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Lost Sierra
With a new PhD under her belt and eager to avoid her pre-determined path as the heir to her parents' Fortune 10 organic food company, twenty-seven year old Daphne seeks out an idyllic Mayberry existence in a remote small town in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Peddling homeopathic techniques and herbal cures, she manages to gain a small collection of clients who appreciate her natural approach to healing. However, she is mostly met with cold skepticism from the locals who are wary of outsiders. When her favorite client, John Sharpe—an army veteran in his 70s—goes missing and no one in the town seems to be care, Daphne is deeply concerned. He saved her life once and she is bound and determined to return the favor. Pitting herself against the townspeople, who assure her Sharpe is just on a bender despite all the evidence she finds to the contrary, Daphne is drawn deeper and deeper into a twisted web of small-town secrets and deep-rooted lies. It seems as if a local biker and a civilian deputy sheriff are willing to help, but it's hard to tell hero from villain in this isolated slice of the rugged mountains. She’s told to leave her search for the truth alone by multiple people, but she can't let it go. With unknown enemies in every dark corner and a raging wildfire threatening to trap everyone in town, Daphne must decide how far she's willing to go for the truth.
A nail-biting suspense with a lush, deadly setting, a twisted web of small-town corruption and a cast of unforgettable characters, Lost Sierra is a 2023 thriller you don't want to miss.
Peddling homeopathic techniques and herbal cures, she manages to gain a small collection of clients who appreciate her natural approach to healing. However, she is mostly met with cold skepticism from the locals who are wary of outsiders. When her favorite client, John Sharpe—an army veteran in his 70s—goes missing and no one in the town seems to be care, Daphne is deeply concerned. He saved her life once and she is bound and determined to return the favor. Pitting herself against the townspeople, who assure her Sharpe is just on a bender despite all the evidence she finds to the contrary, Daphne is drawn deeper and deeper into a twisted web of small-town secrets and deep-rooted lies. It seems as if a local biker and a civilian deputy sheriff are willing to help, but it's hard to tell hero from villain in this isolated slice of the rugged mountains. She’s told to leave her search for the truth alone by multiple people, but she can't let it go. With unknown enemies in every dark corner and a raging wildfire threatening to trap everyone in town, Daphne must decide how far she's willing to go for the truth.
A nail-biting suspense with a lush, deadly setting, a twisted web of small-town corruption and a cast of unforgettable characters, Lost Sierra is a 2023 thriller you don't want to miss.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 4, 2023
10 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 9, 2023
What she thinks is Mayberry turns out to be a hive of deception… and readers will tag along on this nail-biting adventure!
Read full review in the 2023 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2023 April issue of InD'tale Magazine.
December 12, 2022
3 ⭐️
I enjoyed this mystery novel, but had a difficult time connecting with the main character and her logic throughout the novel. I found myself frustrated with her a lot of the time. That aside, I tried to enjoy the storyline without passing judgement on her (although it was very difficult). There was enough suspense that had me turning pages and interested, but it had a slow start.
I always enjoy novels with an unexpected female heroine, and "Lost Sierra" by Amanda Traylor delivered just that.
Quick Summary:
Daphne is a trust fund baby (not really a baby, more like a woman) looking for a different life than her parents laid out for her. She moves into a "quaint" town, Sierra Ridge, as a holistic healer, treating those in town. A patient of hers, John Sharpe, a 70 year old veteran goes missing overnight, and Daphne needs to get to the bottom of his disappearance. No matter the cost. The town she thought she can get a fresh start, isn't what she thought. There are secrets everywhere, and no one can be trusted. As the local areas are starting to go ablaze from forest fires, she finds herself in a tough spot. Who can she trust?
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Florence & Reynolds for sending me this book for my honest review.
I enjoyed this mystery novel, but had a difficult time connecting with the main character and her logic throughout the novel. I found myself frustrated with her a lot of the time. That aside, I tried to enjoy the storyline without passing judgement on her (although it was very difficult). There was enough suspense that had me turning pages and interested, but it had a slow start.
I always enjoy novels with an unexpected female heroine, and "Lost Sierra" by Amanda Traylor delivered just that.
Quick Summary:
Daphne is a trust fund baby (not really a baby, more like a woman) looking for a different life than her parents laid out for her. She moves into a "quaint" town, Sierra Ridge, as a holistic healer, treating those in town. A patient of hers, John Sharpe, a 70 year old veteran goes missing overnight, and Daphne needs to get to the bottom of his disappearance. No matter the cost. The town she thought she can get a fresh start, isn't what she thought. There are secrets everywhere, and no one can be trusted. As the local areas are starting to go ablaze from forest fires, she finds herself in a tough spot. Who can she trust?
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Florence & Reynolds for sending me this book for my honest review.
March 14, 2023
Daphne Barlow sets out to make a new life for herself in a small town in the Sierra Nevadas. The scion of millionaire parents and the heir apparent of an all natural & organic producing company, she leaves it all behind, to try to start a new more authentic life as a holistic healer in the mtn town. But all her best intentions are for naught when she goes on a search for a customer who had become a friend as well, and who vanished, leaving no word behind to anyone. The townspeople are hostile to her inquiries and she is warned again and again, to back off and forget about him and his disappearance.
