This novel was my choice for my book club for 2026. We each chose one book and this was mine. I chose it because it’s a book that would appeal to a wide range of readers. Here is my book review Heartwood by Amity Gaige.

Appalachian Trail, Maine

The setting for this book is beautiful Maine, one of my favorite places in the USA. Gaige beautifully describes the nature of the Appalachian Trail, as we get to know details about missing hiker, 42 year old Valerie Gillis. The search and rescue team looking for Valerie is headed by Game Warden Beverly, who has the auspicious title of the first women to hold this post in Maine.

Female Leads

Through out this suspenseful novel the author blends perspectives and story-lines back and forth of three unique women; Valerie the missing hiker and her personal struggles with self, Beverly the Game Warden and her own challenges in her career and personal life, and Lena an elderly women using her computer “friend” to combat loneliness.

These three women will become connected in a surprising suspenseful thriller in the Maine woods.

Pieces of the Puzzle

Without giving too much away, I recommend this novel for it’s interesting setting and character development. Themes of survival, self-confidence, mother/daughter relationships, marriage, career, emotional depth, midlife and the will to live. This is the first novel I have read by Amity Gaige and I found her writing engaging and easy to read.

Book Review Heartwood by Amity Gaige

Thank you for reading my book review Heartwood by Amity Gaige. ****+Four and a half stars. See last week’s book review Audition by Katie Kitamura.

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