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The Beach Hut
They told the police it was the perfect summer.
They were lying.
July, 1997. Matilda is killed in a tragic accident on the Dorset rocks, leaving her best friend Sophie alone, wracked with guilt.
Decades later, Sophie is back for the first time since that terrible summer, to sell her family's old beach hut and bury the memories forever.
But on clearing out the hut, she finds evidence that Matilda's death was no accident. What really happened the night she died?
As Sophie edges closer to the truth, the past starts to close in on the present.
Because the close-knit community is still home to a killer, and they want Sophie gone.
They were lying.
July, 1997. Matilda is killed in a tragic accident on the Dorset rocks, leaving her best friend Sophie alone, wracked with guilt.
Decades later, Sophie is back for the first time since that terrible summer, to sell her family's old beach hut and bury the memories forever.
But on clearing out the hut, she finds evidence that Matilda's death was no accident. What really happened the night she died?
As Sophie edges closer to the truth, the past starts to close in on the present.
Because the close-knit community is still home to a killer, and they want Sophie gone.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2024
672 people are currently reading
673 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
May 17, 2024
Debut thriller from Leah Pitt has a promising blurb that pulled me in. Told on two timelines then and now with short snappy chapters that hold the pace really well as we navigate between the summer of 1997 of Matilda’s death and Sophie heading back to her families beach hut to prepare it for sale after the death of her father 20 years on.
There was a lot of nostalgia for me as I was the same age as the characters in 1997 too, the description of clothes, music, magazines and the general memories of being 15 in the late 90s etc were spot on. As we follow Sophie remembering the summer from 20 years previous when she lost her best friend, things from the past begin to become more present in the here and now as secrets are disturbed and truths are exposed.
There is alot going on with the group of friends and also the parents and the suspense of the mystery escalates rapidly, I couldn’t put this down it literally had me flying through the pages! This is a perfect summer mystery, YA thriller and I’m looking forward to more books coming from the author.
As always thanks to NetGalley, Leah Pitt and the publisher for my advanced copy.
There was a lot of nostalgia for me as I was the same age as the characters in 1997 too, the description of clothes, music, magazines and the general memories of being 15 in the late 90s etc were spot on. As we follow Sophie remembering the summer from 20 years previous when she lost her best friend, things from the past begin to become more present in the here and now as secrets are disturbed and truths are exposed.
There is alot going on with the group of friends and also the parents and the suspense of the mystery escalates rapidly, I couldn’t put this down it literally had me flying through the pages! This is a perfect summer mystery, YA thriller and I’m looking forward to more books coming from the author.
As always thanks to NetGalley, Leah Pitt and the publisher for my advanced copy.
March 24, 2025
This was a fun and twisty mystery! I could very much relate at how hard it is to be a young teen and trying to juggle time with your friends with time flirting 😂 . This story switches between the adults in the current day with events leading up to a death that occurred in their teens. It kept my attention and I think I accused just about everyone in the book of the crime before figuring out who did it.
May 25, 2024
This is the perfect thriller to take to the beach!
Sophie returns to the beach hut to sell it after her father’s passing. She begins searching for answers surrounding the death of her best friend, Matilda, who tragically died twenty years earlier at the same beach. Sophie runs into a few people from the past and begins asking questions... what really happened to Matilda?
The setting really sets the tone for this novel and adds to the suspense. The author uses a nonlinear timeline and multiple points of view which I really enjoyed. The short chapters and building suspense made this a quick read. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery and suspenseful thrillers!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Sophie returns to the beach hut to sell it after her father’s passing. She begins searching for answers surrounding the death of her best friend, Matilda, who tragically died twenty years earlier at the same beach. Sophie runs into a few people from the past and begins asking questions... what really happened to Matilda?
The setting really sets the tone for this novel and adds to the suspense. The author uses a nonlinear timeline and multiple points of view which I really enjoyed. The short chapters and building suspense made this a quick read. I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys mystery and suspenseful thrillers!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
August 6, 2025
DNF ... bei Seite 184.
Der Hauptcharakter ist mir furchtbar unsympathisch und es passiert auch leider absolut nix spannendes.
Der Hauptcharakter ist mir furchtbar unsympathisch und es passiert auch leider absolut nix spannendes.
