Death Valley. A Thriller. Paperback

This is an interesting and quick read from J.F. Penn. She throws multiple characters together in an exclusive desert resort and throws a massive sandstorm at them. The action starts off slow and quickly becomes a page turner!

Gripping and delightfully creepy! I was trying to guess who would survive until the final chapters, but the body count kept rising, keeping me on edge the entire way. The pace was eerily steady, building tension throughout. A must-listen for suspense fans!

Another spine-tingling story that exhibits the author’s ability to paint vivid descriptions that make me feel like I’m watching a movie; this one within a luxury resort nestled in the heart of a desert. We are presented with a cast of very shallow high society characters; most of whom harbor ill will toward others. Ms. Penn draws out their dark plans, building the suspense as the various plots play out. Meanwhile, a furious storm is building, which will imprison and overwhelm them in a whirlwind of death and destruction. I was fully engrossed, turning the pages to see if anyone could survive the maelstrom. I have enjoyed many of Ms. Penn’s books in her various series and have never been disappointed.

I thought the book was a very good read

This story begins well, but it gradually deteriorates into a gruesome, depressing tale of unmitigated evil at an exclusive Death Valley resort. An adventure guide (Casey) and a young girl (Isla) are the only likable characters. The others all carry poisonous secrets that inevitably lead to betrayals and murders in the midst of a fierce desert sandstorm. I found nothing thrilling about this seemingly endless description of human darkness, deadly ambition, and horrific violence. In the final chapters, when the main villain is chasing Casey and Isla through underground tunnels, I couldn't wait to reach the end of this disturbing, disappointing tale. I'm just glad it's over. On the plus side, kudos for immersive settings, flawless proofreading, and very limited profanity (no f-bombs), bringing my rating to three stars overall.

A very exciting and multi layered story that completely held my attention. I will now add more J. F. Penn books to my reading list.

Dynamic moving thriller of man versus nature, of the inner nature of people, survival, bravery and treachery. It kept me on the edge of my seat, totally unputdownable!

This book is a little different from most of this author’s books I’ve read. Sure, there are some scenes in a crypt, but nothing tied to the super natural world. Rather, it a story as old as time. The fight between good and greed, either within a person, or between them. This builds to a MAJOR thriller of an ending. All this is set in the harsh beauty and danger of the desert.

This book is a little different from most of this author’s books I’ve read. Sure, there are some scenes in a crypt, but nothing tied to the super natural world. Rather, it a story as old as time. The fight between good and greed, either within a person, or between them. This builds to a MAJOR thriller of an ending. All this is set in the harsh beauty and danger of the desert.

Death Valley is a relentless rollercoaster of action, mystery, and suspense that kept me turning the pages. J.F. Penn masterfully blends pulse-pounding sequences with vivid, cinematic descriptions that bring the stark beauty and haunting menace of the desert setting to life. The unique backdrop of Death Valley isn’t just scenery—it’s a character in its own right, adding intensity and atmosphere to every twist and turn. The story is driven by compelling, layered characters whose personal struggles and motivations feel real and engaging. Whether navigating ancient secrets or modern threats, the tension never lets up. Penn’s signature blend of historical intrigue and high-stakes adventure is on full display here, and it delivers from start to finish. If you’re a fan of smart thrillers with heart and a sense of place, Death Valley is the book for you.

Desert Sanctuary is situated in the heart of a desert aptly named Death Valley. is the locale for eight people due to struggle with survival in adverse conditions nobody could have expected or forecasted. The owner, Tara, midst a devastating storm, in the radiance of lighting, imagined seeing these people changing from superficial civil society people to the primitive creatures they actually are. That vision struck me as precisely the reflection of truth as the author, J F Penn, carefully revealed in the previous chapters the dark characters about to be unleashed in a fury of death and destruction. The plot is well developed in a steadily rising tense atmosphere as motives are revealed in the fury of the storm and the first death unfolds. Hats off to author J F Penn for a thriller that gave even me cold chills even as I simply could not seem to stop rifling through the pages fast enough. Enjoy.

From the opening montage of character introductions, through the extremely detailed sensory details, I felt like I could see the book unfolding before me. It felt like a deadlier version of a reality show, where it quickly became obvious that the characters desires were completely at odds with one another. The story takes us deep (sometimes too deep) into each of their heads and motivations, leaving the reader without anything to guess at or figure out, so you can kick back and relax as the breakneck pace ticks inevitably forward to the conclusion. Note: I received an advance reader copy and am leaving a review on a purely optional basis.

While on a guided adventure tour in the desert travelers are trapped by a terrible sandstorm. Unfortunately many of the individuals have a specific agenda. You have to feel empathy for the owner as she faces not only the collapse of her high-end luxury sanctuary resort but she and her guests also have to run for their lives. If you enjoy a book with tons of suspense this is definitely the book for you. Death valley is well written and easy to "read" either by ebook or audiobook.

I found the premise of this book fascinating, as themes such as whether eco-resorts are really sustainable or simply greenwashing are extremely current.

As always, I loved the detailed descriptions of place by J.F. Penn giving a cinematic feel to the whole thriller. The raw power of nature is also a major "character" in the whole story, showing that whatever mankind thinks, the earth still can reclaim its space.

The characters are all relevant and believable, and with the exception of Isla, all have their flaws and own interests that they are pursuing.

This is a fast paced thriller, with a main character who I could easily imagine in a whole series of thrillers.