| Title | : | Forsaken Country (Detective Max Rupert, #6) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1549159372 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781549159374 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Audiobook |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published September 20, 2022 |
Three fathers collide far beyond the reach or safety of the law in this breathtaking thriller from the bestselling and beloved author of The Stolen Hours and The Life We Bury.
Max Rupert has left his position as a Minneapolis homicide detective to live in solitude. Mourning the tragic death of his wife, he's also racked by guilt—he alone knows what happened to her killer. But then the former local sheriff, Lyle Voight, arrives with a desperate plea: Lyle’s daughter Sandy and his six-year-old grandson Pip have disappeared. Lyle’s certain Sandy's ex-husband Reed is behind it, but the new sheriff is refusing to investigate.
When Max reluctantly looks into their disappearance, he too becomes convinced something has gone very wrong. But the closer Max and Lyle get to finding proof, the more slippery Reed becomes, until he makes a break for the beautiful but formidable Boundary Waters wilderness with vulnerable Pip in tow.
Racing after the most dangerous kind of criminal—a desperate father—and with the ghosts of their own pasts never far behind, Max and Lyle go on the hunt within a treacherous landscape, determined to bring an evil man to justice, and to bring a terrified child home alive.
Forsaken Country (Detective Max Rupert, #6) Reviews
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Forsaken Country by Allen Eskens
Detective Max Rupert #6
Narrated by Brian Troxell
Max Rupert has been one of my favorite characters of Allen Eskens' multibook series. But I've really liked so many of his characters and another one that we get to see again is Nikki Vang. I'm so glad I've read all the books to this point but even if you haven't, the story fills in gaps so that you know what you need to know about the past and why Max is where he is in his life, now.
The story starts with Max in his third year of self imposed exile, long haired, long bearded, rarely ever seeing or speaking to another person. He has continuous nightmares, seeing the dead, feeling anguish over and over, and now he's been dreaming about a little boy. When he is in town, he speaks to a man he knows, the man's daughter, and the man's grandson and promptly decides he's not doing enough penance for his past ways. He's going to cut himself off from everything but that plan fails badly and he realizes he's just not good enough to turn full cave man.
Then he gets dragged into something he can't turn down. The man's daughter and grandson are missing and foul play is suspected. Having been a very successful detective in the past, Max has to help find these two and he needs a favor or three from Nikki. Seeing his ex work partner and friend slams hard the fact of all he's lost in his life, on top of losing his late wife. What follows is a roller coaster of Max struggling with his past, with what he wants to do, and what he thinks he will do in the future. The action is breathtaking, the risks are deadly, there is so much to be lost, not by Max, since he feels he's got nothing left to lose, but by people who do not deserve to have everything taken from them. The story is so good, it was so hard to put it down to sleep at night.
At the same time I received the print copy of this book, I also received the audiobook copy from the library so I was able to listen to the book while having the print copy at hand. The audiobook narration is fantastic so I can tell you can't go wrong by either reading the book or listening to the audiobook. I can't wait until we get more from Eskens.
Pub September 20, 2022
Thank you to Mulholland Books/Little, Brown and Company for the print version of this book. -
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY***
I have read or listened to each of Mr. Eskens books and I always marvel at how each is so unique!!
What a pleasure to be back in the hands of a master storyteller whose characters literally jump off the page!!
Detective Max Rupert had resigned his position with the Minneapolis police department to live in solitude in the outskirts of a small rural town. He is still mourning the loss of his wife Jenni and feels that he is in need of “punishment” of some kind for the way that he failed to keep Jenni safe. There are other secrets that he is still keeping that erode his conscience.
Max hasn’t found that the peace and solitude of his cabin in the woods has brought him any feeling of redemption. He is considering becoming more of a “hermit” with even less contact with the outside world.
While contemplating this, he is approached by the former sheriff of this town, Lyle Voight. He is a neighbor and a friend. He hasn’t seen or heard from his daughter, Sandy, or six year old grandson, Pip, in days and is convinced that harm has come to them.
The new sheriff has turned a blind eye to Lyle’s pleas and he now comes to Max for help. He believes that Sandy’s ex-husband, Reed, is behind the disappearance.
At first hesitant, Max soon finds himself investigating the disappearance and calling in favors from his ex-partner, Nikki Vang.
This book is much more of an adventure mystery than his previous books and I loved the change.!!
