Atmospheric Tale Of Survival When There Is Little Atmosphere To Be Had. "What better place for a killer to hide than in the death zone" indeed. This is a book both for fans of survival thrillers and for nonfiction high altitude survival tales ala Krakaur's Into Thin Air. McCulloch, inspired by her own real-world ascent of the very mountain she bases this tale on, crafts a story that shows the breadth of who goes up these mountains and why, and what they encounter when they get there. The physical dangers are ever present, the psychological challenges are daunting, and when it begins to leak that the resident legend may not be so legendary after all - and that there may be a killer on the mountain to boot - the tension ratchets up as high and tight as it can get. Excellent tale excellently told, and very much recommended.

3.5 deep breath stars

This one was a quick and tense read for me!

Our main character – Cecily -- is an adventure journalist and she’s landed the story of a lifetime, interviewing a famous mountaineer – Charles McVeigh -- as he completes a challenge to hike 14 summits without oxygen and the help of fixed ropes. The catch is that she’ll only get the interview if she summits with Charles. She has several failures to summit that she’s written about recently.

We are taken along for the hike in the Himalayas, learning all the items that hikers need to take, challenges that the hikers face, and the danger that is inherent in the activity. There seems to be extra danger following Cecily and one hiker dies before they even really get started. There are lots of big egos on this trip and the leader Doug, seems to have anger issues.

As Cecily makes it to camp one and the team works on acclimatizing to the high altitude, she has feelings that things are not right. Difficulties with wifi signals mean that everyone is isolated, and Cecily can’t send in her blogs. They also have trouble getting weather forecasts. The pressure is on for Cecily to summit, but another hiker death makes her wish to give the whole thing up. I liked that this one explained not only the physical toil but the mental stamina that climbs like this take on people. The sherpas also do so much for the climbers.

The tension is ratcheted up in the last part of the book and I really wasn’t sure what would happen! There was a great twist that I did not see coming. In the author notes, I learned that the author is a climber, no wonder this one had an authentic ring to it!

What’s it about (in a nutshell):
Breathless by Amy McCulloch is the story of journalist Cecily Wong’s hike to the top of one of the tallest mountains on the planet, Manaslu. The famous climber Charles McVeigh tapped her for his team, and he would not give her an interview until they reached the top. For personal and professional reasons, a successful climb means everything to Cecily. Still, with a murderer on a killing spree and all of nature’s challenges, her chances of success have become marginally thin.

Initial Expectations:
My first impression is that Breathless will be an intense thriller with man versus nature and man versus man themes. The title speaks to the intensity – almost like it is commenting on the reader’s experience. I expect to be left absolutely breathless. Also, the snow falling on the cover speaks to the challenges nature will provide. Lastly, the book description seems to confirm all of this. I’m expecting a harrowing climb!

Actual Reading Experience:
From the very beginning of this story, the atmosphere is so pervasive that it is almost claustrophobic at times. It definitely sets the mood for the natural dangers and experiences of mountain climbing in a way that feels genuine. I could tell that the author had actually been on this mountain and made it to the top, and her descriptions were vivid and real.

The third-person narration, focused solely on Cecily Wong, tells a story that I experienced viscerally in a way no other type of narration could have as effectively told it. Cecily is a journalist who needs an interview with Charles McVeigh to establish herself in the journalistic world. Her desperation to be successful at climbing Manaslu and interviewing Charles McVeigh is not just known by the reader. But still, it felt as if it was my struggle along with Cecily’s. This makes the story uncomfortably immersive and effectively so.

The murder mystery, on top of the natural challenges, is very complex and has lots of surprising twists. I didn’t even come close to suspecting the right person or the reasons. I loved that a story taking me on a naturally harrowing journey also took me on a suspense-filled path to stop a killer who found the perfect spot to kill without getting caught.

To Read or Not to Read:
If you are interested in finding out the details that go into mountain climbing and love an excellent murder mystery full of twists, turns, and surprising revelations, you must pick up Breathless and go on the hike of your life!

This was un-put-downable for me. I mean I stayed up late devouring this chilly tale, wrapping a blanket even tighter around me.

