A decent suspense dealing with a difficult topic, and little magical realism.

Montgomery is no stranger to me: Wild Horses on the Salt was my very enjoyable introduction to her writing. This book had me equally enthralled. It deals with the very distressing subject of rape and, importantly, the impact it has on the victims, in this case, Maggie.

A gang rape has left her depressed, and later, the death of her young son tips her over the edge. Eventually, she goes back to her job as park ranger at The Castle, a famous ancient Native American site. The scars of her ordeal and tragedy are still there, however, and she does her best to ease herself back into normality. But there is a man in her circle who wants Maggie for his 'prize'.

One of the four men in her entourage is a serial rapist. And this is where Montgomery keeps you turning the pages: I went from, "Oh, I know who it is!" to "Ah, no, it's him…or perhaps not, it's him!" Quite a lot of to-ing and fro-ing between the 'suspects' went on! And you're kept guessing till the very end. At the same time, the author digs deep into Maggie the victim and her distress and grief and gives you a compelling and pretty amazing character.

The story is peppered with some interesting facts, too…who knew scuba-diving for scientific research could be so fascinating, along with the Montezuma Castle's history.

Rape is a hideous crime with some alarming victim statistics, but in this well-rounded novel, Montgomery handles it brilliantly. ( )

Maggie has had a tough time the past 10 years or so. In addition to being raped years ago, she more recently lost her son. She is a Park Ranger in Arizona and has just returned to work. Her best friend’s partner, Lily, runs a local rape crisis centre for indigenous women, and she decides to volunteer there despite being unsure if she is hallucinating the boy she has seen climbing the cliff. Unfortunately, it looks like Maggie is about to be victimized again.

This pulled me in right away. The first chapter felt almost like horror with the chills it brought, though I’d tend to classify this more of a thriller. Some chapters do show the POV of the new rapist in town, but we don’t know who it is until the end, though there are a few possibilities. There are stats on rape included (both within the book and as part of an afterword) that I found interesting. I, of course, also loved the found little puppy. ( )

Maggie is a survivor of gang rape during her military service and later the loss of her child. She now works as a park ranger and is struggling to trust the men around her, one of whom may be a rapist and murderer.

The author has been brave to tackle the serious and largely still taboo subject of rape and the ongoing effects on the lives of rape survivors in a work of fiction.

I found this novel heavy on message and hard going at times, but I was surprised that the author also managed to create a compelling mystery and to draw me in to the uncertain feelings and situation of the protagonist. I enjoyed the national park / Native American setting which adds a spiritual dimension and a ray of hope.

It’s a while since I read The Castle, but I’m glad I waited to write about it as I can now add that my changed understandings around this subject, and this novel, will stay with me. ( )

The book deals with a subject a lot of people don't want to talk about. It still a taboo subject to
many. The author tell of rape, and rape survivors. The truth is most victims know their rape attackers.
Closer to home then you think. Also the victims don't want to talk about it.

We meet Maggie the main character and learn of her traumatic story. She has been a victim of gang rape when serving in the military and the lose of her young son. She has just returned to her job as a National Park Ranger. We see her dealing and learning to trust people around her.

We also will see the side of a serial rapist in how he thinks things out and how he picks his victims.
He shows himself as a good friend to his victim. The all out good guy.

The story will keep you in suspense and thinking you know who did it, but do you really.

Rape is a horde crime that that a human does to another human. Leaving the victim in fear and mental anguish. The author did a good job with information and handled the story well. ( )