Lie in the Tide

by Holly Danvers

It’s been twenty years since four friends last saw each other. Now they’re meeting at a beautiful Cape Cod beach house for a long overdue reunion. But before the trip is over, one of them will wind up dead . . . Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty and Lucy Foley.

Mori is a bestselling erotica author, shamefully on the cusp of divorce #3. Remi is a yoga instructor, concealing her pregnancy – and the baby’s paternity. Avery’s a farm wife living in Iowa with a house full of kids she fears she’ll never see again. And Calista, a high school English teacher, is harbouring the biggest secret of all.

Arriving in Cape Cod for a long overdue reunion, these four friends pray that their little white lies will be swept away with the tide. They just never imagined the truth would see one of them wash up dead on the shore . . .

Lie in the Tide is an edge-of-your-seat suspense thriller that digs deep into those little white lies that have the potential to turn deadly.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Suspense, Summer Reads

240 pages, Hardcover

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Did you know? Holly Danvers also writes the Handcrafted Mystery series under Holly Quinn and the Mainely Murder Mystery series under Sherry Lynn.

Reviews

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lie In The Tide is a twisty thriller full of characters that will not be on your Christmas card list. It is a quick, popcorn thriller that can be enjoyed in a couple of sittings.

4 high school friends arrange a reunion 20 years after seeing each other for the last time. The trip to Cape Cod is meant to be fun and relaxing and change to get to know each other as adults. It is anything but. One of them is murdered and the others spend their days trying to find out who killed her and why.. and how and the while not becoming suspects themselves.

It is a quick read that is enjoyable and entertaining. l not so sure about that ending, though....I am still thinking about it

Thanks to Severn House and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for the early copy of this book to read. Out on June 3rd.

[Chelsey (a_novel_idea11) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets, old friends reunited, drama, lots of wine, and a lovely setting - what could possibly go wrong? When four friends decide to get together after twenty years, they're in for much more than just a nice week down at The Cape. One of the friends actually won't make it out of the week alive.

I loved the setting of this novel. Living in Massachusetts, I'm familiar with The Cape and Danvers did a good job describing the scenery, the lush hydrangeas, and the pristine beaches. I appreciated some New England charm that was thrown in including Boston accents and -isms and some traditional coastal fare.

The characters were reuniting after two decades. They were formerly good friends from high school, but anyone twenty years out knows that quite a bit can change in that time. I related to the women in that I am at the same point in my life though I had to suspend belief that I would spend an entire week away from my life to vacation with people I had hardly spoken to in such a long time.

There were a lot of secrets and juicy gossip, so if those books intrigue you, I definitely recommend. The women also became amateur sleuths and completely ingratiated themselves in the mystery. Much of the writing did have an air of cozy mysteries so while I'm not familiar with Danvers, it doesn't surprise me that cozies are her usual genre.

This was a quick read and would be fun for a lighter mystery by the beach. Thanks to the Pulse for putting this one on my radar!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Four friends plan a reunion on Cape Cod after not seeing each other for 20 years. Mori, Remi, Avery, and Calista’s lives couldn’t be more different, but after some reservations, everyone is excited to meet at the gorgeous beach house. However, the reunion doesn’t go as planned. A “little white lie” changes the tide, and one of them tragically dies.

Will these friends find out the truth? Will their friendship survive?

Mori, Remi, Avery, and Calista were friends in high school. Now Mori is a bestselling erotica author, Remi is happily married to her high school sweetheart, and after fertility struggles, she is finally pregnant, Avery is living her best life on a farm in Iowa with a house full of kids, and Calista is a high school English teacher, and a typical mom, aside from having a huge secret. Truthfully, they all had secrets, and as they are revealed, there are consequences. Ms. Danvers did a nice job introducing her characters. They intrigued me right away, but I was searching for more depth in the history of the friendships.

I loved the Cape Cod setting and detailed descriptions of the beach and beach house. That Mori hired a student chef for the week was also a fun touch, but it got a little weird in places. Like the characters, I may have had reservations about spending a week with people I hadn’t seen in 20 years, but the setting is a major plus.