You won’t find courtroom drama in this book, but you will find a breathless cat and mouse chase through the Boundary Waters of Minnesota!!
I enjoyed every minute that I spent with this book and the pages flew by. As always, the characters are fully developed and the descriptions of the beautiful, if sometimes brutal, wilderness are breathtaking.
This novel can work as a stand alone but I would suggest reading “The Deep Dark Descending” which features Max Rupert and explains his decision to live in solitude.
I am incredibly grateful for the ARC of this novel obtained from the author and the publisher – Mulholland books through Edelweiss.
The novel is set to publish in September, with lots of time to read some of the author's previous works. -
Max Rupert was a highly respected detective in Minnesota. Then he gave it all up to live as a recluse, off the grid. His personal choice as a form of both therapy and repentance.
There is only one man who knows where Max calls home. Lyle, the former local Sheriff. Right now he’s in desperate need of Max’s help. His daughter and grandson are missing and Lyle is convinced they’ve been kidnapped. He’s frustrated because the current sheriff disagrees and doesn’t feel their disappearance was a crime.
Can Max be coaxed out of isolation? If so, can he put aside his own demons and help Lyle track down his family before it’s too late?
Max Rupert has been a shining, recurring character in Allen Eskens' books. So even if you haven’t read his previous, (and you really should – they’re outstanding) there’s enough backstory so you won’t feel lost.
I adore Max’s character. He’s driven by emotion, love and loyalty and his character carries the air of authenticity. And the profound pain over his past remains deep and raw.
Once again, Allen Eskens delivers a gripping and suspenseful read that you’ll devour in no time! Can’t wait to see what’s in Max’s future!
A buddy read with Susanne that we both loved!
Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books -
Happy Publication Day!
To all you Max Rupert Fans - Enjoy!
Max Rupert is a man who hasn't been able to escape his past. How could he? He endured years of pain and suffering, due to the actions of others, and then, he got his revenge.
In the years since Max has been in a self-imposed exile.
Now, however, the former Minneapolis detective is asked to help his old friend Lyle, whose daughter and grandson, Pip, are missing. Though hesitant at first, Max agrees. Without a badge, however, finding clues proves to be difficult. Good thing Max still has friends in high places. Soon, Max & Lyle are desperately searching Minnesota's Boundary Waters, their lives in danger.
A novel with mystery, heart, and danger, Forsaken Country has it all. My heart was beating in my throat for much of this read, though frankly, the best part of this book was, of course, Max Rupert. What can I say except that I love him and that I felt his pain greatly? Ever since I read The Deep Dark Descending, I've been waiting for Allen Eskens to return to Max's story. Many tears have been shed over Max Rupert over the years, a few of which fell while reading this book. I admit that I went into this novel hoping for something, for Max to end up in a specific place. While I can't divulge whether that happened, what I will say is that this book was well worth the wait.
A buddy read with Kaceey that we both absolutely loved.
A huge thank you goes out to Allen Eskens for writing a continuation to Max Rupert's story. My cup runneth over.
Thank you also to Mullholland Books and NetGalley for the arc. -
There are times when you may not act as you normally would, perhaps do something you would never consider doing when things are going smoothly. There could be any number of reasons, extenuating circumstances, extreme frustration, or something in you is set off by a grievous loss. Not much later, you may end up questioning yourself when coming to terms with your actions. Did the ends justify the means? Can you forgive yourself?
Allen Eskens fans will eat this up with a spoon, as I did. No slow burn with this one, he starts you off at a rolling boil and never slows down. Loved every minute of it. -
Allen Eskens knows how to write crime fiction. He mixes the perfect blend of plot, action and character development.
This is the sixth in the Max Rupert series, but can easily be read as a stand-alone. At the start, Max is hiding away from civilization, having given up his job as a homicide detective. He’s tormented by guilt over his previous actions. But a plea for help from a friend, concerned over his daughter’s sudden disappearance, along with her young son, Pip, brings Max out of seclusion. The sheriff refuses to believe foul play is involved, but Max and Lyle find clues that indicate she didn’t leave voluntarily. Nikki Vang, Max’s ex-partner, also is brought into the search and the tension between those two is palpable.
Eskens makes sure to develop all the characters, the good and the bad. I was especially impressed by his depiction of Spud, one of the bad guys who develops a special fondness for Pip. At times, his concern was so touching I’d be thinking I wanted a good end for him and I’d have to remind myself of the despicable things he’d done. Flip side, Lyle was so consumed by his anger he wasn’t always a safe “partner” for Max. In fact, what Eskens excels at is showing every shade of gray in a person’s personality, especially Max.
