Broken Trail

by Amanda Casile

This trail will break you . . .

Recently separated, with her children going off the rails and her psychology career hanging by a thread, Clara begins to obsess over one of her patients as a means of escape. When the patient vanishes on a remote hiking trail, Clara feels strangely compelled to hike the trail as well. She may find her missing patient, and even if not, it could be a great bonding experience for her and her teens, right?

Once in the woods, though, violent visions plague her dreams and begin to bleed into reality. When a close encounter with a malevolent spirit leaves the family scattered, Clara finds herself lost, stomach empty and boots sinking into mud after days of rain. A sea of forest stretches out around her on every side, and somewhere in there are her girls. She must finally take responsibility and find the strength to outsmart what prowls the forest before the force that lurks there destroys them all.

For readers who enjoy Wonderland by Zoje Stage, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King, and Insomnia by Sarah Pinborough.

Genres: Horror

256 pages, Hardcover

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[Milt Theo · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded to 4. For a debut novel, this wasn't bad at all! The premise is straightforward: a couple of female friends and their kids go on a hike, they get lost, they make do while waiting for help, also dealing with supernatural attacks and visions originating in the place's history.

Although I wouldn't call it heart-pounding or immersive (it's far too introspective and full of ambiguities for that) or characterize its pacing as propulsive (too much back and forth, occasionally even confusing - and so much bickering!), it does manage to offer a few creepy and spooky scenes - combining woods horror, survival horror and psychological horror in an interesting way. I can't give it points for originality (the plot is far too familiar), but the characters were decently done and the dialogue was adequate. I hated the main character with a passion, however (so much indecision, and whenever a decision is taken at last, it's almost always the wrong one) - but the story kept my interest throughout, curious to see what this all-female book would claim as horror ("all-female" in the sense that the three males briefly appearing in the story are always the bad guys and pratically useless; in fact, Aiden, who's on the trail with the women, is essentially a prop for interminable mother-daughter conversation which, incidentally, never goes anywhere).

The book is about motherhood, and career women surviving under adverse conditions of a mental and psychological nature in their private life. The supernatural elements are secondary, though they do make a nice addition to the plot. The point remains the same though even if they had been left out entirely. If you enjoy tales about intense family dynamics perceived through the eyes of an unreliable narrator, this is the book for you!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the honor of being an early reader of this haunting book, and an honor it truly was. There are not many things I like more than a good mind-eff, and Broken Trail delivers. The story grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go... much like the forest that claims the characters. The story is primarily about Clara, a mother on the brink of collapse both personally and professionally, but it's also about so much more than just her struggles. Casile expertly intertwines motherhood, guilt, and redemption against the stark, unforgiving backdrop of the wilderness.

If you love spooky stories with psychological depth and supernatural suspense, Broken Trail is for you. Also perfect for readers who enjoy books by Catriona Ward and Gillian Flynn.

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a read that continuously has me ask “what the hell is going on!?” and Broken Trail definitely did just that!

Getting lost in the mountains is scary enough but couple that with voices and a spirit that won’t let you leave? You’ve got a recipe for disaster.

My favorite books somehow end up having a hot mess MC and Clara was certainly someone who couldn’t get out of her own way. As a mother, I sympathized with her a lot during this read which really kept me connected.

The pacing is was well done, keeping me engaged throughout but really had me flying through the pages for the last quarter. I wasn’t sure how this one would end but holy crap! The ending was great.

Thank you to the author the advanced copy.

[Teagan King · Rating 5 out of 5]

My editorial blurb:

"As twisted and perilous as the mountain path itself, Casile's BROKEN TRAIL, will have you gasping for breath and constantly looking over your shoulder for whatever might be following you--or crawling from the earth. Filled with dangers on all sides, this debut horror is both riveting and atmospheric and left me on the edge of my seat until the last page."

