For those who haven't read PINES (book 1 in the Wayward Pines series) by Blake Crouch, you should safely eject from this review right now, because some of what follows will ruin the shock ending in the first story in the Wayward Pines trilogy. Readers don't like spoilers like that, so please stop already if this applies to you.

Ok, now that we've established those still here have read Pines, you know that Ethan Burke has been made sheriff of Wayward Pines 461 residents. Besides keeping order, he's supposed to protect the secret of their amazing existence. He's not happy about this, but he seems determined to make the best of it.

Burke becomes quickly embroiled in solving a mystery of the first murder in Wayward Pines (seems a bit implausible this would be the "first" ever murder, bearing the presence of the things outside the front gate, but ok, we'll go with it). The murder victim is no other than the daughter of the man who made Burke the sheriff, the man with the vision and plan behind Wayward Pines.

Meanwhile, there are a couple subplots, including a thrilling mission from a soldier sent beyond the fence and various present year flashbacks, where we learn more about the history.

Murder mystery thriller fans who don't mind cliff hanger endings.

I found the present day flashbacks particularly interesting and fun to read.

The cliff hanger ending.

The book is still a fairly swift, smooth read, although it doesn't have the equivalent pacing, tension and mystery of the first book, nor a shock ending (which sealed that as a five-star read for me). Wayward still a good read and sets up what could be a very exciting third book, due out in 2014.

FTC notice: I received an uncorrected proof advance review copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is scheduled to be published September 17, 2013

5,351 Kindle locations. Approximately 324 pages.

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Created Aug 13, 2013 at 6:33pm • Submit your own review...