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North of Boston

Elisabeth Elo (Goodreads Author)

3.58 · Rating details · 1,715 ratings · 369 reviews

Year's Best Crime Novels: 2014, Booklist
Dennis Lehane meets Smilla’s Sense of Snow: a big discovery in the world of female suspense, about an edgy young woman with the rare ability to withstand extreme conditions

Elisabeth Elo’s debut novel introduces Pirio Kasparov, a Boston-bred tough-talking girl with an acerbic wit and a moral compass that points due north.

When the fi ...more

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Hardcover, 400 pages

Published January 23rd 2014 by Pamela Dorman Books (first published January 1st 2014)

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Average rating 3.58 ·

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· 1,715 ratings · 369 reviews

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Mar 27, 2015 Aditi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: my-reviews, mystery, family, penguin-books, boston

“I ask people why they have deer heads on their walls. They always say because it's such a beautiful animal. There you go. I think my mother is attractive, but I have photographs of her.”

----Ellen DeGeneres

Elisabeth Elo, an American author, has penned her debut thriller, North of Boston, that unfolds a riveting mystery behind the accident of a man fishing with her friend on boat who were hit by a large freight ship that came out of nowhere and left no trail behind it's disappearance thereby k ...more

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Dec 12, 2013 Andrew rated it liked it

I received a galley copy of North of Boston via goodreads.com's Early Reads Giveaways. It was a privilege to be among the first to read this work, and I thank the author and publisher for that.

If I had lunch with author Elisabeth Elo, I'd love to ask her about this character of hers, Pirio Kasparov. While by the end of the book I would describe Pirio as multifaceted and interesting, through much of North of Boston I struggled to get past the first adjective that came to mind in describing her: ...more

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Oct 08, 2018 Elizabeth George rated it really liked it

Wonderful sense of place, vulnerable characters, and a heroine who can kick butt and take names. I really enjoyed this book. The writing itself is first rate all the way. I admit to having to skip a few paragraphs of terrible violence (which I normally don't do or have to do), but that's to the credit of the author who made it so real. I'd read more by this author.

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Jan 20, 2014 Michael rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Pirio Kasparov is lucky to be alive after a fishing boat she was on is rammed and sunk of the north-east US coast. The vessel that hit them had appeared to come out of nowhere with the skipper Ned losing his life. Pirio thinks the incident was no accident and is upset that not only has she lost her friend but also that her godson, Noah, no longer has his father.

With the help of local reporter Parnell, Pirio will look into Ned's past that uncovers a deadly secret that will take her far from the o ...more

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Nov 21, 2013 Lynn rated it really liked it

I particularly appreciated the lack of profanity, graphic violence, and descriptive sex. This is just a great plot peopled with intelligent characters that stands on its own merit. What a vivid read! Riveting!

I appreciated the allusions to Dennis LeHane and Smilla's Sense of Snow in the promotional materials, and agreed wholeheartedly. In the same way that Smilla says, "I know snow", Pirio knows the ocean, and has the uncanny ability to survive hours in forty degree water. For both of these wome ...more

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Feb 14, 2014 Kathy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-covers, mystery, crime-thriller

