Justin's Notes
Sep. 30, 2025
The Guide follows a man named Jack, a new fishing guide at a high-end lodge where the rich and famous come to relax. Yet, within days of being there, he begins to notice something is off, especially after hearing a piercing scream in the night. What follows is a high-paced, exciting story of Jack and his client Alison attempting to uncover a hidden conspiracy at this peaceful mountain getaway.
I thought this story was great. Heller writes incredibly well, slyly shifting points of view and weaving in flashbacks in the middle of conversations without feeling any break in the present scene. His descriptions build the environment effectively, really painting a great picture of this lodge and the surrounding area. I found myself often reading in anticipation of the next big moment, while also appreciating the calm moments of fishing the river. I especially thought Heller wrote his characters well. Not only did I enjoy Jack and Alison, their backgrounds, personalities, and connection, but I also really enjoyed the antagonists and side characters. They all felt meaningful to the progression of the story, not just thrown in to get more faces into the crowd.
I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone. It is a bit of a thriller, but to me it felt more mild than I was expecting, so I think almost anyone could enjoy it. The pacing is so fast and the characters felt so easy to engage with that I think even non-readers could fly through this story. Give it a try.
