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The Girl on the Beach
A missing child tears a family apart in this switchback roller coaster of a psychological thriller that builds to a final, jaw-dropping twist, perfect for fans of Jennifer Hillier and Lisa Lutz.
On the surface, Sonia and Graham Starr were a glamorous couple: She, the sleek entrepreneur; he, the boyishly handsome painter with an irrepressible zest for life. They had everything money can buy and the one thing it can’t—a precious, precocious four-year-old named Roxie. But when Roxie disappears into the Pacific Ocean on a perfect August afternoon, their world crumbles around them.
Months later, Roxie’s twenty-one-year-old former nanny, plagued by guilt and confusion, returns to the Starrs’ beach house on the “American Riviera,” the rarefied stretch of land around Santa Barbara where the mountains meet the sea. Her first night back, she gazes out at the sand, only to see a child who bears a striking resemblance to Roxie. When she calls out, the child runs away.
Colleen never believed that Roxie, who was afraid of the surf, would run into the ocean on her own. Now, she is determined to get to the truth, even if it means facing her greatest fears.
The Girl on the Beach asks us who we trust when we can’t trust ourselves.
On the surface, Sonia and Graham Starr were a glamorous couple: She, the sleek entrepreneur; he, the boyishly handsome painter with an irrepressible zest for life. They had everything money can buy and the one thing it can’t—a precious, precocious four-year-old named Roxie. But when Roxie disappears into the Pacific Ocean on a perfect August afternoon, their world crumbles around them.
Months later, Roxie’s twenty-one-year-old former nanny, plagued by guilt and confusion, returns to the Starrs’ beach house on the “American Riviera,” the rarefied stretch of land around Santa Barbara where the mountains meet the sea. Her first night back, she gazes out at the sand, only to see a child who bears a striking resemblance to Roxie. When she calls out, the child runs away.
Colleen never believed that Roxie, who was afraid of the surf, would run into the ocean on her own. Now, she is determined to get to the truth, even if it means facing her greatest fears.
The Girl on the Beach asks us who we trust when we can’t trust ourselves.
320 pages, Paperback
Published June 23, 2026
About the author
Carol Snow
14 books290 followersCarol Snow is an American author of contemporary fiction and young adult literature. After graduating from Brown University, she spent many years working as a freelance writer and editor. For a time, she wrote essays about motherhood for Salon magazine but wisely stopped before her children were old enough to read.
Eventually, Snow turned her attention to crafting heartfelt stories with wider appeal, and in 2006, Berkley/Penguin published her first novel, Been There, Done That, a Target Bookmarked Breakout selection that Publisher’s Weekly called “humorous, wise . . . romance with a bit of social commentary.” Since then, she has written five more books for adults, Getting Warmer (2007); Here Today, Gone to Maui (2009); Just Like Me, Only Better (2010); and What Came First (2011), which Amazon UK chose as a best book of the month. Her next title, The Girl on the Beach, a psychological thriller, is slated for June 2026 publication.
Snow has also written four young adult novels: Switch (2008), an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant YA Readers; Snap (2009); Bubble World (2013); and The Last Place on Earth (2016). Both Switch and Bubble World were featured as Scholastic Book Club selections for middle grade and high school readers. Foreign rights to Snow's books have sold to publishers in Germany, Norway, Poland, Indonesia, and Hungary.
Carol Snow grew up in New Jersey. Much of her childhood was spent immersed in books; the rest was focused on avoiding dodgeball. As an adult, Carol Snow has lived all over the US as well as in London, England, and Strasbourg, France. She holds a BA in psychology from Brown University and a MAT in English from Boston College. Before getting her first book published, she had the typical (for a writer) assortment of odd jobs: tour guide, tutor, chambermaid, waitress. She worked for a T-shirt company, a child services agency, and a vanity press. She even had a short stint in local politics. Her campaign brochures were really pretty, with flawless punctuation.
Carol Snow currently splits her time between Cape Cod and Southern California. In her free time, she hangs out with her family, reads (of course), cooks, paints, travels, and talks to her cats. Despite Google's claims to the contrary, she is not and has never been a poet.
