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The Perfect Accident
'Tess Stimson is the master of the didn't-see-that-coming twist' LISA JEWELL
The brand new suspense thriller from the Sunday TImes and USA Today bestseller.
Could you sacrifice one live to save many? What if that life was your son's?
This year, for the first time, the high school prom will be held on a luxurious cruiser on the lake. Sisters Amy and Iris are excited to be chaperones at the event, seeing their sons all dressed up. It's a proud moment.
But, tonight, the boat will sink.
And as darkness falls, secrets unravel and the air starts to run out, one of the sisters will be forced to make a split-second decision - to save her own son and let her nephew and twenty-one other teenagers drown.
And then, a year later, one of the teenagers will wake up from her coma, ready to tell everyone what really happened at the bottom of the lake. And someone needs to keep her quiet - for good.
A pulse-pounding novel of small-town secrets, lies and betrayal - with a twist you won't see coming.
464 pages, Paperback
Published April 23, 2026
35 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Tess Stimson
22 books660 followersTess Stimson is the author of fifteen novels - including international bestseller The New House - which have been translated into dozens of languages, plus two non-fiction books. Her new book, The Perfect Accident, will be published in April 2026.
A former British journalist and reporter, Stimson was appointed Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Florida in 2002 and moved to the US. In addition to writing fiction, she continues to work as a journalist and teaches reporting for media and creative writing at a university in the Northeastern US. She now lives in Vermont with her husband, and is visited intermittently by her three grown-up children whenever they need their laundry done.
For more information, visit Tess's website or follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
A former British journalist and reporter, Stimson was appointed Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Florida in 2002 and moved to the US. In addition to writing fiction, she continues to work as a journalist and teaches reporting for media and creative writing at a university in the Northeastern US. She now lives in Vermont with her husband, and is visited intermittently by her three grown-up children whenever they need their laundry done.
For more information, visit Tess's website or follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
April 4, 2026
3.75⭐️ I went into A Perfect Accident not really knowing what to expect, but it turned out to be a far more emotional and introspective read than I had anticipated.
The story primarily follows Tess, and what stood out most to me was how real she felt. She isn’t portrayed as perfect—she overthinks, second-guesses herself, and reacts in ways that feel genuinely human. Much of the narrative is rooted in her inner thoughts, which created a strong sense of closeness to her, even during moments when I didn’t fully agree with her choices.
The “accident” itself lingers throughout the entire novel. It’s not just a single event that fades into the background—it shapes Tess’s perspective and influences how she relates to the people around her. In many ways, it feels like a constant, almost tangible presence, which added an interesting layer to the story.
I also appreciated how the relationships were portrayed. They’re messy, complicated, and far from idealised, which makes them feel more authentic. There’s a quiet intensity to the emotions beneath the surface, particularly in Tess’s interactions with those closest to her.
That said, the pacing is quite slow and deeply reflective. There isn’t a great deal of traditional plot progression, so the focus is very much on the emotional journey. At times, this made the book feel a bit heavy.
While I can absolutely see why many readers would connect with and appreciate this novel, it wasn’t one of my standout reads. Even so, I can recognise the depth and emotional nuance that others may find particularly compelling.
Expected publication date: 23rd April 2026.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Mountain Leopard Press, and Tess Stimson for the early ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The story primarily follows Tess, and what stood out most to me was how real she felt. She isn’t portrayed as perfect—she overthinks, second-guesses herself, and reacts in ways that feel genuinely human. Much of the narrative is rooted in her inner thoughts, which created a strong sense of closeness to her, even during moments when I didn’t fully agree with her choices.
The “accident” itself lingers throughout the entire novel. It’s not just a single event that fades into the background—it shapes Tess’s perspective and influences how she relates to the people around her. In many ways, it feels like a constant, almost tangible presence, which added an interesting layer to the story.
I also appreciated how the relationships were portrayed. They’re messy, complicated, and far from idealised, which makes them feel more authentic. There’s a quiet intensity to the emotions beneath the surface, particularly in Tess’s interactions with those closest to her.
That said, the pacing is quite slow and deeply reflective. There isn’t a great deal of traditional plot progression, so the focus is very much on the emotional journey. At times, this made the book feel a bit heavy.
While I can absolutely see why many readers would connect with and appreciate this novel, it wasn’t one of my standout reads. Even so, I can recognise the depth and emotional nuance that others may find particularly compelling.
Expected publication date: 23rd April 2026.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Mountain Leopard Press, and Tess Stimson for the early ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 25, 2026
I love it when a book surprises you, and The Perfect Accident certainly did that.
A small town with some very big characters. Lots of secrets, and a tragedy that links them…but people are hiding lots of secrets that played their part in the tragic event that resulted in the deaths of 21 teenagers. The story allows us to learn of the events building up to the accident, the things that have happened as a result and the shocking occurrences that take place as those who need to try to hide what part they played.
There’s a lot going on here. But the story is well-constructed, so it all makes sense as you read. Far more emotional than I was prepared for, and some perfect grey areas that left me wondering where their stories could go.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
A small town with some very big characters. Lots of secrets, and a tragedy that links them…but people are hiding lots of secrets that played their part in the tragic event that resulted in the deaths of 21 teenagers. The story allows us to learn of the events building up to the accident, the things that have happened as a result and the shocking occurrences that take place as those who need to try to hide what part they played.
There’s a lot going on here. But the story is well-constructed, so it all makes sense as you read. Far more emotional than I was prepared for, and some perfect grey areas that left me wondering where their stories could go.
Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this before publication.
March 31, 2026
Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me this free advance copy, and I’m writing this review honestly and without bias.
It took me a while to get my head round the timelines but that aside my first book by Tess Stimpson was a triumph. A dark and emotionally charged story that is rich in atmosphere and suspense. Tess Stimpson weaves a plot full of tension that keeps you absolutely riveted as the reader is drip fed the truth. Wonderfully written with a unique plot and some great twists 4.5⭐️
April 25, 2026
A pretty good story. Dragged in places which was a little tedious at times. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher's for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
April 7, 2026
This was my first time reading a book by Tess Stimson, and I was absolutely gripped from start to finish!
The story is told through multiple viewpoints and across dual timelines - around the time of the accident and 15 months later in the present day. I loved how this was done, as it gradually revealed what really happened during the accident and what led to the present day activities, while building suspense and keeping me completely hooked.
I flew through this in just three days as I just couldn’t put it down. It had everything I look for in a thriller. suspense, secrecy, mystery, family drama and heartbreak. Each chapter left me wanting to read just one more!
The plot was cleverly written and kept me engaged throughout, and the ending was definitely not disappointing!.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book and will definitely be recommending it to my friends and fellow readers. I genuinely can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thank you to Headline Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told through multiple viewpoints and across dual timelines - around the time of the accident and 15 months later in the present day. I loved how this was done, as it gradually revealed what really happened during the accident and what led to the present day activities, while building suspense and keeping me completely hooked.
I flew through this in just three days as I just couldn’t put it down. It had everything I look for in a thriller. suspense, secrecy, mystery, family drama and heartbreak. Each chapter left me wanting to read just one more!
