I was excited to read “The Ski Resort.” It started off and my interest was kept until it became confusing. I had high hopes for this with Winter & Holidays approaching. I would still encourage others to give it a chance. My review and opinion is mine alone.

My best friend is dead. I can’t remember what happened. But what if it’s all my fault . . . ? I wake up in a hospital room with all kinds of tubes and cords protruding from my bruised and battered body. I have no idea how I got here! Good book! This book took me a bit to get through but I’m glad I stuck with it! In the end it was a very interesting read! It had suspense, murder, mystery, intriguing, and a few wild twists and turns! I definitely recommend reading this one! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

DNF and WTF!

Usually, when I DNF a book, I don't give a star rating. It's usually that the book just isn't for me. Every so often, it's because the book is terrible.

Guess which one this is?

The book has a multiple of sins.

* It's boring. At 50%, I'm still not sure what the plot is. I can tell you that it's about skiing - So. Much. Skiing. I can tell you that she lives in an A-Frame house because she tells you this approximately a gazillion times. I can tell you that the MC is pretentious about skiing and totally looks down on people who don't ski well.

* Aside from being pretentious, our MC is simply objectionable. She's rude, she's dull, she takes advantage of people.

* It's racist. I mean, I only read 50% of the book, but I'll give you the two most egregious examples.

1) One of her besties is named Singh. He's Indian and handsome. He has a first name. She's not sure what it is but it starts with an A. See...it was just too complicated so she just decided to NOT LEARN HIS NAME. She also wonders if customers are in shock because he's Indian and skiing and if they wonder why a doctor is working there as a ski instructor. BTW, she adds, he's gay.

2) (This one...oh...this one!) Her brother tells her he's getting married. The girl was in the military and lost a leg. Okay, cool. Also she's Black. No, wait...she's BLACK and MC is shocked, shocked I tell you. See they grew up middle class and while she (our MC) is totally good with race mixing, she's shocked her brother is. But wait, there's more... She sees a picture of the girl. She's pretty. She has braids. She has green eyes. But...HOW CAN A BLACK GIRL HAVE GREEN EYES, she asks.

Are you ready for the answer? (Note that I'm not kidding, this is literally his answer in the book.)

Her mother was raped by a bunch of crackers.

BTW - the description 'crackers' isn't mine. It's in the book.

And, yes, I was out.

Did not finish. Do not read. I want my time back.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Catherine O’Connell’s The Ski Resort is a thrilling psychological mystery set against the breathtaking yet perilous backdrop of Aspen’s snowy slopes. This novel, previously published as First Tracks, offers a gripping narrative filled with suspense, memory loss, and a quest for truth.

The story follows Greta, a seasoned ski patrol member, who wakes up in a hospital with no memory of the avalanche that nearly killed her and took the life of her best friend, Warren. As she grapples with her amnesia, Greta is haunted by the possibility that she might be responsible for Warren’s death.

O’Connell crafts a strong and relatable protagonist in Greta. Her journey from confusion and guilt to determination and resilience is compelling. The supporting characters, including the enigmatic doctor and the unsympathetic boss, add depth and complexity to the narrative, each playing a crucial role in Greta’s quest for answers.

The author’s writing is vivid and immersive, capturing the beauty and treachery of the snowy landscape. The suspense builds steadily, with O’Connell skillfully weaving in flashbacks and clues that keep readers on the edge of their seats. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, enhancing the tension and emotional stakes.

The Ski Resort explores themes of memory, guilt, and redemption. It delves into the psychological impact of trauma and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth. The novel also highlights the stark contrast between the glamorous façade of Aspen and its hidden dangers.

The Ski Resort is a captivating psychological thriller that keeps readers guessing. O’Connell’s ability to blend suspense with emotional depth makes this a standout read. Fans of thrillers and mysteries will find much to enjoy in this chilling tale.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with strong female leads, intricate plots, and unexpected twists.

Catherine O’Connell’s The Ski Resort is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling and emotionally engaging mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher and author for the ARC copy of The Ski Resort. I believe this has been released previously under a different name also.

I am still pondering on how to effectively review this book. I definitely enjoyed it. Greta, the main character, was written as likeable, but also vulnerable and seemed slightly confused at times about what decisions to make.

There is a lot of snow and skiing references, some which are explained, some not. It seemed a little strange how she suddenly decided to go off on a bit of a tangent on another continent and all based on seeing a photo in a bar miles from home.