[Stephanie Caye · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a deliciously spooky book. While I did spend some of the beginning seriously side-eying the MC's dubious choices, the story was compelling enough for me to go with it, and I'm glad I did because things only got wilder. The tension of the plot really sucked me in and it was powerful enough to leave me feeling a bit snappish on occasion along with the characters as they bickered while their peril worsened--which is to say that the writing really got its hooks into me. An excellent horror read for the darkening season.

[Emma E. Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Trail is a heart-pounding journey through not only the wild and eerie wilderness, but motherhood, friendship, and finding one’s inner strength. Addicting and delightfully frightful, Casile is a master of tension and psychological horror.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Trail took my breath away more than once! It’s a wild and fantastic descent into madness, where we don’t know what’s real and what’s not real and what’s paranormal. There is a lot of mental health content here, but the question is what’s driving the mental health issues?

Clara, at the beginning of this story is already a woman in turmoil. She’s battling insecurity as a mother in the midst of a divorce and instability at work where she’s very committed to a mental health patient in a facility for the criminally insane. Her desire to help others, her kind nature, motherhood, guilt, and themes of redemption run through the entire thriller giving it a grounded sense of reality in the creepiest of settings where the supernatural wars with perceived reality.

Danger weights the air itself as Clara and her best friend take a trip to try and help her find her footing. From the outset it was a bad idea, and the mortal peril intensifies with every twist. Just when I felt I had a handle on what was happening something would cause me to question myself. The witchy trope in this novel is anything but cozy!

It was wonderful to watch Clara find her own inner strength and learn to trust herself through the trauma. Momma bear tendencies are real, and those instincts were clearly displayed as she began to truly confront what was happening.

This book is fascinating. I don’t wanna give any more than that - but it’s really, really good book!

[Caitlyn Stecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could NOT put this book down. Even now, I’m still afraid.

This gripping psychological thriller follows Clara, a recently divorced psychologist struggling to reconnect with her children, especially her distant teenage daughter, Tilly. After a work incident forces her to take leave, Clara takes her kids to the remote Broken Trail, hoping to heal their fractured bond. But the woods are filled with unsettling mysteries, and Clara’s anxiety only grows as strange things begin to happen.

Haunted by the case of Juliana—a patient accused of murder—Clara finds herself questioning what’s real and what’s in her mind. The suspense is relentless, and the story’s eerie atmosphere kept me turning pages late into the night. If you love tense, character-driven thrillers that blur the line between reality and imagination, this book is a must-read.

[Shouka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading this book and WOW. There is so much tension and a slow sinister build up to such an explosive and nail biting story. Clara is that messy and imperfect protagonist you can't help but to root for. Her life is in pieces and she's constantly fighting in the story, fighting to keep her family together and fighting for survival. Amanda's writing looks so effortless and smooth. She immerses you deeply in the woods, you can almost smell the pines and fir with her descriptions. This book will have you saying "What is going on?" And "Oh shit!" constantly, so please be prepared. Pick up this book, you will not be disappointed!
Thank you for the advance copy.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Trail is an interesting debut novel from Amanda Castile. You can read my full review here: https://thereadingwife.com/broken-trail/

[Karen Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woods are notorious locations for all things dark, mysterious and paranormal. Broken Trail follows the same practice-set apart by advertising hiking trails and gloriously viewed landscapes.

A crime committed, supposedly involving a young couple; one survived with an unbelievably odd tale and one victim, who tells no tales.
The story promises suspense, horror and a deeper look into oneself as what stress factors might sway judgement and perception.

The characters, seemed one dimensional; Clara(MC) appears somewhat selfish-every decision is based off her obsession with the survivor and in 5ose decisions, she puts her children at risk. Other characters seemed to perfect (Naomi) to be true and little to no connection with the children.

The paranormal/haunting aspect does seem to heighten the spookiness of the tale, which helps keep the momentum going.

While not one of my favorite spooky reads, it still has its chops-trying new authors is always fun.

