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The Guide
The best-selling author of The River returns with a heart-racing thriller about a young man who, escaping his own grief, is hired by an elite fishing lodge in Colorado, where amid the natural beauty of sun-drenched streams and forests he uncovers a plot of shocking menace.
Kingfisher Lodge, nestled in a canyon on a mile and a half of the most pristine river water on the planet, is known by locals as Billionaire's Mile and is locked behind a heavy gate. Sandwiched between barbed wire and a meadow with a sign that reads Don't Get Shot! the resort boasts boutique fishing at its finest. Safe from viruses that have plagued America for years, Kingfisher offers a respite for wealthy clients. Now it also promises a second chance for Jack, a return to normalcy after a young life filled with loss. When he is assigned to guide a well-known singer, his only job is to rig her line, carry her gear, and steer her to the best trout he can find.
But then a human scream pierces the night, and Jack soon realizes that this idyllic fishing lodge may be merely a cover for a far more sinister operation. A novel as gripping as it is lyrical, as frightening as it is moving, The Guide is another masterpiece from Peter Heller.
Kingfisher Lodge, nestled in a canyon on a mile and a half of the most pristine river water on the planet, is known by locals as Billionaire's Mile and is locked behind a heavy gate. Sandwiched between barbed wire and a meadow with a sign that reads Don't Get Shot! the resort boasts boutique fishing at its finest. Safe from viruses that have plagued America for years, Kingfisher offers a respite for wealthy clients. Now it also promises a second chance for Jack, a return to normalcy after a young life filled with loss. When he is assigned to guide a well-known singer, his only job is to rig her line, carry her gear, and steer her to the best trout he can find.
But then a human scream pierces the night, and Jack soon realizes that this idyllic fishing lodge may be merely a cover for a far more sinister operation. A novel as gripping as it is lyrical, as frightening as it is moving, The Guide is another masterpiece from Peter Heller.
257 pages, Hardcover
First published August 24, 2021
About the author
Peter Heller
32 books3,150 followersThere is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Peter Heller holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in both fiction and poetry. An award-winning adventure writer and longtime contributor to NPR, Heller is a contributing editor at Outside magazine, Men’s Journal, and National Geographic Adventure, and a regular contributor to Bloomberg Businessweek. He is also the author of several nonfiction books, including Kook, The Whale Warriors, and Hell or High Water: Surviving Tibet’s Tsangpo River. He lives in Denver, Colorado.
Peter Heller holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop in both fiction and poetry. An award-winning adventure writer and longtime contributor to NPR, Heller is a contributing editor at Outside magazine, Men’s Journal, and National Geographic Adventure, and a regular contributor to Bloomberg Businessweek. He is also the author of several nonfiction books, including Kook, The Whale Warriors, and Hell or High Water: Surviving Tibet’s Tsangpo River. He lives in Denver, Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,463 reviews
July 23, 2022
The Guide by Peter Heller, Mark Deakins (Narrator)
Jack has carried a life crushing guilt since he was eleven years old. It has always overshadowed everything else in his life. Then comes another tragedy that doubles Jack's feeling of guilt and he knows he will never be out from under his dark cloud. Still, he keeps being drawn back to rivers, the scenes of horrible events, but also the scenes of some of his happiest times.
Now Jack is taking some time from his ranch work with his dad to work as a guide at an elite fishing lodge in Colorado. Almost immediately, amidst this gorgeous scenery, Jack feels threatened. There are warnings and signs about the consequences of trespassing beyond certain boundaries. There are cameras on the river, removing the sense of privacy, and there are so many other strange things going on at this place. Other employees seem secretive and/or cold. And the manager of the resort is weirdly aggressive to any questions Jack might have about the place.
Then things get weirder and Jack's not going to be told what to do and how to do it and the horrors began. Actually the horrors were already happening but now they have been exposed to Jack. Past guilts won't allow Jack to just ignore things or to escape while he has a chance. Jack feels like his life has been over for a long time and he wants to at least do something right in his life so he's not going to run from danger, he's going to run into it. I like how Jack is so true to himself and won't cut himself any slack.
Pub August 24th 2021 by Random House Audio
Jack has carried a life crushing guilt since he was eleven years old. It has always overshadowed everything else in his life. Then comes another tragedy that doubles Jack's feeling of guilt and he knows he will never be out from under his dark cloud. Still, he keeps being drawn back to rivers, the scenes of horrible events, but also the scenes of some of his happiest times.
Now Jack is taking some time from his ranch work with his dad to work as a guide at an elite fishing lodge in Colorado. Almost immediately, amidst this gorgeous scenery, Jack feels threatened. There are warnings and signs about the consequences of trespassing beyond certain boundaries. There are cameras on the river, removing the sense of privacy, and there are so many other strange things going on at this place. Other employees seem secretive and/or cold. And the manager of the resort is weirdly aggressive to any questions Jack might have about the place.
Then things get weirder and Jack's not going to be told what to do and how to do it and the horrors began. Actually the horrors were already happening but now they have been exposed to Jack. Past guilts won't allow Jack to just ignore things or to escape while he has a chance. Jack feels like his life has been over for a long time and he wants to at least do something right in his life so he's not going to run from danger, he's going to run into it. I like how Jack is so true to himself and won't cut himself any slack.
Pub August 24th 2021 by Random House Audio
November 10, 2021
Well that escalated quickly.
Here we are just floating along fly fishing with our main characters, when BAMMM - some bat-$hit crazy stuff goes down in the last 15-20% of this book. Sure, we’re given warnings along the way that something sinister is afoot, but there’s sinister and then there’s… whatever this is.
If you haven’t read Peter Heller before, The Guide does have the stylistic hallmarks of his novels. Restrained length, staccato sentences, and a slight dystopian undercurrent. It’s the not-too-distant future, and strains of the coronavirus are still part of everyday life. Much like there are flu seasons, now there are COVID seasons. (Talk about a bleak bummer!)
The titular guide of The Guide is Jack, a semi-tragic character who appeared in Heller’s 2019 book, The River. There’s enough of that backstory sprinkled throughout this follow up that it can be read as a standalone should you choose. (And since I didn’t personally enjoy The River, I say leapfrog right on over it.) Jack is now 25 and working at a chichi lodge in Colorado teaching fly fishing to rich peeps. He and the woman (young and beautiful, of course) he’s guiding sense that something is strange about the place and begin to investigate. Heller must have watched a Scooby-Doo marathon during lockdown in 2020. Meddling kids can always save the day, amiright?
Even if the resolution of the novel gave me whiplash, The Guide still managed to be my favorite so far from this author. Outdoorsy types will enjoy the setting and poetic language about fishing, and thrill seekers will get their payoff with the bonkers ending. I guess you could say Heller reeled me in with this one. (I'm here all week, folks!)
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
Here we are just floating along fly fishing with our main characters, when BAMMM - some bat-$hit crazy stuff goes down in the last 15-20% of this book. Sure, we’re given warnings along the way that something sinister is afoot, but there’s sinister and then there’s… whatever this is.
If you haven’t read Peter Heller before, The Guide does have the stylistic hallmarks of his novels. Restrained length, staccato sentences, and a slight dystopian undercurrent. It’s the not-too-distant future, and strains of the coronavirus are still part of everyday life. Much like there are flu seasons, now there are COVID seasons. (Talk about a bleak bummer!)
The titular guide of The Guide is Jack, a semi-tragic character who appeared in Heller’s 2019 book, The River. There’s enough of that backstory sprinkled throughout this follow up that it can be read as a standalone should you choose. (And since I didn’t personally enjoy The River, I say leapfrog right on over it.) Jack is now 25 and working at a chichi lodge in Colorado teaching fly fishing to rich peeps. He and the woman (young and beautiful, of course) he’s guiding sense that something is strange about the place and begin to investigate. Heller must have watched a Scooby-Doo marathon during lockdown in 2020. Meddling kids can always save the day, amiright?
