Book Review Revisited – The Trade Mission by Andrew Pyper
[image error]
(*This review originally was featured here on May 31, 2019)
Title: The Trade Mission
Author: Andrew Pyper
Release date: September 1, 2002
As most of you have seen, I’ve been celebrating all things Andrew Pyper this May – dubbing it PYPERMAYNIA. I started the month off by reading his latest The Homecoming which was a stunning work of family tension and psychological thrills. It catapulted itself into my favourite book position and one I’m actually considering re-reading, which is something I very, very rarely do.
My ambition was to read The Homecoming, The Trade Mission, The Killing Circle, The Guardians and Kiss Me, his short story collection. Sadly, I have failed you all, as in the month of May I read The Homecoming and last night finished The Trade Mission. I’ll still be reading the other three here in short order, I’d just hoped to get through all five.
In May, Andrew also kindly agreed to a short interview and it was one of my literary highlights to ask him some of the burning questions I had clanging around my head. I cheekily even asked him two more questions via DM that he amazingly answered, but all in all, I’m super happy about PYPERMAYNIA and I hope some others were able to add his books to their TBR or even read some of his work.
Now, as for The Trade Mission – this was a book I’d had on my TBR for a little while. I’m a sucker for all things ‘Lost World’ sounding. Whether it’s the Amazon rain forest, a forgotten island, Dyatlov Pass or something just set in Siberia, then I’m game. The synopsis is one that would always grab my attention – a group of Canadian entrepreneurs have travelled to South America trying to increase interest in their start up business. While there they go on a sight-seeing trip up one of the numerous rivers. After a celebratory party one night they are kidnapped by unknown assailants and from there it becomes a tale of survival.
The story is told from the point of view of 38 year old translator Liz Crossman. The other main characters are the two faces of the business Wallace and Bates as well as 50 something Barry and another co-worker Lydia. I can’t honestly say I remember what Barry and Lydia’s jobs were but enjoyed both characters immensely.
The opening to the story in my opinion is a decent set up for what the business is and why they are down in South America, but ultimately wished it was a tad shorter. The true grit in this tale is Pyper’s psychological journey once the characters are captured.
The jungle itself is one of the biggest antagonists in this story. They are in the middle of nowhere with the only source of travel being on the river, which itself plays host to a number of animals wanting to turn them into a snack.
The survival aspect and tale in this story is top notch. From their capture through to the ending I enjoyed watching each characters descent into turmoil and madness. It should be noted that at the same time of reading this, I was also reading The Silence by Tim Lebbon and Let’s Go Play At the Adams’ by Mendal Johnson. While I haven’t finished The Silence yet, I did finish Let’s Go Play and this trio of stories all play with the mental aspect of survival as well as what happens when the odds are turned against you. They worked well to heighten each other and I really lucked out into each working off of one another.
Overall this is another exciting entry into Pyper’s bibliography and one I’m glad I finally got to read. I’m looking forward to finishing off the rest of his work and will await the announcement of his next release!
4/5 stars to a gripping tale of survival that takes place in a world where everything is out to kill you.
