Liz, Maggie, Helena and Joni have been close friends since school and every year they have a 'reconnect' trip which usually involves somewhere hot with a pool but this year it's Liz's turn to choose and she wants some adventure, so she books them on a four day wild hiking trip in the mountains of Norway. They're all apprehensive about it but decide to throw caution to the wind, lace up their hiking boots, don their backpacks and give it a go, what could possibly go wrong?

The Hike is told from the perspectives of all four friends and was certainly an adventure that would test their friendship to the limit. Clarke drew me in from the first page and continued to keep me intrigued throughout with her descriptive writing and tense scenarios in what ended up being a fight for survival rather than a girl's holiday. I loved learning the back stories of all four of these women, the special bond that they all had and the secrets that would be revealed during their trip, alongside all this is the body found at the bottom of Blafjell mountain, keeping the reader guessing as to how the two stories are connected. The Hike is an action packed thriller with plenty of twists along the way and reinforces every reason why I continue to avoid anything to do with camping and hiking! If you like a thriller that is full of suspense and has you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, you can't go far wrong with this author. I loved it and can't wait to see what she brings us next!

I'd like to thank HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for inviting me to read this, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day.

Not one of her best. I found this story so annoying. Four women attempting to climb a mountain after a warning of difficult conditions without the right equipment and preparation and definitely unfit for the task. The women didn’t engage me at all and I found myself drifting. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

Four women have been friends forever. Every year they go away together. This year there is only 3, Helena, Maggie and Liz, as Joni is away on tour. The destination is Norway, to hike up a mountain. Yes, a bit extreme, and maybe they are not all as well prepared as they should be, but here we are.
So they arrive at the hotel, check in, meet a few other guests and locals, before they start to climb Blafjell Mountain. Joni having managed to join at the eleventh hour. And so begins a catalogue of errors, some of which had me rolling my eyes as they are so blooming unprepared for the challenge. Especially when the weather started to play a part! But all the misfortunes lead to where the characters have to be to solve the disappearance of a woman.
It's really a wonder that these women managed to make it to Norway let along half way up a mountain. They are all a little dysfunctional and, well, their friendship is, on the surface, cracked. My eyes rolled a bit as I read. I am not sure I liked any of them, but I appreciate that is not necessarily a bad thing!
The story is a little over the top in places but it all comes good at the end. A bit slow to start, but suspense ramps up as it twists and turns en route to the final showdown!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I have been an admirer of Lucy Clarke’s books for a while, and ‘The Hike’ is definitely one of my top picks.

An atmosphere of suspense, exquisitely portrayed settings, and well-crafted characters, all qualities I expected from this author. I was not disappointed.

This book is a fantastic read with an engaging plot, with surprising twists and unexpected conclusions. ‘The Hike’ has it all!

If you have not experienced Lucy Clarke's work, this five star read would be the perfect introduction. If you are an avid fan, you do not want this missing from your collection.

This book could be an excellent selection for a book club because of the diverse reactions it could inspire in readers, thanks to a group of diverse characters, each with their own flaws.

If you are a fan of heart pounding psychological thrillers, pre-order a copy of ‘The Hike’ now!

Liz chose the holiday this year as she was fed up.with pools and cocktails she decided on a hiking trip to Norway. Four friends always have holidays together and have known each other forever!
Maggie is unprepared and hasn't done any training whatsoever for the hike. Helena thinks she might be pregnant. Joni is addicted to cocaine, and Liz is starting at the beginning of a trial separation from her husband Patrick! Just what could go wrong?As they begin t he hike, secrets and resentments start to come forward. But the mountains have their own secrets. will their friendship last? And can they all reach the end of the hike, but at what cost?
Thought it was a slow start but soon speeded up. I've read Lucy Clarke novels before and this one is highly recommended too.

Four 30-something women meet up for their annual holiday together. This year it was Liz's turn to pick the destination and, sick of beaches and cocktails she has chosen a hiking holiday in Norway. The women have known each other forever and are clearly very fond of one another, but when the mountain hike becomes more gruelling and stressful old resentments and secrets start to surface, not to mention the secrets the mountainside itself is hiding. A very engaging story about friendship and survival with some great characters and a very atmospheric setting. Recommended.

