Sometimes it’s best to let the past stay buried…
Thirty years ago, Jess’s mother, Nora, disappeared while on a charity hike in the US. The devastating loss has afflicted Jess well into her adult life and even inspired her decision to become an investigative journalist.
So when Jess receives an anonymous tip telling her that remains have been recovered in the spot her mother disappeared, she wastes no time in jumping on a plane.
They say the Appalachian Mountains have secrets, but as she begins to ask around, she learns that the locals do too. But no matter how much they lie, she is determined to find the truth – even if it will
irrevocably change her future.
Someone wants to keep the past buried. And they will stop at nothing to keep Jess as quiet as the tranquil mountain trail itself…
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M. A. Hunter is the alter ego of Stephen Edger, the bestselling author of psychological and crime thrillers, including the Kate Matthews series.
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My thoughts: I don’t think I’d be very keen on hiking the Appalachian Trail, which passes through a huge amount of America, passing through 14 states (says Google) and covering hundreds of miles of mountains and forest, small towns and some probably quite grumpy bears.
This book doesn’t make me want to do it at all, though Bill Bryson put me off first, at least no one he knew went missing somewhere along the trail (A Walk in the Woods, if you’re interested).
Jess lost her mother thirty years before, while hiking a section of the trail to raise money for Jess’ best friend Ashley, who happened to also be Nell’s goddaughter. Despite some pretty huge setbacks, Nell was determined to complete her section. But then she vanished. Her fellow hikers had no idea where she went or what happened. Jess was devastated, and after her dad died, all alone. Except for Bruce, who stepped in to look after her.
Now, Nell’s remains might have been found, can Jess finally get some answers or will someone stop her learning anything?
Nell’s hike was terrifying, honestly some of the things she saw were downright awful, and Jess doesn’t have a much better experience. It all gets a bit Deliverance-esque in a small town, Rockston, where the locals have some unusual beliefs. But did they, as Jess’ strange informant insists, harm Nell or is something else going on?
Twists and turns, much like the path through the mountains, abound, and there are a few times it seems the hikers in both timelines are done for, but the ending is surprisingly upbeat and hopeful.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 