I love wilderness books and this one did not disappoint! Plenty of twists and turns in this thriller.
Can't wait to read more by Lucy Clarke.

Wish you were here?
Think again . . .

Maggie, Liz, Helena & Joni. Old friends bound by history, adventures, old secrets.

And now, bound by murder.

They lace up their hiking boots for the adventure of a lifetime in the Norwegian wilderness: a place of towering mountains, glass-like lakes, log cabins and forests stolen from a fairytale.

It’s the perfect place to lose yourself – until a broken body is found at the bottom of a ravine.

Somewhere out there, someone knows exactly why a woman has died. And in this deep, dark wilderness, there’s a killer on the trail . . .

Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam for gifting me a digital ARC of the new thriller by Lucy Clarke - 4.5 stars rounded up!

It's Liz's turn to plan the annual vacation with her best friends, Maggie, Helena and Joni. She's a doctor, having issues in her marriage, and needs to walk off her stress instead of sit on a beach. She plans a hiking and camping adventure in the mountains of Norway. But none of the friends are equipped to deal with the physical demands of the hike, not to mention the stress among themselves, as each are keeping secrets. But they must stick together to survive - plus they are being followed through the woods.

Told in alternating perspectives, we also know there is a murder and a search. While beautiful, the wooded and mountainous terrain becomes deadly as well, and feels like another character in this book. All of the women feel real and relatable, plus the stress of the climb as well as among themselves feels palatable. This was a tense, atmospheric mystery, with lots of twists that I never saw coming. I'm a fan of different perspectives with short chapters and Clarke's writing style really kept me engaged and glued to the pages!

4.5 stars rounded up because I am still shocked at how much I enjoyed this book!!
I hate hiking, I hate camping, but I was attached to this book, this plot, these characters.
Lucy Clarke did such a fantastic job detailing all the reasons why hiking is tough-all the while secrets, drama and potential death stalk 4 childhood friends.
The chapters were super short, and even though you're switching between 5 separate POVs, it's not confusing at all and it's extremely fast-paced-even though it's literally just about hiking!
The suspense was superb and even though I wouldn't necessarily list this as a thriller, I was still hooked from the very beginning.
The plot twists at the end absolutely threw me!!
I highly recommend this read to everyone!

Read if:
-you love to (or want to) hike
-are not afraid of heights
-visiting the mountains of Norway is on your bucket list
-you & your besties take girls trips once a year
-enjoy cozy mysteries

Another stellar performance from Lucy Clarke! The follow-up to “One of the Girls” is much like its predecessor & I was not disappointed. Set in the beautiful mountains of Norway, “The Hike” focuses on a group of women heading out for some fun & adventure. It becomes quickly apparent that darkness is all around them & danger is lurking during their mountain getaway.

In the spirit of her last book, Clarke delivers with twists & turns that will give you whiplash. The final pages were shocking, surprising & heart-pounding - everything you could possibly want in a late summer psychological thriller!

Would you continue to climb a mountain after everyone warns you against it and everything goes wrong, as well as drag your friends along for the ride? That’s what Liz does. Every year, Liz and her friends Helena, Maggie, and sometimes Joni, go on a trip together. This year, Liz chose for them to hike in the mountains and camp there for four days. There’s warnings of a missing girl who looks a lot like Maggie, men lurking on the trail, and cracks in the friendship between the girls. Do they all make it home or does the mountain claim one of them?
I loooove a good “go on a trip and maybe there’s someone lurking about” book. I didn’t love the “The Search” chapters but looking back, I see the value in them even if I didn’t really enjoy them. The characters were written so well, which Lucy Clarke always does. Even the most insufferable character was at least written in a way that I hated her because she felt real.
The Hike got 3.25 ⭐️ from me. It comes out in the US today, August 29! Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Four long time friends travel to the mountains of Norway for a four-day hike in semi remote areas, little realizing the risks from unpredictable weather, rough terrain, and ruthless people.

I thought the varied backgrounds and personalities of the four friends made their actions less predictable and more interesting when they were confronted with physical challenges and danger. I also liked how the variety of surroundings - rivers, beaches, mountains, forests, played into the story's suspense.

The mysterious disappearance of a young woman on the same mountain a year before also adds complexity to what seemed at first a straightforward mountain hike.

Enjoyable thriller because of the characters and the surroundings, and the compelling plot.

