I can't explain the reasoning behind it but this book just had me so invested from the very 1st chapter! The writing style is just so relatable and accessible. The plot os constantly moving forward and the characters are wee rounded and easy to picture. The narration flips between the past and present but there's something about the writing style that is just fun and easy..... the writer never takes it too seriously or tries too hard. It doesn't feel like clichés or things I'd ever read before. And it's not just the writing style obv, there are plenty twists and turns and it is a really fascinating story that all unfold so well and at such a good pace. I'd easily say this is one of my favourite thrillers of the year! And I can't explain why lol, it's just modern and fresh and it feels like it's narrated in a modern tone maybe? It's not the dull old fashioned miss Marple who dun it or the boring small town murder and police procedural..... its relevant and relatable! And the main character makes smart choices, she not the idiot who's constantly doing the most ridiculous things just so the bad guy can get a jump on her..... our girl is out there getting pay as you go sims and subtly hinting at hubby to get a ring fitted without him thinking it was her idea lol! And I also loved that the boom isn't filled with super awkward and overly suspicious characters for you to wade through before the big reveal. This is just a story about journal people meeting other normal people and things going way out of left field! Amazing!! I'm already downloading the entire bacl catalogue

Synopsis of The Hiking Trip by Jenny Blackhurst: A young British backpacker goes missing on the West Coast Trail. No one is sure whether she died or simply disappeared. Apart from fellow hiker Laura. Twenty years later, a body has been found. And there's only one person who can reveal the secret that Laura's been hiding.

What could possibly go wrong when you go hiking for the first time by yourself with a bunch of strangers you just met?!! Okay, The Hiking Trip started out well, but it took a bit to get going after the first several chapters.

Interesting back and forth in timelines and the podcast and news articles. I liked that aspect as it kept the storytelling fresh, unlike other books just telling a story.

Overall, the story and plot kept my interest because I wanted to find out what really happened and about the other members on the hike. I was quite surprised at the outcome and the culprit and thought it was one person the whole time I was reading the book, only to be completely wrong. That is good storytelling. I will check out more books by this author.

#TheHikingTrip #NetGalley @JennyBlackhurst @canelo_co

25 years ago Maisie meets up with fellow hikers Ric and Sera. Tragedy occurs. Present day a body is found believed to be Seras. Laura is freaking out over the dead body and someone is targeting her and her family. This was a great read with surprise twists and turns. Thanks NetGalley and Canelo for this ARC!

Thank you Canelo and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.

One sentence review: HONDA CIVIC RELIABLE POPCORN THRILLER - do not be discouraged because of the 3 star rating

SYNOPSIS

In 1999, Maise leaves the UK for a hiking trip in Vancouver that ends in murder. Fast forward 25 years, a woman named Laura hears that remains have been found and starts to panic.

MY OPINION

I don't vibe with citizens gone rogue thrillers, but this is Honda Civic Reliable. Although I did like [book:The Girl Who Left|60600538] better, I can comfortably say that Jenny Blackhurst has joined Alafair Burke as a go-to author when I'm hankering for a Honda Civic Reliable read.

What I like most about Blackhurst's books is how self-aware the MC is. It's almost satirical how the MC pokes fun at herself for "running into an abandoned warehouse like I'm Laura Croft" or thinking things like "If I was out for revenge, I'd go for the big kill not waste time sending creepy messages." This satirical/tongue in cheek approach is soooo much better than other authors who take their shit sooo serious and write a "super smart" therapist with the decision making of a toddler.

She also does a great job in addressing the usual "holes" in popcorn thrillers like why the MC doesn't call the police and why they don't get security cameras when hoes start leaving creepy messages. In fact, I think this is one of the first popcorn thrillers I've read where the MC DOES get security cameras to thwart the baddie from breaking & entering. How refreshing LOL.

Although I clocked the twisty twist pretty early, I don't read popcorn thrillers to have my brain twisted like a pretzel. Blackhurt's writing is simple and straightforward like the plot. Yes there's some CC here and there, but she doesn't waste time being fake deep with heavy-handed similes and figurative language. Something pops off every chapter. In the first 10%, there's clear conflict and all the major players are introduced. There's no spinning our wheels trying to set the mood by describing the floofiness of the clouds and how her face is a grey tinge like chicken you've left too long in the fridge (that's an actual simile for the new Stacey Willingham book LMAO).

All in all, this has all the ingredients for a solid popcorn thriller. Straight-forward, easy to digest writing. Wholesome characters and a mom who puts her kids' lives first. Some juicy secrets. A lil jokey joke here and there. My main rich homie qualm was the VERY Scooby Doo ending. Idk if it was supposed to be funny, but it was?

If you like Shalini Boland and Samantha Hayes, I think you'll really enjoy this. Give it a whirl, gwurl (gender neutral term ok)

PROS AND CONS

Pros: Honda Civic Reliable writing and plot, dark humour throughout, solid characters

Cons: ending was... lol????

I loved the author's previous novel The Girl Who Left so was looking forward to reading The Hiking Trip.
In 1999 Maisie is escaping a difficult home life to hike the West Coast Trail in Canada when she meets Seraphine and Ric. 20 years later Laura is happily married with 2 children. Why does the discovery of a body on the West Coast Trail threaten to tear her life apart?
Wow, this was such a gripping, compelling and twisty thriller. I loved the dual timeline and was gripped and convinced by both narratives. It's a well paced novel with mostly unexpected twists. The author really conveys the sense of menace and fear that pervades Laura's life and builds up the tension well. A recommended read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

This novel of mystery and intrigue is difficult to put down. This talented author has written a cannot figure out murder mystery. Red herrings abound. I usually can guess the ending of a mystery story. Not in this case…the characters are deceitful…not likable at all. Family and friends…secrets…be prepared to wonder what is going often…be prepared to try to determine who was killed, if anyone…this gifted author brings it all to a satisfying, but surpri, conclusion. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review.

psychological thriller, suspense, disappearance, relationships, murder, sociopath, international crime and mystery, unputdownable ****

Twenty years before, a backpacker went missing. Now the body has been found and Laura's whole life is on the edge threatening to destroy the life she has made for herself with a husband and family. The reader gets inside her head, all that has happened, all that she fears. A very interesting read.
I requested and received an EARC from Canelo via NetGalley.

This was a really great read. I did guess some of the bigger twists and turns, so that is why I did not give this book five stars.

I was absolutely delighted to read another Jenny Blackhurst thriller, the synopsis was very enticing and then I was hooked from the opening paragraph. Jenny’s books are always wonderful to read; so deftly written making me want to get to the conclusion so quickly so I can find out how all of the pieces fit together.
The Hiking Trip is a brilliant book telling Laura’s story in both 2019 when she is happily married with her husband and two children and in 1999 when she was travelling on the West Coast Trail. What happened 20 years ago to make Laura the person she is today? How far will Laura go to keep her secrets and protect her family?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book throughout and highly recommend it.
Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.