Hidden in the Pines by Victoria Houston is a highly recommended procedural and the second installment of the Lew Ferris series.

Lew Ferris is now the newly-elected Sheriff of McBride County, in the Wisconsin Northwoods. The official cause of death of a teenage girl is being questioned by her parents and Lew, but Alan Stern, Chief of the Deer Haven Police Department and a subordinate to Lew, has ruled it accidental. It appears that there may be some interference in the case, which has some suspicious similarities to a death from years ago.

Newly retired Judith Hanson has returned to the area and been hired to help Dani in the sheriff's office, but what Judith would really like to discover is the truth behind her sister's death fifty years ago. Adding to the stress, Doc Osborne's daughter Mallory learns that there is some suspicious activity being carried out by wealthy local Matt Brinkerhoff. Also, it seems Dani may have her eyes set on Ray, the local fishing guide.

Wolf Hollow, the first Lew Ferris novel in the series was very enjoyable and the second book, Hidden in the Pines, is a worthy follow up to it. These novels are akin to cozy mysteries, only set in Wisconsin and feature a lot of talk about fly fishing. There is enough information provided in the narrative that you can easily enjoy both books as a stand-alone read, but they do compliment each other.

This is a satisfying and pleasing series. Although the mysteries are very straightforward and not extremely complicated, they will hold your attention throughout the novel. With a quick pace and exciting action, the investigations logically follow the clues and discoveries which is a plus in any procedural.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/12/hidden-in-pines.html ( )

This is the second book to focus on Lew Ferris (though I have discovered there's another Loon Lake series that centers on Doc) and picks up as she begins her new job as Sheriff. Lew is a middle-aged woman who's known adversity, but who's always had the strength to pick up and soldier on. She's smart and independent and loves fly-fishing. This depiction of a career cop in a small town in Wisconsin is a refreshing twist on police procedurals, and a nice easy-going read. Not a traditional whodunnit, but an engaging story nonetheless. I wasn't convinced about Lew and Loon Lake after the first book (Wolf Hollow), but I"m glad I gave this series a second chance.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for access to a digital ARC via NetGalley

This long-running series (the same characters are in the Loon Lake Fishing series and in the Lew Ferris series) is among my very favorites.

This one does not disappoint. This time, Lew, Doc, and the other characters, are involved in a cold case from 60 years earlier, as well as an art theft scheme. There's a terrific new addition to the cast of characters.

Reading Victoria Houston mysteries is always a treasure and this one is absolutely terrific.

Highly recommended!!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via Net Galley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.) ( )

thriller, Northern Wisconsin, law-enforcement, rural, small-town, support-system, suspense, grieving, friendship, wealthy, attitude-of-entitlement, forensics, cooperation*****

How can this be an unbiased review when the descriptions of the Northwoods of Wisconsin are so clear and reminiscent of the places I once knew well?
The imagery is right on target, the characters are memorable, the rural law enforcement well done, and the interdepartmental procedures clear. The plot is well developed right down to minutiae, and it is filled with fishing lore as well! I loved it and got a couple of the other books in a related series sent to my sister who still lives near there (and is a fishing addict).
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you! ( )