Gobbled this up in 2 days thanks to a great pace, fascinating flawed characters and well managed suspense in the most gorgeous location. Four friends meet once a year for a girls holiday. This year they are unexpectedly hiking the beautiful, Norwegian mountains. But there are many undercurrents and secrets buried within the friendship. And the location itself is steeped in mystery and tragedy. A women went missing a year ago, and everyone seems to be warning the women against taking the trip.

I loved the richness of the characters. Careful attention, detail and back-story had been given to each one, so that you really feel like you know their essence and motivations. Each women had different strengths and flaws. Even the support characters felt like they had some depth.

The setting couldn't have been more breathtaking, come to life with beautiful descriptions. I felt like I was there. And yet, the starkness and isolation also leant a sense of impending disaster.

The suspense was built beautifully. From the beginning we know that someone has died, and like any amateur sleuth, I kept guessing which friend it would be. The support characters provide the gravitas and the inner thoughts of the women help to maintain an exquisite suspense.

It all culminates in an exciting end that doesn't disappoint. Highly recommended.

The Hike is the first book I have read from author Lucy Clarke and it definitely won't be the last! As soon as I had finished this book I went straight on the internet to look for more books.
The Hike is a story of four friends who meet up to have a few days away together every so often, usually choosing a sunny beach setting, this year however Liz has chosen Norway and a four day hike across a mountainous terrain, what could possibly go wrong?
It is a fast paced compelling read with lots of twists and turns and I think it would make a good TV movie.
Highly recommended!

Four friends set off for there yearly adventure, Liz picked it this year, a hike in the Norwegian mountains. Maggie was unprepared and Helene had everything packed ready to go, when Joni, their musician friend turned up at the lodge in Norway. The four was back together. The hike was hard with a lot of secrets to be untold.

It’s a fast paced thriller which kept me reading and reading. Every friend tells a story in the book so you get it from different perspectives. The location was great and very descriptive, plus the plot kept you interested. The twist in it kept you guessing.

Full of suspense and friendship.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy. .

This was a slow burner.It was a page turner as the author lured you in. Very descriptive. I enjoyed this book which had a lot of twists and turns. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it

Dnf at 45%
Not for me unfortunately, has real potential the writing is greasy as always but I was a little bored by the storyline.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a free ecopy of The Hike in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this thriller set in the Scandinavian mountains. It was a real page turner. Really recommend!

Having read the last two Lucy Clarke novels, I was really looking forward to seeing if this novel had the same easy, beach/pool readability they had, but with an ending that left me feeling like it was up there with the rest of the book - something that I found disappointing with her last two books.
This was pacy, fun and very easy to read and had an ending that left me satisfied with the overall book. Sure, I had a few gripes along the way, which I tend to have wioth dialogue, but I treated this like a fun distraction that was well worth my time - it didn't disappoint

Four friends hiking together, all hiding secrets from each other. What they expect from this trip doesn’t turn out the way they thought at all.

I really enjoyed reading this one! I found myself turning the pages quickly to see what was going to happen.
It had a good storyline and the descriptions were fantastic, I felt like I was there with them all looking at the oceans and then the dark woods.

A nice twisty read and a very easy five stars. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Lucy Clarke’s novel, “The hike” is a captivating and thrilling story that takes readers on a journey through the beautiful, yet dangerous, mountains of Norway. The book tells the story of three long-time friends, Liz, Helena, and Maggie, who come together for an annual vacation, this time in Svelle, Norway. However, their holiday takes a dark turn when they discover that a woman has gone missing in the area. Despite warnings, the women continue their trek and the suspense builds as they encounter various Norwegian men who all seem to have secrets.
The setting of the Norwegian mountains is a unique and fascinating aspect of the book that adds to the overall intrigue. The characters are well-developed and their personal struggles make the story relatable and engaging. The addition of Joni, a world-famous rock star who joins the group, adds another layer to the story.
Overall, “The hike” is a gripping and suspenseful novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Four friends in their thirties set out to fulfil their teenage promise to hike in the Norwegian Mountains, but soon find themselves in danger - not just from the forces of nature, but from their own inner challenges. Liz is on a trial separation; Helena is hiding an unplanned pregnancy, Maggie is missing her little daughter and Joni - an international rock star - is burnt out and addicted to drugs. They're all hiding secrets from each other that could affect their friendship. And the mountain is hiding secrets, too - what happened to Karin, who disappeared off its summit years ago? Why do so many lone men seem to be following in the friends' trail?
It's all very thrilling, and we know from the outset that there will be at least one death. As always, Lucy Clarke ramps up the suspense in a fast-paced narrative, while never neglecting the importance of the characters in her story. The women's friendship is a strong theme in the book, and held my interest as much if not more than the thriller element of the plot, which I can't disclose without spoilers. Let me just say it is convincing and very menacing.
A thrilling setting, a chilling plot, and an empathetic exploration of female friendship - and how far friends will go to protect each other - all make this a page-turning read.

