Leave No Trace by Mindy Mejia

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." -Robert Frost

Expectations can be a difficult thing to manage. After her breakout hit Everything You Want Me To Be, author Mindy Mejia found herself primed to release another hit novel. I really enjoyed her last effort, so I was eager to read Leave No Trace. Like any followup novel, expectations were high. Fortunately for us, Mejia more than rose to the occasion. I'm pleased to report that Mejia's latest not only met my high expectations but also presented a story that is decidedly different from her last book.

A decade ago, Josiah and his son Lucas Blackthorn hiked into the brutal terrain of the Boundary Waters and never returned. Search teams canvased the dense forests and glacial lakes. They finally found a campsite ravaged by what appeared to be bears. The Blackthorns were both assumed to have perished, and the family was forgotten.

Flash forward to the present day. Josiah has been found on the border of the Boundary Waters, ransacking an outfitter store. He won't speak and acts violently towards the police. He is quickly transferred to a psychiatric hospital where language therapist Maya Stark is tasked with getting Josiah to communicate. Maya has a history with the facility predating her time as an employee. She also was abandoned by her mother at a young age, so Maya attempts to find common ground with the silent Josiah. He refuses to budge. As she delves deeper into the psyche of her patient, Maya is forced to face the traumas of her own past, a trauma that could threaten both of their lives.

Immediately I was struck by how different Leave No Trace is when compared to Mindy Mejia's previous novel. The novel was advertised as a "suspenseful thriller", but I found it to be more of a slow-burning character study. The novel sees Mejia drop the alternating POV's of her previous work in favor of a more chronological timeline. By focusing mostly on Maya's perspective, Mejia lets the readers discover and grow with her characters. There is a mystery here, but it serves more to move the character's story than to lace the narrative with suspense. With Leave No Trace, Mindy Mejia cements herself as a versatile author who can enthrall readers through rich characters, riveting plots, and masterful prose.

For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2019, 15)

This entry was posted on Friday, April 19, 2019 and is filed under ,,,,,,,. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response.

18 Responses to “Leave No Trace by Mindy Mejia”

  1. I haven't read her other book, but this sounds good!

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    1. It was quite good. I think I'd give a slight edge to the previous one, but that's just because I love thrillers!

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  2. Love the Frost quote. One of my favorites. Interesting that this felt more like a case study. I have not yet tried this author. What book would you recommend?

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    1. I'd recommend you start with Everything You Want Me to Be.

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  3. She seems to be such an interesting author -- I like the 'thriller aspect' to be present in my thrillers, but I can appreciate a good character study too.

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  4. I don't mind character studies, this looks interesting! It's also kind of cool to see authors branch out a little.

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    1. I love when an author isn't afraid to try something different.

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  5. The synopsis and your review has me totally intrigued! I'm already itching to know what happened to Josiah... and in Maya's past.

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    1. Go ahead and give it a read. You won't be disappointed.

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  6. I love a good thriller, and definitely need to add this to my list. Happy Easter, and thanks again! RO

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  7. I haven't read Everything You Want Me To Be --didn't realize it was the same author! Leave No Trace was just okay to me.

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    1. I definitely enjoyed her other book more.

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  8. Just stopping by to wave hello, and Happy Wacky Wednesday! RO

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    1. Thanks for stopping in. I'm preparing for an out of country trip next week, so I've been a bit behind on reviews!

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  9. Now inquiring minds can't wait to hear all about details of your trip. Be safe! Hugs...RO

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    1. I'm back home and ready to share! Look for several reviews inspired by my travels in the coming weeks!

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