Karen Engstrom:

Shadowland

Shadowland~~

In the summer of 1950, Carl and Elsa Swanson return to their tranquil Lake Vermilion cabin, hoping for a peaceful escape after the unsettling events of The Fox. But their knack for stumbling upon the lake's hidden truths resurfaces when Elsa reels in a human skull from the murky depths. This grisly discovery plunges them into a new, multi-generational mystery, one that stretches back decades to the roaring twenties and the dark underbelly of Prohibition-era Chicago.

As Deputy Sheriff Pittella launches an investigation, Carl and Elsa find themselves drawn into the lives of the lake's long-time residents, including the enigmatic Jane Bradley, her elderly husband, Preston Bradley, and the jovial, yet secretive Irv Edgar. Their lives become even more entangled when Irv invites Carl and Preston on a fishing trip to Lake of the Woods. Through a series of unsettling flashbacks, the narrative peels back layers of deception, hinting at a clandestine love affair, a shocking betrayal, and the pervasive reach of organized crime. Who was the man whose remains lay hidden for decades, and what dangerous secrets did he uncover that led to his watery grave?

Shadowland is a gripping tale of hidden lives and the inescapable consequences of past choices. It explores the profound psychological toll of secrets, the complex nature of justice, and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. With its richly drawn characters and a masterful blend of suspense and historical intrigue, this second installment invites readers to delve deeper into the shadows of Lake Vermilion.

Read an excerpt from:

Shadowland:

Engstrom-Shadowland-Exceprt.pdf

Praise for Shadowland:

At last, the much anticipated second book in the trilogy about life, murder, and mystery on Lake Vermillion in northern Minnesota. Author Engstrom brilliantly follows the lives of her characters in two different time eras and brings it all to a fateful, stunning finish. It was a treat to pick up on the lives of Carl and Elsa, stars of The Fox, book one in the trilogy, and meet new characters with backstories that will keep you turning pages. The writing is so beautiful you will feel, touch and smell every bit of the lives of these fascinating characters.

~~Lynn Garthwaite, author of Starless Midnight

Shadowland is a haunting, beautifully written mystery that lingers long after the final page. From the moment a skull surfaces in Lake Vermilion, Karen Engstrom draws us into a layered story of secrets, memory, and quiet resilience. With evocative prose and a deep sense of place, she bridges past and present to deliver a suspenseful, emotionally rich tale that’s as intimate as it is chilling.

~~John Gaspard, author of the Eli Marks Mystery Series

Beautifully written, with compelling characters and a suspense-filled plot.

~~Brian Lutterman, author of Incel and the Pen Wilkinson series

In Shadowland, Karen Engstrom returns the reader to the Northwoods where Carl and Elsa are spending another summer at their remote cabin near the Canadian border. Engstrom deftly weaves a tapestry of place, time, and circumstance, allowing the reader to be fully-immersed in the story. When Elsa reels in a human skull from the depths of tranquil Lake Vermilion, they are plunged into a captivating mystery of lost love, revenge, and organized crime stretching back to Prohibition's darkest secrets. Shadowland is truly a slice of compelling history and suspense that will hold you spellbound until the final page.

~~Rob Jung, best-selling author of The Reaper

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