Eventually, Snow turned her attention to crafting heartfelt stories with wider appeal, and in 2006, Berkley/Penguin published her first novel, Been There, Done That, a Target Bookmarked Breakout selection that Publisher’s Weekly called “humorous, wise . . . romance with a bit of social commentary.” Since then, she has written five more books for adults, Getting Warmer (2007); Here Today, Gone to Maui (2009); Just Like Me, Only Better (2010); and What Came First (2011), which Amazon UK chose as a best book of the month. Her next title, The Girl on the Beach, a psychological thriller, is slated for June 2026 publication.
Snow has also written four young adult novels: Switch (2008), an ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant YA Readers; Snap (2009); Bubble World (2013); and The Last Place on Earth (2016). Both Switch and Bubble World were featured as Scholastic Book Club selections for middle grade and high school readers. Foreign rights to Snow's books have sold to publishers in Germany, Norway, Poland, Indonesia, and Hungary.
Carol Snow grew up in New Jersey. Much of her childhood was spent immersed in books; the rest was focused on avoiding dodgeball. As an adult, Carol Snow has lived all over the US as well as in London, England, and Strasbourg, France. She holds a BA in psychology from Brown University and a MAT in English from Boston College. Before getting her first book published, she had the typical (for a writer) assortment of odd jobs: tour guide, tutor, chambermaid, waitress. She worked for a T-shirt company, a child services agency, and a vanity press. She even had a short stint in local politics. Her campaign brochures were really pretty, with flawless punctuation.
Carol Snow currently splits her time between Cape Cod and Southern California. In her free time, she hangs out with her family, reads (of course), cooks, paints, travels, and talks to her cats. Despite Google's claims to the contrary, she is not and has never been a poet.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 25, 2026
Sue Grafton meets Jane Austen.
Fast-paced and witty, this thriller is more than a beach read. It is filled with plot and suspense, and cleverly divided into before and after chapters.
Characters are deftly sketched and let loose to describe the collision of students and the ultra-wealthy in sun-drenched Santa Barbara county.
I loved the way the author used Fleabag-ish asides to scratch at the fourth wall and ponder the themes of love, loss, family, identity, and art. She skewers ostentatious wealth and the nonsensical pseudophilosophical word salad of the modern art world while simultaneously appreciating the comfort and beauty of both.
Fast-paced and witty, this thriller is more than a beach read. It is filled with plot and suspense, and cleverly divided into before and after chapters.
Characters are deftly sketched and let loose to describe the collision of students and the ultra-wealthy in sun-drenched Santa Barbara county.
I loved the way the author used Fleabag-ish asides to scratch at the fourth wall and ponder the themes of love, loss, family, identity, and art. She skewers ostentatious wealth and the nonsensical pseudophilosophical word salad of the modern art world while simultaneously appreciating the comfort and beauty of both.
Review of advance copy
One moment everything seems simple - napping, getting some work emails finished up. Then the next you hear sirens and screaming on the beach for a little girl who was swallowed by the sea.
If you're heading to the beach this summer and are looking for something that can send a little chill down your spine, you might give this one a shot. This was a solid read; however, the start of it was so-so. I honestly had a hard time placing a timeline for the first few chapters. If you stick with it, you're given a really strong twist that I think you'll really enjoy. I always try to race the story with the "who dunnit?", happy to report I got the right answer this time! However, I certainly didn't plan on the big surprise that this story tossed at us. When one of the reveals happened, there was a healthy amount of time spent with me flipping through pages to find the clues I missed - and that's all the hints I'll give!
Admittedly, this story had an uphill climb since we bounce back-and-forth between present time to the past (which isn't my favorite style of storytelling). There was definitely drifting from the story happening for me when we were tossed into the past. And the Past of Past chapters - completely lost me. And while I wasn't a fan, the choice to write it this way really did work though and I will be the first to admit it is needed for this story. Another strong part was the way Snow used 'show, not tell' techniques were easily in my top favorite take-aways from the entire thing. Best one was, "It is just a few steps from the living room to the bedroom. We leave the window open. A night bird signs." Such a simple moment but I loved this one so much! Even out of context, you can see so much of what was happening. There were a number of others, but it was such a brilliant way of letting us do the work of setting the scenes. This isn't saying description wasn't a great part of the story either. Snow's way of describing everything was very well done. Scenery, interactions, events, all very good! There is a moment when there is ice cream melting on Roxie's hands - I cannot stand that feeling or even seeing it happening - Snow writes, "It flowed ... like lava." ICK! That whole scene was showing the slow moving but dangerous liquid creeping along her hands. Thumbs up for the writing!
