This is an exciting, nerve wracking story that will keep readers on edge. It's well crafted, exploring the bonds of friendship and family alongside a page-turning, tense story.

The Hike
By Lucy Clarke
Review and Rating 4 ⭐️

The Hike is a hidden gem. This was my first Lucy Clarke novel and I did not know what to expect. This ended up being one of my favorite reads of the year so far!
Four childhood friends, Liz, Joni, Helena, and Maggie, spend a vacation together every year. It usually involves a beach or a lovely resort somewhere. But this year, Liz plans an adventure, hiking and camping in the beautiful mountains of Norway. As the four women hike further from civilization, it becomes clear they all have secrets and baggage they are escaping from back home.
Meanwhile, two female hikers see a body at the bottom of a ravine. Unable to help her, they hurry back to the lodge at the base camp to report what they have found.
The friends soon find that they are not the only ones on the mountain, and the others may have sinister intentions. Unless they rely on each other they may not make it back alive.
I was hooked on this story from the beginning. It is told with dual timelines and alternating POVs which I think kept it moving right along. I also loved the deeply atmospheric setting. Hiking on a mountain in Norway is not on my bucket list but I loved every minute reading about it! I also felt there was good character development, and lots of interpersonal drama that helped the story feel more real. I am giving this diamond in the rough a solid 4 ⭐️!

I want to thank #Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.



Book Rating Key
⭐️ Not Recommended
⭐️⭐️ Readable Book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Good Book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Excellent Book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Near Perfect Book
***Note*** I seldom give ⭐️or ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ratings. If I feel a book is a ⭐️sometimes I just prefer to not finish reading it and not rate it. As for 5 ⭐️books, I think of those as books I would want to take with me to a deserted island 🏝️, and this means I read a whole lot of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️star books. Happy Reading!

i really enjoyed the character dynamics in this book. learning about the relationships between each of the four women and as an entire entity was really interesting and gave so much life to the story. the concept of the hike was well done and i liked the details about the wildlife as they traveled. at times the plot felt a little bit weak and as though i was forcing myself to get through it, but then it would pick back up again and i’d be fascinated. i think one of the best things about the hike is that you have about 100% of the mystery aspect figured out by the last 20 pages, and then the last few produce a final plot twist that is really quite unexpected. this is a good mystery book that falls in line with the vibes of lucy foley’s books.

3.5 stars.

"The Hike" by Lucy Clarke is a visceral mystery thriller that will leave you apprehensive about ever traveling to Norway, that's for sure! What you expect at the start of this book is not where the book is going. Twists and turns abound, and the characters you thought were reliable aren't and vice versa. Short chapters unfurl the story of a group of friends on vacation hiking in Norway. When they get stick amongst the elements, storms, rocks, getting lost, lack of supplies, and unsafe ground are the least of their worries as they feel as though they are being watched... and for glkd reason. Each character gets their own alternating point of view as their lives and personalities are unraveled over time, the dynamics of their friendships divulged slowly as secrets, interpersonal struggles, new happenings, and old resentments are exposed. I found this to be a fine book. Some parts are predictable. Apart from some slowness in the beginning of the book, this is a fast-paced, short-ish read that you will likely not be able to put down. Where Clarke succeeds is here fantastic visualization of the trails and mountains where these friends find themselves. She really paints a terrific picture of the terrain, the terror of the weather, the menace of the hike, the scariness of the things (and people!) lurking. A solid read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lucy Clarke, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

This was neither a good or a bad book. I enjoyed the book mostly, but it felt like something was missing. I don't know if it was that I figured out who done it early in the book or what. But over all I liked it and would read another book by this author in the future.

It took me a bit to get into the story. Maybe because I'm not super big on hiking. You might catch me on an early morning walk/jog with my pup once in a while, but out in the wilderness, no thanks. Anyway, I loved that it was written with each of their POV's. It's full of friendship drama and some old secrets, as expected. After it picks up the pace there's some tension and action that kept me engaged. Overall, decent.

Overall this story was well-plotted and action packed. I picked it up because I was looking for something different and it fit that bill well compared to my typical TBR list. However, it had a pretty slow start to the point I almost DNF the book. I’m glad I pushed through because it definitely picked up and was overall enjoyable.