Even if the resolution of the novel gave me whiplash, The Guide still managed to be my favorite so far from this author. Outdoorsy types will enjoy the setting and poetic language about fishing, and thrill seekers will get their payoff with the bonkers ending. I guess you could say Heller reeled me in with this one. (I'm here all week, folks!)
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
September 20, 2021
This a good read and I recommend it. I gave it four stars instead of five. Heller is one of my go-to authors. I preorder all of his books. (The Painter is a fantastic read). Loved his last one The River, solid five stars. The story about two young men on a river trip canoeing in a very remote area. The conflicts that occur are real and plausible. The River is a real tear-jerker.
The Guide is a sequel to The River with the same character who is now carrying the emotional baggage over what occurred in The River (don’t want to put a spoiler in here).
Heller is a master at his craft, a true wordsmith. His voice carries the story and adds great depth to the story.
The Guide starts out with a similar type of entry, a solid literary story, with the main character out in nature, who meets a woman he guides in fly fishing. The description, the romantic interplay is wonderful. Had Heller kept on this track throughout the book this one would’ve been a solid five stars as well.
I classify most books in two categories, Meat and Potatoes, which is literary with such a skill level that the story is rarely needed. And Chocolate and popcorn, pure entertainment, a beach read that travels at great speed without a need for deep cerebral engagement.
The Guide is pure Meat and Potatoes until the end then all of a sudden it shifts to Chocolate and Popcorn. It was jarring. Heller didn’t need it. He could’ve used a more plausible conflict ending with those staying at the fishing lodge.
I do recommend this book and I will continue preorder his next book.
David Putnam author of The Bruno Johnson series.
The Guide is a sequel to The River with the same character who is now carrying the emotional baggage over what occurred in The River (don’t want to put a spoiler in here).
Heller is a master at his craft, a true wordsmith. His voice carries the story and adds great depth to the story.
The Guide starts out with a similar type of entry, a solid literary story, with the main character out in nature, who meets a woman he guides in fly fishing. The description, the romantic interplay is wonderful. Had Heller kept on this track throughout the book this one would’ve been a solid five stars as well.
I classify most books in two categories, Meat and Potatoes, which is literary with such a skill level that the story is rarely needed. And Chocolate and popcorn, pure entertainment, a beach read that travels at great speed without a need for deep cerebral engagement.
The Guide is pure Meat and Potatoes until the end then all of a sudden it shifts to Chocolate and Popcorn. It was jarring. Heller didn’t need it. He could’ve used a more plausible conflict ending with those staying at the fishing lodge.
I do recommend this book and I will continue preorder his next book.
David Putnam author of The Bruno Johnson series.
September 11, 2021
4.5 stars
Jack, still reeling from the events that happened a few years prior, lands a job at an exclusive resort in Colorado as a fly-fishing guide. Being on the river and surrounded by nature brings peace and contentment to Jack, when nothing else will.
I love Jack as a character. He’s a reflective young man who is well-educated, a reader, and lover of nature. If you’ve read The River, then you will remember him, but this book also works as a standalone.
The setting is in the not-too-distant future when the coronavirus variants are still with us. The Kingfisher Resort caters to the wealthy, offering them a safe vacation spot in the great outdoors. Jack is assigned to be the guide for Allison, a famous singer. They hit it off immediately, and their easy friendship was one of my favorite things in the novel.
Heller’s writing is a standout. I often don’t like descriptive writing in my books, but Heller writes thoughtfully and the descriptions flow beautifully as part of the narrative without pulling me out of the story, or worse, boring me. His writing works particularly well for me on audio.
Jack and Allison spend their days leisurely fishing and enjoying one another’s company, but it soon becomes clear something is not right at the Lodge. Is the barbed wire surrounding the property, along with other troubling signs, designed to keep people out, or keep people in?
Jack decides to investigate and what he and Allison discover puts this solidly in the thriller category. Avid Heller fans have mixed feelings about this turn of events but I loved the thriller aspects of the story, and couldn’t flip the pages fast enough to see how it would end.
• I received a digital copy for review from Edelweiss. All opinions are my own.
• I supplemented the book with audio, wonderfully narrated by Mark Deakins, who has narrated all of Heller’s books. Highly recommended!
Jack, still reeling from the events that happened a few years prior, lands a job at an exclusive resort in Colorado as a fly-fishing guide. Being on the river and surrounded by nature brings peace and contentment to Jack, when nothing else will.
I love Jack as a character. He’s a reflective young man who is well-educated, a reader, and lover of nature. If you’ve read The River, then you will remember him, but this book also works as a standalone.
The setting is in the not-too-distant future when the coronavirus variants are still with us. The Kingfisher Resort caters to the wealthy, offering them a safe vacation spot in the great outdoors. Jack is assigned to be the guide for Allison, a famous singer. They hit it off immediately, and their easy friendship was one of my favorite things in the novel.
Heller’s writing is a standout. I often don’t like descriptive writing in my books, but Heller writes thoughtfully and the descriptions flow beautifully as part of the narrative without pulling me out of the story, or worse, boring me. His writing works particularly well for me on audio.
Jack and Allison spend their days leisurely fishing and enjoying one another’s company, but it soon becomes clear something is not right at the Lodge. Is the barbed wire surrounding the property, along with other troubling signs, designed to keep people out, or keep people in?
Jack decides to investigate and what he and Allison discover puts this solidly in the thriller category. Avid Heller fans have mixed feelings about this turn of events but I loved the thriller aspects of the story, and couldn’t flip the pages fast enough to see how it would end.
• I received a digital copy for review from Edelweiss. All opinions are my own.
• I supplemented the book with audio, wonderfully narrated by Mark Deakins, who has narrated all of Heller’s books. Highly recommended!
September 22, 2021
3.5 STARS / Library loan Sept. 2021
Jack is back from The River (Heller's previous novel) and he has just started a new job at Kingfisher Lodge, known as "Billionare's Mile". He is a personal fishing guide for celebrities and high profile clients. It is an exclusive resort. He has some survivor's guilt and some paranoia from what happened to his close friend, Wynn.
Strange occurances start happening around the resort. You get the feeling they are hiding something. One of the neighbors is "a batshit crazy old coot". The resort is locked behind heavy gates with codes, barbed wire, hidden cameras, Don't Get Shot signs, owls screaming and it gets even weirder....
I enjoyed this one more than The River. Heller fans will still get his descriptive writing as well as some mind-numbing fishing accounts. I really felt the wilderness vibes, sense of danger, and was flipping pages for the last 15%.
The reveal was action-packed with some very tense moments, but oh so bizarre! I was honestly taken aback. The whole lock down theme was woven into the story, but still..... that ending? Very fishy
Jack is back from The River (Heller's previous novel) and he has just started a new job at Kingfisher Lodge, known as "Billionare's Mile". He is a personal fishing guide for celebrities and high profile clients. It is an exclusive resort. He has some survivor's guilt and some paranoia from what happened to his close friend, Wynn.
Strange occurances start happening around the resort. You get the feeling they are hiding something. One of the neighbors is "a batshit crazy old coot". The resort is locked behind heavy gates with codes, barbed wire, hidden cameras, Don't Get Shot signs, owls screaming and it gets even weirder....
I enjoyed this one more than The River. Heller fans will still get his descriptive writing as well as some mind-numbing fishing accounts. I really felt the wilderness vibes, sense of danger, and was flipping pages for the last 15%.
The reveal was action-packed with some very tense moments, but oh so bizarre! I was honestly taken aback. The whole lock down theme was woven into the story, but still..... that ending? Very fishy
September 19, 2021
Heller does wilderness best but he may lose readers who are seeking a diversion from the past year and a half as it starts with a smack of a reminder of a virus, from India, morphing as it has but not labelled as what it is.
Jack is a new guide at Kingfisher Lodge aka Billionaire’s Mile. But something wonky is going on. Some guests are coming back from fishing with bandaids on their hands and zoned out. Vacant looks. Where the heller are their fish?
Yes, there were some white knuckle Heller moments which gained traction in the latter part of the story. But, alas, for me this wasn’t his usual stellar performance.
