Incidentals: A Novel

by Sheila Yasmin Marikar

A couple’s luxury vacation in the Maldives takes a sinister turn when they’re befriended by two strangers in a twisty and darkly comic novel by the author of Friends in Napa.

Sarah and Sam have lost the very spark that brought them together. In an effort to save their marriage, they embark on an anniversary trip to the Maldives where a week at a luxury resort might remind them of why they fell in love. On the plane, they meet Krista and Kevin, a happy older, exceptionally generous couple headed to the same destination and eager to make vacation friends. They could be just the marriage mentors Sarah and Sam need.

But when a dead body is pulled from the crystalline waters only days into the vacation, a dark pall is cast over the sunny coral isles. The official story is a tragic accident. But that doesn’t sit right with Sarah, who senses something off. What could these very wealthy, too-fast friends possibly want from a modest couple like them?

The answers could destroy what’s left of her marriage. Then again, a murder in the Maldives might be the best thing that ever happened to it.

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Fiction

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 31, 2026

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Incidentals by Sheila Yasmin Marikar is a twisty, sun-soaked thriller set in the Maldives. Sarah and Sam head there to save their marriage and end up befriending another couple who seem too good to be true. Then a body washes up, and the whole trip takes a dark turn.

It’s glamorous, tense, and a little bit White Lotus—a fun mix of vacation escapism and slow-burn suspense. I really enjoyed the characters and the way their relationships shifted as the story went on. Some parts were predictable, but overall it’s an entertaining, fast read perfect for a weekend or beach trip.

Definitely will be looking at more of her books !!

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the Arc !!!

[Erin McInnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked this book! From the plot to the setting, I kinda wanted to be along for the ride. As a fan of crime writing, I would have preferred a bit more of 'investigation' talk but I understand why it wasnt present here. I too am now dying to fly Emirates and stay in a hut on the water! As for the characters, I immediately started to dislike Sarah and wanted to shake her loose of the superficiality. Sam had a way of making me feel sorry for him but he also wasnt helping himself in the situation. I was very happy to see the character arcs and it end with them on the same page. Feel like the author left room for a sequel, which i would totally read.

[Trisha]

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[lami ☆ [eyes on palestine] · Rating 3 out of 5]

⋆ ׁ── three stars🪴
I’m somewhat disappointed. Maybe I set too high an expectation in my ability to pick five-star arcs, or maybe under all the issues with this, there’s a pretty great novel. Then again, I might just be trying to massage my bruised ego.

A marriage in crisis, a destination vacation, and a little side-mystery. Sounds like it’d make a promising novel, and it could have. Incidentals follows a couple — Sam and Sarah— on a last-ditch vacation, trying to save what's left of their marriage during their anniversary week. Sam’s used all their travel points to make this expensive trip happen. He’s got an itinerary and all. But, Sarah, who’s mad at him for very valid reasons, is less than enthusiastic until, of course, they meet Krista and Kevin on the plane. Older, wiser and stupendously wealthy, they’re everything Sarah envisions for her own marriage. But when someone ends up dead barely after they arrive at their vacation, they have to reevaluate their friendship with these strangers, and what’s most important to them.

The plot is so good, I just wish it were fleshed out more. A significant portion of the book was spent pre-death, and the rest of the book suffered from not being given enough room to breathe. That, and the fact that they kept honing in on Krista and Kevin being suspicious. Those made the plot twist (I would barely call it a plot twist) so predictable. I’d been able to map out an idea of what had happened, and I was so on the nose, I might have been in the author’s head when she wrote it.

But, I will say, although I didn’t form a connection with the characters, I liked how Sam and Sarah were characterised. Sarah, the fallen journalist, whose reputation is essentially dust, and can’t help but compare and envy other women of colour around her. And Sam, the typical good boy who doesn’t know how to stand up to his father and forge a path for himself, and in the process of conforming, ruins every other good thing in his life.

Maybe with another 100 pages, this would have been a good read. Unfortunately, it’s just okay. The ending was a letdown, honestly, because when I swiped for the next chapter and saw the epilogue, you could not imagine my surprise.

I want to express a very heartfelt appreciation to NetGalley, Little A, and Sheila Yasmin Marikar for sending me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

I found Incidentals to be a 5 star fun-filled ride!

