Review of The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian

 I received a copy of this via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Midwives and The Flight Attendant comes a twisting story of love and deceit: an American man vanishes on a rural road in Vietnam, and his girlfriend, an emergency room doctor trained to ask questions, follows a path that leads her home to the very hospital where they met.

The first time Alexis saw Austin, it was a Saturday night. Not in a bar, but in the emergency room where Alexis sutured a bullet wound in Austin's arm. Six months later, on the brink of falling in love, they travel to Vietnam on a bike tour so that Austin can show her his passion for cycling and he can pay his respects to the place where his father and uncle fought in the war. But as Alexis sips white wine and waits at the hotel for him to return from his solo ride, two men emerge from the tall grass and Austin vanishes into thin air. The only clue he leaves behind is a bright yellow energy gel dropped on the road.

As Alexis grapples with this bewildering loss, and deals with the FBI, Austin's prickly family, and her colleagues at the hospital, Alexis uncovers a series of strange lies that force her to wonder: Where did Austin go? Why did he really bring her to Vietnam? And how much danger has he left her in?

Set amidst the adrenaline-fueled world of the emergency room, The Red Lotus is a global thriller about those who dedicate their lives to saving people, and those who peddle death to the highest bidder.

My Review:

5 Stars 

This author is quickly becoming one of my favorites. His novels are always thrilling and keep you guessing throughout. 

How well do you really know someone six months into a relationship? At that point walls are still up and you only tell the person what they need to hear. Everything isn't yet invested into this person. Secrets and omissions still happen regularly because of this. What if those secrets and omissions come back to haunt you? 

Six months into their relationship, Austin whisks Alexis away to Vietnam. Officially they were there on a bike trip. Touring the countryside and celebrating life. After Austin goes missing the reason for their trip comes under investigation. 

Alexis is consumed with thoughts of Austin. Thoughts that bring her closer and closer to a danger that she doesn't know exists. 

A thought provoking and thrilling book.