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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
This complex literary thriller deals with a missing hiker on the Appalachian Trail. Multiple points of view give the reader insight into the fate of 42 year old Valerie Gillis, who goes missing in the Maine woods as she nears the end of her 2200 mile through hike. We also meet Beverly, the state game warden in charge of the search effort; Lena, an elderly arm-chair detective who becomes obsessed with the case; Santo, a fellow hiker who traveled most of the trail with Valerie but had to leave to tend to his father's funeral just before Valerie disappeared. We also meet Valerie's family - her husband and parents. While the mystery of what happened to Valerie and the painstaking search that grows more desperate with each passing day is the through line that carries the plot, there is also a deeper examination of love and relationship, especially within families, as each character has a complicated relationship they are working through in addition to the main plot. A well written, taut, suspenseful, and yet thoughtful story.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Heartwood was an above-average read for me. Gaige’s exploration of multiple POVs kept the story engaging and each voice felt distinct and added freshness and depth to the narrative. The characters are diverse and likable, with interesting backstories.
I appreciated that the novel is much more than just a straightforward missing-person mystery. Gaige uses the search for Sparrow as a thread to connect the side characters’ lives in an exploration of circumstance, relationships, and personal struggles.
That said, readers looking for a raw, gritty thriller might find this too gentle. It leans more toward light mystery blended with literary fiction. While it never reached a “mind-blowing” level for me, Heartwood was consistently pleasant and interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.
A thoughtful, character-driven story that’s more about connection than suspense.
I appreciated that the novel is much more than just a straightforward missing-person mystery. Gaige uses the search for Sparrow as a thread to connect the side characters’ lives in an exploration of circumstance, relationships, and personal struggles.
That said, readers looking for a raw, gritty thriller might find this too gentle. It leans more toward light mystery blended with literary fiction. While it never reached a “mind-blowing” level for me, Heartwood was consistently pleasant and interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.
A thoughtful, character-driven story that’s more about connection than suspense.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely phenomenal
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Toxic friendship
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Excellent audio performance, beautiful language, story is anti-climactic.