The ending felt very rushed and was over in just a few pages, compared to the rest of the story, which at times felt a bit padded out.

However, on the whole, a decent read for me and a 4 star rating.

The book starts with the lead character in a horrific accident, which draws you in immediately. But my oh my did the book get so much slower from that point on.

I'll say this. The story was interesting, and at no point did I not want to finish. But I was CONFUSED. It felt like I was reading 5 different stories throughout the book and so much of what happened just seemed so unnecessary and unrealistic.

The book was decent. But thriller? It was not.

Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the advance ecopy of this book.

My best friend is dead. I can’t remember what happened. But what if it’s all my fault . . . ?

I wake up in a hospital room with all kinds of tubes and cords protruding from my bruised and battered body. I have no idea how I got here.

‘You were in an avalanche,’ the good-looking doctor explains. ‘A pretty major one.’

My boss is less sympathetic. ‘What in hell were you thinking? Skiing Ophir’s is a stunt for some idiot 23-year-old boarder, not a seasoned ski patrol.’

He’s right. But my memory has gone completely. I can come up with zero reasons why I was skiing on that side of the mountain at three in the afternoon, a time when avalanche warnings are Code Red.

It’s then he drops the bombshell. ‘Well, you’re damn lucky. Wish I could say the same about Warren.’ Warren. My longtime friend and greatest ski buddy. ‘He’s dead, Greta.’

My job is to help save lives. Now it looks like I’m to blame for the death of the person I trust the most.

I drove into Aspen fifteen years ago with nothing but big dreams and even bigger ambitions. Even though I can never aspire to the jetset lifestyles of the super-rich holidaymakers who flock here, I love this place.

But there’s a darker side to this glamorous skiers’ paradise.

As flashes of memory return and a young woman suddenly disappears, I realize that someone on this mountain knows exactly what happened that day. Someone who won’t be satisfied until they bury me for good.

I found this book to be a very slow read. Storyline was good but it took too long to progress in my opinion.

2.5 out of 5 ⭐️

This book was a bit slow-paced, but it was still an interesting read. The characters were really well-developed, and I enjoyed getting to know them. However, I’m not a big fan of the writing style. Overall, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy!

Greta is a ski patroller in Aspen, CO. When she wakes up in a hospital, she is unsure of what exactly happened, when she has another near fatal accident, Greta begins to wonder is she is really that unlucky or is someone trying to get rid of her? Join Greta and her ski community in this twisty tale of the haves, the have nots and what a person will do to have what another person has.

I found this book a slow read. The build-up to what is happening with the main character takes most of the book. When the villain is finally revealed in an oddly manufactured way, the book wraps up so fast, I felt like it was rushed. Up to this point, the book albeit slow, had good points. I like the characters, the skiing patrol team friendships seem genuine, the Aspen community was intriguing, the author explained how the town is divided between the haves and the have nots, and the skiing descriptions felt passionate as if the author wanted you to feel the slopes beneath you. I could nearly smell the crisp mountain air. Plenty of good writing and this is a good book just watch those last few chapters, you’ll be experiencing the cold mountain air whip by you.

Whne Greta wakes up in the hospital she really cannot remember why she is there or what happened..

Having survived an avalanche while skiing with her best friend,, her friend dies.

This is an amazing read. It is twisty and filled with suspense and I really did not see the finale.

I love books that keep me guessing. The setting is wondeful and I kept thinking how I would love to be those slopes.

It is wonderfully descriptive.. and is a good story.. I really enjoyed my reading time..

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc. Greta loves skiing, but then her and her best friend are caught in an avalanche. One doesn't survive. This deals with memory loss, the dangers of skiing, and suspense. Not a fan of too much romance in a thriller.

From the first sentence to the last, this book was action packed. I definitely did not see the twist coming!! This is my first book by this Author and it definitely won't be my last!!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I'm currently reading this, as the snow comes down at home and it's really setting the scene. This a a great wintry read, so many red herrings and twists, I really felt like I was there and I've never been skiing before! It's fast paced and relentless, dragging you along to the climax, you really need to read this!

I really enjoyed this as a psychological thriller novel, I really felt for the characters and thought it worked overall as a story. Catherine O’Connell wrote this perfectly and was glad everything flowed together. I enjoyed the twists of this book and was engaged with the stage that was set. Catherine O’Connell does a great job in creating the tense atmosphere and worked with the story and characters that were told.