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The Trouble Up North
An atmospheric, haunting novel about a family of bootleggers, their troubled history,Ìýand the land that binds them.
The Sawbrooks have lived on prime real estate on the lakes of Michigan since before there was prime real estate. A family of smugglers and bootleggers, every man, woman, and child in each generation has been taught to navigate the nooks and cranniesÌýof the rivers and highways that flow in and out of Canada. The hidden routes are the family's legacy.
But today, the Sawbrooks are deeply fractured, and the money that's sustained the family is running out. Edward, the Sawbrook patriarch, is dying from cancer, and his wife,ÌýRhoda,Ìýis bitterlyÌýdisappointed in her three adult children. The eldest daughter, Lucy, is now a park ranger, working to federally protect the land against her mother’s will; the middle son, Buckner, hasn’t been the same since he came back from the armyÌýsuffering from alcoholism; and the youngest daughter, Jewell, is wasting her potential as a card player andÌýbartender.
When Jewell is asked to commit a crime for a major insurance payout, she agrees, eager for the cash, but too late,Ìýshe realizes that that the boat she torched wasn't empty...
Together,Ìýthe Sawbrooks will have to contend with the old, familial ways and the new, shifting world, and faceÌýeach other—and their pain-filled past—to smuggle one more thing through and out of their land toÌýsafety.
The Sawbrooks have lived on prime real estate on the lakes of Michigan since before there was prime real estate. A family of smugglers and bootleggers, every man, woman, and child in each generation has been taught to navigate the nooks and cranniesÌýof the rivers and highways that flow in and out of Canada. The hidden routes are the family's legacy.
But today, the Sawbrooks are deeply fractured, and the money that's sustained the family is running out. Edward, the Sawbrook patriarch, is dying from cancer, and his wife,ÌýRhoda,Ìýis bitterlyÌýdisappointed in her three adult children. The eldest daughter, Lucy, is now a park ranger, working to federally protect the land against her mother’s will; the middle son, Buckner, hasn’t been the same since he came back from the armyÌýsuffering from alcoholism; and the youngest daughter, Jewell, is wasting her potential as a card player andÌýbartender.
When Jewell is asked to commit a crime for a major insurance payout, she agrees, eager for the cash, but too late,Ìýshe realizes that that the boat she torched wasn't empty...
Together,Ìýthe Sawbrooks will have to contend with the old, familial ways and the new, shifting world, and faceÌýeach other—and their pain-filled past—to smuggle one more thing through and out of their land toÌýsafety.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published March 11, 2025
46 people are currently reading
14.7k people want to read
About the author
Travis Mulhauser
6Ìýbooks180ÌýfollowersTravis Mulhauser was born and raised in Northern Michigan. He has two novels forthcoming from Grand Central/Hachette, beginning in Winter '25. His novel, Sweetgirl, (Ecco/Harper Collins) has been listed for The Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize, was an Indie Next Pick, and named one of Ploughshares Best Books of the New Year. He is also the author of Greetings from Cutler County: A Novella and Stories. Travis received his MFA in Fiction from UNC-Greensboro and is also a proud graduate of North Central Michigan College and Central Michigan University. He lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife, two kids, and dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 16, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4. I read and adored Sweetgirl by Travis Mulhauser a few years ago, so I was excited to dive into his latest release. While I enjoyed The Trouble Up North, it didn’t quite pack the same punch as Sweetgirl—or maybe my expectations were just too high.
Mulhauser excels at crafting unique, complex characters and placing them in high-stakes situations with tough choices. I wish Buckner Sawbrook had been the main protagonist—his sections are both deeply felt and darkly funny, and I would have loved to spend more time with him. Since this seems to be the first in a series, I might still get my wish.
The Story: An atmospheric, haunting novel about a family of bootleggers, their troubled past, and the land that binds them. The Sawbrooks are desperate people, but their desperation is rooted in love—for their home, their legacy, and each other.
Mulhauser excels at crafting unique, complex characters and placing them in high-stakes situations with tough choices. I wish Buckner Sawbrook had been the main protagonist—his sections are both deeply felt and darkly funny, and I would have loved to spend more time with him. Since this seems to be the first in a series, I might still get my wish.
The Story: An atmospheric, haunting novel about a family of bootleggers, their troubled past, and the land that binds them. The Sawbrooks are desperate people, but their desperation is rooted in love—for their home, their legacy, and each other.
March 7, 2025
Books that are set in Northern Michigan hold a special place in my Michigander heart, so I knew going into it that I would enjoy Travis Mulhauser's new book, The Trouble Up North The novel depicts life in the area where I spent many summer vacations in such vivid detail that it took me right back to the lake.
