What do you think?
Rate this book
Beach Thriller
12 hours, 21 minutes
The ultimate summer suspense novel is perfect for beach read lovers everywhere!
Some people lose themselves in a novel. Others lose everything.
Holly Sinclair, a struggling author, is dead broke. After being evicted from her New York apartment, she returns to her family’s dilapidated beach house in coastal New England with one urgent goal: write a book that sells. Fast.
Reinventing herself won’t be easy, but the old seaside town offers a few unexpected allies. Gail, a driven local Realtor, introduces her to a charming handyman who can help her get back on her feet. Serena, the town psychic, offers encouragement and an unsettling warning about danger ahead. And Jade, a teen runaway, is hiding out in Holly’s attic and desperately needs a safe place to land.
Holly takes Jade in, and soon the girl finds work with the powerful Carmichael family. Their dynasty has faded, but their connection to Holly’s past is darker than she wants to remember. Their secrets could put both women at risk.
Not everyone is glad to see Holly return. Someone in town is watching her every move. The Watcher knows something Holly doesn’t. The past may be a foggy echo, but it’s close enough to come rushing in with the tide.
The ultimate summer suspense novel is perfect for beach read lovers everywhere!
Some people lose themselves in a novel. Others lose everything.
Holly Sinclair, a struggling author, is dead broke. After being evicted from her New York apartment, she returns to her family’s dilapidated beach house in coastal New England with one urgent goal: write a book that sells. Fast.
Reinventing herself won’t be easy, but the old seaside town offers a few unexpected allies. Gail, a driven local Realtor, introduces her to a charming handyman who can help her get back on her feet. Serena, the town psychic, offers encouragement and an unsettling warning about danger ahead. And Jade, a teen runaway, is hiding out in Holly’s attic and desperately needs a safe place to land.
Holly takes Jade in, and soon the girl finds work with the powerful Carmichael family. Their dynasty has faded, but their connection to Holly’s past is darker than she wants to remember. Their secrets could put both women at risk.
Not everyone is glad to see Holly return. Someone in town is watching her every move. The Watcher knows something Holly doesn’t. The past may be a foggy echo, but it’s close enough to come rushing in with the tide.
Audiobook
First published June 9, 2026
About the author
Jamie Day
9 books724 followersJamie Day lives in one of those picture-perfect, coastal New England towns you see in the movies. And just like the movies, Jamie has two children and an adorable dog to fawn over. When not writing or reading, Jamie enjoys yoga, the ocean, cooking, and long walks on the beach with the dog, or the kids, or sometimes both.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,167 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Beach Thriller by Jamie Day
Holly Sinclair is struggling as an author and as an evicted New York City renter, so she's back in her old coastal home town and her family’s dilapidated beach house. The place can't be sold because it's locked in some kind of probate something or other and Holly barely has any money to pay for the repairs the falling down place needs. Now Holly has found a teenage girl, Jade, hiding out in her attic. Not willing to kick the girl out, Holly and Jade come to an agreement that Jade can stay for a while. It's actually nice to have someone to care about since Holly's feeling pretty lonely and stuck in her writer's blocked head.
We learn about the past, mostly through an old draft of a novel Holly was writing long ago. But actually, the novel is closely following some things that happened about eighteen years ago, things that led up to Holly's older sister, Anna, dying. Holly feels like her sister's death is partly her fault and that memory haunts Holly's waking and sleeping hours.
It's the powerful Carmichael family, where Anna had been working, that is twisted up in Anna's death. Now, Jade has gotten a job on the Carmichael estate and Holly is worried about her. Jade has read Holly's unfinished book and she wants to both help Holly finish her book but also Jade wants to sleuth the strange Carmichael family. It's obvious something is up with this family and Jade wants to know what is going on at that place.
I was really enjoying the story, wild and crazy as it seemed for about the first two thirds of the book. But then, we get some really over the top action and a long over the top information dump and my enjoyment evaporated. The last part of the story really blew everything up in more ways than one. First there is the long "telling" rather than "showing" of all that went on in the past. Everything becomes so twisted and detailed and ridiculous and drawn out. And then the resolution for so many people makes me think they will always have problems with their lousy choices and ability to forgive the unforgiveable. I just can't believe the way the story wraps up, when such serious crimes have been committed but life just seems to go on for some really bad people. I could discuss this one forever but it'd be a waste of time because the story is what it is and I can't change the ending. Read with Jayme, DeAnn, and Mary Beth so check out their thoughts on this interesting, and then frustrating, buddy read.