Maybe it’s a case of it’s Me, not You. It was much slower paced one and took over 150 pages before it finally picked up.
This is a sequel to my favourite by him, The River but definitely a stand alone.
He will still remain a go to author for some action in the wild.
3.5⭐️
Jack is a new guide at Kingfisher Lodge aka Billionaire’s Mile. But something wonky is going on. Some guests are coming back from fishing with bandaids on their hands and zoned out. Vacant looks. Where the heller are their fish?
Yes, there were some white knuckle Heller moments which gained traction in the latter part of the story. But, alas, for me this wasn’t his usual stellar performance.
Maybe it’s a case of it’s Me, not You. It was much slower paced one and took over 150 pages before it finally picked up.
This is a sequel to my favourite by him, The River but definitely a stand alone.
He will still remain a go to author for some action in the wild.
3.5⭐️
September 16, 2021
2.5 stars: I am a huge fan of Peter Heller. He can write a mesmerizing thriller that sneaks up on you. It’s Heller’s style, his drifting narratives, his beautiful prose of the landscape. This one though, had a bit too much meandering at the beginning for me.
What I did enjoy is Heller mixing in our current world-wide virus epidemic. In “The Guide”, the virus is older, over three years out. His descriptions of social distancing, and quarantining brings to mind our state of affairs. What Heller did though, was show how social distancing/quarantining can be used for evil: culling the herd of humanity. In other words, separate those with knowledge and understanding to isolate those attempting to thwart an illegal enterprise.
“The Guide” is a follow-up to “The River” featuring hapless Jack who didn’t fare well in the previous novel. But you don’t need to have read “The River” to follow “The Guide”. Heller did write is as a standalone, with a few references to Jack’s past. Jack takes on a job as a fishing guide at a high-end resort which offers fly-fishing expeditions as well as day spa luxuries. From the start, Jack gets a bad feeling about the place. There are too many rules, too many restrictions, too many questions. Jack is paired up with a woman, Alison, who he sort of recognizes but cannot place. She’s famous, and that’s all he knows.
As Jack and Alison fly-fish, Alison relays her feelings about the Lodge being uncomfortable and a bit “suspect”. The two try to sleuth their way around, trying to ascertain why the bizarre rules are being enforced. Something is awry at this Lodge.
As is my custom, I garnered my guesses about what was going on in this sketchy Lodge, one of which turned out to be correct. That didn’t bother me, that one of my ideas turned out to be correct. I think that I expected more from Heller. I was a bit let down. Only the last third of the novel began to be a page-turner. Half way through I almost ran out of interest, continuing to read because it was Heller and I had hopes. It was good, but not in the same degree as his last novels.
What I did enjoy is Heller mixing in our current world-wide virus epidemic. In “The Guide”, the virus is older, over three years out. His descriptions of social distancing, and quarantining brings to mind our state of affairs. What Heller did though, was show how social distancing/quarantining can be used for evil: culling the herd of humanity. In other words, separate those with knowledge and understanding to isolate those attempting to thwart an illegal enterprise.
“The Guide” is a follow-up to “The River” featuring hapless Jack who didn’t fare well in the previous novel. But you don’t need to have read “The River” to follow “The Guide”. Heller did write is as a standalone, with a few references to Jack’s past. Jack takes on a job as a fishing guide at a high-end resort which offers fly-fishing expeditions as well as day spa luxuries. From the start, Jack gets a bad feeling about the place. There are too many rules, too many restrictions, too many questions. Jack is paired up with a woman, Alison, who he sort of recognizes but cannot place. She’s famous, and that’s all he knows.
As Jack and Alison fly-fish, Alison relays her feelings about the Lodge being uncomfortable and a bit “suspect”. The two try to sleuth their way around, trying to ascertain why the bizarre rules are being enforced. Something is awry at this Lodge.
As is my custom, I garnered my guesses about what was going on in this sketchy Lodge, one of which turned out to be correct. That didn’t bother me, that one of my ideas turned out to be correct. I think that I expected more from Heller. I was a bit let down. Only the last third of the novel began to be a page-turner. Half way through I almost ran out of interest, continuing to read because it was Heller and I had hopes. It was good, but not in the same degree as his last novels.
September 2, 2021
A fishing lodge for the wealthy, set in Colorado. Beautiful country. I spent many summers fishing, though not much fly fishing, so I was curious how the author would incorporate a book about fishing, and an adventure story. It's a fast read, there is much dialogue, but these short conversations also serve to ratchet up the suspense. Two interesting leading characters, one a kick ass woman, the other a battle scarred fishing guide.
That there is more to this lodge than just fishing, soon becomes apparent. At one point I thought I knew what was going on but it was even more horrific than my original thought. No graphic blood or anything like that, just greed and heartlessness from those in a position to exploit the current Covid situation. In any crisis there are those who will do anything for money and power, and those who with the requisite money, will take advantage. No matter how distasteful, no matter the people they hurt.
Heller can sure put together a both timely and adventuresome story. The ending though is beautifully written and just about perfect.
That there is more to this lodge than just fishing, soon becomes apparent. At one point I thought I knew what was going on but it was even more horrific than my original thought. No graphic blood or anything like that, just greed and heartlessness from those in a position to exploit the current Covid situation. In any crisis there are those who will do anything for money and power, and those who with the requisite money, will take advantage. No matter how distasteful, no matter the people they hurt.
Heller can sure put together a both timely and adventuresome story. The ending though is beautifully written and just about perfect.
April 18, 2021
This story begins with Jack, who is just settling into a cabin in a canyon near a river in Colorado, glad for the diversion this new job offers. If you’ve read Heller’s The River you will remember Jack, but it isn’t necessary to have read that to enjoy this.
The shadows cast by the pines hovering overhead cooling this spot, and the nearby creek offering the lulling sound of rushing waters. Jack, who is still struggling with the many losses in his life, has come here in the hopes of losing himself in something other than those memories. He’s been hired by the Kingfisher Lodge, a lodge that caters to the wealthier members of society, and boasts of having rivers that remain unspoiled by pollution. Catering to wealthy clients, it offers certain perks to their very select, wealthy, clients looking to do whatever they can to maintain and retain the healthiest life they can.
Jack’s client is Alison, an attractive, personable, popular singer, who is already fairly accomplished at fishing. By the time she arrives, he’s had time to familiarize himself with the area, and there isn’t much to his job except to carry her gear, and guide her to the best spots to fish. The only place he knows to avoid beyond the property of the lodge has posted warning signs, to ignore it one risks the penalty of being shot.
Alison is a pretty independent woman, and is not used to being told what she can and can’t do, and while the lodge prefers their clients remain on their property, there aren’t measures to prevent them from going into town, but let’s just say that they would strongly prefer that they refrain from leaving the property. Jack is too new to know better, but he’s beginning to sense that things are not what they seem. Between the barbed wire surrounding the property, the signs warning ‘Don’t Get shot’ it’s clear to him that there is more to the Lodge’s neighbor than meets the eye. What is going on behind the neighbor’s walls, he doesn’t know, but he is sure it’s not good, and is determined to find out.
Set three years in the future, this story is engrossing from the start, with a tension that builds slowly, soothing us with moments of the beauty of Nature. The pace of this story is perfection, the prose lyrical, his story one you won’t want to put down until you’ve reached the last page.
Pub Date: 24 Aug 2021
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Random House / Knopf
September 3, 2021
Overblown story, flat dialogue and implausible plot elements.
August 29, 2021
Reading the The Guide was a superb treat! I love the generosity of Heller's writing - rich characters, a poetic respect for wilderness and space for reflection. And driven by an urgent underlying mystery. Very gratifying.
August 30, 2021
Jack from THE RIVER is back, he has signed up to be a fishing guide for the rich folk at an elite fishing lodge in a remote canyon.
He is assigned as a guide to a famous singer..
There is something very evil going on by the owners and even the local law enforcement at this claustrophobic lodge.. and Jack can’t help but get to the bottom of it after he comes across some evidence.
