When detective partners George and Richie are sent to a remote Scottish island with a population of 206 people, they are searching for the answers to a mysterious death of a teenager. What they find instead are fiercely protective villagers who are more than reluctant to speak with them about the island teenager who was “unalived” two weeks prior to their arrival. Can these two detectives solve the case of Alan Furguson without angering the villagers of Eadar? Or will they uncover the hidden truths this remote island wishes to stay buried?

This book had me ignoring responsibilities and staying up past my bedtime (no, not out of fear…) two nights in a row. I caught myself making sure my windows were closed and doors were locked then dove back into the village of Eadar for a full 26 hours. While I had an inkling of the “whodunnit”, I was fully caught off guard by how deeply woven the plot was.

I gladly give this one four shining stars and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys mysteries and basic sociology and anthropology because HOLY CROW I want to do a full study on those people on the island and I’m not generally one to be fascinated with foreign cultures. But be warned, once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down.

Looking for a fantastic Scottish mystery to read, this is a must! Two Scottish detectives( one who is recovering from a work related accident and has an addiction to pain meds) arrive at a remote Scottish island to investigate the suicide of a young man found at the bottom of a lighthouse. What they encounter is a close knit society with secrets and long held beliefs. Add some interesting characters and descriptions of a beautiful and wild island, the reader is drawn in to the story immediately. I did not want this to end! Having been to Scotland and some of its islands several years ago, this book makes me want to return .

People aren’t always what they seem…how far would you go to prove your worth?

After being on leave for an accident, DI George Lennox and her partner DI Richie, take on what seems like an open and shut case on an island that comes off as extremely self sufficient and reluctant of anyone not from there. It can’t be that easy though, can it?

This book really immerses you onto the island of Eileen Eadar; with the bone-chilling winds, the whipping rains and the uphill walks in mud. Reading this while it was snowy/cold/gray outside really elevated the unease and chill I felt while reading this book. I could clearly picture the characters as well as their surroundings and having the map to kick off the book was an extra nice resource.

Each character had their skills, but also their flaws, showing them as more realistic and multifaceted. You always want the good guy to win, but you also want to know that it wasn’t an easy task.

Looking forward to reading more work from this author!

Thank you so much to the author, Laura McCluskey, Penguin Group Putnam, and NetGalley for this eARC of The Wolf Tree!

**Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the eARC of this atmospheric title!**

While this book wasn’t quite the right fit for me, I did enjoy the setting and the island was described beautifully. I loved the spooky undertones throughout the police procedural, and getting to see the different sides of the locals was entertaining.

The pacing of this one held it back from being a winner for me, but I think others will really enjoy this one. While this is suspenseful and has police procedural elements, I think readers of historical fiction will enjoy this more than I did.

Overall, the writing was great and I found the island to be perfectly fleshed out but the MCs were not my favorite and that took me out of the story a bit as well.

Partners DI Richie Stewart and DI Georgina “George” Lennox are dispatched from Glasgow to the remote island of Eilean Eadar in the Western Hebrides to investigate the death of a young island resident. Eighteen-year-old Alan was found dead at the base of the island’s notorious lighthouse, from which three keepers vanished without a trace a century earlier, and the officers are tasked with interviewing the mostly reticent and sometimes downright hostile population of the insular community to confirm what looks to be an open and shut case of suicide.

The Wolf Tree is a pretty standard detective mystery with the comfortably familiar set-up of detectives from outside vs. a small community of suspicious locals. The dramatic landscape of the island, at once dangerous and beautiful, is a fantastic backdrop to the investigation and the dramas that unfold. There are certainly some clichéd characterizations here in both our troubled MC George and the eccentricities of the island's residents, but I found a lot of interest as well. George is not your one-dimensional cop battling demons, and even some of the locals who at first present as stereotypical depictions of rural reticence eventually reveal multiple and complex layers to both the detectives and the reader. The struggle between the various generations of islanders adds another interesting facet to the story, with a lot of the younger people bucking against the centuries-old traditions and values that stifle them.

I did see a few of the reveals to the mystery coming a long way off, although there were some surprises that, while a bit far-fetched, were still entertaining. Laura McCluskey is an excellent writer and does a great job building complex characters, depicting the sweeping landscape, and rendering an authentic rural and isolated community trapped in time. If this is the start of a new series, I would happily pick up the next entry.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the digital advanced readers copy. The Wolf Tree will be published on February 11, 2025.

4 🌟

Really wonderful, slow burn mystery. The isolated setting and strange locals make for a tense read - this certainly didn't go the way I expected it to, and the twists and turns were so interesting! If I have one complaint about the novel it's that I wish the reveal had more time to breathe, but overall this was a worthwhile thriller.

