A very good debut crime novel which should appeal to lovers of crime mysteries and psychological thrillers. Following a suspected suicide on a small remote island of the coast of northern Scotland two police officers are sent from the mainland to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death. George (Georgina) is a recently promoted DI is partnered with Richie an experienced DI. George is still recovering from being injured in the line of duty but is keen to show that she is still capable .
The two officers find resentment from some of the islanders who are not used to a police presence on the island. Whereas others seem keen to cooperate. The population are steeped in tradition and superstition and the atmosphere is very unsettling and this gradually grows as the investigations are taking place.The story builds nicely to a final dramatic conclusion. An excellent story which could be a standalone or the the start of a series and could easily be adapted for television.

DI Georgina ‘George’ Lennox and DI Richard ‘Richie’ Stewart are sent from Glasgow to the wild island of Eileen Eadar off the Western Hebrides. A young man has apparently committed suicide by jumping from the lighthouse, a place where three lighthouse keepers vanished in 1919. Although both are Detective Inspectors Richard is some 30 years older than 28 year old George , who is on her first job back after being badly injured in an arrest which went seriously wrong (there isn’t a previous book. I checked. It’s a debut).

Briefly, arriving in a storm is not the best introduction to this small community of 200 and for some reason they are made to feel unwelcome from the start. They have just 5 days before the boat collects them so, despite the dreadful weather, they need to start work. With a small community where everyone knows everyone else’s business and with myths and beliefs going back hundreds of years the pair, particularly George, find themselves trying to separate lies from the truths. Whilst Richie doesn’t seem to see anything suspicious, George isn’t so sure if the death was deliberate, accidental or suicide.

It’s a bit of a slow starter but once it gets going it moves at a good pace with an excellent, well plotted story. The descriptions of the island and the distrustful islanders are very good and the tension was palpable at times. I enjoyed the relationship between the two police officers and hope this is the start of a new series? A tantalising and atmospheric tale involving strong local beliefs and superstitions and i thought it an excellent debut police thriller. 4.5⭐️

If you like tales of mystery and small town folklore you should enjoy this book. A tale of 2 detectives from the mainland needs to go to a remote island in Scotland, to investigate a young man’s death and decide if it actually was suicide or something more.
They come upon a few villages who are hospitable and even more who are rude and don’t want them on the island. They thrown into a world of cultural community and folklore
It starts out a bit slowly and repetitive but does start speed up and really keeps you turning the page.
The main character is a bit dry, hard around the edges but the other characters have a bit more to them.
If you like folklore stories try this one.

DI Georgina Lennox and DI Richard Stewart are sent to investigate a tragic death on a remote island off the coast of Scotland. An apparent suicide, eighteenth year old Alan Ferguson’s body was found at the foot of the Island's lighthouse.

As per standard police procedure, despite it appearing to be a suicide, DI’s Lennox and Richard Stewart are none the less sent to investigate. They find their investigation severely hampered by a raging storm, and by locals who don't want to talk to mainlanders. As they start their questioning they begin to uncover superstition buried deep in local lore, suspicion and people hiding many secrets. Secrets that the villagers don't want uncovered. The question is, how far will they go to keep their secrets buried.

As George and Ritchie try to figure out what exactly is happening on this apparent accidental death, the case gets more complex. DI Lennox begins to suspect there may be more to hand. With veiled threats, mysterious visitors to their cottage, a noise she keeps hearing in the woods, and more. Can DI Lennox prove her worth on this case that all her superiors think is an open and shut? Can she trust her instincts, despite her own personal struggles she is fighting through, or will it cloud her judgement?

This book sets up a very traditional island, with a small population of approximately 200, who are very set in their ways, and don't like outsiders. When police are sent as a matter of standard procedure, things don't quite go to plan. The relationship between the two DI’s Lennox and Stewart is well written, with a mentor/student bond unfolding. It is revealed that Lennox is recovering from a severe trauma, which makes Stewart (and her superiors) protective of her. At first I thought I had missed a previous book by this author, and had to check, as I felt as if I was missing back story, so much was being alluded to. However this is a debut novel.

It is well written, with the isolation of the remote island conveyed well, and the quirky, yet something not quite right here nature, of the islanders carried across in an engaging manner. Tension was built up well, with a good use of the storm stranding the DI’s. I liked the use of superstition which was woven into the tale, making you question at times, if this was a crime novel or a supernatural tale. It keeps you on your toes, and when you think you have the story figured out, throws another twist at you.

Overall, a very enjoyable read, very atmospheric, engaging, and after just a few slow paced dips, will have you engrossed to the end!

*I received this book for review from NetGalley, but all opinions are my own.

