Don't Look Back

If there's a dip in Mexican tourism this year, fingers might point at Gregg Hurwitz (Tell No Lies) and his chilling new standalone thriller. In his recent novels, Hurwitz terrorizes his everyman characters in the midst of civilization, but Don't Look Back drops Eve Hardaway, a nurse and single mother, into the jungles of southern Mexico.

What's supposed to be a fun vacation turns into an unfathomable nightmare when Eve wanders from her tour group and stumbles on an isolated house. She observes the inhabitant throwing machetes at a human-shaped target. The sight is frightening enough, but it doesn't begin to compare with the life-threatening horrors about to rain down on her--a result of the trip-wire she's innocently triggered.

Hurwitz has a history of creating smart, driven female characters, but they usually take a supporting role. Don't Look Back puts a woman firmly in the driver's seat. Eve's fears and doubts, her motivations and emotions all ring true for a struggling American parent.

The Mexican setting takes on a character-like role as well. From the unforgiving weather to the punishing terrain, Hurwitz brings to life the sights, sounds, smells and even the involuntary shivers inspired by the jungle's occupants (sweeper ants, termites, bats).

Nonstop action in a exotic locale keeps the adrenaline pumping from beginning to end. In one of his darkest books yet, Hurwitz pokes a stick into a hornet's nest of American fears to excite and entertain. Just don't read this one on the plane to Mexico. --Jen Forbus of Jen's Book Thoughts

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