📚 Sheila Yasmin Marikar’s Incidentals is a sun-drenched psychological thriller that lures readers into paradise only to unravel its glossy veneer with a wicked twist. Set against the idyllic backdrop of the Maldives, this novel is a cocktail of marital malaise, social satire, and slow-burning suspense—served with a slice of dark humor.

💔 Sarah and Sam, the central couple, arrive at a luxury resort hoping to rekindle their fading spark. Their relationship is frayed, their conversations brittle, and their silences louder than the ocean breeze. Enter Krista and Kevin, an older, exuberantly generous couple who seem too good to be true. Their arrival injects energy into the narrative—and tension into the marriage. Are they saviors, or something more sinister?

🌀 Marikar masterfully builds unease. A dead body surfaces days into the vacation, and what was once a romantic escape becomes a claustrophobic descent into suspicion and manipulation. The novel doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore; instead, it thrives on psychological dissonance and the creeping realization that paradise can be a prison.

🎭 What sets Incidentals apart is its biting wit. Marikar skewers the performative nature of vacation friendships, the curated perfection of Instagram-ready lives, and the transactional dynamics of modern relationships. Her prose is sharp, her dialogue crackling with subtext, and her characters flawed in ways that feel uncomfortably familiar.

🌴 Incidentals is not just a beach read—it’s a beach reckoning. It asks what we’re really escaping when we flee to paradise, and whether the people we meet there are reflections of who we are… or who we fear becoming. Marikar’s latest is a stylish, unsettling gem that will leave readers questioning every friendly smile and every sunset selfie.

Recommended for fans of Ottessa Moshfegh, Lisa Jewell, and anyone who enjoys their thrillers with a twist of satire and a splash of saltwater.

[Laura Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Luxury travel takes a wicked twist in the book, Incidentals, written by Sheila Yasmin Marikar, and being published by Little A, New York, March 31, 2026.
Who hasn't seen a picture of an over the water bungalow and thought, "I'd love to go there!" Such a romantic setting, the perfect place to work to rekindle a marriage. At least that was what Sam thought, as he cashed in all his points to take his wife Sarah on a once in a lifetime vacation to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.
From the start of the vacation, the reader is made aware that Sam and Sarah are at odds in their lives and marriage. Sarah does not want the vacation and Sam wants to escape his life in an exotic tropical paradise. I was hooked from the beginning of the book as I got to know the couple and their struggles. Early in their luxury flight, they meet, Krista and Kevin, first class travelers that seem to have everything money can buy and more. What looks to be a comrade and instant friend to Sarah, becomes an immediate annoyance to Sam, until a death in the Maldives throws the entire vacation into turmoil and intrigue.
I liked the concept of the story and the setting. However, what started as a fun read grew tiring half way through. It felt as though there was a constant rehashing of the same issues and when the climatic event was revealed, it was rushed and lacked zest.
There were definitely parts that I enjoyed in the novel Incidentals, but I felt like Marikar pushed through to complete the book, but lost enthusiasm that was felt in the onset. Due to that, I will have to give it 3 stars. Yet, I look forward to reading more of Marikar's work as I did enjoy her story overall.
Thank you NetGalley, Little A and Sheila Yasmin Marikar for an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Stavroula Kalantzis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incidentals was a great read from the get go. The day to day ordeals of a married couple who decide to go on vacation to the Maldives is woven into the plot line in a tellingly descriptive manner played out with comedic displays of the “he said/she said” variety drawing the reader into their ongoing conflicts and their messed up lives; the story features another couple, Krista and Kevin who get acquainted with Sam and Sarah in midair while travelling to the Maldives with other minor characters from the Jala resort introduced on the fringe. The evolution of the couples’ friendship is normative and on a good footing but the author soon reveals Sam’s burgeoning suspicion that all is not right with the Kings. It becomes clear that Krista and Kevin are acting strangely and there are connotations of extramarital activities of the unusual kind associated to them. Sam and Sarah are then immersed into a furtive investigation that will bring them together to figure out the situation which will involve an incident that arises when Krista suddenly disappears. The issues that Sarah and Sam each face - the former dealing with potential motherhood, her neediness to be liked at all costs, her job, and lack of friendships and the latter dealing with his insecurity issues in dealing with his father, his gambling and drinking habits, are well described and brims with drama, suspense whilst eliciting the sympathy of the reader in advocating for their eventual reconciliation. They were a lost couple who were on the brink of divorce but somehow found their way back to each other. I couldn’t help but root for them. An exceptional well written novel by an outstanding author. I can’t wait to read more of her books in the near future.

