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Whitewater Thriller #1
Dead Drift
Two teenage girls on the run with fake IDs and a beater car…what could go wrong?
Emmy has always been impulsive. She is no longer a minor and has aged out of foster care. When her best friend, Amber, is the target of a perverted uncle who lives in the basement of her group home, they plan her escape.
They head for Canada, where Amber will be safe and the foster care system can no longer control their lives. They come across a whitewater rafting brochure and decide to take a detour for one last adventure before leaving the country. They have no idea it will be a decision that will forever change their fates.
The rafting town is so far in the middle of nowhere that Emmy’s car radio catches nothing but static. They consider turning around until a truck pulls up, loaded with hot whitewater rafting guides and rubber rafts--just the fun they were looking for. Ignoring every instinct, they turn off the pavement and follow the truck down an isolated dirt road. They end up in Lodell, the town where a girl went missing the previous summer…and she will not be the last.
Emmy has always been impulsive. She is no longer a minor and has aged out of foster care. When her best friend, Amber, is the target of a perverted uncle who lives in the basement of her group home, they plan her escape.
They head for Canada, where Amber will be safe and the foster care system can no longer control their lives. They come across a whitewater rafting brochure and decide to take a detour for one last adventure before leaving the country. They have no idea it will be a decision that will forever change their fates.
The rafting town is so far in the middle of nowhere that Emmy’s car radio catches nothing but static. They consider turning around until a truck pulls up, loaded with hot whitewater rafting guides and rubber rafts--just the fun they were looking for. Ignoring every instinct, they turn off the pavement and follow the truck down an isolated dirt road. They end up in Lodell, the town where a girl went missing the previous summer…and she will not be the last.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2015
15 people are currently reading
8410 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Romo
4 books132 followersKelly Romo grew up in California but has lived in Oregon for over twenty-five years. She is a retired educator and mother of three. Kelly has a Master of Fine Arts in Writing and a Master of Arts in Teaching, both from Pacific University.
Kelly's historical fiction novels are meticulously researched. They feature fictional characters set in historically accurate events from the 1920s and '30s. She emphasizes how this era affected women and how they rose to the challenges. Her storytelling brings history to life and explores the enduring complexities of human aspiration, societal ideals, and women's experiences throughout history.
In her thrillers, Kelly blends psychological depth with edge-of-your-seat suspense. Her novels include chapters from the chilling perspective of a serial killer, offering a harrowing glimpse into the dark recesses of a twisted mind. Her characters are raw and human, grappling with their flaws and fears in ways that make their struggles intensely relatable. By delving into the intricate psychology of a serial killer, she creates a hauntingly realistic narrative that captivates and terrifies.
For more information, visit www.KellyRomo.com.
Kelly's historical fiction novels are meticulously researched. They feature fictional characters set in historically accurate events from the 1920s and '30s. She emphasizes how this era affected women and how they rose to the challenges. Her storytelling brings history to life and explores the enduring complexities of human aspiration, societal ideals, and women's experiences throughout history.
In her thrillers, Kelly blends psychological depth with edge-of-your-seat suspense. Her novels include chapters from the chilling perspective of a serial killer, offering a harrowing glimpse into the dark recesses of a twisted mind. Her characters are raw and human, grappling with their flaws and fears in ways that make their struggles intensely relatable. By delving into the intricate psychology of a serial killer, she creates a hauntingly realistic narrative that captivates and terrifies.
For more information, visit www.KellyRomo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
June 25, 2022
4.25/5 stars rounded up to 5 for Goodreads
Thank you to @rrbooktours for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Two girls on the run for a new life. An adventure that leads to more than what they had bargained for.
I loved the alternating perspectives throughout the book between the MC, Emmy, and the killer. This aspect was unique in that the author is giving us as a glimpse into the mind and thoughts of the killer, which in most books don’t happen. I found this to be fascinating, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I kept trying to guess who the killer was, but the author does a fantastic job at keeping you guessing until the very end.
I have never read any previous books by Romo, but apparently there will be a follow up book to this one, so I am already looking forward to getting my hands on that one! I love discovering new authors to add to my never-ending TBR list, and Romo is one of those!
This is an action packed thriller, that leaves you on the edge of your seat; full of plot twists, and a hair raising POV from the killer, this one is definitely one that any thriller lover must read!
Thank you to @rrbooktours for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Two girls on the run for a new life. An adventure that leads to more than what they had bargained for.
I loved the alternating perspectives throughout the book between the MC, Emmy, and the killer. This aspect was unique in that the author is giving us as a glimpse into the mind and thoughts of the killer, which in most books don’t happen. I found this to be fascinating, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I kept trying to guess who the killer was, but the author does a fantastic job at keeping you guessing until the very end.
I have never read any previous books by Romo, but apparently there will be a follow up book to this one, so I am already looking forward to getting my hands on that one! I love discovering new authors to add to my never-ending TBR list, and Romo is one of those!
This is an action packed thriller, that leaves you on the edge of your seat; full of plot twists, and a hair raising POV from the killer, this one is definitely one that any thriller lover must read!
April 30, 2022
Dead Drift starts out with two lost lonely young women heading to Canada to start a new life. While looking for an adventure they take a disastrous side trip to go white water rafting.Little did they know that the consequences of that decision would change their lives.
The author does a great job of setting the scenes from beauty to horror in the state of Oregon.The characters are sympathetically drawn so we feel engaged with their problems and lives. As we learn more about the deaths, we are given plenty of suspects and clues.I like how occasionally we saw things from the killer’s point of view which added to the suspense.
Overall a great thriller with a gorgeous cover.
The author does a great job of setting the scenes from beauty to horror in the state of Oregon.The characters are sympathetically drawn so we feel engaged with their problems and lives. As we learn more about the deaths, we are given plenty of suspects and clues.I like how occasionally we saw things from the killer’s point of view which added to the suspense.
Overall a great thriller with a gorgeous cover.
June 15, 2022
Note: I received an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.
According to a note in the back of the book there is going to be a book two so definitely read, review and watch for that one as well!
Pros:
I thought the way the author gave perks through the killer’s eyes was brilliant. It amped up the fear and anticipation and kept you guessing on just who he was.
A personal thing for me is I don’t love when stories use a lot of I statements. For a long time I wouldn’t read books in first person because of it. I’m learning to appreciate it and when it is done well it fades into the background like it did in this book for me.
Cons:
It is a common thing in books/movies to have towns overlook things and be oblivious. It’s likely very true of towns in the real world as well. It just really bothers me when no one else is saying something is odd and you’ve had multiple deaths the same way, with more coincidences than just the type of death. It’s realistic so it’s nothing against the author they wrote it true to the world…it just feels like a sad statement on how much we all overlook to keep the status quo.
According to a note in the back of the book there is going to be a book two so definitely read, review and watch for that one as well!
Pros:
I thought the way the author gave perks through the killer’s eyes was brilliant. It amped up the fear and anticipation and kept you guessing on just who he was.
A personal thing for me is I don’t love when stories use a lot of I statements. For a long time I wouldn’t read books in first person because of it. I’m learning to appreciate it and when it is done well it fades into the background like it did in this book for me.
Cons:
It is a common thing in books/movies to have towns overlook things and be oblivious. It’s likely very true of towns in the real world as well. It just really bothers me when no one else is saying something is odd and you’ve had multiple deaths the same way, with more coincidences than just the type of death. It’s realistic so it’s nothing against the author they wrote it true to the world…it just feels like a sad statement on how much we all overlook to keep the status quo.
July 8, 2022
After years in foster care, at 18, Amber is getting her life together. But Emmy, her best friend, is still stuck at the foster house. And with the way their foster father has been acting, Emmy isn’t safe there. So after devising a plan, Amber helps Emmy escape, and they head for an adventure of whitewater rafting. This is the start of their new lives, and they will have a blast.
Romo writes solid characters. Amber is clearly suffering, and after years in foster care, she doesn’t always know what healthy looks like. She latches onto Brian and doesn’t want to let go. She’s clingy and constantly worried that he will up and leave her. That’s been the pattern her entire life. But things have gotten serious, and she needs him more than ever.
