A review by mollyb13
The Guide by Peter Heller

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

I enjoyed Jack's character overall but felt that there could have been more development. However, reading other reviews for this book I realize that I missed the first book that Jack was introduced in - The River. While it wasn't necessary to read this prior to The Guide, I feel it would have helped my understanding of Jack. I wish that Alison's character was a bit better written and developed. We never got much of her backstory, and while certain things were hinted at
such as 'I just cannot go home' - why? did she have some past trauma in her career that we should know about? Whatever it was, it was enough that she didn't want to leave the creepy lodge!
Her story was never fully explained. And because of this I could never connect with her. 

The pacing of this novel was WILD. It started out at a nicer, slower pace. I love Peter Heller's descriptions of the outdoors and Jack's connection to the natural world.
The little hints at sketchy business like the boot and the weary guests were great! But the ending turning into a shoot 'em up movie and everyone being saved like 5 minutes after Alison texts her security guard was a bit much. And it was pretty obvious something related to illegal disease cures/procedures was involved from early on so I didn't get any shocking surprise moments that I generally like to have in a thriller.
Oddly enough this book should have been about 40-50 pages longer at least (I ALWAYS want books to be shorter!), to tell the ending in a more believable and less rushed manner.

I read this book for a challenge at my  library - it is not a book I would have chosen on my own! Overall, I'm glad I was exposed to Heller's work. I think I would like his nonfiction writing, but will avoid any fictional works by him in the future.
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