Likable characters are important, but not necessarily critical for me to enjoy a book. Even though the Sawbrooks live mostly on the wrong side of the law, they are empathetic characters and their struggles were relatable. The sibling relationships were realistic, and the parental disappointment in each of their choices was understandable. The different POV of the characters adds a dimension that is critical to the storyline, and also allowed the reader to comprehend the reasoning behind the decisions made.
This relatively short book is a quick read with a satisfactory ending. If you like to root for characters who have lived a hard life and made difficult decisions, I recommend this book for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the digital ARC of The Trouble Up North by Travis Mulhauser. The opinions in this review are my own.
Likable characters are important, but not necessarily critical for me to enjoy a book. Even though the Sawbrooks live mostly on the wrong side of the law, they are empathetic characters and their struggles were relatable. The sibling relationships were realistic, and the parental disappointment in each of their choices was understandable. The different POV of the characters adds a dimension that is critical to the storyline, and also allowed the reader to comprehend the reasoning behind the decisions made.
This relatively short book is a quick read with a satisfactory ending. If you like to root for characters who have lived a hard life and made difficult decisions, I recommend this book for you.
Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for the digital ARC of The Trouble Up North by Travis Mulhauser. The opinions in this review are my own.
March 31, 2025
3.5 stars�.i wish it had been longer, fleshed out more.
March 16, 2025
I loved this book about family relationships, family history, and quirky individuals.
April 26, 2025
I read this book, trying to make sese of what I was reading.
I just could not connect.
I just could not connect.
April 1, 2025
An engaging story about a family of bootleggers with their hearts in the right place who must deal with circumstances that result in questionable actions for the sake of saving their land and their family. I loved the sense of place as well as the characters and could empathize with them as they struggle to deal with environmental issues, financial instability, and family bonds. I didn't see the ending coming, but felt it was a perfect way to wrap up the story.
Quotes:
"I've never believed a person can have more than one home."
"That's the problem with children, you can't hate them for long no matter how much they deserve it."
"I might have gasped too, if I didn't feel the need to stay strong - to pretend like I knew what I was doing and that everything was going to be fine. Which is basically what parenting is - a whole shitload of pretending."
"Baby girl, there is nothing more dangerous in this world than a predator that the law won't let you near. I believe that truth has been borne out by the entire history of the world..."
Quotes:
"I've never believed a person can have more than one home."
"That's the problem with children, you can't hate them for long no matter how much they deserve it."
"I might have gasped too, if I didn't feel the need to stay strong - to pretend like I knew what I was doing and that everything was going to be fine. Which is basically what parenting is - a whole shitload of pretending."
"Baby girl, there is nothing more dangerous in this world than a predator that the law won't let you near. I believe that truth has been borne out by the entire history of the world..."
January 27, 2025
The Trouble Up North was an engaging read about family and friends striving to protect their relationships, future, and land while grappling with addiction, stubbornness, and despair. The bond between the siblings felt incredibly authentic, and I deeply related to them—their story continues to linger in my thoughts.
That said, I wish the book had been more descriptive of the northern setting. As someone who loves visiting up north, especially with friends who are locals, I felt the scenery deserved more attention to truly capture its beauty and the reasons it’s worth defending.
While the portrayal of the resorters sometimes felt exaggerated, I’ve heard similar territorial rhetoric firsthand, so I applaud the author for capturing that dynamic. I also wanted to know more about the other characters; they were intriguing but lacked the depth I was hoping for. Overall, The Trouble Up North was an enjoyable and thought-provoking read that resonated with me, even as I wished for richer descriptions of the setting and supporting characters
That said, I wish the book had been more descriptive of the northern setting. As someone who loves visiting up north, especially with friends who are locals, I felt the scenery deserved more attention to truly capture its beauty and the reasons it’s worth defending.
