SYNOPSIS:
They don't know what I did. And I intend to keep it that way.
How far would you go to win? Hyper-competitive people, mind games and a dangerous natural environment combine to make the must-read thriller of the year. Fans of Lucy Foley and Lisa Jewell will be gripped by spectacular debut novel Shiver.
When Milla is invited to a reunion in the French Alps resort that saw the peak of her snowboarding career, she drops everything to go. While she would rather forget the events of that winter, the invitation comes from Curtis, the one person she can't seem to let go.
The five friends haven't seen each other for ten years, since the disappearance of the beautiful and enigmatic Saskia. But when an icebreaker game turns menacing, they realise they don't know who has really gathered them there and how far they will go to find the truth.
In a deserted lodge high up a mountain, the secrets of the past are about to come to light.
MY THOUGHTS:
I was extremely lucky to receive a proof copy of Shiver complete with red sprayed edges and a set of character cards. This debut novel was exciting, thrilling, atmospheric and a perfect read for this time of year snuggled by the fire.
Milla finds herself back in the French Alps resort invited to a reunion with former friends and ex semi-pro snowboarders. The last time she was here Saskia mysteriously disappeared. With questions looming over who invited them and why they are here, sinister things start to occur and the five realise they were brought together to find out the truth, and to be punished for, Saskia's disappearance. Each with secrets to hide the five don't know who they can trust and what the outcome of the reunion will be. Stranded, they need to escape, alive.
I loved how the book alternated between the present and the past leading up to Saskia's disappearance. It was fascinating to read about the character's in their younger days and how they had changed as they got older. The events of Saskia's disappearance definitely had a significance impact on all of them and it was saddening to see how this changed their lives and personalities. Saskia was the villain of this novel from the outset so it was hard to feel compassion for her as she was extremely competitive, mean spirited and manipulative. This allowed me to warm and side with the other characters, especially Milla.
The fast pace and constant threat that the characters were under was extremely gripping. I love the premise of the book; from the very beginning you are surmising about who has brought them all together, what happened to Saskia and is there a killer on the loose. A very addictive read and one that I couldn't put down.
The tension mounts with each chapter but there is also a gentler theme of love and friendship running through the novel as well which allows you a respite from the constant threat of danger that surrounds the novel. It also allows you to see a different side to the characters and their own insecurities and innocence. A very well written novel oozing with suspense and every bit as chilling as the setting.
Many thanks to Alara Delfosse at Headline Books for my gifted copy.
AUTHOR:
Allie Reynolds is a former freestyle snowboarder who spend five winters in mountains in France, Switzerland, Austria and Canada. For those five years, snowboarding was Allie's life. She competed in the British Championships and was once in the UK top ten. British-born from Lincoln, Allie now lives by the beach in Queensland, Australia.
TV rights for a chilling drama series based on the book were snapped up by the commissioners of Bodyguard, Luther and The Cry. Shiver is Allie's debut novel.