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The Chaperones
Not yet published
Expected 1 Dec 26From the internationally bestselling author of
The Water Lies
comes a propulsive psychological thriller about privileged parents and their kids on an idyllic camping trip that turns deadly.
The third-grade parents at the elite Chester School don’t do anything small—not their drama and certainly not their end-of-year trips. As they set out to the remote island of Santa Cruz off the coast of Southern California, where the only amenity is running water and help is a ninety-minute boat ride away, they may have finally gotten in over their heads.
Stranded by a sudden storm, the chaperones wake to find two children missing from their tents.
The search for the boys leads to a body—and a surfacing of secrets that were meant to stay buried.
Because there’s someone else on the island. Someone with secrets of their own. Someone who shouldn’t be there. And has every reason to stay.
The Chaperones is a locked room thriller that will keep listeners guessing about who’s dead and who’s capable of murder, and whose secrets started it all.
The third-grade parents at the elite Chester School don’t do anything small—not their drama and certainly not their end-of-year trips. As they set out to the remote island of Santa Cruz off the coast of Southern California, where the only amenity is running water and help is a ninety-minute boat ride away, they may have finally gotten in over their heads.
Stranded by a sudden storm, the chaperones wake to find two children missing from their tents.
The search for the boys leads to a body—and a surfacing of secrets that were meant to stay buried.
Because there’s someone else on the island. Someone with secrets of their own. Someone who shouldn’t be there. And has every reason to stay.
The Chaperones is a locked room thriller that will keep listeners guessing about who’s dead and who’s capable of murder, and whose secrets started it all.
363 pages, Paperback
Expected publication December 1, 2026
About the author
Amy Meyerson
5 books1,212 followersAmy Meyerson is the internationally bestselling author of The Water Lies, The Bookshop of Yesterdays, The Imperfects, and The Love Scribe. Her books are being translated into over a dozen languages and are frequently chosen for best-of lists, including lists from Good Morning America, People Magazine, Publishers Weekly, The Christian Science Monitor, Library Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Texas Library Association’s Lariat List, among others. Meyerson completed her graduate work in creative writing at the University of Southern California, where she now teaches in the writing department. Her next suspense novel, The Chaperones, will be published by Thomas & Mercer.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Chaperones immediately caught my attention with its intriguing combination of a remote island, missing children, a murder, and a group of privileged parents who clearly have more secrets than they are willing to reveal. I particularly enjoy psychological thrillers where an apparently ordinary situation gradually becomes darker and more complicated, and this story certainly delivers that atmosphere. What initially looks like an end-of-year camping trip for the children of an elite school quickly turns into a terrifying survival situation. The isolated setting and the presence of someone who should not be on the island made me curious from the beginning, and I found myself constantly wondering what secrets were going to surface next.
The plot is built around a very effective thriller premise. The third-grade parents from Chester School take their children to the remote Santa Cruz Island, expecting a memorable camping trip, but a sudden storm leaves them stranded. When they wake up and discover that two boys are missing from their tents, the situation becomes frightening enough, but the discovery of a body transforms the trip into a murder investigation. What I enjoyed most was that the mystery isn't limited to finding the killer or the missing children; it also involves uncovering the secrets these parents have been carrying with them. The revelation that someone else is hiding on the island adds another fascinating layer to the mystery. There were enough unanswered questions and suspicious circumstances to keep me engaged and guessing.
The characterization was another strong aspect for me. I liked the fact that the characters aren't presented simply as innocent parents caught in an unfortunate situation. Their relationships, rivalries, insecurities, and secrets gradually become important to the story. The privileged-school environment also adds an interesting dimension because these are people who are accustomed to comfort, control, and social status, yet suddenly find themselves completely powerless. I enjoyed watching their behaviour change as fear and suspicion began to take over. The situation forces them to reveal aspects of themselves that they would probably prefer to keep hidden, making it increasingly difficult to decide whom to trust. For me, that uncertainty surrounding the characters was one of the most compelling parts of the story.
The setting is probably what I found most atmospheric. A remote island with almost no amenities, a ninety-minute boat ride from help, and a sudden storm is practically the perfect setting for a psychological thriller. The island creates a sense of claustrophobia despite being surrounded by open water. There is nowhere easy to escape, no immediate help, and no certainty about who else might be present. I loved the contrast between the supposedly idyllic camping trip and the increasingly sinister atmosphere. The beautiful, isolated environment gradually becomes threatening, and the storm almost feels like a physical representation of the secrets and tension building among the characters.