Thanks to CamCat Books for this opportunity!

[Vesper Doom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about surviving…

Broken Trail is a mix of supernatural and psychological horror centered around a spiraling woman who takes her two daughters hiking to save their relationship. And it doesn’t go well.

The landscape setting is as much a character as Clara, with its own agenda and grievances. It varies from innocent woodland to eerie predator and back, almost always depending on Clara and her state of mind.

There is something here for everyone: bonding, vengeance, unreliable characters, bears, making (a lot of) bad choices, guilt, self-hatred, etc. And a river runs through it all.

[Coffee Book Couch by Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books start with a hook. Broken Trail starts with a hairline crack and then quietly widens it until you realize you’ve been holding your breath for chapters.

At its core, this is a psychological thriller with a wilderness horror spine, but what made it land for me is how personal it feels. The story isn’t powered by gimmicks or a body count. It runs on grief, guilt, and that awful, familiar sense that something in your life has gone off-kilter and you can’t quite fix it by “trying harder.” The setting just happens to be a hiking trail where the trees feel too close and the silence feels… attentive.

What it’s about (spoiler-free)

Clara is a criminal psychologist still bruised by a divorce that didn’t just end a marriage—it rearranged her whole identity. She’s the kind of character who is high-functioning in the way that looks impressive from the outside and exhausting from the inside. When she becomes involved with a case tied to a remote trail—one that includes a young woman accused of killing her boyfriend—Clara’s professional focus starts to blur into something more obsessive.

Then she makes a choice that’s equal parts understandable and alarming: she brings her family onto that very trail, hoping for answers, reconnection, and maybe even a reset.

That’s the moment the book shifts into a different gear. The wilderness becomes more than a backdrop. It becomes a pressure cooker. The family dynamic (already fragile) is placed under literal and emotional strain. Strange experiences begin—visions, unsettling details that don’t add up, a sense of being watched—and the story keeps you asking the key question: Is the threat outside them, inside them, or both?

Why I rated it 5 stars

The character work is the engine
Clara feels real in the most uncomfortable way. She’s capable, educated, and used to being the person who reads other people… yet she’s not immune to denial. Casile writes her like someone who has spent years helping others name their patterns while quietly excusing her own.
That’s a tough balance to pull off, because it’s easy to make a “smart professional” character feel smug or untouchable. Clara isn’t. She’s sharp, but she’s messy. She wants control, but she’s also desperate. She’s trying to be a good mother while also craving reassurance that she is still “good” at all—at work, at parenting, at living.

Her interior life has texture: the rationalizing, the second-guessing, the flashes of insight that arrive a beat too late. The book doesn’t ask you to adore her; it asks you to understand her. And by the time the trail starts tightening around the group, you’re invested not because she’s perfect, but because she’s human.

The family dynamic is tense in a believable way
If you’ve ever tried to “fix” a relationship by forcing quality time, you’ll recognize the emotional landmines here.
The daughters are not props. They don’t exist just to scream on cue or wander off because the plot needs them to. They react like young people who have been pulled through adult conflict and told (explicitly or not) to pick sides. There are little conversational cuts, pauses that say more than words, old arguments resurfacing in new clothing. The family’s past is always in the room with them—even when they’re outdoors.

And that’s what makes the suspense hit harder. A frightening situation is scary. A frightening situation where nobody fully trusts each other is worse. The book understands that.

The trail setting is used with real skill
This isn’t “generic spooky woods.” The environment is specific: the rhythm of hiking, the practical irritations, the way daylight changes your courage, the way distance makes small problems big.
Casile is especially good at the subtle dread of nature: the long stretches without signal, the sound of your own breathing, the way you start noticing patterns and then noticing that you’re noticing them. The setting doesn’t just threaten the characters physically; it messes with their perception, which is exactly what you want in a story that plays with the line between psychological and supernatural.