This moved a bit slow for me at first but after 60% it flew by and got exciting.
I like this author and there are still a couple more books of his I plan on reading.
He is assigned as a guide to a famous singer..
There is something very evil going on by the owners and even the local law enforcement at this claustrophobic lodge.. and Jack can’t help but get to the bottom of it after he comes across some evidence.
This moved a bit slow for me at first but after 60% it flew by and got exciting.
I like this author and there are still a couple more books of his I plan on reading.
December 10, 2023
Nature is the constant here in The Guide, and what Peter Heller is known for in his books. If the pages of his books do not open to it, they find their way to its beauty. Man within nature. That is not a complaint. I love the aspect, and look forward to it. I'd say the other Heller constant is danger, or suspense. More often than not the inherent danger is man, not nature itself. Those two constants aren't what I'd have immediately talked about after reading The Dog Stars years ago, but looking back now I see it, and there they were perfectly integrated to enhance the story itself. In The Guide, they are overly apparent in ways that don't work well and so I wonder if their purpose is out of place. Also, have those elements become what we expect in each of Heller's novels? Maybe it's the editors who desire it more than the readers.
The Guide isn't a bad book, and Heller's writing is always good. It simply feels forced, as if those elements have become what drive the story, versus what comes naturally. In life, Jack, who we know from The River, would probably never find himself in another highly suspenseful situation. Some of best moments came when experiencing the grief and guilt Jack still bears, and so maybe that could have been the center for a wholly different story than this. Suspense not always needed.
The Guide isn't a bad book, and Heller's writing is always good. It simply feels forced, as if those elements have become what drive the story, versus what comes naturally. In life, Jack, who we know from The River, would probably never find himself in another highly suspenseful situation. Some of best moments came when experiencing the grief and guilt Jack still bears, and so maybe that could have been the center for a wholly different story than this. Suspense not always needed.
August 22, 2021
I have enjoyed every book Peter Heller has written, and even compared him to Cormac McCarthy to some friends. The richness and depth of his previous books made me hopeful that The Guide could exceed The River.
Unfortunately, this book was far more “airport paperback” (I actually read it cover to cover on a 2 hr plane ride…) and pop-thriller than I was hoping.
As a cohesive thriller with a backcountry setting, it works well.
As a followup to The River, I feel like this cheapens the story of Jack and Wynne and takes the potentially powerful backstory and makes it a character development shortcut.
I hadn’t realized how deeply I had been moved by the friendship and story in “The River” until I felt weirdly offended on Jack’s behalf that his story was used in this “sequel.”
Read the book. It is enjoyable and scratches my flyfishing backcountry survivalist itch, but pretend they’re different characters and that it is a standalone and then go back and re-read the deeply more satisfying “The River.”
I realize deadlines, contracts, publishers, etc have a lot of impact on what a finished work looks like, but this feels more “direct to streaming” than “theatrical release.”
Unfortunately, this book was far more “airport paperback” (I actually read it cover to cover on a 2 hr plane ride…) and pop-thriller than I was hoping.
As a cohesive thriller with a backcountry setting, it works well.
As a followup to The River, I feel like this cheapens the story of Jack and Wynne and takes the potentially powerful backstory and makes it a character development shortcut.
I hadn’t realized how deeply I had been moved by the friendship and story in “The River” until I felt weirdly offended on Jack’s behalf that his story was used in this “sequel.”
Read the book. It is enjoyable and scratches my flyfishing backcountry survivalist itch, but pretend they’re different characters and that it is a standalone and then go back and re-read the deeply more satisfying “The River.”
I realize deadlines, contracts, publishers, etc have a lot of impact on what a finished work looks like, but this feels more “direct to streaming” than “theatrical release.”
September 5, 2021
*3.5 stars rounded up. Jack is back! I was pleasantly surprised to find that this new book by Heller is a sequel to The River. It can definitely be read as a standalone but the experience will be richer if you read them in order, imho.
Three years have passed since the canoe trip in Canada where tragedy struck and Jack still suffers from PTSD and his grief. He's been helping his father on their ranch in Colorado but has now decided to take a job as a personal fishing guide at the fancy Kingfisher Lodge near Crested Butte. This area is known as 'Billionaire's Mile' with some of the clearest water and best fishing on earth.
Right from the first day, something feels off to Jack but he keeps asking himself, 'What could be better?' After all, he gets to fish every day with a beautiful and talented woman, a singer they call Allison K. On their very first day of fishing however, they are shot at by the 'crazy old coot' next door when they get too close to his property which they've been warned he will defend with deadly force. But during that episode, Jack spots something strange and is determined to figure out what is really going on here.
This is a slow-burner of a thriller with a growing sense of menace as the story progresses. The tension contrasts dramatically with the peaceful natural setting that Heller describes so well. (Don't you love the cover art for this book?)
Some might dismiss Jack as inconsequential because he's 'just a cowboy' and thought to be 'broken' by the tragedies in his life. But he is intelligent, well educated and well read and has great strength of character that comes from his good upbringing. One thing we know for sure about Jack is he'll always fight for what's right.
Hang in there for some excellent action scenes as the story reaches its explosive conclusion. The epilogue has a scene that comes straight from the heart, which had me a bit teary eyed.
I was so upset to be declined for an arc of this new thriller from one of my favorite authors so I was thrilled to find it on the new bookshelf of our local library just a few days later. So there, pfft, to the marketing team at Alfred A Knopf!
Three years have passed since the canoe trip in Canada where tragedy struck and Jack still suffers from PTSD and his grief. He's been helping his father on their ranch in Colorado but has now decided to take a job as a personal fishing guide at the fancy Kingfisher Lodge near Crested Butte. This area is known as 'Billionaire's Mile' with some of the clearest water and best fishing on earth.
Right from the first day, something feels off to Jack but he keeps asking himself, 'What could be better?' After all, he gets to fish every day with a beautiful and talented woman, a singer they call Allison K. On their very first day of fishing however, they are shot at by the 'crazy old coot' next door when they get too close to his property which they've been warned he will defend with deadly force. But during that episode, Jack spots something strange and is determined to figure out what is really going on here.
This is a slow-burner of a thriller with a growing sense of menace as the story progresses. The tension contrasts dramatically with the peaceful natural setting that Heller describes so well. (Don't you love the cover art for this book?)
Some might dismiss Jack as inconsequential because he's 'just a cowboy' and thought to be 'broken' by the tragedies in his life. But he is intelligent, well educated and well read and has great strength of character that comes from his good upbringing. One thing we know for sure about Jack is he'll always fight for what's right.
Hang in there for some excellent action scenes as the story reaches its explosive conclusion. The epilogue has a scene that comes straight from the heart, which had me a bit teary eyed.
I was so upset to be declined for an arc of this new thriller from one of my favorite authors so I was thrilled to find it on the new bookshelf of our local library just a few days later. So there, pfft, to the marketing team at Alfred A Knopf!
September 14, 2021
Per usual I did not read the blurb before requesting this book from the library. Despite having a not so stellar reaction to The River I knew I wanted to give this author another chance. What I didn’t realize was that second chance was going to come via a new story starring one of the characters featured in The River.
Another thing that should be known is this book takes place three years after a pandemic has ravaged the world. Those who have struggled during Covid might find this hits a little too close to home with the talk of variant strains of the virus that manage to inflict even the vaccinated.
But back to the book. I’m so glad I decided to give Heller another go. Despite featuring a main character from a story I did not particularly enjoy and despite containing a lot of the same fly fishing content I complained about before, Heller seems to have found his rhythm here and all the fishing talk made perfect sense as Jack was hired for the summer a tour guide by trade. The pacing was better, the “whole lotta nothing” I bellyached about before either didn’t exist or had just enough plot progression to make it intentional. 4.5 Stars for this one.
Another thing that should be known is this book takes place three years after a pandemic has ravaged the world. Those who have struggled during Covid might find this hits a little too close to home with the talk of variant strains of the virus that manage to inflict even the vaccinated.
