Caffeinated Reviewer

Narrated by Elizabeth Ashby, And the Lake Will Take Them by Linda Norlander is the first mystery thriller in the Sheriff Red Mysteries series. Set in rural Minnesota, Sheriff Red has her hands full when a teenage girl goes missing during a snowstorm that may be tied to unsolved cases in her newly acquired department. A gripping thriller and start to the series.

Chilling cold cases resurface as Sheriff Red Hammergren hunts for a missing teen, exposing the dark underbelly of a storm-bound Minnesota town.

Amid a fierce snowstorm sweeping across rural Minnesota, an isolated cabin goes up in flames, leaving a critically injured high school drug dealer and a missing girl in its wake. The disappearance propels Sheriff Red Hammergren into action to find the troubled young girl, Missy Klein, the daughter of Junior Klein—the victim of an unsolved cold case years prior.

As Red peels back the layers of Missy's vanishing, she uncovers a chilling nexus of drug trafficking pervading through her community with roots to the local high school. Unknown to Red, her investigations have roused a malevolent presence, a killer lurking within the storm . . . a killer that would do anything to stop the sheriff's probing.

Red soon reveals a terrifying link between Missy's peril and the unresolved cold cases she has tirelessly sought to solve. Engulfed in a battle against both the elements and time, Red must navigate her community's shadowy corners and frozen woods to rescue Missy and halt the advances of a killer—all before the storm engulfs the truth in its icy grasp.

I was in the mood for a thriller and loved the rural setting promised in And the Lake Will Take Them. Sheriff Red Hammergren is new to her position after her husband died and a storm is coming.

Missy Klein, the daughter of Junior Klein—the victim of an unsolved cold case years prior is missing. With temperatures dipping and the promise of a snowstorm, Sheriff Red must act fast. The story that unfolds was filled with danger as another teen is injured when an abandoned cabin sets fire. Soon, the sheriff is following a link to drug trafficking and finding links to an unsolved cold case.

Norlander delivered an engaging tale that highlighted the challenges a small department faces, especially during a snowstorm. I liked Red even if her backstory was a sad one. She is still mourning her husband and the plans they shared, but as the Sherrif, she needs to focus on the missing girl and the dangers lurking because someone doesn’t want her to know the truth. Her grittiness and determination shined.

The author brought the rural landscape to life, and it became a character in itself. I could feel the cold and appreciated the small-town sense of community and quirks.

Town secrets and a dark force moving to silence her, Red has her hands full as the author delivered this fast-paced, engaging tale with twists that kept me listening. Elizabeth Ashby narrates and enhanced the overall tale. She captured Red, the townsfolk, and the tone of the story. I recommend listening.

Perfect for fans of Kendra Elliot & Melinda Leigh, And the Lake Will Take Them was a thrilling start to the Sheriff Red Mysteries series.

Amazon* | Audible | Libro.fm

*kindleunlimited

About Linda Norlander

Linda Norlander is the author of A Cabin by the Lake mystery series including "Death of an Editor" (May, 2020), "Death of a Starling" (May 2021) and Death of a Snow Ghost (May 2022.) Before retiring to take up the pen as a mystery writer, Norlander published award winning books on end-of-life care as well as short stories and humor. A Cabin by the Lake series takes place in northern Minnesota among the pines and aspens (and in the summer, mosquitoes.)

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About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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