NetGalley Buddy Readers discussion

As a park ranger with the National Park Service's law enforcement team, Andrea Lankford led search and rescue missions in some of the most beautiful (and dangerous) landscapes across America, from Yosemite to the Grand Canyon. But though she had the support of the agency, Andrea grew frustrated with the service's bureaucratic idiosyncrasies, and left the force after twelve years. Two decades later, however, she stumbles across a mystery that pulls her right back where she left three young men have vanished from the Pacific Crest Trail, the 2,650-mile trek made famous by Cheryl Strayed's Wild , and no one has been able to find them. It’s bugging the hell out of her.

Andrea’s concern soon leads her to a wild environment unlike any she’s ever missing person Facebook groups. Andrea launches an investigation, joining forces with an eclectic team of amateurs who are determined to solve the cases by land and by a mother of the missing, a retired pharmacy manager, and a mapmaker who monitors terrorist activity for the government. Together, they track the activities of kidnappers and murderers, investigate a cult, rescue a psychic in peril, cross paths with an unconventional scientist, and reunite an international fugitive with his family. Searching for the missing is a brutal psychological and physical test with the highest stakes, but eventually their hardships begin to bear strange fruits—ones that lead them to places and people they never saw coming.

Beautifully written, heartfelt, and at times harrowing, TRAIL OF THE LOST paints a vivid picture of hiker culture and its complicated relationship with the ever-expanding online realm, all while exploring the power and limits of determination, generosity, and hope. It also offers a deep awe of the natural world, even as it unearths just how vast and treacherous it can be.

On the TRAIL OF THE LOST , you may not find what you are looking for, but you will certainly find more than you seek.

Theresa and I are starting tomorrow, 8/8

This one sounds interesting! I'm too booked up for August to join in plus I would still have to request the book but I did add to my tbr though.

I totally understand. Theresa and I jumped on it because we live in the PNW! I'll keep you posted on how it is!

Part 1

I have to be honest, I just read the title of this one and grabbed it off Netgalley
I had no idea that I personally follow two of the 3 cases in here!!

(view spoiler)[ but I already know the status of both so unless something new has happened that I somehow don't know, I already know how these 2 stand today

otherwise, I love all the information in here. of hikers, angels and the restaurants and libraries. I love the descriptions of the PCT and the people who are on it.

I even know of that little party angel stop

this is easy to read even if the content is really tough. but I'm loving it so far (hide spoiler)]

Part 2

(view spoiler)[ wow, the amount of work. I'm so impressed Cathy just keeping working

the idea of the "squinters" sounded interesting but yeah, I can see it getting frustrating and disheartening. I hate that David's mom even arrived, thinking it would find him

Ugh (hide spoiler)]

Through 3 & 4

this one was so good but so heartbreaking
it was fascinating to see the behind-the-scenes workings on volunteer searches, drone scouting, SAR teams, the "squinters", and even how those that are lost/missing get pushed to the side.

I was hooked as soon as I started and loved how the author wrapped the story up.

Sounds great!