Our characters, now that's were is gets a bit tricky. I felt like the conversations were good. No uncomfortable pauses or phrases. Pretty smooth interactions happening between everyone. It just felt like we were kept at an arms length for a majority of what was happening. We gain some depth for a few of them as the story progresses, so I can see where backgrounds were being shown and empathy was being created. But I think I was focused more on trying to place the When things were happening and Who the people where at the different times, that I lost some of the connection moments that were being built. This was far more on me than what was probably in the story. I also never really connected with any particular character. Maybe through the "Before" chapters, there was a building investment there. I just never got a chance to really sink into those moments. I was invested in figuring out the case though!
Definitely a fun read for you guys to give a shot! Especially if you are thriller readers. While this one won't keep you up at night with newly discovered fears. This one will have you casting a cautious gaze around while you're out and about places. Try and see if you can figure out Roxie's cold case. I know I got really into figuring out everything that lead up to Roxie's final moments with the Starr's family. Snow's writing is truly beautiful, I'm just biased toward the story-telling method. Fair warning, when you get finished reading, you're going to want to flip through and find the clues like I did!
I received an ARC in exchange for a free and honest review
If you're heading to the beach this summer and are looking for something that can send a little chill down your spine, you might give this one a shot. This was a solid read; however, the start of it was so-so. I honestly had a hard time placing a timeline for the first few chapters. If you stick with it, you're given a really strong twist that I think you'll really enjoy. I always try to race the story with the "who dunnit?", happy to report I got the right answer this time! However, I certainly didn't plan on the big surprise that this story tossed at us. When one of the reveals happened, there was a healthy amount of time spent with me flipping through pages to find the clues I missed - and that's all the hints I'll give!
Admittedly, this story had an uphill climb since we bounce back-and-forth between present time to the past (which isn't my favorite style of storytelling). There was definitely drifting from the story happening for me when we were tossed into the past. And the Past of Past chapters - completely lost me. And while I wasn't a fan, the choice to write it this way really did work though and I will be the first to admit it is needed for this story. Another strong part was the way Snow used 'show, not tell' techniques were easily in my top favorite take-aways from the entire thing. Best one was, "It is just a few steps from the living room to the bedroom. We leave the window open. A night bird signs." Such a simple moment but I loved this one so much! Even out of context, you can see so much of what was happening. There were a number of others, but it was such a brilliant way of letting us do the work of setting the scenes. This isn't saying description wasn't a great part of the story either. Snow's way of describing everything was very well done. Scenery, interactions, events, all very good! There is a moment when there is ice cream melting on Roxie's hands - I cannot stand that feeling or even seeing it happening - Snow writes, "It flowed ... like lava." ICK! That whole scene was showing the slow moving but dangerous liquid creeping along her hands. Thumbs up for the writing!
Our characters, now that's were is gets a bit tricky. I felt like the conversations were good. No uncomfortable pauses or phrases. Pretty smooth interactions happening between everyone. It just felt like we were kept at an arms length for a majority of what was happening. We gain some depth for a few of them as the story progresses, so I can see where backgrounds were being shown and empathy was being created. But I think I was focused more on trying to place the When things were happening and Who the people where at the different times, that I lost some of the connection moments that were being built. This was far more on me than what was probably in the story. I also never really connected with any particular character. Maybe through the "Before" chapters, there was a building investment there. I just never got a chance to really sink into those moments. I was invested in figuring out the case though!
Definitely a fun read for you guys to give a shot! Especially if you are thriller readers. While this one won't keep you up at night with newly discovered fears. This one will have you casting a cautious gaze around while you're out and about places. Try and see if you can figure out Roxie's cold case. I know I got really into figuring out everything that lead up to Roxie's final moments with the Starr's family. Snow's writing is truly beautiful, I'm just biased toward the story-telling method. Fair warning, when you get finished reading, you're going to want to flip through and find the clues like I did!
