Heartwood by Amity Gaige (April 1, 2025) Many thanks to @Simonandschuster for the #gifted ARC and finished copies of this beautifully atmospheric literary thriller. #simonbookbuddy
Set against the haunting backdrop of the Appalachian Trail in Maine, Heartwood is a quiet yet urgent literary thriller about disappearance, resilience, and unexpected connection. When seasoned hiker Valerie Gillis goes missing, a multi-agency search begins – but so does a deeply human story told through three distinct, interwoven perspectives: Valerie herself; Beverly, the dedicated Game Warden leading the search; and Lena, a curious Connecticut retiree who unexpectedly takes on the role of armchair detective.
Though the women don’t know one another, their lives become subtly entangled as the days tick by. Through lyrical prose and psychological depth, Amity Gaige explores the physical and mental toll of survival, the intricacies of solitude, and the unexpected ways strangers become part of each other’s stories.
Both suspenseful and introspective, Heartwood is a compelling reflection on endurance, connection, and the mysteries that live in both people and nature.
🎧 Audiobook Thoughts 🎧 A multi-narration cast of Justine Lupe Alma Cuervo, Rebecca Lowman, Ali Andre Ali, Cary Hite, and Helen Laser bring the multiple points of view beautifully in the audiobook. At 8h and 45m, it is a good listen!
Book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Audiobook: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Book Smart Kate 