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Breathless
A high-altitude thriller that will take your breath away—Cecily Wong is on her most dangerous climb yet, miles above sea level. But the elements are nothing compared to one chilling truth: There's a killer on the mountain.
Journalist Cecily Wong is in over her head. She's come to Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world, to interview internationally famous mountaineer Charles McVeigh on the last leg of a record-breaking series of summits. She's given up everything for this story—her boyfriend, her life savings, the peace she's made with her climbing failures in the past—but it's a career-making opportunity. It could finally put her life back on track.
But when one climber dies in what everyone else assumes is a freak accident, she fears their expedition is in danger. And by the time a second climber dies, it's too late to turn back. Stranded on a mountain in one of the most remote regions of the world, she'll have to battle more than the elements in a harrowing fight for survival against a killer who is picking them off one by one.
Journalist Cecily Wong is in over her head. She's come to Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world, to interview internationally famous mountaineer Charles McVeigh on the last leg of a record-breaking series of summits. She's given up everything for this story—her boyfriend, her life savings, the peace she's made with her climbing failures in the past—but it's a career-making opportunity. It could finally put her life back on track.
But when one climber dies in what everyone else assumes is a freak accident, she fears their expedition is in danger. And by the time a second climber dies, it's too late to turn back. Stranded on a mountain in one of the most remote regions of the world, she'll have to battle more than the elements in a harrowing fight for survival against a killer who is picking them off one by one.
343 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2022
About the author
Amy McCulloch
13 books760 followersAmy McCulloch is a Chinese-White author, born in the UK, raised in Ottawa, Canada, now based in London, UK. She has written several novels for children and young adults, and been published in over fifteen different languages. Her debut adult novel, BREATHLESS, releases in 2022.
Before becoming a full-time writer, she was editorial director for Penguin Random House Children’s Books. In 2013, she was named one of The Bookseller‘s Rising Stars of publishing.
When not writing, she loves travelling, hiking and mountaineering. In September 2019, she became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt Manaslu in Nepal – the world’s eighth highest mountain at 8,163m (26,781ft). Other addictions include coffee, ramen and really great books.
Before becoming a full-time writer, she was editorial director for Penguin Random House Children’s Books. In 2013, she was named one of The Bookseller‘s Rising Stars of publishing.
When not writing, she loves travelling, hiking and mountaineering. In September 2019, she became the youngest Canadian woman to climb Mt Manaslu in Nepal – the world’s eighth highest mountain at 8,163m (26,781ft). Other addictions include coffee, ramen and really great books.
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May 2, 2022
Breathless by Amy McCulloch
Journalist Cecily Wong has bitten off way more than she can chew. She's a mountain climber, new to the game, and best known for her blog about her biggest climbing failure. Her story about that failure is what attracted the attention of internationally famous mountaineer Charles McVeigh. Now he's invited her to interview him after his last leg of a record-breaking series of summits IF she too can reach the summit of Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world. The leader of her team, Doug, seems to be very angry at her. Grant, another guy on the team, seems to be a loose cannon. But the rest of the team members and the team's Sherpa mountain guides all seem to want to help Cecily to either succeed to reach the top or at least get back off the mountain safely, to someday try again. But, not reaching the summit means not getting the biggest interview of her career, the one that will make giving up everything for this trip, worth all the losses.
An attempt like this is hard enough without suspecting that a murderer in on the mountain with you. She's heard rumors about McVeigh and they aren't good. That he might be cheating on his "clean" climbs, that people have died in his vicinity. Are those rumors spread by people jealous of his success? And now someone else has died right before they start the climb. At a time when Cecily needs to be at her best, she's having trouble sleeping, eating, and doing her best to stay focused on the climb, because she can't help also investigating all the strange things going on with the people around her. Is the anger and suspicion she sees and hears part of the stress of a climb that can take your life on the best days, is her imagination running away with her, is she going to mess this attempt up, too?
Breathless is a physical and mental state in this story. I'm glad to look at the successes of others with pictures and videos and read about them. The hardships, cost, and dangers don't make me want to be there. But this story puts us there with all the stress of the endeavor and then with the threat of a murderer on the mountain.
Publication: May 3rd 2022
Thank you to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group/Anchor and NetGalley for this ARC.
Journalist Cecily Wong has bitten off way more than she can chew. She's a mountain climber, new to the game, and best known for her blog about her biggest climbing failure. Her story about that failure is what attracted the attention of internationally famous mountaineer Charles McVeigh. Now he's invited her to interview him after his last leg of a record-breaking series of summits IF she too can reach the summit of Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world. The leader of her team, Doug, seems to be very angry at her. Grant, another guy on the team, seems to be a loose cannon. But the rest of the team members and the team's Sherpa mountain guides all seem to want to help Cecily to either succeed to reach the top or at least get back off the mountain safely, to someday try again. But, not reaching the summit means not getting the biggest interview of her career, the one that will make giving up everything for this trip, worth all the losses.
An attempt like this is hard enough without suspecting that a murderer in on the mountain with you. She's heard rumors about McVeigh and they aren't good. That he might be cheating on his "clean" climbs, that people have died in his vicinity. Are those rumors spread by people jealous of his success? And now someone else has died right before they start the climb. At a time when Cecily needs to be at her best, she's having trouble sleeping, eating, and doing her best to stay focused on the climb, because she can't help also investigating all the strange things going on with the people around her. Is the anger and suspicion she sees and hears part of the stress of a climb that can take your life on the best days, is her imagination running away with her, is she going to mess this attempt up, too?
Breathless is a physical and mental state in this story. I'm glad to look at the successes of others with pictures and videos and read about them. The hardships, cost, and dangers don't make me want to be there. But this story puts us there with all the stress of the endeavor and then with the threat of a murderer on the mountain.
Publication: May 3rd 2022
Thank you to Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group/Anchor and NetGalley for this ARC.
April 29, 2022
I thought that this book had so much potential but in the end it just didn’t deliver.
Cecily Won is a journalist who needs, wants, to deliver an amazing article to the editor of her outdoor magazine.
She has been training for months to climb an 8,000 m mountain, because that is where the star of her next interview will be. Charles McVeigh is completing the last of his run at climbing 14 of the highest mountains in the world and not using oxygen or fixed ropes.
Cecily thinks she is prepared, but what happens during this climb will establish that she is nowhere near ready for what lies ahead. She won’t just be pushing herself to endure extreme weather conditions but there are also frightening events happening during the climb.
Sounds like exciting stuff, right?? Sadly this book just didn’t give me any feeling of the tension which I should have felt throughout, even the climb got tiresome. There are some characters, i.e. her old boyfriend James, who could have been left completely out of the story.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the beauty and grandeur of the mountain but the plot was disappointing and the ending felt forced and didn’t give me the feeling of a proper closure.
The pace was slow and I should have probably listened to my reading buddies Jan and Marialyce who gave up on this one. I was determined to give it a chance and read to the end.
The author’s notes were great and I know that she poured herself into this novel.
However when you are marketing a book as a thriller that will “take your breath away” I had to judge it on it’s merits.
The characters could have been more well developed, it would have added to my motivation to “root for them” during all of the mishaps.
If you want to read something just for entertainment or to get a glimpse into what climbing is like at these altitudes, then you will enjoy it. I wanted more of a quick pace and the thrill that was promised!!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.
Cecily Won is a journalist who needs, wants, to deliver an amazing article to the editor of her outdoor magazine.
She has been training for months to climb an 8,000 m mountain, because that is where the star of her next interview will be. Charles McVeigh is completing the last of his run at climbing 14 of the highest mountains in the world and not using oxygen or fixed ropes.
Cecily thinks she is prepared, but what happens during this climb will establish that she is nowhere near ready for what lies ahead. She won’t just be pushing herself to endure extreme weather conditions but there are also frightening events happening during the climb.
Sounds like exciting stuff, right?? Sadly this book just didn’t give me any feeling of the tension which I should have felt throughout, even the climb got tiresome. There are some characters, i.e. her old boyfriend James, who could have been left completely out of the story.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the beauty and grandeur of the mountain but the plot was disappointing and the ending felt forced and didn’t give me the feeling of a proper closure.
The pace was slow and I should have probably listened to my reading buddies Jan and Marialyce who gave up on this one. I was determined to give it a chance and read to the end.
The author’s notes were great and I know that she poured herself into this novel.
However when you are marketing a book as a thriller that will “take your breath away” I had to judge it on it’s merits.
The characters could have been more well developed, it would have added to my motivation to “root for them” during all of the mishaps.
If you want to read something just for entertainment or to get a glimpse into what climbing is like at these altitudes, then you will enjoy it. I wanted more of a quick pace and the thrill that was promised!!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.