I received an ARC in exchange for a free and honest review
Review of advance copy
The Girl on the Beach by Carol Snow is so far the best book I read for 2026. We meet Sonia and Graham Starr. They have an adorable four-year-old daughter Roxie. As both parents have busy careers, Roxie has a baby sitter. One day, while the parents are upstairs in their bedroom thinking the alarm is on, Roxie is alone in the beach house downstairs main room. Her baby sitter Colleen is asleep. She is off duty.
Colleen awakes to screaming parents. They cannot find Roxie. Could Roxie have opened the sliding door to the deck, walked onto the beach, and wandered off into the water? Her new floating device is found further on the beach. Witnesses said they saw a dark head bob in the water until it disappeared.
What follows is how everyone deals with the loss of Roxie. Colleen’s carefree college life before Roxie’s disappearance and her mentally spiraling periods of self-blame and anxiety afterwards, will leave your chest tight and eyes laser-focused on the book. Colleen even goes so far to return to the beach house to find answers, clues, anything. She even tries to swim in the ocean part where Roxie would have drowned if that is what happened.
Carol Snow wrote a psychological thriller that will keep your brain busy long after you turned the last page.
Note: I received an Advance Reader Copy from Fauzia Burke, Founder of FSB Associates, in exchange for an honest review.
Colleen awakes to screaming parents. They cannot find Roxie. Could Roxie have opened the sliding door to the deck, walked onto the beach, and wandered off into the water? Her new floating device is found further on the beach. Witnesses said they saw a dark head bob in the water until it disappeared.
What follows is how everyone deals with the loss of Roxie. Colleen’s carefree college life before Roxie’s disappearance and her mentally spiraling periods of self-blame and anxiety afterwards, will leave your chest tight and eyes laser-focused on the book. Colleen even goes so far to return to the beach house to find answers, clues, anything. She even tries to swim in the ocean part where Roxie would have drowned if that is what happened.
Carol Snow wrote a psychological thriller that will keep your brain busy long after you turned the last page.
Note: I received an Advance Reader Copy from Fauzia Burke, Founder of FSB Associates, in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The story in a few words:
A missing child tears a family apart
Sonia and Graham Starr have everything going for them, a glamorous couple, her an entrepreneur and he a handsome painter with a zest for life. They had everything till the day Roxie, their precious little girl, disappears into the Pacific Ocean one August afternoon…..Months later when Roxie’s nanny plagued by guilt returns to the Starr’s beach house the family drama turns into a roller coaster ride…
My thoughts in a few words:
This psychological thriller had my brain spinning in circle trying to keep up with it. It is definitely originally said switching back and forth at each chapter telling what happened” Before” and then “After” the incident slowly unraveling the Starr secrets and it went on and on this way till the very end. My head is still spinning….No doubts the presentation is original and it is well said although this format didn’t appeal to me and failed to hold my full attention. I thought abandoning it many times but no I stayed with it till the conclusion which I still have trouble figuring what happened. Too many characters, too many back and forth, too many what not and voilà I still wonder what I read.
Ok don’t take my words many have giving this story high praise so as always, I urge you to judge for yourself, you may love it or as I, not so much.
My thanks to Fauzia Burke, Founder of FSB Associates for this ARC in exchange for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.
A missing child tears a family apart
Sonia and Graham Starr have everything going for them, a glamorous couple, her an entrepreneur and he a handsome painter with a zest for life. They had everything till the day Roxie, their precious little girl, disappears into the Pacific Ocean one August afternoon…..Months later when Roxie’s nanny plagued by guilt returns to the Starr’s beach house the family drama turns into a roller coaster ride…
My thoughts in a few words:
This psychological thriller had my brain spinning in circle trying to keep up with it. It is definitely originally said switching back and forth at each chapter telling what happened” Before” and then “After” the incident slowly unraveling the Starr secrets and it went on and on this way till the very end. My head is still spinning….No doubts the presentation is original and it is well said although this format didn’t appeal to me and failed to hold my full attention. I thought abandoning it many times but no I stayed with it till the conclusion which I still have trouble figuring what happened. Too many characters, too many back and forth, too many what not and voilà I still wonder what I read.