The story builds from there with mounting tension and town disinterest in his disappearance and continued incidents of threats against her, for continuing to search out what happened to him. No one is who they seem to be in this remote town.
The characters were all fairly similar and none were very deeply portrayed.
It was definitely not a page turner for me but finding out " who done it" was my impetus to finish.
The story builds from there with mounting tension and town disinterest in his disappearance and continued incidents of threats against her, for continuing to search out what happened to him. No one is who they seem to be in this remote town.
The characters were all fairly similar and none were very deeply portrayed.
It was definitely not a page turner for me but finding out " who done it" was my impetus to finish.
February 5, 2023
The problem with this book is that I did not like Daphne Barlow, a privileged snowflake from San Franciso attempting to use her skills at alternative medicine as a means of making a living. Her naiveite was totally unbelievable. A person so book smart without any common sense did not make for interesting reading. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed are my own.
March 10, 2023
Lost Sierra is fast moving, edgy read, but impending doom and sense of the outcome is always there.
Daphne has said good bye to her entitled privileged life and has headed to Sierra Ridge in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California. She is determined to use her knowledge to carry through her dreams of helping and supporting those that have no access to good medical provisions instead choosing mostly to medicate through alcohol and drugs, by using and promoting alternative medicine.
Insulated from the tougher side of life for nearly 30 years, Daphne never seems to shake the view that everything is black and white, that there is only wrong or right. For Daphne nothing else matters, she will not bend to the truth that there is often so many grey areas. She has made a home for herself and settled in, she appreciates that no one really wants her around, but believes nonetheless that she can change this and the community at large. She disclaims her parents, their lives and dreams, and the trust fund she is entitled to. She is determined, no matter what, to make it on her own. She thinks she has made a few friends and things are rumbling along, until one of those friends, Sharpe goes missing.
The insular town don't want to know, don't seem interested, and what follows is misdirection and subterfuge over and over. its clear pretty quickly that these people are not interested in the law, manage themselves and don't take kindly to her views.
Daphne is frustrated and angry at their lack of concern, the police don't want to know, and suddenly everyone seems suspicious. She is warned many times to let it drop- but Daphne's sense of justice overrules the obvious dangers, and her obsession with finding Sharpe quickly becomes the catalyst that will change her life.
I think anyone who reads this will grudgingly admire Daphne's persistence as she tries to be brave and unwavering in the face of no support and glaring warnings for her safety, but ultimately Daphne appears to be a belligerent, naive, hypocritical and terribly opinionated she frustrated me as a reader more than I supported her in her quest for justice.
Its definitely worth a read, and the outcome may come as a surprise.
Thank you to the author, Amanda Traylor; publisher, Florence & Reynolds; and also to #PH #ThePigeonhole for allowing me to read.
Daphne has said good bye to her entitled privileged life and has headed to Sierra Ridge in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California. She is determined to use her knowledge to carry through her dreams of helping and supporting those that have no access to good medical provisions instead choosing mostly to medicate through alcohol and drugs, by using and promoting alternative medicine.
Insulated from the tougher side of life for nearly 30 years, Daphne never seems to shake the view that everything is black and white, that there is only wrong or right. For Daphne nothing else matters, she will not bend to the truth that there is often so many grey areas. She has made a home for herself and settled in, she appreciates that no one really wants her around, but believes nonetheless that she can change this and the community at large. She disclaims her parents, their lives and dreams, and the trust fund she is entitled to. She is determined, no matter what, to make it on her own. She thinks she has made a few friends and things are rumbling along, until one of those friends, Sharpe goes missing.
The insular town don't want to know, don't seem interested, and what follows is misdirection and subterfuge over and over. its clear pretty quickly that these people are not interested in the law, manage themselves and don't take kindly to her views.
Daphne is frustrated and angry at their lack of concern, the police don't want to know, and suddenly everyone seems suspicious. She is warned many times to let it drop- but Daphne's sense of justice overrules the obvious dangers, and her obsession with finding Sharpe quickly becomes the catalyst that will change her life.
I think anyone who reads this will grudgingly admire Daphne's persistence as she tries to be brave and unwavering in the face of no support and glaring warnings for her safety, but ultimately Daphne appears to be a belligerent, naive, hypocritical and terribly opinionated she frustrated me as a reader more than I supported her in her quest for justice.
Its definitely worth a read, and the outcome may come as a surprise.
Thank you to the author, Amanda Traylor; publisher, Florence & Reynolds; and also to #PH #ThePigeonhole for allowing me to read.
March 10, 2023
“27-year-old Daphne Barlow escapes her parents’ ruthless expectations as the heir to their Fortune 10 organic food brand and finds a different kind of ruthlessness—the remote town of Sierra Ridge in the inhospitable Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California.
With a new PhD under her belt and eager to avoid her pre-determined path at the company named for her, Daphne seeks out an idyllic Mayberry existence in a small town where residents might appreciate her personal brand of homeopathic techniques and herbal cures. While she manages to gain a small collection of clients, she is mostly met with cold skepticism from the locals. When her favorite client—John Sharpe, an army veteran in his 70s—goes missing and no one in the town seems to be care, Daphne is deeply concerned. He saved her life once and she is bound and determined to return the favor.
