About the Book:

A cinematic and terrifying new novel from “the master of the psychological thriller” and the bestselling author of Baby Teeth and Wonderland, about three friends who hike into the wilds of the Grand Canyon—only to find it’s not so easy to leave the world behind (Entertainment Weekly).

It was supposed to be the perfect week away . . .

Imogen and Beck, two sisters who couldn’t be more different, have been friends with Tilda since high school. Once inseparable, over two decades the women have grown apart. But after Imogen survives a traumatic attack, Beck suggests they all reunite to hike deep into the Grand Canyon’s backcountry. A week away, secluded in nature . . . surely it’s just what they need.

But as the terrain grows tougher, tensions from their shared past bubble up. And when supplies begin to disappear, it becomes clear secrets aren’t the only thing they’re being stalked by. As friendship and survival collide with an unspeakable evil, Getaway becomes another riveting thriller from a growing master of suspense and “a literary horror writer on the rise” (BookPage).

My Review:

Fantastic! Zoje Stage is so talented!

I always recommend ‘Baby Teeth’ to friends so I was excited to start the author’s latest book. From the beginning I was thrilled to see that the main protagonist Imogen was Jewish! Yes! Imogen survived a mass shooting in Pittsburgh and understandably suffers from PTSD and survivors guilt. Added to that horrific event is another trauma that Imogen suffered as a college student which impacted the rest of her adult life.

Imogen’s sister Beck organizes a camping trip in the Grand Canyon with their mutual friend Tilda. The women are experienced campers and this will not be an easy hiking trip. The author builds the tension perfectly right from the start, I was never sure what was going to happen but I knew it wasn’t going to be pleasant.

Soon the group realizes someone is stalking them and ransacking their equipment and food. Since all of their supplies have been carefully planned in advance and rationed for the camping trip, this is a serious issue. But things really take a turn for the worse when they confront the thief. The women are in grave danger which grows more and more grim by the day. It seems that only their outdoor skills and their wits will save them. To give anything else away would be a spoiler, and really would do a disservice to this book. The group’s differences and old grievances, which have been simmering for years, all come to the surface and threaten their survival.

The author ramps up the tension and the thrills right from the start. The wildly beautiful but treacherous terrain of the Grand Canyon is a constant threat. They are smart but their situation becomes dire very quickly and it seems they will not be able to outsmart the person who threatens them.

The ending completely surprised me and while I did not agree with it at first, after thinking about it for a few days, I totally agree with it. ‘Getaway’ is not only a wonderful thriller, it is also a story of friendship, family, love, and overcoming your past.

(Thanks to the publisher for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.)