Journalist Cecily Wong has packed up her life for a once in a lifetime opportunity. She says goodbye to her boyfriend and all her money just to do this, so she can put her life back on track for the goals she really wants. She goes to Manaslu, the eighth highest peak in the world to interview the famous mountaineer Charles McVeigh. But when a climber dies unexpectedly, and than another, she doesn’t know if it’s the harsh terrain or someone is someone murdering them one by one.

This book showcases strength and fears mixed into one. McMculloch give attention to detail of the characters and the surroundings and immerses you into the atmosphere. I almost felt like I was right there, as the author did excellent research into the topic, without having to make you back track. I love a good murder mystery and this one doesn’t disappoint. I mean who wants to be in a situation where they have to fight for survival on brutal, cold terrain… I definitely don’t!

This was an okay thriller and I think people who are more into scaling mountains would like it more than me.

I wrongly assumed that we'd get a little brief lesson on mountain climbing and then get into the action. At least the first 10% is explaining it in terms I don't know with names I can't pronounce. I kept thinking, "okay explain it to me like I'm 5!"

The writing style was great though. I don't want to be too harsh on it because if you're into that thing this will probably rock your world, but I'm not. I just wanted some drama.

I also have no idea why they chose to release this in May. This would make a great dead of winter read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Cecily Wong Is going to climb an enormous mountain. It’s a risk, but she will have the adventure of a lifetime and an amazing story too if she can do it. Climbing with Charles McVeigh and writing the account of the greatest climber ever is a dream come true.

Until accidents start happening. And people start dying. And Cecily Wong realizes that the mountain isn’t the only killer there. You can tell Amy McCulloch has experienced climbing and can tell a great story too. Highly recommended.

This is a wild, fast-paced ride.

Wow! Amy McCulloch writes an adventure thriller that's part murder mystery and part Into Thin Air/Left For Dead. But the best part is that it takes the locked room trope and turns it into a 8,000m summit attempt! Bodies pile up, yet our heroine keeps trekking, and overcomes many personal obstacles.

I couldn't put this down until I was finished, in part due to McCulloch's lived experiences coming through the page.

Brava! 4.4/5

Breathless by Amy McCulloch
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Cecily Wong is readying herself to climb her highest mountain yet. All in the hopes to get a chance to interview Charles McVeigh, who is setting new records in mountaineering. But once she gets on the mountain she is worried that the mountain isn’t the most dangerous thing there, it’s someONE.
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What I liked:
-I learned so much about mountaineering and the Himalayas in this book. I really enjoyed that and now I want to find some documentaries to watch.
-Even though this was a slow burn, there was danger at every turn that kept me interested and involved the whole way.
-A great cast of characters that kept me guessing as to everyone’s intentions.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really enjoyed this one! I liked how it ended and almost wish there was an epilogue for just a tiny bit more.

This one wasn't my favorite and I found it hard to get into. It was very dialogue-heavy and I had to force myself to read through, I gave up at about 15%. This book just wasn't for me but I appreciate NetGalley for providing me with this copy in exchange for an honest review.

How many thrillers have you read that take place at 8000 meters? For me, that answer had been zero.
I very much enjoyed the writing in this book. It didn’t feel forced or unnatural.
There were quite a few characters, but it wasn’t so many as to be confusing. The main character, Cecily, was very relatable and I was definitely rooting for her to make it to the summit.
Red herrings are the name of the game in this book! Just when I thought I had things figured out a wrench was thrown in the works and I had to rethink things. There are a lot of pieces to this puzzle and I really enjoyed trying to work it out.
I thought to myself several times how well researched this book was and then at the end of the book the author shared that she had actually climbed the mountain herself. She did a spectacular job conveying that!
This book was atmospheric and creepy in the best way! I could *hear* that whistle.

Last year we rented a lake “cabin” in the Colorado mountains that was owned by a guy who had climbed the seven summits (the highest mountains on each of the seven continents). He had named a room in the home for each summit and it contained a scrapbook filled with pictures and daily logs of his climbs. I found it fascinating and spent hours perusing the photos and logs so I found this book fairly intriguing.