May 13, 2022
4.5 stars. I wish to thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this intense, thrill-packed adventure/survival story. It combines exhilarating, frightening high- altitude mountaineering with murder. This was an atmospheric thriller that transported me to the terrifying, chilling environment of Mount Manaslu, the world's eighth highest mountain. It is in the Himalayas and reached from Nepal. Amy McCulloch combines her own experience climbing Mount Manaslu with a vivid sense of place and the challenges involved in a puzzling murder mystery. The native, highly experienced Sherpa guides proceed ahead to lay down ladders and ropes, providing assistance and safety for the climbers. As one climbs into the 'Death Zone,' the air becomes suffocating. Only the most daring avoid carrying supplementary oxygen.
Cecily Wong, a young journalist, has been invited by acclaimed Mountaineer, Charles McVeigh, to accompany him on his ascent to the summit of Manaslu. He is famous for breaking mountaineering records and performing heroic rescues. This will be his final climb of eight mountains over 8,000 metres within a year to establish a world record. What's more, he intends to climb without using oxygen or ropes.
Charles promises Cecily an interview to establish her as an adventure writer, but only after she reaches the summit as part of his team. Cecily is the least experienced of his team members, consisting of 6 people he has invited plus four Sherpa guides. She is haunted by an alarming failure on a previous climb, and very few know what happened. She knows that interviewing Charles is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and consents to join his team. Is she courageous or being foolhardy?
She knows she lacks the knowledge and experience but is determined to overcome her fear and make it to the summit. The story left me breathless!
The author evokes the freezing ice and snow, deadly crevasses, unexpected storms, and the exhilaration felt by Cecily as she manages to struggle with some help and advice in this hazardous setting. Essential supplies are damaged or stolen, also tips for the guides. It is clear that someone does not want Charles's team to succeed in its efforts. Another nearby team also finds obstacles placed in its path to the top. Then members of the group start dying, and murder is suspected. As Cecily attempts each painful step up the mountain, she feels her effort will bring her greater journalism awards if she can discover the motive behind the deaths and the killer's identity. Will she survive difficulty breathing, exhaustion, fear, painful injuries, inexperience and keep going? Is the killer stalking her? Will she be the next victim?
It is difficult for Cecily to trust the people around her. Does she have the endurance and stamina to survive? Will she get her interview? The plot explodes with heightened action, jeopardy, more deaths, injuries and heartache.
The location was compelling, and one could feel the hostile environment. I found some of the aspects of mountain climbing hard to visualize. Highly recommended for readers who would enjoy a gripping adventure/survival story and murder mystery with compelling, intriguing characters. Not everyone is what they seem.
Cecily Wong, a young journalist, has been invited by acclaimed Mountaineer, Charles McVeigh, to accompany him on his ascent to the summit of Manaslu. He is famous for breaking mountaineering records and performing heroic rescues. This will be his final climb of eight mountains over 8,000 metres within a year to establish a world record. What's more, he intends to climb without using oxygen or ropes.
Charles promises Cecily an interview to establish her as an adventure writer, but only after she reaches the summit as part of his team. Cecily is the least experienced of his team members, consisting of 6 people he has invited plus four Sherpa guides. She is haunted by an alarming failure on a previous climb, and very few know what happened. She knows that interviewing Charles is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and consents to join his team. Is she courageous or being foolhardy?
She knows she lacks the knowledge and experience but is determined to overcome her fear and make it to the summit. The story left me breathless!
The author evokes the freezing ice and snow, deadly crevasses, unexpected storms, and the exhilaration felt by Cecily as she manages to struggle with some help and advice in this hazardous setting. Essential supplies are damaged or stolen, also tips for the guides. It is clear that someone does not want Charles's team to succeed in its efforts. Another nearby team also finds obstacles placed in its path to the top. Then members of the group start dying, and murder is suspected. As Cecily attempts each painful step up the mountain, she feels her effort will bring her greater journalism awards if she can discover the motive behind the deaths and the killer's identity. Will she survive difficulty breathing, exhaustion, fear, painful injuries, inexperience and keep going? Is the killer stalking her? Will she be the next victim?
It is difficult for Cecily to trust the people around her. Does she have the endurance and stamina to survive? Will she get her interview? The plot explodes with heightened action, jeopardy, more deaths, injuries and heartache.
The location was compelling, and one could feel the hostile environment. I found some of the aspects of mountain climbing hard to visualize. Highly recommended for readers who would enjoy a gripping adventure/survival story and murder mystery with compelling, intriguing characters. Not everyone is what they seem.
March 5, 2022
People filled with fear aren't living life. They are held prisoner by their own limiting mindset.
Cecily Wong breathes in the weight of that every day. She's an adventure travel journalist for Wild Outdoors. Her last expedition on Broad Peak with her ex-boyfriend, James, was a mindnumbing experience. She was caught in an unfortunate impasse on the mountain. Stunned. No way up. No way down. Fearfully, she motioned to James to reach the summit while Cecily retreated back down.
And as fate elbows its way in, Cecily has had a new assignment. She's to follow Charles McVeigh, a renowned alpinist, who is undertaking a series of 14 mountains standing taller than 8,000 meters. Charles promises Cecily an exclusive interview if Cecily reaches the summit of Manaslu in Nepal with him. Cecily knows that she has to turn things around in her career. This assignment can resurrect her dwindling position. But she must prepare and she must settle things within herself to succeed.
Amy McCulloch creates a panoramic view of the feats of bravery and prowess involved in mountaineering. And she does it with such finesse that she even grabs the attention of the timid. We will find ourselves toe-to-toe with Cecily as she lays the groundwork through her blog and short interviews with the team members. And we will come to know the proficiencies of the local Sherpas who climb alongside the team adjusting ropes and setting up camps.
Standing on a kitchen chair can bring bouts of vertigo. Imagine these amazing elevations. But McCulloch doesn't leave everything to the climb. She's building upon it and inserting a horror here that is indescribable. Cecily knows that the ending of lives has not been cast by accidents. There's someone among them who is the most rigid of evil. And as the team rises to the heights of Manaslu, Cecily realizes that Manaslu may well be her final resting place if she doesn't hold her own.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Knopf Doubleday Publishing and to Amy McCulloch for the opportunity.
Cecily Wong breathes in the weight of that every day. She's an adventure travel journalist for Wild Outdoors. Her last expedition on Broad Peak with her ex-boyfriend, James, was a mindnumbing experience. She was caught in an unfortunate impasse on the mountain. Stunned. No way up. No way down. Fearfully, she motioned to James to reach the summit while Cecily retreated back down.
And as fate elbows its way in, Cecily has had a new assignment. She's to follow Charles McVeigh, a renowned alpinist, who is undertaking a series of 14 mountains standing taller than 8,000 meters. Charles promises Cecily an exclusive interview if Cecily reaches the summit of Manaslu in Nepal with him. Cecily knows that she has to turn things around in her career. This assignment can resurrect her dwindling position. But she must prepare and she must settle things within herself to succeed.
Amy McCulloch creates a panoramic view of the feats of bravery and prowess involved in mountaineering. And she does it with such finesse that she even grabs the attention of the timid. We will find ourselves toe-to-toe with Cecily as she lays the groundwork through her blog and short interviews with the team members. And we will come to know the proficiencies of the local Sherpas who climb alongside the team adjusting ropes and setting up camps.
Standing on a kitchen chair can bring bouts of vertigo. Imagine these amazing elevations. But McCulloch doesn't leave everything to the climb. She's building upon it and inserting a horror here that is indescribable. Cecily knows that the ending of lives has not been cast by accidents. There's someone among them who is the most rigid of evil. And as the team rises to the heights of Manaslu, Cecily realizes that Manaslu may well be her final resting place if she doesn't hold her own.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Knopf Doubleday Publishing and to Amy McCulloch for the opportunity.
November 19, 2021
Ice cold… You’re miles from help… Yes, we have us are trapped up the mountain murder mystery!
Mission Fourteen Clean : Manaslu, Himalayas.
Charles McVeigh, pure climber, is deemed the worlds greatest alpinist, he is a legend and renowned as superhuman in the death zone (above 8000m) and he’s a hero rescuer of climbers in trouble. He is soon to enter the record books as the first to climb 14 mountains over 8000m without supplementary oxygen and all within a year. Cecily Wong is a journalist and she is prepared to go to any lengths to interview him hence her presence in Katmandu to join this expedition. She’ll get her interview when she conquers Manaslu so it’ll make or break her career. She is part of a team of seven, some are complete strangers as they set off to conquer a dangerous peak. The story is told from Cecily‘s point of view and interspersed with her excellent blog.
What I love about the book is the fantastic atmosphere the author creates, its as if you were there. There are some awe-inspiring descriptions that transport you to Nepal and it feels like you climb the mountain with Cecily. It captures vividly the inherent dangers of climbing and the difficulties of altitude, you feel that breathless pain and it seems extremely authentic. There’s a good blend of characters and I like the contrast of the humour and good-natured banter and excitement at the start as they acclimatise compared to the seriousness of the actual climb. There are some glacial frissons of dread up and down the spine from the start and a feeling of unsettling doom as suspicions and danger intensifies. There are some moments where it’s unbelievably creepy and if you add in the claustrophobia of being stuck in a hostile environment it makes it an absorbing read. I feel a bit let down by the ending as basically it just had to be but it doesn’t detract too much from this being a gripping thriller.