Pub June 9, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Holly Sinclair is struggling as an author and as an evicted New York City renter, so she's back in her old coastal home town and her family’s dilapidated beach house. The place can't be sold because it's locked in some kind of probate something or other and Holly barely has any money to pay for the repairs the falling down place needs. Now Holly has found a teenage girl, Jade, hiding out in her attic. Not willing to kick the girl out, Holly and Jade come to an agreement that Jade can stay for a while. It's actually nice to have someone to care about since Holly's feeling pretty lonely and stuck in her writer's blocked head.
We learn about the past, mostly through an old draft of a novel Holly was writing long ago. But actually, the novel is closely following some things that happened about eighteen years ago, things that led up to Holly's older sister, Anna, dying. Holly feels like her sister's death is partly her fault and that memory haunts Holly's waking and sleeping hours.
It's the powerful Carmichael family, where Anna had been working, that is twisted up in Anna's death. Now, Jade has gotten a job on the Carmichael estate and Holly is worried about her. Jade has read Holly's unfinished book and she wants to both help Holly finish her book but also Jade wants to sleuth the strange Carmichael family. It's obvious something is up with this family and Jade wants to know what is going on at that place.
I was really enjoying the story, wild and crazy as it seemed for about the first two thirds of the book. But then, we get some really over the top action and a long over the top information dump and my enjoyment evaporated. The last part of the story really blew everything up in more ways than one. First there is the long "telling" rather than "showing" of all that went on in the past. Everything becomes so twisted and detailed and ridiculous and drawn out. And then the resolution for so many people makes me think they will always have problems with their lousy choices and ability to forgive the unforgiveable. I just can't believe the way the story wraps up, when such serious crimes have been committed but life just seems to go on for some really bad people. I could discuss this one forever but it'd be a waste of time because the story is what it is and I can't change the ending. Read with Jayme, DeAnn, and Mary Beth so check out their thoughts on this interesting, and then frustrating, buddy read.
Pub June 9, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
![Profile Image for Teres [on hiatus].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1625114818i/39438556._UX200_CR0,53,200,200_.jpg)
July 1, 2026
Quick, predictible, entertaining summer read.
June 22, 2026
Beach Thriller. The title says it all. This is a fast paced binge worthy summer read. Three POV with one being the Watcher. The Watcher? Reel me in.
Holly is a struggling author looking for inspiration for her next novel. When her mother passed, she inherited the beach house. Reluctant to move back to the house she grew up in and where her sister passed away, she moves in with no other options. Located in Beaumont, a small idyllic coastal town. So many secrets are buried here and then she finds more unexpected secrets in the attic when she comes across a stowaway.
Jade has been living in the house trying to find answers to her own perplexing questions. She has a necklace that she believes is tied to the house. Is there a connection here to the death of her sister? Jade and Holly become friends and maybe they can help each other out.
Piecing together all the mysterious circumstances, neighbors, and past is a high octane read that begs to be read in one sitting. Highly recommend for suspenseful beach reading.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy.
Holly is a struggling author looking for inspiration for her next novel. When her mother passed, she inherited the beach house. Reluctant to move back to the house she grew up in and where her sister passed away, she moves in with no other options. Located in Beaumont, a small idyllic coastal town. So many secrets are buried here and then she finds more unexpected secrets in the attic when she comes across a stowaway.
Jade has been living in the house trying to find answers to her own perplexing questions. She has a necklace that she believes is tied to the house. Is there a connection here to the death of her sister? Jade and Holly become friends and maybe they can help each other out.
Piecing together all the mysterious circumstances, neighbors, and past is a high octane read that begs to be read in one sitting. Highly recommend for suspenseful beach reading.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy.
