The Drift is a brilliantly crafted horror/mystery mashup set in a dystopian world.

The book has three storylines, all set in the winter, all featuring a locked-door mystery. As the novel progresses, it becomes clear that the three stories are connected in some way–other than being set in the same post-apocalyptic world. The plot was well done and I don’t think any other author could have pulled off the twists quite this well.

Unfortunately, I found this book to be lacking… something. Despite featuring three locked-room trope mysteries, there are a lot of characters. Each of the three storylines is told from a single character’s point of view, and these protagonists were well fleshed out. However, many of the side characters felt indistinguishable and immemorable.

Because this book had to be so carefully plotted in order to make sense, I found that quite a few of the twists and plot developments felt formulaic. I could predict when a twist would occur based on how long it had been since the last reveal. This, coupled with the fact that I wasn’t rooting for any of the characters, did make for a somewhat flat read. The book is also post-apocalyptic, a genre already prone to having a depressing tone. It was hard to root for the characters’ survival with the murders and the “whistlers” and other dangers when it all felt so helpless.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy post-apocalyptic horror reads with complex plots and many characters, rather than those who like to dig deep into the heads of a handful of characters.

The Drift by C.J. Tudor was just an okay read for me. It’s a dystopian horror apocalypse thriller that didn’t fully capture my interest. The story follows three characters facing dangerous situations and dark secrets, with plenty of action and a haunting atmosphere. Everything unfolds during a pandemic, which isn’t usually my kind of storyline, but I gave it a try because I really enjoy this author.

The narrative switches between multiple plotlines and perspectives, with a large cast of characters that made it hard to follow at times. Sometimes I can handle blood and gore in my books, but this world just didn’t resonate with me. That said, I did appreciate the clever ending and how everything wrapped up. I think this one is better suited for fans of dystopian horror.

Thank you to the author, Penguin Random House Canada/Doubleday Canada, and NetGalley for my digital copy.

This will seem like the most random reason ever to select my next read of 2025, but given the first week of the year has been like living inside a snow globe with daily snow squalls and whiteout conditions, I realized that C. J. Tudor’s “The Drift” might be the perfect book to read with such a visual backdrop outside my window! After all, winter has actually and finally started in Kitchener/Waterloo (Ontario), Canada!

Three different mountainous settings struck by a blizzardy winter storm, linked to the same Retreat. A deadly, contagious viral outbreak, that turns a COVID-like pandemic into a quasi-zombie-esque apocalypse. Dangerous variants, seclusion centers, scientists battling the virus. Vicious creatures to fear, as well as other sinister characters. Three different storylines, with common occurrences such as the need for power/heat, excrement (I kid you not!), and a screwdriver (or other basic handy tool nowhere to be found!). Also, three different groups of people whose fates are all linked to the same sinister force.

“The Drift” packs a lot of components and delivers a lot of its promised thrills, but in the end, I was left wanting more. There were also a few reasons I did not enjoy “The Drift” as much as my previous C. J. Tudor read. First, there was just too much overly far-fetched stuff. Trust me, I get it. I’m all for escapism and adventure. But there comes a time when there is just too much extreme stuff going on. I refer to those as “Ah Come On!” moments. I’m okay with them until you just have too many of them!

Second, there were too many unnecessary descriptions that really took away from my enjoyment of the story, its intended thrills and its forward motion. Third, it irks me when authors keep using the same descriptive words and adjectives, and in this case, it was clammy. It came up so often that even I started to feel clammy!

My disappointment in “The Drift” has nothing to do with it being Tudor’s pandemic-themed novel. Speaking of which, Kudos to Tudor for explaining the inspiration and backstory behind the novel in her Acknowledgments. Bigger kudos for writing such an entertaining Acknowledgments section. I keep saying it: I wish more authors would take advantage of that special moment to write directly to us readers! I have long been a fan of outbreak stories, doomsday scenarios, and post-apocalyptic settings. I’ve also enjoyed a few authors’ pandemic-themed novels since our own real-life experience of one. So that had nothing to do with my disappointments.

The clever trick that Tudor pulls off in the back end of the story was very well executed and made me feel much less harshly about my overall under appreciation of the book. Here’s the thing. Goodreads still does not allow half star ratings, which is so unfortunate. C. J. Tudor’s “The Drift” is much better than a 3/5 but I wouldn’t normally give it a 4/5, even with the clever reveal. But given that rating limitation and being unable to give it the 3.5/5 I would want to give it, the rounding will be done upwards to a 4/5.

I was hoping that I would be able to read it before it got archived but I wasn’t able to. I will look at it now that it’s available in physical copy as it does sound great.