Overall, if like me you get vertigo climbing the stairs you’ll be swept off your feet by this one. It’s by far one of the better ones in this crowded market, principally because the author knows what she’s talking about. It’s a very enjoyable read.
Facts : Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world at 8163 m above sea level. Manaslu means ‘mountain of the spirit’ and I believe the author has climbed it.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin, Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Mission Fourteen Clean : Manaslu, Himalayas.
Charles McVeigh, pure climber, is deemed the worlds greatest alpinist, he is a legend and renowned as superhuman in the death zone (above 8000m) and he’s a hero rescuer of climbers in trouble. He is soon to enter the record books as the first to climb 14 mountains over 8000m without supplementary oxygen and all within a year. Cecily Wong is a journalist and she is prepared to go to any lengths to interview him hence her presence in Katmandu to join this expedition. She’ll get her interview when she conquers Manaslu so it’ll make or break her career. She is part of a team of seven, some are complete strangers as they set off to conquer a dangerous peak. The story is told from Cecily‘s point of view and interspersed with her excellent blog.
What I love about the book is the fantastic atmosphere the author creates, its as if you were there. There are some awe-inspiring descriptions that transport you to Nepal and it feels like you climb the mountain with Cecily. It captures vividly the inherent dangers of climbing and the difficulties of altitude, you feel that breathless pain and it seems extremely authentic. There’s a good blend of characters and I like the contrast of the humour and good-natured banter and excitement at the start as they acclimatise compared to the seriousness of the actual climb. There are some glacial frissons of dread up and down the spine from the start and a feeling of unsettling doom as suspicions and danger intensifies. There are some moments where it’s unbelievably creepy and if you add in the claustrophobia of being stuck in a hostile environment it makes it an absorbing read. I feel a bit let down by the ending as basically it just had to be but it doesn’t detract too much from this being a gripping thriller.
Overall, if like me you get vertigo climbing the stairs you’ll be swept off your feet by this one. It’s by far one of the better ones in this crowded market, principally because the author knows what she’s talking about. It’s a very enjoyable read.
Facts : Manaslu is the eighth highest mountain in the world at 8163 m above sea level. Manaslu means ‘mountain of the spirit’ and I believe the author has climbed it.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Penguin, Michael Joseph for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
May 15, 2022
Just FYI I am beyond terrified of heights. I can't watch commercials, movies, people in real life on high mountains or whatever else is more than 4 ft off the ground. I panic, so this book sent me into a whole new realm of wild page flipping and hanging on to the edge of my seat. Like knuckles hurting from holding the book tight. Jaw hurting from clenching. Such a different and fun thriller. It really messes with you on so many levels. If you like that feeling this book is a good one! Now I'm going to go take some deep breaths and remind myself I am steady on the flat ground lol!
December 20, 2022
Slow slow slow boring characters not for me unfortunately was looking forward to the high altitude thriller.
May 3, 2022
Breathless by Amy McCulloch is an adventurous thriller novel that takes place upon Mount Manaslu in Nepal. Mount Manaslu is a the eighth highest mountain in the world and wonderful setting for a freezing, snowy and dangerous adventure.
Cecily Wong is a journalist who has been granted the opportunity to interview Charles McVeigh, one of the most accomplished mountain climbers in the world. The catch, because of course there would be a catch to Cecily’s breakout story, Cecily must climb Mount Manaslu with Charles.
Cecily vows to let nothing get in the way of her dream interview, especially not the fact she is a novice at best when it comes to climbing. Training for months and putting all of her savings she has now begun the climb but not before rumors go flying of previous mountain deaths not being the accidents they had seemed to be.
Boy do I still need to warm up after stepping into the world in Breathless by Amy McCulloch. I picked this one up right as Spring came around and felt I’d been tossed right into the snow and ice with the main character. The story is definitely a thrilling one with the danger of just the climb being amplified by the danger of a possible murderer on the mountain. My only niggle with this was I figured it out fairly easily but I do read a lot so perhaps that was why but I definitely didn’t regret my time on the mountain regardless.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Cecily Wong is a journalist who has been granted the opportunity to interview Charles McVeigh, one of the most accomplished mountain climbers in the world. The catch, because of course there would be a catch to Cecily’s breakout story, Cecily must climb Mount Manaslu with Charles.
Cecily vows to let nothing get in the way of her dream interview, especially not the fact she is a novice at best when it comes to climbing. Training for months and putting all of her savings she has now begun the climb but not before rumors go flying of previous mountain deaths not being the accidents they had seemed to be.
Boy do I still need to warm up after stepping into the world in Breathless by Amy McCulloch. I picked this one up right as Spring came around and felt I’d been tossed right into the snow and ice with the main character. The story is definitely a thrilling one with the danger of just the climb being amplified by the danger of a possible murderer on the mountain. My only niggle with this was I figured it out fairly easily but I do read a lot so perhaps that was why but I definitely didn’t regret my time on the mountain regardless.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
May 3, 2022
3.5 deep breath stars
This one was a quick and tense read for me!
Our main character – Cecily -- is an adventure journalist and she’s landed the story of a lifetime, interviewing a famous mountaineer – Charles McVeigh -- as he completes a challenge to hike 14 summits without oxygen and the help of fixed ropes. The catch is that she’ll only get the interview if she summits with Charles. She has several failures to summit that she’s written about recently.
We are taken along for the hike in the Himalayas, learning all the items that hikers need to take, challenges that the hikers face, and the danger that is inherent in the activity. There seems to be extra danger following Cecily and one hiker dies before they even really get started. There are lots of big egos on this trip and the leader Doug, seems to have anger issues.
As Cecily makes it to camp one and the team works on acclimatizing to the high altitude, she has feelings that things are not right. Difficulties with wifi signals mean that everyone is isolated, and Cecily can’t send in her blogs. They also have trouble getting weather forecasts. The pressure is on for Cecily to summit, but another hiker death makes her wish to give the whole thing up. I liked that this one explained not only the physical toil but the mental stamina that climbs like this take on people. The sherpas also do so much for the climbers.
The tension is ratcheted up in the last part of the book and I really wasn’t sure what would happen! There was a great twist that I did not see coming. In the author notes, I learned that the author is a climber, no wonder this one had an authentic ring to it!
Thank you to Knopf Doubleday for the chance to read and review this one.
This one was a quick and tense read for me!
Our main character – Cecily -- is an adventure journalist and she’s landed the story of a lifetime, interviewing a famous mountaineer – Charles McVeigh -- as he completes a challenge to hike 14 summits without oxygen and the help of fixed ropes. The catch is that she’ll only get the interview if she summits with Charles. She has several failures to summit that she’s written about recently.
We are taken along for the hike in the Himalayas, learning all the items that hikers need to take, challenges that the hikers face, and the danger that is inherent in the activity. There seems to be extra danger following Cecily and one hiker dies before they even really get started. There are lots of big egos on this trip and the leader Doug, seems to have anger issues.
As Cecily makes it to camp one and the team works on acclimatizing to the high altitude, she has feelings that things are not right. Difficulties with wifi signals mean that everyone is isolated, and Cecily can’t send in her blogs. They also have trouble getting weather forecasts. The pressure is on for Cecily to summit, but another hiker death makes her wish to give the whole thing up. I liked that this one explained not only the physical toil but the mental stamina that climbs like this take on people. The sherpas also do so much for the climbers.
The tension is ratcheted up in the last part of the book and I really wasn’t sure what would happen! There was a great twist that I did not see coming. In the author notes, I learned that the author is a climber, no wonder this one had an authentic ring to it!
Thank you to Knopf Doubleday for the chance to read and review this one.
January 7, 2022
This book was pretty good. As someone who knows absolutely nothing about mountain climbing, I thought the author did a great job of explaining the various techniques and exercises involved, without making it tedious. The twist was pretty good, the ending even better.
Journalist Cecily Wong is hand picked to write a feature article on esteemed mountaineer Charles McVeigh. The catch is that he will only grant her the interview if she climbs the eighth highest peak in the world, Mount Manaslu as part of his climbing party. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Cecily.
Although she is the least experienced climber in the party, she is determined to prove to herself and her teammates that she will reach the summit. Everything goes well at first. However as they ascend further up the mountain people start to go missing and the bodies begin to pile up. Trapped on a mountain with a murderer there is no place to hide. It is the ultimate fight for survival. Will Cecily make it out alive before the killer or the elements claim her?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Journalist Cecily Wong is hand picked to write a feature article on esteemed mountaineer Charles McVeigh. The catch is that he will only grant her the interview if she climbs the eighth highest peak in the world, Mount Manaslu as part of his climbing party. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Cecily.