It's hard to believe that this book is Elisabeth Elo's debut novel. The story is quite unique, and the writing flows with an even pace. There are many aspects of this story that appeal to me, with the name of the main character, Pirio Kasparov, leading the way. Character development seems to be a particular strength with Elo, as Pirio and all the supporting cast are given a thorough treatment of background and how they have all arrived to be a part of the events that unfold. I admit that I wasn' It's hard to believe that this book is Elisabeth Elo's debut novel. The story is quite unique, and the writing flows with an even pace. There are many aspects of this story that appeal to me, with the name of the main character, Pirio Kasparov, leading the way. Character development seems to be a particular strength with Elo, as Pirio and all the supporting cast are given a thorough treatment of background and how they have all arrived to be a part of the events that unfold. I admit that I wasn't sure where the author hoped to go with the initial mystery of what caused the accident to the lobster boat that resulted in one death and Pirio's miraculous survival. But, then, as with all captivating stories, the layers start to be peeled away, revealing so much more than just an unfortunate boating accident. Elo introduces the characters in the progressive drama at just the right times, and brings out the nasty secrets of those who will stop at nothing to get what they want when they want it. So, a boating accident becomes murder, and Pirio Kasparov becomes an indefatigable pursuer of the truth and champion to a cause that she wasn't even aware existed before she defied the odds and survived four hours in 48 degree ocean water. Pirio has defied the odds before, though, as she overcame a troubled, if privileged childhood, and landed in life as a responsible thirty-year-old woman, who must be a stable force in the life of her unstable friend's son and is the heir-apparent to a prospering perfume business. After the funeral of her friend Ned, who was owner of the lobster boat and killed in the accident/murder, Pirio connects with two men at the bar where mourners gather. One is a former boyfriend and friend of Neds, a boyfriend whom she hasn't seen in years and who is now married with children. The other man, a stranger to Pirio, engages her in talk about Ned and the accident, and he later poses as an insurance investigator. Neither man is what he seems and both will play a significant part in Pirio's attempts to find out what really happened the night she and Ned were hit by a freighter. The author knows her way around the fishing industry and the ships that participate in it, and she takes the reader on a learning journey of legal and illegal practices of that industry. Pirio begins her search for answers in Boston, but she must travel to the Canadian Artic and her childhood past to unravel a crime most heinous. ...more

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May 02, 2015 James rated it it was ok

Shelves: fiction, crime

I feel like for the first novel the author grabbed everything and chucked it up against the wall spoiler below

Spoiler leading to a troubled rich girl protecting alcoholic friends son from ex lover while solving crime dealing with ability to stay in cold water comes in handy for saving whales from billionaires

I think subsequent efforts by the author will be much more promising with a little restraint

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Feb 03, 2014 gaudeo rated it it was ok

This book seems to have all the ingredients for a thriller . . . but somehow it isn't thrilling. It could be the pacing, it could be the misguided metaphors here and there, it could be the lack of emotional connection to the reader; but it's probably all of these factors and then a few more. In any case, I figure that if even someone living north of Boston isn't fully engaged, who else will be?

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Feb 04, 2014 Larry rated it it was amazing

Piero Kasparov is a tough rich girl (or very nearly rich), who has lived wild since high school (she's thirty). Her family owns a leading perfume company, which she will inherit, and she knows how to run it. But she's crewing on a pal's new lobster boat as a favor when it is run over by a large unidentified sea-going vessel. Her friend dies and she survives, though against all odds. The Navy and Coast Guard even test her at a research facility to see why she was able to survive when hypothermia Piero Kasparov is a tough rich girl (or very nearly rich), who has lived wild since high school (she's thirty). Her family owns a leading perfume company, which she will inherit, and she knows how to run it. But she's crewing on a pal's new lobster boat as a favor when it is run over by a large unidentified sea-going vessel. Her friend dies and she survives, though against all odds. The Navy and Coast Guard even test her at a research facility to see why she was able to survive when hypothermia should have killed her. That survival factor comes into play later in the novel.

Unwilling to accept the authorities' inability to identify the vessel, Piero goes into action, thereby putting herself in considerable danger, not that a foreknowledge of danger would stop her. She has a strong personality, to say the least, and great determination. Part of her determination is directed at her self-destructive friend Thomasina, the former wife of the dead lobsterman, and her high-function Ausberger-type son, Noah. Piero makes them part of her general crusade, as well. Thomasina and Noah are affected by the death Piero is searching to understand, as they are connected to the dead man, and as they are Piero's one great vulnerability. How Piero comes to take greater responsibility for them while uncovering those who killed her friend makes for a great novel both of intrigue and friendship.

Elizabeth Elo, a truly gifted writer, gives Pirio a distinct and eloquent voice. Her writing is consistently interesting. There is a lot happening, and even the small pieces are interesting. There is an extended scene involving trapped whales that is breathtakingly sad and triumphant at the same time. There is a scene that's sort of a wake for the dead friend that is sad and funny at the same time. There is a description of a one-time boyfriend-turned bad guy who knows he's bad, that is touching and dangerous at the same time. Her ability to describe the struggles within the Kasparov family is powerful, even when individuals are behaving irrationally.