Ms. Danvers has written several cozy mysteries, and there are several cozy elements in this book. She ramps things up to bring it into the suspense/thriller genre with some twists and tension. Told from multiple points of view enabled the reader to get everyone’s perspective, but the characters’ dialogues felt forced at times, and their reactions to events and situations felt off. The murderer was easy for me to pin down, but I needed to see how everything played out. The pages were turning quickly and came to a very satisfying conclusion.

Then I read the epilogue, and I was angry. For me, it ruined the whole story. I realized then that this is how it had to end to be able to have this book be the beginning of a series, and I didn’t like it. I have read all of this author’s cozy mysteries and enjoyed them. I have also read tons of suspense thrillers and enjoyed them. Even with the issues I mentioned above, I enjoyed this story, a 4-star read, but the epilogue frustrated me so much. It has been a few days, and I am still riled up.

Lie In The Tide was an enjoyable, suspenseful read about friendships, secrets, and tragedy, if you stop reading before the epilogue. It has received some good reviews from people I trust, but for me, this book took a dreadful detour, and I can’t look past the deception.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Becky • bookmarked by becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Danvers builds a suspenseful, female-driven story full of moral gray areas and shifting alliances. Each woman arrives with secrets—and none are afraid to lie to protect them. Half-truths unravel steadily throughout the novel. The pacing is sharp, the twists come at just the right moments, and the final reveal in the epilogue—though something I saw coming—was still satisfying to watch play out.

That said, the story is more plot-driven than character-driven. I wanted more emotional insight, backstory into the women’s long-standing friendships, and why they waited so long to reunite. Also, the dialogue also leaned a bit flat and clunky at times, pulling me out of the story. Still, the plot was engaging enough to keep reading.

If you’re looking for a quick popcorn thriller to enjoy by the pool or beach, Lie in the Tide offers sun-soaked tension and secrets to untangle before the tide rolls in. 🌊 😉

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first by this author, and I will be looking for more of her work. I love books about friendships and when secrets or betrayal happen, the book because intriguing and juicy.
When friends who have not seen each other in forever get invited to a reunion at a Cape Cod beach house its sounds just what most of them need. Some are confused because they have not talked in a while, but there is a reason!
The plan is to celebrate Calista’s 40th birthday, but with intentions, whether good or bad, someone ends up dead. The ladies are all very different and the secrets that come out will change their lives forever.
We at THE PULSE are enjoying this one.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a bingeable, read it in a couple of sitting thriller that I enjoyed. Definite popcorn thriller with super unlikable characters and lots of twists and turns. I think fans of Kiersten Modglin will like this and the fact that it’s labeled as the first in a series has me intrigued. Especially after the way things ended, kind of wild! Add this to your TBR when you want a beach or poolside juicy and dangerous thriller.

[Laura Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

LIE IN THE TIDE BY HOLLY DANVERS
Release date set for the 3rd of June 2025.
Book 1 in The Little White Lies.
I thought this was a good suspense mystery thriller.
I found it rather twisty at times.
I love the cover.
I read this book so fast today. It held my attention throughout.
#NetGalley
#SevernHouse
#HollyDanvers
#LieInTheTide

[booked.with.julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Cape Cod reunion had me intrigued from the start…beautiful setting, juicy secrets, and a twisty mystery.

The story follows four high school friends reuniting for a 40th birthday celebration, but when one of them goes missing, everything turns mysterious and dangerously twisty. I was very surprised they got together for a reunion because it doesn’t seem like they even like each other. Lol

Overall, this is a fun, quick read that is perfect to read at the beach. If you enjoy mysteries with drama and suspense, be sure to pick this one up.

[Cindy(groundedinreads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

After two-decades, four estranged high school friends plan a coastal retreat on Cape Cod. Each have a secret, and reservations about seeing each other after so many years. The description of the setting is magnificent with the decadent food and wine inviting me right into the festivities. It’s a quick read but it took some build up before the true mystery was introduced. I enjoyed getting to know the four women (baggage and all) and seeing how they came together when one turns up dead! I had a little disconnect with the timing of the different stories converging but it was still an entertaining read! 3.5⭐️

Thank you @severnhouse for the gifted #arc

[Marissa (holdme.thrillme) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this book was full of secrets and twists! When you have old friends reuniting that haven’t seen each other in over 20 years things are bound to get interesting! I found myself getting really invested in the characters and their individual struggles and really enjoyed the multiple POV approach. And that ending! I need to find someone to process it with 🤯Not to mention that gorgeous cover!