Although she is the least experienced climber in the party, she is determined to prove to herself and her teammates that she will reach the summit. Everything goes well at first. However as they ascend further up the mountain people start to go missing and the bodies begin to pile up. Trapped on a mountain with a murderer there is no place to hide. It is the ultimate fight for survival. Will Cecily make it out alive before the killer or the elements claim her?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 10, 2022
This book might be titled Breathless, but unfortunately, it left me feeling sluggish and underwhelmed. It was my BOTM choice for May, and I should have read a few more of my GR friends' reviews before choosing it.
By her own admission, journalist Cecily Wong is a novice mountaineer, but she's come to the eighth-highest peak in the world, Manaslu, at the invitation of world renowned mountaineer, Charles McVeigh. He has told her that if she completes the climb, he will grant her an interview, and for Cecily, who is on the cusp of a bad breakup and who has spent her last dime to make the trip, the interview would be a career-making opportunity. But then a fellow climber dies in a freak accident, and Cecily starts to doubt her decision. But when a second climber dies and there's no doubt it was not an accident, Cecily realizes that in being stranded on a remote mountain she will have to battle more than the elements, as there is a killer on the loose who is picking them off one by one.
I generally enjoy mountain climbing thrillers, even though I have zero desire to ever try something like that myself - I'm not even a fan of day hiking lol. But this one was very slow, as it was so much about climbing and the how-to's that the thriller aspect seemed like an afterthought. I also wasn’t a big fan of any of the characters - I found Cecily's character whiny and insufferable, and she seemed hell-bent on sabotaging herself, which was odd. And the rest of the characters weren't any better. The pacing was also plodding and underwhelming. I will say that while I figured out the whodunnit early on, there was a twist that I didn't see coming, and the last 20% of the book picked up and changed my rating from 2 to 3 stars.
Overall, a very atmospheric read with loads of potential but was a bit too bogged down by details to get over the "mediocre" hump.
By her own admission, journalist Cecily Wong is a novice mountaineer, but she's come to the eighth-highest peak in the world, Manaslu, at the invitation of world renowned mountaineer, Charles McVeigh. He has told her that if she completes the climb, he will grant her an interview, and for Cecily, who is on the cusp of a bad breakup and who has spent her last dime to make the trip, the interview would be a career-making opportunity. But then a fellow climber dies in a freak accident, and Cecily starts to doubt her decision. But when a second climber dies and there's no doubt it was not an accident, Cecily realizes that in being stranded on a remote mountain she will have to battle more than the elements, as there is a killer on the loose who is picking them off one by one.
I generally enjoy mountain climbing thrillers, even though I have zero desire to ever try something like that myself - I'm not even a fan of day hiking lol. But this one was very slow, as it was so much about climbing and the how-to's that the thriller aspect seemed like an afterthought. I also wasn’t a big fan of any of the characters - I found Cecily's character whiny and insufferable, and she seemed hell-bent on sabotaging herself, which was odd. And the rest of the characters weren't any better. The pacing was also plodding and underwhelming. I will say that while I figured out the whodunnit early on, there was a twist that I didn't see coming, and the last 20% of the book picked up and changed my rating from 2 to 3 stars.
Overall, a very atmospheric read with loads of potential but was a bit too bogged down by details to get over the "mediocre" hump.
May 8, 2022
This one gave me the shivers! Not only are you surrounded by ice and snow, but one false step and you could plummet thousands of feet to your death! And of course, so many strange "accidents" keep happening...
The writing was good - the author gave us vivid descriptions of the various locations in this story. The constant references to the difficulty in breathing at the high altitudes had me wheezing a time or two! You really get concerned for Cecily, especially towards the end. There were also plenty of red herrings and guilty secrets to lead you astray or arouse suspicion, You had all the elements of a good thriller. The "never-ending ending" got a bit on my already frazzled nerves, though. Slight spoiler: It was like your worst nightmare in every horror flick you've ever watched. I wanted to yell: Stay dead why don't you!
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The writing was good - the author gave us vivid descriptions of the various locations in this story. The constant references to the difficulty in breathing at the high altitudes had me wheezing a time or two! You really get concerned for Cecily, especially towards the end. There were also plenty of red herrings and guilty secrets to lead you astray or arouse suspicion, You had all the elements of a good thriller. The "never-ending ending" got a bit on my already frazzled nerves, though. Slight spoiler: It was like your worst nightmare in every horror flick you've ever watched. I wanted to yell: Stay dead why don't you!
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2022
Author McCulloch learned to “be bothered” on Mount Toukbal in Morocco
Cecily Wong is an experienced but currently struggling journalist. She’s also a less than accomplished climber with only minimal experience but somehow she has landed the assignment of a lifetime. She is to accompany Charles McVeigh, world-renowned outdoorsman and alpinist extraordinaire who is on a mission to climb all 14 of the world’s 8000 meter peaks the hard way – self-guided, no oxygen, no help, no fixed ropes. If Wong summits Manaslu with McVeigh, the final peak in his challenge, and returns, her reward will be an interview and full coverage of an unbeatable adventure and outdoor journalism scoop.
Climbing at this level is its own challenge and the risk of death or serious injury is ever present but Cecily is accused of paranoia and a dangerous lack of focus when she expresses the belief that someone is stalking their team and providing the metaphorical (or real) push over the cliff to meet the grim reaper.
If BREATHLESS were a non-fiction recounting of a real-life Manaslu climb, I would be singing its praises from here to Nepal and back. McCulloch clearly has a solid grasp of the realities of climbing logistics, inter-personal dynamics, mountain politics, unpredictable weather, equipment, the medical considerations of altitude and oxygen deprivation, and much, much more. Her technical explanations of the near-military precision required to successfully complete such an undertaking are much more than merely interesting. They are gripping, informative, precise, awe-inspiring, and quite terrifying. Comparisons to mountain blockbusters such as INTO THIN AIR would be perfectly warranted and reasonable.
But I struggled to describe my unimpressed reaction to McCulloch’s efforts to turn the Manaslu climb into a suspense thriller and a murder mystery. I think that I’ve put my finger on the problem, at least as I saw it. The murder scenario and the murderer’s motivations were way, way over the top (to stretch the climbing metaphor, LOL!) and the villain was actually vaudevillian – a Snidley Whiplash type who gloated over his victims as he twirled his mustache!
I enjoyed it but the enjoyment was marginal. If McCulloch writes another thriller in the context of outdoor adventure, I’ll give it a try to see if she manages to achieve higher marks in the credibility department.
Paul Weiss
Cecily Wong is an experienced but currently struggling journalist. She’s also a less than accomplished climber with only minimal experience but somehow she has landed the assignment of a lifetime. She is to accompany Charles McVeigh, world-renowned outdoorsman and alpinist extraordinaire who is on a mission to climb all 14 of the world’s 8000 meter peaks the hard way – self-guided, no oxygen, no help, no fixed ropes. If Wong summits Manaslu with McVeigh, the final peak in his challenge, and returns, her reward will be an interview and full coverage of an unbeatable adventure and outdoor journalism scoop.
Climbing at this level is its own challenge and the risk of death or serious injury is ever present but Cecily is accused of paranoia and a dangerous lack of focus when she expresses the belief that someone is stalking their team and providing the metaphorical (or real) push over the cliff to meet the grim reaper.
If BREATHLESS were a non-fiction recounting of a real-life Manaslu climb, I would be singing its praises from here to Nepal and back. McCulloch clearly has a solid grasp of the realities of climbing logistics, inter-personal dynamics, mountain politics, unpredictable weather, equipment, the medical considerations of altitude and oxygen deprivation, and much, much more. Her technical explanations of the near-military precision required to successfully complete such an undertaking are much more than merely interesting. They are gripping, informative, precise, awe-inspiring, and quite terrifying. Comparisons to mountain blockbusters such as INTO THIN AIR would be perfectly warranted and reasonable.
But I struggled to describe my unimpressed reaction to McCulloch’s efforts to turn the Manaslu climb into a suspense thriller and a murder mystery. I think that I’ve put my finger on the problem, at least as I saw it. The murder scenario and the murderer’s motivations were way, way over the top (to stretch the climbing metaphor, LOL!) and the villain was actually vaudevillian – a Snidley Whiplash type who gloated over his victims as he twirled his mustache!
I enjoyed it but the enjoyment was marginal. If McCulloch writes another thriller in the context of outdoor adventure, I’ll give it a try to see if she manages to achieve higher marks in the credibility department.
Paul Weiss
May 7, 2022
Journalist and novice mountain climber Cecily Wong is invited by Charles McVeigh, an acclaimed mountaineer, to join his team in their attempt to summit Mount Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world. Charles has promised her an exclusive interview on the condition that she reach the summit with his team. Cecily is the least experienced of the group but she is intent on proving herself in spite of the many difficulties she encounters.