Pirio Kasparov ranks with Fina Ludlow and Izzy Spellman in terms of voice, but she's a more interesting person. Elizabeth Elo is a writer to reckon with. ...more

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Mar 29, 2014 Victoria rated it it was amazing

Shelves: mystery-thriller

This debut novel is a surprisingly fascinating, thrilling and powerful read. Pirio Kasparov defies medicine after surviving for four hours in frigid Atlantic waters after the lobster boat she was on was run through by a large freight ship. The owner of the lobster boat isn’t as lucky. Pirio’s friend, Ned, is dead and helps his ex-lover and mother of his child (who is herself an old boarding school friend of Pirio’s) grieve. Spurred on by her successful perfume-owning father, Pirio begins to sear ...more

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Feb 19, 2015 Mary Ahlgren rated it really liked it

An over the top book which I wanted to dislike but couldn't. I am definitely not one of those who can withstand cold temperatures. but I found that I liked the premise, the geography, and at least a couple of the characters.

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Jan 31, 2014 Jacqie rated it really liked it

This book was billed as a match to Dennis Lehane. In some ways, I'll agree. The book's characters are fascinating and by far the strongest part of the book .Pirio, the main character, and her friend Thomasina are interesting, flawed, multi-faceted and real. Noah, Thomasina's son, is a heartbreaking little boy. I'm not often a fan of child characters who are put in as motivation but I felt that Noah had a purpose beyond that and was interesting in his own right. The relationship between these thr This book was billed as a match to Dennis Lehane. In some ways, I'll agree. The book's characters are fascinating and by far the strongest part of the book .Pirio, the main character, and her friend Thomasina are interesting, flawed, multi-faceted and real. Noah, Thomasina's son, is a heartbreaking little boy. I'm not often a fan of child characters who are put in as motivation but I felt that Noah had a purpose beyond that and was interesting in his own right. The relationship between these three characters was what drove the book for me. The look at the difference between upper and lower class lifestyles, from the socialites of Boston to the docks, was also well done as a contrast.

SPOILERS FOLLOW*****

Unfortunately, there's a mystery in here too and that's where the book falls down. The mystery itself requires that Pirio, who has been established as hard-headed and practical, do something idiotic. The impetus for the mystery is that as Pirio and Thomasina's ex-husband Ned were working a lobster boat they were hit by a large ship. The boat is totaled and Pirio is the only one to survive, after somehow surviving in frigid water long after most people would be dead. Pirio slowly begins to believe that the collision was more than an accident. As her suspicions grow, she decides that the best way to confront the mystery is to sign on as crew on a boat full of the main suspects. She gets onto the boat by asking a buddy of hers who she knows to be somewhat shady himself, and perhaps even a suspect, who also knows that she is suspicious of the accident and is investigating it. There's a scene in which her buddy says a very final sounding goodbye to her, but she doesn't twig to the fact that this guy, who is a suspect in the death of his best friend, probably won't balk at offing her as well. I hope this makes sense.

Anyway, as one might suspect, Pirio is to be killed aboard this boat. She escapes in an unlikely way, having figured out that the plot is about rich jerks hunting seals, whales, whatever they think might be fun to kill, while avoiding any pesky laws about endangered species. If you are an animal lover who does not like reading scenes about animal killings and death, there is a scene that you won't want to read.

At the end of the book, Pirio is dragged off to be shot by the bad guys, with her somewhat tepid love interest as bait. The final scene is just like any other scene out of an action movie- the bad guys pontificate, the love interest (he was so boring!) creates just enough of a distraction for Pirio to grab a gun and blow everybody away like in Lethal Weapon. Like I said, the mystery part is extremely weak.

And honestly, I think there's a better book in here. Pirio's strange ability to remain functional in icy water is explored, and comes into play in a strange and beautiful way later in the book- you'll see it coming but it's still a pleasure to read. The description of her family- her Russian father and mysterious, gorgeous, dead mother and the complicated relationship they have with their daughter- is also a great read, and the description of the northern retreat that Pirio and her mother would escape to every summer is gorgeous. In that way,the book does remind one of Smilla's Sense of Snow, with a look at a very different culture and life, austere and unearthly yet satisfying. Setting and description are lovely.

