Under the Skin

Elizabeth Goodweather operates a herb and flower farm in the North Carolina mountains. When a local woman disappears under suspicious circumstances, Elizabeth becomes entangled in the investigation. The story centers on mountain traditions and folk medicine practices in rural Appalachia, particularly the art of healing through plants and herbs. Through parallel narratives set in both present day and the 1800s, the novel explores how the past impacts current events in a small mountain community. The book combines elements of mystery, historical fiction, and regional culture while examining themes of belonging, tradition, and the sometimes tense relationships between longtime residents and newcomers in changing rural areas. The interplay between ancient mountain wisdom and modern ways reveals conflicts that shape both individual lives and entire communities.

Readers describe this as a slow-burning mystery that focuses on small-town tensions and family relationships. The book's portrayal of Appalachian culture and mountain community life receives frequent mentions in reviews. Readers appreciate: - Strong sense of place and local dialect - Complex family dynamics - Historical details about North Carolina mountain life - Elizabeth's character development Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Some plot threads left unresolved - Dialect writing can be difficult to follow - Secondary characters need more depth Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (257 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (41 ratings) Sample reader comment: "The mystery takes a back seat to the rich descriptions of mountain life and customs. The dialect feels authentic without being overwhelming." - Goodreads reviewer "Could have used tighter editing in the middle, but the ending makes up for the slow parts." - Amazon reviewer

In the Woods by Tana French A detective returns to investigate a murder in the same woods where his childhood friends disappeared decades ago, weaving folklore with present-day police work.

The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh A teenage girl uncovers dark secrets in her Ozark Mountain town while investigating the disappearance of a classmate and the long-ago vanishing of her mother.

The Line That Held Us by David Joy A hunting accident in the Appalachian mountains leads to a spiral of violence, revenge, and family loyalties.

The Cold Moon by Jeffery Deaver A serial killer terrorizes New York City during the winter solstice while two investigations intersect through folklore and forensics.

Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell A sixteen-year-old girl navigates the dangerous world of Ozark drug dealers to find her missing father and save her family's home.

🌟 "Under the Skin" is the fourth book in Vicki Lane's Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mystery series 🌿 Author Vicki Lane lives on a mountain farm in North Carolina, similar to her protagonist Elizabeth Goodweather's fictional farm 📚 The story weaves together two timelines: a modern-day mystery and events from the 1800s related to the Trail of Tears 🏔️ The book explores authentic Appalachian folklore and herbal medicine traditions, drawing from the author's own experiences living in the region 🎭 The novel addresses the complex relationship between Cherokee and European settlers' cultures, incorporating historical research about the forced relocation of Native Americans