Ana Reyes, a creative writing teacher, has just published her debut novel titled “The House in the Pines“. This book has gained a lot of attention, as it was selected by Reese Witherspoon’s book club as its book of the month. It has also received an endorsement from Riley Sager, a popular thriller author. This atmospheric psychological thriller is unsettling, convoluted, and twisted, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.
Book’s Review The House in the Pines
The story follows Maya, a high school student whose best friend Aubrey died in shocking circumstances in the company of a strange figure named Frank. The events of that tragic summer haunt Maya, and she has tried to move on by moving to a different area and turning to substance abuse. However, when Maya encounters a YouTube clip showing another young person dying in the same way as Aubrey, she decides to return home. Maya is determined to find out what happened to her friend and confront the memories that have been haunting her for years.
The House in the Pines has an eye-catching cover, with the Reese Witherspoon book club badge prominently displayed. However, despite high expectations, the confusing timeline structure and perplexing storyline left the reviewer feeling let down. Although the author, Ana Reyes, does an excellent job of creating a spooky and creepy setting, the narrative is confusing and disjointed in some areas. The premise of the book is interesting, but it does not deliver on the supernatural route that the reviewer was expecting.
Maya’s story deals with many tough themes, including abuse, addiction, memory recall, trauma, and loss, which Reyes handles quite well. However, the lead character’s story did not have a significant impact on the reviewer. The House in the Pines has many subplots, which can be overwhelming for readers. Overall, it is a lingering psychological mystery tale that may spark the interest of readers of the genre.
In conclusion, while The House in the Pines has gained popularity due to its selection by Reese Witherspoon’s book club and an endorsement from a popular thriller author, it may not be for everyone. The book deals with some challenging themes and has a confusing narrative structure, which can make it challenging to follow.
However, Ana Reyes has done an excellent job of creating an eerie and atmospheric setting that will transport readers to a New England locale with some Guatemalan undertones. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, The House in the Pines may be worth a read, but be prepared for a complex storyline.
