The problem with this series is that there's essentially one core mystery and surprise that's figured out halfway through the first book. After that, things play out in a very linear, predictable way, occasionally with so much mirthless cheese it's hard not to roll your eyes at it.

I mostly listened to the audiobook at the gym, which was a job this book served well enough. It's easy reading with just enough forward momentum and soap opera level drama to make you feel like something interesting just might happen soon, even though it rarely ever does.

I'm (obviously) not the biggest fan of Blake Crouch, but I keep trying his books because the concepts are neat and sometimes some easy breezy sci-fi is exactly what I want. And I finished the trilogy, so that must say something.

But I think I'm done with him for now. Hard to pinpoint exactly what my problem is with his books, but I think it has something to do with how seriously he clearly wants you to take his characters, all while offering the bare minimum in terms of actual characterization. Which I'd probably be more OK with if the stories were more fun, or the mysteries strung you along for longer and in more entertaining ways, or if there were enough twists and turns to make the books more surprising.