George and Richie are a fun pair, and I'd love to read more about their adventures (if only to get some closure on some things brought up in this book).

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

4.5 rounded up.

I loved this mystery on a remote Scottish island, involving an apparent suicide, local lore and legends. Full points for atmosphere and setting, I could feel the wind and the mistrust of the locals as the two Detective Inspectors attempted to get people to talk about what might have happened. I enjoyed the characters well enough, at times there were conversations that frustrated me and the lack of communication between the two partners at times felt a little forced. It worked, but at times also felt convenient . That said, I appreciated George as a character and present tense doesn’t always work for me but it very much did here. This ended up being a fantastic first read for the year.

Isolation and Intrigue: A Review of Laura McCluskey's The Wolf Tree

Can an outsider ever truly penetrate the depths of a close-knit island community? This tension drives Laura McCluskey's atmospheric thriller "The Wolf Tree," which follows Detective Inspector Georgina Lennox and her partner Richard Stewart as they investigate what appears to be the suicide of eighteen-year-old Alan Ferguson on the fictional island of Eadar off Scotland's west coast. What begins as a seemingly straightforward case soon reveals layers of complexity that challenge their understanding of this isolated community.

The stark brilliance of "The Wolf Tree" lies in how McCluskey transforms Eadar's hostile landscape into an inescapable pressure cooker for her characters. Every howling wind and crashing wave against the forbidding cliffs tightens the psychological vise on both the investigators and the island's tight-lipped inhabitants. The author's masterful evocation of this unforgiving environment does more than create atmosphere—it actively drives the plot forward, as the island's physical isolation mirrors the mounting psychological isolation of those trying to uncover its secrets.

The protagonist, George Lennox, is compellingly drawn. Still recovering from a traumatic previous case, she brings her emotional baggage to Eadar, making her both more vulnerable and more determined to uncover the truth. Her sharp wit and perseverance, combined with her struggles with past trauma, create a nuanced character whose journey of personal discovery parallels her investigation.

McCluskey populates her island with figures who linger in mind: Richie, whose diplomatic veneer masks growing unease about the investigation; Kathy, the postmistress whose warmth conceals unexpected depths; and Father Ross, whose quiet authority carries undercurrents of complexity. Each character adds another layer to the story's exploration of how isolation shapes community dynamics.

The novel excels in exploring themes surrounding isolation, community, and tradition. McCluskey deftly examines how geographic isolation can foster both strong communal bonds and dangerous insularity. The story raises profound questions about the price of belonging and the moral compromises people make to preserve their way of life. The author's treatment of these themes adds depth to what might otherwise have been a conventional mystery.

The plot unfolds deliberately, building tension through increasingly unsettling revelations. The novel's subtle supernatural undertones, particularly the wolf imagery and ancient folklore, add an extra layer of atmospheric tension without overshadowing the story's human elements.

However, the novel is not without its flaws. The middle section occasionally drags, with repetitive conversations between George and Richie sometimes feeling more expository than natural.

Despite these minor shortcomings, "The Wolf Tree" remains a compelling read that will particularly appeal to fans of atmospheric mysteries and Nordic noir. McCluskey's skilled prose and a keen eye for detail create an immersive experience long after the final page. The novel's exploration of how isolation and tradition can preserve and poison a community raises questions that resonate well beyond its specific setting.

"The Wolf Tree" marks a strong entry in contemporary crime fiction, distinguished by its rich sense of place, complex characters, and thoughtful exploration of community dynamics. While it may move too slowly for readers seeking constant action, those who appreciate methodically paced mysteries with psychological depth will find much to admire in McCluskey's work.

This book is recommended for fans of Tana French and readers who enjoy atmospheric mysteries that delve deep into the complexities of isolated communities.

This review is of an advance reader copy provided by NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam. It is currently scheduled for release on February 11, 2025.

"And in every direction she turns is the sea, crushed slate and white foam, seabirds taking to the sky..."

While I enjoyed #thewolftree, it didn't wow me. Ms. McCluskey does a great job with her setting though, and creates a terrific sense of place, where even approaching the island of Eadar is treacherous. And then there are the people of Eadar. I can't imagine living in such isolation as these people do. It's no wonder...

P.S. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.

Just under a five-I loved George and Richie and the setting and thought this was interesting as hell. I couldn’t put it down. I'd read a series with them as the characters.

Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Essentially a locked room (in this case, a remote island off the coast of Scotland) with all the mysterious goings on of a very insular group of people that you'd expect. Toss in a pair of detectives from the mainland, one of whom is "damaged" and,... it's pretty much the same as any number of other books. As is usual with these kind of books, I keep hoping for really creepy and just get "meh."

eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.

