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Thank you NetGalley and Hydra for providing an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: March 1st, 2016

Synopsis: Ex-Delta Force Davis Holland, now an agent for the Customs and Border Protection, has seen it all. But nothing in his experience has prepared him for what he and the local sheriff find one freezing night in the Minnesota woods.

Investigating reports of an illegal border crossing, the two men stumble across a blood-drenched scene of mass murder, barely escaping with their lives…and a single clue to the mayhem: a small wooden chest placed at the heart of the massacre. Something deadly has entered Holland’s territory, crossing the border from nightmare into reality. 

When news of the atrocity reaches wealthy cryptozoologist Richard Severance, he sends a three-person team north to investigate. Not long ago, the members of that team–Ben McKelvie, Lindsay Clark, and Alex Standingcloud–were nearly killed by a vengeful shapeshifter. Now they are the walking wounded, haunted by gruesome memories that make normal life impossible. But there is nothing normal about the horror that awaits in the Northwoods.

Northwoods is a solid sequel to The Beast of Barcroft, that adds new characters while still managing to further developing returning favorites. While this can work as a standalone, you’ll get much more out of it if you read the first book.

Lindsay and Ben are both back, although they’re still dealing with the trauma and fallout of the previous events of last year. As in the previous book, things go better for them when they’re working together. Unfortunately for much of the book they’re separated, with Lindsay teaming up with Alex Standingcloud–also returning from the previous book–And Ben partnering with former Delta Force commando and now Customs and Border Patrol Agent Davis Holland.  Also making an appearance is charming but still untrustworthy billionaire and cryptozoologist Richard Severance. My one disappointment with this book is with the exception of a flashback to how Alex and Richard first met during a Wendigo investigation there’s not really much done with his character. I’m hoping more is revealed about the enigmatic scientist in the next book. The plot is incredibly fast paced, and although there’s many things going on such as: Native American myths, Jinn, and Ghouls, everything comes together in the final chapters. The ending perfectly sets events up for the next book which I can’t wait for.

Northwoods is an exciting tale that I finished in one sitting. Bill Schweigart is fast becoming a favorite author for me in the genres of horror and science fiction. If you’re a fan of authors like Stephen King and Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, and you’re looking for something new, try this author. I guarantee you’ll be hooked!