But back to the book. I’m so glad I decided to give Heller another go. Despite featuring a main character from a story I did not particularly enjoy and despite containing a lot of the same fly fishing content I complained about before, Heller seems to have found his rhythm here and all the fishing talk made perfect sense as Jack was hired for the summer a tour guide by trade. The pacing was better, the “whole lotta nothing” I bellyached about before either didn’t exist or had just enough plot progression to make it intentional. 4.5 Stars for this one.
October 5, 2021
4+ 🎣 🎣 🎣 🎣
I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to The River and up until the Hollywood action film ending it was a five star reading experience for me. It did not jive with the rest of the storytelling style which was more zen and the art of fly fishing with a river running through it.
That said, it should not keep readers from wading in and casting their bookmarks.
I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to The River and up until the Hollywood action film ending it was a five star reading experience for me. It did not jive with the rest of the storytelling style which was more zen and the art of fly fishing with a river running through it.
That said, it should not keep readers from wading in and casting their bookmarks.
March 10, 2022
The Guide is the long-awaited sequel to The River by Peter Heller, one of my favorite contemporary authors. Jack has been hired to be a guide in an upscale and exclusive fishing lodge nestled in the mountains near the town of Crested Butte, a year-round tourist destination to this former mining town in the mountains of Colorado. Nearby Kingfisher Lodge is situated along some of the most pristine river waters and mountain streams overflowing with trout. While Kingfisher Lodge offers a boutique outdoor experience and a respite for wealthy clients, Jack looks upon his position as a guide this summer as a chance to attain a bit of normalcy after a period of personal losses in his young life. Jack is assigned to serve as a guide for a well-known and popular singer. Allison is from Appalachia and quite skilled in the art of fishing. As they forge a close bond and friendship, they realize that there is far more to this ideal hideaway than is at first apparent. As the mystery becomes more involved and far-reaching, it becomes impossible to put the book down as Peter Heller delivers another adventurous, sinister, and mysterious story complete with the beautiful and haunting prose that Heller's writing is known for. With Colorado my home, I especially loved the book as it brought up many memories of times spent in and around Crested Butte.
"He could hear the river through the open windows, intermittent, almost like breathing. And it was his favorite kind of stream, a mountain creek, really, coursing through a rockfall, pushing gravel bars up into the insides of the bends, sifting through blowdown. The best kind of water in the world to walk and wade and cast as you went. And it flowed through the sweetest cut. The canyon brimmed with pines and spruce and scattered aspen, and broken sandstone up high, and there was nothing above the bands of rimrock but higher mountains, the Beckwiths and Raggeds."
"All his life, when things had gotten really tough, or confusing, or almost too beautiful to bear, Jak had gone fishing. He fished through every joy and heartbreak. . . . . He had learned that it was much less a distraction than a form of connection: of connecting to the best part of himself, and to a discipline that demanded he stay open to every sense, to the nuances of the season and to the instrument of his own body, his own agility or fatigue. Above all it asked him to commit the whole of his attention, which he decided is the only way he truly knew how to love anything."
January 11, 2024
Tucked beside a river in Colorado's Gunnison National Forest, not far from the chichi mountain ville of Crested Butte, is an exclusive resort for the über-wealthy. Fly fishing with professional guides is the nominal appeal, but there are other, unadvertised attractions for those who truly want to get away from it all. And part of that all is the wave of pandemics — one virus after another rolling through with such frequency that they've become an accepted part of life.
Three years after his harrowing canoe trip down the Hudson River in Heller's excellent 2019 The River, Jack, living at home with his dad in western Colorado, accepts a seasonal gig as a fly fishing guide at the lodge. It's a last minute, late-in-the-season replacement for the previous guide who just took off. He's assigned to a gorgeous, earthy, famous singer known only as Alison K. Vaguely aware of who she is, Jack is indifferent to her fame but not to her warmth and beauty. There are few other guests around and none seems to be engaged in outdoor activities. They appear only at mealtimes, sometimes looking hale and hearty, other times flickering like ghosts.
Jack is on edge nearly from the moment of his arrival, knocked off balance by the security cameras, the gates that are locked from the inside and outside, and the warnings to avoid the adjoining property at the risk of being shot. Kingfisher Lodge feels more like a well-appointed prison than a resort for the elite. As Jack and Alison bond during their hours on the river, they become partners in discovering and surviving this fortress of horrors.
Man oh man, this is good. The Guide is by turns an elegiac ode to fly fishing and the gasping beauty of western Colorado worthy of Norman Maclean and Jack London, a wilderness thriller that is somehow both breathlessly page-turning and satisfyingly slow-burn, and a speculative horror show that uses our current crisis without naming it and prolongs it into the near future with sinister, sickening consequences. All wrapped in gorgeous and tender prose that is so Peter Heller — awesome and inspiring to read. As The River was for me two years ago, so will The Guide be one of my top reads of the year.
Three years after his harrowing canoe trip down the Hudson River in Heller's excellent 2019 The River, Jack, living at home with his dad in western Colorado, accepts a seasonal gig as a fly fishing guide at the lodge. It's a last minute, late-in-the-season replacement for the previous guide who just took off. He's assigned to a gorgeous, earthy, famous singer known only as Alison K. Vaguely aware of who she is, Jack is indifferent to her fame but not to her warmth and beauty. There are few other guests around and none seems to be engaged in outdoor activities. They appear only at mealtimes, sometimes looking hale and hearty, other times flickering like ghosts.
Jack is on edge nearly from the moment of his arrival, knocked off balance by the security cameras, the gates that are locked from the inside and outside, and the warnings to avoid the adjoining property at the risk of being shot. Kingfisher Lodge feels more like a well-appointed prison than a resort for the elite. As Jack and Alison bond during their hours on the river, they become partners in discovering and surviving this fortress of horrors.
Man oh man, this is good. The Guide is by turns an elegiac ode to fly fishing and the gasping beauty of western Colorado worthy of Norman Maclean and Jack London, a wilderness thriller that is somehow both breathlessly page-turning and satisfyingly slow-burn, and a speculative horror show that uses our current crisis without naming it and prolongs it into the near future with sinister, sickening consequences. All wrapped in gorgeous and tender prose that is so Peter Heller — awesome and inspiring to read. As The River was for me two years ago, so will The Guide be one of my top reads of the year.
August 31, 2021
In the previous book by Peter Heller, The River, Jack and a college friend Wynn take a canoe trip in far northern Canada. The trip ends tragically and now Jack is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress. In this book Jack takes a job as a fishing guide at a luxury lodge in Colorado in an attempt to recover his equilibrium.
The character of Jack is developed in The River, but it is not necessary to read that book first, although you would miss the better of these two books. He describes the events that trouble him in this book. Also before long he leaves his troubles behind and becomes the fearless sleuth trying to solve the mysteries of the lodge.
This book is a very gothic like novel with its remote location and sinister setting. You become aware of the foreboding atmosphere right from the beginning. The coronavirus becomes a major, menacing character of the story, adding to the sinisterness.
In this book there are also some examples of the lyrical writing the author showed in the previous book. The fly-fishing described here is a metaphor for the story. Fly-fishing, according to Jack, requires stealth to solve the mystery of the river and the trout. He uses these same skills to pursue answers to the mysteries going on at the lodge.
The story goes some places that I don’t like to go: torture and the abuse of children. These scenes happen mostly off screen so it is not in your face, but it becomes a big part of the story. There is a “shoot-em-up” ending where our gunslinging hero takes on a gang of armed bad guys and, of course, he wins.
I was disappointed in this book. I raved about The River and was looking forward to reading this one. I pre-ordered a copy and started reading the day after it was released. I perhaps should have waited for some reviews first. It is too late for my next pre-order. I have ordered a copy of The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, the author of A Gentleman in Moscow, another book I raved about.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice and shame on me.
The character of Jack is developed in The River, but it is not necessary to read that book first, although you would miss the better of these two books. He describes the events that trouble him in this book. Also before long he leaves his troubles behind and becomes the fearless sleuth trying to solve the mysteries of the lodge.