I think that if the author had concentrated more on her characters and the internal mysteries and problems that they were dealing with- addiction, loneliness, how to find a place in the world- this probably would have been a stronger book. I think the writing is very good, but the plotting was extremely clumsy and I'd like to see the author tighten up the plotting to make it less predictable and make her characters smarter in order to build a stronger second book. I'd like to read more from this author, even more about these characters, but I'd say make it a better mystery or don't make it a mystery at all. ...more

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Jan 18, 2014 Pop Culture Nerd rated it really liked it

This review originally appeared at Pop Culture Nerd, along with a giveaway.

In crime fiction, the protagonists can start to resemble each other after a while: tough FBI agent or military guy or cop or private eye, etc. I'm not saying books can't be good with those types of characters--it all depends on the execution--only that every once in a while, it's nice to see a different type of protagonist, and that's who Pirio Kasparov is, in Elisabeth Elo's debut, North of Boston.

One foggy night, Pirio ...more

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Feb 17, 2014 Luanne Ollivier rated it liked it

North of Boston is Elisabeth Elo's debut novel. She introduces us to a unique protagonist in this literary mystery - Pirio Kasparov. Pirio is the child of Russian immigrants and heir to the perfume dynasty started by her parents. She's also a bit of a rebel, taking chances and sometimes leaping without looking.

Pirio is helping Ned, the father of her best's friend's child, on his lobster boat when they are hit by a tanker and she is plunged into the freezing ocean. Against all odds, she survives North of Boston is Elisabeth Elo's debut novel. She introduces us to a unique protagonist in this literary mystery - Pirio Kasparov. Pirio is the child of Russian immigrants and heir to the perfume dynasty started by her parents. She's also a bit of a rebel, taking chances and sometimes leaping without looking.

Pirio is helping Ned, the father of her best's friend's child, on his lobster boat when they are hit by a tanker and she is plunged into the freezing ocean. Against all odds, she survives four hours in the frigid water. Ned is not so lucky. And the tanker leaves the scene.

Pirio is determined to find out who killed Ned. She begins investigating on her own - and it takes her places she could not have foreseen and circles back to her own past. The Navy is also interested in Pirio's ability to withstand the cold water.

I must admit to feeling torn on North of Boston. I thought that Pirio was an interesting character, but I'm not sure I ever really liked her. Pirio is quite sure of herself and her abilities, but I ended up feeling like she was too full of herself. The ability to withstand cold water seemed to be a convenient way to introduce a plot machination later in the book. I expected more to happen with the Navy, but perhaps it will in the next book as Elo is going to reprise Pirio and the supporting cast.

North of Boston is aptly described as a literary mystery, rather than a detective or police procedural. (Quite frankly, the ending was more than a bit coincidental and unbelievable.) Elo works many elements into her plot - families, children, parents, lovers, addictions, business, perfumes, social commentary on the fishing industry, environmental issues and more. A few too many for this reader as the story just seemed way too busy. As North of Boston is a debut with a planned sequel, perhaps this busyness was simply to establish her characters and their lives.

The standout character for me was Ned's young son Noah. His ability to cope and his curious nature made me want to rescue him. His mother Thomasina, her addictions and her partying just got tiresome. Pirio's interaction and relationship with Noah as well as her father Milosa were very well portrayed.

Elo provides excellent information and commentary on perfumes, scents as well as environmental problems. Elo's description of time and place were very well done. She is a talented wordsmith, but North of Boston was just an okay read for me. ...more

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Nov 22, 2013 Amy Lignor rated it it was amazing

There are gritty, hardcore mysteries and then there are gritty, witty mysteries that bring excellent humor, in-depth storytelling, and truly descriptive scenes together in a combination that makes you wish that the novel was playing out on the big screen. This particular debut is the latter; an amazing page-turner that brings Pirio Kasparov, an extremely witty girl from Boston, onto the literary scene.

Pirio is about face a huge challenge. A fishing boat she’s on is rammed, supposedly by a huge f There are gritty, hardcore mysteries and then there are gritty, witty mysteries that bring excellent humor, in-depth storytelling, and truly descriptive scenes together in a combination that makes you wish that the novel was playing out on the big screen. This particular debut is the latter; an amazing page-turner that brings Pirio Kasparov, an extremely witty girl from Boston, onto the literary scene.