The pacing is patient, then ruthless
The early chapters build tension carefully. It’s not slow; it’s deliberate. You’re allowed to settle into the dynamics and the premise, which makes the later acceleration feel earned.
Once the weirdness begins, the story doesn’t rely on jump scares. It relies on escalation and uncertainty. Each new incident feels like it makes the world a little less stable. And because Clara is trained to interpret behavior, the book can do something clever: it lets her expertise become a liability. When you’re used to finding explanations, you can talk yourself into almost anything.

The atmosphere is thick without being overwritten
This matters. Some thrillers try too hard to be moody and end up exhausting you. Broken Trail keeps the writing clear. The creepiness comes from what’s implied, what’s half-seen, what’s not immediately explained. That restraint builds trust: you feel like the author is in control.
Themes that stuck with me

Divorce as a haunting
A lot of stories treat divorce as backstory. Here it behaves more like a haunting presence—an event that changed how everyone in the family speaks, listens, and loves. It’s the invisible force shaping the trail experience even before anything truly strange happens.

Control vs. surrender
Clara is a character who tries to manage outcomes—at work, at home, in her own head. The trail becomes a place where control fails. That conflict creates the book’s emotional heartbeat.

The danger of obsession
The case that pulls Clara in feels believable. Professionals do get fixated sometimes, especially when a case mirrors their own unresolved pain. The story explores the slippery slope from curiosity to compulsion without turning it into melodrama.

A few highlights (without spoilers)

• The book nails that uncomfortable moment when a family argument starts as “we’re fine” and turns into “we are absolutely not fine,” all while trying to keep walking forward like nothing happened.

• The “visions” element is handled in a way that keeps you guessing. You’re not handed easy answers. You’re asked to interpret.

• The tension between Clara’s professional confidence and her personal blind spots creates some of the most gripping scenes. You can feel her trying to diagnose her way out of fear, and it doesn’t work.

• The sense of isolation is more psychological than logistical. Even when the characters are together, there’s a loneliness threaded through the scenes.

Content notes (light, no graphic detail)
There’s intense suspense, fear, unsettling imagery, and themes involving relationship breakdown and emotional distress. It’s dark in mood, but it doesn’t lean on explicit gore.

Who I’d recommend this to

If you like:
• psychological thrillers where the main character’s mind is part of the battleground
• wilderness suspense with creeping, uncanny energy
• family drama that matters as much as the external threat
• stories that keep you uncertain in a satisfying way (not a confusing way)

…this should work for you.

If you prefer thrillers that are fast from page one, or you want a straightforward “monster story” with clear rules, this one might feel more layered than you’re looking for. The tension comes from ambiguity and emotional friction as much as from danger.

Final thoughts

Broken Trail does something that’s harder than it looks: it makes the scariest part of the story feel like it could happen anywhere, even before the truly strange parts begin. The trail is terrifying, sure—but the real hook is watching a family carry years of unspoken hurt into a place where there’s nowhere to hide from it.

I finished this one feeling satisfied, unsettled, and weirdly moved. That combination doesn’t come along often.

[Rae Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this early and I’m thrilled to provide my recommendation!

Broken Trail is the perfect read for anyone who loves a good story about a sinister forest, malevolent spirits, and/or broken family dynamics aching to be repaired. It’s full of heart and soul and yet is somehow still dripping with moss and blood.

It also centers female relationships with is always a huge plus for me 😊

[Lee Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

With propulsive pacing and flawed, memorable characters, BROKEN TRAIL kept me riveted and perpetually on edge. A survival story in every sense—a life-and-death clash against supernatural forces, a battle for sanity, and a desperate fight to heal a family. A deeply immersive, disturbing, and addictive read.

[BookboundandBlushed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Broken Trail starts with a gripping premise of a mother on the edge, dealing with a recent separation, kids acting out, and a career teetering, who becomes fixated on a missing patient and ventures into the woods in hopes of finding answers. The setting and concept promised a tense horror-leaning journey, and I was definitely intrigued going in.