The plot was cleverly written and kept me engaged throughout, and the ending was definitely not disappointing!.
Overall, I absolutely loved this book and will definitely be recommending it to my friends and fellow readers. I genuinely can’t wait to read more from this author.
Thank you to Headline Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2026
A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read The Perfect Accident by Tess Stimson.
This was a gripping thriller that really kept me hooked from start to finish. The short chapters made it so easy to fly through, always leaving me wanting “just one more.” I genuinely didn’t see the twists coming, which made the story even more satisfying as everything unfolded.
If you’re a fan of fast-paced, suspenseful reads, this is definitely one to add to your list—make sure to grab a copy when it’s released!
This was a gripping thriller that really kept me hooked from start to finish. The short chapters made it so easy to fly through, always leaving me wanting “just one more.” I genuinely didn’t see the twists coming, which made the story even more satisfying as everything unfolded.
If you’re a fan of fast-paced, suspenseful reads, this is definitely one to add to your list—make sure to grab a copy when it’s released!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was super twisty and hard to work out.
It is Prom night and the school have organized for the students to have Prom on a luxury boat. As the party swings into action the lights on shore go out leaving the designated look out blind. Shortly after the boat hits something in the water and starts to sink. With 23 teenagers are trapped under the waves in an air pocket with their teachers – sisters Iris and Amy. With Amy injured the two are forced to make decisions they didn’t want to make. For one of the sisters they have to choose between their own son and the nephew they helped to raise.
A year later, the reporter Quinn, is back in town trying to sniff out the truth about the events of that fateful night. She finds Amy no longer Head at the school and instead working in a restaurant and separated from her husband. Most of the town have laid the blame at Amy’s door – but where does everyone else fit in? And now, one of the injured children has woken from a coma and she has a lot to say about what happened on the lake…
This is a book with multiple mystery strands running through it and you will have more questions than answers as you read – however, almost all of the questions get answered by the end. The chapters shift back and forth in time, with some of them dealing with the build up to the prom and these are intercut with chapters set in the year after the accident and the build up to murders as one resident seeks revenge. I am generally not a fan of this kind of time slip as it can be confusing but this was done really well. The chapters also rotate between characters with much of the story being told by Amy, Iris and Quinn.
I must admit that there were some parts of the story that I felt were a stretch – having woken from a coma myself I know that I wouldn’t be sitting up in bed giving interviews to the media and having the savvy to include veiled threats to the person considered to be at fault, I know everyone is different but I just felt that lacked credibility.
There are themes within the story that could be trigger points for people as suicide and mental health issues play a part of one of the characters stories – a story that remained unresolved for me.
On the whole, this is a good story. I am a fan of a thriller and love twists and turns and this had plenty of those – borderline too many as there are lots of plot strands to keep hold of.
Fans of a thriller will enjoy this!
Thanks to the Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It is Prom night and the school have organized for the students to have Prom on a luxury boat. As the party swings into action the lights on shore go out leaving the designated look out blind. Shortly after the boat hits something in the water and starts to sink. With 23 teenagers are trapped under the waves in an air pocket with their teachers – sisters Iris and Amy. With Amy injured the two are forced to make decisions they didn’t want to make. For one of the sisters they have to choose between their own son and the nephew they helped to raise.
A year later, the reporter Quinn, is back in town trying to sniff out the truth about the events of that fateful night. She finds Amy no longer Head at the school and instead working in a restaurant and separated from her husband. Most of the town have laid the blame at Amy’s door – but where does everyone else fit in? And now, one of the injured children has woken from a coma and she has a lot to say about what happened on the lake…
This is a book with multiple mystery strands running through it and you will have more questions than answers as you read – however, almost all of the questions get answered by the end. The chapters shift back and forth in time, with some of them dealing with the build up to the prom and these are intercut with chapters set in the year after the accident and the build up to murders as one resident seeks revenge. I am generally not a fan of this kind of time slip as it can be confusing but this was done really well. The chapters also rotate between characters with much of the story being told by Amy, Iris and Quinn.
I must admit that there were some parts of the story that I felt were a stretch – having woken from a coma myself I know that I wouldn’t be sitting up in bed giving interviews to the media and having the savvy to include veiled threats to the person considered to be at fault, I know everyone is different but I just felt that lacked credibility.
There are themes within the story that could be trigger points for people as suicide and mental health issues play a part of one of the characters stories – a story that remained unresolved for me.
On the whole, this is a good story. I am a fan of a thriller and love twists and turns and this had plenty of those – borderline too many as there are lots of plot strands to keep hold of.
Fans of a thriller will enjoy this!
Thanks to the Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4-5 stars
A town called Malice.
Quinn Wilde is a British senior war correspondent, injured in the “line of duty“ who is less than thrilled to be assigned a story in Stowebury, Vermont fifteen months ago. However, this turns out to be a really big story. A pretty town, perhaps it’s looks belying a rotten core, twenty one teenagers dead, one missing and one in a coma. A high school graduating class virtually wiped out. The authorities throw an ironclad ring around the town and the story and now over a year later, Quinn is certain she can blow the story out of the lake and get to the truth about how the high school prom aboard the boat Lady of Champlain goes so disastrously and tragically wrong. The story is told via several perspectives including two mothers who are also sisters, Amy and Iris.
There’s definitely something rotten in the state of Vermont, specifically Stowebury, to say the least there’s a pact or conspiracy of silence. Who’s to say what other conspiracies or corruption lurks beneath those deceptively benign waters?
The scene setting in this very atmospheric place is most revealing as there’s definitely trouble in paradise. The vibes are odd, the tones are off, there’s obvious dysfunction, it’s moody, malicious, there’s evil and hatred with plenty of hints of what to come. This inevitably has me reading on eager to seek out the nuggets of truth.
There are quite a lot of characters to get familiar with, but once I do, I have no problems sorting out who’s who as the characterisation is strong. There are some wolves in sheep’s clothing and one who is weaving evil at the centre of the murky waters. It’s really intriguing as things start to connect and my heart sinks and breaks along the Lakeside. There are so many layers to peel back to get to the heart of it all as the fear levels rise alongside the tension, secrets, lies and betrayals. It propels and twists itself towards an exciting, suspenseful and unexpected ending.
A times it’s a very emotional read, not only about incredibly tough choices that characters have to make but also because of some of the themes including the rawness of grief and the impact of bullying. There are some trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.
Overall, this is another exceptionally good read from Tessa Stimson in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline, Mountain Leopard Press for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
A town called Malice.
Quinn Wilde is a British senior war correspondent, injured in the “line of duty“ who is less than thrilled to be assigned a story in Stowebury, Vermont fifteen months ago. However, this turns out to be a really big story. A pretty town, perhaps it’s looks belying a rotten core, twenty one teenagers dead, one missing and one in a coma. A high school graduating class virtually wiped out. The authorities throw an ironclad ring around the town and the story and now over a year later, Quinn is certain she can blow the story out of the lake and get to the truth about how the high school prom aboard the boat Lady of Champlain goes so disastrously and tragically wrong. The story is told via several perspectives including two mothers who are also sisters, Amy and Iris.
