Hideously Immersive…
Three distinct and separate threads blend seamlessly into one in this often horrifying, intense and gripping descent into an unknown dystopian future. Survival becomes the name of the game and all that counts. As is usual for this author, extremely well written, effortlessly fluid with some wonderfully descriptive passages and a pacy, breathless narrative often laced with a bleak, dark humour. Atmospheric and wholly, hideously immersive.

Thanks to NetGalley and to Penguin UK for providing me an ARC copy of this novel, which I freely chose to review.
I discovered C. J. Tudor when she published her first novel, The Chalk Man, and I had no doubt that her name would become a familiar one for many readers. I have read several of her novels since (all of them, if I’m not wrong), and I also have a collection of her short stories already waiting on my reader. I am happy recommending her books to readers who love thrillers with a touch of menace and more than a few drops of dark humour. Her writing is fluid and engaging; her plots are gripping, and her protagonists always have a surprise or two in stock for us. She is the real deal.
All of this is in evidence in her latest novel, which is due to be published in January 2023.
The description of the plot is sparse, and that is for a very good reason. As you can guess, the action of the book is divided into three settings, and readers of classic mysteries will soon realised that they all seem to be variations of the isolated location mystery: a number of characters are locked (sometimes physically, sometimes not) in a place that is not easily accessible to others, where strange things start to happen (characters disappearing and being murdered are the most common). One of the characters becomes the de-facto investigator (sometimes a real investigator, sometimes not), and readers follow this character’s attempts at finding out what is going on. So, here we have a similar situation, only that we have three stories taking place in three different locations, in a fairly dystopian version of the not-so-distant future (although nowadays not quite as outlandish as it might have been a few years back) where the population has been decimated by an infectious illness. We have two groups of survivors headed to the same safe place, and the third is a group of people actually working and living at that safe location. I can’t share too many details of the story without revealing too much, but I can say that two of the characters whose point of view we follow are women (one, Hanna, a young student, and the other, Meg, an ex-policewoman), and then there is Carter, who works at the Retreat. All of them are survivors, all of them keep secrets, and you would be right if you thought these groups must be connected somehow. But no, of course, I can’t tell you how.
Those readers who worry about different storylines and points of view making things confusing don’t need to worry. Although the three stories are narrated in the third person, each section is clearly labelled, and the three characters are quite different in their thoughts and outlooks, so confusion should not be an issue. For those who appreciate having advance warning, there is violence; there are pretty graphic scenes that have made some reviewers class it as horror (I think it is a combination of both thriller and horror, but I love horror, so that is a plus for me), and there is nothing cozy about the story (even though there is a dog and... No, I can’t say). Also, those who prefer not to read and/or think about pandemics after COVID-19 might want to give it a miss.
Anybody who doesn’t fall into these categories appreciates a well-written, tightly plotted, and gripping story (stories) that will keep their mind going and wandering about what is really going on and who is doing what should read this novel. I liked the two female protagonists in particular (not that they were without their issues and contradictions), but even in the case of the male, their circumstances and their sheer determination to keep going made me side with them and keep reading. The story centres on the plot, which is beautifully and cleverly constructed, but the characters have to face many personal and moral challenges, and some of the questions and decisions they have to make will have all readers wondering about right and wrong and about what they would do if they were in the same circumstances.
Despite the tense atmosphere and the dire straits, the characters find themselves in, or perhaps because of them, the author also offers us some glimpses of humour (mostly dark), some beautiful descriptions, and thought-provoking reflections that allow us to catch our breath. There are some wonderful little details that we only become fully aware of at the end (oh, and I love the ending, mini-epilogue and all), and I am very impressed by the talent of the author to make all the pieces of the puzzle come together seamlessly. People who love a mystery will probably start to tie some threads early on, and some will be faster than the characters (although, of course, we have more information than they have, and we are not under the same kind of pressure), but, my guess is that most won’t be disappointed when everything is revealed.
In sum, this is another great novel by C.J. Tudor, and one that I am sure will keep her followers coming back for more. And those who haven’t read her yet, if you like the sound of this, what are you waiting for?

I leave you a few quotes, although I recommend checking a sample online if you aren’t sure the writing style will suit your taste.
‘Here’s the other thing my grandpa taught me. You´re either a good guy or you’re a survivor. And the earth is full of dead good guys.’
One of the characters, when asked why they care, says:
‘Because caring is all we have left. If we stop caring —about life, about other people— who are we? What have we become?’
If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, it’s also a oneway street. No going back.

Tudor's best yet! I read this straight through in one sitting which meant staying up to 3.40am and I have no regrets!

