#netgalleyarc I really enjoy this author and really enjoyed the first book in this series. This book, book 2, was good but not great. This story got o&ff to a very slow start and even though I did enjoy reading it, it never grabbed my attention the way the first book did.

This was awesome! It’s entirely atmospheric and so richly written. Taking place entirely on a hiking/camping trip, this was twisty and fabulous. I loved book one in this series and this cemented my love for the lead, Frankie. She’s a strong female with a heavy backstory. LOVED it, can’t wait for book 3! 4.5 ⭐️

I almost liked this second book in the series more than the first! It is hard to compare the two as they are so different in many ways, but Frankie is still the same and she is able to find the lost when no one else could.

Frankie is still fighting the good fight, looking for those that have been forgotten by everyone except family and friends. She is still fighting her own demons as well as the prejudices of those around her. She does make friends along the way even when she is being acerbic and a bit of a bitch. Those who start off doubting her soon come around to realize that she can really get the job done. This search was a challenge for her, mostly physically, but also mentally. Going out in the wilderness is something she hasn’t really done before, and seeing the beauty of it through her eyes was a really nice way to experience it.

Of course there is a new cast of characters in this one, many of whom I enjoyed. Three of the young men who were on the original trip when Tim disappeared, are available for Frankie to talk to and question. They were a troubled lot, lots of survivors guilt and the need for closure, but she soon gets out of them what really happened that night and it was quite the eye opener.

There are two other characters worthy of notice. Bob, the sasquatch hunter, was a bear of a man, but quite gentle and a good person to have around when things got tough. Also Luciana and her search and rescue dog Daisy, were a great help to Frankie and to her survival as well. I loved learning a bit more about these types of dogs and how they work.

The plot and the setting of this book were so different and quite a lot of fun. I wasn’t really sure what the truth of Tim’s disappearance was going to be, but I had many working theories and was glad one of them turned out to be the correct one. There was a doozy of a twist at the end that I did not see coming though. There was a small part of that twist that was a little bit flimsy, but overall it made the satisfactory ending that much better. The plot was pretty seamless and really kept you turning those pages to find out what was going to happen next. There is lots of nonstop action in this one, and through some of it you are not sure of the survival of any of the characters.

If you are into suspense thrillers, especially those in a wilderness setting, this is one you should consider reading. Lots of detail to the setting, plus an action filled plot will keep you turning those pages.

Great book - kept be engrossed throughout. Had to find out what had happened. I recommend this book.

Lisa Gardner is one of my favorite authors, and while this particular book wasn't my all-time - she's still fantastic. And, I very much hope there is more to come from Frankie!

When I started this follow-up instalment in Gardner’s new series, featuring something of a lone-wolf cold case investigator (though not a professional one, just a concerned and capable citizen), I did not expect to cry as much as I did. But maybe that’s just me being a softie as always.

“<i>Now, the emergency whistle</i>.”
“<b>I have a whistle! I carry it around tough neighbourhoods all the time.</b>”
“<i>Your idea of self-defence in an urban environment is a whistle? Are you trying to die?</i>“

This particular case that Frankie stumbles her way into is so very different from the first we experience through her. Gone are the mean streets of Boston; say hello to the wilds and dangers of Wyoming. She hears about the fifth year anniversary — and final hail mary search — of a missing man who went camping with his groomsmen for their bachelor party and later disappeared. She manages to negotiate her way into the hiking expedition and from then on it’s exhaustion, sweat, secrets revealed, and everything going wrong.

“<i>I hate pity.</i>”
“<b>Then stop being so pathetic.</b>”
“<i>I hope Bigfoot kicks your sorry ass</i>.“
“<b>Wouldn’t that be something? Please take video.</b>”

As I feel is often the case with Gardner mysteries, I did not see the reveal for this one coming. I had suspected something very different and was way off base. But this wasn’t one of those twists that come totally out of left field, either. So I loved that.

“<i>I thought you mountain-guru types were supposed to be able to sniff the dirt, lick a pine cone, then state unequivocally who came here at what date and time, not to mention their favourite food and astrological sign</i>.“
“<b>I know you’re a Virgo, does that help?</b>“
“<i>How do you know that?</i>“
“<b>Because you’re a pain in my ass.</b>“

I also loved all the new characters we were introduced to. Which is probably why I cried so much. Plus there’s a dog! But in addition to the new faces, I still really liked Frankie — or rather, maybe stated to like her more, as I don’t know if I appreciated her in book one the way I did in this one. Her internal monologue is a little repetitive when she gets going and thinking about her past, her life up until now, but it also makes sense considering her pile of regrets and the fact that she’s a recovering alcoholic. But I like the concept of her, this rogue individual, the fact that she’s lived a hard life and is committed to doing for other people, and also that she’s middle aged and not a spring chicken.

