Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
Heartwood begins deep in the Maine woods, where forty two year old Valerie Gillis vanishes only two hundred miles from completing her Appalachian Trail hike. Gaige immediately creates an atmosphere of isolation, cold air, and creeping dread as Valerie’s voice comes through in fractured, lyrical letters to her mother. Her storyline captures both physical struggle and emotional unraveling in a way that feels intimate and unsettling. Meanwhile, Beverly, a tenacious Maine State Game Warden, leads the search with methodical determination, and seventy six year old Lena, a sharp witted birdwatcher in a retirement community, becomes an unexpected third strand of the narrative. The shifting perspectives create a layered mystery that feels both human and suspenseful from the very begi

✅ What I Liked:
The strongest element is Valerie’s voice. Her letters read like survival poetry, capturing her fear, hope, and the stark beauty of the wilderness. Beverly brings grounded realism, giving the reader insight into search tactics, terrain, and procedure while still revealing her own internal conflicts. Lena’s chapters add warmth and curiosity, offering a quieter but compelling thread that balances the tension of the main search. Gaige weaves these narratives together with careful pacing, unveiling clues slowly while building a deep emotional resonance. The sense of place is exceptional, with the woods feeling both breathtaking and merciless.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
The lyrical style of Valerie’s sections may not appeal to readers who prefer straightforward narration. At times the switches between perspectives can feel abrupt, and a few character threads could have benefited from more time to develop. The mystery itself is more contemplative than twist heavy, which may not satisfy readers expecting a more conventional thriller.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
This novel is perfect for readers who love atmospheric mysteries with emotional depth. If you enjoy stories of survival, character driven suspense, and narratives that blend tension with introspection, Heartwood offers a rich and memorable experience. It is also ideal for fans of wilderness settings and literary thrillers that linger in the mind.

💭 Final Thoughts:
Heartwood is a beautifully written and quietly gripping novel that explores resilience, fear, and the surprising connections between strangers. Through three distinct voices, Gaige delivers a mystery that is as much about the human spirit as the question of what happened in the woods. It is tender, haunting, and deeply immersive.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE and HERE

Final Rating ★★★★ – Atmospheric, thoughtful, and full of quiet suspense