Remember my summer book list from last year? Well, I have been working on a new one to share with you soon and I have been checking out some new mystery summer novels that look like the perfect read for a dreamy, mystical summer day. I saw this book and was immediately drawn by the name, so I had to check it out!
About the Book:
A singularly compelling debut novel, about a desert where people go to escape their past, and a truck driver who finds himself at risk when he falls in love with a mysterious woman.
Ben Jones lives a quiet, hardscrabble life, working as a trucker on Route 117, a little-travelled road in a remote region of the Utah desert which serves as a haven for fugitives and others looking to hide from the world. For many of the desert’s inhabitants, Ben’s visits are their only contact with the outside world, and the only landmark worth noting is a once-famous roadside diner that hasn’t opened in years.
Ben’s routine is turned upside down when he stumbles across a beautiful woman named Claire playing a cello in an abandoned housing development. He can tell that she’s fleeing something in her past—a dark secret that pushed her to the end of the earth—but despite his better judgment he is inexorably drawn to her.
As Ben and Claire fall in love, specters from her past begin to resurface, with serious and life-threatening consequences not only for them both, but for others who have made this desert their sanctuary. Dangerous men come looking for her, and as they turn Route 117 upside down in their search, the long-buried secrets of those who’ve laid claim to this desert come to light, bringing Ben and the other locals into deadly conflict with Claire’s pursuers. Ultimately, the answers they all seek are connected to the desert’s greatest mystery—what really happened all those years ago at the never-open desert diner?
Read more about the author here.
My Review:
The name of this novel was very intriguing, I felt like it would be the perfect summer setting…a desert and a diner. I don’t often read books from a male perspective, so that was a nice change of pace for me. I enjoyed the author’s description of the desert and all the background ambiance throughout the book. It started off a tad slow, but eventually got into the story. It was a very mysterious story, with multiple suspenseful situations going on.
It was a mix of suspense, mystery, and a little bit of a love story too. At one point, it got really exciting, and I had to keep reading to figure out what would happen. The ending was a little sad, but ultimately I think it ended well.
If you are looking for a fast read that is a little mysterious, you will enjoy this.
I would give it 3.5 out of 5 stars for my taste.
“I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review.”
What are you currently reading? Don’t forget to check out my book list from last week which was all about Hollywood’s Golden Age 🙂
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I had sad endings to books but this one does sound intriguing! A fast read is perfect for a pool day so I might just have to download it this summer! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
I hate them too, this one wasn’t too bad, but definitely not what I expected. It makes for an interesting read though!
Definitely sounds interesting, and LOVE that it’s from a male perspective! Other than the (AMAZING) Harry Potter series I feel like all the books I read are always from a female perspective.
Green Fashionista
I am the same way! Honestly, I think Harry Potter was the last book I read from a male perspective lol
The suspense and mystery of the story sounds intriguing but I’m not sure my patience would last with a slow beginning.
Slow beginnings are really the hardest to get through. This one wasn’t too bad, but I did find myself wondering if there would be a point! It did pick up fast though
I have this currently sitting on my bookshelf and I need to read it soon! I’m always up for a good mystery, and I’m glad that you enjoyed it!
Me too Ashley! This one is definitely work a read and so different from others I usually read!
I’m always interested in a mystery novel and not many are written from a guy’s perspective… The title sounds catchy. There is something about a diner – those hole-in-the-wall and/or hidden treasure places always intrigue me. Will put this book on my list to check into… If you like diner mysteries, Jessica Beck has a series out, The Classic Diner Mysteries series. Recipes included, too!
I am the same way, diners are so mysterious and even creepy sometimes! They make a good setting 🙂 Oh that sounds like a great series, I will have to check it out!