This book is a very gothic like novel with its remote location and sinister setting. You become aware of the foreboding atmosphere right from the beginning. The coronavirus becomes a major, menacing character of the story, adding to the sinisterness.
In this book there are also some examples of the lyrical writing the author showed in the previous book. The fly-fishing described here is a metaphor for the story. Fly-fishing, according to Jack, requires stealth to solve the mystery of the river and the trout. He uses these same skills to pursue answers to the mysteries going on at the lodge.
The story goes some places that I don’t like to go: torture and the abuse of children. These scenes happen mostly off screen so it is not in your face, but it becomes a big part of the story. There is a “shoot-em-up” ending where our gunslinging hero takes on a gang of armed bad guys and, of course, he wins.
I was disappointed in this book. I raved about The River and was looking forward to reading this one. I pre-ordered a copy and started reading the day after it was released. I perhaps should have waited for some reviews first. It is too late for my next pre-order. I have ordered a copy of The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, the author of A Gentleman in Moscow, another book I raved about.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice and shame on me.
August 25, 2022
Although author Peter Heller’s novel The Guide isn’t a sequel per se to The River, it does continue the story of the character of Jack.
After the tragedy on The River, Jack returns home to Colorado where he accepts a summer job at an exclusive fishing lodge. With its beautiful location and pristine river with abundant fish, it seems to be the ideal place to relax and overcome the grief he is experiencing.
Jack is assigned to be the fishing guide for a well known singer, Alison K. They develop a friendship that continues to grow stronger. But as the days go by, Jack senses that everything is not what it seems to be at the lodge. Together with Alison, they begin to investigate and discover a dangerous and horrifying plot that is being carried out there. And what they discover could cost them their lives.
The Guide is a good story, but I did enjoy The River much more.
After the tragedy on The River, Jack returns home to Colorado where he accepts a summer job at an exclusive fishing lodge. With its beautiful location and pristine river with abundant fish, it seems to be the ideal place to relax and overcome the grief he is experiencing.
Jack is assigned to be the fishing guide for a well known singer, Alison K. They develop a friendship that continues to grow stronger. But as the days go by, Jack senses that everything is not what it seems to be at the lodge. Together with Alison, they begin to investigate and discover a dangerous and horrifying plot that is being carried out there. And what they discover could cost them their lives.
The Guide is a good story, but I did enjoy The River much more.
September 20, 2021
Sorry to disappoint the Peter Heller faithful, but this book is - hmm, how to put this nicely - it is boring.
My first introduction to Peter Heller was "The River" (with the same protagonist as "The Guide"), and I was immediately hooked on the lyrical prose, breathtaking descriptions, and the riveting plot. I thought I had found a new go-to author, but then I read two of his previous books and didn't really care for them, but as they were some of his earlier works, I chalked it up to that. Unfortunately, after this one, I think Heller and I may be at an impasse.
"The Guide" sees the return of Jack, and this time he arrives three to four years into the post-Covid world at a remote wilderness lodge to work as a fishing guide for the wealthy elite who crave their privacy. From the start though, things don't seem to add up, and he wonders what happened to the guide before him. Things that go bump in the night, cameras in hidden places, and abandoned cell phones under beds, make him question all the more if the lodge is the tranquil place it advertises to be. He thinks he should leave, but he is also enamored with his assigned guest, a famous singer, Alison, so he stays and eventually tells Alison about his suspicions. The two of them start investigating on their own, regular Sherlock Holmes style, and they find themselves uncovering much more than they anticipated.
First of all, there is A LOT of fly fishing in this book. I am not into fishing - I don't like to fish myself, watch other people fish, or even eat fish - so after the first overly-long fishing expedition, I was over it, and it just didn't seem to end. The fish were described in a manner that bordered on creepy, “It was sleek this brown, all muscle, and the flash of gold as it hit the air was better than any treasure, God." Um, okay, I just don't see it, but to each their own. I was still somewhat intrigued on what the sinister dealings were all about at the lodge, but about the time Jack and Alison encounter a girl running down the road in a hospital gown, I started getting an inkling, and it totally lost me. Maybe if I had read the USA Today's blurb, "An ever so subtly dystopian wilderness noir that speculates on the horrors of a post-pandemic society," I would have been better prepared, but a little late now. Nothing at all happens until about the halfway point of the book, and then the last half felt rushed, with a weird "shoot-em-up-cowboy" kind of ending where the good guys in white hats win over the evil establishment ... sigh. Not to mention, it also dabbles in animal cruelty and child abuse, two of my least favorite topics in books.
Overall, Heller is a master at his nature scenery, and his descriptions of the Colorado mountains and streams are once again breathtaking, but the plot and dialogue are so flat that it all just felt stilted and underwhelming. 2 stars.
My first introduction to Peter Heller was "The River" (with the same protagonist as "The Guide"), and I was immediately hooked on the lyrical prose, breathtaking descriptions, and the riveting plot. I thought I had found a new go-to author, but then I read two of his previous books and didn't really care for them, but as they were some of his earlier works, I chalked it up to that. Unfortunately, after this one, I think Heller and I may be at an impasse.
"The Guide" sees the return of Jack, and this time he arrives three to four years into the post-Covid world at a remote wilderness lodge to work as a fishing guide for the wealthy elite who crave their privacy. From the start though, things don't seem to add up, and he wonders what happened to the guide before him. Things that go bump in the night, cameras in hidden places, and abandoned cell phones under beds, make him question all the more if the lodge is the tranquil place it advertises to be. He thinks he should leave, but he is also enamored with his assigned guest, a famous singer, Alison, so he stays and eventually tells Alison about his suspicions. The two of them start investigating on their own, regular Sherlock Holmes style, and they find themselves uncovering much more than they anticipated.
First of all, there is A LOT of fly fishing in this book. I am not into fishing - I don't like to fish myself, watch other people fish, or even eat fish - so after the first overly-long fishing expedition, I was over it, and it just didn't seem to end. The fish were described in a manner that bordered on creepy, “It was sleek this brown, all muscle, and the flash of gold as it hit the air was better than any treasure, God." Um, okay, I just don't see it, but to each their own. I was still somewhat intrigued on what the sinister dealings were all about at the lodge, but about the time Jack and Alison encounter a girl running down the road in a hospital gown, I started getting an inkling, and it totally lost me. Maybe if I had read the USA Today's blurb, "An ever so subtly dystopian wilderness noir that speculates on the horrors of a post-pandemic society," I would have been better prepared, but a little late now. Nothing at all happens until about the halfway point of the book, and then the last half felt rushed, with a weird "shoot-em-up-cowboy" kind of ending where the good guys in white hats win over the evil establishment ... sigh. Not to mention, it also dabbles in animal cruelty and child abuse, two of my least favorite topics in books.
Overall, Heller is a master at his nature scenery, and his descriptions of the Colorado mountains and streams are once again breathtaking, but the plot and dialogue are so flat that it all just felt stilted and underwhelming. 2 stars.
September 24, 2021
4.5 stars
This is my favorite Peter Heller book. It not only starts off well, it ends even better. The characters are well written and the heavy part of the plot comes late in the book, with a very good wind up of suspense.
A young man, bored with life, carrying around a very heavy heart after losing two people he loved, takes a job as a fishing guide for the summer. The lodge and scenery are beautiful and the guests are of the highest caliber. But it doesn't take the Guide long to sense there is something very wrong about this lodge. His client, a famous singer, and he start to discover some alarming facts. Prior to the conclusion things get down right dangerous. The cover up is something you would never expect.
A quick easy read that keeps your attention and makes you hate having to lay the book down for any reason. Worth your time to read.
This is my favorite Peter Heller book. It not only starts off well, it ends even better. The characters are well written and the heavy part of the plot comes late in the book, with a very good wind up of suspense.