June 15, 2026
A quick & easy to read, if rather predictable, thriller, with a gothic touch. I like how Day (Daniel Palmer) dropped in references to his Dad's and other literary figures books - the FMC's a writer and her first, unfinished novel figures heavily. This one's perfect for summer reading!!🌞😎🏖️
March 1, 2026
Your sister is killed years ago. Your mother is never the same, then she dies. You inherit the beach house and return to the town where it all happened. Someone is watching. How's it all connected? Another great plot from Jamie Day who continues to deliver strong thrillers with potent character-driven plots. The setting pulls you, especially if you're a fan of homes with an amazing water view. Toss in a psychic, potential new love interest, and a cop who is good and bad at the same time. Solid Sunday afternoon read.
June 14, 2026
the setup…
Holly Sinclair returns to Beauport, Massachusetts, her family coastal home where she had her fondest and most awful childhood memories. Broke and grieving the recent loss of her mother, Holly is hoping to write her next bestseller and resurrect the investigation of her older sister Anna’s death. It’s been more than twenty years but she’s convinced Anna was murdered and the police complicit in covering it up as an accident. She later discovers 17-year old runaway Jade Jensen squatting in the attic of her house and decides to let her stay. When Jade finds the beginnings of the book called Beach Thriller that Holly started after Anna’s death, she encourages her to finish it…and surreptitiously starts snooping on her own to help write the ending.
the heart of the story…
At the center of everything is the wealthy Carmichael family headed by matriarch Maeve whose son was secretly seeing Anna and her home the site where she was killed. Holly, Jade and an unidentified character known as The Watcher provide the points of view but are surrounded by a host of others who kept sliding on and off my suspect list. Pretty soon I just gave up but held fast to one theory that ended up being right.
the narration…
Emily Shaffer, Jane Oppenheimer, Jennifer Pickens and Megan Tusing round out the full cast and they made this a great listening experience. They all represented their characters nicely and were excellent storytellers.
the bottom line…
I was expecting a little crazy sauce and it delivered that spectacularly at the end. But! This was a meaty puzzler with character depth. I avoided most of the red herrings but still got handed some surprises. This is a classic Day mystery sprinkled with a whiff of romance and I enjoyed the journey.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Holly Sinclair returns to Beauport, Massachusetts, her family coastal home where she had her fondest and most awful childhood memories. Broke and grieving the recent loss of her mother, Holly is hoping to write her next bestseller and resurrect the investigation of her older sister Anna’s death. It’s been more than twenty years but she’s convinced Anna was murdered and the police complicit in covering it up as an accident. She later discovers 17-year old runaway Jade Jensen squatting in the attic of her house and decides to let her stay. When Jade finds the beginnings of the book called Beach Thriller that Holly started after Anna’s death, she encourages her to finish it…and surreptitiously starts snooping on her own to help write the ending.
the heart of the story…
At the center of everything is the wealthy Carmichael family headed by matriarch Maeve whose son was secretly seeing Anna and her home the site where she was killed. Holly, Jade and an unidentified character known as The Watcher provide the points of view but are surrounded by a host of others who kept sliding on and off my suspect list. Pretty soon I just gave up but held fast to one theory that ended up being right.
the narration…
Emily Shaffer, Jane Oppenheimer, Jennifer Pickens and Megan Tusing round out the full cast and they made this a great listening experience. They all represented their characters nicely and were excellent storytellers.
the bottom line…
I was expecting a little crazy sauce and it delivered that spectacularly at the end. But! This was a meaty puzzler with character depth. I avoided most of the red herrings but still got handed some surprises. This is a classic Day mystery sprinkled with a whiff of romance and I enjoyed the journey.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
February 5, 2026
I read Jamie Day’s debut novel, The Block Party a couple of years ago and remember enjoying it, so when I saw his newest novel on NetGalley I decided I’d give it a try.
After her publisher telling her that her latest book just wouldn’t sell, Holly Sinclair is short on cash and unable keep her NYC apartment without having a predicable and consistent income.
She returns to her hometown to live in the house that she inherited after her mother’s passing.
Beauport, Massachusetts is a small town where everyone seems to know each other, as well as a lot of their personal business.
In a way this read like two books in one, because we read from multiple POV’s of Holly, Jade, and “The Watcher”, as well as the unpublished manuscript of a book that she wrote about twenty years prior.
We don’t learn the identity of “The Watcher” until later in the book, and it was not who I initially thought it would be!
It took a few chapters for me to get into this, but once I did I enjoyed it.
There were some parts in the middle that dragged on a tad (it’s 368 pages and I think that it could have been written in the typical 300 page format by taking out some superfluous details here and there).