It’s filled with details and logistics of what actually goes into an attempt to summit Mount Manaslu, as the author has actually made the climb along with others. The story is told primarily in third person from the point of view of Cecily, along with a few drafts and blogs that she writes for her employer along the way. The expedition is plagued with difficulties and difficult personalities as if the mountain itself isn’t dangerous enough. She travels with a small group of people and their guides back and forth to the various camps for acclimatization and they encounter other groups along the way. I enjoyed the characters and their backstories. I did guess the killer a little early on but there was a little more to it than that so I enjoyed the journey to the end. I wouldn’t call it fast paced, though as you approach the finale, it does speed up as with most thrillers. Recommended for those who are interested in the thrills of climbing a mountain and isolated mysteries.

Thank you to Netgalley and Anchor Books for the free copy provided for an honest review.

One of the buzziest thrillers this spring and it certainly lived up to my high expectations (pun intended!). I love atmospheric thrillers where the setting is unique and almost its own character - similar to Jane Harper's books. This was definitely a book I'll recommend.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Being on top of one of the tallest and most dangerous mountains is a feat in it’s own…but being tracked by a killer brings it to a whole new level. This book was amazing! The author definitely has a background in summiting the tallest peaks in the world and it shows in this book. I felt as if I were transported to the “death zone” along with the characters.

This book was fast paced and kept you on your toes as you truly didn’t know who the killer was until the end.

Breathless by Amy McCullough is a thrill for mountaineering fans. The author is a seasoned climber and includes her personal experiences in the author's notes. Breathless is a fascinating read. I can only dream of climbing a mountain like Manaslu in Nepal. It is 8163 meters above sea level, so reading about the adventure is riveting.

Synopsis:
Cecily Wong needs one break before her career as a journalist takes off. Charles McVeigh, a world-renowned mountain climber, will attempt his last ascent. He invites Cecily and promises her an exclusive interview. There is only one minor prerequisite. Cecily must make it to the top of Manaslu with Charles before he gives her the interview. What Cecily does not know is that a serial killer is on the trail with them and is picking off his victims one by one. Is Cecily the next to die?

Breathless is an excellent book for those with climbing and equipment knowledge. My lack of experience with mountaineering made it challenging for me to get started with the story; however, once into it, readers uncover many exciting plot twists.

Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, for the opportunity to review this book. I appreciate your kindness.

Breathless is available on May 3rd.

I dnf'd this at about 20 percent. I couldn't get into this story. It's very dialogue heavy, which I normally like, but I couldn't follow any of the conversation and I didn't really care. If this is typically the type of thriller that you like, then I would still recommend giving it a try.

I loved this fast-paced, thrilling, twisty mystery! This combines a few of my favorite genres - mountaineering, survival books, mysteries, and thrillers - all into one.

It centers around Cecily Wong, an English journalist who is invited to join famous mountaineer Charles McVeigh on his attempt to summit Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world. Manaslu is the last peak on McVeigh's "Fourteen Clean" mission, his attempt to climb all 14 peaks above 8,000 meters, without bottled oxygen, without using fixed lines, and all within a year.

McVeigh is notoriously shy about talking to journalists, but Cecily has somehow scored the elusive interview with him on one important condition: she must summit Manaslu alongside Charles. Cecily became semi-known in her world for pretty much the opposite of that - she wrote an article called "Failure to Rise" about her failure to summit Kilimanjaro (a high mountain, but a relatively easy one in the mountaineering world), her failure to complete the UK's Three Peaks challenge, and her experience watching a woman fall off of Snowdon mountain in Wales to her death and waiting for rescue in freezing rain.

Bolstered by training, the fact that she will be with an elite, super well-prepared team, and that this interview will be key for her career, Cecily accepts Charles's invitation and heads to Nepal. But as soon as they get to the interim mountain town of Samagaun, before they even hit the base of Manaslu, bad things start to happen. People begin to die, seemingly by unlucky accidents. But Cecily has a feeling that something is off - these are extremely skilled mountaineers making beginner mistakes. She notices a few things wrong here and there, and her journalistic sixth sense tells her she needs to look into these "accidents."

