In the Barren Ground Paperback – 16 Aug. 2016

Rookie cop Tana Larsson is the only RCMP officer manning Twin Rivers, which has a population of 320. Her patch is in the Northwest Territories and covers some 17,500 square miles, a huge area for a single police officer to service. A call comes in reporting the fatal wolf mauling of two students in a remote area of this barren wilderness.In the Barren Ground is a great mixture of a story. There is suspense, mystery, gothic elements, romance and a regular tale of police procedures that you get in most crime thrillers. The writing is first class with a huge vocabulary and great attention to detail. Loreth’s descriptions of her scenes and the surrounding environment is top rate. You really feel you are on an outdoor adventure holiday.In the Barren Ground is a creepy tale with lots of suspense. From very early on you wonder about the fatal wolf maulings and every character you meet raises your suspicions. Character development is spot on and each character has a good and a dodgy side to them.There is lots of mystery in this novel as the chapters chart the history of this remote region. The culture of living in the bush is fully explored and I loved the details of hunting and surviving in this wilderness.There are some gothic elements woven into this story. I do not read books in the gothic genre, so these elements came as a surprise to me. But these gothic elements added so much more to the story. They fitted in really well and added to the mystery a great deal. Then to add a character who happened to be an author of a gothic novel, was just icing on the cake.As with Loreth’s other novels, romance takes a part in the story. It should appeal to both genders and adds so much to the fullness of this novel. Again like her other novels, the love is not just shown between humans but between dogs and their owners too.The police procedure and job frustration parts are great. How can you preserve a crime scene when you are the only police officer around AND there is falling snow to contend with? Throw in the problem of wild animals eating the evidence and it is a huge challenge for Tana to deal with on her own.Each character has the ability to be a criminal and you can point your finger at every one of them. The plot of this novel is very good indeed. There is no need to second guess if there is a bad guy or if the fatal wolf maulings were simply an accident, just enjoy this novel for what it is. I found this book a pleasure to read, it gave me plenty to think about. I really engaged with this story and felt I was there. Loreth makes great mention of her characters wearing Baffin boots. She wrote about them as commonplace. I love wandering about and I live in the UK but have never come across these Baffin boots. So involved I became in this novel, I felt I had to check these boots out online. Oh yes, they are the genuine item, roughty, toughty, snow hiking boots!I found In the Barren Ground to be an outstanding read. It coupled regular reading enjoyment with a sense of adventure and a cultural learning experience. No risk of frostbite as I sat back in my favourite armchair with this top scoring 5 star read.

I'd previously read and enjoyed A Dark Lure by this author, and In the Barren Ground shares similar qualities: a flawed and independent heroine with a past; the handsome rugged hero; the smouldering chemistry; a larger than life supporting cast - and some pretty gruesome murders. It's all a little bit cheesy, but quite enjoyable (if you can suspend disbelief at times), with the landscape and weather really drawing the reader in. After all the drama of the story, I found the ending rather rushed and unsatisfying, and was left feeling quite disappointed. Maybe the sequel's in the pipeline? Some of the characterisation and motivation doesn't bear close inspection, but all in all a good light read with some very dark themes, and I'd look for this author again.

I have now found my new favourite author! This really was one hell of a rollercoaster of a story. An impressive read and red herrings along the way. I really don't like to.give too much away but this has a great complex story line along with the psychological side of things. What I can say is that it takes place up near the Arctic Circ!e where there is very little light! We meet a young rookie cop, Tana who gets caught up in what looks like savage attacks on humans, or is it?! Like I said very compelling and pulls no punches. A great mismatch of characters are on hand to help Tana who seems somewhat reluctant. To understand why I highly recommend that you read it. You won't be disappointed!

It may make a difference to me reading this book as it is set in the very North West of British Columbia, Where winters can get down to -30 deg, I could relate to this as I have been there. Either way whether you have been there or not it spurs your imagination into life, its fast moving, gives you an in-site into the native culture which is very true to this day. It has a hint of romance, very graphic descriptions of murder scenes, work of the scenes of crime officers and Royal Canadian mounted Police. A brilliantly written book and I applaud the author for her imagination and brilliant writing. This is the second book of hers I have read.

Unexpectedly gripping book. Tana a misplaced police officer with a colourful history unfolds the mysterious deaths. Quite a gripping read. Nice amount of detail of characters to formulate a decent picture of them. Indeed I would read another book from Loreth White.

I love listening to audio books

Entertaining and showing a good insight into the life of the Canadian north. Well written and a good story. Must read some more from Loreth

I enjoyed this book a great deal. Fabulous description of an area I knew nothing about . Well written . Great plot. Interesting characters. Very insightful.I was sorry when I finished the book as I wanted to follow the lives of the people for ever !!Such a refreshing change from the run of the mill thrillers. Cleverly plotted throughout. I cannot recommend this book enough.