⭐⭐⭐
I'm not huge into mysteries, but enjoyed The Guest List and The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten seemed to be in a similar vein...and it's always good to branch out a little.
In 2012, four friends went to Isle Blind for their annual reunion weekend. They never returned. Authorities determined it was a boat accident, but we know Matilda and her three friends were murdered (since the book literally starts with them being murdered). Ten years later, disgraced true crime podcaster Tessa is headed to a new health retreat/hotel on the island with five friends for a bachelorette weekend, hosted by Irene, Matilda's sister. Tessa is determined to find out what happened to the Nacka Four ten years ago.
I found the book to be very well plotted. The action is mostly set in 2022, from Tessa's POV, with occasional jumps to Matilda in 2012. There were, I think, too many friends on the 2022 trip to keep them all straight, though just doing another four women would be troublesome, plot-wise. I quite liked Tessa's wrestling of a recent career implosion; I honestly could've done with more time spent with Tessa's podcast history. The ending made sense, though was a bit drawn-out for me and the ultimate perpetrator was reasonably obvious, even if motivations were not, so that was satisfying.
It does get all the bonus points for this passage, which occurs when Tessa gets up for early yoga at the bachelorette:
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
In 2012, four friends went to Isle Blind for their annual reunion weekend. They never returned. Authorities determined it was a boat accident, but we know Matilda and her three friends were murdered (since the book literally starts with them being murdered). Ten years later, disgraced true crime podcaster Tessa is headed to a new health retreat/hotel on the island with five friends for a bachelorette weekend, hosted by Irene, Matilda's sister. Tessa is determined to find out what happened to the Nacka Four ten years ago.
I found the book to be very well plotted. The action is mostly set in 2022, from Tessa's POV, with occasional jumps to Matilda in 2012. There were, I think, too many friends on the 2022 trip to keep them all straight, though just doing another four women would be troublesome, plot-wise. I quite liked Tessa's wrestling of a recent career implosion; I honestly could've done with more time spent with Tessa's podcast history. The ending made sense, though was a bit drawn-out for me and the ultimate perpetrator was reasonably obvious, even if motivations were not, so that was satisfying.
It does get all the bonus points for this passage, which occurs when Tessa gets up for early yoga at the bachelorette:
I don't believe there are people who genuinely like the taste of green juice and kombucha, who take joy in getting up at five in the morning, or who get their kicks from sweating out made-up toxins by exercising in saunas. I think runner's high is a myth and sunrise yoga is a scam, and I'd pay the entire remaining balance in my account to go back to sleep. (Chapter 13)Ultimately, an enjoyable-enough read. Other reviews indicate that Sten's other books were better, so I might check those out.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for providing a review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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