FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
Oct. 10, 2024  

**Alex Rivera Debuts Thriller ‘Echoes of the Lost’**  

*HarperCollins publishes the novel amid early industry buzz.*  

NEW YORK -- Alex Rivera’s debut novel “Echoes of the Lost,” a psychological thriller set in a remote Appalachian town, arrived in bookstores nationwide Thursday. The book centers on a missing hiker whose disappearance unravels family secrets spanning decades. Rivera, a former journalist, drew from real unsolved cases in the region for the story.  

The 320-page hardcover follows protagonist Lena Harper, who returns home after 20 years to investigate her brother’s vanishing. Early reviews in Publishers Weekly and Kirkus highlight its tense pacing and authentic dialogue. The novel stems from Rivera’s short story that won the 2023 Southern Writers Award.  

“Our region’s hills hold more stories than most people realize—stories that don’t always stay buried,” Rivera said. “I wanted to capture that eerie pull without sensationalizing it.”  

HarperCollins reports 50,000 first-print copies distributed through major retailers including Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The publisher partnered with regional independent stores for launch events. Advance reader copies drew comments on Goodreads averaging 4.2 stars from 200 reviews.  

“We’ve seen strong pre-order demand in the mystery category,” said editor Maria Gonzalez. “Alex’s voice stands out.”  

The book is available in hardcover ($27.99), e-book ($14.99) and audiobook formats narrated by Rivera. Rivera will appear at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville on Oct. 26.  

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ABOUT ALEX RIVERA: Alex Rivera is a journalist and author based in Asheville, North Carolina. “Echoes of the Lost” is his first novel. He contributes to regional magazines on outdoor and true-crime topics.  

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