There’s definitely something rotten in the state of Vermont, specifically Stowebury, to say the least there’s a pact or conspiracy of silence. Who’s to say what other conspiracies or corruption lurks beneath those deceptively benign waters?
The scene setting in this very atmospheric place is most revealing as there’s definitely trouble in paradise. The vibes are odd, the tones are off, there’s obvious dysfunction, it’s moody, malicious, there’s evil and hatred with plenty of hints of what to come. This inevitably has me reading on eager to seek out the nuggets of truth.
There are quite a lot of characters to get familiar with, but once I do, I have no problems sorting out who’s who as the characterisation is strong. There are some wolves in sheep’s clothing and one who is weaving evil at the centre of the murky waters. It’s really intriguing as things start to connect and my heart sinks and breaks along the Lakeside. There are so many layers to peel back to get to the heart of it all as the fear levels rise alongside the tension, secrets, lies and betrayals. It propels and twists itself towards an exciting, suspenseful and unexpected ending.
A times it’s a very emotional read, not only about incredibly tough choices that characters have to make but also because of some of the themes including the rawness of grief and the impact of bullying. There are some trigger warnings at the beginning of the book.
Overall, this is another exceptionally good read from Tessa Stimson in my opinion.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline, Mountain Leopard Press for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Everyone in Stowebury is anticipating the high school Prom Night on a cruise ship on Lake Champlain. Those who live will come to regret this. A few hours into the trip, the ship hits an unseen object, and rapidly sinks. School head Amy and her sister Iris are trapped with a number of students and desperately try to organise an escape route for all. The sisters survive but twenty one students die, including Iris’s son Finn. Amy’s son Nicky also escapes, but is traumatised by the deaths, blaming his mother, as the organiser, for agreeing to such a dangerous venue, and disappears. The disaster has ramifications throughout the town, ruins Amy ‘s family, alienates her friends and her sister. And questions remain: why did it happen? what did the ship hit? was it just an accident? Where is Nicky?
That might sound like quite a complicated plot, but the background against which it unfolds is more complicated still, and there are two other plots which interweave. The story is told mainly from the viewpoints of the sisters, and the opening chapters are mostly a countdown to the ship sinking, and a detailed examination of what happens when people are trapped forty feet or more underwater. We are also given a whole other countdown, to “the killings”. So there is another story running that we know nothing about until the latter part of the book. Linking all of this we have an investigative journalist, Quinn Wilde ( a character who appears in earlier books by the author), who initially came to town anticipating that a coma victim of the accident is about to recover and provide a new perspective, but stumbled upon another story about a missing man,
The amount of information makes this a very long story (perhaps too long) especially the build up to the Prom. The final section follows a more normal thriller format, and reveals a series of twists in the plot, which keep the reader guessing, and are truly surprising, especially the double twisted ending. I’m in two minds about the rating. The sheer bulk and the very slow opening chapters count against it, but the twists and turns and the intellectual exercise they provide are huge positives. I’m going for 4.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
That might sound like quite a complicated plot, but the background against which it unfolds is more complicated still, and there are two other plots which interweave. The story is told mainly from the viewpoints of the sisters, and the opening chapters are mostly a countdown to the ship sinking, and a detailed examination of what happens when people are trapped forty feet or more underwater. We are also given a whole other countdown, to “the killings”. So there is another story running that we know nothing about until the latter part of the book. Linking all of this we have an investigative journalist, Quinn Wilde ( a character who appears in earlier books by the author), who initially came to town anticipating that a coma victim of the accident is about to recover and provide a new perspective, but stumbled upon another story about a missing man,
The amount of information makes this a very long story (perhaps too long) especially the build up to the Prom. The final section follows a more normal thriller format, and reveals a series of twists in the plot, which keep the reader guessing, and are truly surprising, especially the double twisted ending. I’m in two minds about the rating. The sheer bulk and the very slow opening chapters count against it, but the twists and turns and the intellectual exercise they provide are huge positives. I’m going for 4.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Perfect Accident is the kind of thriller that grabs you by the collar from the first chapter and never quite loosens its grip. It opens on what should be a glittering, sentimental milestone — prom night on a luxury cruiser, proud parents watching their sons step into adulthood — and then lets everything slip, slowly and sickeningly, beneath the surface. The contrast between celebration and catastrophe gives the whole book a taut, breath‑held quality, as if you’re right there on the lake with them, listening to the water press in.
The heart of the story lies with sisters Amy and Iris, whose love for their boys becomes the axis on which the entire novel turns. When the boat sinks and the air begins to thin, the author doesn’t lean into spectacle; instead, she focuses on the unbearable intimacy of the moment — the kind of impossible choice that fractures a family long before anyone reaches the shore. It’s a premise that could easily feel sensational, but here it’s handled with a steady, human touch that makes the fallout all the more haunting.
A year later, when a girl wakes from her coma ready to speak, the narrative shifts into something sharper and more claustrophobic. Small‑town secrets start to ripple outward, and the sense of who can be trusted narrows with every chapter. The tension builds beautifully: quiet betrayals, buried guilt, the creeping fear that someone is willing to kill to keep the past submerged. The pacing is tight without feeling rushed, and the twist — when it comes — lands with that satisfying jolt that makes you flip back through earlier pages to catch the clues you missed.
It’s a dark, compelling story about loyalty, guilt, and the lengths people will go to protect the version of the truth they can live with. Atmospheric, emotionally charged, and impossible to look away from — a perfect pick for readers who love their thrillers with moral complexity and a lingering chill.
With thanks to Tess Stimson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The heart of the story lies with sisters Amy and Iris, whose love for their boys becomes the axis on which the entire novel turns. When the boat sinks and the air begins to thin, the author doesn’t lean into spectacle; instead, she focuses on the unbearable intimacy of the moment — the kind of impossible choice that fractures a family long before anyone reaches the shore. It’s a premise that could easily feel sensational, but here it’s handled with a steady, human touch that makes the fallout all the more haunting.
A year later, when a girl wakes from her coma ready to speak, the narrative shifts into something sharper and more claustrophobic. Small‑town secrets start to ripple outward, and the sense of who can be trusted narrows with every chapter. The tension builds beautifully: quiet betrayals, buried guilt, the creeping fear that someone is willing to kill to keep the past submerged. The pacing is tight without feeling rushed, and the twist — when it comes — lands with that satisfying jolt that makes you flip back through earlier pages to catch the clues you missed.
It’s a dark, compelling story about loyalty, guilt, and the lengths people will go to protect the version of the truth they can live with. Atmospheric, emotionally charged, and impossible to look away from — a perfect pick for readers who love their thrillers with moral complexity and a lingering chill.
