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Bad Tourists
Is it ever a good idea to go on holiday with friends?Darcy, Camilla and Kate have each come on this trip of a lifetime for a reason - to celebrate a divorce, to find love, to try to put a traumatic past behind them.Their dream getaway? The Sapphire Island Resort in the Maldives. With crystal-clear waters and sun-drenched white sand beaches, relaxation is guaranteed.But all is not as it seems in paradise, and this is no ordinary friendship.They've got nine days to go . . . and old wounds are already reopening.Will they all make the return journey?
400 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2024
519 people are currently reading
43339 people want to read
About the author
Caro Carver
2 books264 followersHello, and thank you for visiting my Goodreads page. I have been writing for as long as I can remember, using my grandparents old Remington typewriter to create little novels that I sent to publishers. I am a poet and novelist published in 23 languages, and have published a number of gothic fiction novels as C.J. Cooke. I hold a PhD in literature from Queen's University Belfast and work full-time at the University of Glasgow, where I teach Creative Writing. Scotland is a cool place to live; however, I do enjoy setting my thrillers in warm and sunny places :)
I am publishing my very first thriller as Caro Carver, Bad Tourists, in 2024. Set in the Maldives, it is optioned for a TV series and I am SO excited for everyone to read it! I am currently working on my second thriller to be published in 2025.
I am publishing my very first thriller as Caro Carver, Bad Tourists, in 2024. Set in the Maldives, it is optioned for a TV series and I am SO excited for everyone to read it! I am currently working on my second thriller to be published in 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,686 reviews
July 13, 2025
Firstly, I need to correct one misunderstanding: Caro Carver is not a debut author; she wrote under the name "C.J. Cooke" and published four other books that I truly enjoyed, especially "A Haunting in the Arctic" and "Lighthouse Witches," which are paranormal thrillers you shouldn't miss. As Caro Carver, she writes in a different genre: a psychological thriller, a twisty locked-room mystery that takes place in the Maldives, focusing on the friendship of three middle-aged women who gather to celebrate Darcy’s divorce in the most glorious way!
This is definitely different from her latest works, and I was truly impressed by her heart-shattering opening, where a scholarship archaeological student in her early twenties finds the entire student group and her professor massacred in Spinnaker Guesthouse. However, the tragic incident gets swept under the rug as 9/11 occurs at the same time, and all police resources are transferred to this earth-shattering tragedy.
Then we get introduced to Kate, who was the same girl who found the victims at the guesthouse. Still dealing with PTSD after 22 years, leaving her dreams to become an archaeologist behind, she works as a ghostwriter, dealing with pre-menopausal effects, living as a shell of herself, secluded, preferring cats, good books, and freshly brewed teas to crowds. When her path crosses with other tragedy victims - a free-spirited, hippy, influencer, Pilates instructor Camilla, who lost her twin brother at the massacre, and Darcy, who is about to divorce her tech millionaire husband, also lost her love of life at the incident - Kate feels like she finally has people who can understand her.
When Darcy invites them to celebrate her divorce in a super luxurious resort in the Maldives, with all expenses compensated, both Kate and Camilla join to help their friend deal with her most stressful process.
Who can say no to the isolated Sapphire Island Resort with luxurious villas, your own butler serving 24/7, crystal clear waters, drenched white sand beaches, and delicious Negronis served in the fancy beach bar? I honestly cannot!
They are not only celebrating Darcy’s divorce, but they also have to support each other for the approaching 22nd anniversary of the massacre.
But their dreamy holiday getaway slowly turns into a nightmare when they meet young Jade celebrating her honeymoon with her abusive husband Rob, who may give them very dangerous vibes. A body gets found on the beach, and things get out of hand. Could there be a killer out there threatening the women’s lives? What if this is someone from their past, waiting for the anniversary date to make them remember they will never be safe again?
Overall, this is a riveting page-turner that hooked me from the beginning. I wish I hadn't guessed the big twist before the big revelation at the end. It was still a well-established idea, and all the explanations filled the plot holes perfectly. But my expectations were a little high when I saw highly raving "you'll never see it coming" twist reviews (unfortunately, I saw it - great day for my hypersensitive Spidey senses, better than Spider-Man’s senses). I also admired the author’s previous works, which were excellently polished and well-executed smart thrillers.
I'm still giving 3.5 stars to 4 serial killer, twisty stars for the love of locked-room whodunit mysteries and the unconventional friendship path choice the author created. Who am I fooling? Of course, I can read anything both Caro Carver and C. J. Cooke write (or any name the author chooses).
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avid Press / Simon & Schuster, and S&S Book Club for providing me with both digital and physical copies in exchange for my honest feedback.
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This is definitely different from her latest works, and I was truly impressed by her heart-shattering opening, where a scholarship archaeological student in her early twenties finds the entire student group and her professor massacred in Spinnaker Guesthouse. However, the tragic incident gets swept under the rug as 9/11 occurs at the same time, and all police resources are transferred to this earth-shattering tragedy.
Then we get introduced to Kate, who was the same girl who found the victims at the guesthouse. Still dealing with PTSD after 22 years, leaving her dreams to become an archaeologist behind, she works as a ghostwriter, dealing with pre-menopausal effects, living as a shell of herself, secluded, preferring cats, good books, and freshly brewed teas to crowds. When her path crosses with other tragedy victims - a free-spirited, hippy, influencer, Pilates instructor Camilla, who lost her twin brother at the massacre, and Darcy, who is about to divorce her tech millionaire husband, also lost her love of life at the incident - Kate feels like she finally has people who can understand her.