But I am SO glad that I kept reading!
It really picks up pace around the 70% mark, and at 90% it became great.
I LOVED the way this book ended!
Over half of the characters in this book are not who they appear to be.
There were some good people who I thought were going to be bad and some bad people who I thought were going to be good.
Some I just found myself questioning about at different parts of the book.
Being that the FMC is a published author, this book included a lot of details about the publishing industry and a view into the life of an author, which I found interesting.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Jamie Day for providing me with an ARC to review!
After her publisher telling her that her latest book just wouldn’t sell, Holly Sinclair is short on cash and unable keep her NYC apartment without having a predicable and consistent income.
She returns to her hometown to live in the house that she inherited after her mother’s passing.
Beauport, Massachusetts is a small town where everyone seems to know each other, as well as a lot of their personal business.
In a way this read like two books in one, because we read from multiple POV’s of Holly, Jade, and “The Watcher”, as well as the unpublished manuscript of a book that she wrote about twenty years prior.
We don’t learn the identity of “The Watcher” until later in the book, and it was not who I initially thought it would be!
It took a few chapters for me to get into this, but once I did I enjoyed it.
There were some parts in the middle that dragged on a tad (it’s 368 pages and I think that it could have been written in the typical 300 page format by taking out some superfluous details here and there).
But I am SO glad that I kept reading!
It really picks up pace around the 70% mark, and at 90% it became great.
I LOVED the way this book ended!
Over half of the characters in this book are not who they appear to be.
There were some good people who I thought were going to be bad and some bad people who I thought were going to be good.
Some I just found myself questioning about at different parts of the book.
Being that the FMC is a published author, this book included a lot of details about the publishing industry and a view into the life of an author, which I found interesting.
Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Jamie Day for providing me with an ARC to review!
June 13, 2026
Beach Thriller by Jamie Day
Mystery, thriller. Multiple POV’s.
Holly Sinclair is a successfully published author. When her agent tells her she’s only as good as her next book, she returns home to Beauport, Massachusetts hoping for inspiration.
The home she returns to is in disrepair. The town is mixed on welcoming her, and there is a squatter in the house that Holly can’t quite bring herself to kicking out. As her stay lengthens, Holly realizes there is something, or someone, intent on making her leave. Permanently.
🎧 I was able to alternate between an ebook and an audiobook. The narration is performed by Emily Shaffer, Jane Oppenheimer, Jennifer Pickens, and Megan Tusing. The performances are interwoven seamlessly and professionally. As the tension in the story ramps up, we can hear the pressure and worry from Holly, Jade’s youthful impatience and the creepy thoughts of The Watcher.
The audiobook and the multiple voices draw the listener in as the mystery unravels. And while there are multiple POV’s, it is easy to follow and understand as the story progresses.
An engrossing story with a creepy Watcher character, twists, and reveals that will surprise you until the end.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.
Mystery, thriller. Multiple POV’s.
Holly Sinclair is a successfully published author. When her agent tells her she’s only as good as her next book, she returns home to Beauport, Massachusetts hoping for inspiration.
The home she returns to is in disrepair. The town is mixed on welcoming her, and there is a squatter in the house that Holly can’t quite bring herself to kicking out. As her stay lengthens, Holly realizes there is something, or someone, intent on making her leave. Permanently.
🎧 I was able to alternate between an ebook and an audiobook. The narration is performed by Emily Shaffer, Jane Oppenheimer, Jennifer Pickens, and Megan Tusing. The performances are interwoven seamlessly and professionally. As the tension in the story ramps up, we can hear the pressure and worry from Holly, Jade’s youthful impatience and the creepy thoughts of The Watcher.
The audiobook and the multiple voices draw the listener in as the mystery unravels. And while there are multiple POV’s, it is easy to follow and understand as the story progresses.
An engrossing story with a creepy Watcher character, twists, and reveals that will surprise you until the end.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio.
Did Not Finish
July 27, 2026This was not for me at all. I could tell within just a couple chapters, because of how bored I was. DNF. Will not be rating due to how little I was able to get through.