Pitting herself against the townspeople, who assure her that Sharpe is just on a bender despite all the evidence she finds to the contrary, Daphne is drawn deeper and deeper into trouble, all while a wildfire rages closer and closer to the town.
It seems as if a local biker and a civilian deputy sheriff are willing to help, but the first could be hero or villain and the second winds up dead on Main Street. She’s told to leave her search for the truth alone by multiple people, and still she persists. Then her house is ransacked and a knife is held to her throat with a clear warning to be gone by the next morning. But the wildfire has finally arrived and she cannot find any place that’s safe.”
I read this book on the Pigeonhole app, one stave per day over ten days, commenting along with other readers. This book is set in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains with the atmosphere of the town becoming menacing when Daphne tries to find out what happened to her friend Sharpe. The book has interesting characters but can they be trusted? I found Daphne irritating although at heart I know she meant well. She was born into wealth but was trying to make her own way in the world and change things for the better. However, she found that Sierra Ridge was facing its own issues just as those she left in California.
With a new PhD under her belt and eager to avoid her pre-determined path at the company named for her, Daphne seeks out an idyllic Mayberry existence in a small town where residents might appreciate her personal brand of homeopathic techniques and herbal cures. While she manages to gain a small collection of clients, she is mostly met with cold skepticism from the locals. When her favorite client—John Sharpe, an army veteran in his 70s—goes missing and no one in the town seems to be care, Daphne is deeply concerned. He saved her life once and she is bound and determined to return the favor.
Pitting herself against the townspeople, who assure her that Sharpe is just on a bender despite all the evidence she finds to the contrary, Daphne is drawn deeper and deeper into trouble, all while a wildfire rages closer and closer to the town.
It seems as if a local biker and a civilian deputy sheriff are willing to help, but the first could be hero or villain and the second winds up dead on Main Street. She’s told to leave her search for the truth alone by multiple people, and still she persists. Then her house is ransacked and a knife is held to her throat with a clear warning to be gone by the next morning. But the wildfire has finally arrived and she cannot find any place that’s safe.”
I read this book on the Pigeonhole app, one stave per day over ten days, commenting along with other readers. This book is set in the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains with the atmosphere of the town becoming menacing when Daphne tries to find out what happened to her friend Sharpe. The book has interesting characters but can they be trusted? I found Daphne irritating although at heart I know she meant well. She was born into wealth but was trying to make her own way in the world and change things for the better. However, she found that Sierra Ridge was facing its own issues just as those she left in California.
March 8, 2023
Danger Within a Rapidly Closing Perimeter
Lost Sierra is a well-written suspense thriller, but in a sense, it's a coming of age story. Daphne's not a child, but she's been effectively insulated from the rougher side of the world. She wants out of the wealthy, spoiled existence her parents have given her and, determined to break free, makes a home and career for herself far from them. She's not settling in so well, but she's made a few friends. One of those friends has gone missing.
I was quickly drawn into the story, despite being instantly distrustful of most of the other characters. I've lived briefly in an insular town like "Mayberry" before, though no one I knew ever went missing. The darkness some people hide behind smiling faces is shocking sometimes.
She's kind and sensitive, but Daphne's extremely tense and innately reserved for someone who's chosen to provide relaxation therapy as a career. She tries to take her own medicine, but even herb tea and yoga doesn't relieve her grim attitude. And her obsession to find her friend doesn't help.
As she loyally continues her search, it becomes clear that she has good reason to worry. I admire her persistence as she tries to find out what happened to her friend, but the locals don't. She's brave in the face of growing opposition and apparent danger, although the truths she learns makes it apparent that she's been naively blind to how much danger she's in.
Her romantic feelings toward Logan seem to grow out of her gratefulness when he saves her bacon more than once. I was skeptical because I didn't believe that someone as uptight as Daphne would be in the mood under the circumstances, but Amanda Traylor specializes in romance and obviously knows that these things do happen.
Fortunately, Traylor skillfully put together more than a romance, but an excellent mystery as well. The all-devouring wildfire creeping steadily towards them lurks like an unintroduced character in the background, but knowing that it's there puts even more adrenaline to the suspense.
Thank you to the author, Amanda Traylor; publisher, Florence & Reynolds; and also to NetGalley for their gift, without any obligation, of an advanced reader's copy of Lost Sierra. It's a thrilling read and my recommendation is freely given.
Lost Sierra is a well-written suspense thriller, but in a sense, it's a coming of age story. Daphne's not a child, but she's been effectively insulated from the rougher side of the world. She wants out of the wealthy, spoiled existence her parents have given her and, determined to break free, makes a home and career for herself far from them. She's not settling in so well, but she's made a few friends. One of those friends has gone missing.
I was quickly drawn into the story, despite being instantly distrustful of most of the other characters. I've lived briefly in an insular town like "Mayberry" before, though no one I knew ever went missing. The darkness some people hide behind smiling faces is shocking sometimes.
She's kind and sensitive, but Daphne's extremely tense and innately reserved for someone who's chosen to provide relaxation therapy as a career. She tries to take her own medicine, but even herb tea and yoga doesn't relieve her grim attitude. And her obsession to find her friend doesn't help.
