Laurence Parent’s extensive research and interviews create an insider’s rendering of each of these tragic events. His descriptions are unembellished and thorough, warmed by personal reflections from the family members of victims and punctuated by details from law enforcement reports. His characters are real people – inexperienced hikers, unlucky outdoorsmen, and stalwart park rangers and volunteers – whose lives intersected suddenly in life-or-death situations.
Many of these stories will make you grimace. A couple will make you altogether paranoid. But every story in Death in Big Bend will make you reflect upon the rapidity with which life’s certainties can evaporate. For those with a morbid fascination about survivalism, these accounts will take you to the edge. This is a recommended read for backcountry trekkers, adventure junkies, true crime fans, and survivalist voyeurs like me.
Article comments
1 - A Woods
Don't see any mention of my niece's story in your review. Mr. Parent described the phone call he made to my sister as the most difficult of the entire book. She was actually the last family member he called to interview. It's been almost 20 years, but memories of sweet little Boston remain fresh. She would've been 25 in January...hard to believe. We still miss you, Boston! We love you!