Ok don’t take my words many have giving this story high praise so as always, I urge you to judge for yourself, you may love it or as I, not so much.
My thanks to Fauzia Burke, Founder of FSB Associates for this ARC in exchange for my thoughts: this is the way I see it.
June 25, 2026
Solid Enough Psychological Suspense Can Be Confusing At Times. This is one of those psychological suspense thrillers where you truly begin to question even your own sanity as a reader... yet the choice to alternate "before" and "after" the way this book does can be quite jarring and even outright confusing at times. It does ultimately resolve itself, but it takes a fair amount of concentration to get there - if you're a "second screen" type of movie watcher, know that this book is going to be far more demanding than to allow you to do that here.
For what it is though, it really is quite compelling, with a solid mystery behind it and a *lot* of drama. Spicier than the "clean"/ "sweet" crowd will want without going into erotica territory, and with at least hints of things that some will find titillating and others will want nothing whatsoever to do with - *maybe* to the point of defenestration desires, but I suspect that someone who would defenestrate this book over those aspects would have long before defenestrated it over the spicy scenes alone. Still, there are at least other aspects that people of differing ideologies won't like... which actually makes this book so much better for the rest of us. ;)
Overall a solid book in its field that fans of this genre will likely enjoy, though those new to the genre may find a touch difficult.
Very much recommended.
For what it is though, it really is quite compelling, with a solid mystery behind it and a *lot* of drama. Spicier than the "clean"/ "sweet" crowd will want without going into erotica territory, and with at least hints of things that some will find titillating and others will want nothing whatsoever to do with - *maybe* to the point of defenestration desires, but I suspect that someone who would defenestrate this book over those aspects would have long before defenestrated it over the spicy scenes alone. Still, there are at least other aspects that people of differing ideologies won't like... which actually makes this book so much better for the rest of us. ;)
Overall a solid book in its field that fans of this genre will likely enjoy, though those new to the genre may find a touch difficult.
Very much recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3/5 ⭐️ - unfortunately I feel like this thriller was just a bit too long and the twist or reveal wasn’t really that much of a surprise.
(Thank you Crooked Lane Books for the ARC, all thoughts are my own)
I was actually flying through this book The first about 40%, I found the writing really easy to read and the story interesting. A nanny is working for a rich family, their child goes missing and is presumed drowned in the ocean until one day the nanny goes back to the house and feels like she sees the young girl alive on the beach. And then in a split timeline before the girl went missing and after.
I feel like there was a lot of unnecessary scenes, added with the nanny and the husband and their relationship, it really didn’t add much to the story in my opinion. Also, I’m not sure if the author tried to write our female main character this way to make her a little bit unlikable or if it’s the thoughts of the author herself, but often our FMC would describe women she didn’t like as looking “mannish” and had absolutely no problem calling people fat as a negative attribute. It was just kind of weird and not my style of description.
Overall, this book is just OK. It’s nothing spectacular and will probably leave my mind quickly.
(Thank you Crooked Lane Books for the ARC, all thoughts are my own)
I was actually flying through this book The first about 40%, I found the writing really easy to read and the story interesting. A nanny is working for a rich family, their child goes missing and is presumed drowned in the ocean until one day the nanny goes back to the house and feels like she sees the young girl alive on the beach. And then in a split timeline before the girl went missing and after.
I feel like there was a lot of unnecessary scenes, added with the nanny and the husband and their relationship, it really didn’t add much to the story in my opinion. Also, I’m not sure if the author tried to write our female main character this way to make her a little bit unlikable or if it’s the thoughts of the author herself, but often our FMC would describe women she didn’t like as looking “mannish” and had absolutely no problem calling people fat as a negative attribute. It was just kind of weird and not my style of description.
Overall, this book is just OK. It’s nothing spectacular and will probably leave my mind quickly.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a gripping psychological thriller 😭 I was hooked from the start and genuinely struggled to put it down.
The dual timeline structure (Before/After) worked really well for building tension and slowly revealing what really happened with the Starr family during that summer. It kept me constantly guessing and second-guessing everything I thought I knew.
I also really liked how layered the characters felt. The themes around class, privilege, success, and guilt added a lot of depth to the mystery, especially through Colleen’s perspective as she tries to uncover the truth while carrying so much emotional weight.
