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The Ridge
“A creeping, pitch-black window into a suburban America like nothing you’ve ever read....You know something is deeply wrong with this neighborhood, and yet nothing will prepare you for the mind-melting final pages.” —Blake Crouch, international bestselling author of Dark Matter and the Wayward Pines Series With its manicured lawns, pastel houses, and quiet, tree-lined streets, Willow Ridge seems to be the perfect place for Megan and Tyler Stokes to start a new chapter in their lives together. But soon after settling in, Megan begins to notice cracks in the neighborhood’s bright suburban facade—cracks that reveal a darker secret hidden just beneath the surface. After an angry encounter with a neighbor takes a horrifying turn, Megan’s waking nightmare truly begins—growing ever more chilling and bizarre with each shocking twist. Suddenly forced to question everything around her, Megan finds herself trapped between the specter of madness and the shadow of something far worse. Her only hope is to expose the community’s pretty lies and discover the truth about what is really going on in Willow Ridge—a truth so devastating that her life will never be the same.
284 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2017
547 people are currently reading
1646 people want to read
About the author
John Rector
23 books264 followersJohn Rector is the bestselling author of the novels Broken, The Ridge, The Cold Kiss, The Grove, Already Gone, Out of the Black, and Ruthless. His short fiction has appeared in numerous magazines and has won several awards, including the International Thriller Award for his novella, Lost Things.
He lives in Omaha, Nebraska.
He lives in Omaha, Nebraska.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
March 25, 2017
Suburban living isn't for everyone…not by a long shot!
Megan and Tyler move from the bright lights of Chicago out to the suburbs, after Tyler receives a job transfer to the institute. This institute overlooks the planned community of Willow Ridge. Like most such planned developments, the homes are all carbon copies of the next. The same can be said about the neighbors, who all behave eerily similar. But there is something very peculiar about this tight knit community. “A Stepford neighborhood.”
If you find yourself wandering into the next community over you are looked upon as an outsider and encouraged to go back to Willow Ridge. Strange...If you act out or question anything you are frowned upon. Again, seriously odd. I’ve heard of strictly enforced conformity in planned communities, but this is over the top!
A tragic accident leaves one neighbor dead with Megan as the only witness. But is that neighbor actually dead? Is anything really as it seems at the Ridge? Megan begins to question what is really going on at the Ridge, the institute, as well as her own sanity!
A fast paced thriller with a pinch of science fiction mixed in. Flowed easily. Hard to put down. Finished it in one day! Very bizarre but very good.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer Publishing and John Rector for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Megan and Tyler move from the bright lights of Chicago out to the suburbs, after Tyler receives a job transfer to the institute. This institute overlooks the planned community of Willow Ridge. Like most such planned developments, the homes are all carbon copies of the next. The same can be said about the neighbors, who all behave eerily similar. But there is something very peculiar about this tight knit community. “A Stepford neighborhood.”
If you find yourself wandering into the next community over you are looked upon as an outsider and encouraged to go back to Willow Ridge. Strange...If you act out or question anything you are frowned upon. Again, seriously odd. I’ve heard of strictly enforced conformity in planned communities, but this is over the top!
A tragic accident leaves one neighbor dead with Megan as the only witness. But is that neighbor actually dead? Is anything really as it seems at the Ridge? Megan begins to question what is really going on at the Ridge, the institute, as well as her own sanity!
A fast paced thriller with a pinch of science fiction mixed in. Flowed easily. Hard to put down. Finished it in one day! Very bizarre but very good.
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer Publishing and John Rector for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 8, 2017
Megan Stokes stood alone in her living room, cradling a cup of coffee in her hands and staring out the large bay window at the corner house across the street.
The whore was outside again, on her knees in the dirt.
Megan watched her for a while, then she lifted the cup to her lips, blew away the steam, and took a sip.
It burned.
Not a bad beginning of a book.
Call someone a bad name and for some reason I'm hooked. Words...how I love them.
Megan goes over to confront the woman she is staring at and something terrible happens. That she tries to cover up. Her husband Tyler arrives home and she drags him into it.
Then after some weird stuff goes on..Megan starts to think that maybe everyone thinks she is crazy.
But the town of Willow Ridge is very different. It has cookie cutter houses that look very much alike and the people in the town just have a different vibe about them.
Megan wants to leave and go home to Chicago...but that's really not allowed.
She befriends a woman in town that makes her not feel so crazy.
But no one is really telling her the truth. Other than an old man that tells her the sweepers come at night.
Don't read any spoilers for this one folks. Just dive in. You kinda know where it is heading but it's still a fun read to get there.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
The whore was outside again, on her knees in the dirt.
Megan watched her for a while, then she lifted the cup to her lips, blew away the steam, and took a sip.
It burned.
Not a bad beginning of a book.
Call someone a bad name and for some reason I'm hooked. Words...how I love them.
Megan goes over to confront the woman she is staring at and something terrible happens. That she tries to cover up. Her husband Tyler arrives home and she drags him into it.
Then after some weird stuff goes on..Megan starts to think that maybe everyone thinks she is crazy.
But the town of Willow Ridge is very different. It has cookie cutter houses that look very much alike and the people in the town just have a different vibe about them.
Megan wants to leave and go home to Chicago...but that's really not allowed.
She befriends a woman in town that makes her not feel so crazy.