Well that was a fun adventure! As someone who loves hiking and backpacking, I knew I had to request The Hike. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in, but it stayed so interesting the whole time. The fact that there were single sentences that gave me whole body chills truly speaks to Lucy Clarke’s writing and ability to make you feel completely uncomfortable. There was obviously lots of twists and turns, and I basically stayed in the dark the whole time.

I’d highly recommend this to anyone looking for an adventure thriller! Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC.

This was a fast paced and easy thriller. I enjoyed the characters and the plot was engaging and kept things moving. I found the twists to be fairly predictable and the ending wasn't my favorite but overall I give this book 4 stars.

A nice twisty turny summer thriller! We open with a woman’s dead body staring lifelessly on a mountain ledge and then jump to four friends getting ready for a hiking trip in Norway. To say it doesn’t go as planned is an understatement. I loved how the author played with time here, and really enjoyed how this became a love letter to close friendships. I saw some elements of the twist coming, but others definitely took me by surprise!

📚 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 - The Hike⁣
𝘉𝘺 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘺 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦 ⁣
⭐⭐⭐️⭐️ (4/5) ⁣⁣⁣
⁣
𝐓𝐡𝐞 "𝐆𝐢𝐬𝐭": Four besties in their 30's have vacationed together every year of their adult lives. This year, it's Liz's turn to choose the trip, and she decides on a 4-day hike/wilderness camp in the Norweigan mountains. The other three are hesitant and would prefer a relaxing beach trip as usual. But Liz, going through a trial separation with her husband, 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 this adventure. Little do they know, the small Norweigan town where they begin their hike, is still reeling from the disappearance of a young woman who mysteriously vanished a year ago... from the very trail the girls are about to take. Not everyone they meet along the way are friends, and one may very well be a killer... 😬⁣
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𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 💭: My favorite things about this novel are the fast pace and the beautifully described scenery. The alternating chapters allow us to really get to know each of the girls and their relationships to each other. ⁣
⁣
This book is suspenseful, ABSOLUTELY, but while there 𝘢𝘳𝘦 moments of real terror, I would not necessarily call this a "𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳." I dont know. Its hard to explain without giving anything away. ⁣
But, at the end of the day, this story is really a testament to the strength of female friendships. Though sometimes complicated and messy, the support and love you get from your female friends is unlike anything else on earth. ⁣
⁣
I had a few gripes with some of the decisions the girls made. If you thought a potential killer were on your trail (and possibly stalking you), I feel like you'd take certain precautions that these women just didn't take. Some of their choices were....questionable? Lol. The big ending felt a bit rushed also, but the final chapter was really nicely done and I thought it tied the whole story together beautifully. ⁣
⁣
All in all, I really enjoyed this one!!!⁣
⁣
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 📖: You like: Long hikes through the mountains; girls trips; lots of drama and secrets⁣
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𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: PG-13 (for some adult situations and mild violence)

An annual getaway for a group of girlfriends, some looking to escape and some not wanting to venture out on a strenuous mountain hike in Norway. Typically they opt for beach lounging, what could go wrong?

The hike oozed creepiness and you don't know who to trust - it didn't turn out like I was suspecting, and the second half flew by!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a review.

This was my first Lucy Clarke book! While I struggled with certain elements, I enjoyed her writing style and found some parts very moving: how our enduring friendships evolve over time; grappling with loss and grief; and really figuring out who you are in your 30s. 🫶🏻

That said, I found the story lacking a bit. A lot hinges on these ladies being soo ill-equipped for the hike… 🥴

The mystery also didn’t do much for me; I didn’t have that satisfying “aha moment” when all was revealed. I was just like…oh, okay then. 🥲

Still, if you’re looking for a quick, outdoorsy popcorn thriller about friendship, backpacking, Norway, and figuratively/literally finding your way, give it a try!

Nothing jaw dropping or mind blowing but enjoyable! It took me until around 60% before I became fully invested but it definitely keeps you on the edge from start to finish. I did find it a bit odd that none of the characters were prepared for the planned hiking trip that the entire plot is based around but other than that, I have no complaints!

Thank you the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

HUGE THANK YOU to Penguin Group Putnam Books and Netgalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Liz, Maggie, Helena and Joni have been best friends since forever. Every year they take a vacation. Each has a turn picking the destination. This years it’s Liz’s turn and she selects Norway for a “wild camping” trip. A four day hike through Svelle trail and Blafjel mountain, the four of them each carrying their own personal issues in life as well as their overweight hiking packs on a challenging journey through luscious forest and glacial waters, through their own personal storms and the literal kind.