What is it about islands that are so alluring for authors? I guess we should consider Darwin's fascination for the unique species he found on the Galapagos Islands. So are there any unique species on this small, remote, Scottish island that is the location for this detective thriller? A young islander commits suicide and because of his age the Scottish Police have to carry out an inquiry, sending two DI's over by boat to investigate.
Think The Wicker Man on steroids because it isn't a subset of species on the island, it's a mixture of old beliefs and superstitions which rigidly rule the 200 plus souls on this piece of rock. The DI's are up against an inpenetrable, sometimes hostile, sometimes friendly populace with them being the outsiders, the mainlanders, and a threat to the islander's closely knit community. Having recently read Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney, another Scottish island mystery thriller, I was wondering how many spins one could put on this genre. The Wolf Tree did not disappoint. It was well written, grabbed you from the start and had a brooding sense of menace that kept on building. I loved it!

A spine tingling mystery - on a remote island off the West Coast of Scotland, the apparent suicide of a young man prompts a visit from the mainland by two Detective Inspectors. Georgina (George) is almost recovered from her last case where she was violently assaulted and hospitalsed; Richie, her senior in age but of equal rank is her partner and friend. Together they attempt to gather evidence to support the accident or other. But while Richie meets to community and makes his notes, George seems to see more than he does: all is not right on the island and distrust of mainlanders isn't hidden. Folklore about three lighthouse keepers who vanished with no trace; the strong hold of the Catholic church on the community; pagan rituals and symbols. Not a straightforward case, at all.

i enjoy a crime thriller and this did not disappoint. A seemingly straight forward case took twists and turns and I did not see where it would end up. The story shows how being isolated can change what is considered normal justice and how people come to think things are ok when they are really not.

Sent to a remote island to investigate a death to investigate a death. The main character, George, appears to be recovering from an injury from a previous investigati9n. Richie seems protective. The book builds slowly and towards the end draws you in. Wouldn't give it 5 stars but still a good read.

This is a new author to me, and I am glad I read this book. I found it intriguing and gripping, keeping me interested throughout the whole novel. I will definitely look out for books by this author in the future, and recommend this book to other readers.

I was completely drawn into this book from the very first chapter. The story was well-paced, and the characters were incredibly well-developed. I couldn’t stop reading.

This was a totally unexpected storyline. The power of religion in some peoples lives. An edge of the seat story with a whole Island to choose from. Great characters that brought the story to life and an unexpected conclusion. Great read!

Sometimes you come into a series partway through. Generally it's not too awkward, but the references to earlier events can sometimes be more of an issue than others. While reading this I felt it worked well, there had been a big incident months before this book takes place and we look back it quite often, it's integral to the plot of this story, but I felt happy I had enough info to follow along and was ready to reassure anyone set to dive in at the same point I had. And now I realise this isn't part of a series. Or at least it'll be the first of a series, because it has potential for that. So a weird starting point, but if you flick through considering the book and wonder if you missed the previous one, there wasn't one. It's backstory. And I think it's a sign of the depth that exists in this story too.

To offer up two characters who can make you feel that there's an entire book of character development within a few chapters is impressive. So it really shouldn't be surprising that McCluskey also creates such a vivid island, complete with over a century of history (that is relevant to this story at least). I found myself drawn into the community, picturing the harbour and the post office, and the church... Everything just fits. There's enough detail to lead your imagination, and enough gaps I could create the world for myself. And the characters have an enjoyably natural humanity to them. Their suspicion towards mainlanders, their quirky traditions, their individual characters with dreams and lives that mesh, awkwardly at times like any group pretty much stuck with each other.

So we can be happy the general writing is more than up to the task of such a book. Which leaves the big one for any mystery thriller crime investigation - the, ern, mystery and subsequent crime investigation. And if it's thrilling enough... If you want better writing just read the book, this is only a review. Anyway, it is. I confess I had my doubts quite early on. There's a section that I felt very much gave the game away, and while I was happy to keep reading, I felt certain I knew what happened to Alan, our featured dead body the police are there to investigate. And I did... a bit. But not really. Because there was more. A more that unfolded nicely in the closing chapters. The twists kept a mystery going but weren't so sharp as to feel forced. I got the fun of a reveal I hadn't seen coming without losing the sense I figured things out. It's something that is rare and difficult to do. And I am definitely here for more of that.

There's a hint this could grow into a series, and it's well deserving of one. I want to say t's a good mystery story, but I think it has legs slightly outside just that genre. It will appeal to mystery fans, but this is the kind of book that's ideal for anyone who just picks one up occasionally. Or who enjoys the setting of the Scottish Isles, or likes reading stories that touch no old folklore or remote lives. It's not going to grab you if you're hard against a mystery, but I'd say it's worth a look if you've only a passing interest.

