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The Beauty Queen
Forty years ago
It should have been the happiest night of her sister's life. When she was crowned Miss Sunshine Sands.
But nothing was ever found except her pink satin sash that washed up on the shore.
Now
Journalist Zoe Kincade arrives in the rundown seaside town of Sunshine Sands to report on this year's talent show. The motionless Ferris wheel blurs into the dark sea beyond and polystyrene chip trays bounce along the pavement.
She checks into the Forget-Me-Not hotel, a faded Edwardian terrace that has seen better days.
The last place her beautiful older sister Jane was seen alive.
Zoe has spent forty years trying to block out the pain. Any chance of a happy marriage and living in some kind of peace were shattered because of that night.
She was only a little girl when Jane disappeared. She just remembers how much she looked up to her big sister.
Now Zoe is determined to find out the truth.
And no amount of glitter and sparkle can hide the dark truth of that night.
It should have been the happiest night of her sister's life. When she was crowned Miss Sunshine Sands.
But nothing was ever found except her pink satin sash that washed up on the shore.
Now
Journalist Zoe Kincade arrives in the rundown seaside town of Sunshine Sands to report on this year's talent show. The motionless Ferris wheel blurs into the dark sea beyond and polystyrene chip trays bounce along the pavement.
She checks into the Forget-Me-Not hotel, a faded Edwardian terrace that has seen better days.
The last place her beautiful older sister Jane was seen alive.
Zoe has spent forty years trying to block out the pain. Any chance of a happy marriage and living in some kind of peace were shattered because of that night.
She was only a little girl when Jane disappeared. She just remembers how much she looked up to her big sister.
Now Zoe is determined to find out the truth.
And no amount of glitter and sparkle can hide the dark truth of that night.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 11, 2024
82 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 3, 2025
This was an interesting story alternating between 2022 and 1982 and about the unbreakable bond between two sisters. Zoe was determined to find out what really happened in 1982 when her sister, Jane, disappeared from a Seaside town after being named the winner of a beauty pageant.
March 6, 2025
I flew through this gripping thriller! The ending was so dark. I loved it! 😍
December 17, 2024
When I toured Martyn's debut, The Clinic, I immediately knew she was an author whose future books I definitely wanted to invest in.
With timelines spanning forty years, Martyn takes us on a suspenseful and twist strewn journey to find out exactly what happened to her older sister on that fateful day in Sunshine Sands.
Narrated from multiple POV, The Beauty Queen is an easy to follow, enjoyable read. It has some questionable characters and a plot that had me invested throughout.
An enjoyable, entertaining page turning read.
With timelines spanning forty years, Martyn takes us on a suspenseful and twist strewn journey to find out exactly what happened to her older sister on that fateful day in Sunshine Sands.
Narrated from multiple POV, The Beauty Queen is an easy to follow, enjoyable read. It has some questionable characters and a plot that had me invested throughout.
An enjoyable, entertaining page turning read.
January 4, 2025
This is the second book that I've read by this author and having loved The Home and loving the look of this front cover and premise, I couldn't wait to dive in.
We follow the storyline over a dual timeline, which I love, as this allows the story to develop gradually, feeding us little bits of information at a time.
The writing perfectly captured the then atmosphere. Set in the 80's in the seaside destination of Sunshine Sands, we follow the story of Jane who is attending the Beauty contest there.
As you can imagine, times were very different and it was strange to be taken back to this era - evoking so many memories of my own childhood.
After winning the contest, Jane disappears, leaving only her winners sash to be found on the beach!
The case unsolved.
40 years on, Zoe, Jane's younger sister, is back to try and piece together what really happened.
Under the pretence of writing an article about the talent contest there, Zoe books into the same old hotel and starts to dig around.
I was a little sceptical at first wondering why it had taken 40 years for Zoe to go back and investigate, but I guess the opportunity opened itself and I have to admit to becoming immersed quite quickly and carried along with everything going on.
I loved the descriptive writing which perfectly gives the sense of those hazy, hot summers on the coast back in the 80's.
Also highlighting how things have changed in those years intervening - especially social attitudes and acceptances.
An enjoyable read overall which had me making my own theories, but ultimately kept me guessing until the end.
We follow the storyline over a dual timeline, which I love, as this allows the story to develop gradually, feeding us little bits of information at a time.
The writing perfectly captured the then atmosphere. Set in the 80's in the seaside destination of Sunshine Sands, we follow the story of Jane who is attending the Beauty contest there.
As you can imagine, times were very different and it was strange to be taken back to this era - evoking so many memories of my own childhood.
After winning the contest, Jane disappears, leaving only her winners sash to be found on the beach!
The case unsolved.
40 years on, Zoe, Jane's younger sister, is back to try and piece together what really happened.
Under the pretence of writing an article about the talent contest there, Zoe books into the same old hotel and starts to dig around.
I was a little sceptical at first wondering why it had taken 40 years for Zoe to go back and investigate, but I guess the opportunity opened itself and I have to admit to becoming immersed quite quickly and carried along with everything going on.
I loved the descriptive writing which perfectly gives the sense of those hazy, hot summers on the coast back in the 80's.
Also highlighting how things have changed in those years intervening - especially social attitudes and acceptances.
An enjoyable read overall which had me making my own theories, but ultimately kept me guessing until the end.
December 16, 2024
1982, newspaper article, missing blonde beauty! What a way to start the book off. Then straight into 2022! Eeeps! I absolutely adored all of the detail and the author enables the reader to visualise every moment. I instantly took a liking to Zoe.
I loved the media style Twitter posts. I wasn’t expecting the relationship between two characters to unfold and Zoe’s real motive other than being a journalist. As the book flicks back and forth time frames the inquisitive nature of Zoe enhances. I loved that characters from the past made an appearance.
