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Painter's Beach
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jun 26Painter’s Beach isn’t prepared.
Tourists flee. Locals board up their homes.
But Hurricane Amelia isn’t the only threat.
Jim Crowley is dead.
Elizabeth arrives on the island searching for a fresh start, but when everything is taken from her, she finds herself trapped in a growing nightmare. As whispers spread through the tight-knit community, she’s quickly branded an outsider.
“MURDERING WITCH!”
Only Aimsley, a local bartender with secrets of her own, is willing to help her piece together what really happened. As the storm closes in, their search for the truth pulls them deeper into the island’s past, uncovering something far more dangerous than either of them expected.
Told as a dual timeline novel, this haunting coastal thriller set in a Florida island unravels a beach town murder mystery rooted in island history and legend. As past and present collide, a haunted maritime mystery begins to surface.
This emotional literary thriller of love, betrayal, and survival will pull you into tangled minds searching for truth. Not every memory can be trusted, and some secrets refuse to stay buried.
Tourists flee. Locals board up their homes.
But Hurricane Amelia isn’t the only threat.
Jim Crowley is dead.
Elizabeth arrives on the island searching for a fresh start, but when everything is taken from her, she finds herself trapped in a growing nightmare. As whispers spread through the tight-knit community, she’s quickly branded an outsider.
“MURDERING WITCH!”
Only Aimsley, a local bartender with secrets of her own, is willing to help her piece together what really happened. As the storm closes in, their search for the truth pulls them deeper into the island’s past, uncovering something far more dangerous than either of them expected.
Told as a dual timeline novel, this haunting coastal thriller set in a Florida island unravels a beach town murder mystery rooted in island history and legend. As past and present collide, a haunted maritime mystery begins to surface.
This emotional literary thriller of love, betrayal, and survival will pull you into tangled minds searching for truth. Not every memory can be trusted, and some secrets refuse to stay buried.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 1, 2026
About the author
Jessica Ryan
1 book3 followersJessica Ryan is a writer and an artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Art History. Fascinated by human nature, she writes thrillers inspired by what horrifying things could occur to anyone at any time. Her background in visual arts share similar themes in her writing such as setting scenes and exploring the emotional imagery behind them. She lives in Florida where nature and personal experiences continue to inspire her work. Painter’s Beach is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 24, 2026
You would never guess this was a debut novel. Deeply written. Emotional, deep story line that’s interwoven with a crime.
Aimsley struggles with her emotions with her girlfriend Brooke, as one of her regulars (Elizabeth) catches her attention. It wasn’t until a dead body washes in from the ocean, where Aimsley and Elizabeth start to cross paths.
Conspiracy theories are thrown around at who done it as the town prepares for a major oncoming storm.
Through all the events. Emotions and storylines go deep, weaving everything together for the big twist!
Highly recommend everyone check this one out!
Aimsley struggles with her emotions with her girlfriend Brooke, as one of her regulars (Elizabeth) catches her attention. It wasn’t until a dead body washes in from the ocean, where Aimsley and Elizabeth start to cross paths.
Conspiracy theories are thrown around at who done it as the town prepares for a major oncoming storm.
Through all the events. Emotions and storylines go deep, weaving everything together for the big twist!
Highly recommend everyone check this one out!
May 13, 2026
I liked the concept of this book and as a Floridian I thought it was fun that it was based in Florida. I did end up really confused when I finished the book. Maybe I missed something, but I’m still not sure what happened to everyone in the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Painter's Beach a Unique Dual Timeline Mystery - 5 Stars for me!
Having been granted an early glimpse into Jessica Ryan’s captivating debut, Painter’s Beach, I find myself still wandering its salt-sprayed shores in my imagination.
Ms. Ryan populates her coastal mystery with precisely the eclectic ensemble I crave: the guarded bartender with her complicated romance, the tight-knit circle of island locals, a bookshop that harbors more than literature, law enforcement officers on opposing moral compasses, a weathered crone convinced of supernatural forces, a grizzled sea captain, whose love sustains across time-lines, a lover awaiting her long lost, and of course—because what’s a beach tale without one—a legendary buried fortune and a loyal, lovable dog.
