title: Knifepoint (Orca Soundings)
author: Alex Van Tol
description: Jill thinks she is going to have an idyllic summer when she takes a job as a guide leading horseback trail rides through the mountains. She quickly realizes, though, that her idealized vision is far from reality. Frustrated with her coworkers, who are more interested in each other than in their responsibilities, Jill heads off on a ride with a cute customer, and what she thinks will be a breezy escape turns into a nightmare. All the basic safety procedures Jill was taughtlogging in every trip, never leading a ride alonesuddenly make sense when she realizes that she is miles away from camp with a sadistic killer. This debut, part of the Orca Soundings series, may be a short page-turner, but it certainly isnt tame. From the moment Jill and her sociopathic tourist head into the mountains until her final, harrowing escape, the suspense is palpable. Both reluctant and avid readers who enjoy nail-biting tension will race through to find out whether Jill reaches safety. Grades 7-12. --Frances Bradburn
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  ![images/cover.jpg](images/cover.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![images/img-2-1.jpg](images/img-2-1.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
  
  
  Copyright © 2017 Steven Barwin
  
  
  
  
  
  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
  transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
  photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system now
  known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publisher.
  
  
  
  
  
  **Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication**
  
  
  
  
  
  Barwin, Steven, author  
  Desert slam / Steven Barwin.  
  (Orca soundings)
  
  
  
  
  
  Issued in print and electronic formats.  
  ISBN 978-1-4598-1372-4 (paperback).—ISBN 978-1-4598-1373-1 (pdf).—ISBN
  978-1-4598-1374-8 (epub)
  
  
  
  
  
  I. Title. II. Series: Orca soundings
  
  
  
  
  
  PS8553.A7836D48 2017 jC813'.54 C2016-904453-X
  
  
  
  
  
  C2016-904454-8
  
  
  
  
  
  First published in the United States, 2017  
  Library of Congress Control Number: 2016950088
  
  
  
  
  
  **Summary:** In this high-interest nov