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Shiver Paperback – December 28, 2021
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When Milla accepts an off-season invitation to Le Rocher, a cozy ski resort in the French Alps, she's expecting an intimate weekend of catching up with four old friends. It might have been a decade since she saw them last, but she's never forgotten the bond they forged on this very mountain during a winter spent fiercely training for an elite snowboarding competition.
Yet no sooner do Milla and the others arrive for the reunion than they realize something is horribly wrong. The resort is deserted. The cable cars that delivered them to the mountaintop have stopped working. Their cell phones--missing. And inside the hotel, detailed instructions await them: an icebreaker game, designed to draw out their secrets. A game meant to remind them of Saskia, the enigmatic sixth member of their group, who vanished the morning of the competition years before and has long been presumed dead.
Stranded in the resort, Milla's not sure what's worse: the increasingly sinister things happening around her or the looming snowstorm that's making escape even more impossible. All she knows is that there's no one on the mountain she can trust. Because someone has gathered them there to find out the truth about Saskia...someone who will stop at nothing to get answers. And if Milla's not careful, she could be the next to disappear...
- Print length416 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherG.P. Putnam's Sons
- Publication dateDecember 28, 2021
- Dimensions5.45 x 0.85 x 8.2 inches
- ISBN-100593187849
- ISBN-13978-0593187845
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“[A] gripping debut thriller… Reynolds writes with the same fast-paced intensity of an energy drink-fueled trip down the slopes. Alongside its central mystery, Shiver offers an intimate look at the convoluted relationships of athletes who excel at a sport most people are too cautious even to attempt--including what happens when the truth becomes inescapable, both because of the blizzard and other equally unpredictable forces.”--Shelf Awareness
"Deep in the breathtaking winter bleakness of the French Alps, revenge—and perhaps even murder—is most definitely afoot...This suspenseful debut thriller by a former freestyle snowboarder contains both style and substance."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“[A] buzzy debut…The story alternates between the present and 10 years prior, ratcheting up the suspense and spooling out a cast of intriguing characters drawn together atop a picturesque yet deadly mountain. Reynolds, a former international snowboarder, delivers the thrills in her must-read debut."--Library Journal (starred review)
"Will chill you to the bone."--New York Post
"Exciting...Reynolds, a former competitive snowboarder, brings authenticity to her Alpine setting with her detailed descriptions of the sport. Fans of locked-room mysteries will have fun."--Publishers Weekly
“An atmospheric winter treat. Recommend it to those who enjoyed recent tales of reunions gone awry."--Booklist
“Reynolds, a former snowboarder turned author, delivers with this locked-room mystery that calls to mind a Golden Age tradition of disparate characters summoned to isolated locales to reckon with their sins.”--CrimeReads
"Ultimately, Shiver presents a mind-racing puzzle that quivers with excitement."-- Mystery and Suspense Magazine
"Allie Reynolds’ debut novel is full of suspense and a multitude of plot twists....A genuine page-turner that will keep you guessing until the very end."--Bookreporter.com
“[A] compelling locked-room thriller...this buzzy debut is filled with suspense and thrills that will keep you reading long into the night.”--Bookriot
"A fantastic debut!...This aptly named thriller will keep you riveted in your seat…This author skillfully weaves her knowledge of snowboarding with a mystery full of twists and turns… A winter thriller must-read.”--Manhattan Book Review
"A chilling read - it was gripping from the off and really kept me guessing! I loved being immersed in the competitive world of snowboarding and was completely transported to the mountains. The tension kept ratcheting relentlessly as I kept reading - so much so, I had to keep looking over my shoulder even though I was reading in my (snow-free!) garden! A fantastic, thrilling debut full of atmospheric twists and turns - I can't wait for her next book!"--Sarah Pearse, author of The Sanatorium
“Allie Reynolds’ aptly named debut Shiver sent chills up my spine! This taut and twisty thriller follows five former snowboarding champions trapped in a deserted ski resort, each hiding dark secrets about their shared past that pit them against one another. Cancel all your plans because once you pick up this page turner, you won't be able to put it down until you've reached its shocking conclusion!”—Katherine St. John, author of The Lion’s Den