Another excellent read from Lucy Clarke. Really enjoyed this book. Loved the premise of the wild hiking and enjoyed the relationships between this group of women. The setting is evoked beautifully and the plot rolls along thrillingly.

The Hike Lucy Clark


5 stars

This was a very interesting book mainly because of the setting in the mountains of Norway.
Three lifelong friends, Liz, Helena and Maggie meet up once a year for a holiday. This year it is Liz’s time to choose and she chooses the wilderness of Svelle in Norway for an arduous trek culminating in climbing a mountain. Liz has chosen this place as it was a long-ago school project for the friends and they have always wanted to go there. It is also a way for them to leave the problems of their daily lives behind and re-wind.

Liz is having a trial separation from her husband, Helena a high-flying career girl suspects she is pregnant with no idea of who the father is and Maggie is a single parent struggling to bring up her 3 year old daughter and has left her with her ex-husband for the first time. All of the women are nervous about what they are planning to do but when they arrive at Svelle Lodge they discover that a woman has gone missing in the area presumed dead.

There are various Norwegian men who all seem to have secrets of their own and one of them is more than likely the killer of the missing woman. Suddenly out of the blue another friend from their schooldays arrives. Joni is a world famous rock star and has not been in touch with the others for some time but quits her tour and decides to join her friend.

Despite all the warnings to the girls not to proceed they are determined to complete their adventure and the action and suspense really builds. Discoveries are made and of course the weather plays a big part in the journey but what an intriguing story this becomes. Revelations are made constantly and I couldn’t wait to get to the end to discover what had happened. This is my first Lucy Clarke book that I have read but it won’t be the last.

Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net galley

The Hike by Lucy Clarke is a gripping novel that takes readers on a thrilling adventure with four friends. The prologue is especially intriguing as it provides insight into a death that immediately pulls you into the story.
The adventure that the friends embark on is filled with danger and excitement, but at times the repetitive nature of the walk can make the story feel a bit tedious. Despite the premise of the story being alluring, the twist in the plot was not entirely unexpected, and I was able to guess it before the reveal.
However, as the end of the novel drew closer, the story became more heart-stopping and exciting. The tension built to a crescendo, leaving me on the edge of my seat until the very last page.
Overall, The Hike is an excellent and gripping read, but the monotonous journey can sometimes make it feel a bit slow-paced. Nevertheless, the story is well-crafted, and the ending is a satisfying conclusion to the adventure. If you're looking for a thrilling novel, The Hike is definitely worth a read.

@currentlyreading__
Book 28 of 2023

Thank you to @netgalley, the publishers and of course, @lucyclarke_author for the advance e-copy of 'The Hike' ahead of publication at the end of this month. Book number 28 was a good one indeed and gripped me from the very first chapter. I love a psychological thriller and really enjoy it when it's paired with the holiday/ travel vibe. It was a mixture of menace and beautiful scenery in the wilderness of Norway. Four women, friends from their schooldays, go on holiday each year, leaving behind children, jobs, grief, marital issues, addiction and the usual hard slog of life for a woman in this day and age. This year, it's Liz's decision to choose the location and as a GP, prescribing daily walks for her patients, she decides to pack the girls off for hiking in the Norwegian mountains. This location was the focus of a school geography project so all of the women, but in particular Liz, feel like this is a place close to their hearts. But then add some shifty characters, a missing woman and the revelation of secrets, the action picks up and it's tense.

As always with Lucy's books, there's a great range of characters, everyday experiences and beautiful settings. Now, as much as I love a good walk, I think the Norwegian mountains are off the agenda. The awe-inspiring location soon turns desolate and unforgiving, easily making it a hostile and quite terrifying location for escaping your troubles.

Out 27th April. 🥾🥾🥾🥾


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