This riveting thriller weaves together three storylines set in a perilous frozen mountain environment. Hannah awakens as one of the few survivors on an overturned bus, surrounded by the dead and cut off from help. Meanwhile, former detective Meg is on a mountain cable car with six recruits heading to a vaccine research institute, The Retreat, when the cable breaks, leaving them stranded. At the institute, Carter and his team face unsettling events as they work on the vaccine.

Unaware of each other, these groups navigate a locked-room mystery filled with secrets and mistrust. With the threat of a virus, hidden dangers, a killer, the wilderness, and the eerie "whistlers" in the woods, survival depends on whether they choose self-preservation or cooperation.

This atmospheric thriller delivers suspense and unexpected twists, testing the characters' limits and moral compasses. It's a nail-biting read with a strong sense of place and a story that will keep readers on edge until the very end.

This was a new to me author and I went in not really knowing what to expect. I enjoyed the concept of the 3 seemingly separate storylines during a winter storm. The writing was very atmospheric and dark but the pacing was off and the plot/character development was minimal. Willing to try another from this author but not entirely sold on this particular book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Doubleday Canada) for providing a digital copy in return for an unbiased, honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I raced through this book - done in a day, ignored all life responsibilities just to keep reading. I absolutely loved the alternating chapters from Carter, Hannah, and Meg. I was constantly trying to piece together what was happening. As the book kept going things began to fall into place but man, was it a wild ride. I LOVED every minute of it. very locked-room-ish with a bus, and gondola, and resort.

Wow! This was a super intense and gripping read!

Following three different life or death storyline situations, The Drift by C.J. Tudor kept me wanting to read more to find out what was going to happen next. There were at least 3 times while reading that my jaw literally dropped in surprise at the events on the page.

Parallels could also be drawn to what we have been experiencing with COVID and the disease that was centered in this book - making it all the more captivating to read - could something like what happened in The Drift happen to us as well?

I also liked that it seemed as though an opening was left for another book in the ending...I guess we will see.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC for me to give an untimely review for this book.

Thank you Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada, Doubleday Canada and C.J. Tudor for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

"The Drift" is a gripping and chilling novel that combines elements of a locked-room mystery, a dystopian thriller, and a nail-shredding horror story. With its intense plot and atmospheric setting, this book will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

The story unfolds with three separate groups of individuals, each facing their own harrowing predicament. An overturned bus full of students, a stranded cable car with a dead passenger, and an isolated chalet filled with friends who soon become enemies. As a snowstorm rages outside, trapping them all, they must confront not only the threat of a killer within their midst but also the mystery of why no rescue is coming and what they are trying to escape from.

The author skillfully weaves together these interconnected storylines, creating a sense of claustrophobia and mounting tension. The locked-room mystery aspect adds an extra layer of intrigue, as readers are left guessing who among the trapped individuals could be the killer. The dystopian elements further heighten the suspense, as the characters grapple with the unknown forces that have led them to this dire situation.

The nail-shredding horror aspect of the novel adds a chilling and unsettling atmosphere. The presence of the Whistlers, a terrifying unknown entity, adds an additional layer of fear and uncertainty. As the characters struggle to survive both the external threats and the internal conflicts within their groups, readers will find themselves engrossed in the suspenseful and heart-pounding narrative.

One of the strengths of "The Drift" lies in its ability to keep readers guessing and questioning the motives and identities of the characters. The author expertly builds suspense and delivers shocking twists and revelations that will leave readers breathless.

In conclusion, the novel is a gripping and atmospheric that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, dystopia, and horror. With its intense plot, well-drawn characters, and relentless suspense, this book is a must-read for fans of thrilling and chilling storytelling. Prepare to be captivated and terrified as you navigate the treacherous landscape of this gripping tale of survival, betrayal, and the terrifying unknown.

Thoroughly enjoyable "field trip" for the reader but not so good for the students or driver! Not only do the survivors need to rescue themselves but need also to figure out how to survive in harsh conditions. The plot thickens as their rescuers may not be who they hoped...

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

Well done CJ Tudor. That as a story that did not disappointed. The pace was right on point and the twists were stunning.

THE DRIFT is Post-Apocalyptic Thriller from the acclaimed author, C.J. Tudor. Having loved “THE CHALK MAN” the psychological suspense debut by author C.J. Tudor, a brilliant piece of fiction, I was anxious to start “The Drift”.

Her Novels Include:
The Chalk Man (2018)
The Hiding Place (2019)
aka The Taking of Annie Thorne
The Other People (2020)
The Burning Girls (2021)
The Drift (2023)
The Gathering (2024)

This is my review of The Drift.

