A little while ago when Noelle told us the outline of her new book, I could not wait to read it because there is no rafting outdoorsy retreat thriller yet, at least not that I know of. I was very intrigued but also wondering because what can happen really? And how will you manage to keep the culprit a secret?

I have to say that in this book, the culprit is known within chapters because we start with an event that happened 7 years prior where a whole group (minus one) and their guides are murdered by a man, this man has been murdered also and one teenager survives this ordeal. So, we know it’s a man.

Kaia and Parker reserved a spot to get on a couple’s outdoor retreat several years prior because it is a well popular event and spots are limited. They never imagined one of them not making it; after two years Kaia is still grieving the loss of her husband but was able to get a spot on a women’s only rafting retreat that costs about the same as what they had initially planned. A ten-hour drive in a van with exited and yapping girls while you’re contemplating why you did this. When they arrive at the spot there are 16 women, 2 guides (also women) and two male guides. After eating and looking if everything is secure the women get appointed which raft they’re in.

Devils stairs is the first hard piece of river they cross, they don’t have much time on the river today due to the amount of time they were on the road. The new guide Bryan is called flipflop by the other guides and has to put up the porta-potty and the privacy tent; shitty jobs are basically his. After dinner and lounging near the campfire there are people talking about an event that happened 7 years prior on this same route and with this same company; a guide gone mad and murdering all but one at Camas Creek.

On the second day they have to row 35 miles to get to their next stop; Camas Creek. After last night everyone is a bit on edge and maybe also a bit scared. Wild river rafting is not for the weak but the guides are exceptional at their job and are telling the women when to do what. Arriving at Camas people really are on edge, water needs to be boiled before they can drink something, the porta-potty needs to be places, tents need to be pitched and dinner has to be made, because this day has been exhausting everyone tucks in early. Everything is silent until a little over 1 at night; woken up by screams, Kaia gets out of her tent and that’s when panic takes over.

A tent is moving like crazy, there are blood splatters on the inside of the tent and women start running towards the rafts, getting of this small stretch of beach. When running for her live Kaia sees who the culprit is and escapes him with seconds to spare. Some women are lost at camp and even a man. With only one guide left and two rafts It’s time to scatter. One thing not recommended is rafting in the dark but they don’t have a choice, there is no place to go but the river. 60 miles before they reach land and a road and can call for help.

Who will make it down this river and who doesn’t? What does the culprit have up his sleeve yet since he prepared for this for years and what happens to those who don’t make it? 

I’m giving this book a ⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating – read in 24 hours.