Unfortunately, while it is marketed as horror, I found the fear factor surprisingly muted. I spent much of the read thinking more along the lines of “is she losing her mind?” rather than “this is actually scary.” Rather than spine-tingling chills or truly terrifying moments, the story leaned into internal turmoil and psychological uncertainty, which felt more like character introspection than supernatural dread. That wasn’t inherently bad, just not what I expected from a horror classification.

The hallucination sequence in the forest and visions for both Tilly and Clara were good but never fully pushed into genuinely creepy territory. I understand the attempt to blur the line between reality and the Clara's deteriorating mental state, but it often read more like confusion for me.

Characterization also fell a bit flat for me. Naomi, in particular, felt almost perfect at everything she did, which made it hard to connect with her struggles. Clara’s emotions came through in places, but there were moments where her reactions, especially jealousy or self-reflection, didn’t quite land as deeply as they could have and came across as whinny and annoying. On top of that, a few plot holes involving Julianna and some other areas that felt underdeveloped or confusing, leaving questions rather than satisfying reveals by the end.

That said, the book's pacing keeps you moving through the chapters, and there are flashes of atmospheric tension, but for me it ended up feeling more like a psychological journey/thriller with mysterious elements than a horror story.

Overall: an okay read with some intriguing ideas and a unique voice, but not truly a horror in the chills-and-thrills sense I expected. I’d recommend it for readers who enjoy psychological mystery and character-driven uncertainty, but horror fans looking for big scares might feel the same disconnect I did.

Sonya
BookBound and Blushed

[Bethany Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the cyclical nature of Broken Trail; the ending reflects the beginning, only everything has changed for our main character, Clara. She, especially, was a very strong main character, and one perfect for this story. Her stress and grief at her failing marriage, her workload, and the growing distance between her and her kids formed the perfect storm in which to explore a world where Clara doesn't know if she can trust her own instincts or not. The little cast of characters had a great mix of personalities that worked well with and against one another, particularly Clara and her teenage daughter, Tilly.

The horror in this book was a good mix of psychological and gore. I love the dirty, earthy king of magic and horror that comes with witches, and Broken Trail delivered. I felt there was space for a little more exploration of the possession aspect—I think it had more potential than what we saw on the page. I did also feel there could've been a little bit more backstory for the witches, too; they were mentioned briefly in the first act and then not brought back until the third, where they dominated the story. A little more of a throughline would've been nice.

The story itself, while suited to a fast pace, felt a little rushed at the beginning and the end. Nevertheless, I liked the overall tone and story, the characters were good, and Broken Trail definitely delivered something different from the usual survival horror set in forests.

[Jessica Ungeheuer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Trail is a psychological thriller by Amanda Casile that will have you questioning what is real from the very first page. I DEVOURED this book. The story follows Clara, a recently divorced psychologist, trying to get her life back in order with her family of two daughters, and her job at the local mental institution.

After a recent murder, a hiking trail is opened up again in the woods, and Clara feels hiking this Trail with her family and her best friend's family is just what they need.

Except this Trail may be more than it seems. Things go quickly from bad to worse as a storm rolls in trapping everyone in the woods. Clara must fight to protect her family from the elements…and the paranormal? Amanda's writing will leave you questioning the reliability of her protagonist as you dive deeper into the woods.

This story kept me on edge and the ending had me gripped that I ended up reading it till 3AM.

If you are a fan of Alan Wake and Silent Hill 2, or just enjoy books that give you creepy moments where you hear yourself muttering, “What the F--” in a good unsettled way, then you will definitely enjoy this book.

[L.L. Madrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Trail is a chilling debut that clawed at some of my deepest fears and left my soul thoroughly bruised. I love a flawed MC, and Clara is a delicious mess. A recently divorced mom who’s struggling to hold it together, juggling her job as a psychologist at a hospital, her children, and a mysterious patient who leaves Clara desperately wanting to explore the wilds.