[Liv Weaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah and Sam are in the trenches. Not literally; just their marriage. They're actually embarking on a luxurious vacation to the Maldives, in hopes of finding some spark that will bring them back together. Off to a rough start before even stepping foot on the plane, they end up meeting Krista and Kevin - a seemingly perfect couple who take Sarah and Sam under their incredibly generous wings. How serendipitous. Only... something seems off with Krista and Kevin. Too nice? Too rich? Too perfect?

When a body washes up to shore on day 1 of their island vacation, Sarah and Sam's world becomes even more complicated than when they arrived. Could a murder in the Maldives be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for this couple, or is it maybe just the thing they need for a happy ending?

Incidentals by Sheila Yasmin Marikar was just what the doctor ordered when it comes to anything teetering on the mystery/thriller genres. In a world where plot twists have become too predictable and themes are overdone, Incidentals stands out. It intrigued me from start to finish, and at no point did I know where we were headed next.

If you're like me and find yourself often bored with the mystery/thriller best sellers you see all over the internet, give Incidentals a try. This was a fun, original, and character driven novel with a unique plot twist.

[Madeline Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! Incidentals follows a married couple's vacation to the Maldives where they befriend a couple that they might later regret. Sheila Yasmin Marikar created the perfect thriller to read while you are on a vacation!

I cannot express how much I loved the writing in this novel. The writing style felt more literary fiction, even though it as a thriller. I adored everything about that. I think it added more substance to the story. Being able to give the detail that Sheila Yasmin Marikar did made the reading process entertaining.

The beginning intrigued me immediately. I loved the humor that the author added in the very beginning. She shared a story of the couple we were following, and it gave me a good idea of the couple's dynamic. Sam and Sarah were very different, and we needed to understand this for the story. Not to mention, we will see how their marriage unravels during this plot.

It was not rated higher because I did start to lose the high level of interest that was present in the beginning. The story felt slow, but I think this was due to the way of writing that I mentioned prior. Overall, this was a great introduction to Sheila Yasmin Marikar!

Thank you NetGalley, Little A, and Sheila Yasmin Marikar for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Incidentals is released on March 31, 2026!

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a thriller of sorts if you can get past the bickering unhappy couple, Sam and Sarah, who open the book. The premise is all there, the twists make the ending good, but what happens in between is exhausting.

Sam and Sarah are taking an all-inclusive trip to the Maldives to renew their dithering marriage. They meet an older couple, Krista and Kevin, on the plane. A friendship between Krista and Sarah ensues but Sam just has off vibes with the couple. When Krista turns up missing, Sam and Sarah realize something isn’t right. At this point the story takes off and it’s pretty good from there on. Sam and Sarah investigate and what a twist!

This is a character-driven novel but the characters are awful! Sarah wants to punish her husband and I’m not sure where Sam’s head is except in a bottle. These two couples could drink themselves to death. I think the author had a great idea but in trying to show a couple trying to repair their marriage, but she created a couple in need of a divorce.

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Little A for allowing me to read this ARC.

[Angela Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

When Sarah and Sam go on vacation to save their failing marriage, they don’t expect to befriend a mysterious, too-perfect couple- let alone witness a tragic death that pulls them into something far darker than they imagined.

As a mystery lover, I was immediately intrigued by the premise. While the pacing felt a bit slow at first, once the story hit its midpoint and the tension ramped up I found myself drawn in. I did predict the ending, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying the journey- it delivered the kind of domestic suspense and unease I was hoping for.

What really stood out to me was the refreshing Indian representation and cultural nuance woven naturally into the narrative. It added a layer of authenticity and depth I really appreciated.

Overall, this is a fun, quick read that I ended up enjoying. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by Sheila.

[Isla · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Incidentals' follows a love-lost couple as they attempt to repair their marriage by going on an all-out luxury holiday. It delves super briefly into class relations as the couple meet a older and more wealthy couple that they are both envious and enamoured by. When Krista, the wealthy woman, goes missing the couple seem inextricably linked.

These book had a super fun concept and the set up (which lasted 50%) was actually engaging and made me interested in the characters. Although super repetitive. There was lots of side plots integrated in the beginning that was not returned to. Instead, like most of the plot rushed or forgotten about. I couldn't believe that we didn't actually see an ending or the mystery unfolded and instead was given a rushed epilogue. With all the build up of the characters the fallout and conclusion to their relationship status made no sense.

