The Hunting Party
It was their annual trip, situated on a secluded campground, for which the everyone was planning on attending. She had ordered enough food for weeks, which was good as an unprecedented amount of snowfall fell while they were there. Then, they found the body. It was finally discovered after hours of searching but the question on everyone’s mind was why and who? Why would someone do this and who amongst them is the guilty party? They are in a secluded area yet its size is massive enough to hide the likes of other unwanted guests.
This year’s New Year’s mini-vacation was going to be a snapshot of all their previous years. They had been coming together since their days at Oxford but now their group was getting bigger. These few days gave the group, a chance to catch-up, a year of activity and to reminisce about their college years. I enjoyed the diversity amongst the group and how some of them had changed over the years. It was entertaining how some individuals continued in the path they set in college and how some had matured and started to become adults.
As they arrived, the Gamekeeper (yes, that is what he was called) arrived to take them to the lodge and their cabins. Doug was shifty guy, I thought, from the moment the author introduced him and I kept waiting for more information on him as I read. The image I had of him was disturbing (and hysterical, if I thought about it) and I know he couldn’t have looked that way or no one would have gone near him. The place was perfect, and secluded. Have I mentioned that? There is also a woman Heather, who runs the place who seems nice but as you read, you learn she has some secrets. Oh, let’s not forget Iain. Iain is the hired hand at the lodge and does odd jobs. Yep, you don’t hear much about him but what I read, I definitely want to know more about him.
They discover that there’s another couple staying at a section of the lodge, who are more prepared for the elements of this secluded site than our large party but let’s not concern ourselves with these Icelandic individuals.
Oh, it’s a grand time at the lodge, partying and living the good life, well at least for some of the group. There are those who are in the spotlight and those who are hugging the wall, just watching the scenes unfold. This was interesting how these individuals took to the group and how their lives had evolved over time. Was there anyone who was watching the whole group? There had to be a “fly on the wall,” taking in the group’s interactions and conversations, privately and openly.
I’m not so sure I enjoyed all the flashing back that occurred in the book. The chapters were set up in 3 Days Earlier, 2 Days Earlier and Now fashion and then, we would read about different characters views on that day. I had to stop for a minute and tell myself where I was in the story as time shifted, for events that occurred really made a different in what day you were in. I liked the mystery surrounding the death and how the author laid that out. I was right about one part of it but I had many individuals who I thought could be the second half of it. It was a fun book and I was glad that I read it. 4 stars.
8
