This is a murder mystery set in the Alps
The characters are well rounded and very relatable.
The eerie setting makes it atmospheric
The ending was a surprise

I loved Shiver - a thrilling and atmospheric debut, with a snowed-in group of frenemies, past secrets and intriguing flashbacks. It was genuinely creepy and the ending was excellent. I would love to read more from Allie Reynolds.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

The characters meet up at a ski resort in the Alps. When they get there, there is nobody. The place is deserted, and nobody knows what is going on. This was a gripping read that really kept me glued. Will read more by Ms Reynolds in future.

My thanks to the Publishers via NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a debut book by Allie Reynolds and I found it a well written engaging story that kept me guessing. I look forward to reading more books by her in the future. I have found out that she has a new book coming out later this year and will definitely keep an eye out for it.

This is a dual time frame story that is set in the present and chapters revert back to the past as the Author reveals past events that happened to her characters and which see them all interlocked with one another in more ways than one.

As five old friends who haven't seen one another since they lost another friend Saskia in unusual circumstances, find themselves all invited to a deserted ski lodge high up a mountain in the French Alps the reunion that they had all been invited to takes a sinister turn. It soon becomes apparent that things are not as they at first thought they were and it appears that their lives may all be in danger. However, they all are unsure of who to trust and who not to trust as things start to happen. Why have they all been invited and what is happening?

None of the characters knew who they could trust as they were all unsure of their old alliances. As the story evolves we learn about their past and what happened to each of them 10 years ago in the lead up to Saskia disappearing.

The Author draws us in with her narrative and descriptions of the environment that the friends find themselves in. You can almost forgive yourself for feeling that you are actually there with them in the snow covered French Alps, experiencing all that is happening to them as it happens. The story is claustrophobic, dark and a compelling read that keeps you thinking and your suspicions will move from one character to another as you read the pages.

I loved this book so much! Allie Reynolds created the most amazing setting for her books and it is clear that she knows a lot about the subject of snowboarding. I thought the flashbacks were done really well, and I was constantly on edge. The secluded setting made for perfect reading and I loved every minute of this book!

I enjoyed this, I found it a very atmospheric setting, with characters I couldn’t fathom out. It’s a claustrophobic feeling of who is to blame and I wanted to keep reading to find out the truth. An enjoyable and thrilling read and I will definitely be looking out for more from this author.

As with any book that has a setting with snow and mountains you instantly get that isolated vibe. Or at least I do. I can’t say that I have ever been particularly interested in skiing. Now, the idea of sitting by a cosy fire in a log cabin. That is definitely more appealing. Well, I guess it was until I read this book! There is a definite tense atmosphere not only from the setting but the characters themselves. This group of characters can only be described as flawed, which to be fair I loved! Any reunion is bound to drag up strong feelings and this one in particular brings with it an undercurrent of danger. With questions over what happened the last time they were together being brought to the surface and in a very interesting way. I was certainly intrigued and couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out.

The book is told in the form of past and present with each part bringing new information and danger. This is a slow burn kind of story but it is well written and kept me invested in seeing how everything would turn out. Throughout the book there was quite a bit of talk about snowboarding. This didn’t necessarily have a negative impact on my enjoyment of the story. However I do think if I was more into the sport I would have appreciated these moments a lot more. However I did gain quite a bit of knowledge so there’s that at least!

Shiver brought forth an abundance of questions with suspense at its core. The deserted lodge also ramped up some pretty tense moments. Then add in my feelings about the characters motives and I was happily invested in this book!

What a brilliant book. Loved it from the start. Loved the characters (didn’t necessarily like them!) but I am thrilled to have read this. Can’t wait to read more by a very talented writer.

Firstly I must apologise to the author and publisher for the delay in reviewing this book that I initially read back in January but then a blogging and reading slump got in the way meaning that the review never got written. I'm slowly getting back on track so hoping to catch up on getting the reviews written for the few books that I've read so far this year.

Allie Reynold's debut novel Shiver is the ultimate locked room thriller which features a group of former snowboarding friends, Milla, Curtis, Brent, Dale and Heather, who have all been invited back to the French Alps for a reunion. But no sooner do we meet the group then we discover that something traumatic happened 10 years ago which caused relationships between the group to shatter and they have not seen or spoken to each other for years. But now there's someone out for revenge and the questions arise, who and why?

Shortly after the group arrive at the remote location, a series of strange and eerie incidents start to happen which amps up the tension between them and they are soon suspicious of one another not knowing who is their friend or foe. With no communication with the outside world and a storm approaching, they will need their wits about them to fight for survival.

Our main protagonist Milla had always felt like the outsider of the group, not really fitting in due to her different background and experiences, and it didn't help that her main rival Saskia was the ultimate competitor who would do whatever it takes to win. After everything that had happened that fateful Winter Milla quit the snowboarding world and hadn't looked back until now. Curtis and Brent were both extremely talented snowboarders but also the ultimate players who liked to live it up just as much off the snow as they did whilst training and competing but haven't spoken to each other in years. Dale was the rebel of the group and the only non-snowboarder Heather, who had been a bartender in the the local bar they used to frequent, is now his wife.

Moving between the strange events in the present day and with flashbacks to what had happened in the past, Shiver explores the dynamics and relationships between the group, and Saskia whose presence is ever felt even though she disappeared without a trace 10 years ago, giving us an insight into who each of them are and the part they played in the build up to the events of the past. Old feelings, resentments and attractions resurface forcing each of them to take into account the information that is unfolding to try and figure out exactly what is going on.