As she loyally continues her search, it becomes clear that she has good reason to worry. I admire her persistence as she tries to find out what happened to her friend, but the locals don't. She's brave in the face of growing opposition and apparent danger, although the truths she learns makes it apparent that she's been naively blind to how much danger she's in.
Her romantic feelings toward Logan seem to grow out of her gratefulness when he saves her bacon more than once. I was skeptical because I didn't believe that someone as uptight as Daphne would be in the mood under the circumstances, but Amanda Traylor specializes in romance and obviously knows that these things do happen.
Fortunately, Traylor skillfully put together more than a romance, but an excellent mystery as well. The all-devouring wildfire creeping steadily towards them lurks like an unintroduced character in the background, but knowing that it's there puts even more adrenaline to the suspense.
Thank you to the author, Amanda Traylor; publisher, Florence & Reynolds; and also to NetGalley for their gift, without any obligation, of an advanced reader's copy of Lost Sierra. It's a thrilling read and my recommendation is freely given.
February 11, 2023
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
Daphne Barlow relocates to the remove town of Sierra Ridge in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California. She is escaping the demands and expectations her parents have set for her to be the heir of their large and successful organic food company. She recently finished her PhD and started a homeopathic practice where she has a small amount of clients. Most of the community in her village are skeptic of her and her practices. When her favorite client- John Sharpe, an army veteran in his 70s whom she befriended goes missing no one in the town seems to care. Daphne seems to be the only one who is concerned that something bad may have happened. He saved her life when she first moved there and she is bound to return the favor. Daphne starts asking questions and investigating his potential whereabouts. She is met with many demands to stop poking around asking questions and the townspeople telling her he is just on one of his benders. The one person who decides that she may be right starts helping her and he ends up dead. Meanwhile there is a wildfire closing in on the town and just when she needs to escape for her safety, the fire blocks her in. Just how far is she willing to go to repay the favor of someone who saved her life?
The author did a wonderful job describing the setting. I felt like I had been transported to the top of the Sierra mountains and would start coughing at any minute from the ash and smoke from the fires.
Intertwined with this thriller were a multitude of current issues discussed such as the covid pandemic, rising fentanyl and opioid abuse, child exploitation, drug cartels, lack of resources to rural US communities, and some issues that Native American reservations face. I feel like the author ties some of these issues into the storyline better than others. Some were haphazardly mentioned without pertaining much to the storyline. Overall, a wonderfully written thriller that exposes the struggles of remote US communities as well as Native American reservations.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for a digital ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Daphne Barlow relocates to the remove town of Sierra Ridge in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California. She is escaping the demands and expectations her parents have set for her to be the heir of their large and successful organic food company. She recently finished her PhD and started a homeopathic practice where she has a small amount of clients. Most of the community in her village are skeptic of her and her practices. When her favorite client- John Sharpe, an army veteran in his 70s whom she befriended goes missing no one in the town seems to care. Daphne seems to be the only one who is concerned that something bad may have happened. He saved her life when she first moved there and she is bound to return the favor. Daphne starts asking questions and investigating his potential whereabouts. She is met with many demands to stop poking around asking questions and the townspeople telling her he is just on one of his benders. The one person who decides that she may be right starts helping her and he ends up dead. Meanwhile there is a wildfire closing in on the town and just when she needs to escape for her safety, the fire blocks her in. Just how far is she willing to go to repay the favor of someone who saved her life?
The author did a wonderful job describing the setting. I felt like I had been transported to the top of the Sierra mountains and would start coughing at any minute from the ash and smoke from the fires.
Intertwined with this thriller were a multitude of current issues discussed such as the covid pandemic, rising fentanyl and opioid abuse, child exploitation, drug cartels, lack of resources to rural US communities, and some issues that Native American reservations face. I feel like the author ties some of these issues into the storyline better than others. Some were haphazardly mentioned without pertaining much to the storyline. Overall, a wonderfully written thriller that exposes the struggles of remote US communities as well as Native American reservations.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for a digital ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2023
Very interesting book how northern California was different from Southern California and I like how this author tied everything together. Defina was a very rich girl from San Francisco her family founded a company based on her name. She had trouble on her past because people were just user for money. So she decided to go up to this town in northern California boy did she have an adventure up there. She ran a clinic for pain management And be friends with a man named John Schne SPE. He goes missing in the book so she tries to find out what really happened to him. This leads her to a very undecided world which had a lot of shady dealing with the local town people. These people wanted to be left alone they dealt drugs and marijuana. She somehow got caught up with Logan who became her friend but also her enemy. It was interesting how a small town would not react to anything going on. She met a boy from the reservation who also was running drugs for a local man. He was very frightened of everything but she became his friend and she Be Sore the good H I m. He was very important for her and the end of the book because realized he got a lot Of courage to help her. Sarah her other friend in town was also too To face. She had her crazy past as well and somehow the song got tied together in the story. Small towns are like this even the police force are afraid to make Arrest. Now I'll have a guessing for one minute to the next and I really liked it because it was well plotted and how it tied together like a string
March 10, 2023
I loved this and I seemed to be in the minority in my book club, because I rather liked Daphne. She’s a naive, overprivileged, white, middle class, idealistic idiot in her late twenties, who wants the world to be all sweetness and light. A bit like me at her age (apart from the wealthy parents). I can relate and I’m still idealistic.