Pirio is about face a huge challenge. A fishing boat she’s on is rammed, supposedly by a huge freighter, out in the North Atlantic. All alone for four hours, Pirio beats the odds and survives the freezing water until the Coast Guard comes to her rescue. Although she is saved and looks at a future, her friend and owner of the boat, Ned, is lost in the and presumed dead by everyone.

Pirio feels deep in her heart that she should take care of Ned’s son, Noah - especially since the boy’s mother, Thomasina, has many problems of her own, least of which is being an alcoholic. She’s not exactly the best mother in the world and Pirio wants to help as much as possible.

The so-called ‘accident’ weighs heavily on her mind; she truly feels that the circumstances of the tragedy seem to her to be premeditated. Her father agrees, and tells Pirio to look deeper. Coincidences (which don’t exist) happen when the Navy calls her to participate in a research project that will focus on the survival of humans when placed in dangerously cold temperatures; after all, she’s the expert.

Helped by Russell Parnell, a journalist, the duo discover a plot that will take readers to the shadowed whaling grounds located off Baffin Island in Northern Canada. Pirio has to trust herself, especially when she sees that her theory of premeditation was correct: Ned’s death was no accident. Against all odds, she must overcome a betrayal from her past and surge forward to prove a murder has taken place. This is non-stop action; a debut read that is highly recommended to all suspense mavens out there. Enjoy!
...more

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Mar 31, 2014 Maureen rated it really liked it

North of Boston is a gripping and fast-paced novel. Constant interruptions and life in general kept me frustrated as I wanted to sit and read this book straight through, in one-sitting. Ideally, that's how it should be read.

While the plot was not as compelling as I would have liked, and some of it even predictable, the lead character Pirio more than made up for any minor defects in the story. Pirio is edgy, brainy, fearless, strong and vulnerable at the same time, and lonely enough to take risks ...more

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Feb 03, 2017 Judy rated it liked it · review of another edition

From the description of this book, I thought I would enjoy reading it. There were parts that were interesting, but overall I think that the author tried to encompass too many elements. Or maybe it should have been two books. The part I got most involved in was how Pirio was able to survive in extreme cold water and the U.S. Navy's interest in that. I also liked Pirio's interest and support in Noah, her godson. But when The author went into Pirio's involvement in the perfume industry and her Russ ...more

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May 28, 2017 LATOYA JOVENA rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 05, 2019 Harold Walters rated it really liked it

I bought this book from a remainders bin and left it on my shelf for over a year. Now that I've finally read it, I have to wonder — "What's wrong with me?!" Best book I've read in March.

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Jan 18, 2014 Kathleen Minde rated it really liked it

Shelves: kick-ass-heroine, thriller, series-i-will-finish, made-me-laugh-out-loud, awesome-woman-author

In the book world, thrillers are usually lacking in the kickass female lead department. They are commonly relegated to sidekick or annoying, but resourceful, friend who just happens to be beautiful as well. The book world needs strong, intelligent, interesting female leads and North of Boston introduces us to Pirio Kasparov, a woman of many talents, an unusual background, and is quite possibly beautiful, but the author does not dwell on this aspect. Instead, she gives the enterprising Pirio styl In the book world, thrillers are usually lacking in the kickass female lead department. They are commonly relegated to sidekick or annoying, but resourceful, friend who just happens to be beautiful as well. The book world needs strong, intelligent, interesting female leads and North of Boston introduces us to Pirio Kasparov, a woman of many talents, an unusual background, and is quite possibly beautiful, but the author does not dwell on this aspect. Instead, she gives the enterprising Pirio style and strength, for which, I am eternally grateful.

An accidental collision on the high seas between a large freighter and the smaller lobster boat Pirio and her friend, Ned, are working on leaves her stranded in the frigid waters for four days. Ned’s body is never found. However, Pirio’s survival is more than a miracle, it is an impossibility that catches the attention of the Navy and earns her the nickname, The Swimmer.

