A daring tale of women who worked in Nepal to help other women . Stirring, heart warming and thrilling.

Thank you NetGalley and Book Whisperer for this eCopy to review.

I didn’t expect a Himalayan-set thriller to feel this tense and socially charged, but The Shadow of Everest delivers a gripping story of courage, danger, and moral resolve.

🏔 Plot Summary
Catherine Durand, a fearless advocate for women’s rights, travels to Nepal to empower women and combat child trafficking. But as civil war rages between Maoist rebels and the government, her mission becomes a fight for survival.

Kidnapped by insurgents and hunted by the Nepal Army, Catherine faces brutal captivity, deadly ambushes, and the harsh Himalayan terrain. With her life and her project on the line, she must outwit her captors and decide how far she’ll go to protect the innocent and expose the truth.

What I Liked
High Stakes: The blend of political unrest and personal peril keeps tension high.
Strong Protagonist: Catherine’s resilience and determination shine through.
Themes: Human rights, survival, and the cost of activism in volatile regions.

Final Thoughts
The Shadow of Everest is a bold, atmospheric thriller that explores courage in the face of chaos. Perfect for readers who enjoy stories of survival and social justice

“The Shadow o Everest” is by Frederick G. Yeager. I found this book an interesting concept - American Catherine Durand works for USAID, an organization concerned with women’s rights on many levels, in Nepal. While Catherine’s group wants to bring women in to the 21st century, Nepal seems stuck in the 19th century - so things aren’t going as smoothly as Catherine’s superiors hope. Nepal is undergoing a civil war - Maoist rebels control large swaths - so between that and religious and a patriarchal society, it’s difficult (nearly impossible) for Catherine to show that her office is meeting quota expectations (such as educating women and having those women then start businesses or run for elected office). In an attempt to do something, Catherine travels to the Maoist held villages to gather information to use to design programs that will meet USASID goals in order to help (hopefully) save her job. I’ll end the plot there, but suffice to say that things happen. I found this an interesting read, as I know very little about Nepal’s history and culture. I think that if you’re interested in social justice outside of America and Europe, this book may be an interesting read. I just wish that the pacing had been more even and the character development been more robust.