This excerpt introduces "La scalata", an Italian thriller by Sunday Times bestselling author Lucy Clarke, published by Newton Compton Editori. The narrative centers on four long-time friends, Maggie, Liz, Helena, and Joni, who embark on their annual vacation, this time choosing the challenging climb of Mount Blafjell in Norway. The trip quickly becomes a suspenseful mystery as they uncover the unexplained disappearance of a hiker on the same mountain the previous year, drawing them into a dangerous secret. The book highlights the women's bond, their fight for survival, and their confrontation with an unknown peril, set against a backdrop of wild nature. Ultimately, it is described as an intense and engaging psychological thriller that has received positive reviews from critics and readers.