But, Pirio is more than a fisherman; she is the second generation in a Russian family of perfumers. Their creations are world famous and her family has financially benefitted allowing Pirio the finest in everything. But, Pirio is rebellious; as a teen, she almost gets kicked out of various boarding schools, her early twenties were spent drinking heavily and one-night stands with roughnecks. Now, as an adult and CEO at Inessa Mark perfume company, she drives a twelve-year old car and hangs out with her alcoholic friend, Thomasina, Ned’s ex-girlfriend and mother to his precocious son, Noah.

Her relationship with her father, the prickly Milosa, is complicated. Widowed twenty years ago, his second wife now an employee at Inessa Mark, he is always pushing Pirio to think outside the box. Why was Ned’s boat hit? Was it truly an accident? And what is she going to do about it?

Strange incidents following the boat accident provoke Pirio to investigate the accident. The Navy and the Coast Guard stonewall her. Even old friends and lovers tell her it was simply an accident. But then she finds an unusual ally in a journalist who is investigating the boat accident and a conspiracy that she would never have imagined. The adventurous side of Pirio kicks into high gear and, thinking outside the box, she pushes herself, sometimes into dangerous situations, in her search for the truth.

What I liked about Pirio is her loyalty to the impulsive Thomasina, her tenderness towards the boy, Noah, and her complicated relationship with her father. She is also a woman who uses her wits and does not need a man to swoop in and save her. While she does accomplish some debatably impossible feats, she is, after all, The Swimmer. And if a woman can survive frigid ocean waters for four days, how can the reader not accept Pirio’s ability to get to the bottom of what was first assumed to be a tragic accident at sea.

The book ends with the possibility that Pirio will return again because the book world needs more kickass perfume CEO’s who take chances, use their wits, and can tell the bad guy what unsavory act a dog did with his mother in Russian.
...more

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Jan 31, 2014 Kaitlyn King rated it really liked it

Shelves: actual-books-read

Ksteenbookreview calls it "exciting, mysterious, and thrilling!"

Hey everyone, so I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of North of Boston from the lovely author and Goodreads, and I thought I should give you my thoughts on the book. Now, it is not what I would normally read, as it is a bit above my age group, but I really have to say that I enjoyed it!
It was packed with mystery and suspense, murder, love, and all the things that a teen would love. The only difference was that instead of Ksteenbookreview calls it "exciting, mysterious, and thrilling!"

Hey everyone, so I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of North of Boston from the lovely author and Goodreads, and I thought I should give you my thoughts on the book. Now, it is not what I would normally read, as it is a bit above my age group, but I really have to say that I enjoyed it!
It was packed with mystery and suspense, murder, love, and all the things that a teen would love. The only difference was that instead of from the point of view of a clumsy teen, it is from a grown woman, who is well on her way in life. So here we go!

Meet Pirio, Russian descent, who is living in America, and has just recovered from a tragic accident that killed her friend. While they were out fishing in his boat they are run down by a large tanker and she is thrown into the icy waters out in the sea while her friend is drown aboard the ship.
She lives, astoundingly, in the chilly waters for four hours, a hell of a lot longer than any human ever should be able to. This makes her a hero in the eyes of the public. But things are not always what they seem...
There arises the possibility of the accident not being so much of an accident as much of a murder. But still, it is hard to believe... Even when it becomes apparent that the company her friend left has a lot of money at stake, and that he quit at a bad time of year with information that could bring down the company...
But besides figuring this mystery out, Pirio also has to deal with her alcoholic friend and her son who is also her godson and one of her best friends. Not to mention the reporter who is on her tail trying to get more information. Also, add in a crazy, maybe dying, father and the company she is going to inherit once he is gone. Yeah, she has a lot on her hand.
Will she be able to keep an eye on her godson, run a company, and solve her friends murder? Or will she fall victim to a company willing to do anything to keep their dirty little secret?

All in all, a great read, with realistic twists and turns and a funny female character for us to follow. Give it a try if you get the chance, because it is a story worth reading, if you do ask me.
I gave it a 4 out of 5 star rating. Have a nice day! ...more

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Mar 07, 2014 Leslie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, audiobook

Pirio Kasparov has miraculously survived a boating accident and was rescued by the Coast Guard after four hours in freezing cold water. The owner of the boat and Pirio’s friend, Ned, did not survive. She clearly saw the boat that struck them and does not believe it was an accident.