As someone who savors a finely crafted mystery, this story quenched my thirst for suspense from the very first page. Set on a hurricane-scarred Florida island—the kind of place I’ve called home for forty years—Ryan’s prose shimmers with salty breezes, shimmering dunes, and the electric tension when storm clouds drift in off the Gulf.
As an island local, I know the drill: tourists scatter, shutters slam, and we raid the liquor cabinet before the winds arrive. But nobody expects a murder in my little sea island.
Jim Crowley’s body turns up on the beach and Aimsley has seen a disconcerting possible murderer as she ponders her tenuous relationship with her lover. And let’s say Aimsley is pondering possibilities.
Elizabeth “Lizzy” arrives Painter’s Beach hoping for a fresh start but finds herself branded an outsider, and of all things a “murdering witch” whispered about behind closed doors.
Only Aimsley, the island’s enigmatic bartender with secrets of her own, dares to help Lizzy hunt for the truth. As the hurricane barrels toward shore, their investigation unearths a buried legacy of betrayal, spectral legends, and long-forgotten crimes more chilling than any gale.
Ms Ryan brilliantly weaves dual timelines into a haunting coastal thriller, where past and present collide amid salt-bleached piers and moonlit marshes.
This emotional literary suspense—of love’s fragile promises, the sting of betrayal, and the fierce will to survive—will draw you into minds twisted by memory and fear. Her dialogue rings so true that I found myself rooted to my chair, Scotch forgotten beside me, as each revelation crashed over me like a tidal wave.
Ms. Ryan hooks me from the first scene: Aimsley spotting the rumored “witch” - She sits beneath a floppy-brimmed hat, and thick-framed sunglasses that are all black against her black wooden house. The fish scale cedar shake is slightly salt scrubbed, but the most distinguishing factor between the shades of black is her pale skin.
These opening moments transported me instantly to that windswept shore, and I found myself unable to look away. The author had me craving the next page before I’d finished the first.
At times, because of the dual-timeline approach I found myself re-reading pages and pondering the mysterious nature of the story.
Jessica Ryan’s dazzling debut deserves every accolade—I urge you to lose yourself, as I did, in Painter’s Beach until you’ve uncovered its final secret.
The pages on the Kindle seem to turn themselves as I savored both the story and my Highland Scotch across two unforgettable evenings.
It’s a 5 out of 5 stars for me.
Darryl Armstrong, author of Between The Tracks - Short Stories.
Having been granted an early glimpse into Jessica Ryan’s captivating debut, Painter’s Beach, I find myself still wandering its salt-sprayed shores in my imagination.
Ms. Ryan populates her coastal mystery with precisely the eclectic ensemble I crave: the guarded bartender with her complicated romance, the tight-knit circle of island locals, a bookshop that harbors more than literature, law enforcement officers on opposing moral compasses, a weathered crone convinced of supernatural forces, a grizzled sea captain, whose love sustains across time-lines, a lover awaiting her long lost, and of course—because what’s a beach tale without one—a legendary buried fortune and a loyal, lovable dog.
As someone who savors a finely crafted mystery, this story quenched my thirst for suspense from the very first page. Set on a hurricane-scarred Florida island—the kind of place I’ve called home for forty years—Ryan’s prose shimmers with salty breezes, shimmering dunes, and the electric tension when storm clouds drift in off the Gulf.
As an island local, I know the drill: tourists scatter, shutters slam, and we raid the liquor cabinet before the winds arrive. But nobody expects a murder in my little sea island.
Jim Crowley’s body turns up on the beach and Aimsley has seen a disconcerting possible murderer as she ponders her tenuous relationship with her lover. And let’s say Aimsley is pondering possibilities.
Elizabeth “Lizzy” arrives Painter’s Beach hoping for a fresh start but finds herself branded an outsider, and of all things a “murdering witch” whispered about behind closed doors.
Only Aimsley, the island’s enigmatic bartender with secrets of her own, dares to help Lizzy hunt for the truth. As the hurricane barrels toward shore, their investigation unearths a buried legacy of betrayal, spectral legends, and long-forgotten crimes more chilling than any gale.
Ms Ryan brilliantly weaves dual timelines into a haunting coastal thriller, where past and present collide amid salt-bleached piers and moonlit marshes.