While the portrayal of the resorters sometimes felt exaggerated, I’ve heard similar territorial rhetoric firsthand, so I applaud the author for capturing that dynamic. I also wanted to know more about the other characters; they were intriguing but lacked the depth I was hoping for. Overall, The Trouble Up North was an enjoyable and thought-provoking read that resonated with me, even as I wished for richer descriptions of the setting and supporting characters
December 12, 2024
The Trouble Up North is set in Northern Michigan's tourism territory. The landscape is being overrun by second homes, condos and tourists. The Sawbrook family, however, are locals. Edward, suffering from cancer, finds himself mostly homebound. Rhonda is the matriarch of the family and is his caregiver. Daughter Lucy works for the local park service; son Buckner is a struggling alcoholic and daughter Jewell is a gambler trying to find her way in the world. Money is tight, so when Jewell is offered a large some of money to commit what seems to be a victimless crime, she takes the opportunity. However, things don't go as planned and the siblings and their mother find themselves in a race to find a way out of the situation that has been created. I loved the very realistic family dynamics and the love/hate relationship amongst the siblings. As someone who has spent much time in Northern Michigan, I felt the author portrayed a realistic setting and was true to the local/visitor dynamic. Loved the local references like listening to the Tigers on the radio and call outs to local geography. Highly recommend.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group via NetGalley.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group via NetGalley.
February 17, 2025
4.5 stars
I did not start this book expecting to cry at the end! I read the summary and it gave me Justified/backwoods family vibes and I always found them so interesting in that TV show so decided to give this a try.
The story revolves around the Sawbrook family in Northern Michigan. They have lived on their land for generations, making a living running things illegally to and from Canada. Tourism has picked up in their area and their way of life has changed, but the land always comes first and foremost, no selling out to developers. Rhoda and Edward and their children, Lucy, Buckner and Jewell, have differing opinions on what to do with their land and everything hidden and repressed comes out into the open when Jewell accepts a risky job and starts a chain reaction that will forever change their family dynamic.
This book was so much more than I thought it would be. It's one of those books that you pick up with the intention of reading the first page or two to see if it would be something you like then discover you've blown through 30 pages in no time. Nothing was even happening, Mulhauser just has a way with words that have you immediately invested in the story. The characters instantly become real and tangible, I loved Rhoda and Edward's dynamic the most. The scene near the beginning where they rock on their chairs side by side, reminiscing on their early relationship while holding hands, was so beautiful.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I did not start this book expecting to cry at the end! I read the summary and it gave me Justified/backwoods family vibes and I always found them so interesting in that TV show so decided to give this a try.
The story revolves around the Sawbrook family in Northern Michigan. They have lived on their land for generations, making a living running things illegally to and from Canada. Tourism has picked up in their area and their way of life has changed, but the land always comes first and foremost, no selling out to developers. Rhoda and Edward and their children, Lucy, Buckner and Jewell, have differing opinions on what to do with their land and everything hidden and repressed comes out into the open when Jewell accepts a risky job and starts a chain reaction that will forever change their family dynamic.
This book was so much more than I thought it would be. It's one of those books that you pick up with the intention of reading the first page or two to see if it would be something you like then discover you've blown through 30 pages in no time. Nothing was even happening, Mulhauser just has a way with words that have you immediately invested in the story. The characters instantly become real and tangible, I loved Rhoda and Edward's dynamic the most. The scene near the beginning where they rock on their chairs side by side, reminiscing on their early relationship while holding hands, was so beautiful.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 31, 2025
This was good. Loved the characters, loved the sense of place, and the strong family bonds. An ending I didn't see coming but an ending that came way too soon. Need another 100 pages easily. Hopefully we'll see Lucy, Jewel, and Buckner again.
March 28, 2025
The author’s ability to paint a scene is remarkable. I liked how the characters all lived their lives as they saw them…with the good and bad intertwined. As a Michigander, I enjoyed reading a book with places I’ve been. Good read!!
April 20, 2025
This book was scattered to me and felt like a lot of sibling bickering.
April 10, 2025
I rounded up from 3.5.
November 22, 2024
For fans of Yellowstone and Ozark - a propulsive thriller of family redemption.
Locals and summer people elbowing each other at the party store on the river, a dive bar/strip joint in a pole barn, a sweet if somewhat alcoholic little brother - The Trouble Up North is how the Pure Michigan ad campaign would write a crime thriller. (Ok, maybe the spoof Pure Michigan campaign, but the spoofs are better anyway.)
But in all seriousness, author Travis Mulhausern grew up in Petoskey - he clearly knows this stuff, and he writes it really, really well.
It’s compelling and witty and full of heart. No one should miss this book - especially anyone who knows the difference between The UP and Up North.
Locals and summer people elbowing each other at the party store on the river, a dive bar/strip joint in a pole barn, a sweet if somewhat alcoholic little brother - The Trouble Up North is how the Pure Michigan ad campaign would write a crime thriller. (Ok, maybe the spoof Pure Michigan campaign, but the spoofs are better anyway.)
But in all seriousness, author Travis Mulhausern grew up in Petoskey - he clearly knows this stuff, and he writes it really, really well.