Pirio is not the type to take no for an answer and wants to find out who is responsible for Ned’s death. She begins asking questions and conducting research on her own, eventually uncovering a complex and devious plot. Pirio Kasparov has miraculously survived a boating accident and was rescued by the Coast Guard after four hours in freezing cold water. The owner of the boat and Pirio’s friend, Ned, did not survive. She clearly saw the boat that struck them and does not believe it was an accident.

Pirio is not the type to take no for an answer and wants to find out who is responsible for Ned’s death. She begins asking questions and conducting research on her own, eventually uncovering a complex and devious plot. In the last third of the book the story begins to come together and the action accelerates. Like most strong heroines, Pirio engages in risky behavior and even while she admits that what she is doing is dangerous and she shouldn’t do it, she does it anyway.

I liked Pirio. She’s a strong female protagonist who is smart, tough and persistent while retaining compassion and kindness which can be seen in her concern for Noah, Ned’s son, who is being raised by an often negligent alcoholic mother. Not that Pirio doesn’t have her own problems from the past, a mother who spent her time on her perfume business and a father who considered her a problem child, which continue to haunt her.

This fast-paced thriller is also a compelling mystery with an interesting cast of well-developed characters and a story-line that held my attention even though it often moved in several different directions. Family dynamics, whaling, the environment, and the perfume business are just a few of the topics. I would like to read more about Pirio, and in the end there were enough unanswered questions about her past and her family to continue the story with another adventure.

Audio Production:
Marguerite Gavin was a new narrator for me and an enjoyable experience. There are many characters in this book and she did a wonderful job altering tone, accent and inflection for the different speakers. The alcoholic Thomasina immediately comes to mind! The complex plot and large number of characters makes this an audio that requires staying attuned, but the compelling plot should keep most minds from wandering. Overall, a well-paced and excellent production. ...more

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Sep 02, 2013 Jane rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery

Here's what I posted on my library's book review blog, MADreads: http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/m...

Starting on December 1st, librarians around the country began tweeting their top ten books for the year under the #libfaves13 hashtag (one book each day). One of the titles mentioned was Elisabeth Elo's mystery, North of Boston. Though it technically doesn't qualify (it's due out in early 2014), I immediately favorited and re-tweeted the post because of how much I loved the book when I'd read Here's what I posted on my library's book review blog, MADreads: http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/m...

Starting on December 1st, librarians around the country began tweeting their top ten books for the year under the #libfaves13 hashtag (one book each day). One of the titles mentioned was Elisabeth Elo's mystery, North of Boston. Though it technically doesn't qualify (it's due out in early 2014), I immediately favorited and re-tweeted the post because of how much I loved the book when I'd read a galley.

Pirio Kasparov is a medical and biological anomaly. She survived for more than four hours in 40 degree water in the North Atlantic when the small fishing boat she was on was hit by a larger ship. Her survival in waters that would generally kill others within a short period of time is newsworthy, but for Pirio the much bigger issue is the fact that her friend Ned didn't survive the crash and she's beginning to suspect that his death was not an accident. The authorities conclude that the collision was an accident, but Ned's young son Noah is relying on Pirio to figure things out. And because she survived when Ned didn't, Pirio is determined to learn why. This even after her father, a powerful Russian businessman, warns her that nothing is as it seems and investigating may get her killed. Pirio perseveres and gains an ally in Russell Parnell, a reporter chasing the story of Ned's death.

Pirio is a great, read interesting, protagonist. Besides the fact that her very existence is a miracle - one the navy now wants to study - she's complicated and intelligent and all the things I look for in a mystery novel investigator. And she's surrounded by an equally intriguing supporting cast. Especially her father. Who is currently a fairly well-respected, retired businessman, but was once just thisclose to being a Russian gangster.

