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Djatlov Pass - Die Rückkehr zum Berg des Todes

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1959 brachen neun russische Studenten zu einer Ski-Expedition in den Ural auf. Wochen später fand man ihre Leichen, auf grausamste Art verstümmelt. Ihr bizarrer und bis heute ungeklärt gebliebener Tod gilt als eines der größten Mysterien unserer Zeit.

Beinahe sechzig Jahre später dringt Nat McPherson, die Moderatorin eines beliebten Podcasts, zusammen mit ihrem Team ebenfalls in diese Berge vor; fest entschlossen, das Rätsel um den Zwischenfall am Djatlov Pass endlich zu lösen. Doch ihre Pläne werden bereits in der ersten Nacht vereitelt, als zwei Fährtenleser ihrer Gruppe bestialisch abgeschlachtet werden.

Der Führer ihrer Gruppe, ein abergläubischer Mann aus einem benachbarten Dorf, hält dies für das Werk von Yetis, Schneemenschen. Niemand will ihm glauben, doch immer mehr Mitglieder des Teams kommen ums Leben. Gibt es einen Mörder in ihrer Mitte? Oder ist doch etwas Unheimlicheres am Werke, das dafür sorgen will, dass sich die Geschichte wiederholt und die Abenteurer ebenfalls zu tragischen Opfern des berüchtigten »Berg des Todes« werden?

214 pages, Paperback

First published March 12, 2018

168 people are currently reading
845 people want to read

About the author

J.H. Moncrieff

33 books259 followers
J.H. Moncrieff's City of Ghosts won the 2018 Kindle Book Review Award for best Horror/Suspense.

Reviewers have described her work as early Gillian Flynn with a little Ray Bradbury and Stephen King thrown in for good measure.

She won Harlequin's search for “the next Gillian Flynn” in 2016. Her first published novella, The Bear Who Wouldn’t Leave, was featured in Samhain’s Childhood Fears collection and stayed on its horror bestsellers list for over a year.

When not writing, she loves exploring the world's most haunted places, advocating for animal rights, and summoning her inner ninja in muay thai class.

To get free ebooks and a new spooky story every week, go to http://bit.ly/MoncrieffLibrary.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
Profile Image for Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin.
3,633 reviews11.6k followers
June 30, 2020
"Are you aware of the note the searchers found in Dyatlov’s tent?" Steven asked.
Nat was, and she felt chilled in a way that had nothing to do with the cold. "It said, From now on we know that snowmen exist."




"The snowmen. This land belongs to the snowmen."




The woman fell backward, exposing a swollen face that was purple with bruises. Where her nose and eyes should have been were torn, bloody holes.




I read this book as part of my Horror Group Challenge! I started and couldn’t put it down. I must say I’m not sure how I feel with that ending. Anyhoo, I loved the book about what happened at Dyarlov’s Pass, I mean you never really know....

I loved all of the characters, some more than others, and naturally that’s not the thing to do in horror books! Sighhhhhhhh!

I love the take on what happened to the original people and what happened to this group of people and also what one of the guides mentions about his tribe and the situation.

All in all, I enjoyed the book! Thank you author, Glenn Rolfe for the recommendation!

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

BLOG: https://melissa413readsalot.blogspot....
Profile Image for Peter.
4,071 reviews797 followers
January 12, 2023
The book started very intriguing and eerie. But soon the restaging of the Dyatlov tour became a bit tedious and literally got stuck in the snow. Somehow I'd expected a bit more here with such a famous unsolved mystery. Everything was a bit predictable and the characters were a bit too plain for my liking. Maybe for Moncrieff fans or die-hard Dyatlov-Pass fans. It was okay!
Profile Image for Pat.
2,310 reviews501 followers
July 22, 2022
After recently loving Will Jordan’s Dark Harvest which was inspired by the real life mystery of the Dyatlov Pass incident in 1959 where 9 Russian hikers met various grisly deaths which have never been explained, I was keen to read more about the incident. I don’t know what possessed me to think this book would be more of a documentary style story (which is what I was aiming for) but it ended up being horror (not horror, horror) and I really enjoyed it. When I saw there was a sequel I just had to grab it too so it seems I’m off down a little horror rabbit hole!

Podcaster of the bizarre and unexplained, Nat McPherson has been hassled for some time to look into the Dyatlov Pass incident by some guy calling himself Clint - put up or shut up. So she thinks “you know what - let’s do it”. Nat and her producer and best friend Andrew put together an international team of variously skilled people and, after months of training, off they go.

It’s more gruelling than Nat or Andrew thought although rest of the team don’t seem to be having any problems. The terrain is very rugged and the cold is debilitating. When Andy starts showing signs of altitude sickness they split into two groups. One keeps going to establish the next camp and the others stay with Andy and Nat. That is the beginning of the end!

Their Mansi (local tribe) guide Vasily is horrified when Inuit traders and hunters Anubha and her husband Joe go off to hunt down something for dinner. He says the “snowmen” won’t like it. It is a sign of disrespect. No one believes him that there is some sort of abominable snowman out there yet the two Inuits do not return and their mutilated bodies are soon discovered.

And so it goes, they are picked off one by one only this is no cosy Agatha Christie mystery. I won’t say who survives and who doesn’t except that Nat does make it and I am about to read the sequel which is set in America and features a different kind of monster.

Despite the horror, the characters were well portrayed and were very realistic. The camaraderie and tensions between them were well done. I enjoyed the story immensely. It was a fairly quick read and it wasn’t the creepy kind of horror at all but, yes, there was blood!
Profile Image for Kimberly.
1,940 reviews2 followers
April 8, 2018
RETURN TO DYATLOV PASS, by J.H. Moncrieff, is an incredibly realistic historical-fiction, horror novel. The basis for this is the 1959 "Dyatlov Pass incident"--a true, unsolved mystery in which nine Russian skiers died in the Ural Mountains. Their bodies were found weeks later, inexplicably mutilated, and their deaths were never explained . . .

"That story has always bugged me. Did you know it's been almost sixty years, and they still have no idea what happened to those people? . . . "

Nat McPherson, along with her producer, Andrew, are about to delve into the mystery in order to bring something "real" to their supernatural podcast, "Nat's Mysterious World". Moncrieff starts out immediately by setting up a strong sense of rapport with her characters. The carefree banter and familiarity these two main characters share instantly shows us the deep bond between them. In my opinion, this is much more telling and effective than simply narrating: "these two are close friends".

". . . If you're going to risk your life, at least find some nice possessed girl no one else has discovered yet."

After training and assembling a competent crew of their own, Nat and Andy are on their way to ". . . Kholat Syakhl, the infamous Dead Mountain . . . " . Once they arrive there, the imagery and culture momentarily take over our senses.

". . . Having doubts means I'm of sound mental health . . . "

Moncrieff has a great talent when it comes to making the reader feel as though they were physically present in each environment she takes them to with her writing. Through the gestures, actions, and comments of her characters, I felt as if I were literally shivering along with them on those snow covered mountains.

". . . some places are just plain bad . . . I'm willing to bet the reason it's called Dead Mountain has nothing to do with the lack of game. People die here."

The hostile atmosphere is augmented by the vastly different personalities--and level of experience--of each individual involved.

". . . My usual exercise is running my mouth . . . "

By the time the team sets out together, the tension has already begun to mount exponentially.

". . . Human beings are extremely self-centered. We have no concern for anything but ourselves . . . "

What happens to this team is very much the author's own story--and I loved each and every anxiety-riddled moment of it. There were times where I was nearly gasping in surprise, and then others that had me laughing aloud at the comic-laced sarcasm used to lighten things up along the way.

"'We'll die if we get trapped on the side of the mountain in a blizzard . . . ' As usual, the mountaineer was brimming with optimism."

In a novel like this, the comedic interludes made a great way to momentarily lighten the rising tension. I've always appreciated an author who has the ability to use that tactic effectively. In addition to giving the terror a brief "pause", it also conveys to the reader a sense of more intimately understanding a character's mindset and overall personality.

"Clearly, they'd have to work on their telepathy if they ever got out of this mess."

