The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes – a Review

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Description:
A captivating psychological suspense debut about a young woman still haunted by her childhood best friend’s death who learns of an eerily similar incident and must find her way back to a cabin in the New England woods, armed with only hazy memories, to finally uncover the truth that has eluded her.

Maya was a high school senior when her best friend, Aubrey, mysteriously dropped dead in front of the enigmatic man named Frank whom they’d been hanging around with all summer. Seven years later, Maya is just managing to move on; she lives in Boston with a loving boyfriend and is kicking the secret Klonopin habit that’s allowed her to cope with what happened all those years ago.

But her past comes to haunt her when she discovers a recent YouTube video in which a young woman suddenly keels over in a diner while sitting across from none other than Frank. Plunged back into the trauma that has defined her life, Maya heads to her small Berkshires hometown to figure out the truth.

With guidance from a half-written book by the father in Guatemala she never knew, Maya’s quest for answers forces her to relive that fateful summer—the influence Frank once had on her, and the jealousy that nearly destroyed her friendship with Aubrey—finally leading her to Frank’s cabin in the woods.

The House in the Pines is an utterly unique and surprising thriller about the subtlety of memory and manipulation, confronting the past and returning home, and the powerful and lasting bonds of family and friendship.

Review:

The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes is a stand-alone psychological thriller.  Maya, the main character of this story, is haunted by the mysterious death of her high school best friend 7 years ago.  Her memories are very hazy, with her unable to remember the past, as well as trying to get herself off of her addiction to Klonopin. 

While in high school, Maya started dating Frank, who seemed a bit of a loner, and her best friend, Aubrey worried about Maya and her relationship with Frank.  Maya began to act strange, not able to remember some things, and when Aubrey mysteriously drops dead, while sitting across from Frank; Maya suspects that somehow Frank had something to do with her death.  Unable to prove anything, Maya leaves town to go to college.

7 years later Maya sees a You Tube video, showing a woman who suddenly keels over dead in a diner, with the man sitting across from her, being Frank.  Plunged into her nightmare, Maya decides to return to her hometown to find out the truth from all those years ago.   She is determined to find a way to get past her trauma, and learn how Frank is manipulating people.  Maya’s Guatemalan father wrote an unfinished book, that when she reads, she begins to suspect the unique connections to whatever Frank is able to do. As the story races to its climax, we do discover what is happening, but with that said, I do not want to give spoilers. You will need to read this book to find out.

Overall, I did have mixed feelings about this book.  It was a unique story, suspenseful and interesting.  I just thought there was too much going on between the past and present, leaving me a bit confused at times.   Early on, I did like Aubrey and Maya’s friendship, and Maya’s mom was very good.  Frank was a bad character, especially the more we learn.  

The House in the Pines was well written by Ana Reyes, as for the most part, it kept your attention throughout; with suspense, memories of the past, addiction, and confronting the truths.  If you like psychological thrillers, I suggest you read The House in the Pines.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher