Dark Night by Paige Shelton

This is the third book in Paige Shelton’s Alaska Wild series (Thin Ice and Cold Wind are the previous installments) and it did not disappoint. I am hooked on this series because of the way it blends suspenseful mystery with a cozy mystery. The characters in this fictional Alaska town are talented, lovable and quirky and they have more depth with each book. The town of Benedict, Alaska, is almost a character in itself with the atmosphere it creates and the secrets it holds. Read this series in order for complete understanding of the backstory and characters.

In this latest installment, Beth Rivers is experiencing her first winter in Benedict. A mysterious census man arrived in town before winter sets in and the secretive residents of the town are not pleased he is there. After a stormy winter night, a body is discovered and the mystery is afoot! In the meantime, Beth’s mother tracks her down and arrives in Benedict. Her mother, Mill, is on the run from police after she tried to shoot the man who had abducted Beth. Her arrival in town is both welcome and unwelcome for Beth as she worries that if her mother found her hiding place, her abductor could too.

I love the way this series is unfolding with the story of Beth’s recovery and her abductor and her history with her father and mother running through all the books. This book continues to highlight Orin, town librarian and special ops extraordinaire. I am probably partial because he is a librarian, but I love Orin’s investigative skills through the internet and dark web. There are so many characters in these books that make this town and this series special!

If you’re in in the mood for a lighter mystery set in the wilds of Alaska, I highly recommend a hot cup of coffee, cocoa or tea and this book!

Check out Dark Night by Paige Shelton at the Library (https://catalog.lclibs.org/polaris/search/title.aspx…).