This is a fun story. I liked how there were alternating points of view and that Romo slowly built the suspense, so you knew something was up, but you weren’t sure where to point the finger. I like the small-town feel and that everyone sticks together. It’s very representative of small-town life. The book ends in such a way that readers won’t feel disappointed, which I thoroughly enjoy. Overall, this is a fun mystery with a bit of romance. It will be interesting to see where Romo takes this series.
Romo writes solid characters. Amber is clearly suffering, and after years in foster care, she doesn’t always know what healthy looks like. She latches onto Brian and doesn’t want to let go. She’s clingy and constantly worried that he will up and leave her. That’s been the pattern her entire life. But things have gotten serious, and she needs him more than ever.
This is a fun story. I liked how there were alternating points of view and that Romo slowly built the suspense, so you knew something was up, but you weren’t sure where to point the finger. I like the small-town feel and that everyone sticks together. It’s very representative of small-town life. The book ends in such a way that readers won’t feel disappointed, which I thoroughly enjoy. Overall, this is a fun mystery with a bit of romance. It will be interesting to see where Romo takes this series.
December 21, 2022
The blurb screamed at me to be read, two runaways and a murderous town, I mean what more could you want?
Unfortunately, I felt some of the execution fell a bit flat with the over-descriptive aspects and at times it felt a bit too slow for me. However, I was intrigued by what might happen next. I wanted to know if Emmy would be ok and if would we ever find out the meaning of the shoe tree. I could picture that tree ever so clearly in my mind and that gave me shivers!
I didn’t guess who was behind everything and that final sting in the tale was rather sad. Although, this is the first in a series so in the next book I hope for a happy reunion of sorts.
From the start, I was feeling protective over Emmy and Amber and when you had the chapters from the killer, it made me so scared for them! Man those chapters were chilling. To get inside of that coldness, well hats off to the author for that. I needed to scrub myself clean after reading those bits. Cold, chilling, and just plain terrifying.
Unfortunately, I felt some of the execution fell a bit flat with the over-descriptive aspects and at times it felt a bit too slow for me. However, I was intrigued by what might happen next. I wanted to know if Emmy would be ok and if would we ever find out the meaning of the shoe tree. I could picture that tree ever so clearly in my mind and that gave me shivers!
I didn’t guess who was behind everything and that final sting in the tale was rather sad. Although, this is the first in a series so in the next book I hope for a happy reunion of sorts.
From the start, I was feeling protective over Emmy and Amber and when you had the chapters from the killer, it made me so scared for them! Man those chapters were chilling. To get inside of that coldness, well hats off to the author for that. I needed to scrub myself clean after reading those bits. Cold, chilling, and just plain terrifying.
June 28, 2022
Dead Drift by Kelly Romo is a fantastic thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. From the first line of this story to the last, I could not put this down (except when my brain forced me to sleep).
The story flips back and forth between Emmy’s perspective and the killer’s perspective. Emmy is a great main character. She’s brave, with relatable insecurities but her drive to figure out the truth was very compelling.
My absolute favorite part of this story was the killer’s point of view. It was creepy to get into his he’d and it kept me guessing who he was the entire time. It was very compelling to get into his head and that was the part that really kept me reading past my bedtime.
Dead Drift is awesome. If you enjoy thrillers that keep you guessing and flipping pages, I highly recommend checking this out.
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the free review copy and tour invite. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
The story flips back and forth between Emmy’s perspective and the killer’s perspective. Emmy is a great main character. She’s brave, with relatable insecurities but her drive to figure out the truth was very compelling.
My absolute favorite part of this story was the killer’s point of view. It was creepy to get into his he’d and it kept me guessing who he was the entire time. It was very compelling to get into his head and that was the part that really kept me reading past my bedtime.
Dead Drift is awesome. If you enjoy thrillers that keep you guessing and flipping pages, I highly recommend checking this out.
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for the free review copy and tour invite. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
May 23, 2022
A GREAT fast-paced thriller that I couldn’t put down!
