Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite

Whispers on the Mountain by Amanda Lamb is a mystery that takes place in the Blue Ridge Mountains. When Pamela Stevens, a respected attorney and endurance runner, vanishes during a morning jog on the treacherous Deadman’s Pass, the peaceful Ridgeway Resort descends into unease. Celia Patrick, a visiting journalist trying to enjoy a family getaway, can’t ignore the tension brewing among staff and guests. The resort manager, Diana Carlson, insists Pamela’s disappearance is “an unfortunate accident,” while Pamela’s husband, Greg Stevens, maintains a calm that feels too rehearsed. The local deputy, Brock Henson, seems content to blame the terrain rather than dig deeper, and Wilson Carr, the water-sports guide, hints that Pamela wasn’t alone on the trail that morning. As storms roll across the mountains and rumors give way to revelation, Celia realizes she’s stumbled into a mystery far darker than gossip.

Amanda Lamb's smart, layered story combines the authenticity of a small town with psychological tension. I especially liked how she built tension through quiet, carefully observed moments instead of overt drama. Celia’s instincts sharpen in her subtle exchanges with the locals, where small talk carries unspoken weight. The pacing was moderate and felt rewarding, with each scene revealing just enough to make readers question what lies beneath the resort’s charm. Even in ordinary conversations, the characters’ tone and body language hinted at unease, showing how fear and guilt can hide behind manners. Each character, from Brock’s weary defensiveness to Diana’s unraveling composure and Wilson’s blunt honesty, had me pointing fingers at all the characters and their motives. With its fog-drenched trails and undercurrent of guilt, Whispers on the Mountain could stand alongside similar works like Shari Lapena’s An Unwanted Guest and Ruth Ware’s One by One. It's an emotionally charged mystery about the lies people tell to keep their worlds from falling apart.