It’s compelling and witty and full of heart. No one should miss this book - especially anyone who knows the difference between The UP and Up North.
March 24, 2025
Set somewhere in Northern Michigan, this family is not always on the right side of the law, but they loved and supported each other, despite their differences. I liked the slow development of each of the characters and their personalities. A fierce, protective mother, who reminded me of the bad-ass mom in Small Mercies, a gentle dad, and 3 adult children still trying to find their way. It couldn’t have ended in any other way, genius, sad and spectacular.
March 10, 2025
There's more than one way to end up in prison
On a particular lake in northern Michigan not far from the Canadian border, the Sawbrook family has owned a huge chunk of land for generations. The current Sawbrooks are Edward and Rhoda, anti-establishment and the parents of three adult children: the eldest Lucy, a college graduate and environmentalist who is the local park ranger, son and middle child Buckner who served in Afghanistan, is currently unemployed and is an alcoholic, and the youngest Jewell who works as a bartender when she isn't playing (and usually winning) high stakes card games. Given that the family business through the generations has been using their talents on and knowledge of the local waterways to prosper as smugglers and bootleggers, Lucy stands out as an aberration to the usual family career paths. The family is undergoing tough times; Edward is dying of cancer, Rhoda has sold just about all their assets except for their land to pay their medical bills and has still come up short; and there are major fissures in the relationships between them all. Rhoda (who is actually the Sawbrook, not Edward, but she insisted that she and her children would all bear the Sawbrook surname and he went along) gave each of the three children chunks of the land for tax purposes and was stunned to see Lucy immediately move ownership of her parcel into a trust for the conservation group she heads. The two have been at odds ever since. Buckner's drinking hasn't endeared him to anyone either; alcoholism runs in the family, Rhoda losing her sister to it when she was still young. His sisters want to believe he can change, Lucy even taking the money she received as part of the land transfer to put him in a rehab center, but he has again relapsed. And unbeknownst to Rhoda, Jewell sold her parcel of land to Lucy's trust as well in order to get the stake she needed to play in a major Vegas poker tournament, thinking she would surely win the $1 million prize but (a) she lost and (b) even if she had won, once the land went into the trust it couldn't be bought back. Things really go south when Jewell (still thinking she could buy back her portion of the land if she just had the moeny) agrees to do a favor for Van, one of the residents of the wealthy nearby resort where wealthy city people come to spend the summer and (in the view of the locals) have ruined the area for the locals. He wants to burn his boat for the insurance money, and offers Jewell $10K to torch it for him (apparently torching vehicles runs in the Sawbrook family too). When it turns out that Van had a different motive for burning the boat, and now if Jewell is caught she is in danger of something far more serious than arson. If the family pulls together, can they find their way back to each other and keep one another safe?
In The Trouble Up North, the reader gets to know a whole host of quirky, flawed but still (mostly) lovable characters who find their family's longstanding way of life in danger because of encroaching hordes and a system that favors the haves over the have nots. Many a resort community finds the same fractious relationship between the local population who to some degree have profited from the money that summer people bring, but at the same time find that their quality of life has suffered and their ability to afford to live in the community where they grew up is in question. Neither side is completely good or completely evil, but they are unlikely to ever live harmoniously with one another. The struggles of the Sawbrook family are those of many families across the world, generational differences in values, causing one another pain and heartbreak, all while still struggling to keep their love for one another and the bonds they share intact. By turns funny, melancholic and heartbreaking, this is a novel that should appeal to readers of Charles Portis, NIckolas Butler and Elmore Leonard. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Sawbrooks and while I'm not sure if I liked the ending, it was a surprise that in some ways was not surprising at all. My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me access to this intriguing story in exchange for my honest review.