This novel rotates between the perspective of the main character Emmy, and the killer that’s after multiple women during the story (“Him”). This back and forth helped keep me as the reader on my toes, and I was constantly searching for clues as to who “Him” was. The author does an amazing job of giving you reasons to think the killer is different characters, which spoke to the high quality crafting of this book.
The details in the writing really helped me visualize the setting to the story, and I think this would translate very well to a movie as well!
I recommend this book to those who love thrillers and want to go on an exciting ride you won’t want to stop!
This novel rotates between the perspective of the main character Emmy, and the killer that’s after multiple women during the story (“Him”). This back and forth helped keep me as the reader on my toes, and I was constantly searching for clues as to who “Him” was. The author does an amazing job of giving you reasons to think the killer is different characters, which spoke to the high quality crafting of this book.
The details in the writing really helped me visualize the setting to the story, and I think this would translate very well to a movie as well!
I recommend this book to those who love thrillers and want to go on an exciting ride you won’t want to stop!
July 10, 2022
4.5/5
This book was so thrilling and it kept me constantly on my toes. The perspective of the killer added a whole level of edge and confusion as to who it could possibly be. I did not know who it was until we were close to the end. The one thing that was annoying is that there were clear signs that something was wrong in the town and no one wanted to listen. I think the main character, Emmy, has gone through a lot and I just felt like she was constantly battling a war she couldn't win until the end. Overall as a first thriller book it kept me entertainer and I will be reading the upcoming book in the series. I hope that in the next book we get a glimpse of the characters we met in this one, it would be full circle.
This book was so thrilling and it kept me constantly on my toes. The perspective of the killer added a whole level of edge and confusion as to who it could possibly be. I did not know who it was until we were close to the end. The one thing that was annoying is that there were clear signs that something was wrong in the town and no one wanted to listen. I think the main character, Emmy, has gone through a lot and I just felt like she was constantly battling a war she couldn't win until the end. Overall as a first thriller book it kept me entertainer and I will be reading the upcoming book in the series. I hope that in the next book we get a glimpse of the characters we met in this one, it would be full circle.
June 30, 2022
Romo's narrative style draws you in as Emmy's tale unravels. I found myself talking to the girls, "No, don't go!" from the moment the Magic 8-ball revealed the darkness ahead. The characters are believable, and every glimpse into the killer's deranged connection to the river left me creeped out, dreading the next page and yet compelled to go back for more.
The author provided clues and twists kept things interesting. The context of the reveal was disturbing because it seemed realistic. Totally within the realm of plausibility.
The author provided clues and twists kept things interesting. The context of the reveal was disturbing because it seemed realistic. Totally within the realm of plausibility.
June 2, 2022
I borrowed "Dead Drift" to take on my camping trip. I could not put it down and read the entire book in a two days! It is well written, has a natrual flow to it and reads quickly, it holds your attention, it leaves you guessing and second guessing who the killer is, and the characterization is done very well. Everything you want in a thriller. The chapters from the killers point of view will leave the hair on the back of your next standing up but not let you look away! I highly recommend this read.
July 9, 2022
Dead Drift is about two young women heading to Canada to start a new life. Looking for an adventure they take a side trip to go white water rafting. Little did they know that decision would change their lives. This was an adventure! The author gives us plenty of clues and suspects for us to guess from. I always enjoy books when you get to get the point of view from the killer and this is this one of them! They always add to the creepiness! It was a great read! Thank you Rachel's Random Resources and Kelly Romo for sharing this book with me!
August 9, 2023
Kelly Romo does an amazing job of having every character that Emmy meets become questionable as the potential killer. In small,quiet towns, people are always overlooked and Emmy and Amber coming across this town opens up a new chapter and mystery for everyone of Lodell. As an Oregonian I love being able to recognize and have a full perception about the places that are talked about in this book. I absolutely loved it and will be reading the sequel.
May 6, 2022
I enjoyed experiencing Emmy's adventure and curiosity. While she has insecurities, she exhibits great strength to discover the truth and make things right.
I like the author's writing style which made it hard to put the book down because I was anxious to see what happened next.
