Force of Nature by Jane Harper *** (of 4)

At the unavoidable "request" of their company to attend a bonding retreat, five women with limited experience are sent into the Australian rainforest to build camaraderie. Wearing brand new hiking boots, backpacks that are too heavy, and insufficient clothing for the cold and wind they are sent out on a track with directions that are not quite clear enough as paths diverge in front of them.

Three days later and six hours after scheduled arrival time only four emerge from the forest. The returnees are lacerated, bruised, shivering from exposure, one has been bitten by a poisonous snake, and very hungry. They do not know the whereabouts of the fifth in their party.

Part mystery, but mostly Lord of the Flies, Force of Nature describes what happens when a series of small decisions cascade into disaster and five women carrying workplace drama into the woods have to face strong wind, driving rain, falling temperatures, impenetrable darkness, and the less pretty side of human nature, too.