Beach Reads
I don’t know about you, but to me it seems that summer is flying by this year! Must be the fact that we have had beautiful weather and so many gorgeous beach days. As August heats up, we start experiencing the “dog days of summer,” where it’s too hot to do anything but lay around. If you are doing that on one of our beautiful beaches, here are some chilling thrillers that will cool you off!
“The Midnight Feast” by Lucy Foley
The Manor’s grand opening night is nothing short of opulent. The infinity pool glistens invitingly; guests find crystal healing pouches in their Seaside Cottages and Woodland Hutches; the signature “Manor Mule” cocktail – a blend of grapefruit, ginger, vodka, and CBD oil – is generously poured. The dress code: all linen. However, just beyond the pristine boundaries of The Manor lies an ancient forest teeming with secrets. The local community views The Manor as an unwelcome invader, encroaching on their woods and attempting to privatize the beach. Tensions simmer, leading to minor clashes between locals and The Manor’s staff. Rumors persist about an old pagan legend: the Night Birds, avengers who rectify injustices beyond the reach of the law. Surely, The Manor’s operations are entirely legitimate. By Sunday morning of the opening weekend, the local police are summoned. There’s been a fire, and a body has been discovered. Who – or what – is responsible?
“The Unwedding” by Ally Condie
Ellery Wainwright stands isolated at the world’s edge. She and her husband, Luke, had planned to mark their 20th wedding anniversary at the Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, Calif. It was meant to be the perfect backdrop to honor their marriage, family, and shared life in one of the world’s most breathtaking locations. Instead, she finds herself on this journey alone. To make matters worse, a wedding is set to take place at Broken Point during her visit. When Ellery stumbles upon the groom’s body floating in the pool amid a downpour, she realizes she’s not the only one facing an uncertain future. Before the authorities can arrive, a mudslide blocks the road to the resort, trapping everyone there. As another guest meets a grim fate, it’s evident that a sinister force is at play. Every guest at Broken Point harbors a secret. And every one of them casts a shadow. Including Ellery.
“Bad Tourists” by Caro Carver
Best friends Darcy, Camilla, and Kate head to the Maldives for a rejuvenating post-divorce getaway, the ideal place to unwind, reset, and welcome new beginnings. At 42, Darcy is learning to embrace her newfound freedom. Camilla has discovered her passion as a fitness and wellness influencer, amassing a loyal fan base. Meanwhile, Kate is finally working on her own book after years of ghostwriting for others. Their chosen paradise? The secluded and upscale Sapphire Island Resort. With opulent private villas, pristine waters, and sun-kissed white sand beaches, relaxation seems inevitable. However, their friendship harbors complexities, and they aren’t the only ones on the island with hidden truths. A body is discovered on the beach, and the question looms: who will be the next victim? “Bad Tourists” is a gripping and darkly enticing story of female friendship, loyalty, and deception, keeping readers hooked from the first page to its stunning conclusion.
“One Big Happy Family” by Jamie Day
The Precipice, a storied family-run hotel perched on Maine’s rugged coast, is the setting for a tense reunion. After the recent death of their father, the Bishop sisters – Iris, Vicki, and Faith – arrive for the weekend to claim their inheritance. With a hurricane approaching and each sister concealing secrets, the atmosphere is charged with danger and some guests may not leave the Precipice alive. Each sister is determined to secure her share of the inheritance, complicating matters for the hotel’s 19-year-old chambermaid, Charley Kelley. Charley is sharp, resourceful, and mature beyond her years, but she’s also in a precarious situation. The arrival of the Bishop sisters threatens to upend her life. Will they decide to shut down the hotel? Will they fire her? What if they discover her small thefts from guests or, even more alarming, that she’s hiding a woman on the run in one of the guest rooms? Charley is desperate to keep things the way they are, but the sisters are desperate for their inheritance.
“Middle of the Night” by Riley Sager
One July evening, 10-year-old Ethan and his best friend, Billy, fell asleep in a tent in Billy’s backyard in a serene New Jersey cul-de-sac. When morning came, Ethan woke up alone. During the night, someone had cut the tent open and taken Billy, who was never seen again. Now, 30 years later, Ethan reluctantly returns to his childhood home. Haunted by nightmares and insomnia, he starts noticing odd occurrences during the night. Someone seems to be wandering the cul-de-sac at strange hours, and eerie signs of Billy’s presence keep appearing in Ethan’s backyard. Is this a cruel joke, or could Billy have somehow returned to Hemlock Circle? Ethan embarks on a quest to uncover what truly happened that night. His investigation reconnects him with old friends and neighbors and leads him into the surrounding woods – where Billy once spoke of ghosts and where a shadowy institute conducts secretive research on a decaying estate. As Ethan delves deeper into the mystery, he realizes that no place is entirely safe.
“First Lie Wins” by Ashley Elston
First comes the identity: Evie Porter. Given a name and a location by her enigmatic employer, Mr. Smith, Evie meticulously gathers every detail about the town and its inhabitants. Next, she focuses on the target: Ryan Sumner. The final piece of the puzzle is the assignment. Although Evie doesn’t know Mr. Smith’s true identity, she senses that this mission is different. Ryan has managed to touch her deeply, leading her to imagine a new kind of life. But she can’t afford any slipups, especially considering her last experience. Evie Porter must outmaneuver her past while ensuring she has a future. The stakes are incredibly high, but Evie has always thrived on challenges.
