Trapped

"Trapped" is a dark psychological thriller that follows different characters whose lives intersect in a terrifying, hidden reality controlled by a sadistic captor.

We start off with Nicky, a young man who wakes up trapped in a shallow grave with no memory of how he got there. Surrounded by horrifying surroundings, he realizes he's been kidnapped. After escaping the pit, he finds himself imprisoned again—this time inside a wooden enclosure filled with dead bodies. He skillfully manages to escape once more, only to be captured by a mysterious, disfigured man named Edgar.

Parallel to Nicky’s story is Cami, a nurse who is leaving a traumatic past that involves an abusive relationship and her boyfriend’s violent death. As she seeks a fresh start, she travels across the country to live with her uncle Remy in a remote desert location in Arizona, not knowing the peril she may be stepping into.

As the narrative unfolds, the novel gains momentum by illustrating how different characters respond to extreme psychological pressure, while slowly revealing the full scope of Edgar’s twisted operations.

Core themes the book explores are survival against overwhelming odds and psychological manipulation and control. Alvarez does a tremendous job of instilling suspense in her readers and creating a macabre portrayal of human captivity and the unraveling of the mind under relentless fear. This is a haunting read that's sure to stick with you long after finish it.