A police investigation into the suicide death of a young man on the isolated Scottish island of Eadar leads to more questions than answers. George and her partner Ritchie embark on a seemingly straightforward look into a death but find themselves questioning everything about the remote fishing village, which comes complete with harsh weather, desolate geography, and taciturn villagers.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Laura McCluskey’s debut novel, The Wolf Tree, is a haunting and atmospheric thriller that masterfully blends gothic elements with a gripping police procedural. Set against the eerie backdrop of a remote Scottish island, this novel is a standout in the crime fiction genre.

The story follows Georgina “George” Lennox, a detective recovering from a traumatic accident, as she is sent to the isolated island of Eadar to investigate an apparent suicide. What begins as a routine case quickly unravels into a complex web of secrets and lies.

McCluskey excels in creating deeply flawed yet relatable characters. George Lennox is a compelling protagonist, grappling with her own demons while trying to uncover the truth. The island’s inhabitants are equally well-drawn, each with their own hidden agendas and secrets.

The Wolf Tree explores themes of isolation, trauma, and the search for truth. McCluskey’s writing is evocative and richly descriptive, bringing the island’s haunting landscape to life.

This novel’s gothic undertones and slow-burn suspense create a chilling atmosphere that lingers long after the final page.

Laura McCluskey’s The Wolf Tree is a remarkable debut that promises great things for her future works. It’s a meticulously crafted thriller that combines a compelling mystery with deep psychological insights. Fans of gothic fiction and crime thrillers will find much to enjoy and admire in this novel.

Solid crime thriller with perfect, atmospheric backdrop. Well -written mystery about an island steeped in their traditions of Scottish folklore and the two detectives sent to unravel a murder. Enjoyed.

Thank you to Penguin Book Putnam and NetGalley for this advanced copy!

I feel very conflicted about The Wolf Tree. The story follows two detective inspectors being sent to investigate a suspicious suicide on a very remote Scottish isle. The people are very unwelcoming to mainlanders, and George and Richie have to be very careful about the secrets they're revealing.

My main conflict with this novel is the first third is extremely slow, and quite boring. The descriptions of the isle are excellent, and the atmosphere is so vivid and tangible. However, so many pages at the beginning are just spent with the detectives questioning the townspeople. We see every single interview on page, and unfortunately I don't remember any of the information learned being relevant to the central mystery. It was like reading a grocery list, honestly.

BUT! I think this book got steadily better and better and BETTER until by the end I was feeling it was almost a five star book! The tension was fantastic, especially in regards to the priest on the island. He was so... authoritative? Omnipresent? Every scene he was in was made more uncomfortable by his presence. The cold, wet, hopeless atmosphere felt like it was sinking into my bones. The mystery started to build, not necessarily in relation to the main death but instead in relation to the whole island! It's frustrating for me that I can't give The Wolf Tree 4.5 stars because of how much I had to slog through the beginning.

I think the characters were very interesting. George is a tough woman, and it's understandable that she would be that way. I like her relationship with her partner Richie, and they had great chemistry. I do feel a little unsatisfied with where the end of the story left their relationship. I feel like they had a conflict that was never fully resolved. The reader is constantly told that George acts without thinking and doesn't call for backup, and I believe we're meant to think this is a negative thing. However, I don't believe this is resolved. George doesn't really change that much by the end of the story, and it makes her feel a little static and frustrating as a character. I liked her as a detective, though, and I think her determination made her more likable to me.

I did predict the ending partially, but I still enjoyed it so much. The central mystery was whether or not Alan committed suicide, and if he didn't who killed him? The way that part of the plot resolved did surprise me a bit! I'd be curious to re-read the novel to see if there were clues that I missed. I'm not sure the reader could've figured out the culprit which always bugs me in a mystery, but I can't say if they could or couldn't. The clues were very subtle.

As I've said, the writing and atmosphere were excellent. Eilean Eadar sounds like such a strange place to be, and the desolation of the island only feels more uncomfortable with the townsfolk being so hostile. I also loved the "wolf tree" itself. What a genuinely cool image! I was so engaged when the book got to that part of the mystery.

I would recommend The Wolf Tree, but be warned that it's a slow start. If you can push through to the 40% mark, I think you'll have a great time soaking in the atmosphere and feeling the creeping tension poking your spine

The Wolf Tree by Laura McCluskey releases on February 11th, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Wolf Tree.

I was intrigued by the premise since I enjoy mysteries set against an isolated location and it also came with a historical mystery, too!

The author paints a bleak, isolated and creepy setting that is Eilean Eadar.

The landscape is both beautiful, dreary and kind of spooky, mostly because of the locals' hostility toward the newcomers, two detectives from Glasgow who have arrived to investigate the death of a young man.

The mystery behind the missing man is mostly a subplot to the real story which is DI Lennox coping with the aftermath and recovery of a shooting that left her injured and traumatized.

I enjoyed learning about the island's superstitions, rituals and myths; not a surprise when you live in a remote and secluded environment.

I wished I liked George more; she came off as unlikable and in the beginning I thought it was because she had been injured in the line of duty but I don't think that was it.

She walked around with a chip on her shoulder, a young woman in a career dominated by men and who felt like she was being judged and criticized for her profession.

I understand how she feels but something about her character rubbed me the wrong way, like she was always defensive.

The writing was good, and there were police procedural aspects I enjoyed, like interviewing witnesses and suspects, but this narrative is more character driven than a mystery.

Eilean Eadar is a small island off of Scotland. It serves as a character on it's own in this novel as it is barren, grey, and ugly in the eyes of visitors. There's little hope of thriving unless you are part of the small group of 200 inhabitants on the island.

Eilean Eader is also Infamous for the disappearance of 3 lighthouse keepers in the early 1900's. This history becomes important when young man plummets to his death from the same lighthouse. Glasgow sends 2 Detective Inspectors to investigate.

George (Georgina) Lennox is excited for the opportunity to prove herself. She has been waylaid after a traumatic accident and this is her first chance to step into the Detective Inspector shoes. Her partner Richie is a bit more relaxed and able to coax more out of the suspicious citizens of the island, but George is a bit less flexible and has a few demons that she needs to fight off.

This is a slow burn with the idea that there is foul play always in mind. The citizens, the weather and the landscape provide almost insurmountable obstacles for the police, but George is nothing, if not determined. Can she solve this case?

#penguin #thewolftree #lauramccluskey

This was again quite unique. I don't know whether to call it horror or thriller, but let's settle for something inbetween. The vibes and the setting of this book was just nothing but amazing. I seriously enjoyed the atmosphere in the book more than anything. The pacing did drag a bit for me, but all in all I did like reading this story. (Rating - 4.75 out of 5 stars).

A great read! I am not usually one to pick up a book with a cop as the lead protagonist, but I am glad I picked this one up! I loved all of the traditions and lore.