When Darcy invites them to celebrate her divorce in a super luxurious resort in the Maldives, with all expenses compensated, both Kate and Camilla join to help their friend deal with her most stressful process.
Who can say no to the isolated Sapphire Island Resort with luxurious villas, your own butler serving 24/7, crystal clear waters, drenched white sand beaches, and delicious Negronis served in the fancy beach bar? I honestly cannot!
They are not only celebrating Darcy’s divorce, but they also have to support each other for the approaching 22nd anniversary of the massacre.
But their dreamy holiday getaway slowly turns into a nightmare when they meet young Jade celebrating her honeymoon with her abusive husband Rob, who may give them very dangerous vibes. A body gets found on the beach, and things get out of hand. Could there be a killer out there threatening the women’s lives? What if this is someone from their past, waiting for the anniversary date to make them remember they will never be safe again?
Overall, this is a riveting page-turner that hooked me from the beginning. I wish I hadn't guessed the big twist before the big revelation at the end. It was still a well-established idea, and all the explanations filled the plot holes perfectly. But my expectations were a little high when I saw highly raving "you'll never see it coming" twist reviews (unfortunately, I saw it - great day for my hypersensitive Spidey senses, better than Spider-Man’s senses). I also admired the author’s previous works, which were excellently polished and well-executed smart thrillers.
I'm still giving 3.5 stars to 4 serial killer, twisty stars for the love of locked-room whodunit mysteries and the unconventional friendship path choice the author created. Who am I fooling? Of course, I can read anything both Caro Carver and C. J. Cooke write (or any name the author chooses).
Many thanks to NetGalley, Avid Press / Simon & Schuster, and S&S Book Club for providing me with both digital and physical copies in exchange for my honest feedback.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium.com
August 4, 2024
Best friends Darcy, Camilla, and Kate escape for a post-divorce retreat in the Maldives, the perfect place to relax, reset, and embrace a fresh start in life. Darcy is learning how to be a free woman at forty-two. Camilla has found the perfect calling as a fitness and wellness influencer with a devoted following. And Kate is finally working on the book she was meant to write after years of telling other people’s stories.
Their dream getaway? The exclusive and isolated Sapphire Island Resort. With luxurious private villas, crystal-clear waters, and sun-drenched white sand beaches, relaxation is guaranteed. But this is no ordinary friendship, and they’re not the only guests on the island with secrets. Who left the body on the beach—and who’s next?
Hot damn! A delightfully dark and twisted, propulsive, well-plotted novel, Bad Tourists grabbed me right from the start and never let go. I’m not kidding. The first chapter pulled me in deep. Then there were the multiple seemingly unrelated subplots and the locked room mystery setting. Both combined to serve up a storyline steeped in foreboding and suspense. It was the conclusion, however, that took me over the edge. A masterclass in crazy, the spine-tingling events and gasp-inducing twists left my jaw firmly on the floor in the best possible way.
The characters won me over right from the start. Told via multiple POVs, each was impressively memorable as well as mildly eccentric. I especially loved how the three central personas were all middle-aged women. Often overlooked in psychological thrillers, they felt realistic and wholly compelling. Even better, however, were their crystal clear identities. Paired beautifully with a non-stop plot and an ever ratcheting pace, my brain just couldn’t fit the puzzle pieces into place before the final timely reveal. And let me tell you, it was quite the fiendishly perfect revelation.
All said and done, this dynamite book is sure to be one of the most binge-worthy, buzzed about thrillers just perfect for summer. A debut of sorts as Carver also writes gothic thrillers under the name C.J. Cooke, it’s clear that she’s not only talented in one thriller subgenre but two. With short chapters, riveting flashback scenes, and a few thoroughly unlikeable characters, I got sucked into the immersive storytelling from the very first word. So much so, in fact, that I finished it in just under five hours. So pre-order this sucker ASAP. After all, this is one girls’ trip you won’t want to miss. Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to Caro Carver and Avid Reader Press for both my physical and digital complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 9, 2024
Trigger warning: domestic violence, controlling relationship, gaslighting, knife violence
Their dream getaway? The exclusive and isolated Sapphire Island Resort. With luxurious private villas, crystal-clear waters, and sun-drenched white sand beaches, relaxation is guaranteed. But this is no ordinary friendship, and they’re not the only guests on the island with secrets. Who left the body on the beach—and who’s next?
Hot damn! A delightfully dark and twisted, propulsive, well-plotted novel, Bad Tourists grabbed me right from the start and never let go. I’m not kidding. The first chapter pulled me in deep. Then there were the multiple seemingly unrelated subplots and the locked room mystery setting. Both combined to serve up a storyline steeped in foreboding and suspense. It was the conclusion, however, that took me over the edge. A masterclass in crazy, the spine-tingling events and gasp-inducing twists left my jaw firmly on the floor in the best possible way.
The characters won me over right from the start. Told via multiple POVs, each was impressively memorable as well as mildly eccentric. I especially loved how the three central personas were all middle-aged women. Often overlooked in psychological thrillers, they felt realistic and wholly compelling. Even better, however, were their crystal clear identities. Paired beautifully with a non-stop plot and an ever ratcheting pace, my brain just couldn’t fit the puzzle pieces into place before the final timely reveal. And let me tell you, it was quite the fiendishly perfect revelation.