Moncrieff begins with a real life mystery, and creates a unique story of her own from those kernels of fact. Near the end, I had about half a dozen possible scenarios for the ending in my mind.

I was absolutely thrilled when not one of them even came close.

". . . Ignorance was most definitely bliss, but it was also a luxury she couldn't afford."

Overall, an effective horror novel on many levels. We have realistic characters you can emphasize with, an incredible atmosphere that you can practically "feel", witty dialog, and a vivid, imaginative journey-turned-nightmare to traverse. All said, a highly impressive tale that is a strong contender for my "Best Reads of 2018" list.

Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Carol.
3,760 reviews137 followers
October 26, 2025
In 1959, nine Russian students set off on a skiing expedition in the Ural Mountains. Their mutilated bodies were discovered weeks later. Their bizarre and unexplained deaths are one of the most enduring true mysteries of our time. Nearly sixty years later, podcast host Nat McPherson ventures into the same mountains with her team, determined to finally solve the mystery of the Dyatlov Pass incident. Her plans are thwarted on the first night, when two trackers from her group are brutally slaughtered. The team’s guide, a superstitious man from a neighboring village, blames the killings on yetis, but no one believes him. As members of Nat’s team die one by one, she must figure out if there’s a murderer in their midst, or something even worse...before history repeats itself and her group becomes another casualty of the infamous "Dead Mountain".
This is the first book for this author but it's the second book by her that I have read. It has become an imperative that I find out if these stories are based on some horrible pieces of reality or just on the author's wonderful over-active, imagination. I have found that it's a little of both and it is now an imperative that I read "Every Last One of Them!!". I will warn you that most of them are graphic in the horror details so if you don't have a fairly strong stomach...just saying. This one is based on an actual event.

This is an incredibly realistic historic-fictional horror story based on a true event. The basis for this was the 1959 "Dyatlov Pass incident"--a true, unsolved mystery in which nine young Russian skiers died in the Ural Mountains. Their bodies were found weeks later, inexplicably mutilated, and their deaths have never been completely explained . . . but the Russian government and the victims' families, accepts the verdict that has been put forth. Another reviewer pointed out..."The story has always bugged me. Did you know it's been almost sixty years, and some say that they still have no actual idea what happened to those people? . . . " Actually, they now do....and it makes a lot of sense.

Nat McPherson, along with her producer, Andrew, are about to dive into this unsolved mystery in order to bring something "real" to their supernatural podcast, entitled, "Nat's Mysterious World". After training and assembling a competent team, the two friends are on their way to "Kholat Syakhl"... the infamous "Dead Mountain". The hostile atmosphere is further fueled by the different personalities as well as the different levels of experience. I liked this comment made by one . . . "My usual form of exercise is running my mouth". So... by the time the team sets actually sets out together, the tension has already begun to mount exponentially.

The entire story, including what happens to this team, in this story, is truly this author's own story. it is very loosely based on the actual event. There were times where I was surprised, and others that I had to laugh at the sarcasm some of the team used to lighten things up along the way...and things were certainly going to need lightening up very soon. The author has done a commendable job taking a "real-life" mystery and creating this unique story from the yet to this day, small number of facts that actually does exist. By the end, I had put together about six possible scenarios for the ending. Of course, not one of them even came close..., but it was fun. I have included at the end of this review a link to a video and an article showing what conclusion the investigating authorities and the Russian government, have come to.

Overall, this was a perfect horror story on several levels. There are realistic characters...characters the reader can emphasize with...an incredible atmosphere that you can actually sometimes "feel"... funny dialog, along with a vivid journey that soon turns to a living nightmare. I have to say that it was a highly impressive well told story.