October 29, 2025
A good mystery thriller beach read of a page turner. Sophie returns to Dorset to organize the sale of her parents beach hut where she use to spend many summers with her friend Tildy who was found dead 20 years ago it was put down as an accident. Sophie found Tildy old photos hidden under her hut that had disappeared along other happenings leading her to believe that her friend’s death may be more than just an accident. The story is told in dual timelines with some twists that will keep the reader turning the pages. A great read!
July 18, 2025
I didn’t really care for this book. It started off well. I like stories told from different points of view and alternating timelines. I was interested in Sophie returning to the beach and finding out what happened twenty years ago. But then the story started to drag a bit. I wasn’t very interested in teenage Sophie; it took a long time for anything to start happening with the “Then” chapters. The “Now” chapters had more going on, but a lot of Sophie’s actions were dumb. I find the constant drinking and poor choices of a main character in a thriller to be overplayed. There was a lot of repetition in her constant thoughts about who was watching/threatening her in the present. There were some good plot twists, but it took too long to get to them. The ending was unbelievable. I don’t recommend this book.
July 30, 2024
I love psychological thrillers based on beaches and this was no exception.
Secrets and lies are kept for many years, teenagers tell their stories in flashbacks to that fateful summer holiday at Sandbanks in Dorset.
A great read with lots of hidden clues as to what really happened.
Highly recommended.
Secrets and lies are kept for many years, teenagers tell their stories in flashbacks to that fateful summer holiday at Sandbanks in Dorset.
A great read with lots of hidden clues as to what really happened.
Highly recommended.
May 9, 2024
What an amazing debut from this new author. Decided to make a start on my summer reading. Love the cover, love beach buts really wish I owned one. This transported me back to those halcyon days of school summer holidays albeit I was older in the 90s when this book is based around. It flowed well and easy to read. Twisty and turny didnt want it to end. May be my 1st seasonal book of this summer but it wont be my last of this author. Thanks to Netgalley for the copy
September 9, 2025
4.5⭐️ fast paced thriller who dun-it
August 27, 2025
Living in Dorset I spent the majority of this book trying to guess where it’s inspired from… I assume Hengistbury Head?!
I enjoyed the plot and the way the story maintained a sense of ambiguity for so long. Even towards the end, it felt like the pieces were still coming together gradually, rather than rushing the ending. Sophie did wind me up with pointing her finger at literally everyone 🙄 and at times I did get a bit confused with all the characters there were quite a few to remember!
I enjoyed the plot and the way the story maintained a sense of ambiguity for so long. Even towards the end, it felt like the pieces were still coming together gradually, rather than rushing the ending. Sophie did wind me up with pointing her finger at literally everyone 🙄 and at times I did get a bit confused with all the characters there were quite a few to remember!
May 1, 2024
The Beach Hut is a well written crime thriller. Sophie is back to sell her family beach hut after the death of her father. Whilst there she starts to question the events surrounding the death of her friend Matilda years ago. It is a pretty well paced story and kept me interested throughout. The book jumps between then and now and is easy to follow through the changes in perspective. The characters are interesting and I cared what happened to them.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
January 16, 2026
Recently delving into Leah Pitt's debut novel, "The Beach Hut," has been an absolute delight! My sincere thanks extend to Netgalley for granting me access to the ARC. Heartfelt appreciation goes to Leah Pitt for crafting such an engaging narrative, and kudos to Hodder & Stoughton for bringing this compelling story to fruition!
Pitt's storytelling prowess shines brightly in "The Beach Hut." Seamlessly, she draws readers into the lives of her characters, each meticulously crafted and utterly relatable. Among them, Kip emerged as a standout favorite, his depth and struggles adding richness to the tale.
Set against the backdrop of a tranquil seaside town, "The Beach Hut" follows the intertwined lives of its inhabitants, whose secrets and desires simmer beneath the surface. When tragedy strikes and a young person, Matilda, is found murdered, the community is plunged into turmoil. With only a few viable suspects, each harboring different motives, suspicions and tensions mount, unraveling the fabric of the town's social order. As hidden truths come to light, shocking revelations challenge everything they thought they knew about their neighbors and themselves.
One aspect that particularly resonated with me was Pitt's exploration of loss, especially the profound impact it has on those left behind, echoing throughout the narrative with raw emotion.