But no one is really telling her the truth. Other than an old man that tells her the sweepers come at night.
Don't read any spoilers for this one folks. Just dive in. You kinda know where it is heading but it's still a fun read to get there.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
March 3, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this one from the first page to the last! Megan and Tyler have moved to Willow Ridge....where everything is neat and perfect or is it?
I loved John Rector's writing. The suspense builds nicely with each chapter. I kept trying to figure out just what was going on. It's a suspense thriller with a twist of Sci-Fi. Could easily see this made into a movie.
Thank-you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer Publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
I loved John Rector's writing. The suspense builds nicely with each chapter. I kept trying to figure out just what was going on. It's a suspense thriller with a twist of Sci-Fi. Could easily see this made into a movie.
Thank-you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer Publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
November 21, 2016
The Ridge is a creeping, pitch-black window into a suburban America like nothing you’ve ever read. The suspense builds with every sentence and you know something is deeply wrong with this neighborhood, and yet nothing will prepare you for the mind-melting final pages.
April 8, 2017
I received a free advance copy of this via NetGalley for review.
I’ve lived in the suburbs for years and despite what books, movies, and TV would have you believe I’ve yet to see any evidence of evil lurking beneath the surface. Except for leaf blowers. Leaf blowers were created by the devil for morons to run for hours on end and drive me insane because how in the world can you possibly have that many leaves in April and will you just PLEASE TURN IT OFF BEFOREIHAVETO COMEOVERTHEREANDBEATYOUTODEATHWITHAHAMMERINFRONT OFYOURCHILDREN?!?!?!?!?!
Uh…where was I? Oh, right. Yeah, I haven’t found a beating heart of darkness beneath the surface as popular fiction likes to depict. Still, it makes for some good creepy stories like this one.
Megan and Tyler Stokes have recently moved to Willow Grove for Tyler’s new job at the Institute which sits on a ridge overlooking the planned community. Megan is struggling to adapt to their new area, and she’s got a particular problem with her attractive neighbor Rachel who Megan believes is interested in Tyler. After a few bottles of wine Megan decides to confront Rachel, but a bizarre incident makes Megan start to suspect that there is something very wrong with her neighborhood. However, Tyler thinks that Megan’s unhappiness with Willow Grove is making her imagination run wild.
I’ve read a couple of good noirish crime novels from John Rector, but he’s trying something different here. This is more of a moody blend of psychological suspense and conspiracy thriller, and it’s a nice piece of work. It starts off with just an inkling that there’s trouble in paradise with Megan being obsessed with Rachel, and then it quickly veers into some much darker territory before settling into a mode of gradually increasing the unease into paranoia and then outright terror.
There’s a few very big clues as that made it fairly obvious to me what the underlying cause of the whole thing was so Rector didn’t pull off a major twist. On the other hand, I don’t think that’s what he was really trying to do. This seems more about the journey than the destination, and Megan’s gradual unraveling as the weirdness piles up is what makes it a page turner that will have you feeling vaguely creeped out the entire time.
This is one where I really wish we had those half stars because it’s too good to be an average 3, but 4 seems just a tad high.
I’ve lived in the suburbs for years and despite what books, movies, and TV would have you believe I’ve yet to see any evidence of evil lurking beneath the surface. Except for leaf blowers. Leaf blowers were created by the devil for morons to run for hours on end and drive me insane because how in the world can you possibly have that many leaves in April and will you just PLEASE TURN IT OFF BEFOREIHAVETO COMEOVERTHEREANDBEATYOUTODEATHWITHAHAMMERINFRONT OFYOURCHILDREN?!?!?!?!?!
Uh…where was I? Oh, right. Yeah, I haven’t found a beating heart of darkness beneath the surface as popular fiction likes to depict. Still, it makes for some good creepy stories like this one.
Megan and Tyler Stokes have recently moved to Willow Grove for Tyler’s new job at the Institute which sits on a ridge overlooking the planned community. Megan is struggling to adapt to their new area, and she’s got a particular problem with her attractive neighbor Rachel who Megan believes is interested in Tyler. After a few bottles of wine Megan decides to confront Rachel, but a bizarre incident makes Megan start to suspect that there is something very wrong with her neighborhood. However, Tyler thinks that Megan’s unhappiness with Willow Grove is making her imagination run wild.
I’ve read a couple of good noirish crime novels from John Rector, but he’s trying something different here. This is more of a moody blend of psychological suspense and conspiracy thriller, and it’s a nice piece of work. It starts off with just an inkling that there’s trouble in paradise with Megan being obsessed with Rachel, and then it quickly veers into some much darker territory before settling into a mode of gradually increasing the unease into paranoia and then outright terror.
There’s a few very big clues as that made it fairly obvious to me what the underlying cause of the whole thing was so Rector didn’t pull off a major twist. On the other hand, I don’t think that’s what he was really trying to do. This seems more about the journey than the destination, and Megan’s gradual unraveling as the weirdness piles up is what makes it a page turner that will have you feeling vaguely creeped out the entire time.
This is one where I really wish we had those half stars because it’s too good to be an average 3, but 4 seems just a tad high.
March 30, 2017
Respect to the author for coming up with an original story, unfortunately it just wasn't my cup of tea. I have a difficult time suspending disbelief with books that go outside of reality, I kinda need to be prepared for it, which I wasn't in this case.