This book is a mixed bag. Set on a remote (imaginary?) outer Scottish island. Two detectives are sent to investigate a suicide/murder. I had the feeling that this must be a later episode in a series with some background known about the detectives. However, apparently this is a debut novel so not the case. This is a bit odd as there are many references to a past for the cops.
The islanders are beyond wary of the new arrivals. The island appears to be managed by the Catholic priest. I found him really creepy. It is unusual for the Catholic faith to dominate on the isles and it made me wonder if the author had really done her research. The later introduction of a story about disappearing lighthouse keepers felt like something thrown in later as if the plot required something extra to add mystery, rather than a planned twist from the start.
Overall, this book has promise but needs an editor to get involved and bring some experience to improve the order and details of the novel.

A gripping read. Full of twists and turns. When two detectives arrive on a small island off the coast of Scotland they had no idea of what they would find. Sent to investigate a death of a young man leads to intrigue, secrets and myths.
A great debut book for Laura McCluskey and I look forward to reading more by this up and coming author

Two detectives, Georgina/George and Richie, are off to a remote Scottish island to investigate an alleged suicide. Some of the islanders are not welcoming to the mainlanders, while others appear to be helpful. An island divided. And then there is the unsolved mystery of the lighthouse workers that vanished back in 1919.

This one was filled with secrets, mystery and intrigue. I loved the island setting, with few links to the mainland, it was atmospheric and the isolation added to the constant feeling of danger just around the corner. I believe this is the first in a series and I look forward to the next instalment. 4.5*

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this gifted review copy.

The wolf tree is a great book. It's got a slow build up as the characters and story are introduced but once that happens it becomes a real page turner.

Despite what seems to be the apparent suicide of Alan Ferguson on a remote Scottish Island, Detective Inspectors George and Richie are sent to investigate. The villagers are distant and unwelcoming, they mistrust "mainlanders" intensely and do not hesitate to make their feelings clear. With only 5 days to discover if Alan did commit suicide, George and Richie valently try to discover what made a young man decide to end his life.
I found this novel a mixed bag, I didn't particularly like George's character, she seemed cold and unforgiving. Richie was a much more empathetic character. I found the first half slightly slow and repetitive but in the second half the action and storyline went up a notch. It was an interesting read

Two DIs, Georg(ina) Lennox and Richard Stewart are sent to a very remote island well off the Scottish west coast apparently to investigate the death of an 18 year old. This in spite of a verdict of accidental death and no apparent reason to suggest otherwise. The boat trip there was atmospheric and all too real, remembering various trips I've made out to the St Kilda group. The islands are very traditional shall we say and run by the pastor who is Catholic, unusual for the outer isles. Most of the book seems to be relations between George, headstrong and prone to go it alone and Ritchie the senior, somewhat staid but very experienced detective. I thought that there were others in the series that I had missed, given hints and George's issues with head wounds, opioid pills etc, but apparently not. The sense of remote place, isolation and weather is very realistic; the characters over the top stereotypical at times and the story rather vague. Certainly not mainly about the dead youth much. Bring in three vanished lighthouse keepers from 1917, wolves, fairies and the brutal life on a remote island essentially depending upon the fishing and there is, eventually, a good story. Bizarre ending and I do wonder what happened to the islanders and their way of life after the detectives had left. A promising debut however, there's nothing wrong with the author's descriptions. 3.5* but not quite to making up to 4*.Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Whilst this is a whodunnit, murder mystery type novel, I would also describe this as a slow burner. Given the murder takes place on a small, Scottish island with very few inhabitants, it is difficult to be anything but.

The author does an excellent job setting out a sense of place. The descriptions of the island are beautiful and she also does a great job of describing the close knit community.

The ending ramps up in pace towards a really interesting (and difficult to guess) conclusion!

I was looking forward to reading this book, to again, fulfil my passion for folklore…and I wasn’t disappointed.

There has been a suspicious death on the isolated Scottish island of Eilean Eadar, and DI Georgina ‘George’ Lennox and her partner DI Richard ‘Ritchie’ Stewart, have been tasked with investigating whether it was a straightforward suicide, or something more foul. Over the next few days of the investigation, they are hit with a town full of secrets, and the folk locked in silence.

I was not impressed with the beginning of this book, as not a lot was happening, except for the interviewing of the residents, who were all pretty much keeping shtum. But, a third of the way through, boy, did this story get exciting. This is the kind of folklore tale that I love to read, laced with pagan beliefs and rituals, and a village where the residents look on outsiders (mainlanders) as suspicious…think of movies, ‘The Wicker Man’, and ‘Midsommer’.

I’m glad I stuck with the story as this is the author’s debut, and a brilliant one it is, though persevere with the first third of the book, and you will love it.

Thanks to the Laura McCluskey, Hemlock Press/HarperCollins Publishers, and NetGalley, for providing me with this free ARC, with which I leave a voluntary review.

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Release Date: 27th February 2025