Furthermore, Pitt deftly weaves motive into the story's fabric. Though I had inklings about the murder's motive, Pitt's narrative twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end. The reveal was both surprising and satisfying, a testament to Pitt's skillful storytelling.
In summary, "The Beach Hut" stands as a remarkable debut, leaving a lasting impression on its readers. Leah Pitt has crafted a captivating tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page. I eagerly await her next literary endeavor!
Pitt's storytelling prowess shines brightly in "The Beach Hut." Seamlessly, she draws readers into the lives of her characters, each meticulously crafted and utterly relatable. Among them, Kip emerged as a standout favorite, his depth and struggles adding richness to the tale.
Set against the backdrop of a tranquil seaside town, "The Beach Hut" follows the intertwined lives of its inhabitants, whose secrets and desires simmer beneath the surface. When tragedy strikes and a young person, Matilda, is found murdered, the community is plunged into turmoil. With only a few viable suspects, each harboring different motives, suspicions and tensions mount, unraveling the fabric of the town's social order. As hidden truths come to light, shocking revelations challenge everything they thought they knew about their neighbors and themselves.
One aspect that particularly resonated with me was Pitt's exploration of loss, especially the profound impact it has on those left behind, echoing throughout the narrative with raw emotion.
Furthermore, Pitt deftly weaves motive into the story's fabric. Though I had inklings about the murder's motive, Pitt's narrative twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end. The reveal was both surprising and satisfying, a testament to Pitt's skillful storytelling.
In summary, "The Beach Hut" stands as a remarkable debut, leaving a lasting impression on its readers. Leah Pitt has crafted a captivating tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page. I eagerly await her next literary endeavor!
May 14, 2024
The Beach Hut is a great summer thriller. Written with several different points of view, it was easy to follow & I genuinely enjoyed each character’s perspectives. This book kept you questioning what would happen next by jumping from both past & present to gain perspective. One summer, with so many secrets! Thank you NetGalley for this copy!
May 7, 2024
3.5 🌟 rounded down for Goodreads.
"Life doesn’t just stop because something awful has happened. It isn’t that generous."
Summer '97 was supposed to be Sophie's summer. She was ready to shed her pigtails and blossom into something no one could ignore-especially her long time crush Kip.
However, what was supposed to be the perfect summer, turns into the worst one she could ever have imagined. Her best friend of fourteen years was found at the bottom of a cliff, deceased.
Deemed an accident by local police, everyone has tried their best to move on. Yet, decades later when Sophie returns, she can't help but shake the feeling that something is wrong. Someone doesn't want her here and certainly doesn't want her digging up secrets long buried in the past.
The Beach Hut was an easy, quick and bingeable read. Told from multiple different POVs, I got a very good idea of who these characters were and all their dirty laundry.
It was easy for the most part to keep track of who was who and what role they played in the story.
The book is filled with family drama, teenage angst, and domestic issues as well. It was very predictable and I had almost all of the plot figured out around the 30-40% mark. Still, I was undeterred and kept on reading because I wanted to see how it would all play out in the end.
I didn't care too much for Sophie's character though. I found her actions to be quite silly and, could not for the life of me figure out why she never had a charged phone, or her phone with her when it really counts. She was a bit daft honestly.
Nonetheless, I still enjoyed reading the many secrets come to light and, seeing how the characters dealt with them.
The ending felt a bit too perfect, I didn't care for that. Especially, after everything that happened. I'm never a fan of happily ever after endings in suspense,mystery, thriller or the horror genre.
Overall though, it was still a decent read and written well.
I would recommend to someone who wants a lighter read that's of this genre.
Thank you to Netgalley, publishers and the author for my eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
"Life doesn’t just stop because something awful has happened. It isn’t that generous."
Summer '97 was supposed to be Sophie's summer. She was ready to shed her pigtails and blossom into something no one could ignore-especially her long time crush Kip.
However, what was supposed to be the perfect summer, turns into the worst one she could ever have imagined. Her best friend of fourteen years was found at the bottom of a cliff, deceased.
Deemed an accident by local police, everyone has tried their best to move on. Yet, decades later when Sophie returns, she can't help but shake the feeling that something is wrong. Someone doesn't want her here and certainly doesn't want her digging up secrets long buried in the past.