Definitely a suspenseful story if you can enter it with an open mind.
2.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Definitely a suspenseful story if you can enter it with an open mind.
2.5 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 11, 2021
This is a book that is very interesting, but it’s also weird in some ways, too.
The Stokes family, Megan and Tyler, are newly moved to Willow Ridge. Home all day, and feeling kind of bored, Megan notices strange things about the neighbors.
She makes a friend. Someone who she can confide in. But things are getting weird. Things are getting confusing. Things are getting out of control. Is she imagining things? Is she going insane?
Step inside and find out.
The Stokes family, Megan and Tyler, are newly moved to Willow Ridge. Home all day, and feeling kind of bored, Megan notices strange things about the neighbors.
She makes a friend. Someone who she can confide in. But things are getting weird. Things are getting confusing. Things are getting out of control. Is she imagining things? Is she going insane?
Step inside and find out.
March 20, 2017
*3.5 Stars*
John Rector has written a handful of absorbing, propulsive thrillers through the years that moved like roller coasters. The Ridge, his latest, is different, but still engaging. Rector steps away from his usual relentless pacing with this one, maintaining a slow and steady buildup of paranoia that I really enjoyed as Megan Stokes begins to suspect that her perfect new subdivision community and her friendly neighbors are not what they seem.
This "Stepford Wives"-ish concept has been done many times before but Rector holds his own here. My only gripe is that at times I found myself ahead of the story. But other than that, it's a usual John Rector page-turner that I suspect will net him even more fans this year.
*I received an advance copy of this through Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
John Rector has written a handful of absorbing, propulsive thrillers through the years that moved like roller coasters. The Ridge, his latest, is different, but still engaging. Rector steps away from his usual relentless pacing with this one, maintaining a slow and steady buildup of paranoia that I really enjoyed as Megan Stokes begins to suspect that her perfect new subdivision community and her friendly neighbors are not what they seem.
This "Stepford Wives"-ish concept has been done many times before but Rector holds his own here. My only gripe is that at times I found myself ahead of the story. But other than that, it's a usual John Rector page-turner that I suspect will net him even more fans this year.
*I received an advance copy of this through Thomas and Mercer via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
December 29, 2019
Audio...4 stars
Story...2.5 stars
Story...2.5 stars
April 25, 2017
When I saw John Rector had another novel coming out I was really excited. I read a previous book of his, Ruthless, which I really enjoyed, so I was sure I was going to like this one, but it didn't live up to my expectations.
This book sounds like it's going to be about a creepy neighbourhood, and while it is, it also isn't. Sure, our characters live in a Stepford Wives feeling place, but we actually only meet 2 or 3 extra characters who live in the neighbourhood, so when the synopsis says something about "exposing the community's pretty lies", there didn't feel like there was much of that. It was far more about a woman digging up secrets on an institute that happens to have all its employees living in one area. This isn't particularly a bad thing, it's just something to note. It's not quite as Stepford Wives as you might think!
This book is 90% conversation and 10% description, so if you're the kind of person who likes descriptive, poetic reads, this certainly won't be for you, but for me, all the speech wasn't an issue, it was sometimes what was being said that I had an issue with. Lots of the time I felt conversation was a little bland, stiff and unrealistic. In terms of descriptive writing, about the neighbourhood or a person, there was nothing special to note. There was also a rehashing of several particular phrases that began to grate on me quite soon into the book.
To begin with, I did really like this novel, I found myself rushing through it, intrigued to know what was going on. It was subtle but it was creepy. Towards the middle, my interest began to dip a bit. I had started to guess what was happening, as well as there being a not-so-exciting reveal. Some parts of the story also started to feel amiss, such as the roses bushes outside of Rachel's being described as "in full bloom" after the scene of her hacking away at them... continuity was sometimes a little shady.
What really let this novel down for me was the characters and the immaturity of them all. None of them felt real, so it was difficult picturing them in situations. Particularly our MC, Megan, who was really juvenile and melodramatic. And naive. Oh so very, stupidly, unrealistically naive. It was so easy to become annoyed by her rash decision making and all the different ways she handled situations. What really got me, was her revealing conversation with Mercer about midway through the book. I couldn't wrap my head around how she could turn around and call him "crazy" after everything she had been through. It felt totally off kilter!
I liked and I didn't like this book. I think it could have been so much creepier and mysterious than it was. I felt there was too much time being spent on Megan's thoughts of Chicago and her marriage to fully appreciate the weirdness of the community she lived in. Ultimately, this book was too simple. It all worked out too well and everything slot perfectly into place, which totally isn't my kind of thriller story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
This book sounds like it's going to be about a creepy neighbourhood, and while it is, it also isn't. Sure, our characters live in a Stepford Wives feeling place, but we actually only meet 2 or 3 extra characters who live in the neighbourhood, so when the synopsis says something about "exposing the community's pretty lies", there didn't feel like there was much of that. It was far more about a woman digging up secrets on an institute that happens to have all its employees living in one area. This isn't particularly a bad thing, it's just something to note. It's not quite as Stepford Wives as you might think!
This book is 90% conversation and 10% description, so if you're the kind of person who likes descriptive, poetic reads, this certainly won't be for you, but for me, all the speech wasn't an issue, it was sometimes what was being said that I had an issue with. Lots of the time I felt conversation was a little bland, stiff and unrealistic. In terms of descriptive writing, about the neighbourhood or a person, there was nothing special to note. There was also a rehashing of several particular phrases that began to grate on me quite soon into the book.