The Santa Barbara setting added such a vivid, almost unsettling contrast—beautiful on the surface, but hiding something much darker underneath 🌊
And the twist?? I genuinely didn’t see it coming.
✨ what to expect ✨
🖤 Psychological thriller
🌊 Beach setting with dark undertones
⏳ Dual timeline (Before/After)
🔍 Mystery + secrets
💔 Guilt & emotional tension
⚡ Fast-paced suspense
😱 Jaw-dropping twist
This one kept me guessing the entire time and is exactly the kind of thriller that makes you question everything (and everyone) around you 🫣
The dual timeline structure (Before/After) worked really well for building tension and slowly revealing what really happened with the Starr family during that summer. It kept me constantly guessing and second-guessing everything I thought I knew.
I also really liked how layered the characters felt. The themes around class, privilege, success, and guilt added a lot of depth to the mystery, especially through Colleen’s perspective as she tries to uncover the truth while carrying so much emotional weight.
The Santa Barbara setting added such a vivid, almost unsettling contrast—beautiful on the surface, but hiding something much darker underneath 🌊
And the twist?? I genuinely didn’t see it coming.
✨ what to expect ✨
🖤 Psychological thriller
🌊 Beach setting with dark undertones
⏳ Dual timeline (Before/After)
🔍 Mystery + secrets
💔 Guilt & emotional tension
⚡ Fast-paced suspense
😱 Jaw-dropping twist
This one kept me guessing the entire time and is exactly the kind of thriller that makes you question everything (and everyone) around you 🫣
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I found this to be a gripping psychological thriller that kept me second guessing everyone from start to finish. What I loved most was how morally complex the characters were. There were no clear heroes or villains, which made the story feel unsettlingly real.
The author builds a strong atmosphere of tension against the beautiful yet eerie backdrop of Santa Barbara, while themes of anxiety, grief and hidden secrets add genuine emotional depth. Although the dual timelines and large cast occasionally made the story feel a bit fragmented, the gradual unraveling of the mystery kept me hooked.
The ending was shocking, cleverly executed and not something I saw coming. If you enjoy character driven psychological suspense filled with dark secrets, unreliable perspectives and twists that linger in your mind long after you finish reading, this one is well worth picking up.
Rating:- 4.5/5
#TheGirlontheBeach #NetGalley
The author builds a strong atmosphere of tension against the beautiful yet eerie backdrop of Santa Barbara, while themes of anxiety, grief and hidden secrets add genuine emotional depth. Although the dual timelines and large cast occasionally made the story feel a bit fragmented, the gradual unraveling of the mystery kept me hooked.
The ending was shocking, cleverly executed and not something I saw coming. If you enjoy character driven psychological suspense filled with dark secrets, unreliable perspectives and twists that linger in your mind long after you finish reading, this one is well worth picking up.
Rating:- 4.5/5
#TheGirlontheBeach #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Graham and Sonia Starr are a power couple who seem to have everything, including and adorable little girl named Roxie. Until she disappears - lost to the water near their beach town home.
But something about the story doesn't quite add up. Especially since Roxie's nanny Colleen, haunted by guilt, still wonders how a child who was afraid of the breakers would go into that water willingly.
A year later, when she spots a little girl who looks remarkably like Roxie nearby the Starrs' lavish Santa Barbara home one moonlit night, she realised that intuition may not have been entirely wrong...
But what is the real story here?
This is an absorbing and emotional mystery, and will be enjoyed by most readers.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
But something about the story doesn't quite add up. Especially since Roxie's nanny Colleen, haunted by guilt, still wonders how a child who was afraid of the breakers would go into that water willingly.
A year later, when she spots a little girl who looks remarkably like Roxie nearby the Starrs' lavish Santa Barbara home one moonlit night, she realised that intuition may not have been entirely wrong...
But what is the real story here?