The Beach Hut was an easy, quick and bingeable read. Told from multiple different POVs, I got a very good idea of who these characters were and all their dirty laundry.
It was easy for the most part to keep track of who was who and what role they played in the story.
The book is filled with family drama, teenage angst, and domestic issues as well. It was very predictable and I had almost all of the plot figured out around the 30-40% mark. Still, I was undeterred and kept on reading because I wanted to see how it would all play out in the end.
I didn't care too much for Sophie's character though. I found her actions to be quite silly and, could not for the life of me figure out why she never had a charged phone, or her phone with her when it really counts. She was a bit daft honestly.
Nonetheless, I still enjoyed reading the many secrets come to light and, seeing how the characters dealt with them.
The ending felt a bit too perfect, I didn't care for that. Especially, after everything that happened. I'm never a fan of happily ever after endings in suspense,mystery, thriller or the horror genre.
Overall though, it was still a decent read and written well.
I would recommend to someone who wants a lighter read that's of this genre.
Thank you to Netgalley, publishers and the author for my eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 13, 2024
I've been reading a lot of summer thrillers recently, but they've all been letting me down. They either don't have enough summer vibes, or they don't have enough mystery. But The Beach Hut is the perfect combination of them both!
Set on the Dorset coast, I loved the feel of summer with all the descriptions of the sea, bikinis, campfires, and the whole summer holiday vibe. The scenes in the past, especially, really set the tone of a coming-of-age story, trying to re-invent yourself while on holiday, with your parents putting their guard down and new boys on the horizon. I really enjoyed this story with the characters when they were younger, as the tensions feel very authentic, with the possibility of anything going wrong.
The tension feels strong in the present, too, as an older Sophie reunites with people from her past, forced to face the truth of what really happened all those summers ago when she ran away from guilt. I had many predictions throughout. A few things are hinted at quite obviously, but I liked it when thrillers do this because there's nothing worse than a twist that had no set-up before, so all of the turns here felt believable and well-developed. But as for who the killer was, I had no idea, so there are lots of great surprises along the way, too.
Overall, The Beach Hut is an immensely enjoyable read, and definitely one that is perfect for summer! Leah Pitt has easily become an author on my radar, and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
Set on the Dorset coast, I loved the feel of summer with all the descriptions of the sea, bikinis, campfires, and the whole summer holiday vibe. The scenes in the past, especially, really set the tone of a coming-of-age story, trying to re-invent yourself while on holiday, with your parents putting their guard down and new boys on the horizon. I really enjoyed this story with the characters when they were younger, as the tensions feel very authentic, with the possibility of anything going wrong.
The tension feels strong in the present, too, as an older Sophie reunites with people from her past, forced to face the truth of what really happened all those summers ago when she ran away from guilt. I had many predictions throughout. A few things are hinted at quite obviously, but I liked it when thrillers do this because there's nothing worse than a twist that had no set-up before, so all of the turns here felt believable and well-developed. But as for who the killer was, I had no idea, so there are lots of great surprises along the way, too.
Overall, The Beach Hut is an immensely enjoyable read, and definitely one that is perfect for summer! Leah Pitt has easily become an author on my radar, and I can't wait to see what she writes next!
July 23, 2024
Sophie is back at her family's beach hut in Dorset for one final time before it goes up for sale. It's been twenty years since she was last here as she hasn't returned since her best friend Matilda died in a tragic accident on the rocks. But when Sophie starts to clear out the hut she finds something that makes her question whether Matilda's death really was an accident or whether something more sinister went on that night.
I really loved this book! It's told in two different timelines and each one has a distinctive feel. In the past timeline we meet Sophie as a teenager in the lead up to Matilda's death, the long summer spent on the beach, navigating first loves and friendship issues. In the present day Sophie is dealing with the breakdown of her marriage and problems at work whilst also trying to figure out what really happened all those years ago.
The beach setting feels like a character in itself with the story playing out like a movie in my mind - something that doesn't always happen for me when reading. The atmosphere really adds to the tension, as the mood of the beach seems to reflect all the different strands of the story.
This is such a great read and I'm excited to see what Leah comes up with next as it's a really accomplished debut. I'd highly recommend this to fans of thrillers, mysteries, and coming of ages stories, it's full of surprises and I did not predict the ending (despite being convinced that I had!).