Although the book was quite difficult to read in terms of creepy older men I couldn’t help needing to know the answers of what happened to Jane and who really was involved. The ending absolutely blew my mind. What was going on. Talk about a huge twist, I was completely not expecting that and I don’t think Zoe was either.
I loved the media style Twitter posts. I wasn’t expecting the relationship between two characters to unfold and Zoe’s real motive other than being a journalist. As the book flicks back and forth time frames the inquisitive nature of Zoe enhances. I loved that characters from the past made an appearance.
Although the book was quite difficult to read in terms of creepy older men I couldn’t help needing to know the answers of what happened to Jane and who really was involved. The ending absolutely blew my mind. What was going on. Talk about a huge twist, I was completely not expecting that and I don’t think Zoe was either.
December 12, 2024
4.5 stars.
I’d been looking forward to reading this next book by the author and I really enjoyed it.
Forty years ago Zoe’s sister Jane disappeared after she won a beauty contest in 1982. Now in 2022 while working as a journalist Zoe has returned to the seaside resort where it happened to cover a story about the current contest taking place.
I loved the different timeline and jumping back and forth to 1982 and back to 2022 as we learn more about what happened back then during the contest.
I was totally invested in the story, there were quite a few shady characters and I wasn’t sure who to point the finger at. It kept me guessing until the end.
I really liked the ending it was totally unexpected. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours for having me on the tour and to the publisher for my gifted ebook.
I’d been looking forward to reading this next book by the author and I really enjoyed it.
Forty years ago Zoe’s sister Jane disappeared after she won a beauty contest in 1982. Now in 2022 while working as a journalist Zoe has returned to the seaside resort where it happened to cover a story about the current contest taking place.
I loved the different timeline and jumping back and forth to 1982 and back to 2022 as we learn more about what happened back then during the contest.
I was totally invested in the story, there were quite a few shady characters and I wasn’t sure who to point the finger at. It kept me guessing until the end.
I really liked the ending it was totally unexpected. Highly recommended.
Thank you to Zooloo’s Book Tours for having me on the tour and to the publisher for my gifted ebook.
December 24, 2024
Forty years ago…
It should have been the happiest night of her sister's life. When she was crowned Miss Sunshine Sands.
But nothing was ever found except her pink satin sash that washed up on the shore.
Now
Journalist Zoe Kincade arrives in the rundown seaside town of Sunshine Sands to report on this year's talent show. The motionless Ferris wheel blurs into the dark sea beyond and polystyrene chip trays bounce along the pavement.
She checks into the Forget-Me-Not hotel, a faded Edwardian terrace that has seen better days.
The last place her beautiful older sister Jane was seen alive.
Zoe has spent forty years trying to block out the pain. Any chance of a happy marriage and living in some kind of peace were shattered because of that night.
She was only a little girl when Jane disappeared. She just remembers how much she looked up to her big sister.
Now Zoe is determined to find out the truth.
And no amount of glitter and sparkle can hide the dark truth of that night.
I’ve really enjoyed Sally-Ann’s previous novels so I was really excited to be part of this book tour.
The darker side of beauty pageants and being a woman in a male dominated world was certainly at the centre of this thriller.
I enjoyed the dual timeline of the story and Jane’s struggle to keep up with her mother’s expectations of her whilst trying to be a good role model for her sister Zoe.
There were some surprisingly interesting people in this which at first glance looked to be more of a background character than a main one, but as the story progresses you can see the importance of their role and what happened when Jane disappeared.
I read this one in a couple of days and really enjoyed the unravelling of what happened with a few surprise twists thrown in.
It should have been the happiest night of her sister's life. When she was crowned Miss Sunshine Sands.
But nothing was ever found except her pink satin sash that washed up on the shore.
Now
Journalist Zoe Kincade arrives in the rundown seaside town of Sunshine Sands to report on this year's talent show. The motionless Ferris wheel blurs into the dark sea beyond and polystyrene chip trays bounce along the pavement.
She checks into the Forget-Me-Not hotel, a faded Edwardian terrace that has seen better days.
The last place her beautiful older sister Jane was seen alive.
Zoe has spent forty years trying to block out the pain. Any chance of a happy marriage and living in some kind of peace were shattered because of that night.
She was only a little girl when Jane disappeared. She just remembers how much she looked up to her big sister.
Now Zoe is determined to find out the truth.
And no amount of glitter and sparkle can hide the dark truth of that night.
I’ve really enjoyed Sally-Ann’s previous novels so I was really excited to be part of this book tour.
The darker side of beauty pageants and being a woman in a male dominated world was certainly at the centre of this thriller.
I enjoyed the dual timeline of the story and Jane’s struggle to keep up with her mother’s expectations of her whilst trying to be a good role model for her sister Zoe.
There were some surprisingly interesting people in this which at first glance looked to be more of a background character than a main one, but as the story progresses you can see the importance of their role and what happened when Jane disappeared.
I read this one in a couple of days and really enjoyed the unravelling of what happened with a few surprise twists thrown in.
December 14, 2024
I’ve read other books by this author which I loved, so I was definitely looking forward to reading her latest book. This is my review of The Beauty Queen by Sally-Anne Martyn.
Told in dual timelines, this book grabbed me from the start. When Zoe Kincaid arrives in Sunshine Sands to cover a talent show, she checks into the same hotel where her sister, Jane, was last seen alive. But unlike forty years ago, the seaside town is now rundown, a shadow of its former beauty and the hope is that the talent show might rejuvenate the area. There is a constant air of unease throughout the book, and the two timelines blend seamlessly together to further the unsettling feeling I already had. Zoe is a great character in that although what happened in the past affected her whole life, she is determined to find out the truth of what happened that fateful night.
