Book Review: The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

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What is this book about?

Wren Blythe has long enjoyed living in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, helping her father with ministry at a youth camp. But when a little girl in the area goes missing, an all-out search ensues, reviving the decades-old campfire story of Ava Coons, the murderess who is believed to still roam the forest. Joining the search, Wren stumbles upon the Coonses’ cabin ruins and a sinister mystery she is determined to unearth.

In 1930, Ava Coons has spent the last several years carrying the mantle of mystery since the day she emerged from the woods as a thirteen-year-old girl, spattered with blood, dragging a logger’s ax. She has accepted she will never remember what happened to her family, whose bodies were never found, and that the people of Tempter’s Creek will always blame her for their violent deaths. And after a member of the town is murdered, and another goes missing, rumors spread that Ava’s secret is perhaps more malicious than previously imagined.

Two women, separated by time, must confront a wickedness that not only challenges who they are but also threatens their lives, and the lives of those they love.

My review:

How this author can intertwine two timelines, a creepy campfire story mystery, and emotional romance is a wonder to me. It was a masterfully told story. I spent half the time being scared and the other half rooting for two people to find love together.

It took me some time to warm up to Ava because she was so prickly. I loved Preacher Noah right from the start. As he got passed Ava’s defenses, I also learned to like her. In fact, I was so absorbed in her struggle that I didn’t try very hard to solve the mystery of her family so the reveal was an interesting surprise.

Wren was intriguing right from the start. She related to a missing little girl in a deeper way than even she knew at first. Like with Ava’s story, I didn’t put too much thought into solving the mystery and the reveal for that one was a bigger surprise.

This was a page-turner. I lost track of time especially toward the end when Ava and Wren’s time lines came to their conclusion. It was scary, exciting, chilling, and ultimately lovely.

What I enjoyed most about this book:

The expertly woven depths of conflicting emotions.

What I didn’t like about this book:

Nothing.

Would I recommend this book to others? You bet. Page turning, scary, interesting characters, and a strong theme of the lost being found. This is a standalone story.

Where can I learn more about this author and their books?

Jaime Jo Wright, author website

-Loraine Nunley

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