This book is extremely well written and, although I don't know much about mountain climbing, the story had a ring of authenticity about it. In the author's Acknowledgements she confirms that she did indeed climb Manaslu herself so she's familiar with the terrain and the terminology. The mountain climbing aspect of the story was supplemented by curious and frightening occurrences and I was breathless throughout a lot of the book (I'm definitely not a lover of heights). Although I was expecting a lot more tension than I got from the book, I'd definitely recommend it to friends. 3.5 stars rounded up!
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada/Viking via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own. Available as of May 3, 2022.
This book is extremely well written and, although I don't know much about mountain climbing, the story had a ring of authenticity about it. In the author's Acknowledgements she confirms that she did indeed climb Manaslu herself so she's familiar with the terrain and the terminology. The mountain climbing aspect of the story was supplemented by curious and frightening occurrences and I was breathless throughout a lot of the book (I'm definitely not a lover of heights). Although I was expecting a lot more tension than I got from the book, I'd definitely recommend it to friends. 3.5 stars rounded up!
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada/Viking via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own. Available as of May 3, 2022.
April 8, 2022
casual ownvoices BIPOC rep in thrillers = that's a yes from me!
3.5 stars: from the moment i read the premise for breathless, my interest was piqued. i knew i had to get my hands on this atmospheric thriller, which the author also described as a story meditating on themes of "confronting imposter syndrome, women’s place in the wilderness, danger, and mortality".
and i gotta say - i was so invested in this story that it’s the first time i read an advance review copy the day it was granted to me. i devoured this, my heart pounding all the while.
manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world, as depicted here
cecily wong is a british-chinese adventure journalist who has gambled her entire career - her life’s savings, even - on one story that will captivate the world: she will climb mt. manaslu in nepal alongside charles mcveigh, a luminary in the mountaineering community. their ascent marks the last before charles clinches his record-breaking title as the only person to have climbed all 14 peaks over 8,000 metres - in the span of one year, and without supplementary oxygen or external aid.
as a novice to climbing, cecily is both exhilarated and terrified - particularly as fellow mountaineers die one by one when they reach manaslu. a murderer has followed them to the mountain, and the extreme environment provides the perfect cover for a killer to lurk, concealed, preying on climbers whose survival is already shaky.
i loved that this was an ownvoices story not only in the sense that the author shares racial/ethnic identities with cecily (both are chinese-white women who reside in england), but also the lived experience of mountaineering—and specifically, summiting manaslu. for context, amy mcculloch was the youngest canadian woman to climb mt. manaslu, when she summited in september 2019.
not to mention! mcculloch was part of the team led by mountaineering luminary nimsdai (“nims)” purja, who was at that time undertaking his renowned, record-breaking “project possible” - a mission to complete all fourteen 8000-metre summits in seven months. i watched his netflix documentary a few months ago and was utterly blown away by his passion, determination, and overall down-to-earth charisma, as well as his dedication to uplifting nepali voices in mountaineering (and beyond).
needless to say, it was a very cool moment to find out - while reading the acknowledgements - that amy mcculloch had climbed alongside nims purja! (although i wasn’t totally surprised, given how charles’ “fourteen: clean” reminded me viscerally of nims’ “project possible”.)
and, importantly, mcculloch’s lived experience as a mountaineer shines through breathless.
i will admit that i wasn’t particularly enamoured with the mystery. i was able to predict the murderer very early on, as my spidey-senses were tripped 1) , and 2) . moreover, some of the plot points felt overwrought and required suspension of my disbelief. for instance, i found it absurd that .
that being said, i loved the way mcculloch wove specific nuances and details into her story, elevating it to new heights (pun intended). she highlights gender discrimination in extreme sports communities, describes the culture and customs of the sherpa people, and provides a breathtakingly immersive experience of the book’s geography (including manaslu, samagaun, and birendra taal). mcculloch also delves into the psyche of mountaineers, what motivates people to risk their lives and livelihoods to summit peaks that push humans past our most extreme of physical and emotional boundaries.
in other words, this is such a unique thriller because so few people in the world are in a position to do it justice the way amy mcculloch did.
bottom line? this is the sort of fiction i want to read more of. this is the sort of storytelling that i want to see represented more and more: stories by and about BIPOC individuals where their identities and lived experiences inform the characterization and plot but don’t define them.
many thanks to netgalley and penguin random house canada for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars: from the moment i read the premise for breathless, my interest was piqued. i knew i had to get my hands on this atmospheric thriller, which the author also described as a story meditating on themes of "confronting imposter syndrome, women’s place in the wilderness, danger, and mortality".
and i gotta say - i was so invested in this story that it’s the first time i read an advance review copy the day it was granted to me. i devoured this, my heart pounding all the while.
manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world, as depicted here
cecily wong is a british-chinese adventure journalist who has gambled her entire career - her life’s savings, even - on one story that will captivate the world: she will climb mt. manaslu in nepal alongside charles mcveigh, a luminary in the mountaineering community. their ascent marks the last before charles clinches his record-breaking title as the only person to have climbed all 14 peaks over 8,000 metres - in the span of one year, and without supplementary oxygen or external aid.
as a novice to climbing, cecily is both exhilarated and terrified - particularly as fellow mountaineers die one by one when they reach manaslu. a murderer has followed them to the mountain, and the extreme environment provides the perfect cover for a killer to lurk, concealed, preying on climbers whose survival is already shaky.
i loved that this was an ownvoices story not only in the sense that the author shares racial/ethnic identities with cecily (both are chinese-white women who reside in england), but also the lived experience of mountaineering—and specifically, summiting manaslu. for context, amy mcculloch was the youngest canadian woman to climb mt. manaslu, when she summited in september 2019.
not to mention! mcculloch was part of the team led by mountaineering luminary nimsdai (“nims)” purja, who was at that time undertaking his renowned, record-breaking “project possible” - a mission to complete all fourteen 8000-metre summits in seven months. i watched his netflix documentary a few months ago and was utterly blown away by his passion, determination, and overall down-to-earth charisma, as well as his dedication to uplifting nepali voices in mountaineering (and beyond).
needless to say, it was a very cool moment to find out - while reading the acknowledgements - that amy mcculloch had climbed alongside nims purja! (although i wasn’t totally surprised, given how charles’ “fourteen: clean” reminded me viscerally of nims’ “project possible”.)
and, importantly, mcculloch’s lived experience as a mountaineer shines through breathless.
i will admit that i wasn’t particularly enamoured with the mystery. i was able to predict the murderer very early on, as my spidey-senses were tripped 1) , and 2) . moreover, some of the plot points felt overwrought and required suspension of my disbelief. for instance, i found it absurd that .
that being said, i loved the way mcculloch wove specific nuances and details into her story, elevating it to new heights (pun intended). she highlights gender discrimination in extreme sports communities, describes the culture and customs of the sherpa people, and provides a breathtakingly immersive experience of the book’s geography (including manaslu, samagaun, and birendra taal). mcculloch also delves into the psyche of mountaineers, what motivates people to risk their lives and livelihoods to summit peaks that push humans past our most extreme of physical and emotional boundaries.
Soon you’ll learn what we already know, that while danger lurks up there, so too dues unimaginable beauty. I’ve tried to find it in other places but never succeeded… That’s what makes these eight-thousand-metre peaks so special. These are the pinnacles of Earth. And reaching them tests you. They challenge you to be the very best versions of yourself.
in other words, this is such a unique thriller because so few people in the world are in a position to do it justice the way amy mcculloch did.
bottom line? this is the sort of fiction i want to read more of. this is the sort of storytelling that i want to see represented more and more: stories by and about BIPOC individuals where their identities and lived experiences inform the characterization and plot but don’t define them.
many thanks to netgalley and penguin random house canada for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2022
What is it with me reading books set in the snow and ice in the middle of summer? This was the second book with a cold setting I read in January and I loved it.
The tag line of "There's a murderer on the mountain, and at this altitude, there isn't enough oxygen to breathe, let alone scream" had me intrigued and let me tell you, it kept me turning pages well into the night. It is so atmospheric, with the mountains, the isolation and the abundance of snow. The author did a fantastic job of building the suspense, and the fear in the main character Cecily. I was scared for her and kept telling her to go back, leave the mountain. Things going wrong and bodies building up whilst climbing a mountain at minus degrees and snow storms is not my idea of fun. And all for an interview!! She is one gutsy character and I really did admire her, even if I wanted to grab her an pull her to safety.
This is a thrill ride, full of intensity and characters you will love to hate. Who can be trusted? They are all there for different reasons and will do anything to reach that summit.
Thank you to Penguin Books Australia for this surprise ARC, you know me well. I think this will be a big hit once released February 17th
The tag line of "There's a murderer on the mountain, and at this altitude, there isn't enough oxygen to breathe, let alone scream" had me intrigued and let me tell you, it kept me turning pages well into the night. It is so atmospheric, with the mountains, the isolation and the abundance of snow. The author did a fantastic job of building the suspense, and the fear in the main character Cecily. I was scared for her and kept telling her to go back, leave the mountain. Things going wrong and bodies building up whilst climbing a mountain at minus degrees and snow storms is not my idea of fun. And all for an interview!! She is one gutsy character and I really did admire her, even if I wanted to grab her an pull her to safety.