On a particular lake in northern Michigan not far from the Canadian border, the Sawbrook family has owned a huge chunk of land for generations. The current Sawbrooks are Edward and Rhoda, anti-establishment and the parents of three adult children: the eldest Lucy, a college graduate and environmentalist who is the local park ranger, son and middle child Buckner who served in Afghanistan, is currently unemployed and is an alcoholic, and the youngest Jewell who works as a bartender when she isn't playing (and usually winning) high stakes card games. Given that the family business through the generations has been using their talents on and knowledge of the local waterways to prosper as smugglers and bootleggers, Lucy stands out as an aberration to the usual family career paths. The family is undergoing tough times; Edward is dying of cancer, Rhoda has sold just about all their assets except for their land to pay their medical bills and has still come up short; and there are major fissures in the relationships between them all. Rhoda (who is actually the Sawbrook, not Edward, but she insisted that she and her children would all bear the Sawbrook surname and he went along) gave each of the three children chunks of the land for tax purposes and was stunned to see Lucy immediately move ownership of her parcel into a trust for the conservation group she heads. The two have been at odds ever since. Buckner's drinking hasn't endeared him to anyone either; alcoholism runs in the family, Rhoda losing her sister to it when she was still young. His sisters want to believe he can change, Lucy even taking the money she received as part of the land transfer to put him in a rehab center, but he has again relapsed. And unbeknownst to Rhoda, Jewell sold her parcel of land to Lucy's trust as well in order to get the stake she needed to play in a major Vegas poker tournament, thinking she would surely win the $1 million prize but (a) she lost and (b) even if she had won, once the land went into the trust it couldn't be bought back. Things really go south when Jewell (still thinking she could buy back her portion of the land if she just had the moeny) agrees to do a favor for Van, one of the residents of the wealthy nearby resort where wealthy city people come to spend the summer and (in the view of the locals) have ruined the area for the locals. He wants to burn his boat for the insurance money, and offers Jewell $10K to torch it for him (apparently torching vehicles runs in the Sawbrook family too). When it turns out that Van had a different motive for burning the boat, and now if Jewell is caught she is in danger of something far more serious than arson. If the family pulls together, can they find their way back to each other and keep one another safe?
In The Trouble Up North, the reader gets to know a whole host of quirky, flawed but still (mostly) lovable characters who find their family's longstanding way of life in danger because of encroaching hordes and a system that favors the haves over the have nots. Many a resort community finds the same fractious relationship between the local population who to some degree have profited from the money that summer people bring, but at the same time find that their quality of life has suffered and their ability to afford to live in the community where they grew up is in question. Neither side is completely good or completely evil, but they are unlikely to ever live harmoniously with one another. The struggles of the Sawbrook family are those of many families across the world, generational differences in values, causing one another pain and heartbreak, all while still struggling to keep their love for one another and the bonds they share intact. By turns funny, melancholic and heartbreaking, this is a novel that should appeal to readers of Charles Portis, NIckolas Butler and Elmore Leonard. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Sawbrooks and while I'm not sure if I liked the ending, it was a surprise that in some ways was not surprising at all. My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me access to this intriguing story in exchange for my honest review.
March 12, 2025
In Trouble Up North, the Sawbrook family struggles to hold onto their Michigan bootlegging heritage and land as they are besieged by rich land developers and poverty. Set against the backdrop of the mid-2000s, this novel is the story of family loyalty, generational trauma, and the painful evolution of rural communities in the face of modern development.
The story centers on the Sawbrook family, whose roots in borderline-legal enterprises run as deep as their connection to their land. I mean, I guess it's only illegal if you get caught, am I right? With the family patriarch facing terminal cancer and developers circling their property like vultures, the family is forced into desperate times. They all react differently, giving us a nice range of characters that play well off each other. Though I felt very disoriented at the beginning to the characters� dynamics and who everyone was.
There is the matriarch of the family, Rhoda, who is desperately trying to hold onto the families past, both physically and historically. She is taking care of her husband who is dying of cancer. Then there are their three kids. First we meet Jewell, a down on her luck poker game hustler; then her sister Lucy, a park ranger of sorts, who "betrayed" the family by turning some of their land into a public conservation trust; and then their brother Buckner, a war veteran who struggles with sobriety and has a relationship with a missing stripper. As a parent, I found the book relatable at times, especially during the family conversations. I liked when Rhoda, the mom, thinks about her kids: "They were an insufferable pain in the ass, but God, she loved them." I think most parents can understand this feeling, and I’d love to pick the brains of the ones who can’t.
The story starts with Jewel being offered to help in what I guess is a simple scam � the burning of a houseboat for the insurance money� but what she thinks is an easy money grab turns deadly as a body is found in the rubble. This event forces the estranged Sawbrook siblings to reconcile their differences and confront their family's legacy as they try to get Jewel across the border to Canada using their family's old bootlegger tricks. When they're on the run, the narrative really settles in nicely and delivers some of my favorite moments of the book. The conversations between family members really shine here, revealing all their messy history and complicated relationships.
The novel does a nice job of exploring themes of inheritance � both material and moral. The Sawbrooks' claim to their land becomes increasingly questionable as the story progresses, making readers contemplate the nature of ownership to land and nature. And their resistance to the resort development, speaks to broader contemporary issues of rural gentrification and the erosion of traditional communities.