There were also a couple of characters, who by the way they were written, I couldn’t decide if I should be suspicious of them or not, and then others which just sent creepy chills down my back.
Although The Beauty Queen isn’t a fast paced read, it was definitely a gripping one as the past and present being interwoven pulled me further in and I really felt I had a vested interest in the lives of Zoe and Jane. Sally-Anne has once again written a fabulous book which I could barely put down.
Told in dual timelines, this book grabbed me from the start. When Zoe Kincaid arrives in Sunshine Sands to cover a talent show, she checks into the same hotel where her sister, Jane, was last seen alive. But unlike forty years ago, the seaside town is now rundown, a shadow of its former beauty and the hope is that the talent show might rejuvenate the area. There is a constant air of unease throughout the book, and the two timelines blend seamlessly together to further the unsettling feeling I already had. Zoe is a great character in that although what happened in the past affected her whole life, she is determined to find out the truth of what happened that fateful night.
There were also a couple of characters, who by the way they were written, I couldn’t decide if I should be suspicious of them or not, and then others which just sent creepy chills down my back.
Although The Beauty Queen isn’t a fast paced read, it was definitely a gripping one as the past and present being interwoven pulled me further in and I really felt I had a vested interest in the lives of Zoe and Jane. Sally-Anne has once again written a fabulous book which I could barely put down.
December 3, 2024
It’s 1982 and Jane Kincaid is a sixteen-year-old girl who is being forced into entering a beauty pageant by her mother. Jane wins the competition but goes missing later that evening.
Fast forward forty years and Jane’s younger sister, Zoe, is a journalist. She’s come back to the northern seaside resort that her sister went missing from after hearing they are having a beauty pageant - the first one since her sister disappeared. Zoe books in at Forget-Me-Not hotel; the last place she saw her sister before she disappeared.
As well as covering the beauty pageant, Zoe wants questions answered. She needs to know what happened to her sister all those years ago. Did she run off with an older man? Did she drown in the sea? Or was she murdered?
There are a lot of secrets and lies in this fantastic story. I was hooked from the first page. I liked Zoe, she had a tough childhood with a mother who didn’t even like her.
The characters in the story were brilliant, they ranged from eccentric to creepy, and certainly flawed.
This is an enjoyable psychological thriller and did have some enjoyable twists to keep me hooked.
My thanks to Joffe Books and Zooloo’s Book Tours for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Fast forward forty years and Jane’s younger sister, Zoe, is a journalist. She’s come back to the northern seaside resort that her sister went missing from after hearing they are having a beauty pageant - the first one since her sister disappeared. Zoe books in at Forget-Me-Not hotel; the last place she saw her sister before she disappeared.
As well as covering the beauty pageant, Zoe wants questions answered. She needs to know what happened to her sister all those years ago. Did she run off with an older man? Did she drown in the sea? Or was she murdered?
There are a lot of secrets and lies in this fantastic story. I was hooked from the first page. I liked Zoe, she had a tough childhood with a mother who didn’t even like her.
The characters in the story were brilliant, they ranged from eccentric to creepy, and certainly flawed.
This is an enjoyable psychological thriller and did have some enjoyable twists to keep me hooked.
My thanks to Joffe Books and Zooloo’s Book Tours for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 17, 2024
1982
Jane is a contestant in the Miss Sunshine Sands beauty pageant. Jane's mother has pretty much forced her into it and is quite overbearing. Needless to say, she goes on to win the pageant but disappears later that night. Only her pink sash is found washed up on the beach.
2022
Zoe, Jane's younger sister, is a journalist. She arrives in Sunshine Sands to cover the local talent show. She stays in the same boarding house where she last saw Jane and snoops around trying to solve the 40 year old disappearance. But all is not as it seems in Sunshine Sands. Secrets, lies, missing girls...what is really going on?!.
I was hooked! There were so many red herrings that's had me questioning everything! I really liked Jane and Zoe but detested their mother. The twists were fantastic and I didn't see them coming! A brilliant Psychological Thriller that will grab you and won't let go.
Jane is a contestant in the Miss Sunshine Sands beauty pageant. Jane's mother has pretty much forced her into it and is quite overbearing. Needless to say, she goes on to win the pageant but disappears later that night. Only her pink sash is found washed up on the beach.
2022
Zoe, Jane's younger sister, is a journalist. She arrives in Sunshine Sands to cover the local talent show. She stays in the same boarding house where she last saw Jane and snoops around trying to solve the 40 year old disappearance. But all is not as it seems in Sunshine Sands. Secrets, lies, missing girls...what is really going on?!.
I was hooked! There were so many red herrings that's had me questioning everything! I really liked Jane and Zoe but detested their mother. The twists were fantastic and I didn't see them coming! A brilliant Psychological Thriller that will grab you and won't let go.
December 21, 2024
The beauty queen by Sally-Anne Martyn.
I loved the cover and blurb of this book. This was a good read. This is the second book I've read from this author. I did like Zoe. I did like Dolly. Trevor, i wasn't sure about. Twisty and gripping. I did guess who it was. I did like the ending
I loved the cover and blurb of this book. This was a good read. This is the second book I've read from this author. I did like Zoe. I did like Dolly. Trevor, i wasn't sure about. Twisty and gripping. I did guess who it was. I did like the ending
December 11, 2024
I really like Sally-Anne Martyn; this is never going to change.