All said and done, this dynamite book is sure to be one of the most binge-worthy, buzzed about thrillers just perfect for summer. A debut of sorts as Carver also writes gothic thrillers under the name C.J. Cooke, it’s clear that she’s not only talented in one thriller subgenre but two. With short chapters, riveting flashback scenes, and a few thoroughly unlikeable characters, I got sucked into the immersive storytelling from the very first word. So much so, in fact, that I finished it in just under five hours. So pre-order this sucker ASAP. After all, this is one girls’ trip you won’t want to miss. Rating of 5 stars.
Thank you to Caro Carver and Avid Reader Press for both my physical and digital complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 9, 2024
Trigger warning: domestic violence, controlling relationship, gaslighting, knife violence
June 4, 2024
Three friends (Darcy, Camilla, & Kate) who share a tragic past decide to head to the Maldives to celebrate Darcy's divorce from her jerk husband.
After a few days of soaking in the sun and sipping cocktails there is a dead body discovered in the bay and it doesn't appear to be a drowning. Now the entire resort is in fear that there's a murderer on the loose and no one knows who they can trust. Including each other.
As they say, with friends like these who needs enemies.
This showed such promise in the start and the location is absolutely to die for - pun intended! However, the longer I spent time with these characters the more I didn't like them. Especially Camilla, the Pilates influencer. She really grated my nerves. Unlikeable characters isn't a complete deal breaker for me but what I do think is a deal breaker is the preposterous ending. Certain revelations will take you by surprise but not because it's a cleverly played twist. Not for me anyways. It took me by surprise by how utterly ludicrous it is. It's so ludicrous that the big baddie has to explain in detail at the end how they came up with all that went down and it was a head scratcher and an eye roller all at once. 🙄 As per usual I am an outlier so don't let my opinion sway your decision in reading this one. You may love it. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for my complimentary copy.
After a few days of soaking in the sun and sipping cocktails there is a dead body discovered in the bay and it doesn't appear to be a drowning. Now the entire resort is in fear that there's a murderer on the loose and no one knows who they can trust. Including each other.
As they say, with friends like these who needs enemies.
This showed such promise in the start and the location is absolutely to die for - pun intended! However, the longer I spent time with these characters the more I didn't like them. Especially Camilla, the Pilates influencer. She really grated my nerves. Unlikeable characters isn't a complete deal breaker for me but what I do think is a deal breaker is the preposterous ending. Certain revelations will take you by surprise but not because it's a cleverly played twist. Not for me anyways. It took me by surprise by how utterly ludicrous it is. It's so ludicrous that the big baddie has to explain in detail at the end how they came up with all that went down and it was a head scratcher and an eye roller all at once. 🙄 As per usual I am an outlier so don't let my opinion sway your decision in reading this one. You may love it. 2 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for my complimentary copy.
August 13, 2024
Kinda like a cup of tea that you take one delicious, hot sip of and then get distracted for an hr before realizing your tea has now gone cold. The ending was redonk and my dumbass clocked the twist very early. Not always a bad thing unless the book is entirely flat, which was the case so booOOOOOOOO
September 17, 2025
I liked the concept of this novel, with three friends linked by a massacre in a run down hotel over twenty years ago going on a trip to the Maldives to celebrate the divorce of one of them. However, I didn’t enjoy the execution, firstly because I never got a good feel for the characters or their relationships to one another. They met as a result of the trauma, with two of them losing a brother or boyfriend and one being the only survivor of the massacre. I got the feeling they were supposed to be tight knit friends, to all go on a trip together, but there wasn’t much evidence for this. I don’t think they knew each other all that intimately at all, so it raises the question of why would they agree to go.
Secondly, the twists in the plot kept making me ask the question Why? It wasn’t clear what the motive was for what happened in the past, 22 years ago, or in the present. The way people behaved seemed unrealistic and even ridiculous at times. Overall, I think the concept and themes could have been better developed to heighten the plausibility and generate a suspenseful atmosphere. However, I seem to be an outlier here, so if you like the sound of the novel, you should read it for yourself. 2.5★
With thanks to Random House via Netgalley for a copy to read
Secondly, the twists in the plot kept making me ask the question Why? It wasn’t clear what the motive was for what happened in the past, 22 years ago, or in the present. The way people behaved seemed unrealistic and even ridiculous at times. Overall, I think the concept and themes could have been better developed to heighten the plausibility and generate a suspenseful atmosphere. However, I seem to be an outlier here, so if you like the sound of the novel, you should read it for yourself. 2.5★
With thanks to Random House via Netgalley for a copy to read
July 31, 2024
3.5 Stars — BAD TOURISTS appealed to me because I love tropical vacation thrillers. Trouble in paradise is the best! Here we have friends Darcy, Kate, and Camilla jetting off to an exclusive resort in the Maldives to celebrate Darcy's divorce. The women barely have time to relax before a body washes up on the beach. Now they and everyone else are in a panic because there may be a murderer on the island.
I recommend going into this book knowing as little as possible about the plot. It has a dark, complex and shocking backstory that kept me guessing about how it all fit into the present predicament. For most of the book, I was gripped, until it starting going off the rails a bit. I'm torn over the ending. It was very twisty, but also too out there? And the guilty party's motivation didn't make sense, or maybe was just too weak.
