Though I loved The Ruins, I’d never read Smith’s previous book. I’m so glad I did. It has his signature amazing writing style and believable drama re: the way things just build up naturally. There’s no time to pause and think, “There’s no way this would happen in real life” because it’s totally realistic. Even as the characters make their choices, you’re not trying to steer them in a different direction because it seems like there IS no other direction. I recommend this just as highly as I do The Ruins.