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The Ice on the Lake
- Author
- Alex Messenger
- Narrator
- Justin Price
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Publish Date
- 10 March 2026
- Run Time
- 6 hours 47 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
What to expect
A haunting story of survival and redemption on the frozen expanse of Lake Superior.
The harsh winters of Duluth, Minnesota, don’t bother Hugh McLaren. Decades after the death of his wife and estrangement from his children, the only respite from his troubled thoughts comes from ice fishing alone on the windswept expanse of Lake Superior. Out on the ice, Hugh can drop a line in search of monsters of the deep and be free of his own demons.
But when a routine exam turns into a terminal diagnosis, Hugh enters a new spiral of guilt and regret—about the loss of his wife and his own troubled upbringing—making him consider how he might mend his broken relationships with his children. To push aside his internal turmoil, Hugh goes onto the ice to fish during a severe storm, but as the blizzard rages on, he is forced to reckon with worsening conditions and the even colder storm inside himself.
The Ice on the Lake is a novel of resilience and determination—both to survive the fury of nature and to reconcile with the ghosts of the past.
Critics Review
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“Echoing the sparse language of Hemingway, Alex Messenger brings Lake Superior—in all its terrifying glory—to life in this gripping tale of love, loss, and monstrous fish.”
Stephanie Pearson, National Geographic Explorer, contributing editor of Outside, and author of 100 Hikes of a Lifetime U.S.A.
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“Kudos to Alex Messenger! The Ice on the Lake, his first foray into fiction, has the feel of Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea but set in the frozen waters of Lake Superior. A clever plot, thoughtfully executed, Messenger unspools his story with a slow-burning tension that builds to a powerful ending. I enjoyed this book very much and look forward to many more good reads from this author.”
Allen Eskens, bestselling author of The Life We Bury and The Quiet Librarian
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“The Ice on the Lake is a gripping story of survival and emotional reawakening. While enduring a remarkable ordeal on the ice of Lake Superior, we come to understand how Hugh McLaren could end up so alone in life. Alex Messenger masterfully puts us inside Hugh’s head as the direness of his situation sinks in and he makes one life-or-death decision after another, while memories of loss and regret bubble up to the surface.”
Amy and Dave Freeman, authors of A Year in the Wilderness: Bearing Witness in the Boundary Waters
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“Take The Old Man and the Sea, but make it Duluth: ice, snow, auger, regret. The Ice on the Lake is a survival story to enjoy—anywhere but your ice shack.”
Jay Gabler, arts and entertainment reporter, Duluth News Tribune
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“Alex Messenger is a sensational writer, and The Ice on the Lake is a mesmerizing tale of loss, love, and redemption. Equal parts survival story and psychological reckoning, this book manages to thrill even as it gets to the heart of what it means to be alive. It’s also a magnificent portrait of Lake Superior and all her many moods and depths. I couldn’t put it down, and I already can’t wait to read whatever Alex writes next.”
Peter Geye, author of A Lesser Light
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“Readers drawn to reflective stories of survival and redemption will appreciate this stark and emotional tale.”
Rome News-Tribune
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Details
- Author
- Alex Messenger
- Narrator
- Justin Price
- Duration
- 6 hours 47 minutes
- Release Date
- 10 March 2026
- ISBN
- 9798228300347
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Genre
- Thriller / suspense fiction, Adventure fiction, Narrative theme: Environmental issues
Synopsis
A haunting story of survival and redemption on the frozen expanse of Lake Superior.The harsh winters of Duluth, Minnesota, don’t bother Hugh McLaren. Decades after the death of his wife and estrangement from his children, the only respite from his troubled thoughts comes from ice fishing alone on the windswept expanse of Lake Superior. Out on the ice, Hugh can drop a line in search of monsters of the deep and be free of his own demons.But when a routine exam turns into a terminal diagnosis, Hugh enters a new spiral of guilt and regret—about the loss of his wife and his own troubled upbringing—making him consider how he might mend his broken relationships with his children. To push aside his internal turmoil, Hugh goes onto the ice to fish during a severe storm, but as the blizzard rages on, he is forced to reckon with worsening conditions and the even colder storm inside himself.The Ice on the Lake is a novel of resilience and determination—both to survive the fury of nature and to reconcile with the ghosts of the past.
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