I was truly engaged by this story. From the hunt for evidence to bring to the sheriff to the rescue attempt at the end, there is a constant level of suspense and tension. Esken firmly establishes a great sense of place, especially the hunt in the Boundary Waters. The only question I had was how no one came down with frostbite.
I listened to this and it was a great audio experience. Brian Troxell was a great narrator, clearly differentiating the voices and imparting the emotions of the story. -
Oh my friggin’ gosh y’all….. I LOVE this man SO much! Allen Eskens has not only pulled on my heartstrings, but has given me the ability to feel EVERY SINGLE emotion a person could possibly have! Through all the suspense…. My heart feels full! I literally ordered all the other physical copies of his books this morning to add to my collection.
The story…. And boy oh boy was this hard to put down. ❤️
Max Rupert has retreated far into the woods in a cabin to escape the world. He feels he has to pay a penance for his sins in solitude. What happened? I can’t tell you as it would spoil the other book. However, you do know he’s mourning the death of his wife, Jenni.
In town one day, Max runs into Lyle Voight, a man who used to be the Sheriff. He introduces his daughter, Sandy and grandson, Pip to him and then they are on their way. Days later, Lyle shows up to Max’s cabin with news that Sandy and Pip are missing. Lyle begs Max to help him find them, even though Max is no longer a detective. Reluctantly, Max agrees. While on the hunt into their disappearance, Max is convinced something way more sinister is going on. In a race for time, can they find Sandy and Pip? Could they still be alive?
The story shows you that the world is not always black and white, that it is gray at times too. Sometimes the choices we make leave a permanent mark in our lives. Tough decisions can feel so wrong, but we know that they are right. It’s whether you can live with those choices.
I felt this book IN MY SOUL! My whole being! Max is a character that you are literally gripped to. My empathy for this man runs so deep. Eskens weaves elaborate character building to where you fully connect to his characters, and not only Max but all of them. He is a masterful storyteller! I just want to share with the world the immense talent Allen Eskens has. Please do yourself a favor and read one of his books. You will definitely NOT REGRET IT!
10 POWERFUL ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ but I’ll settle for 5 -
INTERVIEW: Check out my fun #AuthorElevatorSeries
#AuthorElevatorSeries Interview with Allen as we go behind the scenes of the book and the author!
CRIME FICTION AT ITS FINEST!
Bestselling author Allen Eskens returns following
The Stolen Hours with his highly anticipated Max Rupert follow-up, FORSAKEN COUNTRY —Richly drawn, a powerful story of one man's ghosts of the past as he comes out of hiding seeking justice for a young boy. A road of darkness, love, and redemption.
We first met Max, the former homicide detective in
The Guise of Another,
The Heavens May Fall,
The Deep Dark Descending, and the most recent,
Forsaken Country.
Following,
The Deep Dark Descending, we find Max living like a recluse in the woods in a rustic A-frame cabin in the mountains of Minnesota. With his hair grown out, and little interaction with the outside world except to go into Grand Rapids for supplies.
It has been three and half years since that hole in the ice on the frozen lake with Mikhail.
Max has many ghosts floating around —his wife Jenni, his brother, and his unborn child.
Now 45- years old, he had shut himself away from the world to face his reckoning, willing to accept forgiveness or retribution in equal measure but had found neither. He came here to accept his punishment.
He had run into Lyle Voight earlier when he was buying supplies, a man he met five years earlier when he was sheriff of Itasca County, back when Max's brother Alexander passed away at the cabin. In the parking lot, he met the daughter and grandson Pip.
Later, he receives a call from Lyle, frantic and needs his help. Lyle says that his daughter Sandy and his six-year-old-grandson, Pip, had been kidnapped and are missing. He suspects Reed, the ex-husband and father, which is a former criminal.
The current Sheriff is unreliable and has a connection and past with Reed, therefore not taking it seriously. He needs Max's help.
At first, Max is hesitant but agrees to help. Lyle and Max get together and plan to try and stay one step ahead of Reed. Reed Harris also has a partner in crime, Spud. Max finds himself alive for the first time in years on the hunt and also has to hold back Lyle who is ready to kill Reed as he suspects his daughter is already dead. Lyle reminds Max a little of himself.