“Five former friends who no longer trust each other are stranded on top of a mountain—what could go wrong? Every character is a suspect in this cleverly plotted page-turner. Reynolds’ writing is so atmospheric; I could feel the snow in my eyes, the wind on my face! All hail the chiller thriller.”—Stephanie Wrobel, author of Darling Rose Gold
“A tour-de-force, a truly gripping chiller of a thriller, genuinely impossible to put down and a sensational debut."--Peter James, author of Find Them Dead
"A high-velocity, heart-in-your-mouth whodunnit that delivers not just twists and turns but McTwists and aerial spins, Shiver is a total joy to read…Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Ruth Ware.”—Anna Downes, author of The Safe Place
"Could not turn the pages of this book fast enough to find out what had happened. Gripping!" Natasha Lester, author of The Paris Secret
“Exhilarating. A brilliant combination of knife-sharp locked room mystery with a will they/won’t storyline. So cleverly done – I felt like I was there.”—Harriet Tyce, author of Blood Orange
“In Shiver, Allie Reynolds manages to combine the excitement of a clever, compelling story with all the thrills of competitive snowboarding. I loved it.”—Rachel Abbott, author of The Murder Game
“A white-knuckle-ride through a dangerous world full of deadly ambition.”—Erin Kelly, author of He Said, She Said
"An absolutely gripping read and genuinely unputdownable...Fresh, thrilling and original with complex, believable characters."—Karen Hamilton, author of The Perfect Girlfriend
"A deliciously dark locked room mystery about competitive snowboarders who find themselves stranded at the top of a snowy mountain. Throw in a dead woman, shameful secrets, years of resentment and someone out for revenge and you have an exciting, twisty page-turner that keeps you guessing all the way to the end."--CL Taylor, author of Sleep
"Absolutely superb. I loved the claustrophobic setting, the cast of characters and the mysterious past. It was paced beautifully and I flew through it in one cold, creepy weekend. It's an astonishingly accomplished debut and I can't wait to see what's next from Allie."--Jo Spain
"This stunning debut, set against an original and very cool snowboarding backdrop, will chill you to the bone! Allie Reynolds brilliantly leads readers on a twisted, haunting, nail-biting journey through a terrifying weekend. With alternating timelines and characters with their own dangerous agendas, Shiver is a tour de force of a thriller. I could not put this book down!"--Samantha Bailey, author of Woman on the Edge
About the Author
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Chapter 1
"Hello?" My shout echoes around the concrete cavern.
The familiar red-and-white cable car sits in the bay, but there's nobody in the operator booth. The sun has disappeared behind the Alps, the sky is pink, yet there isn't a single light on in the building. Where is everyone?
An icy wind blasts my cheeks. I huddle deeper into my jacket. It's the off-season, and the resort doesn't open for another month, so I didn't expect the other ski lifts to be running, but I thought this one would be. How else are we going to get up to the glacier? Have I got the wrong day?
I dump my snowboard bag on the platform and pull out my phone to check the email again. Know it's been a while but are you up for a reunion weekend? Panorama building, glacier du Diable, Le Rocher. Meet at the cable car, 5 pm Friday 7th November. C. x
C for Curtis. If anyone else had invited me here, I'd have deleted it without replying.
"Yo, Milla!"
And here's Brent, loping up the steps toward me. Two years younger than me, he must be thirty-one now, and he still has his boyish charm-the floppy dark hair, the dimples-though he looks worn and tired.
He lifts me off the ground in a bear hug. I hug him tightly back. All those cold nights I spent in his bed. I feel bad for not getting in contact with him. But after what happened . . . Anyway, he didn't contact me either.
Over his shoulder, sharp peaks loom, in shadow against the darkening sky. Do I really want to do this? It's not too late. I could make excuses, jump back in my car, and drive home to Sheffield.
A throat clears behind us. We pull apart to see Curtis's tall, blond form.
Somehow I expected Curtis to look the same as the last time I saw him. Collapsed with grief. A broken man. But of course he doesn't. He's had ten years to get over it. Or tuck it all away inside him.
Curtis's hug is brief. "Good to see you, Milla."
"You, too." I always struggled to look him in the eye because he was so damned good-looking-still is-but I find it even harder now.
Curtis and Brent grip hands, Curtis's skin pale against Brent's. They've brought their snowboards; no surprises there. We could hardly go up the mountain without them. Like me, they wear jeans, but I'm amused to see shirt collars below their snowboard jackets.
"Hope I wasn't expected to dress up," I say.
Curtis looks me up and down. "You'll do."
I swallow. His eyes are as blue as ever, but they remind me of someone I don't want to think of. There's none of the warmth I used to feel from him either. For him I dragged myself back to the place I swore I'd never return. I'm already regretting it.
"Who else is coming?" Brent says.