Unfortunately life isn’t like that. So when she escapes her domineering ‘parents’ ruthless expectations as the heir to their Fortune 10 organic food brand’, she hopes to find peace and tranquility in ‘the remote town of Sierra Ridge in the inhospitable Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California’. But Sierra Ridge opens up a whole new level of ruthlessness to poor Daphne.
She has set herself up as a homeopathic healer and while she has a few clients, most people are suspicious of her. Then her favourite client John Sharpe, a 70-year-old army veteran, goes missing. She is determined to seek out the truth. But no-one is interested, claiming he’s probably gone on a bender, and no-one seems to care, not even the police.
The whole town seems to be against her and soon she realises that it goes deeper than that. They are actively trying to prevent her from discovering the sinister truth, and all the while the wildfires are getting closer. The last part of the book was a race against time. It was heart-stopping. A five-star read for me.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author, and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read.
Unfortunately life isn’t like that. So when she escapes her domineering ‘parents’ ruthless expectations as the heir to their Fortune 10 organic food brand’, she hopes to find peace and tranquility in ‘the remote town of Sierra Ridge in the inhospitable Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California’. But Sierra Ridge opens up a whole new level of ruthlessness to poor Daphne.
She has set herself up as a homeopathic healer and while she has a few clients, most people are suspicious of her. Then her favourite client John Sharpe, a 70-year-old army veteran, goes missing. She is determined to seek out the truth. But no-one is interested, claiming he’s probably gone on a bender, and no-one seems to care, not even the police.
The whole town seems to be against her and soon she realises that it goes deeper than that. They are actively trying to prevent her from discovering the sinister truth, and all the while the wildfires are getting closer. The last part of the book was a race against time. It was heart-stopping. A five-star read for me.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole, the author, and my fellow Pigeons for making this such an enjoyable read.
January 31, 2023
With the world falling apart -one thing is certain- a supportive family is a game changer in life.
If you're lucky like Daphne to have this support it can create avenues in the Sierra Nevada mountains that are far reaching even with her Ph.D in hand.
Starting a new homeopathic herbal medicine facility is now complete as Daphne's about to embark on new journey's until she learns that her fav client (elderly vet -John Sharpe) is missing and nobody seems to care.
As she frantically tries to get the police to investigate she uncovers more secrets that some will do anything to keep that way especially the local biker and civilian deputy sheriff.
Every local seems to prefer she simply leave it all alone and go on about her business but that's not what Daphne had in mind especially when there's extended family that may be looking for Sharpe.
There's players, there's survivors, there's dead people, and there's hope in Paco..if only life was simply black and white w/o those grays.
Beware the wild fires range on!!! They're getting closer...Run!
Thank you to Amanda Taylor, Florence & Reynolds, Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
If you're lucky like Daphne to have this support it can create avenues in the Sierra Nevada mountains that are far reaching even with her Ph.D in hand.
Starting a new homeopathic herbal medicine facility is now complete as Daphne's about to embark on new journey's until she learns that her fav client (elderly vet -John Sharpe) is missing and nobody seems to care.
As she frantically tries to get the police to investigate she uncovers more secrets that some will do anything to keep that way especially the local biker and civilian deputy sheriff.
Every local seems to prefer she simply leave it all alone and go on about her business but that's not what Daphne had in mind especially when there's extended family that may be looking for Sharpe.
There's players, there's survivors, there's dead people, and there's hope in Paco..if only life was simply black and white w/o those grays.
Beware the wild fires range on!!! They're getting closer...Run!
Thank you to Amanda Taylor, Florence & Reynolds, Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.
March 7, 2023
Gripping and full of psychological twists and turns.
Daphne has moved to a rural town in the Sierra Nevada mountains to escape her privileged life. She wants to help people with nature pathic healing, not get rich off her ideals. When one of her clients shows up the day before his appointment, agitated and acting strange, Daphne is on edge. He fails to show up the next day, and she can't shake the feeling that something is very wrong.
She goes to report him missing, but finds that the sheriff's office is not only understaffed, but the single sheriff has no interest in investigating. Sure that something is going on, Daphne decides to look into things herself. However, everywhere she asks about Sharpe, she only gets warning to leave well enough alone.
Daphne can't give up on the man who once saved her life. She continues asking questions, coming up against wall after wall of evasions and dismissals. Soon her questions start to meet vague threats, and Daphne has to wonder if the whole town knows more than they're letting on. And just what they're covering up.
Once this book truly got going, I was unable to put it down. A quick, compelling read!
Daphne has moved to a rural town in the Sierra Nevada mountains to escape her privileged life. She wants to help people with nature pathic healing, not get rich off her ideals. When one of her clients shows up the day before his appointment, agitated and acting strange, Daphne is on edge. He fails to show up the next day, and she can't shake the feeling that something is very wrong.
She goes to report him missing, but finds that the sheriff's office is not only understaffed, but the single sheriff has no interest in investigating. Sure that something is going on, Daphne decides to look into things herself. However, everywhere she asks about Sharpe, she only gets warning to leave well enough alone.