Three timelines - each gripping in its own right. Significant and immediate danger against a backdrop of a world hit by a pandemic where society has been rocked by mass deaths, lockdowns, isolation and the race to engineer a vaccine. Scarily plausible and familiar.

I enjoyed the fast pace, the bleak and claustrophobic settings, the active female characters, the additional intrigue from the structure alternating between three points of view and the slow dripfeed of info relating to how these will merge. I also appreciated the themes of outsider status, ethics, and how far is too far in the quest to survive. Tudor explores at what point does someone lose their humanity. Horror, dystopia, thriller. Fantastic!

I have enjoyed CJ Tudor’s previous novels and so I was very excited to receive an ARC of her latest.

It wasn’t entirely what I was expecting- this was more of a dystopian apocalyptic horror story than her previous books, more in line with the collection of short stories she has recently released than her older books. It’s not my usual genre of choice but it was still gripping, very convincing and the writing style made you want to read more.

The story concentrates on three separate incidents, all horrifying but you had to read on!

I won’t say any more as I don’t want to spoil things- other than there were a couple of lovely Easter eggs which gave a nod to previous books, nice touch!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A coach of students crashed in the mountains in a snow drift, and a cablecar of passengers are stranded in a snowstorm. All are heading to The Retreat. At The Retreat, reserves are low and possibly being stolen, something is not right with threats inside and outside.
A gripping Tarrentino style book, which when it comes together will blow your mind. Another C.J. Tudor masterpiece.

Although I found this book complicated and the characters somewhat muddled it didn’t make me abandon the book. It was intriguing as to how it would end. Not my type of reading hence 3 stars.

Wow, what a wild ride this book was!

The Drift tells three different tales that all take place during a dystopian future following a lethal virus. We meet a crashed coach full of students, a stranded cable car full of strangers and an isolated 'Retreat' full of friends. As the three separate stories continue, they gradually and seamlessly blend into one chilling tale.
My favourite quote from this book, which sums it up pretty perfectly, is this: 'Obviously, everyone here was hiding something. The only difference was the size of the secret and the depth of the lie.'

At first, it seemed a little overwhelming to meet SO many characters in one go; but the stories were so enthralling, they captivated me right from the off and I felt as though I got to know everyone quickly. I loved the three separate scenarios and the way that my mind tried it's hardest to work out how they fitted together. There were so many twists and turns along the way, there was never a dull moment.

I loved this book and can't wait to read more from this author.

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

A whip smart novel for the time of the pandemic. While the virus in this book is not covid, I found the similarities striking.

This is a dystopian novel with an incredible locked room mystery. The characters and plot have been well thought out and the boo takes you on a ride that you will not want to stop.

When my daughter brought home a copy of Chalk Man a few years ago I fell in love with C.J. Tudor’s writing and I have made sure to read all her books as they have become available. When The Drift showed up on Penguin Random House SA’s list of upcoming releases, I jumped at the chance to get my hands on a copy.
If you have been following this author, you will find yourself surprised by this book. This book is unlike any of her previous books. Don’t get me wrong, it is brilliant – but it’s different.
This author has a unique way of unpacking a story, she draws you into the tale and leaves your head spinning as events take one turn after the other. The Drift is a creative, dystopian look at a viral outbreak that destroys life as we know it. I am sure our experience with COVID played a part in inspiring this tale. But do not fret, this is not another COVID tale….
A group of students are trapped in a bus that crashed during a snowstorm. Surrounded by dead bodies, with limited supplies and the temperatures falling they must find a way out of the bus, or risk dying….
Six strangers find themselves in a cable car that has stopped moving after a power cut caused by a snowstorm. Swing from side to side in the middle of nowhere, with no food or water. One man has been stabbed and someone in the cable car is responsible for his death…. They are all hiding something, yet which one is capable of murder? How long can they survive the cold?
The staff of the Retreat know that a storm is coming, and while preparing for the worst, they never thought that a glitch with the power would lead to some of them dying.
The Drift reveals three separate tales of people struggling to survive a snowstorm on a deserted mountain. As the author moves from one group to the next you are left on the edge of your seat, shivering not only with cold but with anticipation for the next twist you know is coming. While this book was not what I expected when reaching for a Tudor story, I found myself deeply engrossed and racing from page to page. The Drift might be a little different, but it’s got everything we have grown to love about this author’s work.
The characters are guaranteed to leave you with questions. Their actions are harsh in the face of survival, which leaves you wondering how far you will go if faced with the same situations. When faced with survival, is there room for friendship and love? I found my blood boiling as I read some of the scenes in this book, but upon further reflection, I could understand it.
The author did a marvellous job in highlighting how easily life as we know can change completely when faced with a crisis. She explored what could happen if we are faced with a disease that we cannot control, and just how far we would go to protect ourselves. This is a scary story because perhaps with the right conditions it is not that hard to see this being a reality.
I loved this book. This is the most creative COVID inspired book I have read. This just might end up being my book of the month. What a brilliant read for my birthday month!
Tudor fans are in for a huge treat when reaching for this title. It brings a dystopian touch to a gripping thriller that will leave you chilled as you race from page to page in anticipation of the next twist. I cannot recommend this one highly enough. It is a FANTASTIC read – do not miss it!

