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Up in the Pines
Deep in the mountains of Montana, Deputy Lark Galloway discovers a body. Despite being nothing more than bones, she connects the remains to a resident who disappeared twenty years earlier. As she unravels the dead man’s history to solve his murder, someone tries desperately to throw her off the scent. Meanwhile, famed Hollywood screenwriter Sawyer Matheson returns to town to escape his cheating fiancé, only to find himself at the heart of Lark’s investigation. Sparks fly as things heat up between Lark and Sawyer, but nothing can prepare her for the earth-shattering truth behind the body in the pines.
318 pages, Paperback
Published June 23, 2017
7 people are currently reading
458 people want to read
About the author
Katie Jennings
19 books218 followersKatie Jennings is the author of the popular fantasy series The Dryad Quartet as well as the award-winning romantic family drama series The Vasser Legacy. Her paranormal romance, So Fell The Sparrow, won an Honorable Mention in the 2014 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards. Her bestselling contemporary romance, Things Lost In The Fire, is a semi-finalist in romance in the Kindle Book Awards. A Los Angeles native, she now lives in beautiful North Idaho with her husband, who thinks she’s the biggest nerd ever. She’s a firm believer in happy endings and loves nothing more than a great romance novel.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 10 reviews
June 25, 2017
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Up in the Pines is a great blend of romance, mystery, and atmospheric storytelling. The story follows Lark, a young, small town cop, and her dogged pursuit of the solving a grisly murder. She is a tough and relatable character whose mettle is tested through the winding path that the mystery takes her down. Fans of Jennings’ previous work can expect much of what has delightfully flavored her other novels—family intrigue, a burning spiral toward uncovering a secret, tense struggles, and a passionate romance at the center of it all. During the story, Lark reunites with Sawyer, her high school crush who, a decade prior, escaped his own troubled past by running away from the their hometown. Though he’s achieved fame and fortune in the outside world, heartbreak drives him back to his roots, where he too much face the skeletons in his closet. Lark and Sawyer’s fates intertwine as the truth behind the murder is uncovered piece by satisfying piece. It is a fast and compelling read that will leave you hungry for the ending. I would recommend Up in the Pines to any fan of romantic suspense who wants a book that can deliver.
Up in the Pines is a great blend of romance, mystery, and atmospheric storytelling. The story follows Lark, a young, small town cop, and her dogged pursuit of the solving a grisly murder. She is a tough and relatable character whose mettle is tested through the winding path that the mystery takes her down. Fans of Jennings’ previous work can expect much of what has delightfully flavored her other novels—family intrigue, a burning spiral toward uncovering a secret, tense struggles, and a passionate romance at the center of it all. During the story, Lark reunites with Sawyer, her high school crush who, a decade prior, escaped his own troubled past by running away from the their hometown. Though he’s achieved fame and fortune in the outside world, heartbreak drives him back to his roots, where he too much face the skeletons in his closet. Lark and Sawyer’s fates intertwine as the truth behind the murder is uncovered piece by satisfying piece. It is a fast and compelling read that will leave you hungry for the ending. I would recommend Up in the Pines to any fan of romantic suspense who wants a book that can deliver.
July 1, 2017
Western Montana is a quiet place, a place set back fifty years into a time that still encompasses that small town beer and buddy atmosphere, the local gossips know everything about you, and some stuff you'd rather they didn't. Local sheriff deputies are trusted, looked up to, honored in ways reminiscent of vigilante days. The West still has the illusion at least of wildness, and freedom, and a sense of discovery. Katie Jennings delivers all of it in her mystery romance novel Up in the Pines. I live in Western Montana and have been to the places Katie describes so well. I've met these people, and they are for real. I lived in that small town once, and even though it's now larger than Katie's Eden Falls, I can feel it from her writing. Believe me, a murder the size and impact of Katie's really rock places like this. And when small town meets big city, there are bound to be sparks. I appreciate Katie's attention to detail, her descriptions and the sense of impending disaster and fearless integrity fill the pages. I'm impressed with how she ties up her loose ends. Great mystery! Fun romance! Believable characters.
June 28, 2017
This was a wonderful, intricate love story woven around a heart-wrenching mystery. I had to finish it last night but I'm off to work now. Just needed to say: I loved it!
Full review pending.
Full review pending.
June 25, 2017
Up in the Pines by Katie Jennings is a standalone romance suspense thriller. Up in the Pines takes place in a small town in Montana, where we meet Deputy Lark Galloway, our heroine. A decaying body is discovered by a tourist, and when Lark surveys the scene, she knows it was murder. The lab will confirm that the body has been buried approximately 20 years. Lark will find herself, and the detective team researching missing persons back in that time period.
