If I am being honest, I unfortunately found this book to be boring and slow. I am dissapointed as I was looking forward to reading this book.

If you enjoy mysteries and police procedurals that take place in an isolated setting with great world-building, then look no further than The Wolf Tree by Laura McCluskey. Eilean Eadar is an island off the coast of Scotland. Detective Inspector Georgina (George) Lennox and her partner, Detective Inspector Richie Stewart are sent from Glasgow to investigate the death of Alan Ferguson whose funeral was two weeks ago. He had fallen from the top of the island’s decommissioned lighthouse.

George is back from leave after a devastating injury during a case eight months ago. She’s happy to be off desk duty and working a case in the field again. She and Richie arrive on the island during a storm. They’re met by a couple of friendly islanders, but mainly, they’re met by hostility. The islanders seem determined to undermine their investigation and the local priest shows up at many of the interviews. What secrets will be uncovered?

George has clawed her way up the ranks at work quickly. She tends to act on impulse, and often without regard to her own safety. While George is sometimes blunt and to the point, Richie is more personable when interviewing potential witnesses. He loves his wife and daughters. He can be candid, but he’s better at picking his battles than George. The interactions between George and Richie are fascinating to watch as they unfold.

Filled with atmosphere and suspense, this story immediately captured my interest. From the locals who don’t like strangers arriving on the island to the folklore, traditions, and sounds of wolves, George feels something is off with Alan’s death as well as the people themselves. The worldbuilding is excellent, from the storms to the village to the forest, the details are phenomenal. While the book is somewhat slow-paced at times, it managed to keep my interest and engagement.

The plot is full of twists and turns with several surprises along the way including the story of three lighthouse keepers who disappeared in 1919. While the reveal and ending are a little fast, they include some suspenseful and action-packed moments. Themes of isolation, tradition, self-sufficiency, community bonds, and more are skillfully woven throughout the novel.

Overall, this was a compelling, creative, disturbing, and suspenseful story with good characterization, and a great plot that includes solid procedural details. Those who enjoy mysteries with atmospheric worldbuilding and hostile witnesses will likely enjoy this novel as well as those who enjoy locked room mysteries. Will there be a second novel featuring George and Richie?

PENGUIN GROUP Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Laura McCluskey provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for February 11, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

I am rounding up on this book, because despite a few flaws, I was definitely entertained and enjoyed reading this story.
Two detectives are sent to an isolated island to investigate the apparent suicide of a young man who was found at the base of a lighthouse--also the place were over a hundred years earlier 3 lighthouse keepers mysteriously disappeared. The island is remote and difficult to reach, which gives it an almost otherworldly and "stuck-in-time" feeling as the detectives attempt to question the locals and find answers.
The best part about this book was the setting and atmosphere. The reader felt transported to the rainy, cold, and desolate island and it was easy to picture the people and places described within (even though I had a difficult time keeping all of the locals straight). The pacing is a bit slow at the beginning, but does pick up at the end. The big"mystery" about what happened to the young man who died, while being the focus of what the two detectives Reilly and Lennox are spending their time on, doesn't really seem to be the focus of the book. I had a hard time deciding if the focus was the isolated nature of the island or the journey of Georgina Lennox to "recover" from her last criminal case and make her way successfully back to the job she loves. (And George's journey was a bit emotionally lacking because she was kind of unlikable. She was certainly guilty of all the things her partner accused her of, and was very unapologetic about it. Yet she also had justifiable reasons for those things, and never discussed those with her partner. Instead she took cold showers and popped pills and ran out in the dark chasing sounds all the time.) Because these three different "themes" or threads were receiving the same amount of attention, they all suffered a little bit. And then the climax and ending were I think supposed to be shocking, but it kind of felt like it came out of the blue, because these elements had only been hinted at. And when the mystery really picked up and gained momentum, while it did keep my interest, it wasn't really very original. I figured out what happened to the victim (again, I can't remember if it was Alan or Alex, because I could keep very few of the characters straight in my head), and I figured out very early on what was going on with the residents of the island, the mysterious sounds, the creepy priest, etc. Perhaps if more time had been spend on the really weird things going on on the island instead of word for word accounts of every witness interview, the ending might have had a more satisfying impact.
If you are looking for an entertaining read that will transport you to a creepy remote Scottish island with a mystery to solve, then I would recommend this book. If you are looking for something with a bit more depth and "meat," then I would recommend something else.

This is a very good, atmospheric mystery that incorporates so many elements I love! An isolated island, folklore and history, strong main characters, and a really good mystery with twists!

DI's George (Georgina) Lennox and Richie Stewart go to Eilean Eadar in the Western Isles to investigate the apparent suicide of a local 18 year old. Upon arrival, they find out that very few locals really welcome them, and look at them with suspicion. The weather is stormy, and they are away from any amenities such as internet and phone! As they begin to look into the death (where he supposedly jumped off the lighthouse), George begins to get feel suspicious and creeped out by the island and many people there- including the priest of the big church on the island. He puts himself into a position to help the detectives, but things he says and actions she witnesses from him, make George leery to believe he is all he says he is. Her partner is more hesitant to jump to conclusions, so George is spurred on to follow her instincts and take a deep dive sometimes alone.

I really enjoyed this story. The author does a fantastic job of describing the island and the citizens! I felt very cold, claustrophobic, and trapped while reading. The development of character is also very well done. Once you fully know about George's past, some of her (irresponsible) decisions make much more sense. Richie is fantastic! He obviously cares a lot for George (in a fatherly way), and supports her and looks out for her. The priest is very well written, and I likened him to a very slick, slippery con man!

The novel does begin slow, and there were a lot of characters to keep track of. But stick with it because it is a dark, creepy, gothic ride that picks up and has secrets galore! The ending was very well done. I am hoping this will become a series!

I highly recommend this if you like Loreth Anne White, Anne Frasier, Sharon J. Bolton Lacey Flint series.

Thank you NetGalley and G.P. Putnam and Sons Publishing for the ARC. THis is my honest and voluntary review.

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!