Why's he looking at me?
"No idea," I say.
Curtis laughs. "Don't you know?"
Footsteps. Here comes Heather. And who's that? Dale? No way-are they still together?
Dale's previously wild hair is stylishly cut, his piercings removed. His trendy skate shoes don't even look skated in. I guess he's been Heathered. At least she let him bring his snowboard.
Heather's wearing a dress-a sparkly black one-with tights and knee-high boots. Must be bloody freezing, even with the Puffa jacket over it. A whiff of hairspray from her long, dark locks as she hugs me.
"Great to see you, Milla." She must have had a few drinks before she got here, because she almost sounds like she means it. Her boots have a three-inch heel, bringing her to an inch taller than me, which is probably why she's wearing them.
She flashes a ring.
"You guys got married?" I say. "Congratulations."
"Three years now." Her Geordie accent is thicker than ever.
Brent and Curtis slap Dale's back.
"Took your time askin', hey, bro?" Brent says. His London accent seems stronger, too.
"Actually, I asked him," Heather snaps.
The door of the cable car grinds open. A lift attendant shuffles up behind us, black resort cap pulled low. He checks off our names on a clipboard and gestures for us to enter.
The others file past.
"Is that everyone?" I say, playing for time.
The liftie seems to think so. There's something familiar about him.
Everyone else is aboard now. Reluctantly, I join them.
"Who else would there be anyway?" Curtis says.
"True," I say. There were a few others who came and went, but of our original gang, we're the only five left.
Or rather, the only ones still standing.
A flood of guilt hits me. She will never walk again.
The liftie shuts the door. I strain to see his face, but before I can get a better look, he heads off along the platform and disappears into his booth.
The cable car lurches into motion. Like me, the others stare through the Plexiglas, spellbound, as we fly over the tops of fir trees, chasing the fading light up the mountain. It's weird to see dirt and grass below. It was always snow. I look for marmots, but they're probably hibernating. We pass over a cliff and the tiny village of Le Rocher disappears from view.
Suspended in the air like this, with the scenery slipping past the window, I get the strangest feeling. Instead of rising up the mountain, it's like we're traveling back in time. And I don't know if I'm ready to face the past.
Too late. The cable car is swinging into the midstation already. We step out, dragging our bags. It's colder here, and it'll be colder still where we're going. A French flag flaps in the breeze. The plateau is deserted. Halfway up, the browns and greens turn to white: the snow line.
"I thought the snow would be right down to the valley by now," Brent says.
Curtis nods. "That's climate change for you."
This is the heart of the ski area in winter, with chairlifts and tows going off in all directions, but the bubble lift is the only one running today.
The half-pipe used to be right there next to that little shack. The long U-shaped channel is just a muddy ditch right now, but in my mind's eye I can see the pristine white walls. Best half-pipe in Europe at the time, and it's what brought us all here that winter.
God, the memories. I've got goose bumps. I can picture our younger selves jostling and laughing. The five of us.
Plus the two who are missing.
A freezing gust swirls my hair around my face. I zip my snowboard jacket up to my chin and hurry after the others.
The bubble lift will take us to nearly 3,500 meters. The Diable glacier is one of the highest ski areas in France. The glossy orange cabins hang from the cable like Christmas baubles. Curtis enters the nearest open cabin.
Heather tugs on Dale's hand. "Let's get our own."
"No, come on," Dale says. "We'll all fit."
Curtis gestures. "Loads of room."
Heather looks dubious and I see her point. These little cabins fit six in theory, but with all our bags it'll be a squeeze. It doesn't help that she's brought a bloody suitcase.
Brent folds his tall frame to enter. "You can sit on my knee, Mills. Give us your snowboard bag."
"Dale can sit on your knee," I say. "I'm sitting here."
Heather ends up on Dale's knee, beside Curtis, with me and Brent opposite, bags jammed in around us. Dale looks so strange without his dreads. With his Nordic coloring, he used to remind me of a Viking. Now he looks more like a game show host.
We speed across the plateau. Such emptiness below. I forgot how huge this area is. Walkers hike here in summer and trails zigzag up. It must be beautiful-a mass of Alpine flowers-but all there is to see today is straggly brown grass and rocky scree. No sign of life, not even a bird. The land looks barren.
Dead.
No. Sleeping. Waiting.
Like something else up there. I swallow and force the thought aside.
Curtis's knee bumps mine as we rattle past a pylon. He seems unusually quiet, but I can understand that. If this is hard for me, it must be a hundred times worse for him.