The Wolf Tree by Laura McCluskey is a mystery thriller that takes place on an isolated Scottish island. Two inspectors arrive on the island to investigate the death of a young man. Georgina, who goes by George, and her partner, Richie, find some of the islanders rough around the edges and unwilling to help with the investigation. George hears wolves howling at the night and the true story of three lighthouse keepers who disappeared without a trace many years ago adds to this creepy, psychosocial thriller.

I recommend this book for fans of mystery thrillers. I was hooked from the beginning and the descriptions of a far flung island in Scotland sealed the deal for me to tuck in. The ending will unsettle you, it was not at all what I was expecting!

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review..

I really enjoyed this mysterious novel about a famed island off the coast of Scotland. A young man's death has an eerie connection to the disappearance of three light keepers a few hundred years before.

Creepy, claustrophobic drama set on a tiny, isolated a Scottish island. On Eilean Eadar with a population of roughly 280 people, the old ways run deep and they do not welcome mainlanders to interfere with customs. DI Inspectors George and Richie have five days on the island to investigate the death of a young man. Was it suicide or something more sinister.
This had Wicker Man vibes all the way through. I was hooked!
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

An unsettling and eerie icy thriller that keeps you on your toes, building subtly towards a disturbing and engaging narrative with a relevant protagonist and the demons she faces behind the scenes.

It’s one of the most engaging crime thrillers I’ve read this year.

Laura McCluskey’s The Wolf Tree is a howling good read! Equal parts folklore and mystery, this novel takes readers on a wild adventure through eerie woods, family secrets, and a twisty plot that keeps you guessing. McCluskey’s sharp writing and vivid characters make it impossible to put down—like, seriously, cancel your plans.

Perfect for fans of atmospheric tales with just the right amount of spine-tingling suspense, The Wolf Tree will leave you looking at forests (and maybe your family) a little differently. Don’t miss it—it’s a thriller with bite!

On a small rocky island off the coast of Scotland a young man has been found dead. The locals claim it was a suicide but inspectors Georgina (George) and her partner Richie are sent to investigate. Did young Alan jump from the top of the lighthouse or was he pushed? Having just five days to interview the closed-mouth locals and wonder about the eerie sounds that swirl about their small croft at night, the two detectives are slowly coming to the conclusion that there is a lot more going on on this island than just one young man's presumed suicide. Having been virtually left to themselves for over 200 years, the early residents and their descendants have created their own brand of justice involving old myths, old gods and the church. Disentangling the various stories of each of the interviewees leads to a surprising discovery about justice on the island.
Told not only from the perspective of the detectives, the island itself with it's barren rocky landscape, howling winds, slashing rains and freezing temperatures becomes it's own character, transporting the reader right onto that rocky unwelcoming shore.
Best read by a fire with a hot cuppa -which will be needed to get over the shock at the end!

I was lucky enough to win a copy of THE WOLD TREE by Laura McCluskey in a Shelf Awareness giveaway. Thank you for the early look, and have a safe holiday season!

Eight months after a traumatic on-the-job accident almost killed her, George (Georgina) Lennox has been assigned her first case as a newly promoted Glasgow DI: to investigate the suicide of 18-year-old Alan Ferguson on a remote island in the Scottish Hebrides. A disappointed George protests to her boss: “Because nothing happens out there. These islands are medieval time capsules with a population of relics.” Arriving on the stark and barren Eilean Eadar with her partner, Richie Stewart, she finds an isolated community that still clings to its ancient Catholic faith (in Protestant Scotland) and that is deeply suspicious of outsiders. As George and Richie interview the locals, George senses that something is off about the place and its people. Mysterious double spirals are engraved into the village houses and farm crofts. The long abandoned lighthouse where Alan fell is also the site where three lighthouse keepers disappeared mysteriously a century ago. Late at night, George hears the howling of a wolf and spots a masked figure outside her window. Who is trying to thwart the investigation? At the same time, George and Richie clash over the DI’s use of prescription pain medication and her reckless tendency to charge into risky situations without backup. George is a compelling sleuth, tough yet also vulnerable and not always lik.able, but she has great chemistry with the fatherly Richie. Debut author McCluskey has written a compellingly spooky and creepy mystery with a hint of folk horror à la The Wicker Man. Fans of Ann Cleeves’s Shetland crime novels and Peter May’s Lewis Trilogy will delight in this atmospheric thriller

This book was beautiful in its prose but a bit slow going. The atmospheric backdrop of the Scottish isle was perfection but it could've used better pacing.