June 15, 2026
Holly, a moderately successful writer, is suffering from writer’s block, but needs to come up with her next book soon. Especially since she’s hurting for cash. Moving back to her childhood home, a rundown beach cottage isn’t something she wanted to do but it’s all she can afford. Holly just needs to hunker down and write a book. That’s difficult when reminders of her sister’s death which was ruled as “undetermined” are around every corner. Holly knows in her gut that Anna was murdered, but the police did little to solve it.
Jade, not quite eighteen, ran away from a troubled home has also landed in Beauford, her path intersecting with Holly’s.
Finding her old draft, “Beach Thriller”, which was based on those events motivates Holly to uncover the truth and finally get justice for her sister. Unfortunately, digging around for the truth puts both Holly and Jade in danger.
It took me a bit to get into the story and some of the dialogue and reactions felt a little off, but around the 30% mark I was fully invested. I enjoyed Beach Thriller and liked both Holly and Jade. I liked the “book within a book” aspect. I guessed at some of the reveals, but others were a surprise. I appreciated how it all was explained and made sense, wrapping up the story in a satisfying conclusion.
I listened to the audio version and having a full cast of narrators, one for each POV, definitely enhanced my enjoyment!
I voluntarily listened to a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Jade, not quite eighteen, ran away from a troubled home has also landed in Beauford, her path intersecting with Holly’s.
Finding her old draft, “Beach Thriller”, which was based on those events motivates Holly to uncover the truth and finally get justice for her sister. Unfortunately, digging around for the truth puts both Holly and Jade in danger.
It took me a bit to get into the story and some of the dialogue and reactions felt a little off, but around the 30% mark I was fully invested. I enjoyed Beach Thriller and liked both Holly and Jade. I liked the “book within a book” aspect. I guessed at some of the reveals, but others were a surprise. I appreciated how it all was explained and made sense, wrapping up the story in a satisfying conclusion.
I listened to the audio version and having a full cast of narrators, one for each POV, definitely enhanced my enjoyment!
I voluntarily listened to a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
September 7, 2026
Beach Thriller by Jamie Day, gave me goosebumps.
It fit in nicely as an end of summer read.
Trust your gut.
Someone might be watching…
It fit in nicely as an end of summer read.
Trust your gut.
Someone might be watching…
August 22, 2026
TW/CW: Language, drinking, death of sibling, dementia, death of parent(s), toxic family relationships, drug use, addiction, overdose, child abandonment
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Holly Sinclair, a struggling writer, is forced from her cherished New York apartment and returns to her family's seaside cottage in the charming town of Beauport, Massachusetts—a home she hasn't seen in nearly twenty years. Guilt grabs her the moment she arrives. Years ago, her sister died here, and Holly still blames herself.
She arrives on a mission from her literary agent to write a best-selling novel. Her future depends on it. But she’s not the only one with an agenda. Someone is watching Holly's every move from the shadows. Desperate for a good idea, Holly makes the fateful choice to write about her past. The Watcher sees all and knows what Holly doesn’t: Some secrets must remain buried.
As threats from the ominous Watcher become increasingly sinister, Holly realizes that, even though the past is a faint echo, it is still close enough to be deadly.
Release Date: June 9th, 2026
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 356
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Plot was interesting
2. Enjoyed the writing style
3. Holly was a likable character
What I Didn't Like:
1. The Watchers parts came off cheesy at times
2. Too much going on
3. Got boring as story went further
4. Too many povs that sounded similar
5. The Watcher being Anna
6. Anna being Jades mom - not surprising
7. The inserted Anna story I didn't care about at all
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
What is this creepy stalker narrator? At one point I'm pretty sure he was quoting Darkman (the movie).
We already know that Anna had the same cladagh ring as Holly so it's weird that it's being repeated almost 100 pages into the book.
I swear to god if this story ends up with Jade being Anna's daughter I am going to scream. We have seen that too many times.
Have I entered a Riley Sager book - a hot handyman showing up.
You know what's confusing.... Having two different characters and then two different books going at once. I'm trying to keep track but it's pretty wild.
Final Thoughts:
Sigh. Thrillers are just so predictable and bland anymore. Maybe I've read too many of them that I am just over the "twists" they offer.
The reveal of the Watcher being Anna wasn't shocking. Yeah I guess you wouldn't actually guess it's Holly's sister only because the things the Watcher says is not the thoughts of a sister missing her family and sad over not being able to be apart of her sister's life. Things like "If she knows what's good for her" or "I'm sure you've been through a lot" - these are not normal thoughts you'd think of your sister. Plus you've been watching her so you know she has and it's not a competition to see who has hurt the most. It was just weird.
