Listen to the prose
Mark sentences that move action forward and those that pause to describe. Compare their length and rhythm before deciding how the voice creates urgency.
Map what the reader knows
At each turning point, note which information is available and which remains uncertain. This creates a clearer account of tension than a summary of incidents.
Compare presentation
A cover, introduction, or adaptation may set a particular expectation. Keep that framing separate from what the text itself establishes as you read.