While the plot may not offer as many twists as some thriller readers might expect (there is, however, a peculiar revenge side quest involving a stolen Christian rock band tour bus that threw me off - yet was entertaining), the surprise ending feels earned through nice character arcs rather than mere shock value.
The audiobook production that I took part in, though, oddly cast just two actors covering four voices. I think it still works well. I do kind of wish they had gotten more actors since the story unfolds through different character points of views. Both actors did a nice job, especially the reader of Rhoda, the mother.
Overall Trouble Up North is a good read and I would say the audio book version is a nice way to enjoy this take on a family bonding adventure.
I'm an audiobook editor and post-production specialist who worked on this title. For more reviews and insights on audiobooks and media production, follow me on Substack (@wesleyedits), Bluesky (wesleyedits.bsky.social), or YouTube (@Wesley_Edit).
The story centers on the Sawbrook family, whose roots in borderline-legal enterprises run as deep as their connection to their land. I mean, I guess it's only illegal if you get caught, am I right? With the family patriarch facing terminal cancer and developers circling their property like vultures, the family is forced into desperate times. They all react differently, giving us a nice range of characters that play well off each other. Though I felt very disoriented at the beginning to the characters� dynamics and who everyone was.
There is the matriarch of the family, Rhoda, who is desperately trying to hold onto the families past, both physically and historically. She is taking care of her husband who is dying of cancer. Then there are their three kids. First we meet Jewell, a down on her luck poker game hustler; then her sister Lucy, a park ranger of sorts, who "betrayed" the family by turning some of their land into a public conservation trust; and then their brother Buckner, a war veteran who struggles with sobriety and has a relationship with a missing stripper. As a parent, I found the book relatable at times, especially during the family conversations. I liked when Rhoda, the mom, thinks about her kids: "They were an insufferable pain in the ass, but God, she loved them." I think most parents can understand this feeling, and I’d love to pick the brains of the ones who can’t.
The story starts with Jewel being offered to help in what I guess is a simple scam � the burning of a houseboat for the insurance money� but what she thinks is an easy money grab turns deadly as a body is found in the rubble. This event forces the estranged Sawbrook siblings to reconcile their differences and confront their family's legacy as they try to get Jewel across the border to Canada using their family's old bootlegger tricks. When they're on the run, the narrative really settles in nicely and delivers some of my favorite moments of the book. The conversations between family members really shine here, revealing all their messy history and complicated relationships.
The novel does a nice job of exploring themes of inheritance � both material and moral. The Sawbrooks' claim to their land becomes increasingly questionable as the story progresses, making readers contemplate the nature of ownership to land and nature. And their resistance to the resort development, speaks to broader contemporary issues of rural gentrification and the erosion of traditional communities.
While the plot may not offer as many twists as some thriller readers might expect (there is, however, a peculiar revenge side quest involving a stolen Christian rock band tour bus that threw me off - yet was entertaining), the surprise ending feels earned through nice character arcs rather than mere shock value.
The audiobook production that I took part in, though, oddly cast just two actors covering four voices. I think it still works well. I do kind of wish they had gotten more actors since the story unfolds through different character points of views. Both actors did a nice job, especially the reader of Rhoda, the mother.
Overall Trouble Up North is a good read and I would say the audio book version is a nice way to enjoy this take on a family bonding adventure.
I'm an audiobook editor and post-production specialist who worked on this title. For more reviews and insights on audiobooks and media production, follow me on Substack (@wesleyedits), Bluesky (wesleyedits.bsky.social), or YouTube (@Wesley_Edit).
April 14, 2025
"The Sawbrooks have lived on prime real estate on the lakes of Michigan since before there was prime real estate. A family of smugglers and bootleggers, every man, woman, and child in each generation has been taught to navigate the nooks and crannies of the rivers and highways that flow in and out of Canada. The hidden routes are the family's legacy.
But today, the Sawbrooks are deeply fractured, and the money that's sustained the family is running out. Edward, the Sawbrook patriarch, is dying from cancer, and his wife, Rhoda, is bitterly disappointed in her three adult children. The eldest daughter, Lucy, is now a park ranger, working to federally protect the land against her mother’s will; the middle son, Buckner, hasn’t been the same since he came back from the army suffering from alcoholism; and the youngest daughter, Jewell, is wasting her potential as a card player and bartender.
When Jewell is asked to commit a crime for a major insurance payout, she agrees, eager for the cash, but too late, she realizes that that the boat she torched wasn't empty..."
For a short book, it's amazing how too long it was.
