Sierra

An Awol Thriller #2

by Ray K. Anderson

Even in the wilderness, trouble seems to find Karl Bergman. Years after his run-in with a serial killer on the Appalachian Trail, Bergman sets out with his dog, Blazer, on a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail―hoping to return home a better man. But the discovery of a dead body on the outskirts of the Anza-Borrego Desert threatens to embroil Bergman in another violent chain of events with even higher stakes than his previous ordeal. This time his adversary is not just one man as the dead body appears to be linked to a drug cartel using mules to move product from Mexico to Canada. An uneasy alliance with a San Diego narcotics officer makes things more difficult, but when Bergman reconnects with his estranged son Kenny, a sophomore at UCLA, he puts both of them in grave danger that can only be escaped by bringing down the cartel's operation.

352 pages, Paperback

Published October 25, 2016

About the author

So far, I've hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Long Trail (VT), and parts of the Continental Divide Trail.

I developed an abiding interest in hiking when I began climbing the 67 four-thousand footers in New England. Completed that quest and will now begin hiking the four-thousand footers in the Adirondacks (NY).

I'm a graduate of Wentworth Institute and Boston University.

"THE TRAIL" (thriller) which is my debut novel was released by Turner Publishing in October 2015. "The Trail" is not just another walk in the woods!

The second novel in my Karl "Awol" Bergman hiking-thriller series is "SIERRA," (released in 2016) which takes place along the Pacific Crest Trail.

Book three of the "Awol" series, THE DIVIDE, an eco-terrorist novel, released 8/18/'20.

My next book is Sci-fi. Specifically, a dystopian fantasy - LIFT: The Rise of Mathe-Lingua-Musica. It releases in May of 2024 and concerns the creation of a new optimum language for humanity.

My novels are available in all bookstores.
Thank you, and happy trails to all!

Reviews

[Lydia Loh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my typical book, but a real fast paced page turner.

Unrealistic ending, but that's the best kind!

[William Goyette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from this author, and I will definitely check out more in his Awol series. The writing is clean and articulate, error-free (which I always love to see!), and he painted a great visual description of the setting. Clearly, the author is well-versed in hiking, and the characters were well drawn and believable. I particularly enjoyed the chemistry between the protagonist and his dog. Kudos to Anderson for a well-paced, exciting ride!

[Steven P. Marini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ray Anderson has a done a great job of following up his first thriller, The Trail, with Sierra. Karl Bergman (Awol) is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and he gets caught up trying to help the authorities break up a drug cartel that is moving product up the PCT. He winds up in a life or death battle and has to worry about two other lives that matter a great deal to him - his son, Kenny, and his dog, Blazer. I loved reading this and you will, too. If you don't, well, go take a hike.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bergman (Trail name is Awol) is through-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail this time. Second in the AWOL Thriller series (the first was "The Trail"), but also can be read as a stand-alone. Bergman is still struggling with PTSD. While hiking with his dog, Blazer, he discovers a dead body on the outskirts of the Anza-Borrego Desert and realizes he has stumbled onto part of a drug cartel, hauling drugs from Mexico to Canada.

An uneasy alliance with a San Diego narcotics officer makes things difficult. Neither the officer nor Bergman trust each other. As Bergman connects with his estranged son, Kenny, they find themselves both in danger. The only way out is to bring down the cartel, and cartel members are very determined that this not happen.

I received a copy of this ARC from Turner Publishing, in exchange for a review.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beauty of the Pacific Coast Trail hides a deadly secret: someone is killing hikers along the trail and leaving the bodies where they will easily be found. In his second novel, Ray Anderson brings back avid hiker Karl Bergen, who once again finds himself embroiled in a deadly mystery. The author keeps us on the edge of our seats as Karl works with law enforcement to find the killer and the motive. He also does an excellent job with character development. We learn so much more about Karl and his struggle to put his life back on an even keel as he deals with a failing second marriage and attempts to build a relationship with two sons from a previous marriage. I highly recommend this book.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love to read novels when I know the author knows what he is talking about. Well, Ray Anderson has done it all. He is a true hiker and he also can paint the picture so you feel you are there too. Sierra is the second Awol thriller and I think I might get #1 in this series because I loved Awol and his dog Blazer. I was interested in reading this because my granddaughter has hiked the PCT. I know there are may adventures and pitfalls while doing this because she has told of many happenings and shared so many wonderful pictures but I am so thankful she wasn't faced with the run ins Karl Bergman, Awol, faced. A good fast paced read.

[Rick Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ray Anderson knows hiking. Now he has applied his insider knowledge to a thriller novel. Smugglers are using the Pacific Coast Trail to move illegal drugs. AWOL (Bergman's trail name) is once again caught in a life or death struggle against the harsh elements and deadly criminals. A great premise, fast paced plot, well research and exciting action. Good read!

[Sara Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast read, great thriller.

[Jordan Fairhurst · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very underwhelming. Boring. Never engaged.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from Turner Publishing for an honest review. This is actually book two in the continuing story of Karl Bergman. I did not feel it necessary to read the first, The Trail, in order to enjoy this book. I am interested in Pacific Crest Trail books, because my niece has spent many months hiking it. The beauty of the trail hides deadly secrets, drug cartels, and murder. So happy my niece never encountered these obstacles. I found this book a very enjoyable read. Thank you for the win!

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway -thank you Turner Publishing! I didn't realize is was the second book in a series, so I went ahead and read The Trail first, and enjoyed them both! In Sierra, Karl Bergman (Awol is his trail name) is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and comes across a dead body. Turns out that a drug cartel is hauling their product from Mexico to Canada by sending mules hiking up the trail. Awol, a veteran and experienced hiker, with his dog Blazer end up assisting the police in tracking down the bad guys. The book was full of suspense and hard to put down! I especially enjoyed learning about the whole aspect of thru hiking and found it quite fascinating. Hoping there will be an Awol Triller #3!

[Jackie Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the continuing story of Karl Bergman. In this novel he is hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in California, Oregon, and Washington. His dog,Blazer, is with him. His wife has legt due to his ptsd and drinking. He is doing this trail to get himself together and work at getting his wife back. However, this trail is full of drug runners and he finds himself caught up in this. His estranged son has had an addiction and this drives Awol{trail name} to want to catch these bad guys. And bad they are. Is good and evil at war again and lots of action to keep any reader interested. Thanks to Goodreads and Ray Anderson, a hiker himself.

[Patty Klemko · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read, not as good as The Trail, but a good read.

[Linda Bartosik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

Ray Anderson's second trail thriller kept me on the edge of my seat just like the first one, Trail, did. Ray's excellent use of fiction to depict just what it means to hike these trails allowed me to experience that. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the outdoors and at the same time appreciates a good, fast moving thriller! Loved this book!