However, without a badge from Max or Lyle, it is challenging to get into doors and get the critical info they need to track down Pip before it is too late.
Max turns to Niki Vang, his former partner in Homicide. They have a complex history, as he mailed in his badge and left the department. Giving up his badge was the price he would pay for exacting his revenge.
Niki had tried to contact him, of course, but he ignored her efforts. She was better off without him. Now he has to beg her for help. She is not happy about this but, of course, offers her help.
In a race against time, Max and Lyle are desperate to track down Reed, Spud, and Pip before they go on the run. Once they enter the Boundary Waters wilderness, it is much more challenging to figure out which path they will take as they enter Canada.
Two men are on a mission to find a missing boy and two evil men who will stop at nothing to escape.
Heart-pounding and high adrenaline action to the satisfying conclusion.
Heartfelt, a multi-layered intense and suspenseful exploration of fatherhood, a desperate search for a missing child, and one man's redemption.
I loved this book! Beautiful metaphors and contrasts with characters as relates to the wilderness, its beauty, and dangers. A blend of crime fiction, psychological suspense, thriller, and literary fiction.
One of my favorite authors, Classic Eskens, FORSAKEN COUNTRY is full of heart, superb characters, an intricate plot, and riveting suspense.
Having the fortunate opportunity of reading all of Allen's books, FORSAKEN COUNTRY is one of my favorites.
Character-driven, the author delves deep into fatherhood with Max, who missed the chance with the loss of his child, Lyle (father and grandfather), Reed, an abusive father, and Spud as he remembers his relationship with his father fondly. I enjoyed how Spud (a murderer) shows his softer caring side with the care of Pip, taking him under his wing.
Eskens showcases his fine storytelling qualities as we see a man struggling with moral ethics where often there are gray areas and not as simple as black and white.
I also LOVED catching up with Niki, and let me say the ending was perfect! Please, I hope we see more of Max and Niki!
Highly recommend! Eskens is at the top of his game. One of his best! For fans of authors John Hart, David Baldacci, and William Kent Krueger. Prime for the big or small screen.
A special thank you to #MulhollandBooks and #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐++
Pub Date: Sept 20, 2022
Top Books of 2022
Sep 2022 Must-Read Books -
Rating: 4.60
This being the latest installment of Max Rupert stories, Eskens shows the power of humanity holds amidst the dark hours. In
The Deep Dark Descending we found Rupert struggling with knowing his wife was murdered and how his 'demons' finally got to him.
Here we are several years later in cabin deep in the woods outside Grand Rapids where Max is playing hermit and looks like one, complete with long hair and beard. After resigning the force by shipping his badge and gun to Vikki, he battles his inner demons due to the 'method' used to revenge his wife's murder.
Out of the blue, Lyle Voight, the former sheriff and Max's friend shows up at his door having lost contact with his daughter Sandy and grandson Pip. As the story plays out we learn Sandy's ex-husband Reed Harris, a former cop kicked off the force for foul play and released from prison took drastic measures to get his son back by kidnapping both of them with the help of a Spud, convict he'd met in prison who was indebted to him. Moments after the kidnapping, Spud murders Sandy and the two hole up in a tiny cabin to execute Reed's plan.
Being a modern day Sherlock Holmes with cop's intuition, Max comes to grips with the fact he needs help that can only come from the police, which presents a monumental problem; Sheriff Bogle is protective of Reed having been his commander when Reed was on the force. Having left his former partner, Nikki Vang, without explanation, he's left with no other choice to reach out to her.
In spite of being a hermit for years, Max hasn't lost his touch and manages to uncover valuable clues. With Nikki and Lyle at his side, the trail to Reed's plan becomes vivid leading to a momentum building chase to capture Lyle's grandson and seek revenge.
As I've mentioned in the past, Allen Eskens is a master of character driven mystery with expertise in pacing, plot twists and immersive storytelling and this book is another example. Unlike other mystery authors he highlights humanity, compassion and understanding with the characters which deepens reader engagement.
I'd have rated this 5 stars were it not for a somewhat predictable ending, though its a terrific story nonetheless. -
Review to come.
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3.5
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In this story we get more of Max Rupert, who we met as a Minneapolis homicide detective. We first met him in “The Life We Bury.” My review is here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
How many books by Allen Eskens have I read in just a few days? I have had my nose in a book, immersed in words that provide brilliant characters, engaging settings, purposeful dialogue and stimulating plots.