This emotional literary suspense—of love’s fragile promises, the sting of betrayal, and the fierce will to survive—will draw you into minds twisted by memory and fear. Her dialogue rings so true that I found myself rooted to my chair, Scotch forgotten beside me, as each revelation crashed over me like a tidal wave.
Ms. Ryan hooks me from the first scene: Aimsley spotting the rumored “witch” - She sits beneath a floppy-brimmed hat, and thick-framed sunglasses that are all black against her black wooden house. The fish scale cedar shake is slightly salt scrubbed, but the most distinguishing factor between the shades of black is her pale skin.
These opening moments transported me instantly to that windswept shore, and I found myself unable to look away. The author had me craving the next page before I’d finished the first.
At times, because of the dual-timeline approach I found myself re-reading pages and pondering the mysterious nature of the story.
Jessica Ryan’s dazzling debut deserves every accolade—I urge you to lose yourself, as I did, in Painter’s Beach until you’ve uncovered its final secret.
The pages on the Kindle seem to turn themselves as I savored both the story and my Highland Scotch across two unforgettable evenings.
It’s a 5 out of 5 stars for me.
Darryl Armstrong, author of Between The Tracks - Short Stories.
Review of advance copy received from Author
📖 Title: Painter’s Beach
📝 Author: Jessica Ryan
📚 Genre: Murder Mystery/Thriller
⭐️ Rate: 4
🌶️ Spice: 2
💬Thoughts: This is my first ever ARC book, so going into the story I was already very excited. Initially I signed up because the synopsis was very intriguing. The story follows Aimsley August a bartender at Painter’s Beach, FL and Elizabeth Corey a new resident to the beach town who isn’t really welcomed by the townspeople. Jim Crowley is murdered at the beach and Elizabeth becomes a prime suspect. The only person who doesn’t suspect her is Aimsley August. I genuinely found this book very interesting. As with any book, the first couple of chapters have world-building to set the scene, which took me a couple of days to get through. Then, out of nowhere, the story blew up and I couldn’t put it down! I really loved that this murder mystery was unpredictable (to me). I felt that the murderer could’ve literally been anyone. All the characters had some sort of suspicious characteristic. The spice was minimal but there is 1 semi-descriptive scene and a couple of areas of "suggestive language" (I'm using that term very loosely, though). I love the LGBTQ+ representation we get in this book. Overall, I rated it 4/5 because I did enjoy reading it, and at one point I couldn’t put it down. The ending left me with more questions than answers but I think that was on purpose which I truly enjoyed. Amazing debut novel, Jessica! 🫶🏼
⚠️ SPOILER ALERT - Possible spoiler ahead; please ignore if you don’t want any hint of spoiling: There might have been a moment or foreshadowing that placed the pieces together, but the other characters were so wildly suspicious or had things about them that made me think otherwise that it was still very satisfying when the murderer was revealed! I also really enjoyed the plot twists especially the one at the end; it was a refreshing type of plot twist (the captain logs!!!!) Those last few chapters were so crazy and wild that I really couldn’t put it down (I stayed up until 3am) I also enjoyed the semi-spice scene and suggestive spice at the end, iykyk 🤭 I loved how confused and completely “wtf” and “wait what?????” I was at the end. It left me wanting to know more about certain characters and their whereabouts.