To begin with, I did really like this novel, I found myself rushing through it, intrigued to know what was going on. It was subtle but it was creepy. Towards the middle, my interest began to dip a bit. I had started to guess what was happening, as well as there being a not-so-exciting reveal. Some parts of the story also started to feel amiss, such as the roses bushes outside of Rachel's being described as "in full bloom" after the scene of her hacking away at them... continuity was sometimes a little shady.
What really let this novel down for me was the characters and the immaturity of them all. None of them felt real, so it was difficult picturing them in situations. Particularly our MC, Megan, who was really juvenile and melodramatic. And naive. Oh so very, stupidly, unrealistically naive. It was so easy to become annoyed by her rash decision making and all the different ways she handled situations. What really got me, was her revealing conversation with Mercer about midway through the book. I couldn't wrap my head around how she could turn around and call him "crazy" after everything she had been through. It felt totally off kilter!
I liked and I didn't like this book. I think it could have been so much creepier and mysterious than it was. I felt there was too much time being spent on Megan's thoughts of Chicago and her marriage to fully appreciate the weirdness of the community she lived in. Ultimately, this book was too simple. It all worked out too well and everything slot perfectly into place, which totally isn't my kind of thriller story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2017
A little bit of Stepford Wives around the rim and a bit of Twilight Zone in the glass with a Dark Matter twist, shaken, not stirred to make a delicious, freaky, creepy martini.
April 28, 2017
Deliciously creepy and freaky. This story will keep you guessing. I was back and forth so much I was starting to feel as off-kilter as our protagonist. Difficult to put down and unnerving, I'd definitely recommend The Ridge.
Cookie-cutter house hell... where every home looks the same, just painted different shades. It all just looks a little too perfect. For Megan, perfect is what she left behind... the loud and exciting Chicago. Having promised her husband she'd give the move a chance, she's struck in a Stepford-like neighborhood while he works long hours. She's lonely and getting a little resentful because she's having a hard time adjusting. A visit to the woman across the street she thinks is eyeing up her husband goes awry and has devastating consequences.
Megan really believes that something sinister is happening in this perfect little area where her neighbor's curtains start twitching as soon as she leaves the house. It's like they're keeping an eye on her, waiting for something to happen. Is something dark going down in suburbia, or is Megan starting to lose it? Her husband is concerned about her and wants her to seek counseling or medication but she's convinced the whole community is hiding something... but what?
I received an ARC of this novel from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, thank you! My opinion is honest and unbiased.
Cookie-cutter house hell... where every home looks the same, just painted different shades. It all just looks a little too perfect. For Megan, perfect is what she left behind... the loud and exciting Chicago. Having promised her husband she'd give the move a chance, she's struck in a Stepford-like neighborhood while he works long hours. She's lonely and getting a little resentful because she's having a hard time adjusting. A visit to the woman across the street she thinks is eyeing up her husband goes awry and has devastating consequences.
Megan really believes that something sinister is happening in this perfect little area where her neighbor's curtains start twitching as soon as she leaves the house. It's like they're keeping an eye on her, waiting for something to happen. Is something dark going down in suburbia, or is Megan starting to lose it? Her husband is concerned about her and wants her to seek counseling or medication but she's convinced the whole community is hiding something... but what?
I received an ARC of this novel from Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, thank you! My opinion is honest and unbiased.
January 17, 2018
This one was a big builder...an intriguing and engaging little novel. The twist is great; it makes you think. I won't give anything away, but it's worth it to keep reading until the exciting end. And the clever callbacks near said end of The Ridge are well-done/well-placed. I loved this book. However, it doesn't get the fabled five from me because it needed some more oomph on the life-shattering reveal. It was explored nicely and all, but a certain (physically small) character needed to hit just a bit more. Of course, that's merely my mostly worthless opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. Recommended!
May 2, 2017
*4.5 stars
This book, at first, reminded me of the book : The Drowning Girls. Where the neighborhood seems perfect but underneath the facade has a lot of secrets. I soon realized though, that this book was quite different!! And I honestly loved the "twist"! It soon becomes apparent that not all is what it seems at The Ridge. After moving from Chicago with her husband, Megan finds the suburban life is not for her. Its often referred to as Stepford, where everything seems perfect, the lawns and houses are immaculate, the women are perfect, and life at the Ridge is ideal. Or is it? Megan soon finds out that something more is lying underneath all this perfection after a night that turns deadly. Megan starts investigating exactly what's going on but finds more questions that answers. I really enjoyed this ride. Its another book that I ended up reading in one sitting because I found that I couldn't put it down!
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book, at first, reminded me of the book : The Drowning Girls. Where the neighborhood seems perfect but underneath the facade has a lot of secrets. I soon realized though, that this book was quite different!! And I honestly loved the "twist"! It soon becomes apparent that not all is what it seems at The Ridge. After moving from Chicago with her husband, Megan finds the suburban life is not for her. Its often referred to as Stepford, where everything seems perfect, the lawns and houses are immaculate, the women are perfect, and life at the Ridge is ideal. Or is it? Megan soon finds out that something more is lying underneath all this perfection after a night that turns deadly. Megan starts investigating exactly what's going on but finds more questions that answers. I really enjoyed this ride. Its another book that I ended up reading in one sitting because I found that I couldn't put it down!
**Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2017
I received a copy of this from the publisher through NetGalley to review.
THE RIDGE by John Rector is a story about a woman named Megan who has recently moved to the quiet town of Willow Ridge from Chicago with her husband Tyler because of his new job at a place referred to as "the Institute".
Megan struggles to fit into her new surroundings while missing the hustle and bustle of big city life, and becomes obsessed with her neighbor Rachel whom she is sure has her sights set on Tyler.
Life in the quiet neighborhood coupled with her own unhappiness adds to her fixation on Rachel to the point of becoming irrational and predatory, thereby adding stress to an already strained relationship with her husband, and eventually leads to a situation involving her neighbor that results in tragedy.
Something is terribly amiss in the neighborhood and small town that Megan seems to be the only one to notice, until she finally finds someone who appears to feel the same about Rachel and several other things taking place in Willow Ridge.
Will Megan be able to convince Tyler that she is not going insane and that something is wrong with the town and its residents? Frustration and alienation affect Megan's mental condition, and alcohol abuse is a growing factor that is adding to her marital difficulties and erratic behavior.
John Rector has written an interesting novel in THE RIDGE that on the surface seems to be a story about a lonely, bored housewife that has an overactive imagination while refusing to find happiness in her new environment.
I have to admit this took awhile to unfold and capture my interest, but patience was rewarded as this is a well written book revealing that things are not always what they initially seem to be, and suspense builds up until the conclusion making this an enjoyable read.
3.5 stars
THE RIDGE by John Rector is a story about a woman named Megan who has recently moved to the quiet town of Willow Ridge from Chicago with her husband Tyler because of his new job at a place referred to as "the Institute".
Megan struggles to fit into her new surroundings while missing the hustle and bustle of big city life, and becomes obsessed with her neighbor Rachel whom she is sure has her sights set on Tyler.
Life in the quiet neighborhood coupled with her own unhappiness adds to her fixation on Rachel to the point of becoming irrational and predatory, thereby adding stress to an already strained relationship with her husband, and eventually leads to a situation involving her neighbor that results in tragedy.
Something is terribly amiss in the neighborhood and small town that Megan seems to be the only one to notice, until she finally finds someone who appears to feel the same about Rachel and several other things taking place in Willow Ridge.
Will Megan be able to convince Tyler that she is not going insane and that something is wrong with the town and its residents? Frustration and alienation affect Megan's mental condition, and alcohol abuse is a growing factor that is adding to her marital difficulties and erratic behavior.
John Rector has written an interesting novel in THE RIDGE that on the surface seems to be a story about a lonely, bored housewife that has an overactive imagination while refusing to find happiness in her new environment.
I have to admit this took awhile to unfold and capture my interest, but patience was rewarded as this is a well written book revealing that things are not always what they initially seem to be, and suspense builds up until the conclusion making this an enjoyable read.
3.5 stars
September 20, 2018
The Ridge By John Rector was an enthralling page turner. From the moment I embarked on the surreal neighbourhood of Willow Ridge, it was as If I had been transported into a perplexing mystifying alternate reality.
This is one of those stories that keeps you riveted to the bitter finale, a rollercoaster that you have to ride to the very end, without stops or pauses for breath.
To summarise Megan and Tyler Stokes have moved to the perfectly sublime almost Stepford-like community of Willow Ridge from Chicago with Tyler's job at the institute.
Almost from the start, Megan feels like something is off with this picturesque poster perfect lifestyle.
There's a problem though, Tyler thinks she is having some sort of breakdown,
cue Megan doing all she can to investigate and get to the bottom of the strange occurrences and odd residents inhabiting Willow Ridge.
I really liked Megan as a character, but I felt Tyler was by far a more distant individual, I don't think we really get to know him and he was a bit one-dimensional in his actions. I really would have liked to see more interaction between husband and wife as I felt the affection in their relationship didn't transfer onto the page.
The secondary characters were great but again would have liked to see more emotion attached to their actions.
Luckily Megan and her single-minded personality pushed the mystery forward and made this such a riveting read that I really enjoyed. I especially loved the shocking Twist at the end, bravo brilliantly executed.Give The Ridge a try I really don't think you'll be disappointed.
I received a free E-Copy of The Ridge from Netgalley and this is my own honest opinion.
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This is one of those stories that keeps you riveted to the bitter finale, a rollercoaster that you have to ride to the very end, without stops or pauses for breath.
To summarise Megan and Tyler Stokes have moved to the perfectly sublime almost Stepford-like community of Willow Ridge from Chicago with Tyler's job at the institute.
Almost from the start, Megan feels like something is off with this picturesque poster perfect lifestyle.
There's a problem though, Tyler thinks she is having some sort of breakdown,
cue Megan doing all she can to investigate and get to the bottom of the strange occurrences and odd residents inhabiting Willow Ridge.
I really liked Megan as a character, but I felt Tyler was by far a more distant individual, I don't think we really get to know him and he was a bit one-dimensional in his actions. I really would have liked to see more interaction between husband and wife as I felt the affection in their relationship didn't transfer onto the page.
The secondary characters were great but again would have liked to see more emotion attached to their actions.