Daphne can't give up on the man who once saved her life. She continues asking questions, coming up against wall after wall of evasions and dismissals. Soon her questions start to meet vague threats, and Daphne has to wonder if the whole town knows more than they're letting on. And just what they're covering up.
Once this book truly got going, I was unable to put it down. A quick, compelling read!
March 10, 2023
At the age of 27, Daphne Barlow left the safety and security of her wealthy family for a chance to make it on her own. She has moved to small-town Sierra Ridge to practice holistic healing. She knows the longtime members of this small community believe she is some kind of a witch, but not one of her clients, John Sharpe. John is retired military and has been one of her best clients, but she begins to wonder if he is having health issues. When John goes missing, it seems no one cares, including the local sheriff. John saved her life when she first arrived and she won’t give up on trying to find him. When his home is invaded by men searching for something, the sheriff still doesn’t seem interested, nor do the men at the local bar. As she is continually warned to stop asking questions, I couldn’t help but cheer her on as she was determined to find her friend. With wildfires raging, you can’t always know who you can really trust, but will she make it out of the forest alive? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)
April 21, 2023
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
This was an interesting read, I have never heard of someone who did holistic medicine so that was new for me.
She starts her life over pretty much as she is a hedge fund baby and is not wanting to deal with all that from her parents. She finds a small town which I just love and ends up finding herself in more trouble than she has ever been in before.
The man she uses her holistic medicine on goes missing she knows this isn't normal, and she truly tries to have someone find out what happened. Though she sadly just keeps hitting a stop sign every single time, it makes you wonder why? What is this town or the people in it hiding exactly? Once you get the answer, you are left going oh wow, didn't see that one coming. I will say one character I did not even think about playing a role in this, and that was awesome for me! I loved that little surprise.
December 12, 2022
Lost Sierra by Amanda Traylor is quite a good book with small-town secrets, isolation, and a fire raging toward the Sierras.
Daphne moves to the Sierra Nevada, trying to distance herself from her overbearing mother. Daphne opens a healing business (i.e., massage, oils, natural plant remedies) and befriends a 70-year-old vet named Sharpe. One day he doesn't show up for his appointment, and Daphne is worried and reports it to the sheriff, a shady character.
The story was enjoyable, and the atmosphere and scenes were described well. I really liked Daphne. The author did well in developing the characters and the story, but there were some slow parts.
I did skim a couple chapters as it felt a bit slow in building up to the final chapters.
I would rate this a 4.5 out of 5 stars (rounded to 5). I would recommend this book.
#LostSierra #NetGalley @SmithPublicity
Daphne moves to the Sierra Nevada, trying to distance herself from her overbearing mother. Daphne opens a healing business (i.e., massage, oils, natural plant remedies) and befriends a 70-year-old vet named Sharpe. One day he doesn't show up for his appointment, and Daphne is worried and reports it to the sheriff, a shady character.
The story was enjoyable, and the atmosphere and scenes were described well. I really liked Daphne. The author did well in developing the characters and the story, but there were some slow parts.
I did skim a couple chapters as it felt a bit slow in building up to the final chapters.
I would rate this a 4.5 out of 5 stars (rounded to 5). I would recommend this book.
#LostSierra #NetGalley @SmithPublicity
March 12, 2023
Daphne's parents have made a fortune from an organic good company and, as an only child, Daphne is the sole heir. She decides to make a life for herself away from the family business and moves to Sierra Ridge to practice homeopathic medicine. When John Sharpe a 70 year old client goes missing, Daphne is determined to find out what has happened to him. The townspeople, including the local police, are reluctant to help. However this doesn't deter Daphne who is quite reckless in her desire to find John.
I must say that I found Daphne to be very annoying and rather naive. She seemed far too trusting of the local people even though it was quite obvious that most of them had no interest whatsoever in helping her quite the opposite in fact. The best you could say was that she had good intentions!
Thanks to the Pigeonhole and the author for the opportunity of reading this book.
I must say that I found Daphne to be very annoying and rather naive. She seemed far too trusting of the local people even though it was quite obvious that most of them had no interest whatsoever in helping her quite the opposite in fact. The best you could say was that she had good intentions!
Thanks to the Pigeonhole and the author for the opportunity of reading this book.
March 13, 2023
Daphnia is a privileged young woman but she wants to make her own way in the world, doing things her way.
She finds herself in a small town in the Sierra Nevadas, where she sets up a holistic medicine practice.
One of her patients, a 70 year old man called John Sharpe, goes missing, and Daphne is determined to find out what happened to him. Despite being warned to mind her own business she ploughs on naively, believing that she knows best and the law will back her up.
What she hasn't realised is, that the law in this small town is very much open to interpretation. The people of the town make their own laws and they don't welcome newcomers who can't keep their opinions to themselves.
Unfortunately, I found the main character, Daphne, rather naive and annoying which spoiled the book a bit for me.
#Pigeonhole
She finds herself in a small town in the Sierra Nevadas, where she sets up a holistic medicine practice.
One of her patients, a 70 year old man called John Sharpe, goes missing, and Daphne is determined to find out what happened to him. Despite being warned to mind her own business she ploughs on naively, believing that she knows best and the law will back her up.
