'Pines' by Blake Crouch follows the story of Secret Service Agent Ethan Burke, who finds himself in the mysterious town of Wayward Pines, Idaho, after a car accident. As Ethan tries to investigate the disappearance of two fellow agents, he realizes that things in the town are not what they seem. With a mix of thriller, suspense, and a touch of sci-fi, the book keeps readers on edge as Ethan uncovers the dark secrets of the town and struggles to find a way out. The writing style is described as fast-paced, suspenseful, and cinematic, with vivid descriptions that immerse readers into the eerie atmosphere of the story.

Characters:

Ethan is a complex protagonist with personal struggles, while other characters mostly serve to enrich the mystery or support his narrative, often lacking significant development.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible and fast-paced, effectively creating suspense, though some critiqued its simplicity and lack of nuanced character development.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows Ethan Burke's bewildering experiences after a car accident in Wayward Pines, unveiling a sinister plot surrounding the town as he attempts to uncover the truth about its inhabitants and his own situation.

Setting:

The setting of Wayward Pines is crucial to the story, embodying a seemingly perfect yet ultimately terrifying small town that encapsulates the main themes of isolation and mystery.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally quick and engaging, though some segments may slow down, particularly during the protagonist's repetitive escape sequences.

He came to lying on his back with sunlight pouring down into his face and the murmur of running water close by. There was a brilliant ache in his optic nerve, and a steady, painless throbbing at the b...

Notes:

The main character, Ethan Burke, is a Secret Service agent without memory when he wakes up in Wayward Pines.

Ethan finds himself in a town surrounded by an electrified fence, leading to suspenseful events.

The narrative involves a mysterious local sheriff and strange town residents, creating a thriller atmosphere.

The story reveals that humanity has evolved into brutal carnivorous creatures outside the town.

Wayward Pines was inspired by the cult classic show Twin Peaks, according to the author.

The book has been adapted into a television series, closely following the plot of the book.

Ethan's character is grappling with PTSD from his time in Afghanistan, adding depth to his struggles.

The initial tension is driven by Ethan's urgency to escape the seemingly perfect but twisted town.

The book's pacing keeps readers engaged as questions arise about the town's secrets and the fate of its inhabitants.

Crouch's writing blends elements of horror, science fiction, and thriller genres, making it an intriguing read.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include psychological trauma, violence, and themes of captivity which may be distressing for some readers.

From The Publisher:

The one-million copy bestseller that inspired the Fox TV show.

Secret service agent Ethan Burke arrives in Wayward Pines, Idaho, with a clear mission: locate and recover two federal agents who went missing in the bucolic town one month earlier. But within minutes of his arrival, Ethan is involved in a violent accident. He comes to in a hospital, with no ID, no cell phone, and no briefcase. The medical staff seems friendly enough, but something feels...off. As the days pass, Ethan's investigation into the disappearance of his colleagues turns up more questions than answers. Why can't he get any phone calls through to his wife and son in the outside world? Why doesn't anyone believe he is who he says he is? And what is the purpose of the electrified fences surrounding the town? Are they meant to keep the residents in? Or something else out? Each step closer to the truth takes Ethan further from the world he thought he knew, from the man he thought he was, until he must face a horrifying fact-he may never get out of Wayward Pines alive.

2013 International Thriller Award Nominee

Ratings (99)

Incredible (18)
Loved It (45)
Liked It (15)
It Was OK (15)
Did Not Like (6)

Reader Stats (205):

Read It (105)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (81)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (15)

4 comment(s)

loutup337

Loved It

2 months

Action packed and very good book, really intriguing all the way through and the ending.... Well just read it lol

AHollyS

Incredible

3 months

Not my usual genre, but quite good.

fivepennies

Loved It

9 months

This was a very engaging book. It's been interesting to compare and contrast the book with the TV show (Wayward Pines on FOX).

Once you can get over Blake Crouch writing style in the book (sometimes very disjointed, very stream of consciousness) it's a great book! And I definitely think that the writing style is a specific choice for the book and main character; it just takes a little while to get used to!

chlane689

Did Not Like

10 months

Protagonist is injured.

Protagonist is angry and confused.

That's it. That's the book.

DNF at 75%

What can you read after
Pines?

See the list (100 books)

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.

Pines

Blake Crouch

Book 1 in the series:Wayward Pines