In terms of pacing and writing style, I found the story suitably suspenseful and easy to get into. The author gradually introduces questions rather than revealing everything at once, which encouraged me to keep reading and reassessing my suspicions. The writing creates tension through the combination of short-term urgency—the missing children and the body—with the slower revelation of the characters' secrets. I also appreciated the way the mystery keeps shifting the reader's attention from one possibility to another. There are moments when you think you understand what is happening, only for another piece of information to make you question that conclusion. The writing is particularly effective at creating an atmosphere of paranoia, where almost everyone seems capable of hiding something.
Overall, The Chaperones was an engaging psychological thriller for me, particularly because of its combination of murder, missing children, secrets, privileged parents, and an isolated setting. I enjoyed the gradual unraveling of the mystery and the way the island amplified the characters' fear and suspicion. More than anything, I liked the central idea that people who appear to know each other well can still have enormous secrets hidden beneath the surface. The story kept me questioning who was trustworthy, who was protecting someone, and how far those buried secrets would eventually lead. If you enjoy atmospheric psychological thrillers with a locked-room feel, complicated characters, and plenty of suspicion, The Chaperones is definitely a story I would recommend.
The plot is built around a very effective thriller premise. The third-grade parents from Chester School take their children to the remote Santa Cruz Island, expecting a memorable camping trip, but a sudden storm leaves them stranded. When they wake up and discover that two boys are missing from their tents, the situation becomes frightening enough, but the discovery of a body transforms the trip into a murder investigation. What I enjoyed most was that the mystery isn't limited to finding the killer or the missing children; it also involves uncovering the secrets these parents have been carrying with them. The revelation that someone else is hiding on the island adds another fascinating layer to the mystery. There were enough unanswered questions and suspicious circumstances to keep me engaged and guessing.
The characterization was another strong aspect for me. I liked the fact that the characters aren't presented simply as innocent parents caught in an unfortunate situation. Their relationships, rivalries, insecurities, and secrets gradually become important to the story. The privileged-school environment also adds an interesting dimension because these are people who are accustomed to comfort, control, and social status, yet suddenly find themselves completely powerless. I enjoyed watching their behaviour change as fear and suspicion began to take over. The situation forces them to reveal aspects of themselves that they would probably prefer to keep hidden, making it increasingly difficult to decide whom to trust. For me, that uncertainty surrounding the characters was one of the most compelling parts of the story.
The setting is probably what I found most atmospheric. A remote island with almost no amenities, a ninety-minute boat ride from help, and a sudden storm is practically the perfect setting for a psychological thriller. The island creates a sense of claustrophobia despite being surrounded by open water. There is nowhere easy to escape, no immediate help, and no certainty about who else might be present. I loved the contrast between the supposedly idyllic camping trip and the increasingly sinister atmosphere. The beautiful, isolated environment gradually becomes threatening, and the storm almost feels like a physical representation of the secrets and tension building among the characters.
In terms of pacing and writing style, I found the story suitably suspenseful and easy to get into. The author gradually introduces questions rather than revealing everything at once, which encouraged me to keep reading and reassessing my suspicions. The writing creates tension through the combination of short-term urgency—the missing children and the body—with the slower revelation of the characters' secrets. I also appreciated the way the mystery keeps shifting the reader's attention from one possibility to another. There are moments when you think you understand what is happening, only for another piece of information to make you question that conclusion. The writing is particularly effective at creating an atmosphere of paranoia, where almost everyone seems capable of hiding something.
Overall, The Chaperones was an engaging psychological thriller for me, particularly because of its combination of murder, missing children, secrets, privileged parents, and an isolated setting. I enjoyed the gradual unraveling of the mystery and the way the island amplified the characters' fear and suspicion. More than anything, I liked the central idea that people who appear to know each other well can still have enormous secrets hidden beneath the surface. The story kept me questioning who was trustworthy, who was protecting someone, and how far those buried secrets would eventually lead. If you enjoy atmospheric psychological thrillers with a locked-room feel, complicated characters, and plenty of suspicion, The Chaperones is definitely a story I would recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Parents from the Chester School have organized a school camping trip on Santa Cruz Island off the coast of California, and there’s way too much drama for these families of third graders. Theft, affairs, accusations – it’s all here. Not hard to believe there’s a lack of likable characters in this bunch. One of the main narrators, Emmy, is probably the only decent person involved in the story. There are a few different sets of parents that the story revolves around, and we see from the perspective of almost all of them. The action picks up when two of the boys are missing from their tents in the middle of the night, and everyone goes looking for them. At that point, a body is found, and that’s the big mystery for the bulk of the book – who is the body and what happened?
