Cave-in by Pam Withers

Hudson Greer and his caving partner, Jett, are determined to become teen legends who discover a long-sought passageway that connects two giant cave systems in their little mountain town. But they’re haunted by the history of a giant sinkhole that opened up and swallowed the town’s fully-packed church, steeple and all. Dozens were killed, including Hudson’ s grandfather. Hudson knows it’s in danger of happening again; he just doesn’t know when or where.

Can his caving instincts and science knowledge predict or prevent the next disaster? Are the shoddy logging practices of the town’s main employer tempting fate? And who’s on whose side when business and political shenanigans mix with evaded environmental codes?

Nothing less than the lives of the townspeople are at stake — and it’s up to Hudson to separate myth from fact, and get key players working together, before it’s too late.

---

Hudson Greer and his caving partner, Jett, are on a mission to make their mark as teen explorers by finding a long-sought passageway that connects two massive cave systems in their small mountain town. But Hudson can’t shake the ghost of a disaster that occurred years earlier when a sinkhole opened up, swallowing the town’s church and killing dozens—including his grandfather. Now, Hudson is convinced that the town is on the brink of another disaster, but the question is: when, and where?

With his caving instincts and scientific knowledge, Hudson tries to predict and prevent another tragedy, but his task is complicated by the town's shoddy logging practices and the political and business interests at play. As Hudson digs deeper into both the physical and political landscape, he’s forced to separate myth from reality and bring the key players together to avert catastrophe.

This fast-paced, claustrophobic thriller explores the fine line between myth and science, and what happens when one teenager tries to take on a town's secrets before it’s too late. Cave-in is an exhilarating ride that will keep readers on the edge of their seats, filled with suspense, danger, and a race against time.

---

Movie Recommendation:
For a film that captures the tense atmosphere and the claustrophobic sense of danger that Cave-in evokes, I recommend The Descent. This horror film delves into the psychological and physical dangers of cave exploration, where a group of friends faces both their deepest fears and a terrifying unknown lurking in the caves. Much like Cave-in, The Descent plays on the isolation and thrill of being underground, turning what should be an exciting adventure into a fight for survival.

Book Recommendation:
If you enjoyed Cave-in, you might also like The Wilds by Paro Anand. This thrilling survival story follows a group of teenagers on a wilderness adventure that turns into a deadly fight for survival. Like Hudson in Cave-in, the characters in The Wilds must overcome both environmental dangers and their own fears, making it a perfect match for fans of tense, action-packed survival tales.

Cave-in publishes on the 10th December, 2024. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.