This book was not what I expected and was exactly what I expected at the same time. I love thrillers that put you in the elements, put you in the boots of the characters and this one surely was not a let down. The characters could be you and me and our group of girlfriends, each relatable in their own way. I am definitely Maggie (I hope you love her as much as I did!)

In retrospect I literally thought I had this one nailed! Like I knew exactly what was happening only for the tables to turn into something (and someone) I didn’t expect! This one kept me on the edge of my seat and reading through the night.

This is a story of friendship, hardship, pain, loss, betrayal and survival. This has ALL the elements (quite literally) 10/10 would recommend.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy of The Hike by Lucy Clarke. This book was such a wild ride and I loved it. Four friends choose to get out of their comfort zone to hike a dangerous mountain and everything comes undone. Secrets, resentments, and danger unfolds. Very bingeable!

It’s been so long since I’ve felt so genuinely invested in the characters of a book I’m reading. Having multiple main characters is easy but having every single one of those characters be well developed with distinct personalities and realistic flaws is tricky. Liz, Maggie, Helena, and Joni work together so perfectly that when the POV flips between them it never feels jilted, the story stays smooth. All in all the writing itself is phenomenal. There wasn’t as much suspense as I normally enjoy in a thriller but it never felt slow. The momentum stayed steadily pushing forward. If you’re looking for a crazy twist this isn’t where you’re gonna get it. The plot doesn’t take any out of left field turns but it reads as very original and fresh. This was just a really great read!

Thank you PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, NetGalley & Lucy Clarke for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this popcorn thriller! I loved the multiple POV's and the backpacking in the Norwegian mountains was the perfect setting for a thriller! Plus the short chapters kept me wanting to keep turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I feel like the beginning was a little slow but once it got going I was hooked! I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it if you enjoy books about complicated friendships, backpacking in the mountains, and multiple POV's. 4 star read for me!

Maggie, Helena, Liz, and Joni are old friends that go on a “reconnect” trip annually. Usually it’s a relaxing in the sun trip but Liz’s idea is a hiking trip in Norway. They head out for four days in the Norwegian wilderness not realizing that none of them are prepared for what’s coming.

This was a great popcorn thriller that really showcased their relationships with each other. Each woman brings their issues and motivations for the trip. The beginning took a little to get going but the climax was worth it. Having an outdoor setting really helped with the thriller vibe.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this eARC. The Hike is out now.

Ah, Lucy Clarke does it again in her newest thriller The Hike!
Loved this story and the writing style. As someone who has done a multiple day hike and have had to pack and carry and plan, I really got into this story.
Four lifelong friends that stay connected every year by going on a trip - yet this one is quite different than the others. A hike in the Norwegian mountains. Over the years, their lives have all taken different directions, and is this trip too much to bring them back together?
A woman’s body found dead on a cliff by other hikers, eerie warnings from the local lodge, and an ominous storm that catches them all by surprise. Who will make it out alive, and will it ultimately change their friendships forever?

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Pub date: 29 Aug 2023

Last week in Banff I got to hike up the moraine (aka rockpile) at the foot of this glacier-fed lake, hence the name Moraine Lake. It’s situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, and the view was one of the highlights of my amazing trip.
I love going for walks (I just returned from a long one on the bike path in my neighborhood) and I think hiking is basically just walking in the wilderness. Anyone can do it! HOWEVER, backcountry backpacking is a different beast. Anyone can do that, too, but it takes a good amount of preparation and knowledge to successfully trek for multiple days.
As I was reading this book, the four girls going for a backpacking trip reminded me of one woman I passed as I was going down the Rockpile Trail last week - she was wearing a dress and bedazzled flip flops. Now, could she hike to the top? Probably. Would she have blisters? Maybe. Should she have made some better decisions? ABSOLUTELY. Now, she was doing a .5 mile hike and would be back to where she started in about half an hour. The women in The Hike were going to a remote area of Norway for 4 days! They definitely should have made some better decisions. Their bad decisions are what propel this thriller's plot (big surprise), but I still have misgivings about any advertisement of inadequate preparation for an overnight trip. Don’t get me started on my feelings about Into the Wild…
Anyway, I read this quickly and even though some of it was ridiculous and the secondary plot wasn't my favorite, the short chapters and many POV kept me interested in this “popcorn thriller” and I bet you would be, too. Just please don’t imitate these women - if you want to plan a wild backpacking trip, make sure you ALL know the plan and have some basic rescue skills.
Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. It will be available in the US next Tuesday and is already available in the UK! This was my first read by the author, but I'm planning to give her writing another chance by reading One of the Girls.