I have read a few books by this author now and she is fast becoming an author that I would pick up the book and start to read without reading the blurb and finding out what the story is about

I thought that this was a book with a clever plot, I loved the different storylines and their focuses and the author does give you a fairly big “oh” moment in the book when it all clicks and you find out the hidden aspects of the plot.

I started reading the book in the heatwave in August, it was 30 plus degrees and I was reading a book about snow storms but I thoroughly enjoyed it and was completely immersed in the plot – that shows how well it was written and it really was addictive, I was intrigued and wanted to carry on reading to find out more.

The characters were well developed and their interaction was spot on for the story, it added a lot of depth and they had layers of complexity too – it was a well written story with a lot more than you think you are going to get too – very well planned out and a pleasure to read (if that’s the right word, I will leave fellow readers to decide!!) – it is 4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars – very highly recommended!

Action packed and full of twists and turns, but ultimately I wasn't a huge fan of this C J Tudor book. The suspense was great but I wasn't invested in any of the characters. It's very intriguing and clever and terrifying at times (viral pandemic with zombie like whistlers)

It was a bit too dark and pessimistic for me, I think. Not the pandemic element, but the sheer number of bad and worse things that kept happening to the characters.

Seeing as how someone has decided these books need to run three different stories together, here are the three here – although they’re a lot more overtly linked from the off than normal. Hannah and half a dozen other people have survived a coach crash, with it tipping over sideways and rolling a couple of times, ending up half buried in the snow that could well complete the job, so heavy it’s falling. Going from a peculiar rich Academy to a peculiar rich Retreat, they have no mobile phones, and no egress from the bus. And no driver. Halfway up a mountain, ex-cop Meg and a handful of other people are surprised to find themselves in strange uniforms, en route to a Retreat, but stuck in an immobile cable car. Oh, and not all of them are alive. And the third story is set with the few people at the Retreat – where they have their own dramatic issues and problems.

Oh, and all of this is set after a recent zombifying pandemic, because, you know. Some ideas have to come easy. Which is a snide thing to say, especially when this is packed to the gills with ideas. And that’s an issue. Every chapter it seems has to have a bit of gore, a bit of drama, a shock, a revelation through back story, a link to something we’re not allowed to know any more of, yet. It’s nigh-on relentless. That said, when things tail off to some extent, more than one of the plot strands begin to feel a bit draggy, forcing Tudor to introduce even more unlikely elements – and in rarefied situations, the most mundane elements can feel the most unlikely.

This felt like the least satisfying long-form from Tudor yet (I’ve got a digital of one of her novellas, but certainly haven’t witnessed all of those). Taking her further from her original shtick of isolating one woman and making her discover the truth of whatever dark past is impacting on her plot, we have three disparate present tense narratives, and all feel in the same genre, of dark survival story/disaster story/horror, as if Michael Crichton swallowed Shaun Hutson. But spreading our attention to each of the three stories in the same pattern does not allow nearly as much or enough engagement with the characters, and I am quickly coming to the opinion that covid killed off the infection/pandemic thriller, although this is not as weak as Simon Mayo’s take on the idea.

Outside of that, the concept of the whole book is a rum one. One aspect of the plotting, relying on a plain wrong assumption from the reader, seemed to be a big End of Act Two reveal I’d realised before closing the fourth chapter hours beforehand. Another twist was eminently guessable. All told this is nowhere near as tight as needed to be, given nowhere near enough empathy for likeable characters, and a sign that Caz (as her friends know her) Tudor may be better served sticking to the more domestic, for this ‘nasty action’ genre piece was a step too far, even for her talents.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for an advance copy of The Drift, a thriller set in the mountains somewhere in a post apocalyptic dystopia.

The novel switches between three disasters, a group of people stranded in a coach after a crash, a group of people stranded in a cable car and lastly a group of people stranded in a mountain chalet known as The Retreat. It reveals secrets, lies and agendas as the various groups squabble among themselves as they try to resolve their situation.

