If only plans went as planned...
This wilderness/psychological suspense is quick read about how the reaction of one person to one moment in time sets off a chain of events that forever alters the lives of four teenagers, CEO (Cee-o), Colin, Grahame and Ellie.
Four fourth-year boys from a Prep school decide to take an unapproved long-weekend trip exploring and hiking some nearby mountains. When confronted by a school official about leaving school, they lie about going to a tennis tournament which has been approved (not!) by their coach. The man doesn't buy their story and is ready to call and verify it with the tennis coach until CEO says "he's at a family wedding and he'll really be upset about being bothered, especially with the time difference and all." After bribing the school official, they are all set and raring to go. Except one unexpectedly drops out before they even start. Then there were three with two worried about how they will bear the additional cost of the trip now that expenses are divided only three ways instead of four. CEO surprises both Ellie, and Colin & Grahame alike when he invites Ellie along. She agrees, and the foursome head off for their adventure.
Parking their car, they start their hike up the mountain without telling anyone where they are going or when they expect to return (OMG - such stupid kids)! Hikers coming down the mountain advise the teens that the path they were planning to take is in for bad weather and to head in another direction. Weather fails, nighttime descends, mountain animals come out, egos emerge, and conditions get worse in every possible way.
I liked the interplay between all of the characters; the jockeying for position, the tension, the surprising reveals, the sexual tension and competition that Ellie's presence kicks off (not of her own doing, but simply because she is a female traveling with 3 young men.) The author subtly distracts us with the drama of the characters until we are as surprised as they are to discover how bad the weather has gotten and how few choices are left at that point. What starts out as an adventure turns into wilderness survival with psychological suspense as well.
Though the book may be called Bad Call (and the characters each made several!), I doubt you'll be disappointed by picking up this book. A fine read!
Many thanks to NetGalley, BookishFirst and Disney Hyperion for allowing me the privilege of reading and reviewing an advance copy of this book.
This wilderness/psychological suspense is quick read about how the reaction of one person to one moment in time sets off a chain of events that forever alters the lives of four teenagers, CEO (Cee-o), Colin, Grahame and Ellie.
Four fourth-year boys from a Prep school decide to take an unapproved long-weekend trip exploring and hiking some nearby mountains. When confronted by a school official about leaving school, they lie about going to a tennis tournament which has been approved (not!) by their coach. The man doesn't buy their story and is ready to call and verify it with the tennis coach until CEO says "he's at a family wedding and he'll really be upset about being bothered, especially with the time difference and all." After bribing the school official, they are all set and raring to go. Except one unexpectedly drops out before they even start. Then there were three with two worried about how they will bear the additional cost of the trip now that expenses are divided only three ways instead of four. CEO surprises both Ellie, and Colin & Grahame alike when he invites Ellie along. She agrees, and the foursome head off for their adventure.
Parking their car, they start their hike up the mountain without telling anyone where they are going or when they expect to return (OMG - such stupid kids)! Hikers coming down the mountain advise the teens that the path they were planning to take is in for bad weather and to head in another direction. Weather fails, nighttime descends, mountain animals come out, egos emerge, and conditions get worse in every possible way.
I liked the interplay between all of the characters; the jockeying for position, the tension, the surprising reveals, the sexual tension and competition that Ellie's presence kicks off (not of her own doing, but simply because she is a female traveling with 3 young men.) The author subtly distracts us with the drama of the characters until we are as surprised as they are to discover how bad the weather has gotten and how few choices are left at that point. What starts out as an adventure turns into wilderness survival with psychological suspense as well.
Though the book may be called Bad Call (and the characters each made several!), I doubt you'll be disappointed by picking up this book. A fine read!
Many thanks to NetGalley, BookishFirst and Disney Hyperion for allowing me the privilege of reading and reviewing an advance copy of this book.