We follow Zoe, a journalist investigating a years-long cold case of a missing beauty queen, who we very quickly realise has a kind of connection with Zoe. Listen, I didn't read the blurb because anything from Martyn is an auto-read, so I honestly was not expecting them to be sisters; I don’t know why. I think I was just very immersed in the writing that I didn’t see this key point coming at all, but I loved it anyways.
After we get a little bit more context of the story as we read between timelines of that fateful beauty contest and the present, I quickly caught on to what was going on. I realised who was responsible, and I kind of deduced what was the main reason for what had happened to Anne. Fortunately, I don’t care if I guess a plot twist of a book; if I really like the vibes, it’s a winner.
This book is very Laura Palmer, Twin Peaks. Even though I have never watched that show, I do listen to the soundtrack and take scenes from that series as inspiration for some of my work; the vibes are immaculate.
I can’t rave about this book enough.
Yes, 4.5 rounded down only because I think it’s a really good book, and I really think that people WILL like it, but I wouldn’t really reread it; that’s the only reason why I’m not giving this a full five stars. If you are looking for an absolute 5-star masterpiece, then may I introduce you to The Clinic by the same author? That book is just great; it is still at the top of my list from Sally-Anne Martyn. This author is always a great time.
We follow Zoe, a journalist investigating a years-long cold case of a missing beauty queen, who we very quickly realise has a kind of connection with Zoe. Listen, I didn't read the blurb because anything from Martyn is an auto-read, so I honestly was not expecting them to be sisters; I don’t know why. I think I was just very immersed in the writing that I didn’t see this key point coming at all, but I loved it anyways.
After we get a little bit more context of the story as we read between timelines of that fateful beauty contest and the present, I quickly caught on to what was going on. I realised who was responsible, and I kind of deduced what was the main reason for what had happened to Anne. Fortunately, I don’t care if I guess a plot twist of a book; if I really like the vibes, it’s a winner.
This book is very Laura Palmer, Twin Peaks. Even though I have never watched that show, I do listen to the soundtrack and take scenes from that series as inspiration for some of my work; the vibes are immaculate.
I can’t rave about this book enough.
Yes, 4.5 rounded down only because I think it’s a really good book, and I really think that people WILL like it, but I wouldn’t really reread it; that’s the only reason why I’m not giving this a full five stars. If you are looking for an absolute 5-star masterpiece, then may I introduce you to The Clinic by the same author? That book is just great; it is still at the top of my list from Sally-Anne Martyn. This author is always a great time.
December 11, 2024
The novel opens in the modern day with a journalist, Zoe, covering a talent contest running at a British seaside resort. But the journalist has an ulterior motive for being there - in the early 80s her sister, Jane, won a beauty queen contest in the same resort and then vanished.
The novel moves seamlessly between the modern day and the early 80s. As Zoe discovers more information, we are increasingly shown the events as they happened to Jane. The love between the two sisters shines through as does Zoe’s grief at losing her sister.
We meet a group of men that, in the 80s, had a stranglehold on the town. Their power impacted the town and the lives of some of the women that lived there.
Matters all come to a head as another young woman goes missing. We’re taken back to the 80s to see what happened to Jane.
In many ways, I’d have been happy if the novel had ended there. But there is a twist and quite an unusual one at that!
I received a free eARC from the publisher for which I’m very grateful.
The novel moves seamlessly between the modern day and the early 80s. As Zoe discovers more information, we are increasingly shown the events as they happened to Jane. The love between the two sisters shines through as does Zoe’s grief at losing her sister.
We meet a group of men that, in the 80s, had a stranglehold on the town. Their power impacted the town and the lives of some of the women that lived there.
Matters all come to a head as another young woman goes missing. We’re taken back to the 80s to see what happened to Jane.
In many ways, I’d have been happy if the novel had ended there. But there is a twist and quite an unusual one at that!
I received a free eARC from the publisher for which I’m very grateful.
April 7, 2025
👑👑👑👑👑=⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The sense of fury and rage I felt within me that Sally provoked through her expert storytelling delighted me as I read The Beauty Queen. At times, it became so intense that I had to put it down for a few minutes! This book had everything I could ever hope to desire in a thrilling novel- mystery, familial loyalty, goosebump-inducing and infuriating objectification and abuse of women that served as a platform for change through literary art (oh, the a** grab- don’t even get me started on that!), amazingly vivid descriptions of a seaside boardwalk that made me feel like if I closed my eyes I’d be able to smell the sea on the air and hear the happy shrieks and shouts around me, and the unceasing thrum of “What is going on here????” all throughout the book. I enjoyed how often old photographs played a role in the progression of the story.
I was so enthralled by this novel that I even read it when I was brushing my teeth and while I was in the tub! I couldn’t put it down! Since I’m in the US, I appreciated that there was a glossary at the end of the book as I’m not familiar with all of the words and terms found in the book.
Sally-Anne Martyn is a true gem and I am yet again so thankful that she shares her amazing creativity with the world. The Beauty Queen was PHENOMENAL! Like with all of her books, I am yearning for The Beauty Queen to be turned into a six-part miniseries for tv!
The sense of fury and rage I felt within me that Sally provoked through her expert storytelling delighted me as I read The Beauty Queen. At times, it became so intense that I had to put it down for a few minutes! This book had everything I could ever hope to desire in a thrilling novel- mystery, familial loyalty, goosebump-inducing and infuriating objectification and abuse of women that served as a platform for change through literary art (oh, the a** grab- don’t even get me started on that!), amazingly vivid descriptions of a seaside boardwalk that made me feel like if I closed my eyes I’d be able to smell the sea on the air and hear the happy shrieks and shouts around me, and the unceasing thrum of “What is going on here????” all throughout the book. I enjoyed how often old photographs played a role in the progression of the story.