I like the author's writing style which made it hard to put the book down because I was anxious to see what happened next.
May 6, 2022
I have read and enjoyed Kelly Romo’s first two books and this third book was just as incredible. I couldn’t put it down and right up to the last page it had me guessing who did it! I’m already wanting Kelly’s next book.
April 28, 2022
Dead Drift is an "edge of your seat" thriller. From page one, you are trying to figure out just what is going on in this slightly off-kilter rafting town where everyone seems charged with secrecy. The descriptions of rafting are spot on and at times hilarious! Right away you know who the good and bad guys are, or so you think, until the end of this scary story. Couldn't put it down!
May 24, 2022
Kelly Romo's Thriller "Dead Drift" kept me on the edge of my seat and the storyline was full of cliffhangers and plot twists which made it hard for me to put her book down. Very thrilling and bone chilling at times as she kept me guessing all along.... "Who Done It?"
May 24, 2022
Kelly got this one right! I read a lot of thrillers and rate this one at the top. Good job, Kelly! I look forward to the next one.
June 15, 2023
"Dead Drift," a self-published novel by Kelly Romo, is billed as a "whitewater thriller," so I expected something along the lines of Meryl Streep's action film, "The River Wild," a survival adventure with the protagonist matching wills against the bad guy while being forced to navigate dangerous waters. However, other than 1.5 chapters describing a tourists' rafting trip in the first third of the book, there is no other whitewater action, other than the fact the entire setting is in a small town known for its guided tours.
I was never pulled into the story; the writing was a constant reminder that I was reading someone's manuscript. One problem was a lack of differentiation in character voice. Every single character talked in a rather stilted manner, often without contractions. The river guide: "That is why you should follow all safety instructions. The biggest water we will go through is a class IV. There is a class VI rapid further downstream, but it is unrunnable. We will not go near it." The random rude guy pushing his way up to the bar: "We would like to get in." A woman looking at an injured dog: "I think his back legs are broken but he will be fine." The housekeeper: "Hello, Emmy. My name is Mary." The protagonist, Emmy, and the serial killer are first person narrators, so that unrealistic way of speaking is used with both.
"Dead Drift" is told in present tense, but the occasional past tense sneaks in:
Several grammatical errors. It's instead of its; laying instead of lying; hangar instead of hanger; "like a cat wanting to be pet."
Emmy's sex scenes and the hair-fetish driven killer's crude descriptions of what he does to the drugged victims seem gratuitous.
There are elements that are introduced but don't seem to go anywhere, such as the town being overrun with mysterious stray dogs that seem to be following Emmy around and watching her ominously. This is mentioned several times—it was almost as if a paranormal twist was being added—but nothing becomes of it.
Romo closes the novel with very ambiguous resolution, keeping the door open for the next two books in this series.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and would like to thank the author for personally sending me a copy and taking the time to include an inscription. My criticism is meant to be constructive, and I hope she continues to write and hone her craft. It is clear that she is passionate about her work.
I was never pulled into the story; the writing was a constant reminder that I was reading someone's manuscript. One problem was a lack of differentiation in character voice. Every single character talked in a rather stilted manner, often without contractions. The river guide: "That is why you should follow all safety instructions. The biggest water we will go through is a class IV. There is a class VI rapid further downstream, but it is unrunnable. We will not go near it." The random rude guy pushing his way up to the bar: "We would like to get in." A woman looking at an injured dog: "I think his back legs are broken but he will be fine." The housekeeper: "Hello, Emmy. My name is Mary." The protagonist, Emmy, and the serial killer are first person narrators, so that unrealistic way of speaking is used with both.
"Dead Drift" is told in present tense, but the occasional past tense sneaks in:
Several grammatical errors. It's instead of its; laying instead of lying; hangar instead of hanger; "like a cat wanting to be pet."
Emmy's sex scenes and the hair-fetish driven killer's crude descriptions of what he does to the drugged victims seem gratuitous.
There are elements that are introduced but don't seem to go anywhere, such as the town being overrun with mysterious stray dogs that seem to be following Emmy around and watching her ominously. This is mentioned several times—it was almost as if a paranormal twist was being added—but nothing becomes of it.
