The Bluff

by J.L. Hyde

Time seems to unearth even the darkest of secrets . . .Mandy Cramer has lived her entire life in a small lakeside town that is divided in two distinct the working class, who live downtown, and the wealthy members of the ultra-exclusive Hawthorne Bluff Club.

Details of the clubs one-hundred year history are scant, as the members are notoriously tight-lipped and the gates remain closed to outsiders. When Mandy accepts a position as a nanny for the club president's children, she discovers more secrets than she ever bargained for.

Murder, lies, and a small town full of suspects will keep you turning the pages of this unputownable mystery.

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Mystery

260 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 18, 2025

About the author

Hi Everyone!

Thank you for stopping by to rate my books or see my reviews. I don't spend much time on Goodreads, as it's not great for the mental health of an author to obsess over their own reviews.

I simply rate books as I finish reading them, and if you'd like a full review, check out my Instagram - @bookandbeerreview - where I keep it light, funny, and never disrespect fellow authors!

Happy reading!

Reviews

[J.L. Hyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 9th novel is almost here! Several years ago, I read about an ultra-private club in the middle of the woods and my wheels started turning. Although this book is 100% fiction, it's always fun to be inspired by actual places. I hope you enjoy your time at The Bluff - thank you, as always, for your kindness and support.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly don’t know how J. L. Hyde does it every time but this one got me!! I love when I don’t see the twist coming and the entire time I’m like WHERE IS THIS GOING??? Mandy was extremely likable and I need me a little murph. This was fantastic and quick and shocking.

[Kait Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always JL Hyde delivers! If you loved Nancy drew as a kid, or as an adult love Riley sager - you will love this book. It’s the perfect puzzle - that you are piecing together. I had virtually no clue what was going on 😂

The way the story wraps up is a lot of fun! I also love the found family that Jamie writes as well. The small Midwest towns, and found family always give me warm fuzzies.

This is different from the Grady lake series but in a good way. It really shows off Jamie’s writing skills to show a different way of writing suspense and thrills.

Loved it 🖤

[Mady S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hyde knows how to write a thriller that keeps you guessing quite literally until the last page.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 ⭐️. Easy reading that built intrigue about The Bluff and the hinted-at wrongdoings behind its gates. However, the twist fell flat for me as the story rushed to the conclusion.

[kayliesbookcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always J.L. Hyde delivers another mystery I couldn’t put down 🙌🏼 She has a way of making you feel connected to her characters, which is so rare in mysteries & I absolutely adored Mandy as her main female character.

Like all of her books, this one had twists & turns all the way til the end 👏🏼 Just when you think you have it figured out, she surprises you again 😅 Now excuse me while I will slip into the inventible reading slump that J.L. Hyde books put me in because reading anything else afterwards in completely unappealing 🤪

[Stacy Morrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had me interested to find out what was going on at The Bluff. Then when it’s revealed I just thought it was dumb. All that lead up and then I felt let down. Idk what I expected but I just expected more than what it was. I was actually disappointed when I finished the book.

[Tracy Sexton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love every one of JL Hyde‘s books. But this one just did not do it for me. It was very, very slow going and even the ending was a little confusing. Not her best work by a longshot.

[Allie (All Allie Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the way JL Hyde writes her characters and their banter. They always seem like people you actually know. I don’t think I’ve ever read one of her books and not laughed out loud at the dialogue. The twists and turns kept me interested the entire time. Multiple times I caught myself either thinking or saying “what the heck is going on?”. I read the entire book in one day. I was carrying my kindle around the house, I didn’t want it out of my sight 😂 Somehow, again, she manages to combine the vibes of a comfort read with suspense and mystery that have my brain running in circles.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5! JL Hyde has become my go-to author when I’m in need of a guaranteed good read and she hasn’t let me down yet!
This one was more of a slow burn, but between the short chapters and the little breadcrumbs that were scattered along the way, I did not feel like it dragged AT ALL. I was flipping pages like you wouldn’t believe.
The only reason that I didn’t give it a solid 5 stars, was just because there were some details that were left intentionally vague at the end. I respect the choice of letting the reader use their imagination, but I’m nosy and wanted all the juicy details 😂

[Bailey B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ready for another J.L. Hyde series to consume my life!!!

