Running Out of Air

September 16, 2024
In Sutton’s thrilling debut, two estranged sisters attempt to summit a mountain in the Himalayas. Sophie and her older sister, Evelyn, share a passion for mountaineering and together have scaled some of the highest peaks in the world. But they haven’t spoken in the two years since Evelyn revealed her affair with Sophie’s now ex-husband, Miles. Now, both earn spots on teams set to climb Yama Parvat, a recently resurveyed mountain in the Himalayas found to be among the tallest in the world. The narrative begins with a literal cliff-hanger, as Sophie and her new boyfriend, Levi, slip while climbing Yama Parvat and are left dangling from a rope. In chapters alternating between Evelyn’s and Sophie’s points of view, Sutton explores the sisters’ long-held resentments and tensions, including how Evelyn, a lawyer, disapproved of Sophie’s decision to drop out of college and rush into marriage with Miles. As the weeks pass on the mountain, snowstorms and avalanches claim the lives of several climbers, setting the stage for Evelyn’s attempt to rescue Sophie and Levi. Sutton provides an intense depiction of the sisters’ complex bond, as well as their steadfast determination to reach their goals. It’s an adventure worth taking. Agent: Jessica Faust, Bookends Literary.