With thanks to Tess Stimson, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is a really gripping psychological thriller told through multiple POVs and two timelines. At the heart of it is a terrible small-town tragedy: a high school prom held on a ship that sank, killing 21 students. The story is split into two timelines: the first is a countdown to that disaster three years ago, and the second timeline, set in the present, is a countdown to a separate murder, both of which are intertwined. I loved how the book kept us in the dark—until the end, we don’t know what this “murders” in the now timeline actually is, and that mystery drives the suspense. The main POVs are Amy, a former principal, and her sister Iris, along with their children, all of whom are deeply affected by the tragedy. But the POV that really brought the story to life for me was Quinn, a journalist who arrives in town with her cameraman. She’s an outsider, determined to uncover the truth, and her rational, grounded voice is such a relief. She acts like the reader would, asking the right questions, staying objective, and providing a balance to the more emotionally entangled characters.
The writing is rich and very detailed, especially when it comes to the psychological states and emotions of the characters. At times, though, I did feel the pacing was uneven. The buildup leading to the sinking goes on a little too long, and some sections before the tragedy could have been tightened without losing impact. Ironically, once the actual incident happens, the story speeds through the aftermath and present-day revelations much more quickly than expected. I would have liked more time spent on the incident itself and its immediate aftermath because that was when the story became the most gripping for me.
Overall, this was a layered and suspenseful read with strong atmosphere, compelling character dynamics, and a structure that kept me wanting to know what really happened.
Thank you to Tess Stimson, Headline Publishing Group, Mountain Leopard Press, and NetGalley for the ARC —I really enjoyed this one.
The writing is rich and very detailed, especially when it comes to the psychological states and emotions of the characters. At times, though, I did feel the pacing was uneven. The buildup leading to the sinking goes on a little too long, and some sections before the tragedy could have been tightened without losing impact. Ironically, once the actual incident happens, the story speeds through the aftermath and present-day revelations much more quickly than expected. I would have liked more time spent on the incident itself and its immediate aftermath because that was when the story became the most gripping for me.
Overall, this was a layered and suspenseful read with strong atmosphere, compelling character dynamics, and a structure that kept me wanting to know what really happened.
Thank you to Tess Stimson, Headline Publishing Group, Mountain Leopard Press, and NetGalley for the ARC —I really enjoyed this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m not always in a thriller mood, but sometimes I really, really am, especially when I’m trying to break a reading slump. THE PERFECT ACCIDENT showed up for me on NetGalley at precisely one of those moments, and I will admit that I was a bit skeptical. The thing about thrillers is that a good thriller is one of the most fun things to read, but a middling or bad thriller is a pretty miserable reading experience. I have DNFd more than a few. But, in the spirit of adventure, I embarked on reading this book, and I was not disappointed at all. The story is compelling and complex, full of secrets and lies and veiled intentions. It is a Twin Peaks-esque small-town-with-a rotten-secret tale, but there are, like, a lot of rotten secrets in this little Vermont town. The story is centered around sisters Amy and Iris who are extremely close, raising their children together, working at the same school, and then dealing with the aftermath of the same unthinkable tragedy: half of the senior class disappeared while attending prom on a boat. I won’t reveal any more than that because a) there’s SO MUCH and b) I want you to read it for yourself! THE PERFECT ACCIDENT reads a bit more mystery than thriller in the best way; I really couldn’t wait to see what was revealed next. There was no one big crazy twist; only a twisty, layered tale of a lot of bad things happening. My ONE gripe with this book was that while it takes place in Vermont with mostly American characters/POVs, quite a bit of British slang/terminology/turns of phrase made it into the prose where it shouldn’t have been, i.e. not solely within the POV of the couple of British characters. Not a deal-breaker by ANY means, but did take me out of the action at times. You should definitely check it out if you’re a psychological thriller fan- it’s out April 23rd! Big thanks to Mountain Leopard Press and Tess Stimson for the e-ARC via NetGalley!
April 26, 2026
★★★★★
I went into The Perfect Accident not really knowing what to expect, but it ended up being a far more poignant and deeply reflective story than I’d first imagined. The plot centres on sisters Amy and Iris, who are chaperoning their sons’ high school prom on a luxury cruiser when the night turns into a total catastrophe. Trapped as the boat sinks, one sister is forced into an unthinkable, heart-wrenching choice between saving her own child or her nephew and dozens of other students. A year later, as a girl emerges from a coma ready to speak, the secrets buried at the bottom of the lake begin to threaten those who survived.
I started reading this on a Saturday night and before I knew it, I was turning the final page at 4 am; I just couldn't put it down. The structure worked so well for me; the chapters rotate between Amy, Iris, and journalist Quinn Wilde, with the past counting down to the accident while the present-day timeline builds toward a different kind of reckoning. I haven't read the first Quinn Wilde book, Stolen, but the references here were so intriguing that I’ve already added it to my library.
The contrast between the initial celebration and the following disaster gives the prose a taut, breath-held quality, almost as if you can feel the water pressing in against the hull. It’s a heavy, often brutal story where the tension builds through character dynamics and the weight of impossible decisions rather than cheap shocks. I really appreciated how the author explored the rawness of grief and the long-term impact of bullying. Almost everyone is flawed or driven by questionable ambitions, but they are layered enough that I couldn’t help but care about what happened to them. It’s rare that I can’t predict a thriller’s ending, but I truly had no idea where this was going.
Thank you to the author, Headline, Mountain Leopard Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.
I went into The Perfect Accident not really knowing what to expect, but it ended up being a far more poignant and deeply reflective story than I’d first imagined. The plot centres on sisters Amy and Iris, who are chaperoning their sons’ high school prom on a luxury cruiser when the night turns into a total catastrophe. Trapped as the boat sinks, one sister is forced into an unthinkable, heart-wrenching choice between saving her own child or her nephew and dozens of other students. A year later, as a girl emerges from a coma ready to speak, the secrets buried at the bottom of the lake begin to threaten those who survived.
I started reading this on a Saturday night and before I knew it, I was turning the final page at 4 am; I just couldn't put it down. The structure worked so well for me; the chapters rotate between Amy, Iris, and journalist Quinn Wilde, with the past counting down to the accident while the present-day timeline builds toward a different kind of reckoning. I haven't read the first Quinn Wilde book, Stolen, but the references here were so intriguing that I’ve already added it to my library.
The contrast between the initial celebration and the following disaster gives the prose a taut, breath-held quality, almost as if you can feel the water pressing in against the hull. It’s a heavy, often brutal story where the tension builds through character dynamics and the weight of impossible decisions rather than cheap shocks. I really appreciated how the author explored the rawness of grief and the long-term impact of bullying. Almost everyone is flawed or driven by questionable ambitions, but they are layered enough that I couldn’t help but care about what happened to them. It’s rare that I can’t predict a thriller’s ending, but I truly had no idea where this was going.
Thank you to the author, Headline, Mountain Leopard Press, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tess Stimson has quickly become one of my favourite authors, and this latest novel is exactly why. From the very first chapter, I was glued to the pages, swept up in the horrendous circumstances unfolding on what should have been a night of celebration. Stimson has a gift for creating tension that feels almost physical, the kind that tightens around you as you read, and she pairs it with characters so emotionally vivid that you can’t help but feel every beat of their fear, guilt, and desperation. YOU CAN'T SAVE THEM ALL. WHO DO YOU CHOOSE? becomes more than a tagline, it becomes the agonising heartbeat of the story.
