In the late 1800s, the semi-frozen Canadian territory north of Sault Ste. Marie is no place to go wandering around with winter coming on. Lakes and bogs are half frozen traps, snow storms obliterate trails and disorient travelers, and wolves are on the prowl. But after a Scottish pioneer woman finds her trapper neighbor murdered in his cabin and her teen age son goes missing, she and a hodgepodge of others set of in various groups to solve – or cover up – the mystery.
There are several possible motives for the murder, everyone is a suspect, and side stories interweave themselves into the main tale. But there are deeper levels to the book than simply solving a mystery. As the characters track each other through the cold, bleak landscape, they ultimately find their own life paths.
Stef Penney won the 2006 Costa Book of the Year Award for The Tenderness of Wolves. Part mystery, part adventure this is a smoothly written, complicated story that is sure to please readers looking for lots of plot but who want meat on the bones.
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Caribousmom
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I really enjoyed this one. I was able to get an ARC of it many years ago and thought it was a really strong read. An Involved, layered mystery
ReplyDeleteThis was one of my $1 finds at the library book sale... sounds like it will be a perfect book for winter!
ReplyDeleteMichelle and JoAnn -- I really liked this one. It is the book I am going to give as Christmas presents this year.
ReplyDeleteterrific review! thanks for the link love and dropping by my blog today :) happy turkey day to you too ... is it getting chilly in Portland? we might get our first snow tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteWendy -- snow already? Wow! It is raining here, but not too cold yet. We are heading for the mountains for the weekend and expect snow up there. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my absolute favourite books. I just loved it. I have read her 2nd book "The Invisible Ones", which was also good, but not as good.
ReplyDeleteLisbeth @ The Content Reader