The invitation made no mention of it but it's obvious why we're here. In the news the day before his email arrived:
British snowboarder missing ten years declared dead in absentia after legal battle
The others can't have been any keener to come than I was, but how could we refuse? It's natural that he'd want to commemorate it.
There's snow beneath us now, glowing lilac in the twilight. Far above are the towering cliffs that give Le Rocher its name. The Panorama building perches on top, a squat, dark shape hunkered down against the elements.
"So how did you manage this, Mills?" Brent says.
"Manage what?" I say.
"VIP access to the glacier. Private cable car ride and all that. Pretty swish."
I stare at him. "What do you mean?"
"This is the shut-down period. Can't be cheap."
"Why do you think I organized it? Curtis did."
Curtis gives me a funny look. "Sorry?"
What are they playing at? We pull out our phones. The last time I brought my phone up here, I smashed the screen on my first run, leaving a nasty phone-shaped bruise on my hip. After that, I didn't bother taking it up with me.
I show them the email I received and Brent shows me his. His invitation is the same as mine, except it's from M and there's a PS: Lost my phone. Email me.
"Here you go." Curtis flashes his-identical to Brent's.
I never could read Curtis. Is this his idea of a joke?
The cabin rattles as we pass another pylon and my ears pop. This is where it starts to get steep. We've begun the long, long climb up to the glacier.
I turn to Dale and Heather. "What did your invite say?"
Dale hesitates.
"Yeah, same as yours," Heather says.
"From M or C?" Brent says.
"Um, M." Heather glances at me.
Why do I get the feeling she's lying? "Can I see it?"
"Sorry," Heather says. "I deleted it. But it was just like theirs."
Chapter 2
I don't know what I expect at the top. Music? Candles? Waiters with trays of champagne?
There's none of that. The platform is dimly lit and deserted, the operator booth empty. We drag our bags out. A siren wails and the bubble lift cranks to a halt. They must be operating it from the bottom, saving staff costs, having seen our arrival on the overhead security camera. But after the confusion over who invited us, it's a bit freaky, and from Heather's furrowed brow, she clearly thinks so, too.
Brent looks my way. "Leave our stuff here for now?"
"Don't ask me," I say.
He sets his bags down. I hesitate and dump mine, too. It's not as though there's anyone here to steal them.
The steps are gridded metal to accommodate snow-covered boots. By the time I reach the top, I'm panting. The air's thin up here. I push through the double doors into the Panorama building and breathe in stale woodsmoke. For a moment I have to close my eyes. Because that, more than anything, was the smell of my winters.
Curtis hits a switch and the wooden-paneled corridor lights up. A constant procession of skiers and snowboarders clump through here normally, past the ski lockers and out the main entrance onto the glacier, but it's eerily silent tonight.
Curtis cups his hands around his mouth. "Anyone there?"
Brent's looking at me again; Dale, too. My thoughts turn back to the invitations. Could one of them have organized this? No, I can't see it. As Brent pointed out, this is the shut-down period. A weekend up here must cost thousands at this time of year. Thanks to my online stalking, I know Curtis is doing well for himself. It has to be him. But why the mystery? And are the others in on it or do they genuinely believe I invited them?
"There's got to be someone here," Curtis says. "Let's look around."
We all rush off in different directions, kids let loose in a theme park. It's a maze, this place. The only building for miles around, the multipurpose, sprawling structure houses the Mountain Rescue, control room, and everything else visitors and staff might need up here. I know the restaurant and toilets, but that's it. Oh yeah, and I once stayed the night in one of its tiny dorm rooms-France's highest youth hostel.
I race down corridors, pressing light switches as I go. There are lots of closed doors. Some open; others don't. This one opens. God, this could be the very dorm I slept in. The damp and musty smell triggers a memory. Brent beneath me on the mattress, his large hands gripping my hips. I stare at the narrow single bunk, then step out, shutting the door firmly behind me.
The next door down is a laundry cupboard-rough white towels and well-worn sheets stacked on pine shelves, the reek of cheap detergent. Farther along I smell food and, sure enough, here's the kitchen. Two pans sit on an immense stove. I lift the lids. Meaty casserole in one; mash in the other. Still warm. Could be our dinner, but where are the catering staff?
I spot a toilet and push the door cautiously, but it's empty and dark. Just beyond is the equally dark restaurant, where the stench of wood-smoke is strong enough to make me cough even though the fire isn't lit. I spent hours in here warming my fingers around mugs of coffee and sitting out snowstorms, but the tables are bare, so I turn down another corridor. The others must be on the floor above, because I can't hear them anymore.