BAD TOURISTS definitely ticks all the boxes for a fun popcorn thriller, even though I struggled with parts of it. Great tension, action, and a stunning summery setting! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a digital copy of this book. Thoughts are my own.
I recommend going into this book knowing as little as possible about the plot. It has a dark, complex and shocking backstory that kept me guessing about how it all fit into the present predicament. For most of the book, I was gripped, until it starting going off the rails a bit. I'm torn over the ending. It was very twisty, but also too out there? And the guilty party's motivation didn't make sense, or maybe was just too weak.
BAD TOURISTS definitely ticks all the boxes for a fun popcorn thriller, even though I struggled with parts of it. Great tension, action, and a stunning summery setting! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a digital copy of this book. Thoughts are my own.
January 20, 2024
This book was twisty and engaging; I finished it in under 24 hours. It centers on 3 friends who are tied together from a 20+ year old tragedy- Darcy is going through a divorce and invites Camilla and Kate to join her on a trip to the Maldives to celebrate her newfound singledom. On the trip, they encounter Jade, who is on her honeymoon but realizes she has made a mistake in getting married, and the 4 forge a friendship. But everything in the idyllic tropical setting is not as it seems.
This story had many dark undertones that keeps the reader on edge throughout; there are multiple mysteries happening at the same time, but everything is weaved together expertly and there is no confusion in how it all fits together. The big twist is great and I didn’t even have an inkling of how it was going to turn out. I also loved the clear and atmospheric descriptions of the resort- they made me feel like I was there without providing too much detail that would have taken me out of the action.
Overall, this was a wild ride and a really well written mystery. I am giving it 4.5 stars and am going to go find some more books by this author. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story had many dark undertones that keeps the reader on edge throughout; there are multiple mysteries happening at the same time, but everything is weaved together expertly and there is no confusion in how it all fits together. The big twist is great and I didn’t even have an inkling of how it was going to turn out. I also loved the clear and atmospheric descriptions of the resort- they made me feel like I was there without providing too much detail that would have taken me out of the action.
Overall, this was a wild ride and a really well written mystery. I am giving it 4.5 stars and am going to go find some more books by this author. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2024
“Bad Tourists”, by Caro Carver
3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My first book set in the Maldives.
It made me wish to book a trip.
Anyways… I picked this book because it was constantly showing up on my feed, so I ordered a copy from the library,
I quite enjoyed the writing and the storytelling, but I couldn’t see that much difference in the timeline structure.
The concept was good and I was intrigued from the beginning up to 85% of book. I was really completely invested and enjoying the characters and their personal dramas.
The development of the story was fine, but the conclusion was so disappointing. It really ruined the story for me, which made my ratings drop from 4 to 3 stars.
e-book (Kobo): 336 pages (default), 94k words, divided into 3 parts and a total of 67 chapters (a fast read).
3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
My first book set in the Maldives.
It made me wish to book a trip.
Anyways… I picked this book because it was constantly showing up on my feed, so I ordered a copy from the library,
I quite enjoyed the writing and the storytelling, but I couldn’t see that much difference in the timeline structure.
The concept was good and I was intrigued from the beginning up to 85% of book. I was really completely invested and enjoying the characters and their personal dramas.
The development of the story was fine, but the conclusion was so disappointing. It really ruined the story for me, which made my ratings drop from 4 to 3 stars.
e-book (Kobo): 336 pages (default), 94k words, divided into 3 parts and a total of 67 chapters (a fast read).
November 28, 2023
SHOOK! Is the only word I can come up with when I think about this book. Or was incredible and one I’m going to be thinking about for A WHILE. I was so intrigued to see how everything was going to come together, being a fan of CJ Cooke I knew it was going to be INSANE in the best possible way. This is going to be a summer MUST READ!
July 16, 2024
Darcy, Camilla, and Kate are on the vacation of a lifetime in the Maldives. They are experiencing top-notch luxury, courtesy of Darcy, a mother of three, who is celebrating her divorce. Camilla works as a Pilates instructor, while Kate is a ghostwriter. The three friends start off having a great time at the remote and exclusive Sapphire Island Resort. More than twenty years ago, their lives were deeply impacted by a horrendous tragedy and the anniversary of the event is coming up. At the resort, the women meet Jade, a beautiful young woman honeymooning at the resort. She doesn't do a good job hiding the fact that her new husband Rob is abusive. The discovery of a body washed ashore raises questions: was it an accidental drowning or a murder? Could this incident somehow be linked to the decades-old event of the past?
Bad Tourists by Caro Carver is divided into three suspenseful sections. Carver reveals the story of each woman and how the tragedy affected them. The most poignant narrative belongs to Kate, who keeps to herself hiding behind the identity of those she writes books for. Author Carvo has previously written in the gothic horror mystery genre under the name C. J. Cooke. With an intense, intriguing storyline, as well as a clever twist, Carvo has successfully crafted a satisfying mystery thriller under her new pen name.
Many thanks to Avid Reader Press | Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book before its release.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
Bad Tourists by Caro Carver is divided into three suspenseful sections. Carver reveals the story of each woman and how the tragedy affected them. The most poignant narrative belongs to Kate, who keeps to herself hiding behind the identity of those she writes books for. Author Carvo has previously written in the gothic horror mystery genre under the name C. J. Cooke. With an intense, intriguing storyline, as well as a clever twist, Carvo has successfully crafted a satisfying mystery thriller under her new pen name.
