Two women.
A remote cave system.
One stranger.
A struggle for survival.
Secrets...and a lie.
The plot: As kids, Tess and Allie were best friends. Now, Allie travels the world as a successful travel influencer and Tess works as her part-time assistant. Allie is adventurous and fearless. Tess is more of an introvert. But she's also a survivor. Going caving together is supposed to help them reconnect. But then a stranger follows them into the cave, threatening them. And when Allie gets shot, Tess finds herself alone and on the run, going deeper and deeper underground, with the man following close behind.
My thoughts: This book is part survival story, part psychological thriller. And it's very entertaining. The chapters alternate between Tess's harrowing experiences underground, and her time in the hospital where she recounts what happened to her and Allie to a police detective. Which lessened the suspense a little, because you know right from page 40 that she survives her ordeal. But the cave scenes are intense. And there are several surprises along the way. I guessed one of the big plot twists early on, though there were moments later on that I started to doubt my suspicions. I liked that Adams kept me guessing. And the ending was great!
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Happy Reading!
Ooh this sounds intense! I think the cave scenes would make me claustrophobic 😬
ReplyDeleteThe cave setting is why I wanted to read this one in the first place. It's great. :D
DeleteI remember reading a book years ago by Nevada Barr that involved scenes in a cave and they literally almost made me hyperventilate from claustrophobia. Not sure I'd be up for another such "adventure" but I've always liked Taylor Adams' work so maybe I'll give it a try.
ReplyDeleteThere are enough scenes outside the cave in this one that I think you'd like it...though there are moments of cave claustrophobia for sure. And that Nevada Barr book was a good one. I read it because of the cave setting!
DeleteThis sounds very dramatic! I love survival stories, although I think cave scenes might freak me out!
ReplyDeleteThe cave scenes are very gripping...which I loved. I'd' never go into a cave like this, but I do like reading about them.
DeleteThis had my anxiety spiking just reading the blurb! Sounds really good and like a tense read!
ReplyDeleteIt is very intense...especially at the end!
DeleteI'm glad to hear what you thought about this one, Lark. I have it here, but haven't started it yet. Yes, the cave scenes do sound more than a bit claustrophobic - ha! Dorothy mentioned reading a Nevada Barr book with caves - I read that one too. It's set at Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. It was definitely a page-turner and made me glad that just touring that site didn't involve crawling through spaces - ick!
ReplyDeleteI read that Nevada Barr book! It was excellent. Made me want to go see Carlsbad Caverns even more. :D
DeleteInteresting book. I think one of my very worst nightmares is being lost underground - now add someone chasing you for all the wrong reasons. Can’t imagine much more suspense than that.
ReplyDeleteI can't either! Caves, especially deep and unexplored ones, make such great suspenseful settings. I love reading about them. Especially non fiction accounts!
DeleteI listened to this last week and loved it! I was surprised by the main plot twist! I was happy with how it all turned out. I was hoping! :)
ReplyDeleteI was happy how it turned out, too. And it was the whole comment in the beginning of the book about how good Tess was at playing that game Changling because no one could ever tell she was lying that made me guess the big twist. ;D
DeleteAbout a year ago I read Taylor Adams' novel The Last Word about a woman who gives a one star review to a novel on a goodreads platform and the rest of the book she is being stalked by the author. Never finished the novel but what I read I liked. Caving sounds interesting but I would be too nervous to do it myself.
ReplyDeleteGoing deep into a black space where you have to squeeze through tight crevices and avoid deep holes...so NOT my thing. Just the thought makes me shudder. But I do love reading about it.
DeleteThat sounds good. Wishing you a very happy Easter.
ReplyDelete:D Thank you, Mary!
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