More storage rooms; more locked doors. The light switches are on short timers and occasionally turn off before I've pressed the next one, leaving me in total darkness, having to grope my way along the wall. The silence is creepy. If someone popped out from behind one of these doors, I would just about have a heart attack.
At last a familiar sight: the main entrance onto the glacier. I hurry toward it. Nobody will be out there at this time of night and the door will probably be locked, but if it isn't, I want to taste that ice-tinged air. It's been so long.
It opens. Wind rushes through the gap in a high-pitched, relentless scream. The sound is strangely human. I yank the door shut and stand there breathing hard. I knew this would be the problem if I came back here. Too many doors I'd be better off not opening.
Product details
- Publisher : G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Publication date : December 28, 2021
- Language : English
- Print length : 416 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0593187849
- ISBN-13 : 978-0593187845
- Item Weight : 9.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.45 x 0.85 x 8.2 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #275,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,706 in Psychological Thrillers (Books)
- #5,183 in Murder Thrillers
- #5,705 in Suspense Thrillers
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Allie Reynolds' debut thriller SHIVER is about a small group of former snowboarder friends at an isolated mountaintop reunion, high in the French Alps. SHIVER has sold in 24 territories to date and will be translated into 23 languages. The TV option has sold to Firebird Pictures.
Her second thriller THE BAY (UK, ANZ) / THE SWELL (USA) is set on a remote Australian beach and will be published in June 2022.
Born and raised in Lincoln, England, Allie moved to Gold Coast, Australia in 2004. She lives near the beach with her two young boys.
Many years ago she competed at snowboard halfpipe. She spent five winters in the mountains of France, Switzerland, Austria and Canada. These days she sticks to surfing - water doesn't hurt as much as ice when you fall on it.
Her first ever job was a Saturday job in a bookstore, at age 14. She taught English for many years and became a full-time writer in 2018.
You can find her on:
www.twitter.com/AuthorAllieR
www.instagram.com/authorallier
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this book to be a good first novel with breathtaking twists and turns, describing it as a page-turner with a fast-paced narrative. They appreciate the character development, with one review highlighting the strong female athlete protagonist, and the atmosphere receives positive feedback, with one customer noting how well it captures the cold and claustrophobic setting. The snowboarding details receive mixed reactions, with some finding them fascinating while others find them excessive.
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Customers find the book well written and easy to read, describing it as a page turner and a great first novel.
"Great read!" Read more
"...What a great read it turned out to be!..." Read more
"...It's fast paced and clever, swapping between timelines and drawing out the truth against a backdrop of fascinating snow boarding details...." Read more
"I am glad I saw a review of this book & then bought it. It is a great story...good characters & the story moves along at a good pace...." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one customer highlighting the strong female athlete as the main character and another noting how the heroine makes smart conclusions.
"...Hard to put down. Reynolds does a great job getting you invested in her characters...." Read more
"...The atmospheric environment which felt like a character itself, the building tension throughout both timelines, the authentic and complex characters..." Read more
"...Talk about a page-turner, WOW!! The characters are believable and masterfully developed. I usually have a pretty good idea as to who the killer is...." Read more
"...I can't stop reading and want more. I enjoyed the story, I loved each character, and learned a lot about snowboarding in the process...." Read more
Customers enjoy the atmosphere of the book, with one customer noting how it can feel the cold and claustrophobia setting in, while another mentions it's perfect for a cozy winter night.
"...once it got going the pace picked up and I became submerged in this wintry world and breathtaking twists and turns that felt comparable to skiing..." Read more
"...The snowboarding angle gives it a wonderfully atmospheric setting, too...." Read more
"I absolutely loved everything about this book. The atmospheric environment which felt like a character itself, the building tension throughout both..." Read more
"...This book gave me thrills and chills and warm fuzzies and cold dreads...." Read more
Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, describing it as fast-paced with events happening thick and fast, and one customer noting it's not a slow burn book.
"Keeps you turning the pages as fast as you can!" Read more
"...and so many more details that make this story so immersive and captivating...." Read more
"...of hammered and not subtle in their delivery, but overall it was a super quick, enjoyable read...." Read more
"...It's fast paced and clever, swapping between timelines and drawing out the truth against a backdrop of fascinating snow boarding details...." Read more
Customers have mixed reactions to the snowboarding content in the book, with some finding it fascinating and authentic, while others find it excessive.