I hated that we got Holly, Jade, The Watcher and then the fact but kind of realish story of Anna's death.
Jade being the daughter of Anna has been done so many times.
I dnfed this book half way through. I gave it an honest chance but it just couldn't keep my attention and I stalled on actually wanting to pick it up to read. There was a day where I chose to reorganize my cookbooks than pick this book up.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Holly Sinclair, a struggling writer, is forced from her cherished New York apartment and returns to her family's seaside cottage in the charming town of Beauport, Massachusetts—a home she hasn't seen in nearly twenty years. Guilt grabs her the moment she arrives. Years ago, her sister died here, and Holly still blames herself.
She arrives on a mission from her literary agent to write a best-selling novel. Her future depends on it. But she’s not the only one with an agenda. Someone is watching Holly's every move from the shadows. Desperate for a good idea, Holly makes the fateful choice to write about her past. The Watcher sees all and knows what Holly doesn’t: Some secrets must remain buried.
As threats from the ominous Watcher become increasingly sinister, Holly realizes that, even though the past is a faint echo, it is still close enough to be deadly.
Release Date: June 9th, 2026
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 356
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Plot was interesting
2. Enjoyed the writing style
3. Holly was a likable character
What I Didn't Like:
1. The Watchers parts came off cheesy at times
2. Too much going on
3. Got boring as story went further
4. Too many povs that sounded similar
5. The Watcher being Anna
6. Anna being Jades mom - not surprising
7. The inserted Anna story I didn't care about at all
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
What is this creepy stalker narrator? At one point I'm pretty sure he was quoting Darkman (the movie).
"I am everyone and no one. Everywhere. Nowhere. Call me...
-Darkman"
We already know that Anna had the same cladagh ring as Holly so it's weird that it's being repeated almost 100 pages into the book.
I swear to god if this story ends up with Jade being Anna's daughter I am going to scream. We have seen that too many times.
Have I entered a Riley Sager book - a hot handyman showing up.
You know what's confusing.... Having two different characters and then two different books going at once. I'm trying to keep track but it's pretty wild.
Final Thoughts:
Sigh. Thrillers are just so predictable and bland anymore. Maybe I've read too many of them that I am just over the "twists" they offer.
The reveal of the Watcher being Anna wasn't shocking. Yeah I guess you wouldn't actually guess it's Holly's sister only because the things the Watcher says is not the thoughts of a sister missing her family and sad over not being able to be apart of her sister's life. Things like "If she knows what's good for her" or "I'm sure you've been through a lot" - these are not normal thoughts you'd think of your sister. Plus you've been watching her so you know she has and it's not a competition to see who has hurt the most. It was just weird.
I hated that we got Holly, Jade, The Watcher and then the fact but kind of realish story of Anna's death.
Jade being the daughter of Anna has been done so many times.
I dnfed this book half way through. I gave it an honest chance but it just couldn't keep my attention and I stalled on actually wanting to pick it up to read. There was a day where I chose to reorganize my cookbooks than pick this book up.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
You can always depend on Jamie Day to deliver a great beach read.
This story is set in Massachusetts, and the coastal setting was perfectly captured. As was the desperation of the main character, both in her current financial circumstances and in her unsettling past. There was plenty of spooky things sprinkled in as well. A psychic, a potentially haunted beach house, and, scariest of all, an all seeing eye known as The Watcher. The Watcher's chapters were so creepy and had me flipping through the pages to find out their motivation.
I read this is the dead of winter. But I'll definitely be reading this again in the summer (hopefully by the ocean).
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story is set in Massachusetts, and the coastal setting was perfectly captured. As was the desperation of the main character, both in her current financial circumstances and in her unsettling past. There was plenty of spooky things sprinkled in as well. A psychic, a potentially haunted beach house, and, scariest of all, an all seeing eye known as The Watcher. The Watcher's chapters were so creepy and had me flipping through the pages to find out their motivation.
I read this is the dead of winter. But I'll definitely be reading this again in the summer (hopefully by the ocean).
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 15, 2026
such a fun twisty bingeable thriller. A great beach read or just relaxing at home. This has short chapters and multiple perspectives - but never too many characters where I was lost! Loved it.