I really loved this book! It's told in two different timelines and each one has a distinctive feel. In the past timeline we meet Sophie as a teenager in the lead up to Matilda's death, the long summer spent on the beach, navigating first loves and friendship issues. In the present day Sophie is dealing with the breakdown of her marriage and problems at work whilst also trying to figure out what really happened all those years ago.
The beach setting feels like a character in itself with the story playing out like a movie in my mind - something that doesn't always happen for me when reading. The atmosphere really adds to the tension, as the mood of the beach seems to reflect all the different strands of the story.
This is such a great read and I'm excited to see what Leah comes up with next as it's a really accomplished debut. I'd highly recommend this to fans of thrillers, mysteries, and coming of ages stories, it's full of surprises and I did not predict the ending (despite being convinced that I had!).
July 7, 2024
It is mid Summer 1997 and young teenagers and life long friends Matilda ‘Tildy’ and Sophie are doing what they love best; surfing and hanging out in their parents Dorset beach huts and just having fun. But one night Sophie arranged to meet Tildy and was late and to her everlasting regret she didn’t look for her. The next morning Tildy was found dead at the bottom of the cliffs. Deliberate or accident? The police found no proof of anything untoward so filed it as accidental. Told in dual timelines and from multiple POV’s this is written in short chapters and was a quick and easy read.
Briefly, grief stricken Sophie leaves and doesn’t return for 20 years when she needs to sell the hut as her Dad has died and her Mum moved to Spain. But in the midst of clearing out the hut she finds something which raises her suspicions about the accident. Determined to resolve the matter she slowly but surely opens the proverbial can of worms. Secrets long kept are revealed as shock follows shock.
A slow but tense psychological thriller which i found a compelling read. A story of teenage angst and coming of age and appropriate as a YA read I felt. There are some good twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion. An enjoyable and entertaining summer book.
Briefly, grief stricken Sophie leaves and doesn’t return for 20 years when she needs to sell the hut as her Dad has died and her Mum moved to Spain. But in the midst of clearing out the hut she finds something which raises her suspicions about the accident. Determined to resolve the matter she slowly but surely opens the proverbial can of worms. Secrets long kept are revealed as shock follows shock.
A slow but tense psychological thriller which i found a compelling read. A story of teenage angst and coming of age and appropriate as a YA read I felt. There are some good twists and turns and a satisfying conclusion. An enjoyable and entertaining summer book.
May 4, 2024
3.5, rating up. Thank you, Hodder and Stoughton, as well as NetGalley for an early copy of this book.
If you have ever watched the show "Cruel Summer," it definitely had those types of vibes and could definitely be a season of that show.
For most of the book, I felt very nostalgic. Vacationing at the beach and struggling to fit in as a teenager growing up in the nineties.
However, I had a hard time getting through the book as it was a very slow burn for me. Some of the transitions in the book between the perspectives of different characters seemed abrupt. I feel like the transitions would have been smoother if it was a TV show. I also struggled wanting to read the book as I felt like most of the time I could find a good time to stop and go on about my day instead of counting down the mins before I could pick it up again. It took me about a week to finish when I usually can finish in a couple of days when I can't put the book down.
EVEN THOUGH IT TOOK ME LONGER TO READ, I still think it's worth the read. The story was great, I guessed the big reveal, but the sprinkle of twists throughout have shock value. I think this is a wonderful relaxing book and would recommend for anyone wanting to cozy up on a summer day/ night while still be able to having a good stopping place to swim or do other activities in between. Coincidentally I think it would be a great beach read!
If you have ever watched the show "Cruel Summer," it definitely had those types of vibes and could definitely be a season of that show.
For most of the book, I felt very nostalgic. Vacationing at the beach and struggling to fit in as a teenager growing up in the nineties.
However, I had a hard time getting through the book as it was a very slow burn for me. Some of the transitions in the book between the perspectives of different characters seemed abrupt. I feel like the transitions would have been smoother if it was a TV show. I also struggled wanting to read the book as I felt like most of the time I could find a good time to stop and go on about my day instead of counting down the mins before I could pick it up again. It took me about a week to finish when I usually can finish in a couple of days when I can't put the book down.
