More like a 3.75 than a 4, The Guide by Peter Heller is both pitch-perfect and a bit annoying. His character development, drifting narratives, and descriptive language are invitations to slip into nature and laze around a long time as a mystery or thriller begins to slowly break the otherwise calm waters.

In the Guide, Heller develops two characters. Jack, a plain-spoken but pained fishing guide who takes a job at the Kingfisher Lodge in an attempt to mend the past. And, although less so, Alison, a famous and aging country singer who is assigned Jack as a river guide after she books a few days to get away from other troubles.

Unfortunately, the pair of them have picked the wrong lodge to escape their troubles and find themselves isolated from the outside world as a secret world surrounding it become apparent. And as they do, therein lies where one of my favorite authors wades into trouble. He has at his disposal everything he needs to write a longer survivalist story on the backside of Jack's discoveries but chose to rush toward the end like one of those clearly written vacation thrillers you can catch on vintage daytime television or maybe a modern sleeper on a streaming service. And that's what makes it annoying.

It feels like Heller wanted to strive for something weightier, but he settled for something simpler and infinitely more commercial. It's landing in this weird in-between place — somewhere between a short story that was elongated or an amazing novel that was cut short — that will make The Guide one of his most forgettable forays to date. The good news is that Heller fans will still enjoy the characters, landscape, and writing.