The Last Summer at Feather River

 The Last Summer at Feather River

Reviewed By  Janet Mawdesley       May 19, 2026

 

Author  Karen Nelson

Distributor:      Sibylline Press
ISBN:                 979-8897400188
Publisher:         Sibylline Press
Release Date:   19 May 2026  

   Website:   https://shop.sibyllinepress.com/products/last-summer-at-feather-river-a-novel

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Secrets, tragedy and reality come together in this equestrian based thriller The Last Summer at Feather River from Karen Nelson as she explores coming of age, adolescence and devastation through the life of Brooke as she returns to a place she once loved, Feather River Ranch.

Its ten years since Brooke left Feather River Ranch after a night of complete devastation. She was her beloved grandfather Charlie’s only grandchild and had spent her time between City and country for as long as she could remember.

She looked forward to the summer holiday program which bought teens to the Ranch to work, ride the horses, enjoy country life and experience a different lifestyle, as well as inject much needed cash into Charlie’s business, that of breeding horses for the turf racing world.

This summer, the summer of her 13th year, it bought Tommy; young, eager, challenging and edgy. He was a magnet for the girls, attractive, enticing and out to prove himself.

Tragedy strikes which had long reaching effects, effects that Brooke is coping with, convinced even ten years later her actions were the catalyst for what followed: the ranch closing its holiday programme, Brooke refusing to return and Charlie facing hardship as he managed the ranch on his own

Asked to return to look after Charlie while his broken leg mends, she reluctantly agrees, which makes her begin to understand that perhaps her memories of that last night may not be correct, that there is far more which has been hidden from her for a very long time. Secrets, lies and deception begin to surface that need to be viewed in the clear light of time.

The Last Summer at Feather River is a slow burn spread over ten years, revolving around the life at Feather River Ranch, the emotional toll of tragedy and what could be considered as redemption, as Brooke slowly faces her demons and begins to work with Charlie once again to save the Ranch from ruin.

Crime, General, Thriller