The Hike

By: Lucy Clarke

Narrated by: David Johansen-Menkin, Stephanie Racine

No help.

No cell coverage.

No one to hear them scream.

Burned-out by both her marriage and work, Liz is desperate for an escape. More than that, she craves an adventure, a total reset. So, when she plans a vacation with her three best friends, she persuades them to spend four nights camping in the stunning mountains of Norway. Following a trail that climbs through lush valleys, towering peaks, and past jewel-blue lakes, Liz is sure that the hike is just what they need.

But as they stride farther from civilization, it becomes clear that the women are not the only ones looking to lose themselves in the mountains. The wilderness hides secrets darker than they could ever have imagined, and if they’re not careful . . . not all of them will return.

©2023 Lucy Clarke (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of Real Simple’s Best Books of the Year

"The strengths of the novel lie in the knife-sharp tension of the first half as well as the beautifully nuanced friendship of the four main characters. While there is danger and tragedy aplenty, hope and loyalty also abound." —Kirkus Reviews

"A taut, compulsively readable, and elegantly written thriller—Lucy Clarke has done it again! The Hike transports you to the Norwegian wilderness where a group of female friends are pushed to their absolute limits and beyond. I couldn’t stop turning the pages! A brilliant exploration of female friendship and all that it entails. A must-read for 2023." —Sarah Pearse, author of The Sanatorium

"An immense achievement. The power, beauty and fear inspired by those Norwegian mountains feels utterly real, as do the emotions and physical demands they impose. The tension runs like a tight thread throughout the narrative; but though we never forget the threats that surround the group, getting closer all the time, we are allowed moments of wonder." —Jane Shemilt, author of Daughter

Very, very slow burn

I had a hard time getting into the story or connecting with any of the characters. The author has a nice writing style, making it easy to listen to. Unfortunately, most of the time I was waiting for something, anything to happen. Nothing remotely interesting begins until Chapter 30. And I felt really let down by the climax. Immediately after the climax, the story fast forwards a few months. Disappointed that I pre-ordered, should have waited for it to be at the library. The female narrator was terrific. I might not have finished if it wasn’t for her.

Great Adventure

The presentation was good. I enjoyed the narrators. A little predictable but overall a good story.

Very entertaining

Really have enjoyed this author and her books. I thought the book was entertaining and engaging. Liked the characters and their development. The storyline was good but a little predictable.

Good thriller

Good thriller, a little predictable. Ending feels a little rushed after the character build-up. The narration is good!

Once the story really started it was very engaging.

Dislike- slow start, liked the story line, fresh and interesting, was truly about the women not as in relationship to the real story centered on a male character.

A Little Too Long But Great Plot

The narrators were fantastic, and I liked the overarching story. My one gripe is that a good 30% of the book could've been cut, which made it a bit too long of a listen with all the superfluous details. But otherwise, I really enjoyed it!

Like the story, the narration is not for me.

I know that this narrator is a favorite for some, but she drives me up a wall. Once she gets going, the narration gets better, but ultimately, she's a bit "too precious" for me. I did like the story though, and yes it was a slow burn but it was kind of fun and moody, which I like. Anything set in remote areas or cold places gives my that hygge vibe.

Ultimately insufferable

The amount of equivocating that happens with each character’s inner dialogue is unbearable. It’s constant and almost the whole book. There are a couple of moments of action which give the impression that it is an actual story with a plot. But nothing makes up for the stupid decisions that supposedly intelligent women constantly make throughout. I hope I can return it.

4.5 stars

Discovered this author last year and have really enjoyed her books. This book had some good twists and turns I didn’t see coming and was entertaining and suspenseful.

Fun listen

Not too hard to figure it out but enjoyed the friendship being explored as they hiked