A thorny and twisted nature

Desperate to escape a relationship gone bad, Annie Heston flees north to accept a job as a game warden in Lake Lumin, in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest.

A cougar has been spotted in the area, and as Annie warns the community of the threat, she quickly discovers that not everyone in the tight-knit town is welcoming of outsiders, except for Daniel Barela, a reclusive carpenter who lives in the shadow of the mountain. They form an instant bond, though Annie soon comes to realize there is more to his past than meets the eye.

When the body of a young woman is found in the briars that border Daniel’s property, the peace Annie has found in Lake Lumin shatters. Annie must rely on her training and intuition to find a murderer.

Review Quote

“[E]xactly what I love most in a novel: a strong woman thriving in a foreboding landscape. I couldn't put it down. This mystery had me guessing until the very end, and every page was rich, daring, and wise." —Amy Jo Burns

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