I loved The Drift and would have awarded it an unquestionable five stars if it weren’t for my confusion at the beginning. There are three disaster scenarios and a host of characters involved in each, so I found it difficult at first to identify the characters from the brief synopses given. Fortunately as the novel progresses I was able to keep who belongs where and who they are fixed in my mind and soon began to identify with them and care about their fate. This makes the novel exciting and, at times, heartbreaking.

I always think that the word dystopia sounds idealistic and happy, but I have never read a novel where the reality isn’t a heavy handed, authoritarian regime that definitely knows best and it is no different here. The novel shows the personal cost of such unfettered power and should serve as a warning.

The conclusion to the novel is simply brilliant. If the majority of the novel is the fight for survival and the unraveling of secrets the finale is all about twists and irony and is a fitting crown to an exciting, nerve shredding and heartbreaking read. 4.5*

Too close to the pandemic to be entertaining and too dark. The writing and former experience of this author’s work kept me reading. I was disappointed.

Wow what a great book. Its so clever, it really had me on my toes and I just couldn't put it down.

I feel like I can't really say anything about it incase I give anything away. It's basically three storylines. A horrendous coach crash, a stranded cable car and a remote chalet. All set in a terrible snow storm. How did they get in this situation? Who will rescue them? What secrets are being kept in the chalet?
Full of mystery, murder and excitement.

I will definitely be looking out for the authors other work.

This may just be Tudor’s best novel yet! I’m a huge fan of her work but this one was on another level. I just couldn’t put it down, each chapter sucks you in and leaves you wanting more.

This book was totally unexpected.
I requested it as I've read other C J Tudor books and loved them all.
I wasn't intrigued by the blurb initially as I feel the whole 'snowed into a cabin' trope has been used a lot recently. However, this read was nothing like that.
The characters were interesting and the plot was original. I loved how the story was told in 3 separate parts and really kept me guessing. At times this story could have become confusing, however, it was written so well that you could easily work it out.
I'd really recommend this book if you're into creepy, page turning thrillers.

Three storylines are cleverly intertwined. The post-apocalyptic world is destroyed by the virus, people had to quarantine, and blood is essential for the cure.

Coach crash in the snow with students who want to come to the Retreat. The Retreat with their inhabitants, surrounded by dark forest and by lurking Whistlers and high above the ground, a small group stuck in a stranded cable car with a snowstorm raging outside, all bound for The Retreat. Only two types of people went to places like the Retreat. Volunteers and those who had no choice.
To all intents and purposes, the Retreat had never existed in the first place. It was easier for everyone if it never existed again. Especially if they ever found out about Isolation Chamber 13.

Obviously, everyone here was hiding something. The only difference was the size of the secret and the depth of the lie. Every man or woman for themselves.

There are good guys and there are survivors. And there is revenge.
An apocalypse doesn’t happen because of evil men, zombies, or even a virus. It happens because of ordinary people. Because somewhere along the way we lost society, lost cohesion. We forgot to try to see the other side. Instead, we all bunkered down harder in our trenches, refusing to be moved, lobbing missiles at those who dared to challenge our myopic view.

People are not black and white, and we all see situations in different ways. One person’s freedom fighter is another’s terrorist. One’s crazy genius is another’s a dangerous psychopath. One person’s leader is another’s oppressor.


The book is unputdownable. Full of action, twists, turns and chills running down the spine. Gripping and original with a cinematic atmosphere and strong characters.

Brilliant read!

The scene is set: an overturned coach, a stranded cable car hundreds of feet in the air, an isolated chalet, and a snowstorm raging outside, this gripping, edge-of-your-seat, dystopian thriller is fast-paced and action packed.
But a word of warning - beware of the Whistlers!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read the latest addition by one of my favourite authors who in my opinion just gets better and better.

Genius! I loved the authors previous books but this is completely different and felt like a departure from her usual backdrop but still oh so good. Is there any style she isn’t good at?!
The backdrop is futuristic and apocalyptic but draws on the plausibility factor and fear that we’ve felt during the (somewhat all surreal) covid 19 pandemic. There is a deadly and ever evolving virus loose on human kind which threatens them all, that is if they don’t kill each other first.
There are distinct threads to the story at first, a group of adults who have survived a coach crash but are now stuck inside the vehicle in deep snow with terrorist threat to boot and a group of adults stuck in an immobile cable car. The fear of their realities is very successfully built up for the reader and frankly terrifying and just as we get a new twist or release of information we switch back to the other storyline and are left hanging (literally in the cable car I guess). What the adults have in common are they’re all bound for the Retreat, a centre designed to help those left from the pandemic to survive. Add to the
melting pot some mad / evil / genius scientists whose side we’re not entirely sure they’re on and some complex family loyalties and this makes an epic thrilling ride. Thank you.