The premise is devastating: a high school prom held on a luxurious cruiser ends in catastrophe when the boat sinks, trapping students and chaperones beneath the lake. Sisters Amy and Iris, there to watch their sons step into adulthood, are thrust into an unimaginable nightmare. As the air thins and the darkness closes in, long buried secrets rise to the surface, and one sister faces a choice no mother should ever have to make sacrifice her own son or let her nephew and twenty one other teenagers drown. The emotional weight of that moment lingers long after the chapter ends. And just when you think you’ve recovered, the story leaps forward a year, when a girl awakens from a coma ready to reveal what really happened at the bottom of the lake and someone is determined to silence her for good. It’s gripping, heartbreaking, and utterly consuming Stimson at her absolute best.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
The premise is devastating: a high school prom held on a luxurious cruiser ends in catastrophe when the boat sinks, trapping students and chaperones beneath the lake. Sisters Amy and Iris, there to watch their sons step into adulthood, are thrust into an unimaginable nightmare. As the air thins and the darkness closes in, long buried secrets rise to the surface, and one sister faces a choice no mother should ever have to make sacrifice her own son or let her nephew and twenty one other teenagers drown. The emotional weight of that moment lingers long after the chapter ends. And just when you think you’ve recovered, the story leaps forward a year, when a girl awakens from a coma ready to reveal what really happened at the bottom of the lake and someone is determined to silence her for good. It’s gripping, heartbreaking, and utterly consuming Stimson at her absolute best.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Quinn Wilde from Stolen is back to investigate a prom night disaster. Relive that tragedy with two local sisters and acount down impending calamity.
Last year the senior class held their prom on a yacht out on Lake Champlain. What could go wrong?
Plenty! Twenty-one seniors did not go home that night.
Now, fifteen months later the town of Stowebury is still simmering from the strife. And things are about to come to a boil.
Here's what I liked:
🤩Tess Stimson kept the surprises coming. With multiple POVs and two timelines, it was still easy to follow and so engaging.
🍁I love the Vermont setting! That part of the country is just beautiful and it was a treat to return virtually.
🚢Holding a prom on a large luxury cruiser sounds so inviting. Unfortunately this particular cruise was quite short and perilous.
📚This is my third read from Tess Stimson and she is a must read for me. Her plots are unique and the characters have to make such difficult choices. If you loved the early Jodi Picould reads, try this author!
Thank you to Mountain Leopard Press and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Last year the senior class held their prom on a yacht out on Lake Champlain. What could go wrong?
Plenty! Twenty-one seniors did not go home that night.
Now, fifteen months later the town of Stowebury is still simmering from the strife. And things are about to come to a boil.
Here's what I liked:
🤩Tess Stimson kept the surprises coming. With multiple POVs and two timelines, it was still easy to follow and so engaging.
🍁I love the Vermont setting! That part of the country is just beautiful and it was a treat to return virtually.
🚢Holding a prom on a large luxury cruiser sounds so inviting. Unfortunately this particular cruise was quite short and perilous.
📚This is my third read from Tess Stimson and she is a must read for me. Her plots are unique and the characters have to make such difficult choices. If you loved the early Jodi Picould reads, try this author!
Thank you to Mountain Leopard Press and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
A high school prom cruise ends in disaster when the boat sinks and 21 people die. Fifteen months later, a coma survivor wakes up, and reporter Quinn returns to the tight-lipped town to uncover what really happened on the lake.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
It’s been a very long time since I’ve been on the edge of my seat for an entire book like this. This book is exceptional.
The characters feel real, the situation is chaotic and layered, and I didn’t want to stop reading, even though I also didn’t want it to end.
The story moves across two timelines with multiple POVs, in both first and third person. It sounds like a lot, but it works. It adds tension and depth without feeling messy.
Emotionally, there’s all the feels. A lot of people die, no neat happy endings. It’s heavy and, at times, brutal. Definitely check trigger warnings: toxic parenting, bullying, drowning, teen death.
It’s also incredibly bingeable. Short chapters, sharp pacing, high drama. Almost everyone is flawed, but so layered it was impossible not to care.
I did have a tiny issue with the whodunnit of it all, but when a book works this well overall, I can live with that.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This is the perfect thriller (hehe) for readers that like fast paced, high family drama, multiple POVs, and a ton of twists!!
Thank you Headline Books and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Helen Keeley
📖 Publishes 04•23•26 | 464 pages | 10h
A high school prom cruise ends in disaster when the boat sinks and 21 people die. Fifteen months later, a coma survivor wakes up, and reporter Quinn returns to the tight-lipped town to uncover what really happened on the lake.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
It’s been a very long time since I’ve been on the edge of my seat for an entire book like this. This book is exceptional.
The characters feel real, the situation is chaotic and layered, and I didn’t want to stop reading, even though I also didn’t want it to end.
The story moves across two timelines with multiple POVs, in both first and third person. It sounds like a lot, but it works. It adds tension and depth without feeling messy.
Emotionally, there’s all the feels. A lot of people die, no neat happy endings. It’s heavy and, at times, brutal. Definitely check trigger warnings: toxic parenting, bullying, drowning, teen death.
It’s also incredibly bingeable. Short chapters, sharp pacing, high drama. Almost everyone is flawed, but so layered it was impossible not to care.
I did have a tiny issue with the whodunnit of it all, but when a book works this well overall, I can live with that.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This is the perfect thriller (hehe) for readers that like fast paced, high family drama, multiple POVs, and a ton of twists!!
Thank you Headline Books and NetGalley for this #gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Helen Keeley
📖 Publishes 04•23•26 | 464 pages | 10h
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In the lakeside town of Stowebury, Vermont, the annual high school Prom Dance has been moved onboard The Maid of Champlaine, due to health and safety issues with its normal venue. Disaster strikes, however, when a summer storm takes out the lakeside lighting, plunging the lake into darkness. The Maid, already out on the water, is struck by an unidentified vessel, causing it to sink and twenty-one students to lose their lives.
The book covers many aspects – the accident itself, the grief of the families involved and, of course, who is to blame.
Journalist Quinne Wilde arrived in Stowebury to cover the tragedy fifteen months ago. She found no one willing to talk and an investigation that appeared to have been shut down by those in charge . However, she was sure there were deeper issues to be uncovered within this community, and now she is back and determined to fit the pieces together.
The Perfect Accident is a great read. The characters are easy to empathise with and secrets and lies abound in the small knit community. The tragedy is realistically written and in some places makes difficult reading. One night will change the lives of many people.
This is yet another of those books which stays in the memory long after the last page has been read. Recommended.
I would like to thank Headline (Mountain Leopard Press), the author and Netgalley for an ARC of The Perfect Accident in exchange for an honest review.
The book covers many aspects – the accident itself, the grief of the families involved and, of course, who is to blame.
Journalist Quinne Wilde arrived in Stowebury to cover the tragedy fifteen months ago. She found no one willing to talk and an investigation that appeared to have been shut down by those in charge . However, she was sure there were deeper issues to be uncovered within this community, and now she is back and determined to fit the pieces together.
The Perfect Accident is a great read. The characters are easy to empathise with and secrets and lies abound in the small knit community. The tragedy is realistically written and in some places makes difficult reading. One night will change the lives of many people.
