The Pines Were Watching

The pines are watching, the shadows are creeping closer, and no one--not even the sheriff--is safe from the secrets of the Northwoods.

"...family, jealousy, and the secrets a small town can conceal." --Booklist

When Joanie Crea is found strangled on the grounds of the crumbling Grandgeorge estate, Sheriff Red Hammergren faces a chilling mystery as dark as the dense forest surrounding the crime scene. All eyes turn to Derek Grandgeorge, the reclusive heir with a penchant for wearing a green jacket--even in the sweltering Minnesota summer.

But soon, a second body surfaces--a victim found with Joanie's house key shoved into their mouth.

The gruesome discovery sends a shiver of dread through the tight-knit community. The key isn't just evidence--it's a macabre message from a killer who's growing bolder and more brazen with each passing day. As the oppressive summer heat bears down and the shadows deepen, Red glimpses unsettling flashes of green at the edge of her vision. With a cunning murderer on the loose and the town spiraling into panic, Red must unravel the connection between the victims...before she becomes the final piece in the killer's twisted game.

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Praise for Linda Norlander:

"...a deeply atmospheric and compelling read." --First Clue

"...an enjoyable story with an eccentric cast of characters and a strong female lead...unpredictable, with a satisfying ending...Mystery fans will enjoy..." --Booklist

"...a gripping thriller that will chill you to the bone...Linda Norlander's well-crafted novel will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page." --Susan Hunter, author of Dangerous Habits

"Readers will love Sheriff Red, and absolutely devour every layer of masterful misdirection in this twisty mystery." --LynDee Walker, author of Fear No Truth

"...kept me hooked from start to finish...you won't want to miss this one." --Ava Roberts, author of The Perfect Boyfriend

Author: Linda Norlander
Publisher: Severn River Publishing
Published: 09/23/2025
Pages: 290
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.60h x 5.80w x 1.00d
ISBN: 9781648756481


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 08/01/2025

About the Author
Linda Norlander is the author of And the Lake Will Take Them the first in the Sheriff Red Mystery series. She is also author of A Cabin by the Lake mysteries and the Liza and Mrs. Wilkens mysteries. Norlander has published award winning short stories, op-ed pieces and short humor featured in regional and national publications. Before taking up the pen to write novels, she worked in end-of-life care. Norlander resides in Washington with her spouse.