[Allie DeRosia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love JL Hyde. I love her characters. I love the worlds she builds.

[Jessica Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you J.L. Hyde for the ARC of The Bluff. Another 5 star read for me. The way she writes her twist leaves me with multiple gasps. Her characters are so well done and you keep thinking is it her…is it him? I was also super excited to see her use my name as a character. That was a super fun find. I never saw that ending coming. Well done!

[Lindsay LaCross · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had so much potential but sadly fell flat for me. Loved that it took place in the UP of Michigan tho!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

i am convinced that there isn’t a j.l. hyde book that i won’t enjoy. her writing is captivating, funny, cozy, and thrilling. i love that her books are set in michigan and make me feel at home 🫶🏻

[Linda Karbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bluff had my attention after Chapter 1. I immediately got a sense for the vibe, flow, and always appreciate J.L. Hyde’s tone and cadence of storytelling. Like her other tales in northern Michigan, I felt like I was right there - on a walk with Mandy and Murphy, in Georgia’s garden, and at Hawthorne Bluff Club. I had my theories throughout the book that kept me second guessing what was about to unravel, which is refreshing because I am usually someone who sees most twists coming. I easily finished The Bluff in a day and appreciated at the end that I felt content with the wrap up of these characters. Looking forward to her next twisty tale!

[Donna (BookDragonGirl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC!! Hyde NEVER disappoints!!
This story has layers upon layers and is such a well plotted out mystery! The characters Mandy and Georgia were such great characters, both strong women who have been through so much!!

I’m keeping this review short so as not to spoil anything. But if you like Mysteries then this is definitely one YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS!! This will stay with me for a while. Hyde’s stories make a HUGE IMPACT!!!

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know I know… it’s fiction… but I’m also 20 min from the very real club this book is based on and MAN I WANT TO SEE WHATS INSIDE. This was a fun time. I will definitely be looking into this authors works

[Miranda Leman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would like this book a lot more than I did. Lots of build up and characters that come into play in the story but then it was all wrapped at the end in a chapter “meeting between the characters still living” to explain the conclusion and then most of the unanswered questions were answered in a long epilogue. I just felt like it was a drawn out book only to be quickly wrapped up.

[Heather DeRosia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!! As always I love JL Hyde’s writing!

[Chelsea Walters · Rating 5 out of 5]

She does it again!! When you even think you have it figured out, think again!

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore J.L. Hyde, and her latest did not disappoint!

[Jessica Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book! I have read all of her books and absolutely loved them all!

[Parrish Horton-Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will literally read anything this woman writes! If you haven’t picked up any of her books, do it! I love the pace of her writing and she nails plot twists.

[Mikayla Lipka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am heading to the store to get the Grady Lake series today. This author is one hell of a story teller. I am an empath and it seems the good ones bring out tears. As I sit here and wish I had the (36 year old) life of Mandy (I’m a nanny) I am understanding everything is never as it seems!

[Pam VanOoyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! Love the twist at the end! This author has a great way of telling her story and maintaining your interest until the very end. J.L. Hyde is an indie author who does
Not get enough exposure. If you have not read anything by her, I highly recommend you do so! I have acquired her back list and am now going to work my way through her previous books! Keep this author on your radar and try one of her books! She does not disappoint! 💕

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, JL Hyde doesn't disappoint! I only wish the book would have been even longer so that my time with it wouldn't have ended in one day! Her books are so well written, easy to follow with believable twists, and well created characters. It reminded me of a mix of Monica Arya's The Perfect Girl without all of the detailed abuse and gore, mixed with Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects small town vibes. Movie-wise it reminded me of Don't Worry Darling with a much different twist and story, but it has that "what is going on?" vibe the entire time! I absolutely cannot wait for her next book!

[Adrienne Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.L Hyde is an automatic buy for me. This book was no different. Loved it.

[Sarah Amaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mouth wide open in shock from the end of the prolog on.
Every chapter ends and makes you want to read just one more.
JL Hyde will forever be an instant read for me!

[Christy Cerasale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this book in 1 day! It was great! Another banger by the queen! Twist after twist!