This is a decent travel-based thriller novel. In my opinion, the writing was very well done and the multiple perspectives were executed well. The drama between the main characters felt believable for the most part, but some of the external conflict seemed a bit far-fetched. Although I found the ending to be underwhelming, I still think it was a decent thriller overall.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Maggie, Liz, Helena & Joni are old friends and each year one of them takes a turn to choose what kind of vacation they take. Liz chooses hiking in Norway, a bit different from previous years. This also happens to be where a woman went missing. The friends must rely on each other, but can they trust each other? Great fun reading this fast paced thriller! The setting is so vivid you feel like you’re there!0

✨BOOK REVIEW✨

Swipe for GoodReads synopsis.

I was really looking forward to this book, I mean murder while on a hike where no one can hear you scream??? Pulled me right in! Unfortunately, I felt like parts of the story were predictable and the conclusion was underwhelming. However, if you’re looking for a quick read with short chapters, alternate POVs, and a good palette cleanser, then I recommend this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam Books for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review. OUT NOW.

I couldn’t put this book down!
Four best friends meet every year for a week long getaway. Usually it involves a tropical sunny beach, but this year they do something different. They embark on a hike up a mountain in Norway and some are more excited than others.
We know not everyone returns from the mountain alive! But what exactly happens on the trail?
Super fast read with some fantastic twists!
Looking forward to reading more by this author.

In "The Hike," Liz seeks solace from the burdens of her marriage and career by planning a wilderness adventure with her closest friends. Eager for a reset, they embark on a four-night camping trip in the breathtaking mountains of Norway. The idyllic setting promises serenity and renewal as they traverse trails adorned with lush valleys, towering peaks, and shimmering lakes.

However, as they venture deeper into the remote wilderness, the group realizes they are not alone. Encountering other individuals seeking refuge in the mountains, they soon uncover hidden secrets that cast a shadow over their journey. With each passing moment, the tranquil landscape reveals a darker side, threatening their safety and testing their resilience.

Isolated from civilization and devoid of cell coverage, Liz and her friends find themselves confronting not only the challenges of the wilderness but also the haunting truths lurking within. As they navigate treacherous terrain and face unexpected dangers, they must rely on each other's strength and determination to ensure their survival.

"The Hike " is a gripping tale of adventure and suspense, where the beauty of nature conceals the perils that lie beneath. As Liz and her companions confront the unknown, they must confront their deepest fears and fight to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way. In this unforgiving landscape, their journey becomes a test of courage, friendship, and the will to persevere against all odds.

this thriller was a combo of unrealistic and predictable for me honestly! i enjoyed the friend group and was on the edge of my seat reading about their past drama, but this whole hike was unrealistic to me from the start. once i got past that, i found the mystery aspect to be predictable! overall didn’t hate it but was kinda bleh for me.

A group of friends take a trip, but there are underlying cracks in the foundation of their relationships. On this trip things keep going wrong, a random rockslide, someone watching from the woods, and getting separated. The story is told from duel timelines and multiple POV’s. It was a good and quick read, with a great twist.

This is my second book I have read by Lucy Clark
This is definitely a slow burn thriller. We as the reader get to know this group of friends very well. Each woman is dealing with something else in their life and they don't seem to really truly trust each other. The drama between them is realistic and at times devastating. The rest of the plot was kind of outlandish. 
I liked the setting of the hike and the outdoors. The setting played such a huge roll in this story.
This was just a middle of the road thriller for me. Unfortunately, I will most likely forget this one quickly.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it! Love Lucy Clarke's books!

Many thanks to Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

We are following four best friends as they hike a mountain in Norway. Liz is the one who decides to go on a hike in Norway after deciding to do a trial separation from her husband Patrick. Helena has just discovered that she is pregnant but not knowing who the father is because she sleeps around. Maggie is a mother to a four year old daughter and has allowed her ex-husband to keep their daughter for the weekend that she's going hiking. Once they arrive in Norway they get to the cabin where they sign in to hike and are told not to hike because of the weather. They are also joined by Joni the last member of their quartet who is a famous singer in a band who is just tired and needs a break from everything. Liz, Helena, Joni, and Maggie start hiking and an old women tells Liz that she and her friends need to stop hiking and go back before the storm hits. The girls go to the beach after Maggie gets lost while going to the bathroom in the woods and sees Erik who is blamed for his girlfriend going missing. The girls go inside a cave after a terrible storm starts with lighting. The girls discover that there is cocaine hidden in things inside the cave and find a bracelet belonging to Erik's missing girlfriend. The girls don't know whether to trust him or not and when Lirk finds them, Erik's brother and owner of the cabin. It is revealed that he is helping smuggle the cocaine for the man that was warning them not to hike. Lirk and Erik fight and Erik discovers that Lirk knew what happened to his girlfriend and also got rid of her body so that nobody would find it. Liz finds out that Joni slept with her husband Patrick. Helena goes searching for Liz and Joni leaving Maggie behind and the bad guy in charge of the smuggling finds her and tries to shot her and the others but Joni saves them all by grabbing him and throwing them both off the cliffs edge saving her friends. Liz, Maggie, and Helena decide to do some more hiking a year later as a tribute to Joni and decide to start living their lives like Joni would want them to.