In this story we get…
Max Rupert as a man on a mission. A mission to maintain a life devoid of pleasure or happiness, as he seeks repentance. He is living as a hermit. Still mourning the death of his wife.
He ended his career as a respected homicide detective, but…
The world isn’t quite finished with him.
He has been asked to look into the disappearance of a former local sheriff’s missing daughter, Sandy and his six-year-old grandson, Pip.
This is a magnificent adventure thriller, a crime novel that is all about attention to detail – something that Mr. Eskens is well-known for in all his books.
Readers have the opportunity to ponder human behavior, the good and the bad and the in-between of it. There is a lot of self-reflection, too.
Can taking a life ever be justified?
This is something that Allen Eskens throws at readers to contemplate.
But…
We appreciate it…
Because…
This is…
Crime fiction at it’s best.
And as readers this is what makes us come back again and again, wanting more from him. -
Max Rupert resigned as a detective three and one-half years ago to retreat to a cabin in Minnesota to do penance that he has mandated on himself. He is not interested in helping the ex-sheriff Lyle Voight to find his daughter Sandy and grandson Pip. Lyle is convinced the culprit is his daughter's ex-husband. Eventually, Max realizes he has to help and the hunt is on.
It's been 5 years since I read only one other book in this series so I don't have a deep connection to Max, although he's the type of character I enjoy reading about. The author did a good job of bringing me up to speed with Max's background. The last third of the book was really good and full of action. I liked the part with the outdoor scenes best. -
First Sentence: Max Rupert laced his fingers behind his head and settled into his pillow to await the ghosts.
Max Rupert was a top-notch cop until three years ago after his wife’s death. As self-imposed punishment for a critical decision he made, Max lives as a virtual hermit until Lyle Voight, a former sheriff, and friend, begs Max’s help. Lyle’s daughter Sandy, and her son Pip have disappeared. Lyle believes Sandy’s ex-husband, Reed Harris, is involved, but the new sheriff, Sheriff Bolger, refuses to investigate. Max, with some help from his former partner in Homicide, Niki Vang, agrees with Lyle, culminating in a race to stop Reed before he escapes through the Boundary Waters into Canada.
Be cautioned: An early scene is grim, yet not as descriptive as it could be. It reaches in and grabs at one’s heart and, for some readers perhaps, their greatest fear. Eskens pulls us into Max’s reluctance at being drawn in, yet he still has an ever-present instinct to help. The characters, good and bad, are vivid and well-developed. One appreciates Max’s discomfort at asking Niki for help and is relieved that their mutual attraction is mentioned early in the story. Their dialogue, something at which Eskens excels, provides humor and relief to a desperate situation.
Eskens ability to convey the emotions of each character is remarkable, particularly as the story progresses. The sense of desperation and fear is palpable. He establishes a clear sense of place, particularly when he takes the story into the Boundary Waters. One feels the cold and senses the danger from both man and nature on the flight to Canada.
In this follow-up to “Deep Dark Descending,” witnessing Max’s internal battle is painful and his attempt at penance is something at which he fails. The plot is compelling and causes one to ask hard questions. Has not everyone done something, big or small, for which they are guilty? Can one truly escape even if no one, or only one person, knows? Despite his sin, and his crime, Max's humanity is still there. Is that enough? How does one weigh one person’s crime against another’s? Can one person achieve grace while another does not? It is fascinating for an author to stretch to such a level while writing a fast-action, gritty crime novel. Even more so, when the questions are left unanswered.
FORSAKEN COUNTRY is a first-rate book of personal introspection offset by drama and suspense. It is a study in shades of grey. Are there any circumstances in which murder is justified? Can one, should one, be forgiven for such an act? It makes one question whether anyone is all good or all evil. What is the price of redemption? Not even Eskens provides an answer, but he does leave one wondering where Max goes from here.
FORSAKEN COUNTRY
Susp-Max Rupert-Minnesota-Contemp
by Allen Eskens
2nd Max Rupert – 352 pp.
Mulholland Books, Sept 2022
Rating: VG+/A -
I DNF this book. These days there are too many stories in the news about horrible things happening to children. I read books to escape that - not to read about it in fictional books, also. If that bothers you, too, you might want to pass on Forsaken Country. I'm not saying it was totally graphic, which it wasn't, but I found what I read to be terribly depressing.
There are so many glowing reviews. Just take mine with a grain of salt, I guess! -
Twisty, intricate, and unsettling!
