The Lumber Baron's Wife

Author: Lynn Austin
Genre: Dual-time Fiction
Pages: 368
Release Date: April 14, 2026
Publisher: Tyndale House Fiction

When the young wife of a powerful lumber baron vanishes into the wilds of frontier Michigan, her friend is left to unravel the truth in this captivating dual-timeline novel from bestselling author Lynn Austin.

1873. After a devastating loss, Hannah Wagner never imagined she’d leave her comfortable home for the harsh, unfamiliar wilderness near Lake Michigan. But when Henry Abernathy—a friend of her husband, John—offers them a fresh start in a booming lumber town, where John’s skills as a doctor are sorely needed, Hannah reluctantly agrees. There, she meets Kate, Henry’s spirited, much younger wife. Kate’s sharp tongue and outsider status have made her unwelcome among the town’s elite, and when she begins confiding in Hannah, it’s clear her marriage is not what it seems . . . and that a secret from her past could destroy everything.

Present day. Ashley Gilbert never planned to settle in Michigan, but when her husband lands his dream job as a conservationist, she agrees to follow. While restoring their historic home—built in the 19th century for a doctor and his wife—Ashley becomes captivated by its past and its connection to the nearby Abernathy mansion, now being transformed into a museum. While volunteering with the restoration, she stumbles upon the unsolved mystery of Kate Abernathy’s disappearance. What begins as curiosity soon becomes a quest for the truth—one that will connect her to two women whose stories and struggles echo and inspire her own.

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Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer

Lynn Austin is amazing, as usual. This story has so much packed into a small amount of pages. She amazingly addressed heavy subjects and was also able to keep the story light and flowing. This was a dual time period and also a mystery. 

Hannah is married to a doctor. She lost her three children to illness. When her husband’s friend from the Civil War invites him to be the town doctor in a town off Lake Michigan, her life is changed in so sufficient ways. One of the main ways is befriending her husband’s friends’ new younger wife, Kate.

Kate has a past that is a mystery to everyone except Hannah. Their friendship brings out all her secrets. After a bipolar relationship, Kate goes missing with no explanation. There is so much mystery behind her disappearance. It is never been solved. 

Ashley moves to the same small town in Lake Michigan. Her husband is an environmentalist and needs to be there for work. When she convinces her husband to buy the old doctor’s house, she takes an interest in the old Abernathy mansion and the disappearance of Kate Abernathy. 

This story was so moving. It also addressed heavy subjects in each time period. Lynn Austin again does a wonderful job of showing hard situations women have to face. I also love the element of faith that she always brings to difficult choices. This is a good story, for sure. I highly recommend it. 

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.

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Reviewer: Jeanette Durkin

WOW! This is an extraordinary book! I was immediately drawn into the story. The main theme is forgiveness: forgiveness with friends and family and also the ultimate forgiveness of God. I enjoyed reading about the renovations to the Abernathy Mansion!

The characters are written brilliantly! I found myself genuinely interested in the lives of Kate, Hannah, Ashley, and Freida. Kate is an amazing character. She has a childlike quality. Her childhood wasn’t the best, but somehow she maintains an exuberant personality! She strives hard to fit into “polite” society and making her husband proud. Hannah’s story is heartbreaking. She lost her three children to illness and has basically shuttered herself from life and love. Ashley just longs for a forever home. She loves everything historical! Freida is the friend that everyone needs in their life. She speaks the truth in love and always points people to God.

There are some difficult topics brought up: prostitution, alcoholism, loss of life (some children), physical abuse, and talk of abortion. Thankfully, the author presents that there is hope in these situations through faith in God! “My faith had grown during the past year, and each time my anxiety swelled, I chose to trust God’s love.” Towards the end of the book, a woman named Ruth is talking to Kate about God’s forgiveness. Her example brought tears to my eyes, that Jesus sets us free!

I was provided a complimentary ARC copy of the book from Tyndale Fiction via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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