Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, Action, intrigue, mystery, murder, great who done it, great plot twist, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me

Upon learning that remains have been recovered near where her mother, Nora, disappeared, Jess travels to the Appalachian Mountains. She’s certain that she’ll finally learn what happened to Nora thirty years ago. All she knows for sure is that Nora ran off from her hiking group and no one ever recovered her body. But Jess has no idea what’s in store for her when she arrives in the US and travels to the mountains.

The story is told in alternating perspectives of Jess in the present and Nora in the past. As someone who has hiked part of this trail, everything about Nora’s journey is spot-on. The terrain can be treacherous, other hikers can be sketchy, and sickness spreads like wildfire. I’ve heard bits and pieces about mountain folklore, but not the legends in this story, which are fascinating. I mean, who really knows what goes on in those isolated areas where people live completely cut off from society? There’s one part of the story that was kind of left hanging and I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say the scene with the cow is never resolved. And something like that really needs to be!

Now, you must be open to a bit of mountain magic to appreciate this story and I think most readers will be fine with that. It’s also quite heartwarming to see the lengths Jess goes to to obtain closure. It’s not just because she’s a journalist, but because she’s a daughter who has missed her mother for thirty years and has never stopped loving her. That love is a power we can all believe in.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. The synopsis for this book interested me. It is a dual timeline book told from two perspectives- Nora and Jess. Nora is hiking the Appalachian Trail for charity when she disappears. Thirty years later, her daughter Jess receives a mysterious message that sends her on a quest for answers. The twist at the end was good but not completely unexpected. I read it in two days. This is a good book, and I would recommend it.

The Trail by M.A. Hunter is told in dual timelines; Jess in 2023 and Nora in 1993. I didn't mind the dual timelines as I knew it would lead to a good conclusion.

The book's cover is cool and quite vibrant, setting the stage for the story. The scenes are quite atmospheric. I didn't realize that the Appiliancian Trail went through so many states; it crosses 14 states in all.

I did have an idea of how the story would end and the revelations that were revealed. Overall, it was a good story and one I would recommend.

#TheTrail #NetGalley @boldwoodbooks

Thirty years ago Jess’s mother disappeared whilst walking with friends on the Appalachian trail in the USA. She has always wondered what happened as no body was ever found and it appeared that there was little to go on. Whilst in an interview for a new job she receives an alert that remains have been found near where her mother was last seen and decides that this is a sign that she should finally do something to put things to rest. When she gets there, no-one is very helpful and it appears that things have been covered up to the extent that Jess herself may now be in danger. Can she find out the truth and stay safe?

A book that drew me in and kept me there. Alternate chapters are from Jess and then her mother at the time of the walk to give both perspectives, each one is cleverly left on a hook which made me turn evermore so that I read this in two sittings- clever and well crafted. It's a mystery with lots of interesting parts about the trail itself- something I wasn't aware of. It appears in real life only about 25% of walkers attempting the whole trail succeed. The book adds in the extra danger factor with the people- I won’t give anything away. A proficiently, well researched concept, one that I found different and absorbing. A highly recommended read.

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Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.