Luckily Megan and her single-minded personality pushed the mystery forward and made this such a riveting read that I really enjoyed. I especially loved the shocking Twist at the end, bravo brilliantly executed.Give The Ridge a try I really don't think you'll be disappointed.
I received a free E-Copy of The Ridge from Netgalley and this is my own honest opinion.
https://www.beckiebookworm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
September 2, 2020
This neighborhood of people makes my worst neighbor ever seem benign. Creepy on so many levels - don't know who to trust, and terrifying because you know something is very wrong and ominous but can't quite figure out what is going on until the big reveal at the end.
Rector knocked it out of the park with this superb standout!
Rector knocked it out of the park with this superb standout!
April 2, 2017
Release Date: April 25, 2017
Genre: Sci-Fi? and Suspense?
Okay, the plot of this book was very unexpected for me. I went into it thinking that it would be some sort of thriller or suspense but it turned out to be more sci-fi than anything else. Think step-ford wives with a twist? Now, this book is not bad by any means and I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author presents the story to us readers. However, this type of book is not really my thing.
Genre: Sci-Fi? and Suspense?
Okay, the plot of this book was very unexpected for me. I went into it thinking that it would be some sort of thriller or suspense but it turned out to be more sci-fi than anything else. Think step-ford wives with a twist? Now, this book is not bad by any means and I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author presents the story to us readers. However, this type of book is not really my thing.
February 10, 2017
Megan tried to tell her again that she was sorry, but before she could get the words out, the smell hit hard.
Ripe and rotting.
It rolled off Rachel in waves and Megan took another step back, her eyes watering, trying to breathe.
This is one eerie novel. It’s a funny coincidence one of the character’s jokes about the town being very Stepford Wives. Forget monsters, the whole Stepford thing always freaked me out- maybe because the idea of men creating perfect wives, perfect children seems too realistic, too possible to ignore. What is going on here? Megan and Tyler have moved to Willow Ridge for a fresh start, he with a promising career that she really doesn’t concern herself with much. Everything seems perfect, picket fence perfection! Would that she was as good as her neighbors.
Megan does something bad, very bad, irredeemably bad but it wasn’t her intention. Everything seems fine, is she losing her mind? Did she imagine everything or is there something far more sinister happening. She makes a friend, but how do you trust your neighbors when you don’t know if you can trust yourself. What are these strange haunting dreams of a young girl? Is she unraveling? Her husband certainly seems to think so. All she wants is to leave, to go back home to Chicago, even if she has to abandon Tyler.
Why can’t she leave? Why can’t she go back? Well, I can’t tell you that. The ending wasn’t at all what I thought was going to happen. It’s more horrible to me than I thought I had predicted, because perfection is scary. Perfection excludes all memories, even terrible ones you don’t want to remember. The ending made me sad. Darn you Rector! This is a creeper little mystery/thriller. This reminds me of episodes from Tales From The Darkside, the sort of horrors that start off as ordinary and then just have that injection of creepiness. The kind where you are really peeved about what happens to the character in the end, but that’s the point- it’s horrible! Quietly horrific.
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Thomas & Mercer
Ripe and rotting.
It rolled off Rachel in waves and Megan took another step back, her eyes watering, trying to breathe.
This is one eerie novel. It’s a funny coincidence one of the character’s jokes about the town being very Stepford Wives. Forget monsters, the whole Stepford thing always freaked me out- maybe because the idea of men creating perfect wives, perfect children seems too realistic, too possible to ignore. What is going on here? Megan and Tyler have moved to Willow Ridge for a fresh start, he with a promising career that she really doesn’t concern herself with much. Everything seems perfect, picket fence perfection! Would that she was as good as her neighbors.
Megan does something bad, very bad, irredeemably bad but it wasn’t her intention. Everything seems fine, is she losing her mind? Did she imagine everything or is there something far more sinister happening. She makes a friend, but how do you trust your neighbors when you don’t know if you can trust yourself. What are these strange haunting dreams of a young girl? Is she unraveling? Her husband certainly seems to think so. All she wants is to leave, to go back home to Chicago, even if she has to abandon Tyler.
Why can’t she leave? Why can’t she go back? Well, I can’t tell you that. The ending wasn’t at all what I thought was going to happen. It’s more horrible to me than I thought I had predicted, because perfection is scary. Perfection excludes all memories, even terrible ones you don’t want to remember. The ending made me sad. Darn you Rector! This is a creeper little mystery/thriller. This reminds me of episodes from Tales From The Darkside, the sort of horrors that start off as ordinary and then just have that injection of creepiness. The kind where you are really peeved about what happens to the character in the end, but that’s the point- it’s horrible! Quietly horrific.
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Thomas & Mercer
February 8, 2019
This was just okay for a good amount of the book but in the final chapters it kicked up to a book I can say I liked. I had this in my ebook pile for a long time and I picked it up thinking it was a mystery. It's more a hybrid mystery/speculative fiction story. I was completely fine with that because I'm a fan of both. But there were some problems and because of those, a huge dose of predictability.
In the first third of the book, I was sure of some of the most important aspects of the whole story regarding Megan and The Ridge. There were too many markers lying around that no fan of science fiction or speculative fiction could miss or discount. Megan has no friends in Chicago, nor anyone outside of The Ridge to call. Nothing about her husband's job is explained nor is whatever important work the Institute is carrying out. Her only means of transportation is a car that's never going to make it to the Interstate. There are no cell phones, internet or children at The Ridge and Megan doesn't seem to notice, nor does anyone else find it odd. Her dreams all feature a blue light and lo and behold when she sees a blue light during waking hours, she's has a response that I didn't read as fear but more like a transfixed deer in headlights.
