The River Runs Black (A North Country Novel, 2)

A teenage overdose. A missing girl. A drug network hiding in plain sight.

The River Runs Black by Tessa Wegert pulled me straight into the dark side of New York’s Thousand Islands.

At the heart of the investigation is Tim Wellington, a New York State Police Investigator determined to uncover what is really happening in his community. I enjoyed following Tim as the case became increasingly complicated and personal.

Valerie Ott was another standout for me. Her relationship with her teenage daughter, Bobby, added an emotional layer to the story, especially as Bobby became connected to the growing danger. Their storyline gave the investigation higher personal stakes and made me more invested in what happened next.

I also enjoyed seeing Shana Merchant and Jeremy Solomon contribute to the wider investigation. With multiple characters bringing different perspectives to the case, there was always another piece of the puzzle to consider.

The mystery itself kept me turning the pages. A teenager dies from an overdose, but the drugs responsible don't match those seized in a major bust. Then another girl disappears.

Nothing is as straightforward as it first appears.

Wegert does a great job building an unsettling atmosphere. The beautiful Thousand Islands setting contrasts sharply with the darkness underneath, while the Halloween backdrop adds an eerie edge.

My main reason for giving this four stars was the pacing. Some sections felt slower than I wanted, especially when the story balanced multiple threads. I occasionally wanted the investigation to move faster.

Still, the twists kept me guessing, and the final stretch delivered some surprises I didn't see coming.

Overall, The River Runs Black is an atmospheric and engaging crime thriller with a compelling investigation, interesting characters and plenty of secrets beneath the surface.

Dark, atmospheric and full of twists.

If you enjoy police procedurals, missing-person investigations and mysteries where everyone seems to have something to hide, this is worth adding to your TBR.