Side Notes:
From Wikipedia - "The Dyatlov Pass incident occurred in February 1959 when nine Soviet ski hikers, led by Igor Dyatlov, disappeared while trekking in the Ural Mountains. Their bodies were found in sub-zero temperatures, with some showing signs of trauma and others with entirely missing body parts. Investigations concluded that hypothermia and physical trauma were the likely causes of their deaths, but the exact circumstances still remain a mystery. Various theories have been proposed, including natural disasters, military testing, and even paranormal events, but no definitive explanation has been established.

https://allthatsinteresting.com/dyatl...
One explanation that still has not been actually accepted. There are some pictures but they're not graphic.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=what+re...
This is a video, that after 60 years, finally provides some insight to what the Russian authorities think may be what happened. It does have some actual picture of the abandoned campsite.... none are graphic. This "Florida girl" can't imagine anyone actually wanting to go out in that. BURRR
Profile Image for Empress Reece (Hooked on Books).
915 reviews82 followers
October 29, 2018
You can tell from the title obviously that this book is based on the Dyatlov Pass incident that occurred on February 2, 1959. I'm embarrassed to say though, I had never heard of it until I started reading this book then I searched and read everything I could find about it. It's a very interesting story and does make you wonder. There's quite a few theories floating around but the events in this book match the evidence so perfectly, you'll start believing in the unbelievable by the time you finishing reading this one. : ) Definitely a must read if you like reading books based on true stories and real people and places.



Profile Image for Mr Chuck.
317 reviews7 followers
July 6, 2020
The last 1/4 of the book

The Dyatlov pass is a fascinating mystery so I was excited to read this horror take on the story.

Starts off well with quick building of characters and what's to come. Then it just becomes boring and annoying.

Clearly the writer didn't plan an ending or a way to tie everything together so made some rubbish mish mash of violence and pathetic tension building.

What was with people getting angry? What the hell was the point of steven being bad then good then bad then good? Why did no one check to see what the monsters look like? Why did they die SO easily? Ahhh so much shit happened in the last 1/4 of this book I've changed my rating from 2 stars to 1.
Profile Image for Calvin.
252 reviews6 followers
July 24, 2018
I read this book because I'm fascinated by the Dyatlov Pass incident and thought this would be a great read. I was sorely disappointed. The book is basically one of those awful B movies on the SciFi channel. Not even a B movie though, probably a C. The book is pretty short, but that's not a huge problem. The characters are so-so. No one is interesting enough to root for or care about. One character flip flops so much it's hard to tell if they're a good guy or not. And then there's the monsters. I was really excited to see what they were, maybe learn their backstory. Instead, I got no explanation, no backstory, and a description that sounded like it came from a child. Before I could learn anything about the creatures, the book ends. I wasn't expecting a Hollywood ending where everyone survives, but an ambiguous cliffhanger was a let down. It just seemed like lazy writing, like the author just gave up. I was very disappointed with the whole thing. Save your money and read something else worthwhile
Profile Image for Kelli W.
621 reviews173 followers
October 16, 2025
2.5

After 50%, the book started to read like someone else had taken over writing duties. Someone with almost the exact same novel writing skills as myself.

questions almost emerge...


P.S. I have no novel writing skills
Profile Image for Catherine Cavendish.
Author 41 books424 followers
May 11, 2018
The true events surrounding the unexplained and violent deaths of nine ski hikers, killed in the Ural Mountains of Russia in the winter of 1959 have inspired a number of books and films, all seeking to provide the answer to one question. What happened? Now, Canadian author, J.H. Moncrieff, inspired by this story, has sued it as a basis of a suspenseful, thrilling and gripping novel of a group of characters who set out, well equipped with supplies, and members possessing the range of skills they should need to tackle the inhospitable terrain. Led by Nat - a woman determined to get to the bottom of the mystery -- the groups set off, quickly discovering that while their skills might complement each other, their personalities spark violent arguments and threaten their own survival. Then one night, they hear a blood-curdling howl. Wolves? Of something more treacherous still? Yeti, abominable snowmen, call them what you will, these creatures are intelligent, ruthless killers and Nat and her team have encroached on their territory. Will history repeat itself and another unsolved Dyatlov Incident occur?

I have read a number of J.H, Moncrieff's books and pay tribute to her for the thoroughness of her research into some of the most dark, frightening and daunting places in the world. No wonder her stories sound authentic. She has actually travelled within these locations! Kudos to her. It all adds to the atmosphere, the sense of fear and dread. Return to Dyatlov Pass is a triumph of horror adventure.
Profile Image for Steve Stred.
Author 88 books671 followers
July 9, 2018
Great read!