Many thanks to Avid Reader Press | Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read this book before its release.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
July 23, 2024
THE "GOOD" ON "BAD TOURISTS"
* Pacey
* Strong characterizations and well-crafted plot.
THE "BAD" ON "BAD TOURISTS":
* Overdone premise
So many "girls weekend away" books, so little time.
* Lacked the "thrills" I was seeking
* Bizarre ending that was absolutely, positively eye-rolling.
I listened to the audiobook read by Lesley Sharp, who did a superb job with the narration.
Since the book unfolded from multiple POVs, a full-cast audio would have been preferred.
3.5 stars
July 8, 2024
I really wanted to like this novel, it had a great premise and strong start. However, let me start by saying I just don’t get the title, lol. Three friends embark on one heck trip celebrating a recent divorce. The ties that bind them together in friendship aren’t a shared past, but shared trauma. 22 years ago Camilla’s twin brother and Darcy’s boyfriend were murdered amongst others at the Spinnaker Guesthouse. The only survivor of the massacre was Kate.
Looming over their trip is the anniversary of the massacre and each friend experiences this date differently. Strangely the resort is also not without drama. One of the guests is seriously unhinged and making threats against some of the other guests. As his identity becomes known more info about Darcy and her ex-husband’s business are revealed.
This is where the plot gets weird for me. The connections were forced as was the twist. There were definitely missed opportunities for the ending. Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Looming over their trip is the anniversary of the massacre and each friend experiences this date differently. Strangely the resort is also not without drama. One of the guests is seriously unhinged and making threats against some of the other guests. As his identity becomes known more info about Darcy and her ex-husband’s business are revealed.
This is where the plot gets weird for me. The connections were forced as was the twist. There were definitely missed opportunities for the ending. Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
July 11, 2024
I very much LOVED this perfect multiple POV summer thriller from CJ Cooke in her debut writing as Caro Carver!!
Three British friends take a trip to a resort in the Maldives to celebrate one's recent divorce only to find themselves forced to confront their past connections to a serial murder from twenty years ago!
Twisty and full of emotional depth, I really enjoyed the domestic abuse storyline and the way I could not figure out what was going on.
This was also great on audio narrated by Lesley Sharp and would make a PERFECT beach read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Three British friends take a trip to a resort in the Maldives to celebrate one's recent divorce only to find themselves forced to confront their past connections to a serial murder from twenty years ago!
Twisty and full of emotional depth, I really enjoyed the domestic abuse storyline and the way I could not figure out what was going on.
This was also great on audio narrated by Lesley Sharp and would make a PERFECT beach read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
July 9, 2024
Wow! This one was gripping! A mass murder at a guesthouse in 2001. 6 people died. 1 survived. Fast forward to the present…Darcy, Camilla and Kate meet over zoom, to bond over their grief, becoming friends. Darcy lost her first love, Camilla lost her twin brother, and Kate was the sole survivor. The three of them embark on a vacation to the Maldives. Things begin to happen on their trip that are too hard to ignore….too many similarities to the “guesthouse slaughter.” There are people there that are hiding secrets.
This was suspenseful, and thrilling! Definitely a 5 star in my book! I was surprised to learned the author has penned other books under the name CJ Cooke. I loved The Lighthouse Witches, so I was excited to jump into this one! The characters were well developed and the setting was described beautifully. I loved the multiple points of view, and it was easy to keep up with. This would be a perfect vacation or beach read! The writing is done well, and it is an easy read that you won’t want to put down!
This was suspenseful, and thrilling! Definitely a 5 star in my book! I was surprised to learned the author has penned other books under the name CJ Cooke. I loved The Lighthouse Witches, so I was excited to jump into this one! The characters were well developed and the setting was described beautifully. I loved the multiple points of view, and it was easy to keep up with. This would be a perfect vacation or beach read! The writing is done well, and it is an easy read that you won’t want to put down!
July 7, 2024
I’ve read a few of Caro Carver’s gothic thrillers which are published under a different name (C.J. Cooke) and loved them, so I was excited to read her new thriller which is this one. Overall, I liked this one. It’s a 𝗩𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗥 set in the beautiful Maldives and has a twist I wasn’t expecting. But here’s the thing about twists. Many authors will leave breadcrumbs (even if they are just grains) when it comes to the person “who-dun-it” but that wasn’t the case here. The actual killer was someone SO UNEXPECTED that I thought it was written wrong. It made NO SENSE for the story up until the very end and honestly, I’m not sure if I liked it or not. There just weren’t any clues at all and I’m the kind of reader that appreciates clues (even miniscule ones where I can say “yes that makes sense now”). Other than that I thought this was a solid summer thriller with interesting characters, a great backstory, and a beautiful setting.
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Vacation Thrillers
❥ Mega Twists
❥ Books set on an island
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Vacation Thrillers
❥ Mega Twists
❥ Books set on an island
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐ (3.5)
December 31, 2023
A twisty, turny, deliciously dark thriller set in paradise. I couldn’t put it down.
November 7, 2024
Bad Tourists kept me guessing and wondering how everything fit together from page 1. It was a unique novel with many narrators, several merging plots, and an overarching mystery.
