The Trail by MA Hunter

The first of two blog tours up today. The blurb intrigued me for The Trail so was pleased to be able to review it. My thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel's Random Resources for the invitation and to the publisher for my review copy. 

The Blurb

Sometimes it's best to let the past stay buried...

Thirty years ago, Jess's mother, Nora, disappeared while on a charity hike in the US. The devastating loss has afflicted Jess well into her adult life and even inspired her decision to become an investigative journalist.

So when Jess receives an anonymous tip telling her that remains have been recovered in the spot her mother disappeared, she wastes no time in jumping on a plane.

They say the Appalachian Mountains have secrets, but as she begins to ask around, she learns that the locals do too. But no matter how much they lie, she is determined to find the truth - even if it will irrevocably change her future.

Someone wants to keep the past buried. And they will stop at nothing to keep Jess as quiet as the tranquil mountain trail itself...

The Trail is published by Boldwood Books and came out earlier this month.

Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/TheTrailSocial

My Review

Jess has always been plagued by her mother's disappearance thirty years previously. At the time, Nora was taking part in a charity hike, along with three others, doing a section of the Appalachian Mountains. They were raising money for medical treatment for Jess's now best friend, Ashley. Jess has always wanted to know what happened to her mum and when she hears a body has been found near the trail she catches a flight over to find out more.

The story is told in a dual timeline as we join Nora on her hike and Jess on her search for the truth and the chapters alternate between the two women, which I really liked as it kept things moving along nicely and helped make this a quick read. 

The Appalachian Trail is very much a character itself and the woods and rocky outcrops and so forth are very well described. I've no idea how accurate it is but it feels very real. And very creepy! I loved reading all the tales that folk told Nora As she meets them the way. Stories of mystery and magic, often scary. There is a sense of threat around More's story, and she feels it deeply. The towns dotted along the trail seem to put Nora at unease, as they do Jess thirty years later. They are not welcoming places for either woman. 

A constant in both stories is Bruce. He was one of Nora's companions on the trail and then became a friend and father figure to Jess. He was probably my favourite character and such a support for both women. And through him Jess is able to find out more about the final days before her mother's disappearance. And both women meet some interesting, colourful characters whilst on their journeys. Many of them speaking of the fabled Trail Magic. 

I am unsure how I feel about the ending but this was an easy, enjoyable read and I particularly enjoyed Nora's story, full of mystery and magic. 

The Author

MA Hunter is the alter ego of Stephen Edger, the bestselling author of psychological and crime thrillers, including the Kate Matthews series.


Author Social Media Links

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMAHunter/
Twitter https://twitter.com/Writer_MAHunter
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/MAHunterNews

Be sure to check out the other fab bloggers on the tour!