<i>If a dog can do this, I tell myself, than I can, too. Of course, the dog has had way more training.</i>

The whole unravelling of this mystery worked so well; the stakes were high, the players all had varying levels of expertise and capabilities, and again, the reveal? So good. I also really enjoyed how contemplative Frankie was near the end and how this story wrapped. That whole section was lovely.

<i>Why do I do what I do? Because at the end of the day, the people left behind matter as much as the ones who are missing. We mourn the ones we’ve lost, but we agonize over the pieces of ourselves they took with them.</i>

I’m always excited for new releases from this mystery/thriller author and I am happy to say I’ll now be as excited for a new Frankie book as I would be for a new DD book. Give me anything from this author. Looking forward to the next!

This is the book that made me fall in love with Frankie Elken and really see her heart and soul. I loved how different this was from the first story and the characters were so well-written that I didn't want any of them to be killed or end up the killer. I hope this series goes on for a long time because what the world needs is more Frankie !

I’m a longtime LG fan and I always look forward to her newest release, not only because she always delivers an insanely good book, but because I never quite know what to expect. This is the second book in her new series and it feels different from her other books. Frankie is a unique character, she doesn’t have a real job, finding missing people is more of a calling for her than a vocation and it doesn’t pay really at all so she’s truly on her own with everything she owns in a suitcase. She’s a complex and super interesting woman and I feel like LG has only just begun to peel back the layers of who she truly is, I hope this series is just getting started because it’s good!

I think this is the first book I’ve read by the author that was so very atmospheric, the majority of it takes place in the wilderness in Wyoming and it was creepy, isolated and chilling. Frankie was very out of her element and that added some apprehension to an already tense situation. She’s joined a haphazard rescue team at the last minute who is looking to recover the remains of a man who disappeared five years ago. That’s really all you need to know about the plot but if you like character driven, well written and pacey thrillers this one was amazing. I felt like I got to know more about Frankie and what motivates her as well as a fascinating mystery too.

One Step Too Far is one of Lisa Gardner's best suspense books. Frankie Elkin is almost out of her element in this adventure that takes place in the wilds of Wyoming. This is one that is hard to put down!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another fast-moving, creepy, suspenseful book from Lisa Gardner! I'll admit that Frankie Elkin is not my favorite Gardner character (I'm partial to Quincey and Rainie!), but this book was great!

Frankie heads into the wilderness to help search for the remains of a hiker who went missing 5 years before during a bachelor party. The search takes them deep into the woods on a week-long hike and search, but before long things start going wrong, and it looks like someone is targeting them.

Frankie Elkins is back on the case to help solve missing persons cases. She has decided to head to Wyoming to take on the Timothy O’Day Disappearance, who went missing when out with his best friends on a camping trip. Now many years later Timothy’s father is determined to find his body before his wife and Timothy’s mother passes away. Frankie not being an experienced hiker is sceptical about joining the group of experts for the recovery mission but decides to tag along.

During the hike things quickly go wrong when some members of the search party are attacked. Frankie and the group have become to hunted and need to do whatever it takes to survive.

This is the second book of the Frankie Elkins series and after reading the first one I was definitely looking forward to this one. I quickly became hooked by this story and wanted to see what would happen to Frankie. I find Frankie to be a very likeable character and one you want to root for. There was a moment towards the end of the book where I almost didn’t think the mystery was going to be solved but the surprise ending came and was amazing and unsuspecting. I really enjoy this read and will be recommending this one to everyone.

Suspenseful, character-driven novel from Lisa Gardner. This one was a hit for me, despite being a little on the long side. I also enjoyed the setting - the Wyoming backwoods, which was so well-deserved, it was almost its own character.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I reviewed this book for Library Journal, to see my full review you'll need to purchase the issue its' included in near release day.

This is the first time I have read a book by this author and having read this will be definitely reading more. This is book 2 in the Frankie Elkin series but can be read as a stand-alone. A fabulous mystery crime suspense novel with an original and brilliantly woven storyline and some fantastic characters. The tension is palpable.

Briefly, 5 guys head into the wilderness of Shoshone National Forest in Wyoming for a bachelor party weekend. However, only 4 return with terrifying stories of dark shapes and weird screams. Despite searches the missing person, Tim, isn’t found. 5 years later, and in a final attempt to find Tim, his father has arranged another search attempt. The search party which consists of the father, a local guide, 3 of the original party, a Bigfoot Searcher, a woman with her cadaver dog and Frankie Elkin, who finds missing people but with no payment expected. When strange things start to happen it seems like there is something more sinister going on than one missing person…

A thrilling story of suspense and terror with the search party desperately trying to get back to civilisation alive. Wonderful story telling with a surprising ending I did not see coming. After this I need to go back to book 1 and then wait for book 3! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lisa Gardner is back with another must read thriller! In One Step Too Far, Gardner brings back her new protagonist, Frankie Elkin. Frankie is a sarcastic and likeable, completely untrained people finder. She is flawed and complex character who finds therapy in living her life on the road, searching for the lost. Of all the strong women characters that Gardner has written, Frankie is becoming my favorite.
In this book she is helping look for a missing hiker, who has been gone for 5 years. Frankie is willing to hike in uncertain terrain, with no experience at all, with complete strangers to help find Tim’s bones. This whole set up is where Gardner’s love of the outdoors shines through. From the strenuous climb up mountains and cliff tops, to always being on guard for bears, Gardner instills her skills as an avid hiker into the story. She makes the forest come alive, almost filling all your senses as we hike with Frankie. I loved this experience.
There is the usual suspicion and betrayal expected when looking for a body after a hiking party gone wrong. This where Frankie does her best work, where the police and forensics miss. She gets into their heads and picks the pieces to solve the puzzel, only this time it’s completely unexpected.
I was shocked at the big twist. Things got crazy really quick and turned into full on survival mode. It was scary, and white knuckled thrilling for a few pages. An amazing second book for the new series. I can not wait to see what happens to Frankie Elkin next.

One Step Too Far by Lisa Gardner is a great addition to the Frankie Elkins series.. although this can be read as a stand alone novel. The plan is that five young guys decide to have bachelor party hiking in the wood and camping where they can party Heavy!. Only four come down that mountain. The most experienced camper is the one who’s disappeared never to be seen again. Every year since, the father of the missing camper gathers guides, trackers and the remaining four guys to go back up the mountain to find clues relating to his son. The firth year Frankie decides to join them. Frankie’s passion is to solve cold cases involving missing people. Secrets,, there’s a lot of secrets, throw in all the twists and turns and you’re in for a fast paced story that you will not want to put down. This is a great read not to be missed. Thank You to Net Galley. Author Lisa Gardner and the Publisher Penguin Group Dutton for allowing me to read a copy of this novel for my honest review.

Joining a group of experienced hikers, Frankie Elkins is determined to help a father find his son who vanished in a national forest five years earlier. But just a day into their trek, the group is mysteriously sabotaged and finding Tim becomes the least of their worries. They’re no longer the hunters, they’re the hunted!

Lots of action and suspense that keeps you guessing. Second in the series but could stand alone.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early review copy.

One Step Too Far has Frankie Elkin on the search for a man who went missing five years earlier. Frankie has joined a yearly search crew after one of the original eight crew members requires medical care on the eve of the latest search. That's what Frankie does, successfully finds missing dead people long after their cases have gone cold.

The man went missing in a national forest while camping with his four college buddies. Now, one buddy has gotten sick so Frankie is on the team with the man's three remaining college buddies, the man's dad, a local wilderness expert, a Bigfoot hunter, and a Search and Rescue member and her cadaver dog, Daisy. Yes, Daisy is the one who rates being mentioned by name because Daisy is all kinds of awesome!

The father has been getting threatening messages that seem to be designed to get him to call off these yearly searches but dad is not going to stop looking for his son until he finds his body. The dad and the wilderness expert are very standoffish to Frankie and the others but the Bigfoot hunter and SARs team member are friendly and helpful. Then there are the three former college friends. The guys spend their time distanced from the others, obviously mad about spending another week in the wilderness looking for a friend whose disappearance is a source of both anger and guilt. It's not even clear if the friends still like each other, anymore.

The hike to the base camp is a tough one. Then things start happening to make it clear that someone is going to great and dangerous lengths to sabotage this search mission. As Frankie gets to know the three friends, she realizes that the dynamics between the college friends was not good, long before one of them went missing.

When there is a large cast of characters, it can be hard to get to know them and care about them. But Gardner does an excellent job of introducing us to this group of people and getting me to care. The three friends were so cold, standoffish, clearly grumpy about being on this search mission that I couldn't imagine liking them but as the story progresses and things fall apart, Frankie comes to know most of the crew members a lot better. As she gets the men to open up, I really didn't want anything to happen to them and could understand their wide range of emotions towards their missing friend, each other, and the friend's dad. I also feel like I understand Frankie's motivations better now, it's as if this difficult and dangerous expedition allowed me to bond with Frankie as she bonded with the three friends. The story really tugged at my heartstrings and now I can't wait to join Frankie on her next search.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton and NetGalley for this ARC.

I LOVE the Frankie Elkin character. Her no-address/ travels light MO resembles Jack Reacher’s- but her dedication to finding the truth - and the missing- puts her in a class with superheroes. And yet she’s vulnerable. A recovered alcoholic, Frankie has her own demons. But she confidently, or with the appearance of confidence- proceeds to discover the whereabouts of a missing person whose case has been forgotten or stalled. In cities, country towns, and this time in a treacherous wilderness setting, all unfamiliar to her, sixteen times she has asked the questions and questioned the people whom others overlooked- to find solutions, and the missing. Exciting stuff.

While at the start I was not at all interested, it was a bit wordy and was very slow moving. I kept on it & it quickly picked up the pace and boy was I hooked! I understood why the author put in all the deep details. It built up to an incredible story with a solid plot. I did not see the end coming at all. What a great twist! I definitely want to pick up more of this authors books!