EVEN THOUGH IT TOOK ME LONGER TO READ, I still think it's worth the read. The story was great, I guessed the big reveal, but the sprinkle of twists throughout have shock value. I think this is a wonderful relaxing book and would recommend for anyone wanting to cozy up on a summer day/ night while still be able to having a good stopping place to swim or do other activities in between. Coincidentally I think it would be a great beach read!
May 7, 2024
Sophie visits the beach hut she spent her childhood summers in, she needs to clear it out before selling it after her Father’s death.
Clearing out the hut and being back at the beach bring back memories of the last summer she spent there when she was 14, the summer her best friend Tildy died.
The Police closed the case ruling it an accident but as things start happening, Sophie is convinced someone is trying to stop her finding out the truth of wheat happened that day. The more she is blocked, the more determined she becomes.
I liked the use of the dual timeline to tell the story of what happened that summer and how Sophie is digging into it now.
I found the main character of Sophie to be relatable, she is going through a bad time personally and seems to throw all of her energy into the investigation at the beach to distract from her own problems.
I loved the setting of the beach and felt like I was there at the beach hut- the perfect summer read.
Really good plot and well woven, I felt like the ending was wrapped up and satisfying.
Thanks to netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the advanced copy.
Clearing out the hut and being back at the beach bring back memories of the last summer she spent there when she was 14, the summer her best friend Tildy died.
The Police closed the case ruling it an accident but as things start happening, Sophie is convinced someone is trying to stop her finding out the truth of wheat happened that day. The more she is blocked, the more determined she becomes.
I liked the use of the dual timeline to tell the story of what happened that summer and how Sophie is digging into it now.
I found the main character of Sophie to be relatable, she is going through a bad time personally and seems to throw all of her energy into the investigation at the beach to distract from her own problems.
I loved the setting of the beach and felt like I was there at the beach hut- the perfect summer read.
Really good plot and well woven, I felt like the ending was wrapped up and satisfying.
Thanks to netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the advanced copy.
May 30, 2024
Set in the coastal area of Dorset, this novel follows a young lady Sophie whose family own a beach hut and who was best friends with Matilda when they were young girls. Spending long summers on the beach, it describes what they got up to, along with the other families staying there in the summer holidays.
Following the death of Matilda, it then details the impact the event had on Sophie who later returns to sell the family beach hut. Meanwhile memories of what happened still haunt her so she tries to discover the truth of what happened back then.
The setting is close to where I live so I could really visualise what was taking place as well as the sights and sounds described by the author. Short chapters flit between past and present and are written from the viewpoint of many of the main characters.
There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and just when I thought I knew what was coming, it would suddenly take an unexpected sharp left turn.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and I would definitely recommend to others.
Following the death of Matilda, it then details the impact the event had on Sophie who later returns to sell the family beach hut. Meanwhile memories of what happened still haunt her so she tries to discover the truth of what happened back then.
The setting is close to where I live so I could really visualise what was taking place as well as the sights and sounds described by the author. Short chapters flit between past and present and are written from the viewpoint of many of the main characters.
There are plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and just when I thought I knew what was coming, it would suddenly take an unexpected sharp left turn.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was easy to read and I would definitely recommend to others.
July 23, 2024
The Beach Hut is a great summer read - full of atmosphere, mystery and secrets - and a reminder of that awkward moment caught between childhood and the complicated teenage years.
Following the death of her father, Sophie returns to the family beach hut on the Dorset coast to prepare it for sale. It is a place she spent many summers as a child before the tragic death of her best friend Matilda there 20 years previously. Returning unsettles Sophie as she finds herself revisting that dramatic summer - and realising that there were way more secrets than she ever imagined. What will happen if she seeks to uncover the truth? Is there someone who would rather she didn’t dig into the past?
This is a definite page turner. Short chapters, multiple points of view and moving between then and now. Pitt does an excellent job of depicting - for me a very relatable - moment when as a teenager there is a real internal battle between being yourself and being ‘cool’. And at the same time she throws in plenty of twists and keeps you guessing - and keeps you turning the pages!
Following the death of her father, Sophie returns to the family beach hut on the Dorset coast to prepare it for sale. It is a place she spent many summers as a child before the tragic death of her best friend Matilda there 20 years previously. Returning unsettles Sophie as she finds herself revisting that dramatic summer - and realising that there were way more secrets than she ever imagined. What will happen if she seeks to uncover the truth? Is there someone who would rather she didn’t dig into the past?