Romo closes the novel with very ambiguous resolution, keeping the door open for the next two books in this series.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and would like to thank the author for personally sending me a copy and taking the time to include an inscription. My criticism is meant to be constructive, and I hope she continues to write and hone her craft. It is clear that she is passionate about her work.
July 12, 2022
Dead Drift is a very dark, depressing story set in a small town in Oregon. It follows two girls from foster care who run away to avoid the pervy uncle who lives in the group home's basement. They're on their way to Canada, eager to start over with new identities. But they take a detour to Oregon after discovering a brochure for a whitewater rafting adventure. The rafting guides are hot, and both girls are looking forward to one last hurrah before heading for the border. Unfortunately for one of them, this adventure will be their last.
I thought this was a really good story. There were a lot of red herrings along the way, and while I had a couple of suspicions about what was going on, the actual reveal of the truth was a bit surprising. And the alternating POVs that offered glimpses into the killer's thoughts/mind was a nice touch.
This is a thriller that has a very realistic vibe to it. While reading, I could picture these two girls in the small, dusty town, going rafting, hanging out at the bar, etc. The characters are all very real, also. I could relate to both Emmy and Amber in different ways, and someone of the townsfolk felt like people you might actually know in real life.
The only negative for me was the missing quotation marks around dialogue (this happened a few times) and the occasional misspelled word that popped up. But that's just me being fussy.
If you're looking for a taut, tense thriller that will ultimately leave you kind of sad, give Dead Drift a read.
4.5 stars.
I thought this was a really good story. There were a lot of red herrings along the way, and while I had a couple of suspicions about what was going on, the actual reveal of the truth was a bit surprising. And the alternating POVs that offered glimpses into the killer's thoughts/mind was a nice touch.
This is a thriller that has a very realistic vibe to it. While reading, I could picture these two girls in the small, dusty town, going rafting, hanging out at the bar, etc. The characters are all very real, also. I could relate to both Emmy and Amber in different ways, and someone of the townsfolk felt like people you might actually know in real life.
The only negative for me was the missing quotation marks around dialogue (this happened a few times) and the occasional misspelled word that popped up. But that's just me being fussy.
If you're looking for a taut, tense thriller that will ultimately leave you kind of sad, give Dead Drift a read.
4.5 stars.
June 30, 2022
Thank you to R&R Book Tours for allowing me a spot on this tour and to the author for providing me with a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.
This book is about 2 girls who go on the run in search of a better life and end up with more than they bargained for. This alternates between Emmys perspective and the killers perspective. Normally I don’t like reading from the bad guys perspective but it worked for me in this book. The killers perspective is very creepy. Just read the excerpt above to understand what I mean.
There are major trigger warnings for this book. I don’t want to mention them in the review because of spoilers but if you are triggered by anything message me and I will tell you what to look out for.
The author did a great job of keeping me guessing who the killer was. I had my suspects and in the end, I was right even though I didn’t manage to narrow it down completely. I wish the pacing would have been a little more consistent. It starts of a little slow and then when things start to pick up it skips ahead 9 months and slows down again and then picks up toward the end. Also some parts were a little repetitive.
This definitely kept me on the edge of your seat needing to know how things were going to unfold despite the issues I had with it. If you are a thriller lover, you should definitely read this.
This book is about 2 girls who go on the run in search of a better life and end up with more than they bargained for. This alternates between Emmys perspective and the killers perspective. Normally I don’t like reading from the bad guys perspective but it worked for me in this book. The killers perspective is very creepy. Just read the excerpt above to understand what I mean.
There are major trigger warnings for this book. I don’t want to mention them in the review because of spoilers but if you are triggered by anything message me and I will tell you what to look out for.
The author did a great job of keeping me guessing who the killer was. I had my suspects and in the end, I was right even though I didn’t manage to narrow it down completely. I wish the pacing would have been a little more consistent. It starts of a little slow and then when things start to pick up it skips ahead 9 months and slows down again and then picks up toward the end. Also some parts were a little repetitive.