What she hasn't realised is, that the law in this small town is very much open to interpretation. The people of the town make their own laws and they don't welcome newcomers who can't keep their opinions to themselves.
Unfortunately, I found the main character, Daphne, rather naive and annoying which spoiled the book a bit for me.
#Pigeonhole
October 1, 2023
I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was hard to put down. I couldn’t stop reading because I needed to know what exactly was going on in this town with all its shady inhabitants! Daphne’s persistence to find out what happened to her friend and patient who went missing was understandable to me especially since it seemed like no one else cared. But where her character got a little annoying is when she didn’t seem to really understand that she was putting other people in danger even when they would literally tell her she was putting them in danger lol. I didn’t dislike her character though, but I didn’t find anyone else that likable although I did kind of like Logan even though he wasn’t technically good. I would say he’s more morally grey. Overall, I was hooked on the storyline but found the ending to be a little anticlimactic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2023
I liked this book. I could see how some people wouldn’t like the main character but I think she was portrayed well. She’s naive and it shows she comes from a rich background not really understanding life fully. Only feedback is I wish we had like a falling out with her parents vs. wanting to be on her own. I don’t think many people can resonate with a rich 27 year old who didn’t want to be apart of a large business. The background of the city and where she lived was fully accurate - I lived in Chico during the Paradise fires. How people are about secrets/minding their business is true.
I give this 4 stars only because I felt the ending lacked. I wish Willa was caught a different way, but was surprised it was her form the first chapter.
I give this 4 stars only because I felt the ending lacked. I wish Willa was caught a different way, but was surprised it was her form the first chapter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2023
Her second novel, Lost Sierra by Amanda Traylor is a mystery thriller. Relocating to Sierra Ridge in remote Northern California, Daphne Barlow avoids her rich family’s expectations and starts a small homeopathic business. When a seventy-year-old client goes missing and the locals don’t seem to care, it’s up to Daphne to find him. With wildfires raging, she is told to leave well enough alone causing her further trouble and placing her life in danger. The narrative of a somewhat idealistic, if naïve hero, requires a certain suspension of disbelief, given its rosy ending and thereby a three stars rating. With thanks to Florence & Reynolds and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
March 10, 2023
I started off rooting for Daphne, because you know, you always want to root for someone who wants to do the right thing. That was at the start, but by the end I'd had enough of Daphne. She became super annoying, frustrating and her naivety and hypocrisy didn't do much in helping me like her.
I read to the end, but by that stage I'd given up caring about whether she survived or not.
I also found it rather slow going at one point, with the only thing happening was us going round in circles whilst someone or other was telling Daphne to leave well alone.
It was interesting to get a little insight into rural communities in America and the issues they face.
Thank you to Pigeonhole and Amanda Traylor for the chance to read this book.
I read to the end, but by that stage I'd given up caring about whether she survived or not.
I also found it rather slow going at one point, with the only thing happening was us going round in circles whilst someone or other was telling Daphne to leave well alone.
It was interesting to get a little insight into rural communities in America and the issues they face.
Thank you to Pigeonhole and Amanda Traylor for the chance to read this book.
March 10, 2023
Daphne is a trust fund baby and has decided to go off grid when her vision for the Company her parents founded (and named after her) and their behaviour doesn’t tally with hers. She is like a terrier with a bone but has no common sense whatsoever. When someone who pulled her from an accident in the remote Sierra village she has moved to goes missing, she is intent on finding him despite the very many warnings she receives from a bunch of despicable characters. For me personally there was no big reveal and my finding Daphne obtuse from the get- go didn't wane. She is hypocritical, naive, ungrateful and opinionated so that her good intentions were totally overshadow. I read this through my online bookclub, Pigeonhole. 3 stars
March 29, 2023
This book exposes several truths. Stereotypes are never good ways to judge people. Small towns in the mountains are not always friendly good places to live. Small towns often do not promise much future for people if they do not leave. Rural America suffers from poverty. People in cities, especially wealthy people, do not understand small town rural communities. Wealthy progressive people, though they may have good intentions, do not understand the needs of people living in forgotten rural areas. There is a drug problem in America. If you need schooling in any of these truths, Lost Sierra is a good read for you. I received this as an arc from NetGalley and am under no pressure for a positive review.
Ramona Thompson.
Ramona Thompson.
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July 10, 2023This was an interesting suspense book! Daphne leaves the city to move to a very small town in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. She wants to practice holistic medicine in her new hometown. Daphne builds a rapport with one of her new clients. John is getting on in years and when he goes missing Daphne decides to try and find out where he went. The more she questions people the more sinister John’s disappearance starts to seem. As time passes Daphne realizes she doesn’t know who she can trust and who may now want to harm her. This book had great suspense throughout. The atmospheric writing definitely transported me to the small town and mountain area. There are great twists at the end that I didn’t see coming. Overall it was a very entertaining read.
March 20, 2023
I was drawn to this one because of the setting, and it really did set the stage for this thriller. The setting was as much a character as any of the actual characters. However, Daphne had to be the most immature person ever. Although her degrees were mentioned incessantly, she was not the smartest. It was intentional, but it was very hard to connect with her. Instead, I found myself yelling at her all through the book for her choices. Lots of twists and turns, but it was a bit frustrating to read. Overall, 3/5 stars.
