High Risk

In Jane Toombs, High Risk Marlyn, Sara, and Elise arrange to hike down Bitterroot Trail in the Sierras five years after a fateful accident. Marlyn is disturbed about their planned hike. Unexpectedly, Sara sneaks into her room and gives her ropes, chocks, and carabiners to augment her laden backpack. Marlyn accepts them, hoping that Sara is not fixed on repelling Devil’s Gorge, a perilous chasm, to exercise the past. Nevertheless, Sara’s unnatural pallor and nervousness has Maryln worried. What has happen to her friend?

Sara Powers needs Marlyn and Elise’s cooperation or her plan to flee her depraved and sinister husband will fail. Terrified that her husband, Randall, plans to slay her and with no way out except to repel Devil’s Gorge, she implores her friends to aid her. Her sole chance of escape lies on the other side of Devil’s Gorge in Whitney Village. Will Sara be able to convince Maryln and Elise that her foolhardy plan is the only way?

Randall Powers despises his wife, but refuses to set Sara free. He is determined to punish Sara and satisfy his lust for his wife’s friend, Marlyn, whether Marlyn agrees or not. When Muir, his hunting guide, inadvertently informs him of the ropes, chocks, and carabiners, he cancels his hunting trip and releases Muir from his contract. Muir does not like Randall nor believes his flimsy excuse. Will he accept his pay and go home or should he track Randall?

Jane Toombs’ High Risk is a suspenseful, intense, spellbinding saga of murder, treachery, and bravery. Marlyn abhors Randall, however she finds it difficult to believe that he would kill her and her friends. Although Sara’s fear and desperation is genuine, Marlyn believes there must be another way. Abruptly stranded on Devil’s Gorge with Sara hidden above, Marlyn discovers how accurate Sara’s fears were. High Risk is a gripping, probing tale of lust and avarice with a startling and unexpected conclusion. I could not put it down.

High Risk is a gripping, evocative tale of depravity, covetousness, and hopelessness. Jane Toombs’ deftly depicts Marlyn’s desperation to live and the strength and power of her grief and fury towards Roland. I anxiously awaited Maryln’s victory over Randall. High Risk unerringly relates the depths to which a grasping and egotistical man will go to avenge his pride. Jane Toombs’ awareness of the human psyche and the untried capacity that enables a person to reach unknown depths and conquer phobias is a rare and mighty talent.

Reviewed by: Dena