But today, the Sawbrooks are deeply fractured, and the money that's sustained the family is running out. Edward, the Sawbrook patriarch, is dying from cancer, and his wife, Rhoda, is bitterly disappointed in her three adult children. The eldest daughter, Lucy, is now a park ranger, working to federally protect the land against her mother’s will; the middle son, Buckner, hasn’t been the same since he came back from the army suffering from alcoholism; and the youngest daughter, Jewell, is wasting her potential as a card player and bartender.
When Jewell is asked to commit a crime for a major insurance payout, she agrees, eager for the cash, but too late, she realizes that that the boat she torched wasn't empty..."
For a short book, it's amazing how too long it was.
March 10, 2025
I very rarely will request a book on Netgalley that I’ve never heard of before, whose author I’m completely unfamiliar with, and not recommended by any of my trusted sources. The Trouble Up North is that book and my curiosity was rewarded. I requested this book bc I am a sucker for a good Michigan setting (especially up North!) and the plot seemed very intriguing.
This book takes off from the first page and tells the story of The Sawbrook family, their land and their lore and their questionable decision making skills. We go between the perspectives of Rhoda, the matriarch and her three adult children, Lucy, Jewell and Buckner. The story begins with a boat burning and the action never stops from there.
If you are looking for a fast paced family story with a real sense of place this is the book for you. Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of this book.
This book takes off from the first page and tells the story of The Sawbrook family, their land and their lore and their questionable decision making skills. We go between the perspectives of Rhoda, the matriarch and her three adult children, Lucy, Jewell and Buckner. The story begins with a boat burning and the action never stops from there.
If you are looking for a fast paced family story with a real sense of place this is the book for you. Thank you to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced copy of this book.
March 10, 2025
3.5 rounded up
The Trouble Up North is a novel that had the potential to be an epic family story, but mostly floated on the surface.
The Sawbrook family suffers from their differences and main (only) character traits. Jewell is a gambler who just set a boat on fire for insurance money. Lucy is a conservationist trying to protect the land their family has lived on for over a century. Buckner is an alcoholic trying to change his life. When the boat fire goes bad, the siblings are thrust together again to save each other and their land.
This gets bonus points for taking place in Northern Michigan, an area that is ripe for so many stories. I also appreciated the glimmers of great tensions: parents who no longer recognize their children, the fading of ancestral obligation over time, long time locals fighting against tourism. This stayed fairly surface level, though, and I wish it had gone deeper.
*I received a free digital review copy from the publisher. Thank you!
The Trouble Up North is a novel that had the potential to be an epic family story, but mostly floated on the surface.
The Sawbrook family suffers from their differences and main (only) character traits. Jewell is a gambler who just set a boat on fire for insurance money. Lucy is a conservationist trying to protect the land their family has lived on for over a century. Buckner is an alcoholic trying to change his life. When the boat fire goes bad, the siblings are thrust together again to save each other and their land.
This gets bonus points for taking place in Northern Michigan, an area that is ripe for so many stories. I also appreciated the glimmers of great tensions: parents who no longer recognize their children, the fading of ancestral obligation over time, long time locals fighting against tourism. This stayed fairly surface level, though, and I wish it had gone deeper.
*I received a free digital review copy from the publisher. Thank you!
March 12, 2025
This, the new Jess Walter, and Noble Savage Death of Babs Dionne read all together were just the perfect blend.
I especially loved the siblings relationship with each other. Some of the things Rhoda said were hysterical (same for Buckner's inner dialogue) even though she as a characters kind of annoyed me occasionally. The story itself was compelling and the turn it took at the end - at first I did not approve but after giving it just a little bit of thought, I liked it so much.
Two things to note: Buckner's love for his dog, and the dog for him, was just beautiful. And I don't necessarily love dogs, but this was done so well and so pure that I loved it. And in the epilogue, someone describes their experience at a concert, hearing a song that was particularly meaningful to them - I had to set the book down before I started sobbing. It came out of nowhere and I found it particularly poignant.
I especially loved the siblings relationship with each other. Some of the things Rhoda said were hysterical (same for Buckner's inner dialogue) even though she as a characters kind of annoyed me occasionally. The story itself was compelling and the turn it took at the end - at first I did not approve but after giving it just a little bit of thought, I liked it so much.
Two things to note: Buckner's love for his dog, and the dog for him, was just beautiful. And I don't necessarily love dogs, but this was done so well and so pure that I loved it. And in the epilogue, someone describes their experience at a concert, hearing a song that was particularly meaningful to them - I had to set the book down before I started sobbing. It came out of nowhere and I found it particularly poignant.
