Shelley Marsh delivers an engaging eco‑mystery set in the coastal marshlands of Florida, where quiet beauty and creeping danger coexist. As someone who lived in Florida for sixteen years, I felt the authenticity on every page — the wildlife, the rippling water, the hush of early mornings, and the heartbreak of watching overdevelopment swallow the places we love.
About the Book
Marine botanist Amanda Wright returns home after losing her research grant, stepping back into the marshlands she grew up exploring. But the peace she remembers is threatened by a flashy new resort, a suspicious rezoning effort, and the discovery of a rare aquatic plant that could halt development. When a fellow scientist dies under mysterious circumstances and her long‑absent mother resurfaces, Amanda finds herself caught between environmental stakes, political pressure, and personal wounds.
Book HookUp Book Review: Up the Creek
Up the Creek pulled me in with its atmosphere first. Marsh writes the coastal marshlands as if they’re alive, not just scenery, but a presence. Still on the surface, full of quiet undercurrents that tug at anyone who gets too close. The danger doesn’t scream; it whispers. And those whispers follow Amanda through every choice she makes.
Amanda is a smart, passionate protagonist, but her temper sometimes gets ahead of her. She reacts quickly, and when confronted afterward, she becomes flustered or even embarrassed. It’s a believable flaw that complicates her situation, especially when she forgets to share important details that could help her case. Even so, her determination to protect the marsh and its endangered plant life kept me rooting for her.
The eco‑mystery elements, rezoning, the rare plant, and the resort development, feel organic to the plot. Marsh blends environmental conflict with community dynamics and political tension in a way that feels true to Florida. The family layer adds emotional depth, especially when Amanda’s mother returns after ten years. Their relationship brings meaningful tension and growth to Amanda’s arc without overshadowing the mystery.
The suspense builds steadily, the stakes rise naturally, and the resolution is satisfying. I closed the book curious about what comes next for Amanda.
Book HookUp Content Note
Clean language. Some danger and suspense. No graphic violence. Readers who prefer closed‑door stories should note that this book contains mild romantic elements but no on page intimacy but is not romance‑focused. The focus remains on the mystery, the environmental stakes, and the emotional layers within Amanda’s story.
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I received a copy of this book from Great Escapes Book Tours with no compensation, and all opinions are my own. Book HookUp participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Similar Books You May Enjoy
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens — A deeply atmospheric mystery rooted in marshland ecology, with a young woman whose isolation, emotional wounds, and fierce connection to the natural world shape the story.
The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne — A tense, character‑driven suspense novel set in remote wetlands.
The River at Night by Erica Ferencik — A wilderness suspense novel where nature is both breathtaking and dangerous. Environmental tension, immersive setting, and escalating stakes
About the Author: Shelley Marsh
Shelley Marsh is the author of the Estate Sale Mysteries, including Dying to Live Here, More Than She Bargained For, and Everything Must Go. She writes character-driven mysteries set along Florida’s coast, where community ties, hidden motives, and shifting loyalties shape the story. With Up the Creek, she expands into eco-mystery, blending environmental conflict with political intrigue and emotional stakes.
When she’s not writing, she can often be found exploring the beaches and marshlands that inspire her fiction. She lives and writes in coastal North Florida.
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