Heartwood by Amity Gaige

In the heart of the Maine woods, an experienced Appalachian Trail hiker vanishes, setting in motion a tense search and an unexpected investigation. This gripping mystery weaves together compelling narratives as a puzzle emerges, suggesting Valerie Gillis's disappearance may not have been accidental.

Praise for Heartwood

• 'nearly impossible to put down' Jennifer Egan
• 'An unforgettable treat' JANICE HALLETT
• 'Beautifully written . . . moving and suspenseful' TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
• 'Gripping . . . each strand adds tension and drama' GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
• 'One of my favourite recent reads' BARBARA KINGSOLVER, GUARDIAN
• 'Fast-paced and full of grace . . . a memorable meditation on the forms of care' SARAH MOSS
• 'A powerful story of being lost in the wilderness' SAINSBURY'S MAGAZINE
• 'An absolute must-read' ELIN HILDEBRAND

• Forty-two-year-old hiker Valerie Gillis goes missing 200 miles from her Appalachian Trail destination.
• Valerie documents her struggle for survival in fractured, poetic letters to her mother.
• Maine State Game Warden Beverly leads the search effort.
• Lena, a seventy-six-year-old birdwatcher, becomes an unexpected armchair detective.

• Author: Amity Gaige
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Print Length: 320 pages
• ISBN-10: 0349127581
• ISBN-13: 978-0349127583
• Dimensions: 126 x 24 x 196mm
• Weight: 222g
• Publication Date: May 7, 2026

Dive into this suspenseful narrative from Fleet, perfect for readers who enjoy intricate puzzles set against the backdrop of the wilderness.