I was so enthralled by this novel that I even read it when I was brushing my teeth and while I was in the tub! I couldn’t put it down! Since I’m in the US, I appreciated that there was a glossary at the end of the book as I’m not familiar with all of the words and terms found in the book.
Sally-Anne Martyn is a true gem and I am yet again so thankful that she shares her amazing creativity with the world. The Beauty Queen was PHENOMENAL! Like with all of her books, I am yearning for The Beauty Queen to be turned into a six-part miniseries for tv!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2024
I’ve read other books by this author which I loved, so I was definitely looking forward to reading her latest book.
Told in dual timelines, this book grabbed me from the start. When Zoe Kincaid arrives in Sunshine Sands to cover a talent show, she checks into the same hotel where her sister, Jane, was last seen alive. But unlike forty years ago, the seaside town is now rundown, a shadow of its former beauty and the hope is that the talent show might rejuvenate the area. There is a constant air of unease throughout the book, and the two timelines blend seamlessly together to further the unsettling feeling I already had. Zoe is a great character in that although what happened in the past affected her whole life, she is determined to find out the truth of what happened that fateful night.
There were also a couple of characters, who by the way they were written, I couldn’t decide if I should be suspicious of them or not, and then others which just sent creepy chills down my back.
Although The Beauty Queen isn’t a fast paced read, it was definitely a gripping one as the past and present being interwoven pulled me further in and I really felt I had a vested interest in the lives of Zoe and Jane. Sally-Anne has once again written a fabulous book which I could barely put down.
Told in dual timelines, this book grabbed me from the start. When Zoe Kincaid arrives in Sunshine Sands to cover a talent show, she checks into the same hotel where her sister, Jane, was last seen alive. But unlike forty years ago, the seaside town is now rundown, a shadow of its former beauty and the hope is that the talent show might rejuvenate the area. There is a constant air of unease throughout the book, and the two timelines blend seamlessly together to further the unsettling feeling I already had. Zoe is a great character in that although what happened in the past affected her whole life, she is determined to find out the truth of what happened that fateful night.
There were also a couple of characters, who by the way they were written, I couldn’t decide if I should be suspicious of them or not, and then others which just sent creepy chills down my back.
Although The Beauty Queen isn’t a fast paced read, it was definitely a gripping one as the past and present being interwoven pulled me further in and I really felt I had a vested interest in the lives of Zoe and Jane. Sally-Anne has once again written a fabulous book which I could barely put down.
January 8, 2025
Sally-Anne Martyn is great at creating a compelling, page-turning thriller, and the beauty queen is no exception. Set in a faded English seaside town on two timelines - now and forty years ago, it follows the story of Zoe, a journalist, trying to find answers to the disappearance of her sister, Jane, following a beauty pageant in the 80s.
The novel has a strong sense of place and time, and the descriptive narrative is evocative. There is a whole host of interesting and flawed characters, and you find yourself scrutinising all of them. It's not an easy read in terms of the themes covered - sexual abuse, kidnap, murder, and sexual exploitation. The topics are covered well, though, and the examination of historical societal views provides added interest to the story. There are twists and turns and a mounting of tension as the plot develops. The reader is kept guessing, and there are some interesting shifts in focus. The relationship between the girls and their mum made for uncomfortable reading at times, and it was well written.
I really enjoyed the book, definitely one to be devoured - it kept me up late finishing it! Packed with twists, nostalgia, social interest, and flawed characters, I highly recommend The Beauty Queen.
The novel has a strong sense of place and time, and the descriptive narrative is evocative. There is a whole host of interesting and flawed characters, and you find yourself scrutinising all of them. It's not an easy read in terms of the themes covered - sexual abuse, kidnap, murder, and sexual exploitation. The topics are covered well, though, and the examination of historical societal views provides added interest to the story. There are twists and turns and a mounting of tension as the plot develops. The reader is kept guessing, and there are some interesting shifts in focus. The relationship between the girls and their mum made for uncomfortable reading at times, and it was well written.
I really enjoyed the book, definitely one to be devoured - it kept me up late finishing it! Packed with twists, nostalgia, social interest, and flawed characters, I highly recommend The Beauty Queen.
January 31, 2025
This was an uncomfortable read, but that's what made it good.
I enjoyed the dual timeline of Zoe in the present day looking for answers alongside young Zoe during the 80s revealing things adult Zoe wouldn't remember. Whilst trying to figure out what happened to Jane, I realised that all the men gave me the creeps - I bet there were many pageants that had this vibe.
My heart constantly went out to Jane and I wanted to steal her away from her completely overbearing mother - she was a right piece of work. However, I loved how Jane looked after Zoe - they had such a special bond.
I don't know why Zoe was so meek with Dolly at the beginning, I wouldn't have stood for that attitude. Whilst I adored the ending, I did feel that the comeuppance wasn't enough.
Overall, an intense, mysterious, and thrilling read looking at some very real problems.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from InstaBookTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I enjoyed the dual timeline of Zoe in the present day looking for answers alongside young Zoe during the 80s revealing things adult Zoe wouldn't remember. Whilst trying to figure out what happened to Jane, I realised that all the men gave me the creeps - I bet there were many pageants that had this vibe.
My heart constantly went out to Jane and I wanted to steal her away from her completely overbearing mother - she was a right piece of work. However, I loved how Jane looked after Zoe - they had such a special bond.
I don't know why Zoe was so meek with Dolly at the beginning, I wouldn't have stood for that attitude. Whilst I adored the ending, I did feel that the comeuppance wasn't enough.
Overall, an intense, mysterious, and thrilling read looking at some very real problems.