A young man, bored with life, carrying around a very heavy heart after losing two people he loved, takes a job as a fishing guide for the summer. The lodge and scenery are beautiful and the guests are of the highest caliber. But it doesn't take the Guide long to sense there is something very wrong about this lodge. His client, a famous singer, and he start to discover some alarming facts. Prior to the conclusion things get down right dangerous. The cover up is something you would never expect.
A quick easy read that keeps your attention and makes you hate having to lay the book down for any reason. Worth your time to read.
January 2, 2022
Even when writing about fly fishing which interests me not in the least, I find Peter Heller simply captivating and I recommend him just for his beautiful descriptions of nature. The story about what was really going on at the resort where Jack served as a guide was mysterious and kept me guessing. The final resolution perhaps went too far, though, and for that I dropped a star. Not to worry -- I still do love Heller!
And of course with my boyfriend Mark Deakins narrating, that's the cherry on top. Yummmm!
And of course with my boyfriend Mark Deakins narrating, that's the cherry on top. Yummmm!
May 14, 2021
Have you ever wondered how writers are going to tackle our current pandemic and the changes it has brought into our lives? Heller is the first author I have read who has tackled this obstacle and used it to the advantage of his plot, and I was impressed on how seamlessly he has woven it into the narrative of his latest book, THE GUIDE.
If you have read THE RIVER, then you will have been introduced to Jack, who again stars as the main character in this story. It is now several years after the start of the pandemic, and America is still plagued by new strains of the virus that first forced the world into lockdown. As is usually the case, money can buy you a way out of many discomforts, and in this vein, Kingfisher lodge, a secluded fishing lodge in the wilds of Colorado, offers its wealthy clients a getaway from the restrictions imposed by the virus. Here, its clients can escape into nature and pretend that the outside world doesn’t exist. Jack, who is still trying to come to terms with his best friend’s tragic death, is hired by the lodge as a private fishing guide for a famous singer, who is booked in for a fortnight of fly-fishing on the banks of the picturesque river. “It doesn’t get much better than this”, Jack constantly reminds himself as he contemplates his new idyllic surroundings. But soon he finds that the lodge may not be the haven he has thought it to be. A barbed wire fence and killer dogs along its boundaries give the first hints that something sinister may be at play here. Jack is curious: what is the fence hiding? As he digs deeper, he soon finds that some people will stop at nothing to keep their secret protected.
Heller is a master at creating an atmospheric setting and he did a fantastic job at bringing the river to life in front of my eyes. The descriptions of idyllic an pristine fishing spots made me yearn for the wilderness described here, but it wasn’t long until a sinister undertone crept into the story and created mounting tension. Just as Jack grows increasingly more suspicious of his surroundings, my hackles started rising at the mention of barbed wire fences, hidden cameras and fierce dogs that made this retreat more of a prison-camp than a holiday resort. As the evidence mounted that Jack’s curiosity would get him into danger, my heart rate also ramped up and kept me reading late into the night to find out the answers.
I particularly loved Heller’s description of the wilderness setting and the fly fishing scenes, which evoked the landscape vividly in my mind and made the whole book play out movie-like in my head. Readers who enjoy atmospheric wilderness settings will appreciate Heller’s almost lyrical descriptions of nature and the way he sets the stage for the events to follow, even if the later half of the book is nightmare rather than relaxing fishing trip. Even though Jack’s character is from Heller’s earlier book, THE RIVER, the story easily stands on its own and gives enough background information to enjoy it on its own.
All in all, THE GUIDE is a dark, sinister mystery relying strongly on an atmospheric wilderness setting that will stand out from the rest through Heller’s descriptive writing and trappings that will only become transparent as the story progresses. Set a few years into the future, Heller manages to incorporate the life changing effects of our current pandemic and use it to create a terrifying backdrop to his latest book. Lovers of isolated wilderness settings and a claustrophobic atmosphere should definitely pick this one up! Be prepared to be terrified.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Edelweiss and Knopf for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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If you have read THE RIVER, then you will have been introduced to Jack, who again stars as the main character in this story. It is now several years after the start of the pandemic, and America is still plagued by new strains of the virus that first forced the world into lockdown. As is usually the case, money can buy you a way out of many discomforts, and in this vein, Kingfisher lodge, a secluded fishing lodge in the wilds of Colorado, offers its wealthy clients a getaway from the restrictions imposed by the virus. Here, its clients can escape into nature and pretend that the outside world doesn’t exist. Jack, who is still trying to come to terms with his best friend’s tragic death, is hired by the lodge as a private fishing guide for a famous singer, who is booked in for a fortnight of fly-fishing on the banks of the picturesque river. “It doesn’t get much better than this”, Jack constantly reminds himself as he contemplates his new idyllic surroundings. But soon he finds that the lodge may not be the haven he has thought it to be. A barbed wire fence and killer dogs along its boundaries give the first hints that something sinister may be at play here. Jack is curious: what is the fence hiding? As he digs deeper, he soon finds that some people will stop at nothing to keep their secret protected.
Heller is a master at creating an atmospheric setting and he did a fantastic job at bringing the river to life in front of my eyes. The descriptions of idyllic an pristine fishing spots made me yearn for the wilderness described here, but it wasn’t long until a sinister undertone crept into the story and created mounting tension. Just as Jack grows increasingly more suspicious of his surroundings, my hackles started rising at the mention of barbed wire fences, hidden cameras and fierce dogs that made this retreat more of a prison-camp than a holiday resort. As the evidence mounted that Jack’s curiosity would get him into danger, my heart rate also ramped up and kept me reading late into the night to find out the answers.
I particularly loved Heller’s description of the wilderness setting and the fly fishing scenes, which evoked the landscape vividly in my mind and made the whole book play out movie-like in my head. Readers who enjoy atmospheric wilderness settings will appreciate Heller’s almost lyrical descriptions of nature and the way he sets the stage for the events to follow, even if the later half of the book is nightmare rather than relaxing fishing trip. Even though Jack’s character is from Heller’s earlier book, THE RIVER, the story easily stands on its own and gives enough background information to enjoy it on its own.
All in all, THE GUIDE is a dark, sinister mystery relying strongly on an atmospheric wilderness setting that will stand out from the rest through Heller’s descriptive writing and trappings that will only become transparent as the story progresses. Set a few years into the future, Heller manages to incorporate the life changing effects of our current pandemic and use it to create a terrifying backdrop to his latest book. Lovers of isolated wilderness settings and a claustrophobic atmosphere should definitely pick this one up! Be prepared to be terrified.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Edelweiss and Knopf for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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June 20, 2021
The latest from Peter Heller, The Guide is the story of a man running from grief – only to find his way into something much worse.
Kingfisher Lodge, also known as “Billionaire’s Mile” to locals, sits in the heart of Colorado and encompasses some of the most pristine river around.
Offering guided fishing, it’s where Jack finds himself employed as a guide, following a tragedy he’d rather let himself forget. The idyllic surroundings can’t keep him from noticing that something just isn’t right, though – and the heavy gates and fences are starting to look less like measures to keep the public from private land, and more like they are keeping something in.
What a stunning book. Jack may be the protagonist, but the main character is Colorado itself. Peter Heller’s stunning descriptions brought it to life around me – when I paused in my reading, I found myself taking a moment to come back, it was so vivid. It’s not overly flowery language, but precise and evocative; it made it so easy to sink into the story.
Speaking of the story, that’s just as interesting and precise as the surroundings; and where they’re beautiful, what’s going on in them is anything but. The world Peter Heller describes is one not too removed from our own; ever-mutating coronaviruses have circulated for over three years, leaving tourism (and stability) mostly to the rich. There are hints of more, but it’s relatively subtle; some species mentioned as being almost extinct, nods to a world where inequality has surpassed our own.
While this is a relatively short novel, there’s a lot going on in these pages. Jack is a surprising character, with the courage and confidence of a much older man. He’s knowledgeable about much more than just fishing and ranch life – he’s well read, insightful and follows his convictions up with action. He’s a protagonist that’s easy to root for, and who won’t let an invested reader down.
The Guide is an excellent book, one to sink into and enjoy in one sitting, if you can. Readers will be transported, and find themselves just as wrapped in the mystery as Jack himself.