In an effort to reset, Clara, her best friend, and their kids embark on an epic hiking trip meant to reconnect. Naturally, the only bonding is of the trauma variety as a storm rolls in, bringing along something far more sinister than bad weather.

Casile’s storytelling keeps you off-kilter and questioning everything (in the best way). I found myself haunted by the book even when I wasn’t reading it. The atmosphere is thick, and the suspension masterful. Casile’s writing is brilliantly tense and truly gave me chills.

This book is perfect for fans of the first half of The Ritual, messy heroines, unreliable narrators, dysfunctional family dynamics, and nightmare camping trips.

[Horror DNA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was mentally exhausted by the time I reached the end of this gripping and deeply immersive story; Amanda Casile puts her characters through both a physical and mental ordeal which ripples off the page into the psyche of the reader. Set in rough hiking terrain somewhere off the beaten track (British Colombia, Canada), the author does a remarkable job of bringing the locality to life, with the reader following the hapless characters into deeper and more dangerous water. And what makes things even worse? There are four children in the group, two teenagers and two aged under ten. The novel heads into dangerous territory for adults, never mind naive tweens and grumpy teenagers.

You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.

[Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a debut novel, this is so impressive. Strike that! For a novel at any stage of an author's career, this is impressive. Wow!

The premise seems pretty straightforward, right? Hikers out in the woods and spooky stuff happens. What Amanda does with it though is so original, fun, and downright scary. I cranked through this book in 2 days. Was completely locked in for the last third of the book - there's a ton of action going on. Just when you think Hell couldn't get any hotter, she cranks up the temperature!

Had no idea how this was going to end. It could have gone any number of ways, but the story comes in for a landing perfectly. Very satisfied. I really hope this comes out in a signed/limited edition. Would love a deluxe copy sitting on my bookshelf.

And yes, this is my first review here. I liked this book so much I figured I should finally create an account and say some good things.

[Jen Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book! If you are a fan of fast paced horror with ghosts, witches, and everything that could possibly go wrong in the deep, dark forest .....then you will love this one! And underneath all of the creepiness is a poignant tale of letting go of the past and truly trusting yourself. Five stars!!

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are hikes gone wrong and then there's Broken Trail. My non-blurby honest review here: We got REALLY scary ghosties. Super unreliable protagonist unraveling and re-raveling (not a word, just go with it). Getting really lost, natural disasters, family and friend tensions, gore galore. Just a great time for the reader and a truly terrible time for the characters.

[Kristy Kloster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Trail grabbed me with its mix of family fallout and creeping wilderness dread. Clara feels painfully believable, and the trail itself turns into a living pressure test. Every step amplifies the fractures between the characters and the weirdness closing in. Tense and sharp. 5 stars.

[Stacey L. Pierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something happening and this book is it. I will never look at the deep dark forest the same ever again. Every turn of the page opened up to another fear. Loved it so much.

[Chelsea Conradt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desperate situations and dark woods will have you holding your breath with every step deeper into Amanda Casile’s captivating debut.

[Alethea Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I hope you’re not thinking this will be a survival story. Most of the characters didn’t survive. And those of us who did, well, you know . . .”

From the very beginning, I was impressed by the lyrical yet chilling prose of Broken Trail. This book transported me to its locations, shocked me, disturbed me, and made me think. Written in a close third person, we see the world through the eyes of unreliable-yet-relatable Clara. She's a mom out of touch with her teenagers, struggling at work, and with zero confidence in herself. Broken Trail takes her through horrors and into a deeper understanding of herself. Whether she comes out the other side, you'll have to read to find out.

As with the best horror, within this spine-tingling and haunting tale there lurk truths about ourselves.

[Tanya Pell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisting, perilous journey through the dark woods. Those outside the door and those inside the mind of a woman desperate to pull her life back together.