"...Reynolds writes succinct sentences that convey info without bogging you with extra words. It makes the pages fly...." Read more
"For a debut novel pretty good but so much technical stuff for snowboarding that is was distracting. Was an OK read for me." Read more
"...both timelines, the authentic and complex characters, and so many more details that make this story so immersive and captivating...." Read more
"...It's fast paced and clever, swapping between timelines and drawing out the truth against a backdrop of fascinating snow boarding details...." Read more
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Riveting and Authentic
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2021Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseI confess whodunit thrillers aren’t a normal genre for me (that might change). The last book I read in this vein was “And Then There Were None” in gradeschool about 40 years ago. But I was in the mood and intrigued by the snowboarding element when this caught my eye. What a great read it turned out to be!
The setup surrounds 8 Olympic-hopeful snowboarders who spend a winter training together at a French resort. The winter ends disastrously with one of them missing and presumed dead and another crippled in a horrific accident. The trauma splits the group apart with almost no contact between them afterwards. Flash forward 10 years and 5 of them arrive for an off-season reunion at the mountaintop resort. Once there they discover they’re alone, the cable car and phones are disabled, the emergency radios are missing, and the person(s) they thought organized the reunion are denying it. Then a strange Icebreaker game suggests one of them is a killer…and that they may not be alone after all.
The writing style grabbed me by the 3rd chapter. Reynolds writes succinct sentences that convey info without bogging you with extra words. It makes the pages fly. And the chapters are short and most end on a cliffhanger leaving you clamoring for the next. They alternate between present day and 10 years ago so you often scream as you shift back to the other timeline, then you remember you needed the resolution to its cliffhanger and quickly get sucked in again. It propels you right through the book. Hard to put down.
Reynolds does a great job getting you invested in her characters. Anybody who’s been through their early 20’s with a coed group of friends will relate to this. You feel like you know all of them. There are multiple points where you have good reasons to suspect each, but at the same time you don’t want it to be any of them because you’ve come to care. They’re all broken in some way by the events of 10 years ago. They’re not the same people. It keeps you off balance throughout.
Your intelligence is never insulted. The heroine comes to smart conclusions that a lazier writer would have avoided. She reasons out every angle as we progress. If you suspect it, she does too. She even got ahead of me a couple of times.
They say to write what you know and Reynolds clearly knows winter sports. It feels like she’s writing about herself. A real strength of the book is the authentic glimpse into the life of a winter athlete. I’ve seen some reviews complain about the snowboarding elements. I’ve never snowboarded in my life but had no trouble following what was described. It was all relevant and never bogs the story.
Btw: These days I get most of my books in e-book format. I got Shiver as an e-book, but enjoyed it so much I had to have the HB for my shelf! Lol. I’ve never done that with any other book, so if that’s an indication of how impressed I was, take it for what it’s worth. I will mention the HB has a nice two-page map of the resort. In the e-book you have to scroll around to see it all and it’s frustrating. I also love the jacket art on HB.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2021Ten years before Milla was close to joining the ranks of elite snowboarders and had hope of being selected for the British Olympic team. She saved up enough to quit work and spend an entire winter training for the British Open at the Le Rocher resort in the French alps. There she met a group of other top snowboarders and they quickly become friends training and socialising together. Milla was so determined to concentrate on training, that she ignored her attraction to one of the guys, Curtis on the grounds that she didn't want a serious relationship to interfere with her training and instead embarked on a casual relationship with Brent, one of Curtis' friends. Milla can't help being hyper-competitive and soon finds herself competing against Curtis' talented and beautiful sister Saskia, who likes to play games to mess with people if it gives her an advantage.
Now, ten years after that fateful winter, the group, minus Saskia have been invited back to Le Rocher for a reunion. The season hasn't started yet and they knew they would have the resort to themselves, but weren't expecting that there would be no staff and no one to operating the cable car after they arrived. Not long after they get there, strange events start to occur and they get the feeling that someone may be playing a dangerous game.
This is a very suspenseful mystery told in two time lines, asking what really happened ten years ago when the group were last together, and why have they been invited to a reunion after all this time. The isolated alpine location with the empty resort, freezing snowy conditions and loss of contact with the outside world makes for a very eerie atmosphere, especially once strange things start to happen. The story is narrated by Milla but there is also good insight into the dynamics of the group and what the others are thinking. Once a snowboarder herself, the author writes knowledgably about the sport and the intense rivalry at the elite level, combined with the stress of constantly striving to perform more difficult tricks. A riveting read and an excellent debut novel.