Thank you to the publisher and mysteryandsuspense.com for a review copy.
Kingfisher Lodge, also known as “Billionaire’s Mile” to locals, sits in the heart of Colorado and encompasses some of the most pristine river around.
Offering guided fishing, it’s where Jack finds himself employed as a guide, following a tragedy he’d rather let himself forget. The idyllic surroundings can’t keep him from noticing that something just isn’t right, though – and the heavy gates and fences are starting to look less like measures to keep the public from private land, and more like they are keeping something in.
What a stunning book. Jack may be the protagonist, but the main character is Colorado itself. Peter Heller’s stunning descriptions brought it to life around me – when I paused in my reading, I found myself taking a moment to come back, it was so vivid. It’s not overly flowery language, but precise and evocative; it made it so easy to sink into the story.
Speaking of the story, that’s just as interesting and precise as the surroundings; and where they’re beautiful, what’s going on in them is anything but. The world Peter Heller describes is one not too removed from our own; ever-mutating coronaviruses have circulated for over three years, leaving tourism (and stability) mostly to the rich. There are hints of more, but it’s relatively subtle; some species mentioned as being almost extinct, nods to a world where inequality has surpassed our own.
While this is a relatively short novel, there’s a lot going on in these pages. Jack is a surprising character, with the courage and confidence of a much older man. He’s knowledgeable about much more than just fishing and ranch life – he’s well read, insightful and follows his convictions up with action. He’s a protagonist that’s easy to root for, and who won’t let an invested reader down.
The Guide is an excellent book, one to sink into and enjoy in one sitting, if you can. Readers will be transported, and find themselves just as wrapped in the mystery as Jack himself.
Thank you to the publisher and mysteryandsuspense.com for a review copy.
November 5, 2021
Dang, I feel bad for just giving this one 3 Stars, but it really didn't do too much for me. Granted, I did listen to the audio version and I may have missed some minor details on account of that, but this was just an average read. By no means bad, but it won't stand out for me at the end of 2021, unfortunately. This is not to say I don't appreciate Heller's prose, the characters, and the plot was very appealing as well, it's just that it felt like this one was missing something perhaps.
As the title implies, this is primarily about a man named Jack, who works as a fishing guide at the exclusive resort, Kingfisher Lodge. Clientele of the Lodge include the wealthiest folks in the area, who are seeking a secluded spot to rest, relax and fish, and safe from the outside world. A world that has just recovered from a virus (not much more detail than that is given). The resort is heavily gated and guarded, letting only select few inside its' perimeters. When Jack is assigned to guide a successful singer he thinks this will be his second chance, after a mysterious and traumatic past, which resulted in the death of several people he's loved. One day while out on the river, he and his customer hear a primal scream. A scream that undoubtedly came from a human, as a result of something unnatural. Something sinister. One would naturally think this would be concerning to management, however instead of investigating the issue, it is simply ignored. This, as well as a few other observations among the grounds leads Jack to question what the Lodge is attempting to cover up and keep hidden from those outside its' walls. Very intriguing, right?! Unfortunately, the reveal to the mystery and execution thereafter didn't do too much for me, but nonetheless this was still relatively enjoyable to read/listen to. I suppose if anything I wished that the characters had been more fleshed out and some more insight into Jack's past had been provided. Nonetheless I still enjoyed him as a character.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a shorter read that isn't necessarily your standard thriller.
Everything considered, I am a fan of this author and really want to read his previous novel, The River, because that one sounds even more entertaining than this one did for me. If anyone has any recommendations for this author please let me know.
As the title implies, this is primarily about a man named Jack, who works as a fishing guide at the exclusive resort, Kingfisher Lodge. Clientele of the Lodge include the wealthiest folks in the area, who are seeking a secluded spot to rest, relax and fish, and safe from the outside world. A world that has just recovered from a virus (not much more detail than that is given). The resort is heavily gated and guarded, letting only select few inside its' perimeters. When Jack is assigned to guide a successful singer he thinks this will be his second chance, after a mysterious and traumatic past, which resulted in the death of several people he's loved. One day while out on the river, he and his customer hear a primal scream. A scream that undoubtedly came from a human, as a result of something unnatural. Something sinister. One would naturally think this would be concerning to management, however instead of investigating the issue, it is simply ignored. This, as well as a few other observations among the grounds leads Jack to question what the Lodge is attempting to cover up and keep hidden from those outside its' walls. Very intriguing, right?! Unfortunately, the reveal to the mystery and execution thereafter didn't do too much for me, but nonetheless this was still relatively enjoyable to read/listen to. I suppose if anything I wished that the characters had been more fleshed out and some more insight into Jack's past had been provided. Nonetheless I still enjoyed him as a character.
I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a shorter read that isn't necessarily your standard thriller.
Everything considered, I am a fan of this author and really want to read his previous novel, The River, because that one sounds even more entertaining than this one did for me. If anyone has any recommendations for this author please let me know.
September 28, 2021
I absolutely LOVED the River, so this one was eagerly anticipated and I had high expectations going in.
The Guide picks up after The River and Jack is taking a prestigious job at Kingfisher Lodge, a stretch of great fishing for the elite. Jack checks in and takes the place of the prior guide Ken. Things start to get a little eerie as Jack starts to realize that this lodge isn't exactly what it portends to be. He gets assigned to guide Alison K, a famous singer and the two of them start trying to figure out exactly what is happening.
I enjoyed this book, I adored the writing. I will say it was weird to start reading books that feature COVID being a real thing. There was something missing in the relationship between Alison and Jack. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but kept thinking she wasn't who I thought she would be. The first half was strong and then the writing and plot kind of fell apart for me in the final chapters. The tension pacing was a little off and didn't quite work for me. I'm not sure if this was just rushed to print, but didn't have the same pacing that The River held. I will continue to pick up other books by Heller, but didn't love this one as much as I hoped I would.
The Guide picks up after The River and Jack is taking a prestigious job at Kingfisher Lodge, a stretch of great fishing for the elite. Jack checks in and takes the place of the prior guide Ken. Things start to get a little eerie as Jack starts to realize that this lodge isn't exactly what it portends to be. He gets assigned to guide Alison K, a famous singer and the two of them start trying to figure out exactly what is happening.
I enjoyed this book, I adored the writing. I will say it was weird to start reading books that feature COVID being a real thing. There was something missing in the relationship between Alison and Jack. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but kept thinking she wasn't who I thought she would be. The first half was strong and then the writing and plot kind of fell apart for me in the final chapters. The tension pacing was a little off and didn't quite work for me. I'm not sure if this was just rushed to print, but didn't have the same pacing that The River held. I will continue to pick up other books by Heller, but didn't love this one as much as I hoped I would.
October 30, 2021
3.5 rounded down
I've read a number of Heller books, and enjoyed others more, although this was still an easy and enjoyable read. A bit of mystery, a lot of fishing, a sense of danger, and a dash of current cultural relevance made for a nice blend of tension that kept me wanting to find out what all the fuss was about. Heller makes me want to strap on a backpack, make a sack lunch, and head out to the nearest river. Although maybe not this particular one. :-)
A pleasant read. My husband gave it a five. He likes fishing more than I do. And then there's the inevitable boy-girl thing that just has to find its way into so many books, even if not advancing the plot. Note to the world, men and women can just be friends or coworkers without...you know....
I've read a number of Heller books, and enjoyed others more, although this was still an easy and enjoyable read. A bit of mystery, a lot of fishing, a sense of danger, and a dash of current cultural relevance made for a nice blend of tension that kept me wanting to find out what all the fuss was about. Heller makes me want to strap on a backpack, make a sack lunch, and head out to the nearest river. Although maybe not this particular one. :-)
A pleasant read. My husband gave it a five. He likes fishing more than I do. And then there's the inevitable boy-girl thing that just has to find its way into so many books, even if not advancing the plot. Note to the world, men and women can just be friends or coworkers without...you know....
November 16, 2021
3.5 Stars
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