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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. Through most of the book I was thinking "Hmm... I like this more than I thought I would..." (a good narrator helped significantly) however the last 8% dragged the book down hard. 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 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, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love thrillers that keep me guessing until the end and then deliver that last punch that leaves me breathless, but unfortunately, this one was not one of them. I saw the twist coming, and it left me a bit disappointed. This is a wonderful mystery, beautifully constructed and the narration alongside the podcast elements all make for a truly thrilling ride for the reader. Thanks to Bookouture, Bookouture Audio, the author and NetGalley for the ARC and audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Customer reviews
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. 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.
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. 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.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.
Sophie is excited about the Podcast but Katie is skeptical from the start despite agreeing to do it. It made me question her reliability as a character more than once. 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." 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.Sophie and Katie are best friends who start a podcast documenting the details of a murder of one of their acquaintances that took place surrounding a beach party when they were around age 19 in their small British town(along with their mutual friend Tom as podcast editor).
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