Top reviews from other countries
- Rachael MReviewed in Australia on June 4, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars So good!!
<b>** 5 stars**
HOLY MOLEY! I cannot believe that this is a debut novel. </b>
After reading Allie Reynold's second novel 'The Bay' (AKA The Swell), many people on Bookstagram suggested that I give her first novel a go. I am SO GLAD I DID!
Shiver is very similar to The Bay. Both books are atmospheric (however, I would argue that Shiver is more so), secluded, character driven thrillers with a mystery. Shiver's mystery is very much a whodunnit with a bit of a twist.
I loved how this book was set in the snow, it made everything feel so much more intense and that every moment, every step could be the difference between life and death.
Alternating between past and present, we see why this crew of 5 have been brought together for a reunion 10 years after seeing each other for the last time. While I did pick up on the "who" was behind staging the present day sections, I found the real draw was flipping the pages at a frightening speed to figure out the "how" and "why". I preferred reading the past sections are learning about the different relationships and dynamics of the friendship. That being said, the present section does a great job to foreshadow and build tension and suspense.
I found this book to be well written and perfectly plotted. I enjoyed both timelines and the alternative timeless really set the stage for the unfolding of the plot. I enjoyed reading as the characters changed, grew and evolved. Are they the same people they were when they were competing? Has Saskia's disappearance changed them? Is their friendship still there?
Please, please, please write more books Allie Reynolds!
- Paulina MedeirosReviewed in Canada on May 21, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseI feel that the theme for this list is "I don't need to know more," but really, they had me at a group of people who haven't seen each other in 10 years meet at a deserted French Alps resort. Are you with me?
The last time they saw each other, one of their friends, Saskia, disappeared. As their reunion starts, an icebreaker makes them realize they don't know who organized this meeting. Tchan-Tchan!!!!
Quickly it becomes apparent they have every reason to fear: they all have secrets they would prefer to keep from the others; they don't know who their "host" is, what their intentions are and how far they would go to achieve it.
The book through my criteria lens:
Let's be honest; if there is one mystery trope I will never get tired of is a closed circle. I will pick up any mystery that promises me that, even better if it's an isolated atmospheric setting. The problem with that is that Agatha Christie has spoiled me, so I look for particular things in a closed circle book. Will most of them satisfy me? Yes. But will they make it to a prize "auto-buy author" spot on my bookshelf? Not always.
As soon as I heard of Shiver, I knew I had to check it out - closed circle, french alps, unlikeable characters, secrets, snow. Check, check, check, check, check. I also love getting immersed in a world I'm not familiar with, so I went in with high hopes to end the book as an expert couch snowboard. Did Reynolds deliver? Well, guys. I am so sorry to say that she did! Dang, now I have to wait for her next book to be released impatiently.
If it wasn't obvious, Shiver surprised me. Even though it is a debut novel, it met all my amateur reader expectations. The characters were well developed, and each behaved in characteristics set out to them for the book's duration. The unlikeable characters were well-drawn, and let me tell you, I despised that person (no spoilers). The protagonist was multidimensional and made many questionable choices, but I couldn't help getting emotionally invested in Milla.
Shiver was hard to put down, and I particularly liked the alternating chapters. I felt that each "past" chapter gave just enough background to what happened in the present without spoiling the plot, at the same time leaving you wanting more.
I am not an expert couch snowboarder, sadly. But Reynolds did a fantastic job describing that world; even if you are not familiar with the terminology, you understood the references through the characters. She did play fair, which is my number one thing. The author also came out with an excellent idea for a plot and delivered it flawlessly. Impressed. You nailed this literary crippler, Allie.
My personal feelings:
I knew I was going to love this book when the romance didn't bother me. I usually do not like romance in my mystery, but Reynolds wove it into the plot in a way that was part of character development and didn't distract from the story. I actually liked it because, well, I was invested in Milla.
The alternating chapters were reminiscent of The One. In the sense that every time a "past" chapter ended, I just wanted to get to the next "past" chapter. But I felt the same way about the "present" chapters. Reynolds did a great job ending each chapter in a cliffhanger.
I had a lot of fun learning about the world of snowboarders, and to me, the narrative felt like it came from someone who is passionate and knows what they are talking about. (which, from the little I gathered, IS the case). I could feel the passion for this world in each of the characters, and I appreciate that Reynolds didn't romanticize it; trust me, we get to see the ugly side too. Who knew there was one?