So this one is definitely on my list of faves for the year. How about you? What books would you tweet about, if given a chance? You can tell me about your faves or tweet about them yourself with the hashtag #libfaves13. ...more

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Jan 29, 2014 Viviane Crystal rated it really liked it

A terrible boating accident leaves one dead man and one woman who barely survived beyond human comprehension! Working in a lobster boat with a friend, Ned Rizzo, Pirio Kasparov spends four hours in frigid waters, a feat that not even the renowned Navy Seals can accomplish without special equipment. At first Pirio and Ned’s friends show the expected comfort; but when Pirio realizes she’s not getting any answers about how a very, large ship came careening out of the dark and fog to totally wipe ou ...more

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Dec 10, 2013 Bruce rated it it was amazing

North of Boston is not only well researched and well plotted, it is skillfully written. Locations spring to life in the mind's eye with ease, and characters are made vivid, but with an economy of exposition.

The strength of Elo's writing is most evident in the distinctiveness of Pirio's 1st person narrative voice. It is consistent, often quirky, but always recognizable as a character, not just an observer reporting the action. I never forgot I was living in Pirio's head. Because of that, a reader ...more

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Feb 11, 2014 Nadine rated it it was amazing

This thriller has a strong female lead and a page turning intensity. The plot has many twists and turns and the characters have a little flesh to them to make them sympathetic to the reader.

Pirio and her friend Thomasina are the daughters of wealthy families who bonded at school as the resident bad girls. Pirio has been able to curb her impulses and join her family's perfume business, but Thomasina is declining into a chaos of alcoholism and bad men. She has a ten year old son Noah who is as att ...more

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Jan 05, 2014 Marie rated it liked it

Shelves: first-reads

After receiving this as part of the goodreads first reads program, I quickly was enthralled in the storyline. Although, for some reason the character descriptions and what I pictured in my mind never coalesced. When I began the book, I thought of Pirio and Thomasina as more lower class trash than the damaged upper crust women they were supposed to be. The relationship between Pirio and her a ten-year old boy was heartfelt, but the actual mystery and circumstances surrounding Thomasina's husband' ...more

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Sep 01, 2015 Linda rated it liked it

finished reading an advanced copy i had laying around. it was just ok to me, maybe not my type of read. it seemed too scattered. I would have preferred that it stuck to one industry for example...either the perfume industry or fishing but not both. I know it was mainly written as a thriller but at times I felt it was starting to spin off into an historical novel about the main character's Russian parents and the perfume trade which actually would have made a great novel all on it's own! somethin ...more

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Jan 20, 2017 Beth rated it really liked it

Shelves: first-reads-and-early-reviews

I won NORTH OF BOSTON from MauriceonBooks.com two years before I finally read it. I didn't know what I was missing.

The book begins after Pirio is in a boating accident. She, alone, survives after floating for four hours in water temperatures that would have killed most people . She learns that a much larger boat collided with the one she was on and then left the scene – – it was a hit-and-run accident. Even worse, she later realizes that this was a case of murder; someone was trying to get rid o ...more

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Jan 21, 2014 PopcornReads rated it it was amazing

Shelves: crime, murder, mysteries-thrillers, children, giveaway, suspense, family, environment, secrets, drugs

Book Review & Giveaway: I love book covers that cause me to wonder what’s going on, like the one for North of Boston by Elisabeth Elo. Why is this woman standing peering into the fog at the end of a dock? Very mysterious and I knew I had to find out – I’m like a curious cat that way. Reading the publisher’s description clinched the deal; I knew I had to read this book. If you like mysteries or thrillers with strong, persistent but caring women protagonists who won’t stop until they learn the tru ...more

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About Elisabeth Elo

Elisabeth Elo

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Elisabeth Elo is the author of NORTH OF BOSTON, chosen by Booklist as a Best Crime Novel Debut of the Year. Published in six countries, it was also an Indie Next selection and a Book of the Month / Literary Guild Selection. Elisabeth’s second suspense novel, FINDING KATARINA M., is forthcoming in March 2019.

Elisabeth grew up in Boston, attended Brown University, and earned a PhD in American Liter ...more

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Quotes from North of Boston

“But a bond is a bond. And when you’re young and haven’t yet learned to live in your own solitude, even a destructive bond can seem better than none.” — 1 likes

“All across the world, people are loyal to their tribe. --- (Pirio)” — 0 likes

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