It’s pretty slow burn up until then because there’s a ton of backstory. Which there has to be, since there are about 5 main-character narratives to keep up with. Except for Emmy, I kept disliking everyone more and more as the secrets are divulged and poor decisions made everywhere. These are the least responsible parents ever, drinking and smoking cannabis right in front of their kids who are old enough to know exactly what’s going on.
The island itself is beautifully described and was easy to envision with the different trails and views it offers. I’m not a camper, but even I could see the appeal of a trip like this. Except not with these people! And for such unlikeable characters, the book was enjoyable and entertaining – proof again that it takes the right author to make horrible people tolerable enough to put up with for a few hundred pages.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
It’s pretty slow burn up until then because there’s a ton of backstory. Which there has to be, since there are about 5 main-character narratives to keep up with. Except for Emmy, I kept disliking everyone more and more as the secrets are divulged and poor decisions made everywhere. These are the least responsible parents ever, drinking and smoking cannabis right in front of their kids who are old enough to know exactly what’s going on.
The island itself is beautifully described and was easy to envision with the different trails and views it offers. I’m not a camper, but even I could see the appeal of a trip like this. Except not with these people! And for such unlikeable characters, the book was enjoyable and entertaining – proof again that it takes the right author to make horrible people tolerable enough to put up with for a few hundred pages.
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fun read that I finished pretty much in one sitting. It centers on 3rd graders from a privileged school who take a weekend camping trip, along with their parents and a teacher chaperone, to an isolated island off the coast of California. You get a good cast of characters between PTA moms fighting for power, people keeping secrets, and people cheating on their spouses- despite the number of characters, I didn't feel that it was confusing to keep everyone straight- they all had distinct voices. There is a real mystery to solve with a missing mom and a creepy guy on the island, but there is also a ton of other drama to solve, which kept the pace of the book moving quickly.
The author did a good job ramping up the suspense and giving the reader many believable options as to who the missing/injured person might be. I thought I had it figured out but had been mislead! While the group of parents had some silly drama, they mostly had very real drama and I feel like the book handled these areas well. The kids were really only tertiary characters but I did feel like the dynamics between them (and with the adults) felt authentic. You get a lot of chapters narrated by the ranger, Emmy, who I felt was a very likable character- I also didn't see the twist related to her background coming. I like the way the book ended and felt like it worked well with the rest of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It had a different twist on the isolated weekend away theme and I thought it worked well. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The author did a good job ramping up the suspense and giving the reader many believable options as to who the missing/injured person might be. I thought I had it figured out but had been mislead! While the group of parents had some silly drama, they mostly had very real drama and I feel like the book handled these areas well. The kids were really only tertiary characters but I did feel like the dynamics between them (and with the adults) felt authentic. You get a lot of chapters narrated by the ranger, Emmy, who I felt was a very likable character- I also didn't see the twist related to her background coming. I like the way the book ended and felt like it worked well with the rest of the story.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It had a different twist on the isolated weekend away theme and I thought it worked well. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced copy of this title.
The premise of an island field trip gone wrong establishes a heavy, atmospheric tone right from the start. The story jumps between the group’s initial arrival on the island and fourteen hours later when two third-graders go missing. The narrative spends eighty percent of the time setting the scene, focusing heavily on who did what to whom and why before the actual kidnapping takes place. There are very few sections dedicated to the disappearance itself and the aftermath.
The shifting perspectives do provide a wide view of the escalating drama among the parents, and I found some of the character arcs quite strong. Charles stood out as a genuinely good guy making poor choices while grappling with his waning writing career. His desperate desire to recapture the feeling of his past success makes him a compelling, sympathetic figure even when he falters.
Despite those positive character moments, the story leans heavily into suspense rather than operating as a fast-paced thriller. When the thrilling moments finally arrive, that section is short and rushes by quickly. I reached the final page feeling that there were simply too many questions left unanswered to provide proper closure. If you like isolated island settings, intense parent drama, and shifting perspectives, then you may enjoy this book. #TheChaperones #NetGalley
Spoilers drop on release day at www.spoiltheplot.com. Until then, explore the site to find your next great thriller!