This definitely kept me on the edge of your seat needing to know how things were going to unfold despite the issues I had with it. If you are a thriller lover, you should definitely read this.
June 26, 2022
I won this book in the #goodreadsgiveaway. I so wanted to like this book, in fact it started out strong. The beginning was good. But the book "died" when Amber died. It was slow and Emmy did absolutely nothing the entire book. The dialog was frustrating, because it wasn't realistic. Emmy's action were frustrating, because she was just clingy and not an independent person. I tried to think how a previous foster child might behave, but I don't think it was realistic either. None of the characters were evolved and a lot of weird stuff that was never explained (like why no one else put it together that there was a murderer in town, why no one put it together that girls were being drugged, who else was with Skid the night he raped 1 of the women, and was talking about the guy leaving the other a mess. Never mentioned Brian's weird behavior the entire time.) Just too much not wrapped up in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2024
The premise of the book is interesting, revolving around incidents at a whitewater raft company in Oregon. But what goes on there unchecked is not believable. I listened to the audiobook (which I assume reflects exact writing) and the author uses no contractions. Who says “I can not do that” or “it is not my idea”? Nobody talks that formally, it's distracting, and it makes the book sound unauthentic. The beginning of the book says someone will likely be arrested for doing the wrong thing, and rightly so. That was just ignored; never again addressed. There’s mostly lots of descriptive sex; everything revolves around sex. There’s lots of half-naked young women always prancing around. The only redeeming grace in the book is an interesting story line. I finished the book only to see who the killer was. The characters weren't very appealing.
June 19, 2022
The moment I opened the book I was immediately swept into the story. Two foster girls leave their hometown to start a new life and flee a potential predator in their foster home. Unfortunately, their newfound freedom and adventure turns into a nightmare neither of them could have even fathomed. Set in central Oregon on the Deschutes River in a small rafting town. Kelly's has an amazing ability to transport you into the setting and feel as though you too are there smelling the sage brush and experiencing everything right there next to the characters. She includes chapters from the killer’s perspective keeping you guessing until the very end. You won’t be able to stop reading! Looking forward to Book 2!
June 27, 2022
Dead Drift is an excellent thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. It starts off with two young women down on their luck moving on to find something better and ends up in a murder "who done it" thriller.
The novel is written from the point of view of Emmy and of the killer.
Emmy's povs are full of adventure and insecurities which were relatable, whilst the Killer's were just scary. They put me on edge at times, the suspense was chilling.
The author has written this novel brilliantly, I suspected one person and it turned out it wasn't. I thought I knew but then another twist would come. The suspension and the atmosphere created in this novel was great and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The novel is written from the point of view of Emmy and of the killer.
Emmy's povs are full of adventure and insecurities which were relatable, whilst the Killer's were just scary. They put me on edge at times, the suspense was chilling.
The author has written this novel brilliantly, I suspected one person and it turned out it wasn't. I thought I knew but then another twist would come. The suspension and the atmosphere created in this novel was great and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 3, 2022
Dead Drift by Kelly Romo is an interesting and riveting mystery thriller. At first the plot did not drew my attention, but after a few pages it turned out to be a rather exciting one. With all the deaths happening, the author perfectly focused the plot around Emmy. Emmy's character is well written with all the high and lows of life, and still holding on. The real show comes toward the end. I enjoyed the book. I can say that it is one of those thrillers which you can finish within a day, as the mystery grips you and you cannot put the book down.
I would like to give the book 4 stars. Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for providing me an opportunity to read and review the book.
Read more on https://bibliophileverse.blogspot.com...
I would like to give the book 4 stars. Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for providing me an opportunity to read and review the book.
Read more on https://bibliophileverse.blogspot.com...
August 12, 2022
Emmy is full of insecurities and struggles, but she would do anything for her best friend, Amber.
So, when Amber becomes the target of a disgusting man living below the group home they reside in, they decide to run away.
I love Emmy's POV. Her character is relatable and her care free personality is enjoyable.
"His" POV is the complete opposite. It's scary, creepy, and absolutely perfect. I was in total awe at how well written his character is. It really makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
I can't say a whole lot more without giving a bunch of spoilers, but I will say I love this book!