There is a lot going on in this novel and there were times when I felt like I lost a plot or two. With an ex-husband's computer firm hacked, the anniversary of a massacre approaching and new evidence about a potential second attacker being involved, an abusive husband, and girl's trip to the Maldives it was difficult to grasp the bigger picture. Everything came together really well but I definitely couldn't have predicted how we would have gotten there!
I listened to this novel on audio and appreciated that different actors were used for each narrator. I think there were things I may have caught had I physically read the novel, but overall, I did enjoy the audio. There were some special effects I appreciated and the voices and acting provided great imagery.
Overall, I liked this book but I'm not sure it'll stick with me. It definitely surprised me which is always a huge plus, but some of the plot felt to be too much of a stretch. There were several WTF moments and a few too many instances where I had suspend belief just a tad too much. If you're looking for a good mystery set in paradise, I definitely recommend.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the copy.
There is a lot going on in this novel and there were times when I felt like I lost a plot or two. With an ex-husband's computer firm hacked, the anniversary of a massacre approaching and new evidence about a potential second attacker being involved, an abusive husband, and girl's trip to the Maldives it was difficult to grasp the bigger picture. Everything came together really well but I definitely couldn't have predicted how we would have gotten there!
I listened to this novel on audio and appreciated that different actors were used for each narrator. I think there were things I may have caught had I physically read the novel, but overall, I did enjoy the audio. There were some special effects I appreciated and the voices and acting provided great imagery.
Overall, I liked this book but I'm not sure it'll stick with me. It definitely surprised me which is always a huge plus, but some of the plot felt to be too much of a stretch. There were several WTF moments and a few too many instances where I had suspend belief just a tad too much. If you're looking for a good mystery set in paradise, I definitely recommend.
Thank you to Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the copy.
January 5, 2025
3.5 stars. Thanks to NetGalley for the galley copy, which I read in conjunction with the excellent audiobook.
Three middle aged women travel to the Maldives to celebrate one of them getting divorced. Coincidentally, they're also marking the 22nd anniversary of a tragedy that brought them together initially, a mass murder in a guest house, where Kate is the only one spared, Darcy loses her boyfriend, and Camilla's twin brother is murdered.
All three feel that the man they convicted of the murders did not act alone, and Darcy has hired a private investigator to prove it. This is where the plot thickened into a murky pea soup, but with a dead body turning up in the Maldives, I hung around for the finale.
The finale wasn't at all what I'd expected (I seem to say that in many of my reviews lately!). I was hoping for a different resolution as Carvers was a little out in left field here. But now, thinking back, she did plant sufficient clues and it makes more sense. Notice I didn't say "total" sense, but I ended up liking it enough for 3.5 stars.
Three middle aged women travel to the Maldives to celebrate one of them getting divorced. Coincidentally, they're also marking the 22nd anniversary of a tragedy that brought them together initially, a mass murder in a guest house, where Kate is the only one spared, Darcy loses her boyfriend, and Camilla's twin brother is murdered.
All three feel that the man they convicted of the murders did not act alone, and Darcy has hired a private investigator to prove it. This is where the plot thickened into a murky pea soup, but with a dead body turning up in the Maldives, I hung around for the finale.
The finale wasn't at all what I'd expected (I seem to say that in many of my reviews lately!). I was hoping for a different resolution as Carvers was a little out in left field here. But now, thinking back, she did plant sufficient clues and it makes more sense. Notice I didn't say "total" sense, but I ended up liking it enough for 3.5 stars.
June 26, 2024
Well this one was a bit surprising but not in a good way. The set up of 3 women on holiday to celebrate a divorce all seems very chick lit and the setting of an exclusive resort on the Maldives continues that theme. Although I kept thinking: WHAT!? Darcy spent £50,000 on this holiday for 3 people and her friends didn’t say ‘hold on honey, don’t spend your whole divorce settlement in one go, let’s just do Ibiza and we’ll chip in’. No one heard alarm bells clanging?Loudly?
Anyway. Things take a murderous turn and various red herrings are pickled, salted and then thrown in. But then there’s a twist. For me anyway, it came out of left field and reached a point of ridiculousness and implausibility at which I nearly threw the book across the room (but luckily didn’t because it was on my kindle). Sorry, this one wasn’t for me 👎🏻.
With thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Anyway. Things take a murderous turn and various red herrings are pickled, salted and then thrown in. But then there’s a twist. For me anyway, it came out of left field and reached a point of ridiculousness and implausibility at which I nearly threw the book across the room (but luckily didn’t because it was on my kindle). Sorry, this one wasn’t for me 👎🏻.
With thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2024
I really enjoyed this fast paced mystery set in the Maldives. What an incredible setting for such a dark read. Despite its content, this was a fun and entertaining book that I read in 2 sittings. I was surprised to learn that this was a pen name for CJ Cooke, an author that I have always wanted to read.
3 friends who share a dark history travel to the Maldives to celebrate Darcy’s divorce. Cocktails, stunning views, beautiful food, massage sessions and snorkelling with turtles… heaven. But not everything is as it seems and they are soon looking over their shoulders as their past is back in their faces.
A variety of different characters, some more likeable than others. It was a shocking ending that I didn’t 100% see coming. Lots of ways this story could have gone which makes it fun.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on July 9th.
3 friends who share a dark history travel to the Maldives to celebrate Darcy’s divorce. Cocktails, stunning views, beautiful food, massage sessions and snorkelling with turtles… heaven. But not everything is as it seems and they are soon looking over their shoulders as their past is back in their faces.
