July 2025 – Eric Crook, an accomplished writer and community leader, draws from decades of experience in forestry and regional planning to deliver his debut novel, part one of the Gansted Trilogy, Between a Rock . . . is a wilderness thriller that blends gripping suspense, emerging romance, and rich environmental detail.
Set deep in the remote heart of New York’s Adirondack Mountains, Between a Rock . . . follows the tension-filled aftermath of a hiker's urgent report that someone has fallen from the cliffs above Avalanche Lake. Stacy, the region’s first female crew chief, and Wayne, a forester recently relocated from Montana, find themselves thrust into a murder investigation that quickly spirals into a high-stakes manhunt. As foresters and police scramble to apprehend suspects tied to a recent bank robbery, the risks mount—for campers and law enforcement alike.
Crook’s narrative is distinguished by its authenticity, meticulous research and firsthand knowledge of the political environment and physical beauty of the Adirondacks. Relying on numerous resources including High Peaks Trails (Adirondack Mountain Club) and The History of Nature and People in the Adirondacks by Phil Terrie, Crook crafts a setting that’s both vivid and believable. Fans of James Fenimore Cooper’s The Deerslayer (published in 1841) will appreciate this modern homage to classic frontier storytelling.
But beyond the mystery and wilderness adventure lies a deeper story—one of human connection and resilience. As Stacy and Wayne navigate professional challenges, media scrutiny, and their own complicated pasts, a powerful bond forms between them, that offers readers not only a suspenseful ride, but an emotional, emerging romance one as well.
A compelling read for both men and women, Between a Rock . . . is ideal for fans of realistic thrillers, richly drawn natural settings, and stories where romance is forged under pressure. As the first installment in a planned trilogy, the novel sets the stage for more excitement to come.
About the Author:
Eric Crook holds a BS in Forest Management and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning. His writing is grounded in verisimilitude—creating fiction that feels like truth. He has authored numerous technical planning studies and previously published Greatest Hits, a collection of poetry and prose. A board member for both the Association of Rhode Island Authors and the City of East Providence planning board, Crook is a passionate advocate for literature and his local community. He currently resides in Rhode Island with his wife and is the proud father of two grown children.
Eric Crook holds a BS in Forest Management and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning. His writing is grounded in verisimilitude—creating fiction that feels like truth. He has authored numerous technical planning studies and previously published Greatest Hits, a collection of poetry and prose. A board member for both the Association of Rhode Island Authors and the City of East Providence planning board, Crook is a passionate advocate for literature and his local community. He currently resides in Rhode Island with his wife and is the proud father of two grown children.