📝 Author: Jessica Ryan
📚 Genre: Murder Mystery/Thriller
⭐️ Rate: 4
🌶️ Spice: 2
💬Thoughts: This is my first ever ARC book, so going into the story I was already very excited. Initially I signed up because the synopsis was very intriguing. The story follows Aimsley August a bartender at Painter’s Beach, FL and Elizabeth Corey a new resident to the beach town who isn’t really welcomed by the townspeople. Jim Crowley is murdered at the beach and Elizabeth becomes a prime suspect. The only person who doesn’t suspect her is Aimsley August. I genuinely found this book very interesting. As with any book, the first couple of chapters have world-building to set the scene, which took me a couple of days to get through. Then, out of nowhere, the story blew up and I couldn’t put it down! I really loved that this murder mystery was unpredictable (to me). I felt that the murderer could’ve literally been anyone. All the characters had some sort of suspicious characteristic. The spice was minimal but there is 1 semi-descriptive scene and a couple of areas of "suggestive language" (I'm using that term very loosely, though). I love the LGBTQ+ representation we get in this book. Overall, I rated it 4/5 because I did enjoy reading it, and at one point I couldn’t put it down. The ending left me with more questions than answers but I think that was on purpose which I truly enjoyed. Amazing debut novel, Jessica! 🫶🏼
⚠️ SPOILER ALERT - Possible spoiler ahead; please ignore if you don’t want any hint of spoiling: There might have been a moment or foreshadowing that placed the pieces together, but the other characters were so wildly suspicious or had things about them that made me think otherwise that it was still very satisfying when the murderer was revealed! I also really enjoyed the plot twists especially the one at the end; it was a refreshing type of plot twist (the captain logs!!!!) Those last few chapters were so crazy and wild that I really couldn’t put it down (I stayed up until 3am) I also enjoyed the semi-spice scene and suggestive spice at the end, iykyk 🤭 I loved how confused and completely “wtf” and “wait what?????” I was at the end. It left me wanting to know more about certain characters and their whereabouts.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌊 Twists, Tension… and an Ending That Missed the Mark
Painter’s Beach by Jessica Ryan pulled me in fast and didn’t let go for most of the ride.
This story weaves together multiple lives—a couple navigating quiet struggles, another dealing with the aftermath of a broken relationship, and a woman grieving the devastating loss of her love at sea. Just when you think you understand the emotional landscape, a murder shakes everything, adding layers of suspense and urgency.
There’s also a beautiful thread of connection and healing as two characters find comfort in each other… only to be unexpectedly torn apart. And the twist? I genuinely didn’t see it coming. The reveal of the killer was surprising and added that “wait… WHAT?” moment I love in a good thriller.
But for me, the ending didn’t quite deliver on the promise of everything that came before it. After such a strong, emotional, and suspenseful buildup, it felt a bit rushed and left me wanting more closure and depth. It didn’t fully match the intensity of the journey.
That said, this was still a compelling, page-turning read with rich emotional layers and plenty of intrigue.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
If you love small-town drama, intertwined storylines, and unexpected twists, this one is definitely worth the read—just be prepared for an ending that may leave you wishing for a little more.
Painter’s Beach by Jessica Ryan pulled me in fast and didn’t let go for most of the ride.
This story weaves together multiple lives—a couple navigating quiet struggles, another dealing with the aftermath of a broken relationship, and a woman grieving the devastating loss of her love at sea. Just when you think you understand the emotional landscape, a murder shakes everything, adding layers of suspense and urgency.
There’s also a beautiful thread of connection and healing as two characters find comfort in each other… only to be unexpectedly torn apart. And the twist? I genuinely didn’t see it coming. The reveal of the killer was surprising and added that “wait… WHAT?” moment I love in a good thriller.
But for me, the ending didn’t quite deliver on the promise of everything that came before it. After such a strong, emotional, and suspenseful buildup, it felt a bit rushed and left me wanting more closure and depth. It didn’t fully match the intensity of the journey.
That said, this was still a compelling, page-turning read with rich emotional layers and plenty of intrigue.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
If you love small-town drama, intertwined storylines, and unexpected twists, this one is definitely worth the read—just be prepared for an ending that may leave you wishing for a little more.
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 rounded up
I think this is the perfect beach read! If I didn't live in a landlocked state I could easily see myself laying out on the beach enjoying the sun and the thrilling vibes of this book. I could visualize the setting perfectly, could practically feel the sand in the toes and the salty ocean air on my skin.
Additionally, towards the end we get a character POV switch in the form of captain's logs and I really enjoyed that format. I will never complain when a book suddenly starts to use any kind of epistolary format! I also liked hating on Ms. Pearly and her Vigil posts. Every time I saw one pop up I couldn't wait to see what BS Ms. Pearly was saying now!
I think the only struggles for me with the book were that most of the characters were constantly drinking and as someone who's dealt with people drinking to that degree it felt a little bit triggering for me personally. It was very difficult to read and reexperience those stressful feelings again. And I'm not sure I fully understood Aimsley's feelings and where they came from for Lizzy, if I'm being totally honest.