Forsaken Country is an addictive, sinister tale that takes you to Grand Rapids, Minnesota, where Max Rupert has been living a reclusive existence since he exacted revenge on his late wife’s killer and handed in his badge for good, but when the daughter and young grandson of one of the only men to know his name in this sleepy town, former sheriff Lyle Voight needs his help he uses his intuition and skills to help hunt down some ruthless predators while also finding a little bit of lightness within himself.
The prose is crisp and intense. The characters are tormented, vulnerable, and scarred. And the plot is a suspenseful, engrossing tale full of twists, turns, lies, deception, familial drama, obsession, depravity, violence, and murder.
I’ve been a huge fan of Allen Eskens since I read The Life We Bury almost ten years ago, and whether it’s one of his standalone novels or another saga in the Detective Max Rupert series, such as this latest release Forsaken Country, I am always riveted, entertained, satisfied and incredibly impressed by his brilliantly-executed plots and exceptional character depth.
Thank you to HBG Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. -
This couldn’t be anything other than 5 stars!
Max’s friend has a missing daughter and grandson. Max comes out of his self imposed retirement to find them.
I just read 6 books from Eskens… right in a row. I will forever read everything Allen Eskens writes the second it is published. -
3.5 stars
I've read all the books in the two series and for some reason feel that the Joe Talbert books are more memorable to me than the Max Rupert ones. Although I've enjoyed every one of them, I'd forgotten Book 4 almost entirely. Eskins filled in much of the background, fortunately.
It was one dangerous situation after another, one big adventure. The ending did not go at all how I thought it would - it was much more violent, not to mention incredible. But on the other hand I found myself glued to it and enjoying the ride immensely. -
Living a remote, punishing existence—he even asks to have the power to his cabin switched off in the Minnesota winter—former homicide detective Max Rupert has run away from his job more than retired from it. All readers know for most of the book is that he shoved a man through a hole in a frozen lake and is living with the aftermath of that choice. But why he did it, and whether he can allow himself to rejoin society, is a mystery. On a visit to town he runs into Lyle Voight, the former sheriff who’s been voted out of the job in favor of a corrupt newbie, and the man’s daughter, Sandy, and grandson, Pip. Seeing a family gives Max an unfamiliar and slightly disturbing feeling—happiness—and he’s helplessly drawn to jump in when, shortly after, Sandy and Pip vanish suddenly from their home. Puzzlingly, all signs point toward a planned absence.
Next, we meet the sinister—and I mean sinister—duo behind the disappearance, and soon the chase is on, helped by Max’s former partner, Niki Vang. This thriller does a remarkable job of contrasting evil and love throughout, in the characters’ actions and dialog as well as in Max’s inner struggle between the positive force that keeps him going and the weight of self-loathing that holds him back. The three-dimensional portrayal of Niki, a wise-cracking and kind Vietnamese American detective and love interest, is a bonus. This is one to get lost in.—Henrietta Verma
For more reviews of forthcoming Crime Fiction, subscribe to our weekly newsletter, First Clue:
https://www.getrevue.co/profile/First... -
3.75 rounded up to 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was my 6th book by this author (and the 5th within 2 weeks).
It was a fast and enthralling read, but the storytelling was very repetitive. Also there were too many flashbacks to the previous book, which I read just before this one, so I found even more repetitive because everything was too fresh in my head.
Regardless, this was a very entertaining and very atmospheric story, although I did think that the writing didn’t have the same quality as the other books. -
A character-driven thriller perfect for fans of William Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Connor series. Propulsive, suspenseful and engaging, FORSAKEN COUNTRY is the kind of book you gulp down in one sitting!
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(Full review posted 9/29/22)
A master of his craft, Allen Eskens never fails to deliver a pure adrenaline rush! Forsaken Country is another topnotch plotted thriller with terrifying twists and turns that send readers into a blood-curdling deep-dive.
Max Rupert has previously appeared in The Guise of Another, The Heavens May Fall and The Deep Dark Descending. His latest release can easily be read as a standalone, although I would highly recommend reading The Deep Dark Descending that leads up to Max’s current situation.
Picking up three years after the untimely death of his wife, Max Rupert has left his job as a homicide detective with the Minneapolis Police Department and is now living a life of solitude in a small cabin tucked away in the woods. He’s unrecognizable with a bushy beard and shoulder-length hair. He’s cut ties with his former friends and colleagues – and friend and partner Niki Vang. Most importantly, he's living his self-imposed punishment.