This is yet another of those books which stays in the memory long after the last page has been read. Recommended.
I would like to thank Headline (Mountain Leopard Press), the author and Netgalley for an ARC of The Perfect Accident in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A plotline sure to stir readers' emotions as Tess Stimson does an excellent job of building a three-dimensional community and the tragedy that kills an entire high school graduating class. A year after the accident, Quinn Wilde, an investigative journalist, is assigned to cover the story and find out what really happened that night. To say she was not thrilled would be an understatement. As she starts interviewing the citizens of Stowebury, the mystery deepens, taking on dark undercurrents of an accident that killed 21 students.
Two sisters, Amy and Iris, have agreed to chaperone their son's graduation party. The Stowebury High School senior class has chosen a cruise on Lake Champlain as their prom site. The party is everything they dreamed of, and the sisters are happy to see their sons making memories that will last a lifetime. Then the boat starts sinking, and the sisters do everything they can to save the students. When the final count comes in, 21 dead, two survivors, one in a coma. The town works hard to lock down any information, and the story stays a mystery until the student in a coma wakes up and Quinn comes to investigate. As the story unwinds, everyone is pointing fingers, and the tension builds to an explosive point. This book is an excellent thriller; it holds the tension tight as the twists identify those responsible for the lives lost and the sisters can face their grief together.
Two sisters, Amy and Iris, have agreed to chaperone their son's graduation party. The Stowebury High School senior class has chosen a cruise on Lake Champlain as their prom site. The party is everything they dreamed of, and the sisters are happy to see their sons making memories that will last a lifetime. Then the boat starts sinking, and the sisters do everything they can to save the students. When the final count comes in, 21 dead, two survivors, one in a coma. The town works hard to lock down any information, and the story stays a mystery until the student in a coma wakes up and Quinn comes to investigate. As the story unwinds, everyone is pointing fingers, and the tension builds to an explosive point. This book is an excellent thriller; it holds the tension tight as the twists identify those responsible for the lives lost and the sisters can face their grief together.
May 6, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley and Headline for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
A fast paced thriller, set in a small town but filled with big characters.
Short sharp chapters which go between two timelines keep the reader engrossed.
It is prom night and the event is being held on a luxury boat, what could possibly go wrong?
When the lights go out on shore, the boat collides with something, water begins to seep in, 23 teenagers and two teachers, sisters Amy and Iris, are trapped. They will soon run out of air, the two sisters find themselves with an impossible decision to make, Will Amy choose to save her son or Iris’s son who she also loves. The accident leaves 21 teenagers dead,, one in a coma and one missing.
Fifteen months later the town is still struggling to heal, Amy and Iris haven’t spoken, Amy and her husband are separated, neither able to cope with not knowing what happened their son who is the missing teenager.
Quinn an investigative journalist has arrived back to the town after a year and her sixth sense senses a story. As she prods at the past secrets and lies are revealed. Everyone has something to hide.
As the tension and suspense builds the story slowly reveals what happened prior to the accident, what then happened as a result of the tragic accident and what then occurred as some players try to cover up the truth,
Enjoyed the read, apologies for late review.
A fast paced thriller, set in a small town but filled with big characters.
Short sharp chapters which go between two timelines keep the reader engrossed.
It is prom night and the event is being held on a luxury boat, what could possibly go wrong?
When the lights go out on shore, the boat collides with something, water begins to seep in, 23 teenagers and two teachers, sisters Amy and Iris, are trapped. They will soon run out of air, the two sisters find themselves with an impossible decision to make, Will Amy choose to save her son or Iris’s son who she also loves. The accident leaves 21 teenagers dead,, one in a coma and one missing.
Fifteen months later the town is still struggling to heal, Amy and Iris haven’t spoken, Amy and her husband are separated, neither able to cope with not knowing what happened their son who is the missing teenager.
Quinn an investigative journalist has arrived back to the town after a year and her sixth sense senses a story. As she prods at the past secrets and lies are revealed. Everyone has something to hide.
As the tension and suspense builds the story slowly reveals what happened prior to the accident, what then happened as a result of the tragic accident and what then occurred as some players try to cover up the truth,
Enjoyed the read, apologies for late review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sisters Amy and Iris are excited to chaperone the school prom on board a luxurious lakeside cruiser, alongside their children. But it turns to horror when the boat sinks and one of the sisters is forced to make a split second decision. Save her own child, but sacrifice her sister’s and twenty one teenagers. A year later another teenager wakes from a coma and is prepared to tell everyone what really happened on the boat.
I know this author can write a good thriller and this sounded like a really interesting concept so I was looking forward to reading. This ended up a well written thriller and had plenty of threads going on to keep it entertaining. Saying that, I did find that there were a lot of characters introduced at once which felt a bit confusing and it took a while to really get going. I also found that this was a fairly long book and would have preferred a bit less filler.
The relationships between the characters were interesting to read and there were some emotionally charged scenes that were done well. For me personally I ended up being a bit of an outlier, whereby I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Even so, this was still a solid thriller that plenty of readers have already enjoyed and I will continue looking at more books by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
I know this author can write a good thriller and this sounded like a really interesting concept so I was looking forward to reading. This ended up a well written thriller and had plenty of threads going on to keep it entertaining. Saying that, I did find that there were a lot of characters introduced at once which felt a bit confusing and it took a while to really get going. I also found that this was a fairly long book and would have preferred a bit less filler.
The relationships between the characters were interesting to read and there were some emotionally charged scenes that were done well. For me personally I ended up being a bit of an outlier, whereby I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would. Even so, this was still a solid thriller that plenty of readers have already enjoyed and I will continue looking at more books by this author. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This surprised me. I wasn't expecting something so emotional and introspective, but that's exactly what it turned out to be.
Amy is the kind of character who stays with you - not because she's perfect, but because she isn't. She overthinks, second guesses herself, and makes choices you don't always agree with. And honestly? That's what made her feel so real. Most of the story unfolds through her inner world, which pulled me in even when I wanted to shake her.
The accident isn't just a plot device - it's everywhere. It shapes how Amy sees herself, how she treats the people around her, and how we experience the story. The dual timeline is cleverly done. The past counts down to the accident itself, while the present - set over a year later - counts down to something else entirely. Without giving anything away, let's just say the accidents consequences are far from over... and some people haven't forgotten what happened that day.
The relationships are messy in the best way. Nothing is idealised. There's a quiet intensity underneath every interaction that kept me turning pages.
That said, this is slow and reflective - not much traditional plot progression. If you're looking for twists and fast pacing, this probably isn't it. But if you want something character-driven with real emotional depth, then this is a perfect read.
Amy is the kind of character who stays with you - not because she's perfect, but because she isn't. She overthinks, second guesses herself, and makes choices you don't always agree with. And honestly? That's what made her feel so real. Most of the story unfolds through her inner world, which pulled me in even when I wanted to shake her.
