The Briars

Game warden Annie Heston seeks a fresh start in the misty forests of Washington State in the haunting latest from Crouch (Middletide). Following a bad breakup, Annie has relocated to the small town of Lake Lumins. Her first job tracking a cougar for local sheriff Jake Proudy takes a grim turn when Annie discovers the body of a young woman near the town’s central lake. Though the cause of death initially appears to be an animal attack, the coroner’s report soon reveals the girl was strangled. Annie’s subsequent investigation leads her to Daniel Barela, a reclusive 22-year-old who owns land near the lake. Their cautious friendship deepens as Daniel confides in Annie that his real name is Nico, and he faked his death as a teenager to escape an abusive stepfather who accused him of attempted murder. When a second killing rocks Lake Lumins, suspicion falls on Daniel, especially after Annie finds his belongings at the scene, but the truth is much more complicated. Crouch takes a character-first approach to this crackling regional mystery, grounding the intrigue in Annie’s emotional wounds before tying everything together in a tense, emotional conclusion. Readers will find it hard to look away. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Jan.)