Peter Heller is the best selling author of ‘The River’, and “The Guide” is the sequel novel featuring Jack, who is still coping with the events involving his best friend on a river several years ago. Jack has just arrived at an elite resort in Colorado, to start his new job as a fishing guide to VIP guests and anonymous celebrities. Set shortly in the after mass of a recent global pandemic but with it still ongoing, the ‘Kingfisher Lodge’ offers the most pristine river water on the planet together with a boutique resort offering respite for wealthy clients, safe from the viruses that have plagued America for years. When Jack learns that part of the resort is out of bounds and at the risk of being shot at or attacked by dogs if approached, it soon becomes apparent that it’s not the anonymity that the clients are there for but something that no one could have suspected. Peter Heller’s writing is straight to the point, poetic and literary but manages to incorporate such intense atmospheric descriptions of nature and the scenery, that his writing becomes an absolute marvel to read. Instantly you are transported to the Colorado wilderness and the beauty it holds and I actually felt I was peacefully fishing with Jack on the river. The flirtatious but forbidden relationship between Jack and Alison suited both characters really well and they shared a fair amount of sultry chemistry. They made a formidable duo once they decided they needed to investigate the suspicious goings on further up river. Anyone who loves a slow paced, atmospheric crime novel and has an interest in fishing will love this book. I like fishing and the tranquil backdrop of the clear rivers, along with a clever and timely mystery to solve, kept my attention throughout. This is a sequel but can work perfectly fine as a stand-alone as I read it but I will be looking for the ‘The River’ as I’m intrigued by Jack’s back story and how he became the man with the emotional baggage he carries today. Well worth a read and I would recommend. #TheGuide - 4 stars