Veil of Pines

A Dear Celeste Novel

By: J.R. Erickson

Narrated by: Robyn Maryke

Kidnapped. Trapped. Haunted.

Celeste wakes in an isolated cabin, imprisoned by the man she once loved. As hours bleed into days, pain and psychological manipulation begin to fracture her sense of reality and her hope of escape.

Detective Harris Mayne knows something is wrong the instant Celeste vanishes. His own brush with death left him sensitive to the unseen and when logic offers no answers, he is forced to follow cryptic, otherworldly messages instead.

As Celeste searches desperately for a way out, she uncovers a dark truth: decades ago, a brutal murder occurred in the cabin and the restless dead are stirring once more.

Don't miss this haunting tale of obsession, betrayal, and paranormal suspense.

©2026 Jacqueline Riegle (P)2026 Jacqueline Riegle

A thrilling conclusion

The tension builds from the start and never lets up. I have never yelled in frustration at an audio book before, I was so invested in story. I was on the edge of my seat the whole second half, unable to stop listening. While I am sad Celeste's story has come to an end, I couldn't have asked for more. J.R Erickson is beyond brilliant.

Celeste is my hero

I just recently binged all of the previous Dear Celeste novels in order to give this book the review it deserves. The cliff hanger that lead is to the Veil of Pines was excruciating! if I didn't have the book queued up to listen to next I would have gone mad!
I love the Easter eggs pointing to various true crime cases! The Dodder family? was that a nod to The Sodder children who disappeared?
I would have liked a bit more character development from the Memento Mori group members but I was satisfied with how things wrapped up.
Harris's character arc was helpful in understanding his mindset while he searched for Celeste.
I love Celeste because she was willing to make changes and be flexible while the world tried to drag her down.
I look forward to another book from this author!

Couldn’t Put it Down

This is a story that masterfully intertwines suspense and the supernatural for an unforgettable reading experience. I have to highlight how the narration brought the story vividly to life. The narrator’s voice captured the haunting atmosphere of the pines and the chilling mystery at the heart of the story, making each twist and spectral encounter even more gripping. The ghostly elements and the sense of isolation in the forest were delivered with such intensity that I often found myself holding my breath, eagerly anticipating what would happen next. If you enjoy audiobooks that immerse you fully and keep you guessing, this one is not to be missed.

Gripping suspense

The entirety of the series is thrilling and enrapturing. I enjoyed the tense moments, on edge the entire time. Frustration at the most tense moments but enjoying the ride all the same. I am completely satisfied with this book and the entire series.

An amazing series concludes

I binged this whole series in about 2 weeks time and I’m sad for it to be ending. The story of Celeste and her harrowing experiences has captivated me and J.R. Erickson has found herself a new fan. Well done. I hope this series can be revisited again one day.