THE HIKE
LUCY CLARKE
****
THE PERFECT DAY FOR A HIKE
Leaving behind their everyday lives, four friends hike out into the beautiful Norwegian wild – nothing between them and the mountain peak but forest, sea and sharp blue sky.
THE PERFECT PLACE TO DISAPPEAR
But there’s a darker side to the wilderness. A woman went missing here one year ago, scarring the mountain with suspicion and unanswered questions.
Now, the friends are hiking into the heart of the mystery. And waiting on the trail is someone who’d do anything to keep their secrets buried – and to stop the group walking away alive . . .
MY REVIEW ****
I read and enjoyed Lucy Clarke’s previous book The Castaways so I was excited to receive the ARC for her latest read, The Hike.
In her previous book I had enjoyed the way Lucy wrote multiple perspectives but still made sure the plot remained clear and didn’t become too confusing. This is very much the case with the Hike which is written from the perspective of four friends who catch up for an annual getaway, having chosen a mountain hike is Norway for this particular adventure. Each character has their own narrative voice throughout and each had their own secrets and backstories which are slowly revealed as the story progresses.
The story starts with the discovery of a dead woman on the mountain trail and we are unsure who this is until right at the very end but it really keeps the stakes high throughout. The chapters are also interspersed with the perspective of Lief, a man who owns the Lodge on the mountain and is sent to investigate the body. There’s also a lot of action and drama throughout which kept me interested and it felt like a quick read that I finished in just a few sittings.
My only criticism would be that some stock phrases are used multiple times throughout the book which felt a little jarring. It perhaps needs a bit of proof-reading to get rid of these before publication day.
Overall The Hike is a really well-written holiday-type read which will appeal to all types of readers. Thank you to NetGalley & Harper Collins UK – HarperFiction for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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