This is a definite page turner. Short chapters, multiple points of view and moving between then and now. Pitt does an excellent job of depicting - for me a very relatable - moment when as a teenager there is a real internal battle between being yourself and being ‘cool’. And at the same time she throws in plenty of twists and keeps you guessing - and keeps you turning the pages!
August 14, 2024
Probably more of a 4.5, not a 5 because I had figured out who the killer was before the end. 20 years previously, Sophie's best friend, Matilda, was either murdered or accidentally died at the beach where they spend their summers with their respective families. After Matilda's death, Sophie and her family left and she never returned again. But now all these years later, after the death of her father and her mother finding a new boyfriend and moving abroad, she took the reins and was going to help get the beach hut ready to sell. After being burnt out at work and forcibly told to take time off from work, maybe some time away is just was Sophie needs. However, the summer of Matilda's death holds more secrets than Sophie could ever imagine, and her being back where it all happened has brought the secrets to surface once again. It was a good, fast paced book with good suspense. I liked the settings and enjoyed the sporadic chapter from different people's perspectives from the past. All in all, a good book, would read more by this author in the future!
April 15, 2025
This is a dual-time-line story about a group of teenagers and their families that stayed at beach houses during the summer. Sophie, the main character, is a young teenager, who is trying to be a part of the group of older teenagers, in order to be accepted and drink alcohol, etc. to be able to fit in with her new group.
Matilda, Sophie's best friend, is younger than Sophie, feels betrayed when Sophie abandons her for the older group. Matilda dies one night, and Sophie feels guilt about her death. There was an investigation, but it was determined that Matilda slipped causing her death.
Years later, Sophie returns to sell her family's beach house. She is still troubled about Matilda's death and decides to investigate. Soon she is warned to leave and stop her snooping.
There are so many secrets among the people that used to stay there. Very engaging read.
Matilda, Sophie's best friend, is younger than Sophie, feels betrayed when Sophie abandons her for the older group. Matilda dies one night, and Sophie feels guilt about her death. There was an investigation, but it was determined that Matilda slipped causing her death.
Years later, Sophie returns to sell her family's beach house. She is still troubled about Matilda's death and decides to investigate. Soon she is warned to leave and stop her snooping.
There are so many secrets among the people that used to stay there. Very engaging read.
April 9, 2024
After her best friend Matilda dies unexpectedly, it is nearly three decades before Sophie returns to the place where it happened. It is time to prepare the family beach hut for sale, and that is what has finally forced Sophie to come here again.
But in the process of tidying up the hut, Sophie makes some unexpected (and unwelcome) discoveries. And, as a result, the question of Matilda's death is placed in an entirely different light...
This is an interesting mystery and despite being narrated in two parallel timelines, it is easy to follow and not at all distracting wrt the main storyline. Overall, an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
But in the process of tidying up the hut, Sophie makes some unexpected (and unwelcome) discoveries. And, as a result, the question of Matilda's death is placed in an entirely different light...
This is an interesting mystery and despite being narrated in two parallel timelines, it is easy to follow and not at all distracting wrt the main storyline. Overall, an enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
April 27, 2024
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Beach Hut by Leah Pitt is a well-paced crime thriller narrated in two parallel timelines but so easy to follow!
This book is full of secrets! It was just one summer but so much happened!
Each secret revealed was a total surprise and I didn't expect the end twist.
I really enjoyed the past timeline. The struggles teenagers were facing, the decisions they were making, it all was so reliable!
When Sophie returns to her mum's beach hut she hopes for a quick clean out and fast sale. She didn't expect that this would turn into a full-bloom investigation to discover the secrets of July 1997 when her best friend Matilda was killed in a tragic accident on the Dorset rocks...
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this copy!
The Beach Hut by Leah Pitt is a well-paced crime thriller narrated in two parallel timelines but so easy to follow!
This book is full of secrets! It was just one summer but so much happened!
Each secret revealed was a total surprise and I didn't expect the end twist.
I really enjoyed the past timeline. The struggles teenagers were facing, the decisions they were making, it all was so reliable!
When Sophie returns to her mum's beach hut she hopes for a quick clean out and fast sale. She didn't expect that this would turn into a full-bloom investigation to discover the secrets of July 1997 when her best friend Matilda was killed in a tragic accident on the Dorset rocks...
Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this copy!
May 1, 2024
After nearly 3 decades Sophie is returning to the small beach community in which she spent her teenage Summers. Though she is only here to stage and list her family's beach hut for sale, she quickly discovers her heart breaking past memories haunting her. Though years have passed since her childhood best friend "Tildy' was found dead, the remnants of Tildy's and Sophie's memories are everywhere and Sophie has a nagging feeling there is much more to Tildy's death than a slip and fall accident.
Though this book started off slow for me, I truly enjoyed the character development for a few of the main characters. I wish the twists and the ending had been a bit less predictable, but overall, I enjoyed the story line.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton as well as NetGalley for the ARC!
Though this book started off slow for me, I truly enjoyed the character development for a few of the main characters. I wish the twists and the ending had been a bit less predictable, but overall, I enjoyed the story line.
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton as well as NetGalley for the ARC!
July 16, 2024
#TheBeachHut #NetGalley
A fun read.
August, 1997. Matilda is killed in a tragic accident on the Dorset rocks, leaving her best friend Sophie alone, wracked with guilt. Decades later, Sophie is back for the first time since that terrible summer, to sell her family's old beach hut and bury the memories forever. But on clearing out the hut, she finds evidence that Matilda's death was no accident. What really happened the night she died? As Sophie edges closer to the truth, the past starts to close in on the present. Because the close-knit community is still home to a killer, and they want Sophie gone.
Don't expect much from the ending and read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder Straughten for giving me an advance copy.
A fun read.
August, 1997. Matilda is killed in a tragic accident on the Dorset rocks, leaving her best friend Sophie alone, wracked with guilt. Decades later, Sophie is back for the first time since that terrible summer, to sell her family's old beach hut and bury the memories forever. But on clearing out the hut, she finds evidence that Matilda's death was no accident. What really happened the night she died? As Sophie edges closer to the truth, the past starts to close in on the present. Because the close-knit community is still home to a killer, and they want Sophie gone.
Don't expect much from the ending and read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder Straughten for giving me an advance copy.
August 31, 2024
A gripping book, particularly attractive because of the familiarity of the setting and recognising aspects of life at the beach.
Lots of twists and turns in this book so it had to be read quickly so as to not forget what had just happened and who was in the frame for the murder!
Sophie, as a main character, can sometimes be a little frustrating but I think that was part of the appeal and her reminiscences about teenage times on the beach definitely added depth to the character. My one tiny criticism is that the end felt just a little rushed - it was a dramatic end that could have been eked out a little more in detail but it would make a great film ending! Fantastic debut book from Leah Pitt
Lots of twists and turns in this book so it had to be read quickly so as to not forget what had just happened and who was in the frame for the murder!
Sophie, as a main character, can sometimes be a little frustrating but I think that was part of the appeal and her reminiscences about teenage times on the beach definitely added depth to the character. My one tiny criticism is that the end felt just a little rushed - it was a dramatic end that could have been eked out a little more in detail but it would make a great film ending! Fantastic debut book from Leah Pitt
May 1, 2024
This book started off slow for me, but it did pick up. This story is told from dual timelines, the past and the present. So many secrets were kept this one summer that Matilda was killed. Some people have kept secrets since that fateful day over 20 years ago.
The characters were fleshed out, and as much as I didn't really connect to them, I did feel I got to know the main players. More character development might have made me feel more connected to the characters.
Once the pace picked up, I enjoyed the book and flew through it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The characters were fleshed out, and as much as I didn't really connect to them, I did feel I got to know the main players. More character development might have made me feel more connected to the characters.
Once the pace picked up, I enjoyed the book and flew through it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
June 12, 2024
The Beach Hut by Leah Pitt was a beautifully written book from start to finish and the author has written from her heart and it was a wonderful read. I was hooked from the beginning till the end and I loved it. A great Thriller that will have you guessing till the end.
The Beach Hut is a perfect summer or holiday read,
I highly recommend this book and will be reading more books from Leah in the future.
Big thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Leah Pitt and the publisher for my advanced copy.
The Beach Hut is a perfect summer or holiday read,
I highly recommend this book and will be reading more books from Leah in the future.
Big thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Leah Pitt and the publisher for my advanced copy.
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