper. Is Sadie innocent, as she says, or is she guilty of murder? Pick up this book and add it to your mystery selections.