Embark on a gripping journey of mystery and self-discovery with Amity Gaige’s “Heartwood,” a 2025 novel that intertwines the eerie disappearance of a hiker in the rugged Maine wilderness with the poignant personal journeys of those searching for her. Meet Valerie, a nurse on a path to self-discovery on the Appalachian Trail, whose disappearance spurs a desperate search led by Lieutenant Beverly Miller, a dedicated game warden wrestling with family complexities. As the search ensues, the story stretches beyond the North Woods to a Connecticut retirement home, where 76-year-old Lena becomes fixated on Valerie’s fate due to its haunting echoes of her estranged daughter. Through letters, interviews, and conspiracies that blur the line between virtual and reality, “Heartwood” crafts a tapestry of resilience, identity, and the profound connections that bind us all. Dive into the layers of this captivating narrative and discover the essence of survival against nature’s ruthless beauty.