Overall I had a good time reading this and I can't wait to see what this author does next!
Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an advance DRC. All opinions are my own.
I think this is the perfect beach read! If I didn't live in a landlocked state I could easily see myself laying out on the beach enjoying the sun and the thrilling vibes of this book. I could visualize the setting perfectly, could practically feel the sand in the toes and the salty ocean air on my skin.
Additionally, towards the end we get a character POV switch in the form of captain's logs and I really enjoyed that format. I will never complain when a book suddenly starts to use any kind of epistolary format! I also liked hating on Ms. Pearly and her Vigil posts. Every time I saw one pop up I couldn't wait to see what BS Ms. Pearly was saying now!
I think the only struggles for me with the book were that most of the characters were constantly drinking and as someone who's dealt with people drinking to that degree it felt a little bit triggering for me personally. It was very difficult to read and reexperience those stressful feelings again. And I'm not sure I fully understood Aimsley's feelings and where they came from for Lizzy, if I'm being totally honest.
Overall I had a good time reading this and I can't wait to see what this author does next!
Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an advance DRC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an exceptional book for a debut author. Painters Beach is about to experience a hurricane. They haven’t experienced one in years, but always have had the warnings that amounted to nothing.
Aimsley works at the local bar shack and her friends all hang out there. She meets a woman named Elizabeth who just purchased a house there. Elizabeth has some trauma and washes away her sorrows with alcohol. Aimsley is dating Brooke and go also happens to be the police chiefs daughter. He doesn’t like her at all and tries to cause trouble for her.
Everyone evacuates the area except Elizabeth and her house is destroyed. You have to read to find out what happens!
Aimsley works at the local bar shack and her friends all hang out there. She meets a woman named Elizabeth who just purchased a house there. Elizabeth has some trauma and washes away her sorrows with alcohol. Aimsley is dating Brooke and go also happens to be the police chiefs daughter. He doesn’t like her at all and tries to cause trouble for her.
Everyone evacuates the area except Elizabeth and her house is destroyed. You have to read to find out what happens!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Aimsley August is a local on Painter's Beach in Florida, she works as a bartender and at a bookstore. Aimsley befriends a newcomer to town, Elizabeth Corey. Elizabeth and her husband Christian bought a beach house before Christian was lost at sea. With a hurricane looming and threats of it making landfall on the small island, a murder happens, Jim Crowley. They murder happens just outside of Elizabeth's house on the beach. Others on the island think Elizabeth is the murderer, she is new and doesnt really fit in. Who murdered Jim? Is Christian alive or gone forever? Where does Aimsley fit into all this? Read to find out!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Painter’s Beach is a thrilling ride. It’s a story that builds the tension as the pages turn, blending in twists that hit perfectly, and leaving the reader with an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable reading experience. I had this as a 4.5 star read, and since it is such a strong debut I am rounding up vs down. As I look forward to more from this author!
Well done Jessica, you definitely have a fan here!!
Well done Jessica, you definitely have a fan here!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was an interesting read. It was not what I had expected. I was excited about a murder on the beach but wondered just how significant it was for the plot. I mean it did contribute to one of the small twists so I suppose it was needed in that regard. In the end everything tied up; however, I still ended up with more questions. Overall it was a pretty good book. I gave it 3 1/2 Stars. I'd read another by this author.
May 13, 2026
“Painter’s Beach” by Jessica Ryan was so good! It’s a haunting thriller full of secrets that starts out slow and moody before things go absolutely wild halfway through. Once it kicks off, you won’t be putting it down.
The best kind of book, the kind that lingers in your head long after you’ve finished. I loved it!
The best kind of book, the kind that lingers in your head long after you’ve finished. I loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Painters Beach took me to a whole new level. I remember getting a copy of this book, and in one weekend, I finished the whole book. I could not put this book down, and I wanted more from this author.
I can't wait for her next book to see what else she can bring to life.
I can't wait for her next book to see what else she can bring to life.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is Jessicas Debut Novel, it is a deep dive into a small town where everyone knows everyone, but really doesn't know anyone at all. One Murder, One New comer, and the storm that brings the truth with it. Intense, intriguing, Captivating read. I highly recommend getting your copy ASAP.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews