It was fine. A bit of a pageturner but ultimately a potato chip off a book. The fishing details were more fun to read than I might of thought. Doesn’t make me want to go fishing but did make me appreciate why other people might enjoy it. And the rich people were the villains so that’s always fun.

Peter Heller does it again in “The Guide” (2021), his novel about a fishing guide who becomes a morality guide in a world gone crazy after a series of deadly international viruses.

Jack, still mourning the deaths of both his mother and his best friend, takes some time off from his father's ranch to work as a guide for millionaires at an isolated fishing lodge. He is assigned to Alison, a famous singer whom Jack has barely heard of. Jack is more into Japanese poetry than American popular music. Yet he and Alison make a connection, however brief there time together might be.

He quickly realizes that things don't add up at this high-class resort. Why do so many of the millionaires and billionaires at this fishing resort never do any fishing? Why all the cameras? Why all the fencing that seems designed more to keep people in than out? Why does the wealthy owner tolerate a neighbor who sends warning shots at anyone who gets too close to the property line?

Heller keeps the tension building, both that between Jack and Alison and that involving the resort with something to hide. Alison turns out to be a resourceful country girl and Jack's match when the time comes to break out of the luxury resort that has become a prison.

If you are looking for a literary thriller that mixes poetry in with the action, you won't go wrong with “The Guide.” ( )

While Peter Heller was and remains one of my favorite authors, The Guide will not be one of my top favorites. Many of the things I like best about this author, his lush descriptions of nature, his knowledge of fishing and hunting and even the touch of noir that his writing delivers is here but, for me, the story just didn’t quite mesh together. I still enjoyed my read but was not totally carried away by the adventure.

The main character is a familiar one, Jack from The River is still recovering from the death of his best friend. He has come to Kingfisher Lodge, a high-end, remote fishing camp to act as a guide. He is assigned to a celebrity guest, Alison K, with whom he immediately bonds. Great activities, gorgeous scenery and excellent company - what could be better he thinks. But there is a sinister atmosphere of secrecy surrounding the place. With barbed wire, signs about not getting shot by the neighbours, strange screams in the night and cameras continually watching their every move, Jack soon comes to the realization that fishing may just be a cover for more menacing activities.

Peter Heller delivers another literary thriller that is creepy, spiritual and dangerous. I think my problem with it was that Jack seemed to suspect there were problems before anything actually happened, making him seem a little paranoid. Once it became obvious that something was terribly wrong, the story flowed well and I was hooked. Although The Guide could be considered a sequel to The River, it certainly can stand alone although I do recommend The River as another great outdoor adventure story. ( )

The poetic writing style stifles any suspense and mystery, leaving the reader bereft of an enjoyable read. And the added dimension of a covid sci-fi plot stretches the believability factor beyond my tolerance level. ( )

i'm falling in love w/ peter heller's writing but i always get lost at his endings ( )