Review: Tension-filled Read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 29, 2013
Lara's been laid off from her job. In her thinking, she's been cast adrift without a purpose in life. She decides, under the influence of more than a little alcohol, to go on an adventure. Where to? Chile. In her ordered fashion she gets all the guidebooks and sets up an itinerary for a grand tour. Why not? Nothing is holding her back.She rents an SUV and takes off across the vast Atacama desert. Along the way, she gives a ride to a nice-looking guy, a geologist he claims. The hitch turns into a sexual relationship which starts out great, but becomes increasingly worrisome as Rick wants to play some games involving tying up and submission.The story also follows Enrique, a big rig truck driver, making the route north and south through Chile. In an accidental chain of events, Lara and Enrique collide, literally, when his truck hits the her SUV. But it's an accident. No bad intent on Enrique's part. However, Rick explodes into a rage and  beats up Enrique.The paths of Lara and Enrique merge at the crumple zone. Any more exposition would have spoilers.I really enjoyed this book. I feel Lara's growing unease with Rick's games. Then, when she takes up with Enrique, I wanted to yell at her. LOOK OUT, this guy is nuts. Both guys are nuts. Why is she playing such dangerous games?The answers come out in the last third of the book as she helps Enrique find himself, and, in doing so, helps find herself as well.The only complaint I'd have is when the last third of the book continues with Lara, I'm a little disappointed that Rick never shows up again. I kind of wanted a show down between the two men.But that's not the way Edith Parzefall played it. Her way was equally satisfying, although not as horror-filled as I was nervously anticipating.Good writing as always expected from Parzefall. The characters are quite clearly drawn. I was drawn to Lara despite her poor judgement (we've all been there). If she had good judgement, she would have never gone on the trip at all. That would have been a dull story.**I purchased this book from the publisher's bookstore.