Winter's end: a mystery - paige shelton

The fourth installment in the gripping, atmospheric Alaska Wild series, Paige Sheltons Winters End .

Its springtime in Benedict, Alaska, and with the warmer weather comes an unseasonably somber local tradition.

the annual Death Walk.

At the end of each brutal winter, citizens gather downtown and then break into groups to search the community for those who might have somehow gotten stuck at home.

Beth Rivers sets off with her friend Orin and dog Gus, toward the cabin of an elderly resident, intending to check on him.

When they reach the cabin, the old man is alive, but not in the best shape.

Beth stays with him while Orin hurries to town for help, but its not Orin who returns.

Gril comes back with shocking news, and it soon becomes clear that Orin has also vanished.

When they discover that their friend has been doing some top-secret research, they start to worry hes been exposed, or worse.

Meanwhile, Beth continues on her own search, for her father, who allegedly is alive in Mexico, but wont return her calls.

Still, shes making progress in healing from her own trauma, though cant quite shake the feeling shes being followed.