Kelly did an incredible job at keeping it enticing.
It's an exciting and thrilling ride that will keep you guessing the whole way through!!!
I highly recommend it!
So, when Amber becomes the target of a disgusting man living below the group home they reside in, they decide to run away.
I love Emmy's POV. Her character is relatable and her care free personality is enjoyable.
"His" POV is the complete opposite. It's scary, creepy, and absolutely perfect. I was in total awe at how well written his character is. It really makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
I can't say a whole lot more without giving a bunch of spoilers, but I will say I love this book!
Kelly did an incredible job at keeping it enticing.
It's an exciting and thrilling ride that will keep you guessing the whole way through!!!
I highly recommend it!
June 30, 2022
I love this book! It's a 5 out of 5 ⭐ from me with a 5 out 5 in suspenseful/keep you guessing until the end category. Not sure what emoji to use for that maybe...😳😱😳😱😳.
This book checks all my boxes for a good suspenseful book:
✅ setting up a plot that just screams danger.
✅ giving us likeable characters that we don't want harm to come to them.
✅ characters that we hate and gross us out.
✅ not too many red herrings.
✅ multiple POV’s, especially the killer, oh those chapters are so good and off putting!
✅ not afraid to make the hard decision to kill of important characters.
It's a perfect summer read, and I suggest it anyone who is into a good murder mystery.
This book checks all my boxes for a good suspenseful book:
✅ setting up a plot that just screams danger.
✅ giving us likeable characters that we don't want harm to come to them.
✅ characters that we hate and gross us out.
✅ not too many red herrings.
✅ multiple POV’s, especially the killer, oh those chapters are so good and off putting!
✅ not afraid to make the hard decision to kill of important characters.
It's a perfect summer read, and I suggest it anyone who is into a good murder mystery.
June 22, 2023
“I AM THE RIVER, and the river is me. It is the fluid, and I am the flesh.”
If the above quote isn’t creepy enough of a saying the chapters with HIM will do just fine. I haven’t read a thriller in a while and this book did not disappoint. The tragic story is cleverly written with twists I didn’t expect. When I thought I knew what was going on, I was proven wrong. There’s enough suspense in it to keep you glued to the pages until the very end with some romance sprinkled in. I can’t wait to read I am the river, the second novel in the series!
If the above quote isn’t creepy enough of a saying the chapters with HIM will do just fine. I haven’t read a thriller in a while and this book did not disappoint. The tragic story is cleverly written with twists I didn’t expect. When I thought I knew what was going on, I was proven wrong. There’s enough suspense in it to keep you glued to the pages until the very end with some romance sprinkled in. I can’t wait to read I am the river, the second novel in the series!
June 14, 2022
Let the River flow
I do love this a thriller book. I started 1 night went to sleep got up the next morning and started on it again. And finish it. Its 1 of those books you CAN'T put down. As you are learning about whitewater rafting... 2 girls who 1 was in foster care the other jump ship from foster care. And set out adventure but 1 lost their life... It is must read book. That you will enjoy!!
I do love this a thriller book. I started 1 night went to sleep got up the next morning and started on it again. And finish it. Its 1 of those books you CAN'T put down. As you are learning about whitewater rafting... 2 girls who 1 was in foster care the other jump ship from foster care. And set out adventure but 1 lost their life... It is must read book. That you will enjoy!!
July 29, 2022
Page Turner!
Fast paced thriller that kept me turning the pages! Great imagery, heart pounding, and enough to make you second guess what’s happening. The only downside to this book, was that I solved the mystery before the end, but couldn’t stop reading until I found out! I look forward to the second book, which the author says should be out soon, so I’ll keep a look out!
#goodreadsgiveaway
Fast paced thriller that kept me turning the pages! Great imagery, heart pounding, and enough to make you second guess what’s happening. The only downside to this book, was that I solved the mystery before the end, but couldn’t stop reading until I found out! I look forward to the second book, which the author says should be out soon, so I’ll keep a look out!
#goodreadsgiveaway
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