June 15, 2026
This is another Day novel that left me reeling at the end. While I haven't loved everything she hasn't written, I am always left with a ton of emotion.
This novel in particular has me in a chokehold from the beginning as it has a great premise and setting. I love the isolated beach house trope and this one delivered spectacularly.
Thank you to NetGalley , the author Jamie Day, and Macmillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
This novel in particular has me in a chokehold from the beginning as it has a great premise and setting. I love the isolated beach house trope and this one delivered spectacularly.
Thank you to NetGalley , the author Jamie Day, and Macmillan audio for my ARC of this audiobook.
May 29, 2026
Beach Thriller by Jamie Day was exactly the kind of summer suspense read I gravitate toward: fast paced, addictive, and impossible not to binge. This is pure popcorn thriller energy, but with enough depth and sharpness to keep it from feeling forgettable. The coastal small town setting was one of my favorite parts, all the gossip, buried secrets, wealthy families, and long held grudges created such an immersive atmosphere. Beauport felt charming on the surface while still carrying that eerie undercurrent that something terrible happened here years ago and never truly stayed buried.
I also loved the structure of this one. Multiple POVs always make thrillers more entertaining for me, and the anonymous “Watcher” chapters added such a creepy, sinister edge throughout the story. The book within a book angle was another fun layer that made the mystery feel more layered and engaging. I kept changing my theories as the story unfolded, which is always a good sign, and I appreciated that the twists didn’t feel overly predictable. The pacing stays steady the entire time and moves quickly without sacrificing atmosphere or character drama.
At its core, this is a solid cold case mystery wrapped in a juicy beach town thriller full of secrets, suspicion, and simmering tension. If you love messy small town dynamics, coastal settings, unreliable vibes, and thrillers that feel tailor made for summer reading, this one absolutely delivers. It’s dramatic, creepy, and ridiculously easy to fly through in just a couple sittings.
I also loved the structure of this one. Multiple POVs always make thrillers more entertaining for me, and the anonymous “Watcher” chapters added such a creepy, sinister edge throughout the story. The book within a book angle was another fun layer that made the mystery feel more layered and engaging. I kept changing my theories as the story unfolded, which is always a good sign, and I appreciated that the twists didn’t feel overly predictable. The pacing stays steady the entire time and moves quickly without sacrificing atmosphere or character drama.
At its core, this is a solid cold case mystery wrapped in a juicy beach town thriller full of secrets, suspicion, and simmering tension. If you love messy small town dynamics, coastal settings, unreliable vibes, and thrillers that feel tailor made for summer reading, this one absolutely delivers. It’s dramatic, creepy, and ridiculously easy to fly through in just a couple sittings.
Read
June 4, 2026I really loved The Block Party and The Lake Escape, but I have to say Beach Thriller did not work as well for me.
Was it a "beach thriller?" Only in a "meta" way, as the book also has a story within a story.
Holly, one of the book's narrators, inherits a dilapidated old house in Beufort MA, and has no choice but to live there, even though she'd had a traumatic experience there as a teenager. This beach town has a creepy town busker (?!?!?) who sang ominous warnings to Holly (yes, really; this made me crack up every time he popped up), a wayward teenager squatting in Holly's house and a POV character called The Watcher.
At times the story felt a bit neo-Gothic in the way of The Housemaid, with a sinister rich family and . I even thought it might turn paranormal at one point. There was a meta "story within a story" element of a fictionalized version of past events written by Holly as a teenager.
The ending was pretty out-there and required a lot of explanation. I'm still sort of processing. It was a LOT and I'm not sure if I liked it or am just relieved I made it out in one piece!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Was it a "beach thriller?" Only in a "meta" way, as the book also has a story within a story.
Holly, one of the book's narrators, inherits a dilapidated old house in Beufort MA, and has no choice but to live there, even though she'd had a traumatic experience there as a teenager. This beach town has a creepy town busker (?!?!?) who sang ominous warnings to Holly (yes, really; this made me crack up every time he popped up), a wayward teenager squatting in Holly's house and a POV character called The Watcher.
At times the story felt a bit neo-Gothic in the way of The Housemaid, with a sinister rich family and . I even thought it might turn paranormal at one point. There was a meta "story within a story" element of a fictionalized version of past events written by Holly as a teenager.
