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There are many twists and turns in this book that keep you guessing from the very start. The characters were very well developed and the descriptions helped you feel like you were right there. This is a gripping novel with an ending that you will never see coming!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I was definitely surprised that this story actually ended up being mostly set five years after the event, and I didn't see the podcast angle coming either. I'm not sure why especially the true crime podcast wasn't mentioned in the blurb to be honest, because it seems like such an essential part of the plot in the first place. It certainly was the element I liked most about the story, along with the mystery around Lacey's death. There were a lot of suspects to keep you busy, although I have to confess that I did guess what happened long before it was revealed. I love the concept of this book where the podcast was a cold case where two of the people on the podcast team knew the victim and were present at the time of her murder. As someone who has never actually listened to a podcast, it was interesting to see some of the process involved. I also liked the extenuating circumstances that made it very difficult to figure out who the killer was. More than that, the twists closer to the end of the book really caught me off guard, thus making this debut novel a truly riveting read. As the book continues on you slowly find out more about the night of the beach party and also experience the interviews of those willing to go on the podcast in real time.
The Author Resource Round Table on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_folder/116489?group_id=26989 As the smoke from the bonfire spirals into the night sky and the cool drinks slip down our throats, none of us can take our eyes off Lacey. She dances in the dunes, her long golden hair damp from her late-night swim, her smile dazzling, her blue eyes closed. The narrator has such a beautiful voice, I loved listening to her. She is a pro and I hope to hear a lot more from her in the future. I had fairly low expectations based on having been let down so many times by false advertising; books described as “unputdownable” or as “mysteries” or “grabs you and won’t let go” only to find that yet again you’ve been mislead. The reason Katie is reluctant is because the crime they’re covering happened in her small town. 5 years ago, Lacey was murdered at an annual beach party. Everyone was there but no one saw a thing! It’s a resort town so the locals aren’t clamoring to discuss it because murder isn’t good for business.Katie, a journalist, and her more outgoing best friend Sophie do a true crime podcast together. As Sophie has grown more successful in her influencing, the podcast has slowed to once a month instead of weekly. When an opportunity to really grow the podcast arises, it’s Sophie who is more interested this time, even willing to post about it on her glitzy feed. Kate and Sophie were writing and producing episodes for the podcast quite happily together…until Tom came on the scene. She knows him from Cornwall, they grew up together, and he was also at the party that preluded Lacey being found dead. There is a lot of tension between Katie and Tom, and they allude to something happening between them at one point. When someone dies, they become perfect. The tragedy eclipses any character flaws or bad memories you have of that person. But as much as I tried, I couldn't forget." A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
Sadly, the victim of that murder, Lacey, was at that party that was attended by several teens who were soon to go off to college. Most of them were friends since childhood, yet one of them was very likely was responsible for Lacey’s murder. This is especially the case because not all of this group of young people were friends. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.My other complaint was the leading character. Her excessive drinking (why is everyone a drunk these days???) was tiring and her constant self-deprecation and saying how she didn't compare to her friend/cohost was very grating. I also had a hard time believing these two girls solved a cold case in a week or two.
Side note #1~ I could have went for the blurb to hint at this really being about the podcast. I thought I was going to be at the party in real time. Who would have thought our beach party could end the way it did? Close friends gathered on the last night of a long hot summer – which one of us could have killed the girl everybody loved? What I Thought Who would have thought our beach party could end the way it did? Close friends gathered on the last night of a long hot summer – which one of us could have killed the girl everybody loved? Katie and Sophie start a true crime podcast to discuss the murder of, Lacey, 5 years ago. Lacey was murdered at a beach party that Katie was at, so it makes her close to the case. As they start interviewing old friends of Lacey's more evidence and secrets are brought to light.
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Not only do I loathe long confessional monologues; it was particularly ill suited here. I didn't necessarily "guess" the "bad guys" but was disappointed it was the same old story, same old motivation, for the 9,000th time. Throughout the book you witness the birth of the podcast, Katie telling Lacey’s (the girl who was murdered at age 19) sister Megan that they are starting this endeavor and thus trudging up a lot of the past and also experiencing the varying public opinions around the girls starting the Podcast endeavor. As the smoke from the bonfire spirals into the night sky and the cool drinks slip down our throats, none of us can take our eyes off Lacey . She dances in the dunes, her long golden hair damp from her late-night swim, her smile dazzling, her blue eyes closed.
The kind of book that keeps you hooked and guessing till very end… Full of mystery, tension and suspense. Had my heart pounding! The best thriller I’ve read this year. This book will reel you in instantly!’ Rubie Reads, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐There was something about the blurb of The Beach Party that spoke to me with its beach setting and one of the people attending the party ending up dead. I was curious to see where the story would go and what happened to Lacey, and I've been looking forward to read it. Somehow, this book ended up being a mixed bag for me instead, and unfortunately it wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. I'll try to explain briefly why. The 3 of them return to Cornwall and start poking around. Katie also does a lot of drinking and complaining about how fabulous Sophie is. The story is told primarily as it is happening, but occasionally they stop to "record a podcast episode" where they discuss the case or interview someone. Katie starts to uncover secrets about Lacey and Lacey's friend groups. No surprises here; cheating, affairs, pregnancies, more cheating, gross older men, etc. It is also revealed that several people didn't report the truth or share what they knew to the police; most all of them were motivated by protecting their own status and reputation. Gross. How lovely it is to discover a new favourite author and such a treat to find a tip top mystery thriller just when I needed one most. Who would have thought our beach party could end the way it did? Close friends gathered on the last night of a long hot summer—which one of us could have killed the girl everybody loved?
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