This was a fun thriller, set in a fantastic place. If you dont know any of the back story of Dyatlov Pass, dont let that prevent you from reading this!

The characters are intriguing and engaging!

My only negative about this story - it felt very rushed in places. I think if it was another 50 pages longer, to allow some of the scenes to play out a bit more, this would be a 5 star read!
Profile Image for Jen.
672 reviews306 followers
November 26, 2018
Return to Dyatlov Pass follows a podcaster and a team of people trying to learn what really happened to students who died up in the mountains.

I'm pretty unfamiliar with the true events of Dyatlov Pass. I feel like I'm missing out a bit by not having my own theories to compare against what happened in Return to Dyatlov Pass. This was a fun read, though. Any which way you look at it, I enjoy a good monster story, and I had fun reading this one.

My only complaint regarding Return to Dyatlov Pass was toward the characters and the odd interactions/relationships. I wasn't able to connect to anyone, but I still had a good time.
6 reviews
March 15, 2018
Her best one yet!

The inexplicable deaths at Dyatlov Pass are one of history’s most intriguing mysteries, as no explanation has ever made sense—until now. Once again, Moncrieff succeeds in crafting a beautifully written story that’s heavy on action, drama, excitement, suspense, and all that awesome fast-paced stuff you’d expect from a book like this. But the genius of her writing—and what you rarely find in this genre—are characters so heartbreakingly real you’d swear they aren’t even characters but real people. There’s nothing clichéd about their dialogue, their mannerisms, or their actions and reactions. These are real people, reacting to real situations, real dilemmas, and real dangers. As such, it was an absolute treat to read. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself getting angry along with a character, scared (Moncrieff is a virtuoso of the heart-in-throat, paralyzed-with-fear sensation), and—I’m not afraid to admit it—a bit weepy at times. Okay, bawling my eyes out would be a bit more accurate. This is a masterful piece of work from a writer who is clearly a master of her genre. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!
Profile Image for Karen.
527 reviews55 followers
July 4, 2021
I wanted to love this book. I'm fascinated by the Dyatlov Pass mystery and I recently read "Dead Mountain" which was excellent, and which gave me lots of background. I really don't think it was yeti who caused the disaster in 1959, but I love a good yeti story, so I was here for it. I was not here for the 90% of the book that was dialogue: mostly bickering and never-ending debates among the characters. I almost DNF. I'm glad I stuck around for the ending and I wish it had continued for one more chapter... some resolution of some kind would have been good.
Profile Image for Cherise Isabella.
410 reviews33 followers
July 2, 2024
As someone who has been fascinated and intrigued by the Dyatlov Pass mystery, from the time I first heard about it, this book was perfect for me. However, I will say that if you're not familiar with the real life version, you'd still enjoy this book.

The book opens with a brutal death which immediately sets the tone for readers. From that moment onwards, a feeling of trepidation and fear grips you as you venture further and further into the story. You know what's coming as the author gives readers a brief description of what occurred in 1959 in those mountains -if you're not familiar with the story.

As the group sets off things rapidly go downhill. From rising tension, differing personalities facing off, deception, lies and ultimately death. The book takes you on a wild ride of absolute terror. The setting, the isolation, the atmospheric nature of this book was brilliantly executed.

The way the author uses the knowledge from the original incident in 1959 and masterfully weaves this tale is nothing short of spectacular. There was never a moment of relaxation, just pure raw, unfiltered horror that kept me enthralled from cover to to cover.