The story centers around three main ordinary characters, who risk everything for a chance at redemption as each of them find themselves in a different catastrophic situation in the middle of a violent snowstorm. It becomes a matter of survival at the end of the world.

HANNAH a medical student from a secluded boarding school, survives a bus crash during a heavy snowstorm, trapping her inside with a handful of survivors, a brewing virus, and no way to call for help. Together they must work together if they want to make it out alive. or they'll be buried alive with the rest of the dead. Hannah’s bus was headed to The Retreat, when the bus careens off the road during a massive snowstorm.

MEG is a former ex-police officer who awakes to find herself on a stopped cable car halfway up a mountain far above a snowstorm surrounded by strangers in the same uniform as her, with no memory of how they got there with no recue in sight. They are heading to a mysterious place known to them only as "The Retreat," but when they discover a dead man among their ranks, Meg realizes that there is something more going on.

CARTER is an employee at The Retreat, at the top of the mountain, where the power keeps cutting off. Here they manufacture vaccines against a deadly virus. But then the power fails for good, and they are down to a bare number of staff and trying to figure things out.

All this is taking place during a viral outbreak.

The story alternates back and forth between the three characters as we learn about their secrets and the dangers they face.

This book is filled with action, and also shades of horror. While I’ve enjoyed other books by Tudor, this one just didn’t do it for me. I recommend it more for fans of horror.

My thanks to the author Random House/Ballantine Books and NetGalley for my digital copy.

CJ Tudor is beloved for her craft at weaving thrilling and horror ridden tales, often with a dash of gothic noir. Tudor is a go to author if you want to be both thrilled and chilled to the bone.

The premise centres around a virus ravaged world at the end of times where three main characters are each dealing with their own lived catastrophe. What's more there has been a horrific crash with few survivors - but only if they work together before being buried alive. This premise is intriguing and terrifying and definitely got the better or my anxiety. Perhaps this was just too soon for me after the pandemic. I am sure reading it in a brutal winter storm only amplified things for me!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a copy of the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book!! I couldn’t put it down.
I just loved all the characters. I highly recommend this book.

I need to escape the pandemic!

Whenever I see a thriller or mystery I am always ready to pick it up and "The Drift" was no exception, especially because the author is CJ Tudor. However, right off the bat I don't think I was in the right mind set to read this book and I will definitely have to pick it up again, and only because I am a big fan of the author.

So there are 3 storylines to follow, each with 3 different narrators and all of them are going through a pandemic.
The 3 narrators are Meg who is a former homicide cop, Hannah, a boarding school evacuee and Carter a researcher. All of them are going through their own current traumas and honestly it was a lot.

Definitely a book worth picking up at a later time.

Thank You to C.J. Tudor and Penguin Random House Canada, for the digital ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Oh my goodness!!! This book had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down I had to know what was going to happen.

I liked how dark, and unmotivating the book was. How horrible the whole world was, I was in a dark place so this book fit me well.

Those last 50 pages though, oh my how incredible. What a wild ride!!

SUSPENSEFUL & SCARY
The terror doesn't let up in these pages. There were twists I didn't see coming. Characters were well defined. The 3 plot lines were exhilarating and frightening, whilst remaining distinct. The setting was a monstrous entity of it's own and vividly depicted. I still feel cold.
Thank you for the ride!

"The Drift" was tension-filled and held my interest. In the end, I enjoyed finding out how the main characters were connected even if it took a little too long to get there.

Overall though, there's a big part of me that wishes I had never read this novel. The world the author depicts is beyond bleak, hopeless, and violent. Pretty early on, I came to expect that most of the characters would either deceive, kill, or die (or all three), and I could not connect with that.

*Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Three story lines that don't converge until the last 50 pages and when they do, a reader can't help but think 'wtf'?

It is supposedly a 'locked room' thriller so by its nature it should be filled with tension and atmosphere. Not this one! Boring, boring, boring. The three storylines are pretty much carbon copies of each other and you know they have to finally come together but it takes so long ... I mean, sooo looong to get to that point. In the meantime the stories themselves are about nothing, filled with undistinguishable characters that get killed off one by one but no one cares, non-events, and occasionally the author herself popping up showing her own 'philosophical head'.

The author did not think of leaving a trail of cookie crumbs nor any clues throughout to keep the reader invested and guessing. When the reveal finally happens within the last 15% there is a realization that the only reason this even is a reveal is because the author withheld major information till that point. WHAT A LOUSY WAY TO STRUCTURE A STORY!

I've read books that I did not enjoy but they were clearly written with commitment and love. This one feels like a collection of random junk that was just thrown into the same bag, shaken and the contents just spilled out without the author having any emotional attachment to any of it.