*I received a complimentary copy of the e-book from InstaBookTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
August 9, 2025
I was given an advanced reader copy of this work in ebook format from Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Zoe is a reporter who can't get an expense advance and is sent to a worn out run down sea side town to cover the talent show and now revived Beauty Constest. To Zoe at frist if feels like a chore but she realises that she knows the place. Maybe she can finally learn what really happened to her sister over forty years ago? Maybe she can even bring her sisters killer to light and get her justice as well as closure. What she doesnt count on is how much no one wants to say anything about the past.
The book flashes back and forth to Zoes childhood and the present day. The story is well written but at times the transition is slightly jarring.
That being said I never saw the end coming. This is another of those spooky halloween/fall vibe books that will be perfect for a rainy day or night.
Zoe is a reporter who can't get an expense advance and is sent to a worn out run down sea side town to cover the talent show and now revived Beauty Constest. To Zoe at frist if feels like a chore but she realises that she knows the place. Maybe she can finally learn what really happened to her sister over forty years ago? Maybe she can even bring her sisters killer to light and get her justice as well as closure. What she doesnt count on is how much no one wants to say anything about the past.
The book flashes back and forth to Zoes childhood and the present day. The story is well written but at times the transition is slightly jarring.
That being said I never saw the end coming. This is another of those spooky halloween/fall vibe books that will be perfect for a rainy day or night.
December 8, 2024
It's 1988, and teenager Jane Kincaid reluctantly arrives in a northern English seaside town to take part in the Miss Sunshine Sands beauty contest. She's accompanied by her controlling and obsessive mother and her much younger sister Zoe. They check into the Forget-Me-Not guesthouse where the troubles begin. The 80's is a time of sexist and misogynistic, dirty old men, and Sunshine Sands is full of them. From the mayor and his cronies to the pageant organisers and photographer. The guesthouse is owned and run by another shady character assisted by his mousy daughter Dolly.
Right from the start at check-in, Jane feels threatened by the leery landlord of the guesthouse, and she goes into automatic protection mode for her little sister, an instinct that is lacking in their mother. As the evening of the contest nears the tensions in the Kincaid family mount and Jane finds herself more and more intimidated by the pervs attached to the contest and the unwanted attentions given to the young contestants. The night of the pageant is the last night that anyone sees Jane, and the little town is plunged into infamy as Jane goes missing along with the guesthouse landlord.
Fast forward 40 years, and little Zoe is now a journalist and living with the broken memories of that last night and has brief flashbacks of her sister. She is given the task of reporting on Sunshine Sands' latest venture, a talent show. The story flips forward and back between the 1980s and the present as the story unfolds, and Zoe strives to find the truth behind Jane's disappearance.
Sally-Anne Martyn is a talented writer, and her descriptive of a dated British seaside town with its post glory guesthouse is convincing, I could almost smell the greasy breakfast frying and see the cracked lino and faded wallpaper. It is a clever story with great character development.
The twist at the end is genius!
Right from the start at check-in, Jane feels threatened by the leery landlord of the guesthouse, and she goes into automatic protection mode for her little sister, an instinct that is lacking in their mother. As the evening of the contest nears the tensions in the Kincaid family mount and Jane finds herself more and more intimidated by the pervs attached to the contest and the unwanted attentions given to the young contestants. The night of the pageant is the last night that anyone sees Jane, and the little town is plunged into infamy as Jane goes missing along with the guesthouse landlord.
Fast forward 40 years, and little Zoe is now a journalist and living with the broken memories of that last night and has brief flashbacks of her sister. She is given the task of reporting on Sunshine Sands' latest venture, a talent show. The story flips forward and back between the 1980s and the present as the story unfolds, and Zoe strives to find the truth behind Jane's disappearance.
Sally-Anne Martyn is a talented writer, and her descriptive of a dated British seaside town with its post glory guesthouse is convincing, I could almost smell the greasy breakfast frying and see the cracked lino and faded wallpaper. It is a clever story with great character development.
The twist at the end is genius!
December 17, 2024
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.
At the start, there was something about the way the author presented the characters in the setting; they felt real to me. I felt a connection with Zoe, as though she could easily have been one of my own friends, or someone that I knew. I enjoyed the seaside setting, and I felt quite at home there.
The narrative alternates between 2022 and 1982, and I enjoyed that element of the story. I enjoyed getting to know Jane as a character, to get the full picture. The sisterly bond between Jane and Zoe went to my heart. I am also someone's sister, and thinking about how it might feel to be in Zoe's place, I wanted to find out the truth as much as she did.
I finished this nail-biter within a couple of hours, and it turned out to be a bit of a shocker.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
At the start, there was something about the way the author presented the characters in the setting; they felt real to me. I felt a connection with Zoe, as though she could easily have been one of my own friends, or someone that I knew. I enjoyed the seaside setting, and I felt quite at home there.
The narrative alternates between 2022 and 1982, and I enjoyed that element of the story. I enjoyed getting to know Jane as a character, to get the full picture. The sisterly bond between Jane and Zoe went to my heart. I am also someone's sister, and thinking about how it might feel to be in Zoe's place, I wanted to find out the truth as much as she did.
I finished this nail-biter within a couple of hours, and it turned out to be a bit of a shocker.
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
December 21, 2024
Sally is one of my Auto buys so was very excited to read this book.
Told in dual timelines told about two sisters one a beauty Queen called jane and her sister Zoe Kincaid.
Jane went missing after winning the beauty contest in the 1980s never to be seen again nobody knew what happened to her. Zoe is a reporter and they are having another contest in Sunshine sands she stays at the same place where as a child she stayed before with her sister and mother.