Thank you to #netgalley for the ARC of #incidentals.

2.5 stars

[Chloe Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when you find a book that you can just absolutely fly through but I was screaming for Sarah and Sam to get on the same page, I find it so frustrating when you read from multiple POVs and they just aren’t communicating.

I was a bit disappointed that there wasn’t more sleuthing which is why I dropped a star, for me usually the theorising is the best bit but I absolutely loved the description of the resort in the Maldives and the emirates flight and I could really visualise it.

The ending wrapped up a bit too quickly and easily but it was still an enjoyable read. I feel like this is a perfect pallet cleanser or poolside read and I highly recommend grabbing a copy when it’s released in March.

Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC (Advance Reader Copy) of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions shared are completely my own.

[Yael · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately a DNF.
From the book's description:
"couple’s luxury vacation in the Maldives takes a sinister turn when they’re befriended by two strangers in a twisty and darkly comic novel by the author of Friends in Napa"
And while I guess maybe it will take a sinister turn and maybe I could be surprised or amused, it makes absolutely no sense that in a book with a premise like this, no twist, no death and no "darkly comic" things have happened by the 50% mark. Maybe it gets better but idk cause I can't bear to continue reading this one.
-------------------------------------------------------------
currently at the 34% mark. They *just* arrived at the hotel for their vacation. I'm sorry but is that not insane?? This pacing it absolutely atrocious me thinks???

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incidentals started off a bit slow, and I didn’t really get hooked until about 20% in. But once the story found its groove, I was all in. Sheila Marikar did a great job bringing the characters, especially Sarah and Sam, to life. By the end, I felt like I really knew who they were. The writing was sharp, and I loved all the little details that tied everything together. Overall, it turned into an enjoyable read and totally worth sticking with, even if it took a little while to build momentum.

Thank you to the author Sheila Marikar, the publisher Little A, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

[Brandi Riedford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it. I would describe it as a domestic drama with an up close and personal look at a crumbling marriage.
This book is hard to describe but if you love the White Lotus this book will be a pleasant way to fill that void.
This is told from both Sarah and Sam’s POV but they do not alternate chapters so that was sometimes a bit disorienting to suddenly be in someone else’s head.
The characters were not really likeable but very believable.
I had a great time with this book, it kept me engaged and I never really knew where it was going so it kept me hooked.
I’m off to look for this author’s backlist.

[Mehek · Rating 4 out of 5]

received an ARC through NetGalley! it’s not quite a thriller, more about two highly dysfunctional people and partners in a tense, beachy place working to find their way to their best - after all, what relationship can’t be fixed with a vacation? it’s thoughtful, darkly funny, has a touch of one of my all time favorite subgenre of rich people doing insane things, and I very much enjoyed both main characters, even when they were being dicks. sam and sarah truly embody the concept of seeing every side of each other and having to choose to find your way to the good. will be adding the author’s other books to my tbr!

[Calli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Incidentals was a quick read, perfect for a beach day. I literally finished reading it in a day.
There were some thrillery twists but the pay-off at the end wasn't enough to bring this book full circle. Also, the plot twists were fairly predictable. The main characters Sam and Sarah were extremely shallow, and although we got some funny and sincere moments between them it wasn't enough to get me fully invested. The writing style was fun but I think the book could've been longer to really go into depth on the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

[Kimberly Tierney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review:
This book started so strongly; it was engaging and compelling, but then it just went downhill. By about the 40% point, the tropes were becoming unbearable, and by the 60% mark, I felt like I was watching a Lifetime made-for-TV movie, and that is not a pleasant reading experience for me. I wish it had been less trope-filled and a bit more creative, as I think the story would have remained enjoyable.

[Allison Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sam and Sarah take an Anniversary trip to the Maldives after a rocky year of marriage. While in first class a wealthy couple befriends them and makes plans to see them on the island.
Dazzled by them, they agree to dinner and outings. But several twists and turns and one dead body later, their true identity comes to light and they must race to find out the truth.
There were some fun parts but overall it didn’t hold my interest. Thank you for the eARC.

[tahia · Rating 3 out of 5]

a lighthearted thriller about a middle aged indian couple that are fighting their own battles as they attempt to rekindle their romance on a holiday getaway thats not all sunshine and blue skies as it first appears to be …

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

twistily intense book about a couple who befriends another couple on vacation before things begin to take a far more sinister turn. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.