I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I devoured this book, and would have finished it in one sitting if I hadn’t started it so late in the day. This book is the definition of a popcorn thriller, and is the perfect read to kick off your summer.
While none of the characters are particularly likeable, you can’t help but root for Jade, our narrating guide through this nightmare of a hiking trip.
While the twists weren’t anything groundbreaking, I found them to be interestingly done, and the fact that they were somewhat transparent added to the atmosphere of feeling like you’re watching a slasher movie and yelling at the characters not to make the bad decision in front of them while knowing there’s nothing you can do but watch as they back themselves into a corner with no way out.
I thought the sections of the podcast about the killer throughout the novel were well-integrated, and that the times Jade is hearing the podcast host narrating her own experience were nice moments of levity in a dark situation.
I was left wondering though why Jade was even friends with Zoe and Stef if every single flashback Jade had was of them both treating her terribly on their trips. I feel like it shouldn’t have taken a serial killer to make her realize that her friends sucked. At nearly thirty, I couldn’t see a reason for her to have kept these two in her life since middle school if all they ever were was catty and abusive towards her.
Overall, this was a fun, twisty slasher that begs to be read in one sitting. I’m impressed that this is Jabore’s debut, and I’d certainly read more from her.