The obscurity of the ending was the perfect way to wrap this one up. My only complaints are: I would've preferred the inclusion of the other characters POVs. Also I struggled to connect with Nat's character. Other than that, this is a stellar creature feature that was inspired by the original mysterious deaths of nine Russian hikers in the year 1959.
A good few hours were spent with this one.
Profile Image for coty ☆.
614 reviews17 followers
September 18, 2019
when i first began reading this, i was determined to give it at least 4 stars, even if the writing and plot weren't the best. i really, really wanted to enjoy it, to have it be a guilty pleasure, because these kinds of stories typically are. and for a good chunk of the book, it did turn out to be just that - very reminiscent of one the best movies ever made, devil's pass, which i really hope is the film that nat mentions near the beginning.

but there's just a couple of things that prevented me from giving this a 3 or 4 star rating.

the most glaring is the 'romance' subplots, the "love triangle" between two dudes and a girl (because, of course there is). despite the narrator's internal dialogue, i can't really recall there being any sort of 'spark' between the girl and the dudes; nothing seemed like flirting. there just wasn't any indication that this was going to be a subplot in the story. typically, i'd just do my best to ignore this; it's nearly inescapable in fiction, people love to throw in some romance for the flavor - but the way it's done is just.. uncomfortable, and even moreso since it doesn't seem to be clear as to what actually occurred. the girl at the center, lana, supposedly was flirting with two men, steven and igor - but there's an accusation made by igor that steven attempted to/or actually did force himself onto lana, but lana is dead, so she's unable to clarify. there's then a moment later on where steven attempts to 'clear his name' and insists that igor was the one being pushy - and i don't know if the narrator nat is just a fucking idiot or if the author doesn't understand how to properly convey such a serious topic, but there's some seriously weird shit about all of it. nat is the Queen of mental gymnastics when it comes to these accusations. she believes them, then she doesn't; she accuses lana of pitting them against each other (remember, she is DEAD and unable to defend herself); she says, and i quote, "steven wouldn't be the first man to misread a woman's intentions" (okay, not a direct quote, paraphrased, i didn't feel like reading it again because of how mad it makes me). victim blaming is just so hot i guess! to make matters worse, there's a part a couple chapters later where steven has both lana and nat's underwear in his bag, so like, he's a fucking creep, i don't know if he actually raped/assaulted lana but like, HE HAD THEIR UNDERWEAR. HE IS A FREAK but it's just laughed off/forgotten, just like the accusations leveled against steven are, and suddenly, he's a good guy! nat thinks the world of him! i hate it! it feels so much like this romance subplot/steven being a Freak was added in as an afterthought, i don't know, maybe because the author thought it would make things more atmospheric, but @ after writer doing horror / thrillers / suspense: i promise you, you can craft a compelling and terrifying story without sexual assault. please, i'm begging you, learn to.

another thing that bugs me is that nat, this random canadian chick with absolutely no experience in ANYTHING, is seemingly the only person able to take the snowmen out. like, anubha and joe and vasiliy and igor who are all TRAINED for this, the first two being HUNTERS, the latter being MOUNTAIN MEN, struggle to fight these things - but nat can kill multiple? it really rubs me the wrong way. i don't think anyone should've survived this, least of all nat. it just doesn't make sense for her to suddenly have the strength to take out the snowmen.. but maybe that's just me, who knows.

the ending is also bullshit, i think, but like, i also understand why it's there, so it's fine, i guess.

overall, this had a lot of potential. it was atmospheric and dark from the jump. when dealing with a story that derives from real-life events, there's always the feeling that it's somehow exploitative, but the author has a nice dedication and i think it's a good enough job at referencing the incident. as far as theories and tales go, i do believe it's one of the better ones. the dyatlov story is haunting; the setting in which it takes place feels so claustrophobic, despite being set in nature, because of the oppressive nature of the mountains and the snow, and is wrought with tension because of the realness of it, and the fact that it remains unsolved.

there was a good basis here, and a beginning worthy of it, but this story really just loses itself with an unnecessary subplot and a mishandling of sexual assault and rape culture.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for exorcismemily.
1,448 reviews356 followers
May 2, 2018
Return to Dyatlov Pass was a very fun read! I've been trying to read more horror books by women, and this one was a solid choice.

The Dyatlov Pass Incident is such a fascinating story, and I loved reading about it in a horror story setting. This book is about a podcast who goes to the area to try to figure out what happened, and obviously shit goes down.

There were some strange interactions between men and women in the group, and it was a little off-putting, but not anything too distracting.

