THE RIVER RUNS BLACK
A small town on the water where things aren’t as perfect as they look . . .
After the recent death of a teenager by overdose, a record drug seizure along the Canadian border is a game changer for New York State’s criminal investigation team. The detectives are relieved that the haul will never make it to the idyllic small-town streets of Alexandria Bay.
But drugs are still circulating, and the lab results confirm it: the cocaine that killed the teenager and the cocaine from the bust are not the same.
Investigator Tim Wellington and his team seem to be chasing a network of ghosts who use the North Country as their criminal playground.
How long will it be until another Thousand Islands youth becomes not just a victim, but a target? Because the dangerous players won’t shy away from violence when protecting their valuable goods―even if it means gambling with innocent lives . .
Coming October 6, 2026 and available for preorder now
What People Are Saying
"Set against the beauty of the Thousand Islands whose pristine waters conceal dark secrets and a hidden agenda, The River Runs Black showcases Tessa Wegert at her best. What begins as a Halloween marked by candy apples and carved pumpkins quickly darkens with the death of a teenager and the disappearance of an heiress. But it’s Wegert’s storytelling—precise, immersive, and sharply observed—that draws readers deeper with each page as the town’s safe facade begins to fracture. Haunting and atmospheric, The River Runs Black will pull you under and not let go until its final, devastating twist. Fans of Louise Penny and Alex Finlay won’t want to miss this one.”
— Danielle Girard, USA TODAY Bestselling author of Pinky Swear
"Tessa Wegert's talent for writing multi-POV police procedural is undeniable. Her characters are richly drawn and her chapters tightly plotted with clues, secrets and twists. But most of all, there's as much heart on every page as there is suspense—what a gift. Wegert is a rare gem!”
— Carinn Jade, author of The Astrology House and The Dahlia Suite
"Taut, visceral, and expertly tuned, The River Runs Black delivers a haunting exploration of small-town deception, where the search for a missing teenager exposes the jagged truth of a community’s darkest instincts. This propulsive thriller proves the most dangerous threats are the ones moving silently beneath the surface. A masterclass in atmospheric suspense."
— Rea Frey, #1 bestselling author of Dear Mother
The River Runs Black is Coming Soon
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