The Hike

 

The Hike was a great read. I feel like Lucy Clarke has been on a roll lately.- I loved her recent One of the Girls. This one might actually surpass it. Although the formula is similar- four women on a vacation or spending time together, and bad things happen. In this case it's a trip to Norway for some serious camping. Rough hiking, and not everyone's on board. The women take turns planning the trips, and this time Liz- who is burned out and going through a trial separation- wants something that is a little more galvanizing than a beach outing. 

Everyone is in a different life place as this one starts, but they're a tight knit group. I liked all the characters, and the Norwegian setting is gorgeous. The imagery of the landscape comes through. And there are some hints that all may not be as serene as it appears. The women soon set out on their hike, little realizing that their lives will change. 

I don't want to say too much because spoiling some of the early parts could ruin surprises, but this is a perfect book for a cool fall evening. I settled in with this on a cold rainy night and it was perfect. There are themes of motherhood, changes in life, musings on marriages- this made me ponder things, which honestly was as compelling as danger on the trail. There's some misdirection too. Very short chapters. I didn't want to rush through but the short POV chapters really make the pages turn. 

 Lucy Clarke is an auto buy author for me now. I loved her The Blue and of course her previous book was a fave. Each of these characters has moments, and a few game altering things- like when a certain POV ignores warnings that you know are going to be prophetic- and you're like nooooo.