Sawyer Matheson, our hero, returns home to his deceased father’s house after having left years before. Sawyer is now a successful and famous screenwriter, who comes home to get away from the media hounding him over his split with a famous actress, whom he found in bed with another man. Sawyer will meet Lark, who lives in a cabin nearby, and thinks she looks familiar. Lark, of course, knows who the famous Sawyer is, and remembers having a crush on him in high school.
What follows is a complex murder investigation that will become difficult to solve, especially with the element of time having passed. Lark will work with the lead detective and learn the identity of the victim, which will bring out a few possible suspects. When Lark’s partner is attacked and left for dead, she knows the danger is escalating, as the murderer is still alive and trying to stop the investigation.
Sawyer, whose mother ran away years before, will begin to help Lark in the investigation, in the hope he will learn why she left. In a short time, their romance will begin to heat up, and they made a sweet couple. Lark felt that there was no future, as he would go back to California; but Sawyer begins to see value in staying in his old home town. But first they must survive, and a murderer must be caught.
This is a difficult review, because saying too much more would be spoilers. Up in the Pines was an excellent “whodunit” with many twists and surprises. Just when you thought you knew who it was, the next breath things turned another way. Katie Jennings did a wonderful job keeping us glued to our seats, unable to put the book down. The last third of the book was non-stop action, intense and very exciting. If you love mysteries, thrillers, and a great couple, then you should read Up in the Pines.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Sawyer Matheson, our hero, returns home to his deceased father’s house after having left years before. Sawyer is now a successful and famous screenwriter, who comes home to get away from the media hounding him over his split with a famous actress, whom he found in bed with another man. Sawyer will meet Lark, who lives in a cabin nearby, and thinks she looks familiar. Lark, of course, knows who the famous Sawyer is, and remembers having a crush on him in high school.
What follows is a complex murder investigation that will become difficult to solve, especially with the element of time having passed. Lark will work with the lead detective and learn the identity of the victim, which will bring out a few possible suspects. When Lark’s partner is attacked and left for dead, she knows the danger is escalating, as the murderer is still alive and trying to stop the investigation.
Sawyer, whose mother ran away years before, will begin to help Lark in the investigation, in the hope he will learn why she left. In a short time, their romance will begin to heat up, and they made a sweet couple. Lark felt that there was no future, as he would go back to California; but Sawyer begins to see value in staying in his old home town. But first they must survive, and a murderer must be caught.
This is a difficult review, because saying too much more would be spoilers. Up in the Pines was an excellent “whodunit” with many twists and surprises. Just when you thought you knew who it was, the next breath things turned another way. Katie Jennings did a wonderful job keeping us glued to our seats, unable to put the book down. The last third of the book was non-stop action, intense and very exciting. If you love mysteries, thrillers, and a great couple, then you should read Up in the Pines.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
June 22, 2017
Stunning, stunning, stunning! Katie Jennings never fails to deliver a story that will devour my heart and soul. I'm always guaranteed to be one very happy reader when I start one of her books.
Up In The Pines is an incredibly well written and clever book. Set in the mountains of Montana, the prose and descriptions makes you feel that you are there in the mountains with the characters. Jennings is able to create a sense of freedom in the place, whilst also a sense of claustrophobia, as the truth behind the body found there is searched for.
I loved Lark, she was a brilliant character that gave me vibes of the great ladies Nora Roberts writes. The sparks between her and Sawyer were pitched to perfection, and the twists and turns of the story had me gasping and praying that all would end as I hoped. The mystery of the body in the pines had me racing through the pages, and reading far later into the night than I should have done!
I am so excited for everyone to read Katie Jennings' new book!
5 Stars!
Up In The Pines is an incredibly well written and clever book. Set in the mountains of Montana, the prose and descriptions makes you feel that you are there in the mountains with the characters. Jennings is able to create a sense of freedom in the place, whilst also a sense of claustrophobia, as the truth behind the body found there is searched for.
I loved Lark, she was a brilliant character that gave me vibes of the great ladies Nora Roberts writes. The sparks between her and Sawyer were pitched to perfection, and the twists and turns of the story had me gasping and praying that all would end as I hoped. The mystery of the body in the pines had me racing through the pages, and reading far later into the night than I should have done!
I am so excited for everyone to read Katie Jennings' new book!
5 Stars!
April 20, 2017
I was fortunate to receive an ARC copy of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and romance of this story against the backdrop of the mountains of Montana. The romance was great and organic, and the twist at the end surprised me. I didn't see that one coming, which was great. Jennings just keeps getting better with every book.
April 20, 2017
This was a great read. Just enough action great touch of romance and enough suspense to keep you reading past your bed time. Each book I read from this author just keeps getting better. If you like who done it books this is a good one to pick up.
July 3, 2017
Obwohl ich schon früh geahnt habe, wer der Mörder ist, war es eine spannende, interessante Geschichte.
February 7, 2022
Enjoyed the mystery. The romance felt forced and weird.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 10 reviews