Hunter's Heart Ridge
- Judith D Collins
- Aug 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 5
A Bethany, Vermont Mystery #2
ISBN: 978-1250370730
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Publication Date: 08/05/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
In this sequel to Taylor’s lyrical series debut, Agony Hill, Detective Frank Warren and his formerly CIA-connected neighbor Alice Bellows return to investigate the death of a diplomat.
It's November of 1965 and the second weekend of Vermont's regular deer season when Vermont State Police detective Franklin Warren is called out to what looks like an accidental shooting at The Ridge Club, an exclusive men's hunting and fishing club for congressmen, diplomats, judges, and titans of industry: a former ambassador has been shot while out hunting. With the war in Vietnam picking up speed on the other side of the world, Warren quickly realizes that many of the club’s members are powerful men who may have ulterior motives and connections in high places.
While Warren's suspicions about the club members build, his neighbor Alice Bellows is throwing a dinner party, preparing for Thanksgiving, and worrying about her pregnant friend and fellow widow, Sylvie Weber, whose due date is coming up. When Alice's old handler and friend, Arthur Crannock, unexpectedly shows up in Bethany, Alice begins to wonder whether his presence has anything to do with the death at the hunting club.
As an early season snowstorm bears down on Bethany, knocking out power and phone lines and blocking the roads, Warren and his assistant, Trooper Pinky Goodrich, are trapped at the Ridge Club, likely along with a killer, and Alice, increasingly fearful that her past in the intelligence world is no longer in the past, will have to act fast to save Sylvie and her baby.
Sarah Stewart Taylor’s historical series combines the intricacy of a satisfying mystery with keen observation of a time and place during great transformation and upheaval.
My Review
Sarah Stewart Taylor is back with a captivating installment in her beloved Franklin Warren and Alice Bellows Mystery series, titled HUNTER'S HEART RIDGE, (#2) in the Bethany, Vermont Mysteries following Agony Hill ( #1) and the prequel, Mud Season: A Bethany, Vermont Story(0.5).
In this novel, Detective Frank Warren and his assistant Trooper Walter Goodrich, and his former CIA-connected neighbor, Alice Bellows, investigate the suspicious death of a diplomat. Their suspicions about the club members build. On top of this, they get snowed in at the club, possibly with a killer.
Set against the rich historical backdrop of rural Vermont in 1965—a time of significant change marked by the Vietnam War and widespread protests—the story delves into dark secrets hidden beneath this snowy, picturesque setting, creating a locked-in suspense.
With a well-developed and engaging cast of characters, readers will find themselves eagerly anticipating the next installment in this intriguing series.
About...
It's November 1965, Vermont, and deer season is underway. Vermont State Police Detective Franklin Warren is out in the woods hunting when he receives a call to return to Bethany. An accident has occurred at The Ridge Club, an exclusive private hunting and fishing club for congressmen, diplomats, and judges. A former ambassador has been shot while hunting then another murder (later).
Amid the turmoil of the Vietnam War, Warren is acutely aware that many members of the club are powerful men with connections and possible ulterior motives. Warren is joined in the investigation by Trooper Walter "Pinky" Goodrich, his assistant.
Alice Farnham Bellows, a widow and amateur detective with her secrets (having led a fascinating life and being connected to the intelligence community through her late husband), is busy preparing for a Thanksgiving dinner. She is also concerned about her pregnant friend and fellow widow, Sylvie Weber, whose due date is approaching.
When Alice's former handler and friend, Arthur Crannock, unexpectedly arrives in Bethany, she begins to suspect that his presence may be linked to the death at the hunting club.
Who wanted Moulton dead?
As a snowstorm sweeps through Bethany, it knocks out power and phone lines while blocking roads. Warren and Trooper Goodrich find themselves trapped at The Ridge Club, potentially alongside a killer. Meanwhile, Alice, increasingly worried that her past in the intelligence world is catching up with her, must act quickly to protect Sylvie and her baby.
My thoughts...
HUNTER'S HEART RIDGE is a compelling small-town murder mystery with a well-developed, fun cast of characters, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in this intriguing series.
As I mentioned in my previous review of Agony Hill, this is an excellent historical crime series, an intriguing mystery with a literary flair—and the author is off to a fine start with this exciting series, with a large cast of colorful characters amidst the vivid 60s rural backdrop.
Both Warren and Alice emerge as fascinating protagonists and an intriguing supporting cast. The slow-burning mystery comes to life with its vivid backdrop, well-developed plot, and engaging characters.
I loved Alice's stunning garden, the food, the neighbors, her stories, and the town. Alice is one sharp, resourceful, interesting cookie! I also enjoyed the mysterious Sylvie, a mother, her poem writing, and her love of books. I can't wait to catch up with all these characters in the next edition.
The series has a noir vibe since it is set in the 1960s without all the modern cop procedurals, cell phones, etc. Vivid storytelling! The author does a great job with the small rural town setting and its politics, gossip, secrets, greed, power, money, and more. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Warren, Alice, and the residents of Bethany.
I particularly enjoy books set in the '60s since I grew up in the era before all the modern conveniences of the world took over.
Recs...
Hunter's Heart Ridge is an essential read for fans of the series and the author, as well as those who enjoy Tess Gerritsen's Martini Club series. Readers who appreciate the works of Matthew Becker, Tim Johnston, Allen Eskens, T. Greenwood (Tammy), Ron Rash, Linda Castillo, Heather Gudenkauf, and Nicole Baart will likely find this book a compelling addition to their libraries.
The Series...
*THE NOVELLA: .05 Prequel Mud Season: A Bethany, Vermont Story Bethany, Vermont—in this suspenseful short story featuring characters from Agony Hill. A must-read short story. If you are curious about Alice. It includes an illustrative map of Bethany, Vermont, and all the places you will find in Agony Hill. Alice is a hoot, with a case she gets involved in, and the introduction of Detective Warren.
Agony Hill: Sarah Stewart Taylor's new fascinating historical mystery series, set in 1960s Vermont, featuring Detective Frank Warren #1, is a unique blend of small-town crime and small-town secrets. In Agony Hill, you learn more about Detective Warren around the 70% mark, so be patient. It's a tragic story and will make you appreciate him even more.
A highly recommended cop procedural/detective mystery series.
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced reading copy for my honest opinion.
@JudithDColins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 5, 2025
A Bethany, Vermont Mystery Series
About the Author
SARAH STEWART TAYLOR is the author of the Sweeney St. George series, set in New England, the Maggie D’arcy mysteries, set in Ireland and on Long Island, and Agony Hill, the first in a new series set in rural Vermont in the 1960s.
Sarah has been nominated for an Agatha Award, the Dashiell Hammett Prize, and the MWA Sue Grafton Memorial Award and her mysteries have appeared on numerous Best of the Year lists. A former journalist and teacher, she writes and lives with her family on a farm in Vermont where they raise sheep and grow blueberries. WEBSITE