Dolly still owns the Forget me Not hotel and Zoe starts to dig around about what happened to her sister,
I really liked the Twitter Posts in the book.
I liked that some of the people from the past came back into the story.
I found this a gripping read the ending was brilliant i didn't see that coming.
Well done to the Author on another brilliant book can not wait for the next one.
Told in dual timelines told about two sisters one a beauty Queen called jane and her sister Zoe Kincaid.
Jane went missing after winning the beauty contest in the 1980s never to be seen again nobody knew what happened to her. Zoe is a reporter and they are having another contest in Sunshine sands she stays at the same place where as a child she stayed before with her sister and mother.
Dolly still owns the Forget me Not hotel and Zoe starts to dig around about what happened to her sister,
I really liked the Twitter Posts in the book.
I liked that some of the people from the past came back into the story.
I found this a gripping read the ending was brilliant i didn't see that coming.
Well done to the Author on another brilliant book can not wait for the next one.
March 4, 2025
A climax you'll never forget
I've enjoyed previous thrillers by Sally-Anne Martyn, notably "The Clinic". Martyn has the knack of taking perfectly ordinary situations - a visit to a wellness clinic, a trip to the seaside - and turning them into nail-biting what-happens-next thrillers. "The Beauty Queen" is no exception. I couldn't wait to find out what investigative journalist Zoe would find out next about the strange disappearance of her much-loved big sister Jane 40 years earlier. The relationships - particularly between Zoe and Jane - are deftly sketched, and the depiction of the gritty world of the British seaside is both earthy and entertaining. The whole thing builds up to a splendid, dramatic finale literally at the end of the pier. You won't forget the climax - and the splendid fate that awaits the villains of the story...
I've enjoyed previous thrillers by Sally-Anne Martyn, notably "The Clinic". Martyn has the knack of taking perfectly ordinary situations - a visit to a wellness clinic, a trip to the seaside - and turning them into nail-biting what-happens-next thrillers. "The Beauty Queen" is no exception. I couldn't wait to find out what investigative journalist Zoe would find out next about the strange disappearance of her much-loved big sister Jane 40 years earlier. The relationships - particularly between Zoe and Jane - are deftly sketched, and the depiction of the gritty world of the British seaside is both earthy and entertaining. The whole thing builds up to a splendid, dramatic finale literally at the end of the pier. You won't forget the climax - and the splendid fate that awaits the villains of the story...
December 15, 2024
This isn't the first book I've read by this author, and I've enjoyed them all!
The story is written from different perspectives, jumping from past and present, which I love.
Zoe goes back to where her sister went missing to see if, 40 years after the event, she could get some answers. What she found out should turn everyone's stomach.
The majority of the men in the book are vile. The anger I felt toward these fictional men had my blood boiling. It's sad to say that this theme is also prevalent today, which makes my heart hurt.
I wasn't a fan of Zoe and Jane's mum! What an awful woman. But that's what makes this authors' writing style so good. She can make you feel all sorts of things about her characters, pulling you into a scene and being there in the moment.
I loved Dotty. Even though she's harsh and abrupt, you can eventually understand why.
The story is easy to follow and keeps you guessing with twists and turns.
Another brilliant psychological thriller from Sally-Anne, 1and I can't wait to see what she does next 😀
The story is written from different perspectives, jumping from past and present, which I love.
Zoe goes back to where her sister went missing to see if, 40 years after the event, she could get some answers. What she found out should turn everyone's stomach.
The majority of the men in the book are vile. The anger I felt toward these fictional men had my blood boiling. It's sad to say that this theme is also prevalent today, which makes my heart hurt.
I wasn't a fan of Zoe and Jane's mum! What an awful woman. But that's what makes this authors' writing style so good. She can make you feel all sorts of things about her characters, pulling you into a scene and being there in the moment.
I loved Dotty. Even though she's harsh and abrupt, you can eventually understand why.
The story is easy to follow and keeps you guessing with twists and turns.
Another brilliant psychological thriller from Sally-Anne, 1and I can't wait to see what she does next 😀
December 11, 2024
I was looking forward to reading a book by this author. I remember I wanted to read The Clinic over two years ago, and that was my first ever ARC decline by a publisher. And then, somehow, when the book was finally published, I never got around to reading it.
Now, that I have read The Beauty Queen, I’m fairly certain that The Clinic is quickly joining my TBR list.
There is the past. Then there is the present. There is a disappearance mystery. There is a sister with a huge space in her life where her missing sister used to be. And then, there are weird characters. The book reads like an onion. Peeling one layer off, then another layer, and there is still more onion to peel. Until… there isn’t. Until it all falls into pieces.
The publisher says that this gripping and twisty thriller is perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Mary Kubica, Daniel Hurst, Claire Douglas, Chris Whitaker or Jane E. James. Hmm. That’s a lot of authors there, and each of them writes differently. But I do see where they come from with this suggestion, and I guess I have to agree with them. I see how fans of Claire Douglas will love this. I see how fans of Mary Kubica will enjoy this. I see how bookish twists done by Jane James might resonate with the readers of this one.
Now, that I have read The Beauty Queen, I’m fairly certain that The Clinic is quickly joining my TBR list.
There is the past. Then there is the present. There is a disappearance mystery. There is a sister with a huge space in her life where her missing sister used to be. And then, there are weird characters. The book reads like an onion. Peeling one layer off, then another layer, and there is still more onion to peel. Until… there isn’t. Until it all falls into pieces.
The publisher says that this gripping and twisty thriller is perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn, Mary Kubica, Daniel Hurst, Claire Douglas, Chris Whitaker or Jane E. James. Hmm. That’s a lot of authors there, and each of them writes differently. But I do see where they come from with this suggestion, and I guess I have to agree with them. I see how fans of Claire Douglas will love this. I see how fans of Mary Kubica will enjoy this. I see how bookish twists done by Jane James might resonate with the readers of this one.