This is a thrill ride, full of intensity and characters you will love to hate. Who can be trusted? They are all there for different reasons and will do anything to reach that summit.
Thank you to Penguin Books Australia for this surprise ARC, you know me well. I think this will be a big hit once released February 17th
June 10, 2022
If you know me, you know that I love me an atmospheric location thriller. In fact, usually the colder location, the better. Last year, one of my favorite thrillers, if not my very favorite, was Allie Reynolds' Shiver. When I saw the synopsis for Breathless, I was giddy and hoping that this one would read similar. I'm so freakin' happy to say, this definitely met and even exceeded all of my expectations!
Cecily Wong is a journalist, working for a small travel magazine and has been commissioned to write a feature article about world-famous mountaineer Charles McVeigh whilst he prepares to summit Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world. Cecily is desperate to prove herself in a cutthroat industry that's proven difficult to achieve success in, but she's more determined than ever to summit the peak and in turn land her biggest feature yet. In fact, she's given up everything in order to pursue this one, including her life savings and her boyfriend, who also happens to be a journalist and is not too happy about her being rewarded with this story in particular. Unfortunately Cecily has had some climbing failures as of late, including a climb that ended in tragedy only a year earlier. That being said, nobody believes she can do this but she's determined to prove everyone wrong.
After some grueling training runs and acclimating to the altitude Cecily and her group finally depart for their destination. Her group consists of a variety of different personalities, and professions, and naturally some initial clashes occur but eventually things settle in and Cecily starts to feel a sense of confidence; she's prepared for every eventuality and ready for success. That is until she begins hearing an eerie whistling outside of her tent late at night that nobody else seems to hear or believe, and then one climber after another dies under questionable circumstances. Is it altitude sickness, Cecily's past trauma creating paranoia, or is Cecily and everyone else in her expedition actually in grave danger? If so, why?
As the dwindling group steadfastly continues in their journey it becomes ever more clear that something dark is approaching...can Cecily trust her instinct and survive what comes next??
To say this was an atmospheric reading experience would most definitely be an understatement. I stayed up late into the nights as I read, actually shivering with chills as though I were right there in Cecily's tent on top of the freezing mountain! Not only did I physically react to this chilling tale, I was also emotionally invested in our incredibly likable protagonist almost immediately, and could channel her anxiety as the journey progressed, it was that palpable! Not only did I get the 'feels' I was desperately craving, I felt that I also learned a TON about the mountaineering process - it's so much more complex than I every imagined!! I definitely came away with a newfound respect for the sport! Not only was it evident the task was physically difficult, but it was also a harrowing mental journey filled with many peaks and valleys, and a battle of will, hopefully to be rewarded by a summit in the end, or in Cecily's case, to simply escape with your life! To say the execution of the reveal at the end was marvelous would be accurate! You could most certainly tell that McCulloch has had years of personal experience in the subject, as she undeniably created a masterfully vivid experience that I found myself in awe of upon completion. I absolutely loved it! One of my absolute favorites in a long while! All of the elements I require in a fantastic thriller/suspense/horror were present in this novel, and I HIGHLY recommend this one!
Cecily Wong is a journalist, working for a small travel magazine and has been commissioned to write a feature article about world-famous mountaineer Charles McVeigh whilst he prepares to summit Manaslu, the eighth-highest peak in the world. Cecily is desperate to prove herself in a cutthroat industry that's proven difficult to achieve success in, but she's more determined than ever to summit the peak and in turn land her biggest feature yet. In fact, she's given up everything in order to pursue this one, including her life savings and her boyfriend, who also happens to be a journalist and is not too happy about her being rewarded with this story in particular. Unfortunately Cecily has had some climbing failures as of late, including a climb that ended in tragedy only a year earlier. That being said, nobody believes she can do this but she's determined to prove everyone wrong.
After some grueling training runs and acclimating to the altitude Cecily and her group finally depart for their destination. Her group consists of a variety of different personalities, and professions, and naturally some initial clashes occur but eventually things settle in and Cecily starts to feel a sense of confidence; she's prepared for every eventuality and ready for success. That is until she begins hearing an eerie whistling outside of her tent late at night that nobody else seems to hear or believe, and then one climber after another dies under questionable circumstances. Is it altitude sickness, Cecily's past trauma creating paranoia, or is Cecily and everyone else in her expedition actually in grave danger? If so, why?
As the dwindling group steadfastly continues in their journey it becomes ever more clear that something dark is approaching...can Cecily trust her instinct and survive what comes next??
To say this was an atmospheric reading experience would most definitely be an understatement. I stayed up late into the nights as I read, actually shivering with chills as though I were right there in Cecily's tent on top of the freezing mountain! Not only did I physically react to this chilling tale, I was also emotionally invested in our incredibly likable protagonist almost immediately, and could channel her anxiety as the journey progressed, it was that palpable! Not only did I get the 'feels' I was desperately craving, I felt that I also learned a TON about the mountaineering process - it's so much more complex than I every imagined!! I definitely came away with a newfound respect for the sport! Not only was it evident the task was physically difficult, but it was also a harrowing mental journey filled with many peaks and valleys, and a battle of will, hopefully to be rewarded by a summit in the end, or in Cecily's case, to simply escape with your life! To say the execution of the reveal at the end was marvelous would be accurate! You could most certainly tell that McCulloch has had years of personal experience in the subject, as she undeniably created a masterfully vivid experience that I found myself in awe of upon completion. I absolutely loved it! One of my absolute favorites in a long while! All of the elements I require in a fantastic thriller/suspense/horror were present in this novel, and I HIGHLY recommend this one!
Shelved as 'dnf'
April 27, 2022I got up to 33%, but this one was just not for me. I found it dull and a chore to read sadly.
September 10, 2021
One of the most addictive novels I've read so far this year, Amy McCulloch's Breathless is a rollercoaster ride of a read, a chilly thriller written descriptively and with a flair for scene setting that really digs into the readers consciousness.
A summit attempt, chasing an interview with the world's most famous mountain man, a killer lurking in the icy darkness plus a hugely engaging main protagonist and a truly unpredictable plot makes Breathless a must read for anyone chasing psychological thrills and spills in their reading.
Excellent writing, never losing sight of character in the pursuit of the twist, a real feel for the dangerous beauty of these peaks climbers chase and a classic murder mystery makes for a fantastic read from first page to last.
Should be a massive hit in 2022. Highly Recommended.
A summit attempt, chasing an interview with the world's most famous mountain man, a killer lurking in the icy darkness plus a hugely engaging main protagonist and a truly unpredictable plot makes Breathless a must read for anyone chasing psychological thrills and spills in their reading.
Excellent writing, never losing sight of character in the pursuit of the twist, a real feel for the dangerous beauty of these peaks climbers chase and a classic murder mystery makes for a fantastic read from first page to last.
Should be a massive hit in 2022. Highly Recommended.
November 14, 2022
An eight thousand meter high mountain. Impending storms and winter. Bodies piling up. And an inexperienced climber intent on capturing the biggest story of her journalism career.
Cecily Wong, an adventure journalist with limited experience with mountaineering, is on the eighth highest mountain in the world after Charles McVeigh, a renowned climber, invited her to join his expedition to Manaslu in the Himalayas. Considered an odd choice, Cecily was selected to be Charles’s exclusive interviewer after he read an article about her failed attempts at climbing Kilimanjaro and Snowden with a tragic death concluding the latter. This interview would be Cecily’s big break. One she needs badly. Then the bodies start dropping.
While this was a very entertaining read, I found that this book was 75% adventure tale in the vein of Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer and 25% psychological thriller which is fine, just not what I was expecting from the reviews I had read. It was weak on twists and heart pounding excitement and heavy with climbing knowledge. Ultimately, this is a novel of loyalty, revenge, and finding strength within oneself. Would I recommend this book? Yes, but with the understanding that this isn’t really a psychological thriller or murder mystery until the last 50 pages or so. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Cecily Wong, an adventure journalist with limited experience with mountaineering, is on the eighth highest mountain in the world after Charles McVeigh, a renowned climber, invited her to join his expedition to Manaslu in the Himalayas. Considered an odd choice, Cecily was selected to be Charles’s exclusive interviewer after he read an article about her failed attempts at climbing Kilimanjaro and Snowden with a tragic death concluding the latter. This interview would be Cecily’s big break. One she needs badly. Then the bodies start dropping.
While this was a very entertaining read, I found that this book was 75% adventure tale in the vein of Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer and 25% psychological thriller which is fine, just not what I was expecting from the reviews I had read. It was weak on twists and heart pounding excitement and heavy with climbing knowledge. Ultimately, this is a novel of loyalty, revenge, and finding strength within oneself. Would I recommend this book? Yes, but with the understanding that this isn’t really a psychological thriller or murder mystery until the last 50 pages or so. Rating of 3.5 stars.
