A Secret Service agent on the road to find his missing team wakes up after a terrible accident with no ID, no phone, and nothing else in a remote town. This story touches the core of human survival with a hint of horror and characters you want to root for. I was not disappointed!

Summary

Secret Service agent Ethan Burke searches for his missing colleagues and traces their last known location to Wayward Pines, Idaho. Unfortunately, he gets into a serious accident just before arriving and wakes up with no ID, no phone, and only a black briefcase that might help identify him.

As Ethan investigates the town, we follow his perspective and quickly sense that something is very wrong. The more he digs, the more questions arise. What is this place? Where are his colleagues? Why does everyone seem so strange? And is he slowly losing his grip on reality?

What I Liked

I really liked Ethan as a character. I enjoyed following his point of view, understanding his struggles, stubbornness, and how he dealt with his past experiences. The other characters were well written but I mainly cared about Ethan and, to some extent, his wife and son.

The town’s description felt like a classic middle-class dream. There was something oddly soothing about it. But you should never trust a facade — whether it’s houses, towns, or people.

What Didn’t Work for Me

I had a bit of trouble getting into the story at first. The beginning felt disorienting, as if I was dropped into the town and expected to catch up quickly. It fit the story’s premise but was still a struggle for me. I’m glad I stuck with it because it paid off.

At times, the author moved through parts of the story too quickly. I wanted more depth in certain areas. That’s a personal preference though.

My Rating

★★★★☆

This book was enjoyable with a gripping story. I will definitely read the next book in the Wayward Pines trilogy. I did struggle a bit with the writing here and there but overall it was a good read.

Who Should Read This

I recommend Pines to readers who enjoy gripping mysteries and stories that keep you asking questions like “Why? Really? No way!” Just a heads-up: some sections are graphic and might not be for everyone.

Final Thoughts

Pines surprised me with its mix of suspense and mystery. It took some time to get into, but once I was there, I was hooked. Ethan’s journey made me question everything about the town and its people. This book is a solid start to the Wayward Pines trilogy and left me curious about what comes next. If you enjoy stories that keep you guessing and make you think, this one is worth the read.