I enjoyed this book very much, and I was pretty surprised by the ending (in a good way). I also like that some of the different Dyatlov theories are covered in the book & it was fun to think about the different option. Honestly, I kind of see the path this book went in as a plausible idea to explain what happened. I am excited to read more from JH Moncrieff!
Profile Image for Russell James.
Author 48 books216 followers
March 17, 2019
A group of adventurers tries to solve a decades old mystery of what befell a similar expedition in the Ural Mountains. Death soon follows and this story of survival against a savage, unknown species never lets up. A claustrophobic, gripping horror thriller filled with layered characterization and a tight plot. Read it in a warm place because the winter scenes will certainly give you chills. J. H. Moncrieff has penned another winner.
Profile Image for M.
369 reviews34 followers
March 12, 2023
This was a book I was really excited for because I’m familiar with the Dyatlov Pass case and wanted to see how the author interpreted it. It was a pretty average monster story, there was a lot of storylines introduced that kind of just didn’t go anywhere and then some facts of the story that were forgotten by the characters all together by the end. I did like how the author connected the real case to the fictional story world, but ultimately this story was a bit of a let down.
Profile Image for Katrin.
978 reviews8 followers
July 24, 2023
Also ich wurde überrascht.

Gut geschrieben, spannend und auch glaubwürdig mit den wirklichen Ereignissen von damals verbunden.

Die Charaktere waren in Ordnung, der eine sympathischer als der andere.
Gegruselt hab ich mich jetzt nicht, aber es war wirklich ein solides "Monster"abenteuer.

Nur das Ende kam dann aber leider viel zu abrupt. Hätte gerne noch gewusst wie es weitergangen wäre.
Profile Image for Susan.
470 reviews12 followers
October 12, 2019
Full of action

This was a fascinating story with wonderful yet realistic characters. Hard to put down. Nat does podcasts and her newest story is about the Dyatlov Pass incident. 60 years have passed and still no one knows what happened. She is going to follow in their footsteps and hope to discover what happened to them. Highly recommend
534 reviews10 followers
April 3, 2018
have been interested in Dyatlov Pass and it's history for quite a while, so when I saw this book I bought it. OMG. I loved it. have never read this author before but am going to get all her stuff. it was an awesome read and the outcome was jaw dropping. did not expect that ending. OMG. Do yourself a favor and read it. you won't regret it.
Profile Image for Ryan.
41 reviews3 followers
April 11, 2018
No spoilers here.

I don't usually get frightened by fiction, but this story honestly had me going. The tension builds so slowly, so effectively, that I was pulled in and couldn't stop reading. Once things really started to go wrong, and the body count rose, I was terrified.

Once again, J.H Moncrieff hits it out of the park.
Profile Image for Hannah (Hannah, Fully).
704 reviews274 followers
December 27, 2018
Wowowow, Return to Dyatlov Pass is a scary read. Considering the novel is based on the Dyatlov Pass incident in 1959—when nine experienced skiers died mysterious deaths in the Ural Mountains—this was expected. From the beginning, J.H. Moncrieff (author of City of Ghosts, which won the 2018 Kindle Book Review Award for best Horror/Suspense) sets the mood of the story with the horrifying first chapter set in 1959 before jumping to modern times to introduce us to Nat McPherson, a podcast host who explores the unnatural and unsolved. Nat is encouraged to go on an expedition of her own to the same area where the incident happened in the hope that she would uncover what happened to the skiers without repeating history.

This is a ride from beginning to end. History repeats itself a little and many conspiracies are shared throughout. There are lots of descriptions that are so graphic that, after a certain point, I had to call it quits when the sun set and came back in the morning. (I am very much not in the mood for scary dreams where people die in a gruesome manner, even if they’re fictional.)

The members of Nat’s expeditions had a rocky start and got along later, but there were moments when their interactions were awkward and out of place. In addition to that, there were apparently romantic relationships involved that felt unnecessary. “I love yous” were even thrown around suddenly.

But characters and relationships plopped on readers’ heads aside, Return to Dyatlov Pass was quite the chilling read and I was in it for the thrills.