The premise of an island field trip gone wrong establishes a heavy, atmospheric tone right from the start. The story jumps between the group’s initial arrival on the island and fourteen hours later when two third-graders go missing. The narrative spends eighty percent of the time setting the scene, focusing heavily on who did what to whom and why before the actual kidnapping takes place. There are very few sections dedicated to the disappearance itself and the aftermath.
The shifting perspectives do provide a wide view of the escalating drama among the parents, and I found some of the character arcs quite strong. Charles stood out as a genuinely good guy making poor choices while grappling with his waning writing career. His desperate desire to recapture the feeling of his past success makes him a compelling, sympathetic figure even when he falters.
Despite those positive character moments, the story leans heavily into suspense rather than operating as a fast-paced thriller. When the thrilling moments finally arrive, that section is short and rushes by quickly. I reached the final page feeling that there were simply too many questions left unanswered to provide proper closure. If you like isolated island settings, intense parent drama, and shifting perspectives, then you may enjoy this book. #TheChaperones #NetGalley
Spoilers drop on release day at www.spoiltheplot.com. Until then, explore the site to find your next great thriller!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book jumps right into the deep end, and then starts slowly showing you all the ways in which you might have a chance at swimming to the closest shore.
It's somehow fast-paced but also super detailed and rich with characters. The sheer amount of POVs was hard to keep track of at times, even though the writer has done a superb job developing each and every one of them.
If you're a mom with rather young school-aged kids you might get triggered by all the drama these parents stir up on a remote island. I had my moments when I had to simply put this down and shudder, thinking why would anyone ever go camping in this remote destination together with people you share such delicate relationships with (and sometimes secrets). There was no way it wouldn't all blow up one way or another.
It's literally impossible to predict where the next chapter will go or what new detail or secret one of these parents won't offer to the table next. The plot is a never ending guessing game.
I lost three half nights of sleep to this thriller and now wish someone made a Netflix series with a bunch of famous actors playing these parents. That would be the best entertainment.
Big thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the chance to read this ARC.
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It's somehow fast-paced but also super detailed and rich with characters. The sheer amount of POVs was hard to keep track of at times, even though the writer has done a superb job developing each and every one of them.
If you're a mom with rather young school-aged kids you might get triggered by all the drama these parents stir up on a remote island. I had my moments when I had to simply put this down and shudder, thinking why would anyone ever go camping in this remote destination together with people you share such delicate relationships with (and sometimes secrets). There was no way it wouldn't all blow up one way or another.
It's literally impossible to predict where the next chapter will go or what new detail or secret one of these parents won't offer to the table next. The plot is a never ending guessing game.
I lost three half nights of sleep to this thriller and now wish someone made a Netflix series with a bunch of famous actors playing these parents. That would be the best entertainment.
Big thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the chance to read this ARC.
----------
Follow for more of my reviews:
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August 7, 2026
Thankyou NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
★★★★☆ (4/5)
I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to read the book as an ARC. thank you to the author and publisher for the advance copy.
From the very first chapter, I was completely pulled into the story. The opening immediately sparked so many questions in my mind, and my curiosity kept growing with every chapter. I just had to know what was really going on. I wanted to read on and read the book in 24 hours!
I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs. They added depth to the story and kept the pacing engaging, with each perspective revealing new pieces of the puzzle.
The ending was definitely one of the strongest parts of the book. The plot twist caught me completely off guard, although I did manage to guess a couple of smaller reveals along the way. Overall, it was satisfying and well executed.
The only reason this isn’t a five-star read for me is that I occasionally struggled to picture the setting and surroundings as clearly as I would have liked.
Overall, this was an engaging and suspenseful read that kept me invested from beginning to end, and I’d definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy mysteries with multiple perspectives and unexpected twists 🧩🍃.
★★★★☆ (4/5)
I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to read the book as an ARC. thank you to the author and publisher for the advance copy.
From the very first chapter, I was completely pulled into the story. The opening immediately sparked so many questions in my mind, and my curiosity kept growing with every chapter. I just had to know what was really going on. I wanted to read on and read the book in 24 hours!
I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs. They added depth to the story and kept the pacing engaging, with each perspective revealing new pieces of the puzzle.
The ending was definitely one of the strongest parts of the book. The plot twist caught me completely off guard, although I did manage to guess a couple of smaller reveals along the way. Overall, it was satisfying and well executed.