November 13, 2024
This story of a colorful and eccentric family takes place on the lake shores of Michigan. Those very same shorelines provided the livelihood for the Sawbrook family for generations.
Years have passed; developers have circled and have landed, wanting the land; and the family is running out of time and of money. Will they be able to keep their valuable heritage, or will it become more golf courses and condominiums?
This novel takes the reader on a wild ride as the youngest grown daughter, Jewell, tries to cash in on some quick money to aid her family in their quest to keep their land.
It's a story of what one will do not only for love of land, but more importantly, love of family.
This novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.
Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this family saga mystery.
Years have passed; developers have circled and have landed, wanting the land; and the family is running out of time and of money. Will they be able to keep their valuable heritage, or will it become more golf courses and condominiums?
This novel takes the reader on a wild ride as the youngest grown daughter, Jewell, tries to cash in on some quick money to aid her family in their quest to keep their land.
It's a story of what one will do not only for love of land, but more importantly, love of family.
This novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page.
Thank you, NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this family saga mystery.
April 11, 2025
For almost two hundred years, the Sawbrooks have owned a vast tract of land in northern Michigan. Because the land was unsuitable for farming, the family were bootleggers--transporting goods between the U.S. and Canada. Now Rhoda Sawbrook is struggling to keep the land. Her husband, Edward, is dying of cancer and his health care needs are straining them financially. Rhoda and Edward have three children--Lucy, Buckner, and Jewell. Lucy is considered by Rhoda to be a traitor to the family because she is a park ranger and has given the land Rhoda gifted her to a land trust. Middle child Buckner is an alcoholic who has struggled to maintain steady employment and staying sober. The youngest, Jewell, agrees to help someone out for some quick cash--an act that lands the five members of the Sawbrook family on the other side of the law yet again, fighting for survival.
April 16, 2025
Hearing the term "Up North" enraptures me with fond memories but also allows me to envision future adventures. Because of this, I had high hopes for this book and, while I liked it, I didn't love it. For those of you who know Michigan, you will hear of some real places and things (e.g. Interlochen, Detroit Tigers, etc) but also many fictional locales. But none of the geography really mattered. It could have been anywhere and that may have been part of my issue. Perhaps I had my own built-up desires on what this book would be from a nostalgic point-of-view and the book never took me there. While it is a touching story of family struggles and did supply a few twists, it was a fairly simple story, and I was never absorbed into its plot or its characters.
59 out of 100
59 out of 100
November 19, 2024
Every region of our country has stories of the first families that held land, cherished it, and would do anything short of betraying family for that land. They were pioneers, bootleggers, poachers, smugglers, doing what they had to to survive and rise. The novels always seem to be about Appalachia, Deep South, Texas or the like. This one is set in Michigan, my home state. “Up north� in Michigan is the northern lower peninsula, not the upper peninsula as a non-Michigander would guess. Well written with believable characters. A far-fetched tale that I found believable, oft told conflicts told in a new way.
April 12, 2025
This was the first book I've read from this author, but it won't be the last.
The characters are well developed and very interesting. The interactions between family members were relatable, even though few, of any, readers would ever find themselves in these situations. I really enjoyed this book.
The ending certainly caught me by surprise!
Disclaimer: I won this book in a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ book giveaway.
The characters are well developed and very interesting. The interactions between family members were relatable, even though few, of any, readers would ever find themselves in these situations. I really enjoyed this book.
The ending certainly caught me by surprise!
Disclaimer: I won this book in a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ book giveaway.
April 9, 2025
"She won because her entire life had been a single, straight arrow fired with great purpose at the same target and she never once considered the possibility of failure."
Travis Mulhauser is one of my favorite authors. The people he creates in his stories so solidly inhabit his pages that you feel they must surely exist elsewhere. I loved this book.
Travis Mulhauser is one of my favorite authors. The people he creates in his stories so solidly inhabit his pages that you feel they must surely exist elsewhere. I loved this book.
February 16, 2025
Families. They can have such different world views until the family crisis starts. Mulhauser weaves a story centered around a family long at the edges of the law. This story weaves through the current crisis which of course has links to previous ones.
April 5, 2025
Wow. Just finished it all the way and definitely wasn't expecting to feel so emotional. It was a slow start to me and all the stories about the past was kinda boring and almost out of place at times. I received this book as a good goodreads win BTW
April 24, 2025
Enjoyable enough novel about a family that manages to attract trouble in rural northern Michigan. The play of crime, humor and family dynamics left the novel a little unfocused. Two weeks from now I won't be able to recall anything significant or really good about the characters or story.
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