What comes next is a thrilling game of cat-and-mouse, with Cecily and all the people on the mountain being the mouse, and many different things being the cat: this mysterious killer, everyone's early summit fever, Charles's need to finish his Fourteen Clean challenge, the difficulties of climbing a big mountain, and most dauntingly, a narrow summit window getting increasingly smaller because of an impending storm.

The author, Amy McCulloch, climbed Manaslu herself (actually, as part of Nimsdai Purja's Elite Exped outfit on his "Project Possible" challenge, similar to her fictional character's challenge!). She's able to bring a vital realism to the storytelling - it would have been immediately apparent if an armchair adventurer was telling this story, versus someone who has climbed through the "Hanging Place" and experienced how different life is above 8,000 meters.

It combines what I love about mountaineering nonfiction with what I love about twisty mysteries and thrillers. After I was even a few chapters in, I found it difficult to put down - it's gripping and keeps you entertained the whole way through.

Highly, highly recommend this fast-paced and well-written thriller! Thank you to Knopf Doubleday for the ARC via Netgalley!

When NetGalley is good enough to offer me a free reading in exchange for only a review, I feel an obligation to read the whole book. Otherwise, if I'm being truthful here, I would not have finished it. It sometimes felt like the longest story in the world, and I would put it down for several days at a time. It just moved SO slowly, much slower than the mountain climbers that the story tells us about.

Cecily is a travel writer and feels like this is her last chance to be successful in that field by writing about her own climb and a personal interviewer with "the greatest climber in the world." I do admire the author for much research done. In fact, she has done the climbing herself, so she knows of which she speaks. And the pace picked up every time there was a murder on the mountain. The person who committed the killings may or may not surprise you, and I didn't really care WHO it was, myself. I just wanted to finish the book.

This quote was used throughout the story: Where better for a killer to hide, than somewhere already known as the death zone?

I have posted the review on GoodReads but am undecided how much to share it, since it's fairly negative.

This was really great until the ending -- after so much detail, so much anticipation and so much anxiety, the ending felt like a bit of a flop for me. It was rushed and ended abruptly. This type of ending could work if this book was adapted to a movie or tv but I just felt bereft after this ending. That said, 80% of the book was thrilling and even though I kind of knew where it was going, I loved the descriptions of summiting a mountain over 8000 meters. Definitely unique and I would still recommend!!

Breathless comes out next week on May 3, 2022 and you can purchase HERE.

Cold air filled her lungs. It was strange. When she'd pictured breathing up here, she'd assumed it would feel like suffocating. Choking. Maybe, in a way, like drowning.

But it didn't.

She could feel the sting of the wind on a tiny bit of exposed skin on her cheek, between her buff and her sunglasses, and then a stronger gust against her body, threatening to bring her to her knees.

The air was there. It just wasn't doing what it was supposed to.

DNF 3%
I wanted to like this book, but it quickly became clear it just isn’t for me. The dialogue was very wordy and quite frankly felt cheesy. I normally am a dialogue lover, but I wanted a bit more description. I just couldn’t bring myself to continue reading as I was seeing that I wasn’t feeling connected to the writing.

Breathless by Amy McCulloch

Cecily Wong is on a mission to prove herself worthy of scoring an exclusive interview with mountain climbing expert Charles McVeigh. Only issue is, she has to summit an eight thousander called Manaslu before he'll give her the interview. No matter how much preparation she has gone through and sacrifices that she has made, nothing prepares her for when she gets the the mountain and people start dying.

This was a great thriller, with lot of mountaineers facts sprinkles throughout. The reader truly gets a feel about how difficult the climb is through the descriptive writing, as well as the fear of inadequacy that Cecily feels coupled with the fear of trying to figure out who is murdering fellow climbers. Easily could have read this in one sitting, it was that good of a page turner.

One of the best parts of this novel was learning that the author has actually climbed the mountain the book was centered on. I really made me feel that she has insider information about how difficult it is to summit Manaslu even when there isn't a murder on the mountain!

Truly enjoyed this read and look forward to reading more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.