November 23, 2022
In brief - Pacey and enjoyable at times, unconvincing at other times. Probably 3 or 4 and full review nearer publication
In full
Reporter Cecily Wong is invited to join a high altitude expedition. A very successful alpinist is going to climb an 8000 metre peak and wants her to do the interview with him when he succeeds. However this is on the condition that she also reaches the summit assisted. This would be a real scoop but a very serious challenge. Charles McVeigh is the climber and he is intending to complete his plan to scale all 14 of the 8000 metre peaks without oxygen - this one will be the last. Cecily on the other hand is virtually unknown and is a complete amateur in terms of climbing (and to some degree reporting).
The book follows the story of the climb through Cecily's eyes. While it seems an overwhelming challenge to her she believes she can do it. After the small team get together on the walk in rather strange things start to happen. Among the other pressures Cecily faces is that her job is on the line. If she gets to the top and gets the interview she will be very well placed. If not she will probably be unemployed. Another facet of this is that the team she is with is not the only one hoping to climb the mountain which adds to the tension. Are there climbers with other agendas here?
There is obviously a lot of research about high level mountaineering gone into this book. However the idea that walking up some hills might prepare you for taking on an 8000 metre peak is simply silly to me. Allow that and some suspension of belief in the possibilities and I guess I found this an ok read. It's not badly written and was fairly well paced. The characters were not very well developed I guess other than Cecily maybe. However they weren't bad. The descriptions of the climbing environment are very good.
This is essentially a climbing thriller. There are some twists and turns in this story which were ok. All in all I found this quite interesting and entertaining as a read. I don't think I was fully convinced by it though. I doubt anyone who has read true stories of high mountain climbing would be convinced by this but I'm sure quite many people will be entertained. 3.5/5
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
In full
Reporter Cecily Wong is invited to join a high altitude expedition. A very successful alpinist is going to climb an 8000 metre peak and wants her to do the interview with him when he succeeds. However this is on the condition that she also reaches the summit assisted. This would be a real scoop but a very serious challenge. Charles McVeigh is the climber and he is intending to complete his plan to scale all 14 of the 8000 metre peaks without oxygen - this one will be the last. Cecily on the other hand is virtually unknown and is a complete amateur in terms of climbing (and to some degree reporting).
The book follows the story of the climb through Cecily's eyes. While it seems an overwhelming challenge to her she believes she can do it. After the small team get together on the walk in rather strange things start to happen. Among the other pressures Cecily faces is that her job is on the line. If she gets to the top and gets the interview she will be very well placed. If not she will probably be unemployed. Another facet of this is that the team she is with is not the only one hoping to climb the mountain which adds to the tension. Are there climbers with other agendas here?
There is obviously a lot of research about high level mountaineering gone into this book. However the idea that walking up some hills might prepare you for taking on an 8000 metre peak is simply silly to me. Allow that and some suspension of belief in the possibilities and I guess I found this an ok read. It's not badly written and was fairly well paced. The characters were not very well developed I guess other than Cecily maybe. However they weren't bad. The descriptions of the climbing environment are very good.
This is essentially a climbing thriller. There are some twists and turns in this story which were ok. All in all I found this quite interesting and entertaining as a read. I don't think I was fully convinced by it though. I doubt anyone who has read true stories of high mountain climbing would be convinced by this but I'm sure quite many people will be entertained. 3.5/5
Note - I received an advance digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair review
May 15, 2022
It took me a long time to read this and I think that's because it never really captured my attention. The mountaineering context is a refreshing change from conventional dead-girl murder mysteries, and the structure of the narrative is clever. Unfortunately for me, the characters were pretty flat, and while it was well-paced, the unravelling of the crimes felt a bit hysterical.
April 6, 2022
Cecily Wong is trying to follow her ex-boyfriend, James, in forging a career as an adventure travel journalist after he introduced her to mountaineering, however her only claim to fame so far is a viral blog called “Failure to Rise”, about her failure to summit Kilimanjaro or complete the Three Peaks Challenge. Prolific climber, Charles McVeigh, is something of a legend in the climbing world and his mission to summit the fourteen highest mountains in the world in under a year with no oxygen and no ropes is the talk of the mountaineering world. And that’s without mentioning the daring rescues he has undertaken along the way so far. When he invites Cecily to join his select team to summit Manaslu alongside him, with the catch being that she only gets an exclusive if she too conquers the mountain, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime to cement her career, but a risky proposition given the cost to fund the trip and danger involved. And with a hostile expedition leader, a rumour of a suspicious death on Everest and an early death at base camp, Cecily soon has more to worry about than just the mountain itself and is on on high-alert for a very real killer in her midst..
This novel has a fantastic premise at its heart with a killer stalking their victims in the above 8000 metres “death zone” of the Himalayan mountains and in a largely self-regulated territory where it is impossible to conduct a search, let alone an investigation. Kudos to Amy McCullough for making the potential explicitly clear but unfortunately I didn’t feel she capitalised on this with the novel lacking any credible sense of menace prior to the final push and even the deaths failing to inject meaningful tension. Right from the off however the reader does get a sense of the pressure on Cecily’s shoulders including her own self-doubt, team mates that see her as the weak link and the low expectations of her parents. Given that her training for tackling the eighth highest mountain was supposedly putting in the miles on Box Hill in Surrey (!), and the fact that she doesn’t really ever stop to consider why she might have been hand-selected for Charles’s team, I did find her disappointingly naive.
McCullough is excellent on the technical know-how of climbing and mountain colour and her writing obviously comes from a place of authenticity, however I do think there was too much exposition for the non-specialist reader. I didn’t think a thriller set on one of the world’s highest mountains could possibly be dull but between all the “clipping in” etc, it felt laboured, not helped by the fact that the mystery element is poorly disguised. There is a very obvious red herring in the mix and only ever two serious contenders for the killer but after nearly eighty percent of build-up to the big summit push I found the denouement improbable and rushed and the ending disappointing. I wasn’t convinced by the character development of Cecily either and found the supporting cast one-dimensional.
This novel has a fantastic premise at its heart with a killer stalking their victims in the above 8000 metres “death zone” of the Himalayan mountains and in a largely self-regulated territory where it is impossible to conduct a search, let alone an investigation. Kudos to Amy McCullough for making the potential explicitly clear but unfortunately I didn’t feel she capitalised on this with the novel lacking any credible sense of menace prior to the final push and even the deaths failing to inject meaningful tension. Right from the off however the reader does get a sense of the pressure on Cecily’s shoulders including her own self-doubt, team mates that see her as the weak link and the low expectations of her parents. Given that her training for tackling the eighth highest mountain was supposedly putting in the miles on Box Hill in Surrey (!), and the fact that she doesn’t really ever stop to consider why she might have been hand-selected for Charles’s team, I did find her disappointingly naive.
McCullough is excellent on the technical know-how of climbing and mountain colour and her writing obviously comes from a place of authenticity, however I do think there was too much exposition for the non-specialist reader. I didn’t think a thriller set on one of the world’s highest mountains could possibly be dull but between all the “clipping in” etc, it felt laboured, not helped by the fact that the mystery element is poorly disguised. There is a very obvious red herring in the mix and only ever two serious contenders for the killer but after nearly eighty percent of build-up to the big summit push I found the denouement improbable and rushed and the ending disappointing. I wasn’t convinced by the character development of Cecily either and found the supporting cast one-dimensional.
May 8, 2022
Do I just hate every BOTM selection from 2022? Maybe.
I don’t like giving 1 star ratings, and I don’t want to just sit here and trash a book, but I still like to get some thoughts out so here we go.
I normally read a book in a day, sometimes 2 days if I start it late at night. This took me 7 days, and that’s only because I forced myself to read the final 240 pages all in a day after barely reading the first 100 over 6 days. I was so, so bored reading this and just never wanted to pick it up. And when I did, I’d read like, 30 pages.
There honestly isn’t a single thing I liked about this book. I didn’t think it was well written, the idea of the story was intriguing but the execution wasn’t there, and the way the story suddenly wrapped up was all very convenient. But there was also a lot of things that just weren’t wrapped up! And I really dislike when books end like that.
I was going to say that I hated all of the characters, but Elise had moments where she was okay, as did Zac. I still wouldn’t say I LIKED them, but they were at least better than everyone else (and there really was a LOT of characters).
A lot of this book felt like an educational manual on mountaineering. There were SO many unnecessary details and storylines, about mountaineering and characters (what did James add? Nothing. Same with the boss! The MC is on a mountain, heaven forbid the woman doesn’t have a reliable internet connection sometimes. Also, her parents sucked. And for what? It added nothingggg).