This review was originally posted on The Arts STL.
Profile Image for Mary Aalgaard.
392 reviews15 followers
June 22, 2018
Another great, intense tale by J.H. Moncrieff. This time, an exploration party, led by Nat McPherson, relives the terror experienced by a group of Russians 50 years prior, as she seeks to uncover the mystery of their tragic exploration. With nods to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" and mythical lore, Moncrieff spins her own web of horror on the Russian mountainside, in the Dyatlov Pass. This story is not for the feint of heart. Moncrieff doesn't hold back on the details. She does a terrific job of building suspense and creating empathy with the characters. I can't wait for more books by Moncrieff. Keep'em coming!
Profile Image for Mark L'estrange.
Author 71 books43 followers
April 9, 2021
A perfect blend of terror, intrigue, mystery and jump-out-of-your-skin moments.
JH Moncreiff captures the atmosphere perfectly in this murder mystery/horror take on the real life tragic events which befell those Russian students back in 1959.
Best not to read right before bed, unless you enjoy having nightmares.
Profile Image for Reeda Booke.
414 reviews28 followers
July 14, 2019
The mystery of Dyatlov Pass and the unfortunate hikers fascinates me so, I just had to read this book.
It was worth it. A great read that kept me fascinated till the end.
4 stars and recommended.
Author 24 books132 followers
February 9, 2021
This is my 2nd J H Moncrieff read and it was FAB.
Full review to come but it delivered all the goods.
Profile Image for Caitlin.
465 reviews13 followers
November 13, 2018
The story of Dyatlov Pass has churned out so many additional stories, as people grapple with understanding what truly happened there to cause the deaths of so many people, in such an inexplicable way. Some of these stories are told rather well, while others are just rehashed versions of not knowing what happened and not coming up with their own unique take.

Luckily, this book is very much the first, and is told incredibly well! A group of experts, either athletic skiers, climbers, or hunters, are all brought together to return to Dyatlov Pass with two people who are working on a podcast to try to figure out what happened, 60 years later. A well known podcast that often goes to haunted areas, or places of unexplained tragedy, they feel that Dyatlov Pass will be perfect for them - although it is not entirely their choice, they are more goaded in to it by trolls, until they realize it could be an interesting experience.
Of course, the guide they've hired is not interested in going to the mountains, because his people know what is there and what can go wrong. But we trek on anyway!

This was a rather creative take on what could have happened, not only trying to come up with what could have happened originally, but modernizing it so that the current group exploring also experiences similar events. The characters are a mixed bag of believers and nonbelievers, which helps create turmoil in the group on their approach to the campsites, and when events start occurring. Despite being such a short book, we're able to really get a feel for the characters, as you immediately are able to pick favourites of who you hope will make it out alive, or even who you become suspicious of.

Because it is such a short book, it it also very quick to jump in and become rather action packed. I thought the writing was great to show what was happening, without bogging down a short story with unnecessary descriptions. It makes for a page turner, because things move so quickly and you need to know what it happening to those on Dyatlov Pass, and what has happened before.

Really fun creature feature, that I would recommend if you have any knowledge of Dyatlov Pass, and have read any or all of the outlandish theories surrounding the event. This is a fantastic fun read that just adds fuel to the fire surrounding the mystery.
Profile Image for Paul (Life In The Slow Lane).
873 reviews69 followers
February 28, 2021
Shoe salesman: Err. What sized hiking boot do you normally take sir?
Yeti: Grrr. Size 157. Grrr.
Shoe salesman: Outboard motor with that sir?
Yeti: Grrr.

FACT: In 1959, a group of 9 students climbed through the Ural Mountains and were killed. The cause of their deaths has never been solved. Theories abound. Everything from Aliens to Yeti.

FICTION: The rest of this story. Another group take the same path to discover the cause.

This good little novelette has a nice smattering of horror. If you have one of those beds with space under it, you'll be wondering if it's safe to dangle your feet over the edge of the bed. It's a fast-paced story with an easy-to-follow linear plot. However, the ending was far too abrupt and incomplete for me. One frozen star off for that. Still...highly recommended. ⛷⛄
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