Breathless by Amy McCulloch

 

Breathless by Amy McCulloch.

Audio book narrated by Katie Leung.

Published 22nd February 2022 by Penguin.

From the cover of the book:

SIX STRANGERS. 

ONE KILLER. 

AND NO ESCAPE . . .

Journalist Cecily Wong is offered the chance of a lifetime: to join an elite team on one of the world's tallest mountains.

But things quickly start to fall apart.

An unexplained theft. A horrible accident.
A terrifying note: There's a murderer on the mountain.

Six strangers set out . . . How many will return?

***********

Journalist Cecily Wong has been offered the chance of a lifetime. Mountaineer Charles McVeigh has invited her along to witness the last leg of his incredible record breaking attempt to conquer all fourteen of the world's highest mountains in a single year, 'alpine style' without oxygen or the benefit of fixed ropes. If Cecily can make it to the summit of the final mountain, Manaslu in Nepal, she will be granted an exclusive interview with Charles - an interview that will establish her as a serious journalist in her field. More than that, if she can finally make it to the top of a mountain, she will be able to prove to herself that her previous climbing failures are a thing of the past.

Almost as soon as Cecily arrives in Nepal, she begins to doubt that she has made the right decision. The training for the ordeal ahead is tougher than she anticipated, and she is surprised to learn that she will be climbing with a group of complete strangers - some of whom she is reluctant to trust in such a dangerous place. It does not help that rumours abound that Charles might not be quite all he is cracked up to be, and there are disturbing whispers that a far higher number of climbers have fallen foul of the mountains this season than usual. As the group head up the mountain, Cecily's suspicion that something is not right about this climb refuses to go away. Is there a killer on the loose, or is she letting the extreme altitude get to her...

Breathless is Amy McCulloch's first foray into writing a thriller for an adult audience, and it has all the tense, snowy vibes that I love. As you follow Cecily's attempt to make the summit of one of the world's most dangerous mountains in pursuit of the story that will make her reputation, McCulloch's own experience of climbing Manaslu brings a solid punch of authenticity to the technical, physical and mental strain she must endure. McCulloch holds nothing back about the dangers involved, and quite how challenging this environment is to simply exist in, let alone to attempt a feat that will push to your limits... and beyond.

 This provides a solid base for her to weave an atmospheric tale full of menace and suspicion that plays beautifully alongside Cecily's self-doubt. Despite the constant reassurances of those around her that she is only letting the mountain get to her, Cecily's suspicion that dark deeds are afoot prove to be true. The murderer on the mountain is not easy to spot, because McCulloch throws a lot of red herrings your way about the methods and motives of several of the characters Cecily meets on her journey, and I second guessed myself a lot as this story unfurled. The suspense builds nicely as the climbers get ever closer to the 'death zone', and as the weather worsens, the truth is revealed in a blow by blow climax that leaves you as 'breathless' as Cecily herself. 

I learned so much about serious climbing in this tale - more than enough to know it is not for me. However, McCulloch also explores nicely what makes people decide to head for the roof of the world, as well as the reality of the costs involved in human and monetary terms. I think this highlights the role of the incredibly courageous sherpas who make it possible for not only serious climbers, but those who are sometimes little more than tourists, to visit these mighty peaks too.

Katie Leung does a marvellous job of narrating the audio version of this thriller. She tackles the accents well, and she completely drew me into the story. I really felt I was alongside Cecily as she battles the mountain, and tries to lay her own ghosts to rest while following her journalistic instincts. I was terrified for a good portion of the book, which I think is the best compliment I can pay to Leung's voice talents. 

If you love a snowy thriller as much as I do then this book should definitely be on your reading pile. It was so good that I immediately bought McCulloch's brand new thriller Midnight as soon as I finished it - I cannot wait to read it!

Breathless is available to buy now in paperback, ebook and audio formats.

About the author:

Amy McCulloch is the Chinese-White author of eight novels for children and young adults, including the #1 bestselling YA novel The Magpie Society: One for Sorrow. 

In September 2019, she became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt Manaslu in Nepal -- the world's eighth highest mountain. She also summited the highest mountain in the Americas, Aconcagua, in -45C and 90kmph winds, and has visited all seven continents. 

Breathless is her adult fiction debut.