The only reason this isn’t a five-star read for me is that I occasionally struggled to picture the setting and surroundings as clearly as I would have liked.
Overall, this was an engaging and suspenseful read that kept me invested from beginning to end, and I’d definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy mysteries with multiple perspectives and unexpected twists 🧩🍃.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGally and Thomas & Mercer for the Advanced Readers Copy.
I am usually a huge fan of locked room type mystery/thrillers, especially with multiple POVs, but this one did not stick the landing for me. I absolutely LOVED the suspense towards the end but almost everything leading up to it was pretty uneventful and overall disappointing.
There are 6 (I think! Most of them were so terribly boring that it’s hard to remember) POVs in this book and without spoiling anything, the entire story could’ve easily bounced back and forth between 3 or maybe 4 of the characters and it would’ve worked SO much better (in my opinion!). There was entirely too much going on with these characters that ended up meaning absolutely nothing in the end/had no lasting impact on the final product whatsoever.
I hate that I didn’t enjoy this because I really wanted to and I’ve been sitting on it for a few days hoping my thoughts would change, but you can’t love everything.
However, I do want to shout out Emmy (the Park Ranger) because I know her back hurts from carrying this book on it.
I am usually a huge fan of locked room type mystery/thrillers, especially with multiple POVs, but this one did not stick the landing for me. I absolutely LOVED the suspense towards the end but almost everything leading up to it was pretty uneventful and overall disappointing.
There are 6 (I think! Most of them were so terribly boring that it’s hard to remember) POVs in this book and without spoiling anything, the entire story could’ve easily bounced back and forth between 3 or maybe 4 of the characters and it would’ve worked SO much better (in my opinion!). There was entirely too much going on with these characters that ended up meaning absolutely nothing in the end/had no lasting impact on the final product whatsoever.
I hate that I didn’t enjoy this because I really wanted to and I’ve been sitting on it for a few days hoping my thoughts would change, but you can’t love everything.
However, I do want to shout out Emmy (the Park Ranger) because I know her back hurts from carrying this book on it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Well wasn't that the wildest of rides. A group of third graders and their families plus a school chaperone go camping on a national park island for a weekend on a national park island and drama ensues all over the place. Then two boys go missing at night and a chaotic search results in both boys being found safe, but a parent possibly seeing a body in the dark. The story moves around in time, and is shared from multiple POVs, including PTA moms and hapless dads who really lean into those stereotypes and others who seem like they should fit those molds but don't, as well as rangers, volunteers, and other campers. The story moved forward at a solid pace, with a lot happening to keep track of. Relationships and individuals are challenged in many ways, physical and emotional, and things shift for some of the characters as the story comes to a resolution. I would definitely recommend this as a fast-paced thriller with solid character development, and would also read more by this author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Chaperones was a pretty good thriller. I liked the setting of the island/national park and the concept of a mystery that takes place on a third grade school camping field trip. That was unique enough to be interesting. The characters are a fairly well drawn conglomeration of diverse parent types from the school. Decent amount of drama in and amongst the crew. I did have some issues with all the jumping around of voice and time. That caused me to forget who was who at the beginning. There are a fair amount of parents and kids to keep track of just like on a real field trip. The pace is solid and parts of it keep you guessing until the reveal. A decent read.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced ecopy for honest review.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced ecopy for honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A camping trip told from multiple POVs as frightening things begin to happen.
Enjoyed the other book I read by this author and gave it 5 stars, so I was excited for this one, but this one didn’t have the same vibes in my opinion. I think it was a little confusing from the different POVs and it seemed a little like someone was just rambling on. I struggled to connect with the writing.
There were some interesting relationship developments (won’t spoil that) and moments that kept me reading, but overall I didn’t connect with this one, but it might just be me.
I would still read this author again as I loved the other book I read, but I would give this one like a 2.5 rounded up.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Enjoyed the other book I read by this author and gave it 5 stars, so I was excited for this one, but this one didn’t have the same vibes in my opinion. I think it was a little confusing from the different POVs and it seemed a little like someone was just rambling on. I struggled to connect with the writing.
There were some interesting relationship developments (won’t spoil that) and moments that kept me reading, but overall I didn’t connect with this one, but it might just be me.
I would still read this author again as I loved the other book I read, but I would give this one like a 2.5 rounded up.
Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the eARC.
An excellent read set on an island that sounds absolutely wonderful. I loved the fact there were foxes living there, that alone would make the trip worthwhile!
