Descent: A Novel

By Tim Johnston

The Rocky Mountains have cast their spell over the Courtlands, who are taking a family vacation before their daughter leaves for college. But when Caitlin and her younger brother, Sean, go out for an early morning run and onlySean returns, the mountains become as terrifying as they are majestic. Written with a precision that captures every emotion, every moment of fear, as each member of the family searches for answers, "Descent" races like an avalanche toward its heart-pounding conclusion. Read this astonishing novel . . .The magic of his prose equals the horror of Johnston s story. " The Washington Post" A compelling thriller that is both creepy and literary . . . "Descent" isnot just a mystery. It is an emotional story of evil, fear, acceptance and irony. " The Denver Post" " "What makes the novel unforgettable is its sense of character, its deliberate, unadorned prose and Johnston s unflinching exploration of human endurance, physical and psychological. " Miami Herald" A super-charged, addictive read. " The Missourian" An original and psychologically deep thriller. " Outside "magazine Outstanding . . . The days when you had to choose between agreat story and a great piece of writing? Gone. " Esquire" [A

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Published Dec 1, 2015

400 pages

Average rating: 6.08

12 RATINGS

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A mystery book club that meets at Westminster Public Library on the 3rd Wednesday evenings 6-7:30. All are welcome!

Community Reviews

mom2burgess
May 22, 2026
4/10 stars
not a huge fan of this one. I'm not quite sure why, I know I didn't care for the writing style at all. I just thought this could have been done better.

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