So the middle and most of the final thirds were a bit of a slog for me both waiting to be vindicated and surprised by some epic twist. Luckily, there was a twist when all the answers were revealed (it was good, not epic) in a very well done denouement. I don't know that I'd recommend this to fans of science fiction or speculative fiction as I wouldn't want anyone else to be largely bored by more than a third of the book. Still, this was a quick read so it's not like it'd be a long time slog. I'd totally recommend this to people who aren't as familiar with those genres and think it'd be quite thrilling a read with a much better payoff.
In the first third of the book, I was sure of some of the most important aspects of the whole story regarding Megan and The Ridge. There were too many markers lying around that no fan of science fiction or speculative fiction could miss or discount. Megan has no friends in Chicago, nor anyone outside of The Ridge to call. Nothing about her husband's job is explained nor is whatever important work the Institute is carrying out. Her only means of transportation is a car that's never going to make it to the Interstate. There are no cell phones, internet or children at The Ridge and Megan doesn't seem to notice, nor does anyone else find it odd. Her dreams all feature a blue light and lo and behold when she sees a blue light during waking hours, she's has a response that I didn't read as fear but more like a transfixed deer in headlights.
So the middle and most of the final thirds were a bit of a slog for me both waiting to be vindicated and surprised by some epic twist. Luckily, there was a twist when all the answers were revealed (it was good, not epic) in a very well done denouement. I don't know that I'd recommend this to fans of science fiction or speculative fiction as I wouldn't want anyone else to be largely bored by more than a third of the book. Still, this was a quick read so it's not like it'd be a long time slog. I'd totally recommend this to people who aren't as familiar with those genres and think it'd be quite thrilling a read with a much better payoff.
January 21, 2020
Megan and Tyler are new to the suburban neighborhood of Willow Ridge. His new position at the institute is demanding while Megan, bored and lonely, struggles. She has these strange dreams, like memories she can't grasp and imagines herself 15 years from now, being like her strange neighbors, the lonely old lady, dragging her half-dead dog around or the woman she decides to confront: the neighborhood bitch, trying to seduce other women's husbands.
But after a fight with garden gnomes, something terrible happens and Megan's afraid that people would blame her. Only when her husband comes home it seems not to have happened and the following events make her question her new neighborhood, her husband's insitute and her own sanity.
The story started off so promising. The sense that something is seriously off at the suburb, that seems like out of the Fifties, is instant and the Stepford-vibes make it intriguing. The atmosphere is so tense, so unnervingly calm and I enjoyed the dialogue with a good amount of dark humor. There's questions With every little twist and revelation it becomes more and more bizzare, made me wonder and made the book hard to put down.
All the little turns, Tyler accusing Megan of playing games, the nicest neighbor Fiona, the strange old man, claiming his wife told him why she had to keep him there, her leaving but not making it far, were well done.
But I didn't like the end. The conclusion itself was something I didn't see coming, something different. But I didn't like how it was done. The way it played out just didn't do the whole story, with all it's details, justice.
But after a fight with garden gnomes, something terrible happens and Megan's afraid that people would blame her. Only when her husband comes home it seems not to have happened and the following events make her question her new neighborhood, her husband's insitute and her own sanity.
The story started off so promising. The sense that something is seriously off at the suburb, that seems like out of the Fifties, is instant and the Stepford-vibes make it intriguing. The atmosphere is so tense, so unnervingly calm and I enjoyed the dialogue with a good amount of dark humor. There's questions With every little twist and revelation it becomes more and more bizzare, made me wonder and made the book hard to put down.
All the little turns, Tyler accusing Megan of playing games, the nicest neighbor Fiona, the strange old man, claiming his wife told him why she had to keep him there, her leaving but not making it far, were well done.
But I didn't like the end. The conclusion itself was something I didn't see coming, something different. But I didn't like how it was done. The way it played out just didn't do the whole story, with all it's details, justice.
August 28, 2023
This was an unexpected banger! 💥💥💥
I didn't know this was going to have a sci-fi type of angle to it and I wish I had because I'd have read it sooner. When I heard supernatural I just pictured a ghost story, which I'm not usually into. I gave it a whirl mostly because it's short and I love the audiobook narrator but it was GOOD!
If you're into Black Mirror or the Jolvix series by Faith Gardner, definitely check this out.
I didn't know this was going to have a sci-fi type of angle to it and I wish I had because I'd have read it sooner. When I heard supernatural I just pictured a ghost story, which I'm not usually into. I gave it a whirl mostly because it's short and I love the audiobook narrator but it was GOOD!
If you're into Black Mirror or the Jolvix series by Faith Gardner, definitely check this out.
April 2, 2017
3.5 Stars. Review to follow.
April 5, 2017
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for a free copy of this book in exchange an honest review.
This was a complete winner! As a fan of Hitchcock , I loved this book. Also, This book was so reminiscent of a Twilight Zone that I had goosebumps! The beginning of this book started out strong and quickly picked up to a neck breaking speed.
