Heartwood by Amity Gaige

A Literary Thriller Worth the Wait

I had been waiting to read Heartwood by Amity Gaige for quite a while, so I was very excited when my Libby hold finally came through. I had heard a lot of buzz about this literary fiction/thriller, and for me, it lived up to the hype.

This is not your typical thriller, and it is not exactly a straightforward mystery or search-and-rescue story either. It has suspense, yes, but it is also quiet, thoughtful, and very focused on character. That combination is what made it stand out to me.

What Worked for Me

Gaige does an amazing job making the multiple-perspective narrative engaging from every character’s point of view. Each voice adds something different, and the shifting perspectives helped me understand the characters in a deeper way.

The main character, Valerie Gillis, is a 42-year-old nurse who has survived the COVID-19 pandemic but is clearly carrying serious trauma from it. She takes time off to solo hike the Appalachian Trail, and when she goes missing, the book moves into an intense search-and-rescue story.

What I liked most is that the missing-person plot is only one part of the book. We also get looks at the people Valerie met on the trail, her husband, and others connected to her life. Those perspectives build suspense and add to the whodunnit feeling without making the book feel like a standard thriller.

Gaige also writes beautifully about Maine and the natural world. Her descriptions made me feel connected to the landscape and the trail in the same way the characters were. It almost made me want to get out there on a long hike like Valerie, except for the whole going-missing part, which was obviously terrifying.

Where It Fell Short

Because Heartwood is more literary and character-driven than a typical thriller, I do think some readers may find it slower than expected. If you are looking for nonstop twists or a very plot-heavy survival story, this may not be the exact version of that book.

For me, the slower, reflective style worked, but it is worth knowing going in that the book spends a lot of time inside people’s thoughts and emotional lives. The suspense is there, but it builds through atmosphere, perspective, and uncertainty more than constant action.

Who Should Read It

I think Heartwood is a great pick for anyone interested in nature, hiking, the Appalachian Trail, or literary mysteries with a strong emotional center. It is also a good fit for readers who like multiple perspectives and books where the setting feels important to the story.

I would especially recommend it if you enjoy mysteries and thrillers that are a little quieter and more thoughtful. It has the tension of a search-and-rescue story, but it also has a lot to say about trauma, connection, wilderness, and what people carry with them.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I thought Heartwood was a strong, memorable read. My rating is 4.0 stars. I would definitely read it again, and after finishing, I looked up more about Amity Gaige and found that several of her recent books come highly recommended.

Based on this one, I can see why. Her research, sense of place, and ability to write suspense in an engaging but thoughtful way really worked for me. I will probably be adding a few more of her books to my to-be-read list soon.