A variety of different characters, some more likeable than others. It was a shocking ending that I didn’t 100% see coming. Lots of ways this story could have gone which makes it fun.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster Canada for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on July 9th.
January 11, 2025
You know, this started off pretty well. Even through the middle and rounding the corner toward the end. And then. Gawd. The stars just kept dropping out of the sky and sinking to the Indian Ocean. Two stars because I was entertained long enough to get to the bloody dénouement and the end.
A "locked room" mystery set on an island resort in the Maldives, Bad Tourists is, according to the author, about (justifiable) female rage. It isn't. It's just sad and tawdry pulp fiction. All the more frustrating because I was truly engaged in the characters and the story and appreciated the author's writing style. But the prolonged ending was so nonsensical. Gah.
A "locked room" mystery set on an island resort in the Maldives, Bad Tourists is, according to the author, about (justifiable) female rage. It isn't. It's just sad and tawdry pulp fiction. All the more frustrating because I was truly engaged in the characters and the story and appreciated the author's writing style. But the prolonged ending was so nonsensical. Gah.
May 1, 2025
4.7 ⭐️
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Three close friends embark on a lavish divorce celebration trip to the Maldives, seeking relaxation and a fresh start in midlife - until they discover their dream resort harbors a killer.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
Spending time with these 40-something women was a joy. This age group doesn’t get nearly enough space in thrillers, and it felt so refreshing. I also really liked how the book touched on the challenges of living in a patriarchal world without getting too heavy about it. Caro Carver’s subtle touch really worked for me - I found myself nodding along more than once.
The audiobook had its strengths (PI Andrew’s portrayal stood out), but the absence of Catalan and Dhivehi accents was odd. This time, I’d recommend reading over listening, which is a rare preference for me.
The novel combined several elements I love: women bonding over shitty men, puzzling chapters that make sense by the end, murder, mystery, and unexpected twists. It was an awesome mix of my favorite ingredients.
What I struggled with was the motivation behind it all. I loved the ride and definitely felt all the feels, but I wasn’t totally sold on how it all came together. I don’t mind a twist that comes out of left field, but it still has to click, and for me, it didn’t quite. I really wanted this to be a 5-star read, but a few of those dots just didn’t connect.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
Absolutely. If you’re in the mood for a suspenseful vacation thriller with strong female leads and unexpected twists, this book delivers. Just be prepared to suspend some disbelief along the way.
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Three close friends embark on a lavish divorce celebration trip to the Maldives, seeking relaxation and a fresh start in midlife - until they discover their dream resort harbors a killer.
𝗛𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗢𝗡
Spending time with these 40-something women was a joy. This age group doesn’t get nearly enough space in thrillers, and it felt so refreshing. I also really liked how the book touched on the challenges of living in a patriarchal world without getting too heavy about it. Caro Carver’s subtle touch really worked for me - I found myself nodding along more than once.
The audiobook had its strengths (PI Andrew’s portrayal stood out), but the absence of Catalan and Dhivehi accents was odd. This time, I’d recommend reading over listening, which is a rare preference for me.
The novel combined several elements I love: women bonding over shitty men, puzzling chapters that make sense by the end, murder, mystery, and unexpected twists. It was an awesome mix of my favorite ingredients.
What I struggled with was the motivation behind it all. I loved the ride and definitely felt all the feels, but I wasn’t totally sold on how it all came together. I don’t mind a twist that comes out of left field, but it still has to click, and for me, it didn’t quite. I really wanted this to be a 5-star read, but a few of those dots just didn’t connect.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
Absolutely. If you’re in the mood for a suspenseful vacation thriller with strong female leads and unexpected twists, this book delivers. Just be prepared to suspend some disbelief along the way.
June 30, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this book. It was such a thrilling summer beach read! Three friends bonded by trauma and loss take a vacation to embrace the new starts in their lives. This vacation ends up being so much more than that, though, as murder and death follow them.
April 25, 2024
Darcy just found out her husband is having an affair, so they are getting divorced and she wants to celebrate with a girls trip to the Maldives. She is the mother of three boys, and the custody battle is raging. Getting away to an island paradise with her soon-to-be-ex’s money sounds like just the right thing. She invites along Camilla, a Pilates instructor/Instagram influencer, and Kate, a shy, overweight writer prone to anxiety.
These three seem like an odd group, because they’re together not from being longtime friends, but because they were all affected by a brutal massacre that happened 22 years prior. Kate was heading to an archeology event and was checked into a guesthouse very late at night by a very creepy man. The next morning, she awoke to find everyone else in the building murdered, and the creepy man gone.
Kate was the lone survivor, but the other two women were also affected. Camilla’s twin brother was killed in the attack, as was Darcy’s boyfriend. The man who checked Kate in turned out to be a pedophile who confessed to the crime and soon died of cancer while incarcerated. These women now have a morbid bond, and while they probably wouldn’t be friends outside of this situation, they are now bound by the gruesome horror of that night.
The women have hired a private investigator to find out if there was another killer in the house that night, and the evidence is pointing in that direction. A journalist wants to try to get the case re-opened, but they need more evidence. How can they disprove that the creepy pedophile who was dying of cancer violently killed six people by himself, some of them strong young men?