This is an absorbing and emotional mystery, and will be enjoyed by most readers.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
June 24, 2026
Colleen takes a nanny job for a couple and their young daughter, Roxie. When Roxie drowns in the ocean, both her parents and Colleen are devastated. Struggling with her grief, Colleen returns to the beach house and believes she sees Roxie on the shore. Convinced that Roxie may somehow still be alive, she begins a search for answers. I really liked the premise of this one, and I enjoyed the author's writing style. However, it took a long time to reach the resolution, and I felt there was quite a bit of unnecessary filler in the middle of the story. While the mystery kept me interested enough to keep reading, the pacing dragged at times. Overall, it was an intriguing concept, but I wish the plot had moved along a little faster. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader’s copy.
June 8, 2026
𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗽𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀? 𝗢𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼! 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵…
I loved the dual timeline of “Before” and “After”, it was such a clever choice to add to the paranoia and suspense that you feel through our main character, the nanny Colleen as she tries to figure out what happened to her young charge Roxie. This is a slow build that makes you start questioning every character in the book, and challenging who can be trusted..which makes for a perfect psychological thriller experience! And a good twist..that’s every reader’s chefs kiss!
3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I loved the dual timeline of “Before” and “After”, it was such a clever choice to add to the paranoia and suspense that you feel through our main character, the nanny Colleen as she tries to figure out what happened to her young charge Roxie. This is a slow build that makes you start questioning every character in the book, and challenging who can be trusted..which makes for a perfect psychological thriller experience! And a good twist..that’s every reader’s chefs kiss!
3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Review of advance copy
Looking for your next exciting summer read? 🌊👀
The Girl on the Beach by Carol Snow is filled with psychological suspense. With a non-linear, dual-timeline plot and an atmosphere dripping with paranoia, it builds to a final, jaw-dropping twist.
It is officially my pick for this year's top summer beach read! ☀️📖
My Review
**Thank you to Fauzia Burke of FSB Associates for the gifted ARC for review consideration.
The Girl on the Beach by Carol Snow is filled with psychological suspense. With a non-linear, dual-timeline plot and an atmosphere dripping with paranoia, it builds to a final, jaw-dropping twist.
It is officially my pick for this year's top summer beach read! ☀️📖
My Review
**Thank you to Fauzia Burke of FSB Associates for the gifted ARC for review consideration.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This novel is a propulsive, gripping psychological suspense novel that hooked me from the start. I loved how the story alternates between "Before" and "After" chapters, slowly unraveling the secrets of the Starr family during that fateful summer and Colleen's desperate search for the truth in the present. It's a fast-paced mystery set in the gorgeous Santa Barbara that builds to a truly jaw-dropping twist. It's very well written, and you won't guess the ending.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed the psychological thrills from this book. All of the characters were so good and well developed and the overall plot of class/success with a tragedy and a nanny who feels guilty was top tier. I could barely put this book down. This book makes you think twice about who you trust. Definitely will read this one again and again. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is the perfect summer thriller beach read. This book had me turning pages from page one. If you enjoy a domestic thriller or suspense, I would be sure to give this a try when it is published on June 23rd. The characters were well developed and the atmosphere was perfect. I sure did not see the twist coming. Thank you to the publisher, Crooked Lane Books for the gifted copy.
4.5 stars!
4.5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I liked the plot, setting, and enjoyed the story overall. The low score is because I didn't realize the book was told from multiple points of view until the end. Each chapter was simply titled Before and After. It would have been helpful for characters names to be included beneath the chapter titles.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The twist got me like 🤯 You know that moment you're reading and you get to a twist. You're like "Wait, what? WHAT? WOAH!!!!"
I have been left gobsmacked to this level two other times. Gone Girl and Look Closer. Bravo Carol Snow👏
This was a captivating, propulsive story. The writing was excellent, I am always a sucker for dual timelines. I truly loved everything about this book!
I have been left gobsmacked to this level two other times. Gone Girl and Look Closer. Bravo Carol Snow👏
This was a captivating, propulsive story. The writing was excellent, I am always a sucker for dual timelines. I truly loved everything about this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy.
This is a compelling and suspenseful read about a little girl who drowns and her babysitter who is convinced she is still alive.
As a librarian, it is absolutely a thriller I will recommend to customers looking for a spine tingling page turner.
This is a compelling and suspenseful read about a little girl who drowns and her babysitter who is convinced she is still alive.
As a librarian, it is absolutely a thriller I will recommend to customers looking for a spine tingling page turner.
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