The group of parents and children all have their secrets, some of them of course worse than others: marital infidelity and filching of school funds amongst them.
But it's the people who are the fascinating part of the book.
There is an unwelcome rogue visitor who is hidden most of the time. He's a charmer, utterly bad to the bone and women can't resist him until his evil side rears its head and then the hurting starts.
It's a fascinating story, hard to put down and the ending is very satisfying.
An excellent read set on an island that sounds absolutely wonderful. I loved the fact there were foxes living there, that alone would make the trip worthwhile!
The group of parents and children all have their secrets, some of them of course worse than others: marital infidelity and filching of school funds amongst them.
But it's the people who are the fascinating part of the book.
There is an unwelcome rogue visitor who is hidden most of the time. He's a charmer, utterly bad to the bone and women can't resist him until his evil side rears its head and then the hurting starts.
It's a fascinating story, hard to put down and the ending is very satisfying.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Chaperones is a third grade class goes on a camping trip on an island which turns deadly. The setting is beautiful but the drama of both the parents and children starts from the very beginning. I really enjoyed this books with the twists and turns in the plot as well as the different character perspectives.
On top of that there was so much information about each characters background and relationships with the other characters. I loved that you couldn't predicted what may happened next. I found it really hard to put down and finished in one sitting once I was into it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer by the ARC.
On top of that there was so much information about each characters background and relationships with the other characters. I loved that you couldn't predicted what may happened next. I found it really hard to put down and finished in one sitting once I was into it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer by the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Okay I went into this blind because an isolated island, a group of privileged parents, missing children, and secrets coming to the surface made for a really interesting setup.
I enjoyed the shifting perspectives and the character drama, and the island setting was definitely a highlight. That said, I expected more of a thriller and found the book leaned much more into suspense and character development. The actual disappearance and investigation felt shorter than I would've liked.
The ending also left me wanting more closure, with a few too many unanswered questions. Still, an entertaining and atmospheric read that would make for a great beach read.
I enjoyed the shifting perspectives and the character drama, and the island setting was definitely a highlight. That said, I expected more of a thriller and found the book leaned much more into suspense and character development. The actual disappearance and investigation felt shorter than I would've liked.
The ending also left me wanting more closure, with a few too many unanswered questions. Still, an entertaining and atmospheric read that would make for a great beach read.
September 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer Publishing and Amy Meyerson for the ARC of the Chaperones. This book got my attention immediately. I am normally not very excited about books with so many different perspectives but this one drew me in right away. I loved getting snippets of what happened from all the different characters. It kept me wanting to read more. Trying to figure out what exactly happened along with who it happened to kept me guessing most of the book. If you like a fast paced mystery thriller then you would love The Chaperones. I will have to watch for books from Amy Meyerson in the future. Read this book!! A good 4.5 for sure
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3 stars!
I was excited for the premise of this book as a island field trip gone horribly wrong. The book jumps between the group's arrival on the island, and hours later after some kids go missing.
I found this book to be more suspenseful rather than a thriller. I would have liked a little more closure in the ending. However, I did feel like the author did a great job creating a setting that made me feel like I was right there on the island with everyone, and it was hard to put down. This would be a fun beach read!
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC!
I was excited for the premise of this book as a island field trip gone horribly wrong. The book jumps between the group's arrival on the island, and hours later after some kids go missing.
I found this book to be more suspenseful rather than a thriller. I would have liked a little more closure in the ending. However, I did feel like the author did a great job creating a setting that made me feel like I was right there on the island with everyone, and it was hard to put down. This would be a fun beach read!
Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So many things on this tick my wish list.
School parents fighting.
A remote island you can't leave.
Incoming storm.
Secrets and lies.
Badly behaved adults.
It's a fab beach read type of book, though maybe not if you finish it in a day like I did.
Some nice twists in there, and some great tension.
It raised a smile or two too.
It's got a lot going on that I very much enjoyed.
Right to the last page.
I don't think you'd regret picking this one up.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
School parents fighting.
A remote island you can't leave.
Incoming storm.
Secrets and lies.
Badly behaved adults.
It's a fab beach read type of book, though maybe not if you finish it in a day like I did.
Some nice twists in there, and some great tension.
It raised a smile or two too.
It's got a lot going on that I very much enjoyed.
Right to the last page.