- Roselyn M.Reviewed in Australia on February 12, 2025
4.0 out of 5 stars Shiver by Allie Reynolds
I decided to read this book as it was recommended by a well known author on fivebooks.com - a relatively new author, an Australian author. It was a fascinating read. I won’t give away any of the numerous plots and twists. There are numerous twists throughout the book. Basically five ppl get together after a tragic event ten years later and everyone tries to unravel who, how and why they’re at the Ski Mt Resort at this time. So, the books moves backwards and forwards between the two time periods and the author did a good job with this aspect of book. The main character thoroughly annoyed me all through out the book. She was portrayed as ultra competitive sports person with a grudge against her family for prioritising her brother and his football career over her sport achievements and hopes. I know nothing about the world of elite sport and especially snow boarding so this was a fascinating insight into this world. I would have given it 5 stars except for the annoying main character. Fascinating study of human nature and what drives us all to hate, love, jealousy, fear, competition, need to forgive and forgiveness, as well as need for validation. Lots of secrets and lies …..
- Terry DaviesReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 15, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseVery much a great book read twice within 3 days
- NadiaReviewed in Canada on May 26, 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Atmospheric, engaging and well-written!
Format: HardcoverVerified PurchaseSHIVER is an atmospheric, engaging and well-written, locked-room debut thriller by Allie Reynolds.
Told in dual timelines, we follow the lives of a group of competitive snowboarders in their 20s and then again in their 30s when they reunite and are forced to confront the choices they made 10 years ago. Set in France, the ski resort is where the group first became friends. 10 years later, they’re estranged. Each of them receives a message inviting them back to the ski resort for a reunion where they end up trapped in the building at the top of the ski hill. What secrets will be revealed? Are they the only ones at the top? Who killed their friend 10 years ago? Who’s toying with them now?
The author does a fantastic job of building and maintaining a suspenseful atmosphere throughout the book. I was hooked from the prologue —
“...𝘴𝘰 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐’𝘮 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳.”
I couldn’t guess who the culprit was. I was suspicious of everyone and had a new suspect with each turn of the page — so maybe I did predict who it was since I suspected everyone at some point. Both timelines were equally engaging and perfectly executed. The characters were well developed and the story has the perfect mix of ingredients for a thriller - secrets, lies, trust, loyalty, romance, a snowstorm and the ego and drive of athletes in competitive sports. The tiny twist at the end was the cherry on top of a perfectly moist cake with smooth, delicious frosting. 🍒
I tripped over some snowboarding lingo at the beginning but I dusted myself off and kept going and it got better. The map at the beginning of the book was VERY helpful as a visual aid, especially for someone like me who has never been to a ski resort and isn’t a fan of playing in the snow.
Recommend to a friend? Yes! Treat yourself to this edge of your seat snowy thriller.
4.5/5
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NadiaAtmospheric, engaging and well-written!
Reviewed in Canada on May 26, 2021
Told in dual timelines, we follow the lives of a group of competitive snowboarders in their 20s and then again in their 30s when they reunite and are forced to confront the choices they made 10 years ago. Set in France, the ski resort is where the group first became friends. 10 years later, they’re estranged. Each of them receives a message inviting them back to the ski resort for a reunion where they end up trapped in the building at the top of the ski hill. What secrets will be revealed? Are they the only ones at the top? Who killed their friend 10 years ago? Who’s toying with them now?
The author does a fantastic job of building and maintaining a suspenseful atmosphere throughout the book. I was hooked from the prologue —
“...𝘴𝘰 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐’𝘮 𝘸𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳.”
I couldn’t guess who the culprit was. I was suspicious of everyone and had a new suspect with each turn of the page — so maybe I did predict who it was since I suspected everyone at some point. Both timelines were equally engaging and perfectly executed. The characters were well developed and the story has the perfect mix of ingredients for a thriller - secrets, lies, trust, loyalty, romance, a snowstorm and the ego and drive of athletes in competitive sports. The tiny twist at the end was the cherry on top of a perfectly moist cake with smooth, delicious frosting. 🍒
I tripped over some snowboarding lingo at the beginning but I dusted myself off and kept going and it got better. The map at the beginning of the book was VERY helpful as a visual aid, especially for someone like me who has never been to a ski resort and isn’t a fan of playing in the snow.
Recommend to a friend? Yes! Treat yourself to this edge of your seat snowy thriller.
4.5/5
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
Images in this review