We meet Megan and Tyler who recently moved to a nice new neighborhood. However, we soon learn that Megan isn’t as happy as she could be. As she gets to know her neighbors and explores the new area, she soon learns that everything is not as it seems…
Mr Rector did a fantastic job pulling the reader into this book from the beginning until the end. This book could easily be read in one sitting, only because you will not want to stop reading until the end!
This was a complete winner! As a fan of Hitchcock , I loved this book. Also, This book was so reminiscent of a Twilight Zone that I had goosebumps! The beginning of this book started out strong and quickly picked up to a neck breaking speed.
We meet Megan and Tyler who recently moved to a nice new neighborhood. However, we soon learn that Megan isn’t as happy as she could be. As she gets to know her neighbors and explores the new area, she soon learns that everything is not as it seems…
Mr Rector did a fantastic job pulling the reader into this book from the beginning until the end. This book could easily be read in one sitting, only because you will not want to stop reading until the end!
September 10, 2017
Creepy. Delightfully creepy this one. Go into it with an open mind. It can. It can be far out there. If sci-fi and mysteries are your thing you'll enjoy this easy read.
March 5, 2017
another great one from John Rector. with a prose that almost turns the pages for you, he delivers story that you cannot stop reading. was glued to the screen of my kindle and could not put it down. one of the things i enjoy about John's books is the fact that he can tell a very compelling story without using alot of extra words. just straight to the point, nothing off topic in this one. and for me thats what makes a great book, i have no time to read about filler some authors throw in, i just want the story and John's slim prose delivers that every time. Loved it from start to finish.
thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an early copy! will be purchasing this one for my bookshelves.
thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an early copy! will be purchasing this one for my bookshelves.
June 4, 2017
I loved this book from an author who should get far more attention. Rector goes out on a limb with this one and I'm glad he did. I read most of it in one sitting and would have finished but I really needed to go to bed! Great suspense and surprising twists that I certainly never saw coming. There was also something almost cinematic about this book for me as I could really "see" this one playing in my head very vividly.
November 21, 2016
I've been a fan of Rector's stuff ever since The Cold Kiss. He's a master at the lean and mean, tightly written thriller and The Ridge is no different. I burned through this one and it reads like a Black Mirror episode made by Hitchcock. I was lucky enough to read an advance copy.
September 6, 2019
Megan and Tyler have recently moved from Chicago to the quiet suburban community of Willow Ridge. Megan, who is unemployed, agreed to give the move a year. Since Tyler frequently works late and she knows no one, she spends lonely days left to her own thoughts coping with the loneliness with alcohol. As the days pass, she becomes increasingly paranoid about the beautiful neighbor Rachel who she is convinced is trying to steal her husband. One day, a bit inebriated, she decides to confront Rachel regarding her suspicions. Believing that Rachel is making light of the situation, Megan begins throwing garden gnomes against the garage interior walls. Rachel, who is up on a ladder, attempts to descend quickly and stop her and falls breaking her neck. Megan panics running home and calls her husband to return home quickly. When he arrives Megan tells him what happened and Tyler goes over to her house only to discover that Rachel is very much alive.
Then things really begin to get weird!
Initially, when I began to read the novel, I thought it was going to be a Desperate Housewives knock-off with the suburb's manicured lawns and squirrely neighbors. However, this novel turned out to be more like Desperate Housewives meet the Stepford Wives. Although the end was predictable, I did initially find myself wondering if Megan was an unreliable narrator or if Tyler had been co-opted by the mysterious institute that employs him. An easy mystery-thriller which will have you guessing.
Then things really begin to get weird!
Initially, when I began to read the novel, I thought it was going to be a Desperate Housewives knock-off with the suburb's manicured lawns and squirrely neighbors. However, this novel turned out to be more like Desperate Housewives meet the Stepford Wives. Although the end was predictable, I did initially find myself wondering if Megan was an unreliable narrator or if Tyler had been co-opted by the mysterious institute that employs him. An easy mystery-thriller which will have you guessing.
April 26, 2017
I definitely had my preconceptions going into this book. By the time I had read a couple chapters, those had been redefined into a wholly new expectation. By the time I reached the end, it had all been blown away and replaced by a sense of thrill, and surprise. I thought I saw what was coming. I didn't see all of it though.
Megan wasn't the most likable person, but her story is sad and relatable. Her unhappiness is tangible, her loosening grasp on reality frightening, and her fears chilling. As the story spun further and further out of control, Megan racing to stay ahead of not just an unseen threat but of her own personal demons, I couldn't put it down.
"How are you two adjusting to Stepford?" "Stepford?" Fiona laughed and waved the comment away. "It's an old joke around here, but it fits."
Don't let its premise fool you. This is no Stepford Wives, but its own fresh and unique take on a suburban cookie cutter neighborhood and the people who try to fit in. ~George, 4 Stars
Megan wasn't the most likable person, but her story is sad and relatable. Her unhappiness is tangible, her loosening grasp on reality frightening, and her fears chilling. As the story spun further and further out of control, Megan racing to stay ahead of not just an unseen threat but of her own personal demons, I couldn't put it down.
"How are you two adjusting to Stepford?" "Stepford?" Fiona laughed and waved the comment away. "It's an old joke around here, but it fits."
Don't let its premise fool you. This is no Stepford Wives, but its own fresh and unique take on a suburban cookie cutter neighborhood and the people who try to fit in. ~George, 4 Stars
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