When an elderly grandfather seeks his help in locating his daughter and grandson after what looks to be a kidnapping by his daughter’s ex-husband. Max is hesitant and must face his demons and a moral dilemma that continually plagues his personal life.
This book ripped me to shreds, but at the same time, I was completely spellbound and consumed by every stunning word as the author delves into the human conditions of heartbreak, loss and guilt while moving forward.
The case was solved with poetic justice being served but not without tragedy. Max got a haircut and shaved off that scraggly beard, so this can’t be the end of his storyline. As good as Forsaken Country is, there must be more, right? Dangling ends are not a friend of this reader – so, please give us more of Max and Niki. I hope I didn’t imagine that hint of romance developing between those two.
An incredible read that held me in its ice-cold clutches from start to finish – a story that lingers longer in the memory once the final page is turned. -
Former detective Max Rupert is once again spotlighted in Eskens’ latest. Max is experiencing deep emotional turmoil from past events and he has decided to become a hermit in the isolated woods of northern Minnesota. He is abruptly and with great reluctance called upon to reignite his detective skills in order to help a friend find his missing daughter and grandson.
This is different from Eskens’ others in that it has more action/adventure elements than mystery elements. The character development is outstanding as Eskens deftly builds upon the previous books in the series and highlights and expands the feelings and actions of the characters. I also loved the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota setting. I personally went on a week camping trip there many years ago and it is the perfect atmosphere for the drama and action of the plot. Eskens descriptions near the end of the book were so incredible and wrought with tension that I really felt like I was there. Those who enjoy this series will be excited to see a new side of Eskens’ writing.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Mulholland Books and Allen Eskens for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. -
Life is a little hard in this one for Max. We start out and he's living his life in the middle of a pity party, one he's seems to relish being the center of, even going to so far as to make things worse for himself. Then a friend needs help and he thinks of the boy and that brings him back to life. All of sudden Max has something to work towards, finding the missing people, but especially the boy.
This mission brings Max back into the circle of people he knows from his former life and having to talk about how things were left and where they might go. All of that good things. I just hope that he doesn't screw things up.
The how of finding the boy got a bit crazy, traveling back and forth between up North and The Cities, then heading out into the Boundary Waters and very unfamiliar land. Max had to make some choices along the way, hard choices, choices that were bad or worse, but it was the one choice that showed he wasn't beyond coming out of his pity party. That choice, along with the connection to an old friend will make the next book really interesting to read. -
What did I think of Forsaken Country? Meh.
Allen Eskens gave a terrific talk at a recent conference in Eau Claire and I am a fan of his writing and books. He revealed that Forsaken Country--his newest release--was his very first effort at writing a novel and it was roundly rejected. It is easy to see why. I won't give away any of the story other than to say it is entirely predictable and lacks any tension for a purported thriller. If you want to read a much, much better book by Allen Eskens, try The Life We Bury; you won't be disappointed. -
This comes out on my birthday! Don’t mind if I do…
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A solid Eskins procedural with strong characters, an intriguing plot, and vivid north-woods scenes. Max Rupert has been in self-imposed exile in northern Minnesota since the trauma of the last novel. Now a local friend comes to him with a request for help: a young woman and her child are missing. Max grudgingly pokes into the case and discovers more and more signs the disappearance wasn't voluntary. Exciting and gripping, I could have been happy with a little less angst from Max (oooh, I'm a terrible person who shouldn't be in society) and better characterization of the bad guy's sidekick: he murders a woman and then we find out he's a pretty decent guy. Impossible to resolve.
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What a great book. I loved it. Max is a great character and this story takes place after the events last time left him feeling like he couldn't be a detective any more. But he proves he is still the same man and absolutely kills it it this book. Allen eskens is an amazing author and I cherish everything he writes. Easy five star without question.
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Before I can start the review on Forsaken Country by Allen Eskens, I have to reiterate some givens about this author’s writing and his books. I am absolutely in a state of thrall when I read a book from Eskens. His writing is a seamless flow of brilliant characters, engaging setting, purposeful dialogue, and distinctive voice blending together to form stories I can’t forget, nor do I want to forget. The difficulty in reviewing a book by Allen Eskens is I immediately want to talk about all the books by him that I’ve read. There’s a reason his other books come rushing back at me when talking about his latest. This exceptional author has cleverly connected his books through a myriad of fascinating characters who might appear as a main character in one book, or that character may only be referenced in passing in another book. Eskens states that “My books are not a series, but rather character arcs that revolve around a small community.” It is the history of connection that persists, as the different characters take center stage in different stories, that makes his books so uniquely extraordinary. So it is with Forsaken Country, featuring Max Rupert, who is making his fourth appearance as lead character.