The accident isn't just a plot device - it's everywhere. It shapes how Amy sees herself, how she treats the people around her, and how we experience the story. The dual timeline is cleverly done. The past counts down to the accident itself, while the present - set over a year later - counts down to something else entirely. Without giving anything away, let's just say the accidents consequences are far from over... and some people haven't forgotten what happened that day.
The relationships are messy in the best way. Nothing is idealised. There's a quiet intensity underneath every interaction that kept me turning pages.
That said, this is slow and reflective - not much traditional plot progression. If you're looking for twists and fast pacing, this probably isn't it. But if you want something character-driven with real emotional depth, then this is a perfect read.
March 28, 2026
I liked the premise of this book and I felt the book started off well, however………the rapid changes of voice and timeline were just too frequent for me, weeks before, days before, hours before, then some voices in the first person and some in the third, then the accident, then varying timelines after. I just found it annoying. I believe you have to allow poetic licence when reading fiction but my credibility was definitely over stretched in this book, in particular the parts covering the actual accident, that took place underwater.
All that being said, I did want to get to the end to find out what actually took place, although I’m still unsure what happened to one of the characters.
The two main characters were not particularly likeable, in my opinion, the only character I really liked was Quinn. I did find her being a ‘dry drunk’ quite sad though, a bit of therapy might find her happily sober.
Latterly though, I just couldn’t wait for the book to be finished.
I don’t like to give a bad review but I have to be honest and fortunately there are way more really good and positive reviews of this book than negative. It’s just not for me.
My thanks go as always to the author, the publisher and to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book,
All that being said, I did want to get to the end to find out what actually took place, although I’m still unsure what happened to one of the characters.
The two main characters were not particularly likeable, in my opinion, the only character I really liked was Quinn. I did find her being a ‘dry drunk’ quite sad though, a bit of therapy might find her happily sober.
Latterly though, I just couldn’t wait for the book to be finished.
I don’t like to give a bad review but I have to be honest and fortunately there are way more really good and positive reviews of this book than negative. It’s just not for me.
My thanks go as always to the author, the publisher and to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book,
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Perfect Accident by Tess Stimson is a devastating, multi-layered survival thriller that explores the absolute limits of sisterly bonds and human endurance.
The premise is nothing short of a nightmare: a high school prom held aboard a luxury cruise ship ends in a catastrophe that traps students and chaperones beneath a lake. The lake setting added a murky, claustrophobic layer that a wide-open ocean might have missed.
Following sisters Iris and Amy through the wreckage, you are dragged through heart-wrenching tragedy after tragedy. Despite the large cast and shifting timelines, the story remains remarkably easy to follow, making the chaos feel intimate and personal. The characters are forced into the impossible—facing the worst possible choices and situations.
It is an emotional, gripping story that breaks your heart, makes your blood boil, and keeps your pulse racing all at once. Stimson’s descriptions of grief are raw and painfully real, culminating in a twisted ending where the layers finally click into place. Be warned: there are no neat, happy endings here. It is heavy, brutal, and emotionally exhausting. A 5-star read, impossible to put down. Check the trigger warnings, but do not miss this one.
The premise is nothing short of a nightmare: a high school prom held aboard a luxury cruise ship ends in a catastrophe that traps students and chaperones beneath a lake. The lake setting added a murky, claustrophobic layer that a wide-open ocean might have missed.
Following sisters Iris and Amy through the wreckage, you are dragged through heart-wrenching tragedy after tragedy. Despite the large cast and shifting timelines, the story remains remarkably easy to follow, making the chaos feel intimate and personal. The characters are forced into the impossible—facing the worst possible choices and situations.
It is an emotional, gripping story that breaks your heart, makes your blood boil, and keeps your pulse racing all at once. Stimson’s descriptions of grief are raw and painfully real, culminating in a twisted ending where the layers finally click into place. Be warned: there are no neat, happy endings here. It is heavy, brutal, and emotionally exhausting. A 5-star read, impossible to put down. Check the trigger warnings, but do not miss this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Perfect Accident is a real page turner.
Amy is a high school principal in Vermont she has been told the prom cannot be held in the school gym this year due to safety reasons. The kids will be devastated but she has a solution, it will be held on a boat. A lot aren’t happy about the decision but they are overruled even if a storm is due the day before. Tragedy strikes and twenty one teenagers die with one being left in a coma and another not found. Over a year later and Quinn a british war correspondent who has been injured whilst reporting has been given this story and even though it looks like nothing she’s determined to get the best story ever and uncover any gaps in the story.
This was a great page turner, it is told from multiple POV but mainly from Amy and Iris who are sisters. There were a lot of characters and I did have trouble putting the right children with the two sisters and even by the end I was still muddling them up. The beginning was a little slow going put picked up pace to an enjoyable one. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep you wanting to find out more. An edgy thriller that I enjoyed.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Headline. Mountain Leopard Press for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Amy is a high school principal in Vermont she has been told the prom cannot be held in the school gym this year due to safety reasons. The kids will be devastated but she has a solution, it will be held on a boat. A lot aren’t happy about the decision but they are overruled even if a storm is due the day before. Tragedy strikes and twenty one teenagers die with one being left in a coma and another not found. Over a year later and Quinn a british war correspondent who has been injured whilst reporting has been given this story and even though it looks like nothing she’s determined to get the best story ever and uncover any gaps in the story.
This was a great page turner, it is told from multiple POV but mainly from Amy and Iris who are sisters. There were a lot of characters and I did have trouble putting the right children with the two sisters and even by the end I was still muddling them up. The beginning was a little slow going put picked up pace to an enjoyable one. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep you wanting to find out more. An edgy thriller that I enjoyed.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Headline. Mountain Leopard Press for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2026
Amy and Iris are sisters. Each of them has a child and in the case of Iris two. They live in Stowebury, Vermont, New England. Amy is Principal at the local high school and in charge of arranging the prom. Told in dual timeline, the time of the disaster and its aftermath and the present with multiple POVs, Amy, Iris, their children and journalist Quinn Wilde.
Briefly, when permission is denied to use the school gym to hold the prom Amy’s husband offered the use of his luxury boat on the Lake instead. Amy and Iris volunteer as chaperones as their sons will be at the prom. Everyone is enjoying themselves then disaster occurs and young lives are lost. But one sister made a terrible choice that affected everyone! 15 months later Quinn, who is disabled following an IED in Syria, arrives in the town and starts looking into the disaster determined to get to the truth.
That truth is so shocking as secrets start to come to light it shakes the fabric of the town to its foundations. The author does emotion really well, it’s a brilliant portrayal of how guilt and grief work away at one’s soul to the point of self destruction. An excellent plot that had me on the edge of my seat with high levels of suspense, tension, multiple twists and a good conclusion. Fantastic read.
Briefly, when permission is denied to use the school gym to hold the prom Amy’s husband offered the use of his luxury boat on the Lake instead. Amy and Iris volunteer as chaperones as their sons will be at the prom. Everyone is enjoying themselves then disaster occurs and young lives are lost. But one sister made a terrible choice that affected everyone! 15 months later Quinn, who is disabled following an IED in Syria, arrives in the town and starts looking into the disaster determined to get to the truth.
