The first book i finished in 2025 just so happens to be our first guest on the Speaking LITerally Podcast for January, which is Kevin Wolf. Thanks to him for a gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Trailridge is the first in the Guy Hogan mystery series, and it certainly starts with a bang. Guy Hogan planned to spend his life in the mountains of Coloradp with his dog, his wife, and his fly rod. But his life takes a different direction when cancer takes his wife. 10 months later, Guy, trying to just live his life and doing what he loves, fishing discovers a dead body of a man in the river.
He then makes it his business to discover how this man died, throwing him into a whole world of trouble, all starting with the meeting of a young blonde woman by the name of Willow. Car chases around mountain roads, being shot at, and bar brawls are just a few of the activities he finds himself caught up in as the book progresses.
One of the first things that grabbed me about this book was the setting, which is mainly based in Colorado and amongst the Rocky Mountains. Having not been there, I didn’t know much about the state, but the descriptions of the locations are so vivid it brings each chapter alivr. You can tell the author has a great love for the area. From the sunrises to the fish in the river, the scenery comes to life in stunning clarity, making each chapter a joy to imagine. I am a big fan of world building, and this book is a perfect example of world building done right, a rarity in mystery novels.
The main protagonist is just your normal, every day Joe. A man who is grieving for his wife but still tries to continue living the best he knows how. It is his curiosity combined with his commitment to not make the same mistake twice, which turns him into an action hero/Detective which I personally loved.
Rays of sunlight wash away the dark an inch at a time. In each second, changing shadows paint pictures with colors and shades that no artist could dare imitate.
The book is full of twists and turns along with a lot of action scenes, which sets the pace of the novel, making it difficult to put down.
It is a book about one man’s grit and determination to do what’s right and his commitment to unveil the truth, even if that puts him in the line of fire.
If you are looking for an action-packed , mystery/ western style novel with some great twists, solid, well developed characters all with a stunning backdrop of the mountains, I would highly recommend this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – a thrilling mystery/crime story with a few red herrings, and I don’t mean in the rivers.
What was or will be the first book you read in 2025 let me know in the comments 6 Happy New Year!!
Much love ❤️
Lizzieslittlebooknook 