Max Rupert is a man on a mission, a mission to maintain a life devoid of pleasure or happiness, as he seeks repentance. He is in his third year of self-imposed exile after an event in which he believes he forfeited his soul and damned himself. He lives somewhat as a hermit in a cabin in the woods outside of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, his hair grown out and a beard down to his chest. He ended his career as a highly respected homicide detective with the Minneapolis police, retiring from it and the world. Well, Max might be finished with the world, but the world isn’t finished with Max.
Max hasn’t given up all contact with civilization to live in the woods. He still shops for groceries in town, and it’s on a trip for groceries he runs into the former sheriff of Grand Rapids, Lyle Voight. Voight is there with his daughter Sandy and grandson Pip, and Max’s interaction with Pip brings up memories of the child Max lost when his wife died. Shortly after this meeting, Lyle shows up at Max’s cabin asking for help in finding Sandy and Pip, who have disappeared. Max is reluctant to get involved, feeling he can’t allow himself to be a part of things anymore. But, Lyle’s parting words of “he’s just a little boy,” linger hard in Max’s mind and heart, so he joins Lyle in a search driven by desperation to find daughter and grandson before all traces are lost. Current Sheriff Bolger is convinced that Sandy has just taken Pip and run away, but Sheriff Bolger is also friends with Sandy’s ex-husband Reed Harris, the person Lyle thinks is behind the disappearance.
Max soon discovers how hard an investigation is without access to certain police tools, such as pinging a cell phone, things he once had at his fingertips. He is hesitant to reach out to his former partner Niki Vang, especially after the way he left her and the department, but when he can’t go forward without the resources to which she has access, he pushes down his shame to contact her. Niki, who is rightly furious at Max for multiple reasons, surprises him and is willing to help. It’s not the last time he will need her help in this search. And, Niki, a character whom Eskens has given a pragmatic personality, with a great depth of empathetic understanding, will help Max face his demons and feelings, along with aiding, on the sidelines, his pursuit of a madman.
It becomes apparent that Lyle’s instincts are right concerning Reed, the ex-husband. Readers learn early on what a monster Reed Harris is, which increases the suspense level exponentially due to a constant threat of his volatile temperament causing things to go sideways. The hunt finally takes Max and Lyle to the Boundary Waters wilderness, where Minnesota runs into Canada. Reed has fled there to cross illegally into Canada with his kidnapped cargo. Here is where the setting becomes its own character, albeit a cold-hearted one in the depths of November. Allen Eskens shows an unerring brilliance at pulling the reader into this outdoor, wilderness setting. His words make you feel the chill, the isolation, the danger. Death is just one wrong step away, especially in the cold. To battle evil in this setting is to do double battle against man and nature.
Forbidden Country picks up three years after Long Dark Descending, the book featuring Max and his deed that sends him into isolation. In this fourth Max Rupert book, there are some answers and resolutions, but Eskens still leaves Max and readers struggling with the moral dilemma of justice, what it is, who has the right to decide, how it is best served, and when does justice become revenge. All of Allen Eskens’ books cause the reader to ponder human behavior, the good and bad of it, and the inbetween. In looking at the characters’ behaviors, the reader experiences self-reflection, too. Can taking a life ever be justified? This is Allen Eskens. This is crime writing at its best.
Forsaken Country is a magnificent adventure thriller, a crime novel that celebrates attention to detail. The question of reading Eskens’ books with these recurring characters in publication order is tricky, as sometimes a later book is telling an earlier story. You might want to read the four books featuring Max Rupert together, or the four with Lila Nash together. There are eight books so far that orbit around the Joe Talbert, Boady Sanden, Lila Nash, and Max Rupert universe. With Allen Eskens’ books, I think you can appreciate them in any order, but I guarantee if you read one, you’ll want to read them all. Thoughts are beginning to turn towards Christmas gifts this time of year, and I can’t think of a better gift than giving a mystery/crime reading friend a set of all eight of these books and letting them decide the order in which to read them.