No sooner had I started reading then I was trying to piece together the snippets of information that were being revealed, trying to work out whether each was a vital clue to keep a note of or a red herring that I could ignore. I had my suspicions about each and every one of the characters although I had my fingers crossed that two of them in particular were not involved and I was secretly hoping that their reconnection would be the perfect outcome for them both.

Shiver was a tense and atmospheric read that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend and I'm looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for us next.

Tense, twisty with brilliant settings! Ally Reynolds managed to bring me right into the slopes keeping up the tension throughout the novel. Great debut!

a great thriller to read in one sitting. Keep you at the edge of your seat. Definitely recommended.
Thanks to NG and the publisher for this copy.

Definitely a book to read in one sitting. Fast-paced narrative - in both the ten-year jumps back and to in the format - as the tension mounts in both periods of time. The technical and competitive details of the sport add hugely to the realism and provide a book that is as informative as it is entertaining.

A great thriller, the characters are what made this book for me. I enjoyed the switch between last and present narrative, and I did not see the ending coming which was great as a lot of thrillers these days have very predictable endings.

Loved this one! So easy to read and lots of twists and turns along the way. Definitely a quick read and one I recommend.

Five former friends and snowboarding experts embark on a reunion in the French Alps. Their holiday quickly sours when they discover the real reason behind why they were brought together again. The five were once a seven, and the two not joining them suffered catastrophically during their last time together, a decade ago. One of them lost the use of her arms and legs and the other her life entirely.

I am always intrigued by a thriller based in a snowy setting. There is something about the potential for natural disaster that consistently looms, as well as the isolation it also affords, that grabs at my attention and ensures I am immediately captivated and fascinated. These feelings are also maintained, whilst I continue reading. Reynolds did a steller job at delivering these desired emotions, in more than just the crafting of this setting.

The story alternated between the present and past, as well as between perspectives, opening up the history of these characters, their individual personalities, and the alterations the past decade has wrought. There were many secrets to uncover and every one of the five had a reason to hope theirs stayed buried under the ice.

The only reason I have awarded this a four instead of a five-star rating, is that I guessed at the concluding twist before its grand reveal. This did not impact my enjoyment, however, and the tension remained just as high even once my suspicions were confirmed as correct.

I agree with the author Peter James “ 'A truly gripping chiller of a thriller.”. A must read story. Keeps you guessing until the very end. An excellent read.

4.5⭐

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this ARC from NetGalley and Headline publishing.

This is the author's debut novel and is based on her personal experiences (not the murder!) of working as a snowboarder in the Alps. The atmospheric tension definitely builds during the book, particularly with the isolation and power cuts that keep happening. Someone has clearly set this all up, but who? I didn't guess "whodunnit!"

My favourite quote:
"The glossy orange cabins hang from the cable like Christmas baubles."

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher letting me read this book

quite a good book some scary moment in the book but enjoyed it

Queensland author and former pro snowboarder Allie Reynolds takes some classic mystery and thriller tropes and seasons them with her passion for the slopes to keep things fresh in her very good debut.

SHIVER got plenty of pre-release hype, and largely delivers as an absorbing, icy thriller.

It is an intriguing tale of a group of five British friends - or once friends - who came together years before thanks to life on the pro snowboard circuit, and now have a reunion atop a mountain at a French ski resort. Guilt and secrets swirl as what was meant to be a nostalgic gathering quickly turns menacing when they realise they’re trapped in the deserted lodge. Who brought them together now, and why?

Our protagonist Milla was the newbie to the group ten years before when they were all hanging out, training and competing in the French Alps, hoping to add sponsors and maybe make the Olympics. Curtis and Saskia were the golden siblings, talented and successful. Dale and Brent were Curtis's friends and rivals, all pushing each other to greater heights (or bigger air). Heather worked the bar at the resort, so was an outsider in her own way too (not being a competitive or even keen snowboarder).

Reynolds' tale slaloms smoothly between present - as Milla, Curtis, Dale, Brent and Heather reunite - and past (when a tumultuous season led to tragedy), and she does a nice job ratcheting up the tension.

Saskia is the ghost in the room in the now, having a great impact even in her absence. The flashbacks give us further insights into someone used to being the focus wherever she went. Sister, lover, rival. They also bring some freshness and colour with Reynolds' write-what-you-know insights into the behind-the-scenes of the cut-throat competitive world of young snowboarders with Olympic dreams

Milla felt like an outsider back then, and still does now, especially as she hasn't really been on her board since the tragedy that occurred years before. She only heads to the reunion because Curtis asked her.

But did he?

Overall, I really enjoyed SHIVER. Reynolds does a great job texturing a classic set-up (isolated group who may get picked off because of something they were involved with in the past) with lots of colour from her life as a professional snowboarder. The story really soars in the flashback episodes, as we get behind-the-scenes insights into the day-to-day life of those involved in high-level snowsport, along with all the friendships and rivalries of a disparate group thrust together by shared passions.

Reynolds’ passion for and understanding of that world shines through and gives extra oomph to her storyline, which twists like a freestyle snowboarder hurtling down the halfpipe as it builds to a strong finish. A solid debut that blends something old with something new.