I really thought I had the ending pegged, and towards the end of the book, it looked like my suspicions were confirmed. Then, everything completely flipped and I realized that I was wrong, wrong, wrong about what happened that night! The truth about that massacre and this trip eventually comes out, and it’s a shocker. This a fantastic murder mystery with good characters and a lot of twists, and it’s the perfect beach read…if you can stomach the sea after this particular island vacation. 4.5 stars, and my definite recommendation.
(Thank you to Avid Reader Press, Simon & Schuster, Caro Carver and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 9, 2024.)
These three seem like an odd group, because they’re together not from being longtime friends, but because they were all affected by a brutal massacre that happened 22 years prior. Kate was heading to an archeology event and was checked into a guesthouse very late at night by a very creepy man. The next morning, she awoke to find everyone else in the building murdered, and the creepy man gone.
Kate was the lone survivor, but the other two women were also affected. Camilla’s twin brother was killed in the attack, as was Darcy’s boyfriend. The man who checked Kate in turned out to be a pedophile who confessed to the crime and soon died of cancer while incarcerated. These women now have a morbid bond, and while they probably wouldn’t be friends outside of this situation, they are now bound by the gruesome horror of that night.
The women have hired a private investigator to find out if there was another killer in the house that night, and the evidence is pointing in that direction. A journalist wants to try to get the case re-opened, but they need more evidence. How can they disprove that the creepy pedophile who was dying of cancer violently killed six people by himself, some of them strong young men?
I really thought I had the ending pegged, and towards the end of the book, it looked like my suspicions were confirmed. Then, everything completely flipped and I realized that I was wrong, wrong, wrong about what happened that night! The truth about that massacre and this trip eventually comes out, and it’s a shocker. This a fantastic murder mystery with good characters and a lot of twists, and it’s the perfect beach read…if you can stomach the sea after this particular island vacation. 4.5 stars, and my definite recommendation.
(Thank you to Avid Reader Press, Simon & Schuster, Caro Carver and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on July 9, 2024.)
December 5, 2023
So you know how book adverts always scream things like ‘UNPUTDOWNABLE’ and ‘SHOCKING TWIST’ and “HIGH OCTANE” and every other buzzword? Well, oh my God this one was all those things!
I absolutely went into this expecting not much and by the time I was done I’d eaten all the popcorn and chewed my nails down to nubs.
Forgive me, but I definitely did NOT see any of this coming.
From the moment you find out how these women met and why they’re together until the very last page, it’s a frantic pace of thoroughly entertaining reading.
Kudos to the author for completely surprising me time and again.
Loved this!
• ARC via publisher
I absolutely went into this expecting not much and by the time I was done I’d eaten all the popcorn and chewed my nails down to nubs.
Forgive me, but I definitely did NOT see any of this coming.
From the moment you find out how these women met and why they’re together until the very last page, it’s a frantic pace of thoroughly entertaining reading.
Kudos to the author for completely surprising me time and again.
Loved this!
• ARC via publisher
June 24, 2024
20 plus years ago 6 people were slaughtered in a B and B….Kate survived…..Darcy and Camilla lost loved ones
The 3 of them have built a unbreakable bond, so much so they go to the Maldives for a fortnight’s luxury holiday
But of course a luxury holiday is the last thing they get 🙃
A dark tale of the past careering with the present, beautiful surroundings, dark souls and a touch of (again) ‘well it is fiction’ made this a stirring read, cold in its delivery but hot in the despicable action
Fav line ’ ‘hack your software?,I can barely cut and paste’….
Interesting, unsettling read
The 3 of them have built a unbreakable bond, so much so they go to the Maldives for a fortnight’s luxury holiday
But of course a luxury holiday is the last thing they get 🙃
A dark tale of the past careering with the present, beautiful surroundings, dark souls and a touch of (again) ‘well it is fiction’ made this a stirring read, cold in its delivery but hot in the despicable action
Fav line ’ ‘hack your software?,I can barely cut and paste’….
Interesting, unsettling read
July 24, 2024
Ok, I stuck around when you started to throw in some “me too” garbage and then got to the use of pronouns…
Authors- we read to escape, we don’t need your agenda everywhere.
Authors- we read to escape, we don’t need your agenda everywhere.
August 11, 2024
Bad tourists? More like a bad book.
August 29, 2025
Bad Tourists by Caro Carver is a popcorn thriller featuring three middle aged friends who travel to the Maldives to celebrate one friend’s divorce. The women are connected by a 20-year old tragedy. There are several mysteries and numerous dead bodies in the past and present that are gradually connected.
I have always wanted to travel to the Maldives and enjoyed the descriptions of the luxurious resort. It gave me White Lotus: Season 3 vibes. I listened to this audiobook while on my own tropical vacation and was quickly sucked in by the action as well as the British voice actor. It started as a traditional thriller and then took a surprisingly dark turn. I had to suspend disbelief at times, but it kept me entertained. If you’re looking for a quickly paced, edge of your seat popcorn thriller, you should check this one out! 3/5⭐️
I have always wanted to travel to the Maldives and enjoyed the descriptions of the luxurious resort. It gave me White Lotus: Season 3 vibes. I listened to this audiobook while on my own tropical vacation and was quickly sucked in by the action as well as the British voice actor. It started as a traditional thriller and then took a surprisingly dark turn. I had to suspend disbelief at times, but it kept me entertained. If you’re looking for a quickly paced, edge of your seat popcorn thriller, you should check this one out! 3/5⭐️
May 3, 2025
Absolute Empfehlung für Thriller Einsteiger
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