Backstabbers - Eliza Jabore

BACKSTABBERS

ELIZA JABORE

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Never turn your back on a friend.

Jade, Stef and Zoe are hiking Washington's Bones Hollow Trail, braving cougars, snakes and the storms that roll in without warning. The friends' paranoia isn't helped by listening to a true crime podcast about the serial killer whose hunting ground they're hiking through.

Then when Stef twists her ankle - badly - there's no one to hear them scream for help. The only sign of life for miles is a cabin that looks straight out of a horror movie, with an owner who's a little too eager to invite them in.

The friends must soon find a way to survive as things spiral out of control. After all, who can you trust when your back's against the wall? But unfortunately for them, the only thing more twisted than this nightmare is their friendship...

MY REVIEW

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I seem to be reading a lot of thriller/horrors set on hiking trails recently – not great for someone who enjoys solo hiking!

Jade, Stef and Zoe are childhood friends who go on yearly adventures – this year it’s the Washington Bones Hollow Trail, subject of a true crime podcast regarding the disappearance and murders of several female hikers. When Stef twists her ankle, they find themselves searching for help in the unlikeliest of places – a creepy cabin in the middle of the woods.

Backstabbers treads the line between psychological thriller and a horror slasher - it’s a fast paced and action-packed read which kept my interest throughout. I really enjoyed the asides from the true crime podcast which are woven into the main story - this really helped to get into main character Jade’s mindset. I did feel, however, that the other two characters of Stef and Zoe felt underdeveloped – I would have perhaps liked a little more flashback or more of their ‘normal’ relationship in the woods before the action happened, which would have helped me understand their motivations a little better.

There’s a lot of gore and violence within the storyline, and you do have to suspend your disbelief heavily at a lot of the character’s actions – particularly towards the end, as it all ramps up to the conclusion. Some of it felt predictable and the girls made some silly decisions which felt frustrating as a reader.

Overall, Backstabbers is a fast-paced and action-packed read but could do with more well-rounded characters with believable motivations and decision making. Thank you to NetGalley & Little Brown Book Group UK – Sphere for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

LINKS TO BUY

Amazon UK

Waterstones