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Maggie, Liz, Helena and Joni have been a fabulous foursome for a long time. The women have history, friends since childhood, who have stuck together through thick and thin. Even when life took them in unexpected directions. They've been good about keeping in touch and even have a tradition of taking trips together, just the four of them. It's a great way to reconnect and recharge.

Their most recent excursion is going to take them far from the beach trips they are used to though. This time around, the women are heading to the majestic mountains of Norway to go hiking. A hiking trip!? Some of them are more prepared than others, but let's be honest, none of them are truly prepared for a serious trek through the mountains. Nevertheless, they persist and head for the wilderness.

This is a little slow to start, as we're introduced to the different ladies and get the scope on their current life status, as well as their relationship to all the other women. There are some strong personalities in the group, but they seem to all get along for the most part, and provide a lot of support and encouragement for one another. But no friendship group is perfect, and this one has it's cracks.

In addition to interpersonal dramas, dangers on the trail are many; some of them coming in the most unexpected forms. Clarke took this story in directions I definitely wasn't expecting, and you know what, I really enjoyed it. She succeeded in keeping me on my toes and entertained.

When the women travel to Norway, they stay in a small town adjacent to their trailhead the night before they set-out on the anticipated 4-day hike. It's there we meet some of the locals, and we do end up following some of the local drama, as well as the perspective of one of the local men. I was surprised when we got that perspective, and initially it seemed a little odd and out of place. Clarke did bring it around and tied everything together fairly seamlessly in the end. Although, admittedly, I did have trouble differentiating between a few of the male characters.

For me the highlight of this book is the relationships amongst the women and the fact that they undertake this crazy hike. I love hiking and being out in nature, so that also tends to be something I have fun with in fiction. There's a lot of time to think on the trail, and if you're with other people, a lot of time to talk and bond. I think these women were in over the heads and the pressure starts to show early. That brought out some issues that needed addressing, and boy do they get addressed.

While this did start slow, the pace steadily increases throughout. By the end, it's going top speed, as you try to ascertain who's going to make it out alive!?

This is the second novel that I have read from this author, the other being One of the Girls, also a girls getaway story. I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as OOTG, but this has definitely solidified Lucy Clarke as a go-to author for me. If you enjoy Travel Thrillers, or stories that involve female friendships, you should definitely give this one a shot. It's exciting, intriguing and made me want to go to Norway even more than I already did. Job well done by Clarke.

Thank you to the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm seriously sorry it took me so long to get to it. It was a trip!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an early copy of The Hike. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read and review this book early!

This outdoorsy thriller follows a girl group who plan a unique trip together each year. This year sends them backpacking in Norway, caring all of their baggage (emotional and otherwise) through a harshly beautiful landscape. All the while, things surrounding the area and the lodge at the base of the hike are not adding up as someone has recently gone missing. This group of women who have vastly grown together and away from each other at the same time must now conquer much more than they originally anticipated.

This was such a fast pace and interesting read. While I would not say it is completely unique and out of left field, it was still refreshing while feeling familiar and well done. I enjoyed that each of the characters was so fleshed out and unique. Typically in books like this I struggle to hope between their multiple POVs, but this book was seamless in transitioning. They had their own distinct voices and issues, and for the most part, they each intrigued me equally. I really felt like I was on the hike with them, and I would totally read from Clarke again!

This was my first time reading a book by this author and definitely not my last! This thriller was unique and isn’t “just another thriller” like some I’ve read. It has some twists I never predicted and I really enjoyed the characters throughout the book. Check this one out if you want a thriller that’s not like the others!