THE BUSINESS TRIP is the gripping, binge-worthy debut from author Jessie Garcia.
Stephanie and Jasmine have nothing and everything in common. The two women don’t know each other but are on the same plane. Stephanie is on a business trip and Jasmine is fleeing an abusive relationship. After a few days, they text their friends the same exact messages about the same man—the messages becoming stranger and more erratic.
And then the two women vanish. The texts go silent, the red flags go up, and the panic sets in. When Stephanie and Jasmine are each declared missing and in danger, it begs the questions: Who is Trent McCarthy? What did he do to these women—or what did they do to him?
Twist upon twist, layer upon layer, where nothing is as it seems, The Business Trip takes you on a descent into the depths of a mastermind manipulator. But who is playing who?
The Business Trip is a fast-paced popcorn thriller and Jessie Garcia’s debut novel. The story follows Jasmine, seeking to escape an abusive relationship, and Stephanie, a television producer en route to a work conference, who find themselves seated together on a flight to Denver. Despite their opposite backgrounds, both women soon vanish after meeting a charming man named Trent McCarthy. When their friends and colleagues receive unsettling text messages, concern mounts for their safety, prompting an investigation into the enigmatic Trent and the fate of the missing women.
The story is told from the multiple POVs of Jasmine, Stephanie, friends, coworkers, and Trent, allowing listeners to delve into the psyches of each character and understand their motivations. Stephanie’s professional demeanor and dry humor are in great contrast to Jasmine’s twisted moral compass and crudeness, yet both are compelling characters. The story alters its timeline between before and after the flight to Denver, adding a layer of mystery as to what really transpired during the flight. The POVs of the women’s friends and coworkers are especially entertaining and provide a multifaceted view of the mystery. Once the narrative returns to the main characters later in the book, some of the engaging side characters sadly disappear. As they provide plenty of entertainment and are so invested in Stephanie’s whereabouts, it would have been more satisfying to give them more page time at the end.
The story is fast-paced with short chapters and frequent POV shifts, keeping readers engaged and eager to know the truth. The storyline also explores how unforeseen events and chance encounters can greatly alter the trajectory of one’s life, adding a layer of depth. The plot intensifies in the second half with some shocking reveals and culminates in a surprise (far-fetched) ending where readers have to suspend their disbelief. The epilogue, which is also far-fetched, does provide a punch of comedy and more character resolution.
The audiobook is narrated by a full cast featuring 10 immensely talented narrators who deliver entertaining and authentic portrayals of the characters, giving the feel of a movie-in-your-mind. As a result, the audiobook provides more entertainment value for readers than a physical copy and is highly recommended!
In summary, The Business Trip is a highly entertaining thriller that keeps readers attention and can easily be devoured in a single day! The multifaceted narrative through so many POVs and the unlikeable yet intriguing characters make this book stand out—but readers should prepare to suspend their disbelief for full enjoyment. If you love popcorn thrillers in the same vein as Freida McFadden or Ruth Ware, then definitely add this one to your immediate reading list!