[Jacki G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four high school friends plan to reunite decades later for a vacation in Cape Cod. Each woman is at a different stage in their life and slightly worried if they'll be able to reconnect the way did in their younger years. When one friend is late to arrive, a mystery unravels with more questions than answers.

This was a quick read for me that kept my interest looming suspense.

pros:
-quick read with an easy-to-follow plot
-predictable in a good way that doesn't draw away from the story
EXCEPT WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED IN THE EPILOGUE?! WHO AM I?! WHAT IS LIFEEE?!

cons:
- possible TW for pregnancy issues/loss

Thank you to #NetGalley for this ARC of #LieInTheTide, on shelves now!!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Lie in the Tide” by Holly Danvers, completely blew me away! From the very first page, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. The twists kept me guessing the whole way through, and just when I thought I had it figured out, it completely flipped everything on me. I found myself speculating and second-guessing at every turn, and by the time I reached the end, I was totally shaken. It’s one of those books that grabs you from the start and doesn’t let go—definitely a thrilling, must-read!

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four old friends. One coastal reunion. And enough secrets to sink a sailboat. ⛵

❓💬 If you reunited with old friends from 20 years ago, are there any secrets you'd want to see revealed? 🤫

Shoutout to #ThrillerBookLovers and #HollyDanvers for an early copy of this juicy thriller. ☀️🕶️ "Lie In The Tide" is a mix of mystery, coastal charm, and twisty drama. This gem belongs in your beach bag. 🏖️

Danvers has this enchanting way of wrapping you up in a world filled with dreamy sunsets and refreshing ocean breezes. Picture it: great food, even better drinks, and that tantalizing undercurrent of something darker lurking beneath the surface.


Each character brings their own unique flavor (some sweet, others a bit salty), and when you think you’ve got it all figured out, there’s a plot twist that hits harder than a rogue wave! 🌊💥

This book is packed with sass, tension, and that 'who can you trust?' vibe that had me flipping pages faster than a seagull swooping down for a snack. It's a rollercoaster of emotions you won't want to get off! Can you feel the sand between your toes? 🏖️😉

Mark your calendars for June 3, because you won't want to miss the thrill of getting swept away by this coastal mystery!

Thank you to Severn House for providing this eARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Hot Mess Book Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lie in the Tide" is a captivating, suspense-driven novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the truth hidden within a tangled web of lies. The author, Danvers, skillfully crafts a clever whodunit plot that gradually unfolds, building tension with each turn of the page. I enjoyed the characters, and the subtle twists added depth and engagement to the story. Overall, this book is a thrilling read that combines mystery with intriguing character dynamics, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

I received an advance copy, and in return, I am leaving an honest review.

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four high school friends (Calista, Mori, Remi and Avery) decide to meet up again after 20 years of not seeing eachother, to catch up and celebrate the 40th birthday of Calista. When Calista doesn’t turn up to the beach house after a few days, everyone starts to get worried. And before long, the three remaining friends find themselves desperate to find her and figure out just what has been going on.

This was a pretty fast-paced read, filled with plenty of twists and turns. I thought I had figured out what was going on, and I was pleased to find I was right. Until I got to the epilogue and realised that everything I thought I knew was completely wrong. I was left feeling so confused at the end, but that was obviously the point. Such a great read.

Thank you to the author and @thrillerbookloversthepulse for my copy.

[Samantha (bookstasamm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Twenty years after drifting apart, four former friends reunite on Cape Cod for a 40th birthday celebration—but each arrives carrying a devastating secret. As old tensions resurface and hidden truths unravel, one small lie threatens to shatter not only their friendship but their lives.

I was immediately drawn to this gorgeous cover, and as a Massachusetts local, and a sucker for any story set on Cape Cod, I knew I had to read Lie in the Tide. Holly Danvers does a fantastic job capturing the moody, windswept charm of the Cape, and I appreciated how she wove in details from other parts of the state—it made the setting feel layered and authentic. I could practically smell the salt air and feel the grit of sand underfoot, and now I’m itching to plan a trip down there myself.

The premise of four old friends reuniting after two decades had so much potential, but I struggled to buy into their connection. The group dynamic felt cold and fractured, with dialogue that didn’t quite flow or reflect any shared history. I wanted more insight into what had once bonded these women and what ultimately pulled them apart.

