Figure Eight hooked me from the start with its vivid portrayal of small-town life and a haunting mystery set in Wisconsin’s Northwoods. John Cabrelli, a former cop grappling with the loss of his career, inherits his uncle’s cabin and stumbles into a tangled web of secrets. As he digs deeper into his uncle’s suspicious death, Cabrelli faces danger and uncovers truths that could change everything about the place he once called home.
Jeff Nania’s background as a law enforcement officer and conservationist shines through. The details about the land and the characters’ interactions with their environment feel authentic. The town’s culture—the festivals, quirky personalities, and close-knit community—reminded me of my own visits to small northern towns in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Nania captures Midwest spirit perfectly.
The book’s plot is engaging, with enough twists to keep you guessing but never straying from its grounded storytelling. It’s clear authors like William Kent Krueger inspire Nania. While Nania doesn’t quite hit Krueger’s level of polish, Figure Eight is a strong debut, with characters you care about and a mystery that keeps you turning pages.
I can’t wait to dive into the sequel, Spider Lake. 4 stars.
** Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for a complimentary review copy. The opinions are my own.