At the Edge of the Woods (A Lew Ferris Mystery)
Mystery/ Small Town Fiction
3rd in Series with this Publisher
22nd in Series Overall
Setting – Wisconsin
Publisher : Crooked Lane Books (April 23, 2024)
Hardcover : 256 pages
ISBN-10 : 1639106537
ISBN-13 : 978-1639106530
Kindle ASIN : B0CCNBV6M7
Audio CD ASIN : B0CZQ5N8NW
Audiobook ASIN B0CRX2H9LC
Someone is murdering pickleball players in Loon Lake and Sheriff Ferris is on the hunt for their killer in Victoria Houston’s third nail-biting Lew Ferris mystery, perfect for fans of Marc Cameron and Nevada Barr.
When a local pickleball player is shot in the head while practicing at an abandoned tennis court with his partner-slash-lover, Sheriff Lew Ferris suspects that the bullet was a stray shot from hunters in the area. It’s not until a second player–the first victim’s mistress and pickleball partner–is killed that Sheriff Ferris realizes this is no hunting accident. Someone is hunting people, and it’s up to her to find out who.
With the first victim’s crazed widow breathing down Lew’s neck, there’s no room to breathe, let alone to find time to appreciate the beautiful Loon Lake fall and go fishing. Adding to Sheriff Ferris’ difficulties are three pickleball players convinced someone has targeted them, someone who will do anything, even murder, to frighten them away from the courts where they play – but why?
Who is really at risk? The pickleball players, or Lew and the people close to her?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Accident or Murder?
When Bert Willoughby, a local dentist is shot at an old tennis court where he was practicing for an upcoming pickleball tournament with his mistress Sheriff Lew Ferris suspects a hunter’s stray bullet took down the man. Later his partner, Robin Carpenter is killed on the same court and Lew can no longer believe the deaths were accidental. She learns the dentist has ruffled a lot of feathers over the years which means a lot of potential suspects. His pickleball friends believe they are being targeted. His overwrought widow wants his murderer found yesterday and is taking Lew to task. Lew calls in the “Wausau Boys” to help her get to the bottom of this case as soon as possible.
Are the pickleball players the only targets? Or is a serial killer on the loose with evil motives?
Every time I open a book in this series it is like visiting old friends. Lew is a capable sheriff who has assembled a great team to help her handle everything thrown at her. Her relationship with Doc Osbourne continues to grow at a comfortable pace. They enjoy the same things and are so good for each other. They work great together on cases and she continues to help him step up his flyfishing skills. Bruce Peters, a talented forensic scientist, and his “boys” from Wausau have become Lew’s go-to guys instead of the director of the crime lab who is not supportive of a woman as sheriff. Bruce is also an avid fisherman so he trades lessons for his work. She also calls on her friend Ray Pradt, a unique individual but an expert tracker and all-around good guy. Ms. Houston’s characters are well-crafted and well-developed and continue to easily draw me into their lives.
Ms. Houston’s descriptive voice paints clear pictures of the beautiful Wisconsin Northwoods. Her love for the area and flyfishing shines in every story. Like Lew, it was my grandfather who instilled her love of fishing. She took that love and ran with it while I have only gone fishing a few times since my grandfather passed, but every time I start one of Ms. Houston’s books my grandfather is front and center in my mind.
The author has written a fast-paced compelling mystery. What pushes someone to kill? Lew follows every clue, twist, and turn but the crime lab report and a key piece of evidence sealed the deal. That said the ending was unexpected.
At the Edge of the Woods is a great mystery filled with engaging characters and is a wonderful addition to this long-running series. Ms. Houston does provide enough backstory to jump in anywhere but it is a series that is fun to read from the start.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
Victoria Houston is the author of the Loon Lake mysteries
To find out more about Victoria Houston
visit her webpage here and Facebook here.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Escape With Dollycas.
Check out The Loon Lake Mysteries
to see how these characters started out.
Thanks to the publisher I have 1 hardcover copy to give away!
with a US or Canadian mailing address.
Duplicate entries will be deleted. Void where prohibited.
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
Follow Crooked Lane Books on Twitter for 2 Bonus Entries.
Follow Crooked Lane Books on Facebook for 2 Bonus Entries.
Add this book to your WANT TO READ shelf on GoodReads for 3 Bonus Entries.
Pin this giveaway to Pinterest for 3 Bonus Entries.
If you publicize the giveaway on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
The contest Will End May 21, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST
The winner Will Be Chosen By Random.org
The winner Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here In The Sidebar.
Click Here For Entry Form
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”