That said, Danvers knows how to build suspense. The atmosphere hums with tension, and the twists land at just the right moments to keep the pages turning. While I saw the ending coming, I still devoured the book in a day. The epilogue delivers a final jolt that, though somewhat predictable, will catch many readers off guard. If you’re in the mood for a quick, bingeable thriller packed with secrets, lies, and long-buried betrayals, this one’s a solid pick—especially for a summer beach read.

Thanks to Severn House and Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse for an advanced copy and putting this book on my radar.

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four friends plan to reunite after a 20 year break, but one of them ends up dead. This tragedy sparks a spilling of secrets and lies of epic proportions.

I enjoyed the addictive nature of this book. It reminded me of a Beverly Hills 90210 twenty year reunion (yes, I'm dating myself)

If you like high drama, bad decisions and guilty pleasures, this one is for you.

[Saltygalreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Premise: Four friends that haven’t seen each other in person for 20 years plan a reunion on Cape Cod to celebrate a 40th birthday and catch up. The friends don’t know each other like they used to, and each of them is hiding a secret. When one of the friends fails to show up at the beach house, it sets off a cascade of events that threatens all of them.

Thoughts: This was my first novel from this author, who has previously focused on cozy mysteries, while this is a thriller. There were many positives in this novel for me: the setting was Cape Cod which is a favourite destination of mine; the characters were appealing and had interesting backstories; the psychological tension with all the secrecy was high; and there was a juicy, gossipy atmosphere that I enjoyed. However some of the character interactions and dialogue felt forced and awkward, and I was equal parts baffled and frustrated by the ending. Readers that enjoy a psychological thriller with unreliable characters and juicy secrets may like this one!

[Holly Danvers]

Thank you friends for the kind feedback. With an estimated 3 BILLION books published in 2024 alone, this career is getting crowded. Therefore, I'm delighted you took the time to read, review, and share my work. I appreciate each and every one of you and hope someday our paths cross, so I can share my appreciation in person!

Warm regards,
Holly Danvers

Ps. This is the first book in the Little White Lies series. Love it or hate it, book 2 LIE IN THE BAY will release summer of 2026 so stay tuned...

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

The cover of this book is lovely and the synopsis sounded interesting. However, the execution fell flat. The characters were not particularly interesting or well developed. There wasn't much plot either.

It took me weeks to read these 260 pages because I found it very easy to put this book down and pick up something else. Ultimately, I forced myself to stick with it so that I could check it off my Netgalley shelf.

There is not much of a thriller here. The premise for the reunion is a stretch as is the whole plot. Who the killer is was very obvious from the start.

Though I did not enjoy the story I muddled my way through but I hated the epilogue and it made me feel like I had wasted my time fighting through the book.

Ultimately, this book was not for me. Others have had a better response to the story so this may be my issue not the book's.

[Suzi (Lil Bit Reads)]

Calista, Remi, Mori, and Avery were good friends back in high school but lost touch over the years. Twenty years later, the four of them are reuniting in Cape Cod to celebrate Calista’s 40th birthday. They’ve all got skeletons in their closets that they’re trying to hide, but the lies will turn deadly for one of them.

Doesn’t this cover just make you want to tuck this in your beach bag so you can sip chardonnay and read by the water? Lie in the Tide is cozy mystery author Holly Danvers’s first foray into the thriller genre, and I think it’s a great fit for cozy lovers who want to dip their toe into the deep, dark waters of the thriller world. It’s a quick read with short chapters and an epilogue that I didn’t see coming!

[Amanda P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lie in the Tide

4 friends haven’t seen each other in 20 years, and decide to get together for a beach reunion. Things are great until one dies. Was it one of them? Or an individual from their own lives?

Well, this one was interesting. I enjoyed the differences of the four friends and their storylines were well developed.

Honestly didn’t like the ending, and really didn’t love the epilogue. The “big twist” was predicted in the beginning, and then the epilogue left me feeling disappointed.