December 17, 2024
Sally Anne-Martyn is a new author for me, and I was happy to read The Beauty Queen as the description really intrigued me. What a page-turner! It was not smart of me to start this book with a long to do list before the holidays as I could not stop reading this. The story switches between 2022 and 1982 as Zoe, now a journalist, visits the seaside town where her sister Jane disappeared after winning the Miss Sunshine Sands beauty contest in 1982. This is a psychological thriller with some deep and creepy characters, and it can bring the emotion out with the 1982 flashback chapters. Thanks to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the opportunity to provide review. All opinions are my own. I highly recommend this one! 5 stars Publication Date: Dec 18, 2024
June 9, 2025
I really enjoyed this book with its dual timeline. One side of the story is set in the 80s which is my favourite decade so it brought lots of nostalgia of this time for me.
The story is set around two sisters, one taking part in a beauty contest in the 80s (Jane) and the other, her sister Zoe many years laters becoming a journalist and coming back to the event in 2022.
The story does highlight how these events were portrayed in the 80s and that there was a particular viewpoint of how men saw participants in beauty contests including local corruption, sexism and just a general sleazy outlook.
I thought it was a great book and would recommend.
December 24, 2024
In 1982, Zoe’s sister won a beauty pageant and disappeared later that night. Forty years later Zoe returns to the same town to find out what happened to her sister. Told in dual timeline, present and 1982, I really enjoyed the 1982 timeline. The things that were considered normal then would make you cringe today. I love Zoe and her sister Jane and their relationship. Jane was such a good protector of Zoe while at the same time she was trying to figure out how to protect herself. I gave this book 5 stars because of the amazing ending!
February 9, 2025
Another very good book by this author BUT she is an English author, writing stories set in England and published by an English publisher so why are there so many Americanisms in the book.
For example, if the story states that someone has "got" something, why is it proofread as "gotten" (American). Also, in the story the characters love an English type of cake called a "doughnut" but yet again the proof reader must be American as it is printed as "donut" yet again American!)
If this publisher, Joffe, is going to produce books by British authors then they should use British proof readers.
For example, if the story states that someone has "got" something, why is it proofread as "gotten" (American). Also, in the story the characters love an English type of cake called a "doughnut" but yet again the proof reader must be American as it is printed as "donut" yet again American!)
If this publisher, Joffe, is going to produce books by British authors then they should use British proof readers.
December 11, 2024
It’s September 1982 and seventeen year old Jane Delway has just been crowned Miss Sunshine Sands. A very pretty, but somewhat shy girl, Jane has been propelled into the limelight by her overbearing, over ambitious and frankly quite awful mother, Marion. Along with her little sister, the family have been staying at the Forget Me Not guest house in Sunshine Sands whilst the competition has been happening. Late the same night as the crowning ceremony, Marion and Jane return to Forget Me Not, which is the last time Jane is seen, the next day having completely disappeared.
Forty years later journalist Zoe Kincade is sent to Sunshine Sands to cover the new talent contest that the town is putting on. Staying at the Forget Me Not, Zoe is soon in the thick of things, trying to discover what did happen to Jane as well as doing her reporting job.
This story is told over two timelines and is an interesting if predictable read. I’m sure no one will be surprised at the ‘discovery’, but its execution and denouement are well done.
The final sentence in the epilogue will certainly raise a smile or two!
Forty years later journalist Zoe Kincade is sent to Sunshine Sands to cover the new talent contest that the town is putting on. Staying at the Forget Me Not, Zoe is soon in the thick of things, trying to discover what did happen to Jane as well as doing her reporting job.
This story is told over two timelines and is an interesting if predictable read. I’m sure no one will be surprised at the ‘discovery’, but its execution and denouement are well done.
The final sentence in the epilogue will certainly raise a smile or two!
December 11, 2024
This book is set as a then and now. It jumps back and forth the years as you learn about the characters.
Then it's the 80s. The Delway family are at the Sunshine Sands holiday resort. They're there because young Jane is entering a beauty contest. You learn about the run up to the content. The snide other young women entered in the contest, the jealous others, anf the mysogonistic men leering over Jane and the other young girls taking part. Jane is announced as the winner of a beauty contest, then she disappears later that night. The following day her winners sash is found on the beach and she was never seen again. That was also the last beauty contest that Sunshine Sands had.
Now the 2020s. Jane's sister Zoe, who was just a little girl at the time, is back in Sunshine Sands. Zoe is a journalist and is there to write an article about the talent contest they now do, and also to try and find out what happened to Jane. As Zoe starts to figure out what may have happened to Jane and get closer to the truth, she too is then in danger.
This book drag on slightly, but it was a good read.
Then it's the 80s. The Delway family are at the Sunshine Sands holiday resort. They're there because young Jane is entering a beauty contest. You learn about the run up to the content. The snide other young women entered in the contest, the jealous others, anf the mysogonistic men leering over Jane and the other young girls taking part. Jane is announced as the winner of a beauty contest, then she disappears later that night. The following day her winners sash is found on the beach and she was never seen again. That was also the last beauty contest that Sunshine Sands had.
Now the 2020s. Jane's sister Zoe, who was just a little girl at the time, is back in Sunshine Sands. Zoe is a journalist and is there to write an article about the talent contest they now do, and also to try and find out what happened to Jane. As Zoe starts to figure out what may have happened to Jane and get closer to the truth, she too is then in danger.
This book drag on slightly, but it was a good read.
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