ARC Review: Wildwood by Amy Pease

Wildwood
Author: Amy Pease
Series: Northwoods
Publication: Atria/Emily Bestler Books (January 6, 2026)

Description: “Amy Pease proves herself a master of modern literary crime fiction.” —Danielle Trussoni, New York Times bestselling author

From the award-winning author of the “riveting debut” (People) Northwoods, a mother-son law enforcement team confront buried secrets in their small town as they work to expose a conspiracy that goes far beyond the tight-knit community.

Deputy Sheriff Eli North has spent the last year getting his life back together. He hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol, he’s working through his PTSD from his military deployment, and he’s repairing his most important relationships. When an undercover informant disappears and all signs point to murder, Eli must expose the dark underbelly of his idyllic Wisconsin small town while safeguarding his newfound stability.

Then, with the unexpected arrival of FBI Agent Alyssa Mason, Eli and his mother, the sheriff, are pulled deeper into a violent criminal network built on the backs of the lost and forgotten.

As the case deepens, loyalties fracture and the line between justice and survival begins to blur. In a town where everyone has something to hide, exposing the truth may cost them everything.

My Thoughts: WILDWOOD takes place in rural Wisconsin. Eli North is a Deputy Sheriff working for his mother who is the Sheriff. They are almost the whole police force for their rural county. Eli is dealing with PTSD from his military deployment in Afghanistan. He has given up drinking and is attending his therapy sessions, but he is a changed man from his life before Afghanistan. 

When a young woman disappears leaving blood spattered around her mobile home, Eli and his mother begin to investigate. Soon the appearance of the FBI om the person of Alyssa Mason complicates the case. The is in underground investigation going on revolving around the local and exclusive resort frequented by the rich. 

Eli learns that the young woman has become a confidential informer working with the undercover agent at the resort. The search for the woman leads to the man she was seeing who winds up in an explosion in a warehouse filled with drugs. 

The story is told from multiple points of view including Eli, Alyssa, and the missing woman. The missing woman's sections are also flashbacks. 

This was a twisty story filled with damaged characters who are all struggling to do what is right. I enjoyed learning more about the characters and untwisting the plot to a satisfying conclusion. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.