[Reagan Hopper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Originally I was neutral to this book, i thought the premise was interesting but the execution unfortunately fell flat for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters and the plot held my attention but with the way the dialogue was written, it felt forced and choppy. Additionally, the plot twist at the ending was so frustrating for me, I had decided I could live with the last chapter even if i thought the murder to finding the killer was a bit rushed (i feel like it was only 30-50 pages apart?) but then the last 7 pages of the book and the additional reveal was whiplash. I feel like this book would still be enjoyed by some of my audience but it just wasn’t a good selection for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Severn House for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Four friends meet again after 20 years for a reunion In Cape Cod. Before the trip ends one of them ends up dead.
I liked the premise of the story, but couldn't connect with any of the characters. None of them were likeable to me and I frankly didn't care what happened to them and ended up skipping through the book.
2.5 stars

[Anna Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge shout out to NetGalley and the author/publisher for making this available to me for my review!

I loved this book and I loved the whole premise behind it. This is book one of the Little White Lie series and I can’t wait for more! A perfect example of how a literal “little lie” can turn into so much more.

Mori, the former shy, outcast turned romance novel extraordinaire. Calista, former big scandal with her family turned picture perfect housewife. Remi, former cheerleader married high school sweetheart. Avery, social butterfly turned farm wife and mom to many.

Four women. One reunion. Twenty years overdue. One white lie. Two missing persons. One dead body.

How far would you take one lie? Find out how far these ladies will go to cover the killer.

I love how this book mentioned off page items. I’m still here for it but an excellent way to keep this a clean, page turning thriller. I can’t wait to read more!

[Kara Rutledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lie In The Tide by Holly Danvers opens with four high school friends meeting up in Cape Cod, Massachusetts for a reunion of sorts. When one of them doesn't show up, and no one can get a hold of her, the other friends are desperate to find out what happened.

NetGalley, thank you for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of this novel. I requested a copy of this book based on their synopsis and the author. When my request was approved, I was thrilled.

The story started off well and kept me wanting to know more. Early on, I thought I had everything figured out, but much to my surprise, there was a plot twist I didn't count on. I won't say more as to not spoil it for others.

It's an easy read and perfect to take on vacation. Although I enjoyed Lie In The Tide by Holly Danvers a lot, I wish there was more action in the first half of the book. The second half was action packed, and I found myself rushing to finish the story to see if my gut instinct was correct.

As for the characters, I really liked them all with the exception of Calista's husband. There were traits in each of the main characters that I could relate to, which I thought was great.

I gave Lie In The Tide by Holly Danvers four out of five stars. This is a fantastic book for those who love a good mystery with lots of suspense. I can't wait to read more books from this author.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this thriller about four friends reconnecting on one of their 40th. Birthday. Calista is turning forty and she is meeting up with Avery, Remi and Mori. They all have secrets they are hiding from each other but Calista’s is the biggest. They all have very different lives and haven’t seen each other in twenty years. But one of them ends up dead and the other three are determined to find out what happened and why. The big plot twist will have you reeling.

[Sanda]

Calista, Remi, Mori & Avery are getting together on Cape Cod for a reunion for Calista’s 40th birthday. The women used to be close friends in high school but haven’t seen each other in over 20 years. A gorgeous house on a private beach, personal chef, it all sounds idyllic except for all the secrets and lies each of them brings along.
And one of those secrets leads to a dead body….

This was such a quick read. More mystery than thriller, it rings true to its seductive setting - drop this one in your beach bag this summer for a quick mind escape. And that epilogue will stay with me for a while!

Grab this one if you love:
🥂 friend reunions
🥂 gossip & secrets
🥂 murder mystery
🥂 amateur sleuths
🥂 not so likable characters

A huge thank you to Severn House and Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Jennifer Bendel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun gal pal type mystery. It’s the kind of book that’s perfect to relax with on the beach. It keeps you interested but not so gripping that you’re getting a sunburn from not moving. I liked the main idea of the book but some little things just didn’t make sense for me. Delaying calling the police when you find a murdered friend to protect another friend (who doesn’t even seem like a main suspect or anything) didn’t make sense for me because they hadn’t seen/talked to each other in 20 years. The epilogue though had me shocked. My mouth was literally hanging open. Now I’m left with so many questions. Overall a fun read.

[Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This enjoyable domestic suspense was a great slump-buster for me. Just the right amount of friend/family dysfunction and suspense to keep me invested for the big reveal! (I love me some messy friend groups!)