I don't think you'd regret picking this one up.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
Review of advance copy received from Author
Amy Meyerson once again proves herself a masterful thriller writer with this atmospheric locked-room mystery set amid the wild beauty of California’s Channel Islands. The national park setting feels fresh, pairing rugged isolation with a fascinating glimpse into the ranger community. Meyerson juggles an impressive ensemble cast, using their tangled relationships to deliver sharp observations about modern parenthood and the competitiveness simmering beneath affluent school communities. With razor-sharp pacing and escalating suspense, the novel builds to a final twist I never saw coming.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rich parents of third graders on a camping trip, what could go wrong? There was so much drama among this group, it should be a Bravo show.
The Chaperones was a slow burn, full of completely unlikeable characters. There is a lot of required backstory, which adds to the slow burn of the story. There are a lot of POVs to keep up with and the parents are just awful. Like I have no words, I hate them all.
The story was extremely atmospheric and I really enjoyed it overall.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The Chaperones was a slow burn, full of completely unlikeable characters. There is a lot of required backstory, which adds to the slow burn of the story. There are a lot of POVs to keep up with and the parents are just awful. Like I have no words, I hate them all.
The story was extremely atmospheric and I really enjoyed it overall.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
September 1, 2026
I really enjoyed this book ever more than her first one!! So much drama as these parents chaperone their 3rd grade class with their families on a remote island. What could go wrong? I loved the dynamics of these privileged parents and as the drama was revealed, I became more and more interested.
From murder to missing children and all the gossip in between. An unexpected visitor on the island and now they’re stranded due to an upcoming storm. I ate this up! I’m typically not a huge fan of locked room thrillers but this was done so well.
From murder to missing children and all the gossip in between. An unexpected visitor on the island and now they’re stranded due to an upcoming storm. I ate this up! I’m typically not a huge fan of locked room thrillers but this was done so well.
August 17, 2026
This was a fantastic read! Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the ARC. Multiple characters with their own agendas, dirty secrets and drama that all intersect with the other characters. What happens in the dark always comes to the light and nothing is truly what it seems, only what people want you to believe. I devoured this book every chance I had in my spare time, eager to see who was really who and how the plot would unfold. I truly hope there will be a sequel!
September 12, 2026
I loved Meyerson’s early books, which make this one more confusing to me. It just feels a bit too generic and played out, when her earlier books were so unique and wonderful. While the writing here was fine, the plot dragged a bit and I didn’t really find myself rooting for any of the characters. The suspense was also more of a dull ache. A bit underwhelmed overall.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book is a real page turner! I found myself staying up late to read one more chapter. It kept me guessing throughout and there were surprises around every corner. The author did a great job creating a setting which made me feel like I was on the island with the characters. I would highly recommend this book!
August 9, 2026
I highly recommend this book! It had everything I love- locked room style thriller, multiple points of view, multiple secrets… and great twists. This is my first book by this author, and I will definitely be on the lookout for future releases.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc and exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc and exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!
A great thriller that has you guessing up until the very end. So many twists, turns and secrets amongst this classroom of kids and their parents. While on a camping trip at the Channel Islands, secrets begin to be discovered, people go missing, what will the park ranger uncover?
A great thriller that has you guessing up until the very end. So many twists, turns and secrets amongst this classroom of kids and their parents. While on a camping trip at the Channel Islands, secrets begin to be discovered, people go missing, what will the park ranger uncover?
Review of advance copy received from Author
The perfect closed room suspense for readers of Lucy Foley, I adored being trapped on the channel islands with this camping trip of third graders and their unhinged, feuding, and deeply intertwined parents! If you loved Big Little Lies, this one is for you.
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August 8, 2026The Chaperones by new to me author Amy Meyerson is published by Thomas & Mercer.
A captivating story, suspenseful and drama laden. Full of unexpected twists and turns, the author had me right from the start.
I loved the story, the characters, the worldbuilding. 5 stars.
A captivating story, suspenseful and drama laden. Full of unexpected twists and turns, the author had me right from the start.
I loved the story, the characters, the worldbuilding. 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Absolutely gorgeous and twisty and unforgettable.
August 4, 2026
Excellent character development. The end was a complete surprise. Quick and enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Great book. Great story. Great location. Great character development. Hard to put down. Really enjoyed reading The Chaperones.
Review of advance copy
I’m not really a thriller person but this had me hooked right away. As a mom, I really enjoyed the school politics simmering underneath (and surfacing at times). Super engaging!! Strong recommend.
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