That truth is so shocking as secrets start to come to light it shakes the fabric of the town to its foundations. The author does emotion really well, it’s a brilliant portrayal of how guilt and grief work away at one’s soul to the point of self destruction. An excellent plot that had me on the edge of my seat with high levels of suspense, tension, multiple twists and a good conclusion. Fantastic read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"The Perfect Accident" Book Review
An Absolute Emotional Rollercoaster
If I could sum up this book in two words, they would be "emotional rollercoaster." This novel is a relentlessly fast-paced mystery thriller that completely consumed my attention from the first page to the last. It's rare for me to consider immediately re-reading a book, but this one is an exception; it's a testament to the author's gripping storytelling that I'd happily dive back in.
The journey is a masterclass in suspense, expertly weaving tension and high-stakes drama that truly earns the "emotional rollercoaster" description. It evokes a thrilling blend of anxiety, and shock with every revelation.
And speaking of revelations: the intricate twist and the ultimate ending were nothing short of brilliantly heart pounding revelation. The finale delivered a powerful, satisfying jolt that completely solidified my high opinion of the book.
I wholeheartedly give this a strong 4 out of 5 stars. Thank you to #NetGalley for providing the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). This is a phenomenal read that I will be enthusiastically recommending to everyone I know.
An Absolute Emotional Rollercoaster
If I could sum up this book in two words, they would be "emotional rollercoaster." This novel is a relentlessly fast-paced mystery thriller that completely consumed my attention from the first page to the last. It's rare for me to consider immediately re-reading a book, but this one is an exception; it's a testament to the author's gripping storytelling that I'd happily dive back in.
The journey is a masterclass in suspense, expertly weaving tension and high-stakes drama that truly earns the "emotional rollercoaster" description. It evokes a thrilling blend of anxiety, and shock with every revelation.
And speaking of revelations: the intricate twist and the ultimate ending were nothing short of brilliantly heart pounding revelation. The finale delivered a powerful, satisfying jolt that completely solidified my high opinion of the book.
I wholeheartedly give this a strong 4 out of 5 stars. Thank you to #NetGalley for providing the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). This is a phenomenal read that I will be enthusiastically recommending to everyone I know.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read The Perfect Accident by Tess Stimson in exchange for an honest review.
This book has a strong and intriguing premise — a prom night on a luxury boat that ends in disaster when it crashes and begins to sink, leaving a group of teenagers and their teachers trapped. 15months later, the story follows the aftermath as questions, secrets, and blame start to surface.
There’s a lot going on in this book, with multiple timelines and several mystery strands running alongside each other. While this does keep things interesting, I did find it a little overwhelming at times. The first half, in particular, felt quite slow and took me a while to fully get into.
That said, I enjoyed the second half much more once the pace picked up and the twists started to come together. There are plenty of reveals, and although some parts felt a bit far-fetched, it did keep me reading to find out how everything would unfold.
Overall, I think I might be in the minority, but while I appreciated the complexity and ideas, the slow start and busy plot meant this wasn’t a standout read for me.
This book has a strong and intriguing premise — a prom night on a luxury boat that ends in disaster when it crashes and begins to sink, leaving a group of teenagers and their teachers trapped. 15months later, the story follows the aftermath as questions, secrets, and blame start to surface.
There’s a lot going on in this book, with multiple timelines and several mystery strands running alongside each other. While this does keep things interesting, I did find it a little overwhelming at times. The first half, in particular, felt quite slow and took me a while to fully get into.
That said, I enjoyed the second half much more once the pace picked up and the twists started to come together. There are plenty of reveals, and although some parts felt a bit far-fetched, it did keep me reading to find out how everything would unfold.
Overall, I think I might be in the minority, but while I appreciated the complexity and ideas, the slow start and busy plot meant this wasn’t a standout read for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This year, for the first time, the high school prom will be he;d on a luxurious cruiser on the lake. Sisters Amy and Iris are excited to be chaperones at the event, seeing their sons all dressed up. It's a proud moment.
But tonight the boat will sink.
As darkness falls, secrets unravel and the air starts to run out, one of the sisters will be forced to make a split-second decision - to save her own son and le her nephew and twenty-one other teenagers drown. And then, a year later, one of the teenagers will wake up from her coma, ready to tell everyone what really happened at the bottom of the lake. And someone needs to keep her quiet - for good.
I was quickly pulled into this story. The story has a dual timeline and it's told from multiple perspectives. The pace is perfectly set. The twists kept coming. It's quite an emotional read. There is a lot going on in this book, it's easy to follow, and it does hold your interest.
Published 23rd April 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Headline and the author #TessStimson for my ARC of #ThePerfectAccident in exchange for an honest review.
But tonight the boat will sink.
As darkness falls, secrets unravel and the air starts to run out, one of the sisters will be forced to make a split-second decision - to save her own son and le her nephew and twenty-one other teenagers drown. And then, a year later, one of the teenagers will wake up from her coma, ready to tell everyone what really happened at the bottom of the lake. And someone needs to keep her quiet - for good.
I was quickly pulled into this story. The story has a dual timeline and it's told from multiple perspectives. The pace is perfectly set. The twists kept coming. It's quite an emotional read. There is a lot going on in this book, it's easy to follow, and it does hold your interest.
Published 23rd April 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #Headline and the author #TessStimson for my ARC of #ThePerfectAccident in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*4.5 stars*
Stowebury - a small town with big secrets!
The high school prom is to be held on a luxurious cruiser on Lake Champlain for the first time ever. Sisters Amy and Iris are thrilled to be chaperones, seeing their sons dressed so smartly, they’re so proud - it’s going to be a great night for all involved. Only sadly it isn’t. Tragically the boat sinks, and one of the sisters has to make a heartbreaking decision - you can’t save everyone, you can save your own son, but it would mean letting your nephew and twenty one teenagers drown.
A full year later, one of the surviving teens wakes from a coma and is determined to tell the world what REALLY happened on that fateful night!
It goes without saying that this is a truly immersive, dark and emotionally charged read. It’s impossible not to be deeply moved by it.
The characters come with their inevitable flaws, fears and ambitions, making them all the more interesting and believable. The twists just kept on coming, and I have no hesitation in recommending “ The Perfect Accident “. A terrific read!
*My thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Stowebury - a small town with big secrets!
The high school prom is to be held on a luxurious cruiser on Lake Champlain for the first time ever. Sisters Amy and Iris are thrilled to be chaperones, seeing their sons dressed so smartly, they’re so proud - it’s going to be a great night for all involved. Only sadly it isn’t. Tragically the boat sinks, and one of the sisters has to make a heartbreaking decision - you can’t save everyone, you can save your own son, but it would mean letting your nephew and twenty one teenagers drown.
A full year later, one of the surviving teens wakes from a coma and is determined to tell the world what REALLY happened on that fateful night!
It goes without saying that this is a truly immersive, dark and emotionally charged read. It’s impossible not to be deeply moved by it.
The characters come with their inevitable flaws, fears and ambitions, making them all the more interesting and believable. The twists just kept on coming, and I have no hesitation in recommending “ The Perfect Accident “. A terrific read!
*My thanks to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
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