The Girl in the Redwoods
A Rose and Clive Search & Rescue Thriller • Mystery & Thriller
EARNED A BOOKY AWARD FOR TENSEST THRILLER and ACCI Literary Excellence Award for Best Mystery/Thriller
After the trauma they survived in Minnesota, four days among the redwoods should have meant fog, ocean air, long trails, and rest. But Clive refuses to stay on the path.
Hidden inside a carved redwood tree, Rose finds five-year-old Ana alive, injured, and terrified. Ana whispers about a man called The Father, a “family” in the trees, and a friend named Ruth who may still be waiting for someone to come back.
What begins as one impossible rescue becomes something far darker. Six children are found dead in the redwoods. An illegal children’s home is uncovered in Utah. And the killer who believed he was building a family decides Rose, Clive, and the children they saved now belong in his story.
As the investigation follows them from the California coast to Rose’s Indiana farm, the danger closes in. The Father knows Clive’s name. He knows where Rose lives. And he is willing to use frightened children, carved tokens, and carefully placed traps to finish what he started.
Rose never planned to become anyone’s safe place.
But with Clive at her side, she will fight for Ana, Ruth, Rusty, and every child still afraid of the dark.
Emotional, suspenseful, and deeply rooted in the bond between a handler and her search dog, The Girl in the Redwoods is a search-and-rescue thriller about survival, found family, and the courage to keep looking when the trail turns deadly.
Readers who love Paula Munier’s Mercy Carr mysteries and Kendra Elliot’s wilderness suspense, people who are drawn to stories of courage, survival, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their dogs. People who want a thriller that is both heart-pounding and deeply emotional.
Reviews
Jillian: What struck me first was the opening and the stakes. Rose Clarke and her search-and-rescue dog, Clive, came to Crescent City for quiet. After the trauma they survived in Minnesota, four days among the redwoods should have meant fog, ocean air, long trails, and rest. But Clive refuses to stay on the path. That is not just a plot hook. It is a declaration.
What struck me next was the emotional depth and the character arc. Rose never planned to become anyone’s safe place. That line is not a throwaway. It is the emotional journey of the book. Rose has survived trauma. She has lost. She has run. And yet, when Ana whispers about Ruth, when Rusty is afraid of the dark, when Clive refuses to stay on the path, Rose does not walk away. She fights. She fights for Ana, Ruth, Rusty, and every child still afraid of the dark.
C. Mayaa: If you’re looking for a thriller that keeps your heart racing while pulling at your emotions, “The Girl in the Redwoods” is must-read. Karen L West masterfully blends gripping suspense, unforgettable characters, and the extraordinary bond between a search-and-rescue handler and her dog. Every chapter uncovers new secrets, making it nearly impossible to put down. It’s a powerful story of courage, survival, and hope that will stay with you long after the final page. Highly recommended for every fan of emotional, edge-of-your-seat thrillers.
Kendra Amos: I absolutely love this book! From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the engaging writing and well-developed characters. The story flowed naturally, kept me turning the pages, and delivered a satisfying ending. The attention to detail and emotional depth made it a memorable read. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an enjoyable and captivating experience. I can’t wait to read more from this author! 5 STARS for sure.