This was published on March 7, 2023. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Florence & Reynolds, for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was published on March 7, 2023. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Florence & Reynolds, for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2026
Netgalley ARC
I really struggled with this one. The mystery itself is compelling, but the pacing is a bit inconsistent. More ofa struggle for me, though, was the way that I really didn't like Daphne. She read to me like a typical privileged city girl who has arrived in a small town and doesn't understand why they don't treat her and her alternative medicine treatments like a personal gift. The mountains were a great backdrop here, but Daphne took away a lot of the impact.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
I really struggled with this one. The mystery itself is compelling, but the pacing is a bit inconsistent. More ofa struggle for me, though, was the way that I really didn't like Daphne. She read to me like a typical privileged city girl who has arrived in a small town and doesn't understand why they don't treat her and her alternative medicine treatments like a personal gift. The mountains were a great backdrop here, but Daphne took away a lot of the impact.
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
March 10, 2023
Steam level - 2.5
The plot -
27-year-old Daphne Barlow escapes her parents’ ruthless expectations as the heir to their Fortune 10 organic food brand and finds a different kind of ruthlessness—the remote town of Sierra Ridge in the inhospitable Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California.
With a new PhD under her belt and eager to avoid her pre-determined path at the company named for her, Daphne seeks out an idyllic Mayberry existence in a small town where residents might appreciate her personal brand of homeopathic techniques and herbal cures. While she manages to gain a small collection of clients, she is mostly met with cold skepticism from the locals. When her favorite client—John Sharpe, an army veteran in his 70s—goes missing and no one in the town seems to be care, Daphne is deeply concerned. He saved her life once and she is bound and determined to return the favor.
Pitting herself against the townspeople, who assure her that Sharpe is just on a bender despite all the evidence she finds to the contrary, Daphne is drawn deeper and deeper into trouble, all while a wildfire rages closer and closer to the town.
My thoughts -
Secrets left and right, in a small town, but I didn't feel connected with any of the characters. The plot twist, were so unexpected like I had to keep guessing in the end who it was. Daphne was so immature. The writing was good and really easy to go through.
Thanks to netgalley and the author for a eARC in exchange of a honest review.
The plot -
27-year-old Daphne Barlow escapes her parents’ ruthless expectations as the heir to their Fortune 10 organic food brand and finds a different kind of ruthlessness—the remote town of Sierra Ridge in the inhospitable Sierra Nevada Mountains of Northern California.
With a new PhD under her belt and eager to avoid her pre-determined path at the company named for her, Daphne seeks out an idyllic Mayberry existence in a small town where residents might appreciate her personal brand of homeopathic techniques and herbal cures. While she manages to gain a small collection of clients, she is mostly met with cold skepticism from the locals. When her favorite client—John Sharpe, an army veteran in his 70s—goes missing and no one in the town seems to be care, Daphne is deeply concerned. He saved her life once and she is bound and determined to return the favor.
Pitting herself against the townspeople, who assure her that Sharpe is just on a bender despite all the evidence she finds to the contrary, Daphne is drawn deeper and deeper into trouble, all while a wildfire rages closer and closer to the town.
My thoughts -
Secrets left and right, in a small town, but I didn't feel connected with any of the characters. The plot twist, were so unexpected like I had to keep guessing in the end who it was. Daphne was so immature. The writing was good and really easy to go through.
Thanks to netgalley and the author for a eARC in exchange of a honest review.
March 2, 2023
Daphne reports her friend, Sharpe, missing but there is a 48-hour rule before reporting a missing person. Daphne waits three days before contacting the police again, but she finds it extremely difficult to extract updates or information on the whereabouts of Sharpe. Then she finds out why. The story is about secrets and betrayal, and Daphne is caught in the middle of it all since she started her own investigation. The story is descriptive and an intense read.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.
March 11, 2023
Daphne is an heiress to a wellness company who has broken away from her parents and opened her own little business in a remote mountain town. One of her friends is missing so she tries to find out what’s happened to him, and inadvertently stumbles into a nightmare world of secrets, violence and drugs, where nobody can be trusted.
Daphne is so sheltered that sometimes her decision making is very stupid indeed. Despite this, I did find myself rooting for her and her bravery and principles, and this is an enjoyable thriller. I’d like a half-star as this is not quite a 4 for me, but it’s a solid 3.5. Read with The Pigeonhole.
Daphne is so sheltered that sometimes her decision making is very stupid indeed. Despite this, I did find myself rooting for her and her bravery and principles, and this is an enjoyable thriller. I’d like a half-star as this is not quite a 4 for me, but it’s a solid 3.5. Read with The Pigeonhole.
March 10, 2023
The story had a steady pace and was easy to read. Daphne the main character was a hard character for me to engage with or even like. I struggled to understand and make sense of some of the things she did. However the other characters really kept the story going for me and made me want to read on. I really wish that some of them were more fleshed out, as I would be interested in their story. Thanks to the Pigeonhole book club I was able to immerse myself and read this with a group of other interested readers. This made the experience so much more enjoyable.
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