Okay I’m going to stop now. Highly do not recommend. Kind of disappointed I purchased this book as opposed to borrowed it from the library. It would have been a relatively quick DNF otherwise.
I don’t like giving 1 star ratings, and I don’t want to just sit here and trash a book, but I still like to get some thoughts out so here we go.
I normally read a book in a day, sometimes 2 days if I start it late at night. This took me 7 days, and that’s only because I forced myself to read the final 240 pages all in a day after barely reading the first 100 over 6 days. I was so, so bored reading this and just never wanted to pick it up. And when I did, I’d read like, 30 pages.
There honestly isn’t a single thing I liked about this book. I didn’t think it was well written, the idea of the story was intriguing but the execution wasn’t there, and the way the story suddenly wrapped up was all very convenient. But there was also a lot of things that just weren’t wrapped up! And I really dislike when books end like that.
I was going to say that I hated all of the characters, but Elise had moments where she was okay, as did Zac. I still wouldn’t say I LIKED them, but they were at least better than everyone else (and there really was a LOT of characters).
A lot of this book felt like an educational manual on mountaineering. There were SO many unnecessary details and storylines, about mountaineering and characters (what did James add? Nothing. Same with the boss! The MC is on a mountain, heaven forbid the woman doesn’t have a reliable internet connection sometimes. Also, her parents sucked. And for what? It added nothingggg).
Okay I’m going to stop now. Highly do not recommend. Kind of disappointed I purchased this book as opposed to borrowed it from the library. It would have been a relatively quick DNF otherwise.
January 22, 2023
Breathless is Amy McCulloch's adult fiction debut and is most certainly a vibe. It is very atmospheric thanks to being set almost entirely on Manaslu, and McCulloch clearly used all her knowledge from climbing the mountain to write this book. The story is really heavy with mountaineering terms which is honestly why it lost me, but I have been recommending it to people I know who love mountaineering. Even though it is supposed to be a thriller, it just didn't have enough of these elements for me thanks to getting bogged down with all of the terms and it is also a really slow burn. I think it will be best for someone who enjoys climbing and mountains and wants to read about these things through a murder mystery.
For anyone interested, I would also recommend listening to the audiobook since it was quite good and definitely helped keep me going to the finish. Katie Leung was a brilliant choice to narrate, and she brought the desolation of the mountain and Cecily's panic to life. Depending on what McCulloch writes next, I may or may not read it. My not being outdoorsy at all is what really got me with this one, and I just wanted more from the mystery itself. Other than that, I really enjoyed her writing and if her next book isn’t so heavy on her experience mountaineering, I will definitely check it out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
For anyone interested, I would also recommend listening to the audiobook since it was quite good and definitely helped keep me going to the finish. Katie Leung was a brilliant choice to narrate, and she brought the desolation of the mountain and Cecily's panic to life. Depending on what McCulloch writes next, I may or may not read it. My not being outdoorsy at all is what really got me with this one, and I just wanted more from the mystery itself. Other than that, I really enjoyed her writing and if her next book isn’t so heavy on her experience mountaineering, I will definitely check it out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 25, 2023
It was an okay book but the story didn't really grab me. I liked the setting and the atmospheric feel of the book. But I didn't feel connected with the characters nor the mystery. Not a bad book tough.
March 13, 2022
'Where better for a killer to hide, than somewhere already known as the death zone?'
I think that sentence alone is the perfect way to sum up this rather chilling thriller. Cecily is a down on her luck journalist, searching for the big article that will kick start her career. When she's invited onto an expedition to the summit of Mt Manaslu with one of the world's most illustrious and media shy mountaineers, she seizes the opportunity. But when mistakes start to happen, Cecily begins to wonder if something other than the mountain may be out to stop her summit attempt. There may be a killer among them.
I liked some of the conversations that are discussed within Breathless. It's a heavily male dominated arena, rife with massive egos and bragging rights. The mountain is also a lawless place. Above 8000 metres, everything relies on trust and good will and little can be done to police the actions of others - especially when symptoms of hypoxia can lead to hallucinations, bringing into question the reliability of what is happening. Cecily is entering this environment as an ameateur female, mixed race climber. She constantly questions her own abilities, which is further reinforced by her privileged male team members who see her as a weak link. She has to prove she can summit not only to herself, but everyone else too. Add to this an increasing sense of paranoia as Cecily makes the ascent and the overall story has this permenant sense of dread to it that really helps set the tone.
The overall plot is intriguing, and you can tell Amy McCulloch really has a passion and a personal insight into mountaineering and the environment the characters find themselves in. We have wonderful descriptions of the landscape, and I could vivid imagine just how cold that mountain was. However, I did find the ending a little lacklustre. We spend a lot do time building up to the climax and ultimwte showdown but it felt really rushed. Also, we never really get to see our villain have any kind of comeuppance, although it is heavily implied. I wanted more closure. I also found certain aspects of the plot to be a little redundant, such as Cecily's relationship with her ex boyfriend which adds nothing to the plot.
Great setting that feels incredibly realistic and incorporates some really interesting insights into what it takes to be a top class mountaineer. I just wish this had a bit more meat on the bones and a more satisfying payoff for the excellent build up.
I think that sentence alone is the perfect way to sum up this rather chilling thriller. Cecily is a down on her luck journalist, searching for the big article that will kick start her career. When she's invited onto an expedition to the summit of Mt Manaslu with one of the world's most illustrious and media shy mountaineers, she seizes the opportunity. But when mistakes start to happen, Cecily begins to wonder if something other than the mountain may be out to stop her summit attempt. There may be a killer among them.
I liked some of the conversations that are discussed within Breathless. It's a heavily male dominated arena, rife with massive egos and bragging rights. The mountain is also a lawless place. Above 8000 metres, everything relies on trust and good will and little can be done to police the actions of others - especially when symptoms of hypoxia can lead to hallucinations, bringing into question the reliability of what is happening. Cecily is entering this environment as an ameateur female, mixed race climber. She constantly questions her own abilities, which is further reinforced by her privileged male team members who see her as a weak link. She has to prove she can summit not only to herself, but everyone else too. Add to this an increasing sense of paranoia as Cecily makes the ascent and the overall story has this permenant sense of dread to it that really helps set the tone.
The overall plot is intriguing, and you can tell Amy McCulloch really has a passion and a personal insight into mountaineering and the environment the characters find themselves in. We have wonderful descriptions of the landscape, and I could vivid imagine just how cold that mountain was. However, I did find the ending a little lacklustre. We spend a lot do time building up to the climax and ultimwte showdown but it felt really rushed. Also, we never really get to see our villain have any kind of comeuppance, although it is heavily implied. I wanted more closure. I also found certain aspects of the plot to be a little redundant, such as Cecily's relationship with her ex boyfriend which adds nothing to the plot.
Great setting that feels incredibly realistic and incorporates some really interesting insights into what it takes to be a top class mountaineer. I just wish this had a bit more meat on the bones and a more satisfying payoff for the excellent build up.
April 12, 2022
I have just read Breathless by Amy McCulloch.
I must say that I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, as I know nothing about climbing at all.
The techniques, and all the technical side of it was very interesting, as was the visuals.
Cecily Wong, an amateur climber has been asked to climb Mount Manaslu by Charles McVeigh. This is the eighth-highest peak in the world. If she reaches summit, he will give her his story to write.
Charles is one of the most acclaimed mountaineers in the world
This is a story of survival, self motivation, and inner strength.
Well done to the Author
Thank you to NetGalley, Author Amy McCulloch, and Viking for my advanced copy to read and review.
#Breathless #NetGalley
I must say that I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would, as I know nothing about climbing at all.
The techniques, and all the technical side of it was very interesting, as was the visuals.
Cecily Wong, an amateur climber has been asked to climb Mount Manaslu by Charles McVeigh. This is the eighth-highest peak in the world. If she reaches summit, he will give her his story to write.
Charles is one of the most acclaimed mountaineers in the world
This is a story of survival, self motivation, and inner strength.
Well done to the Author
Thank you to NetGalley, Author Amy McCulloch, and Viking for my advanced copy to read and review.
#Breathless #NetGalley
April 18, 2022
Between 3.5 and 4 stars - What I loved about this book was the atmosphere. I felt like the author really put me in the setting of this ultra difficult climb in the Himalayas, and I was was caught up in that part of the story. I also thought the oxygen deprivation and the overall extremity of the conditions added a layer of tension and suspense that was effective. My main quibble was that it was so obvious to me whodunnit from the jump. It was so clear to me and that really took the wind out of the sails of the mystery for me while I waited for our main character to catch up
CW: microaggressions/racism; misogyny
CW: microaggressions/racism; misogyny
May 17, 2022
This was across between Cliffhanger and Vertical Limit, if you were a 90’s movie watcher. Great atmospheric thriller. This book gave me chills. I don’t know anything about mountain climbing, but this descriptive book made me see how terrifying it can be. Could not put it down. I rode the avalanche down the mountain on a thrill ride reading this book.
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