Desert Places

by Blake Crouch
Desert Places cover
Good Books rating 3.5
Thriller/Suspense
Technical
  • ID: 3632
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-18
  • ISBN: 9780312286446
  • Publisher: Minotaur Books
  • Published: 2004-01-22
  • Reviews: 3

Andrew Z. Thomas, a renowned suspense writer, finds his peaceful life shattered when he receives a disturbing letter claiming a body is buried on his property. The anonymous sender threatens to implicate him in a murder unless he complies with their demands. As the stakes escalate, Andrew's career, sanity, and loved ones are at risk. The book is praised for its edge-of-your-seat suspense and chilling atmosphere, introducing a new voice in the thriller genre that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats./n/nBlake Crouch's 'Desert Places' is a gripping tale that blurs the lines between reality and fear. The novel's intense psychological tension and relentless pacing make it a standout debut, guaranteed to scare and captivate readers. The author's background in suspense writing shines through, making this a must-read for fans of the genre.

Reviews
Terry Tyler Book Reviews · 2017-02-27
entertaining 3.00

The book is grisly but not excessively so, and it's a solid piece of popular fiction. It's not great literature but it's entertaining.

They found the book to be quite grisly, but not in a way that felt gratuitous. It's a well-crafted piece of popular fiction that doesn't aim to be great literature but succeeds in being entertaining. The reviewer appreciated the story's ability to keep them engaged and the way it balances horror and suspense. It's a good choice for readers looking for a thrilling read without too much depth.

Quick quotes

    It's pretty grisly in places, but not excessively so, and not just for the sake of it.

    It's not great literature, it's popular fiction, and a good read.

    It's a pretty good thriller.

Banned Library · 2014-10-26
compelling 4.00

The book is well-written with dark and interesting characters, blending horror and psychological elements effectively.

They praised the book for its well-written narrative and the dark, brooding atmosphere it creates. The characters are interesting and the blend of horror and psychological elements makes it a compelling read. The reviewer found it to be a strong addition to the horror genre, with a good balance of suspense and psychological depth. It's a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Quick quotes

    Well written with dark brooding and interesting characters.

    Desert Places finds its place in horror and dabbles with the psychological aspects.

    It's a compelling read that blends horror and psychological elements effectively.

The Ludic Reader · 2010-01-02
good 3.50

The book is not as good as the author's other work but still a pretty good read. It's a thrilling mystery with a well-told story.

This reviewer enjoyed Desert Places but felt it didn't quite match the quality of the author's other work. They appreciated the thrilling narrative and the way the mystery unfolds, making it a pretty good read overall. The story keeps you engaged with its twists and turns, even if it's not the author's best. It's a solid choice for fans of mystery and suspense.

Quick quotes

    Blake Crouch's debut novel Desert Places isn't nearly as good as Intensity, but it's pretty darn good.

    It tells the story of successful mystery novelist Andrew Thomas.

    It's a good read, but not great literature.

Appears in Lists