The ending was pretty out-there and required a lot of explanation. I'm still sort of processing. It was a LOT and I'm not sure if I liked it or am just relieved I made it out in one piece!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
March 21, 2026
Sadly, every Jamie Day read seems to lessen in quality for me. This book is SO far-fetched and cheesy. I didn't buy the rich-guy-falls-for-broke-local routine. Every villain was cartoonishly "evil." The entire hopping beach town was populated by the same five people that Holly kept "running into." This pushy realtor got away with being downright rude. And, while I rooted for Jade, who in their right mind would so flippantly tell a squatter to stay in the house they'd been unlawfully occupying.
I didn't buy the secrets or really much of the storyline for that matter and I thought the book-within-a-book was juvenile and poorly written.
I'm not usually such a touch critic, but I LOVED Block Party and, since reading that, Day's books have consistently slid downhill for me with this being by far the worst. IMO, obviously.
I don't regret reading it, but I got nothing from it and I'm glad it was quick. I wouldn't count Day out, but I wouldn't go out of my way for Beach Thriller.
I didn't buy the secrets or really much of the storyline for that matter and I thought the book-within-a-book was juvenile and poorly written.
I'm not usually such a touch critic, but I LOVED Block Party and, since reading that, Day's books have consistently slid downhill for me with this being by far the worst. IMO, obviously.
I don't regret reading it, but I got nothing from it and I'm glad it was quick. I wouldn't count Day out, but I wouldn't go out of my way for Beach Thriller.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Summer mystery thrillers are so fun! Is it over-the-top, sure. Is it edge-of-your seat "what on earth is going on?" - YES!
An author trying to write a new best seller - taking some time in a cottage that has been boarded up since her mother passed. We have a watcher POV, a questionable handy man, and a kid wondering what her past was and what's her future. There are troubling things happening and a rich family definitely hiding secrets. How does it all tie together?
Fun, easy, summer read! Definitely one to enjoy on the beach or in a cabin for the weekend!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
An author trying to write a new best seller - taking some time in a cottage that has been boarded up since her mother passed. We have a watcher POV, a questionable handy man, and a kid wondering what her past was and what's her future. There are troubling things happening and a rich family definitely hiding secrets. How does it all tie together?
Fun, easy, summer read! Definitely one to enjoy on the beach or in a cabin for the weekend!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
June 23, 2026
Read over several days by a pool and relaxing on the porch, this book is the epitome of a perfect beach read.
My first by the author, I LOVED the story within a story (really a thriller within a thriller)
Any story with a protagonist that is a writer just feels perfect to me, and in this, Holly Sinclair is returning home after the death of her mother.
She has to face figurative and almost literal ghosts when she gets to her childhood home. This book has twists, evil rich people, family secrets and a life long unsolved mystery. I couldn't put it down many times!
So a big thank you to St. Martin's Press for a copy, and another to the author-who I will be backlogging books on now!
My first by the author, I LOVED the story within a story (really a thriller within a thriller)
Any story with a protagonist that is a writer just feels perfect to me, and in this, Holly Sinclair is returning home after the death of her mother.
She has to face figurative and almost literal ghosts when she gets to her childhood home. This book has twists, evil rich people, family secrets and a life long unsolved mystery. I couldn't put it down many times!
So a big thank you to St. Martin's Press for a copy, and another to the author-who I will be backlogging books on now!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
✨ Rating: 4.5⭐️
🫧 Vibes: the writer and the watcher
🎶 Song: vigilante shit - taylor swift
📚 Would I recommend? absolutely!
💬 tldr thoughts: a great thriller I wish I could've read on the beach!
In the package:
📦 multiple POVs
📦 unsolved murder
📦 found family
📦 grief & guilt
Plot: Holly Sinclair is a struggling writer, and she just inherited her mom's seaside cottage where she plans to go write her next novel but also finally discover what happened to her sister that died years ago. But someone is watching Holly's every move from the shadows.
Thoughts: OH I ATE THIS UP!!! I absolutely adored the way this was written with multiple POVs and then reading the manuscript of the book the FMC was writing. But the manuscript is actually recounting real life events 👀 This was very twisty and it reminded me so much of the TV show Revenge, one of my all time faves, so naturally I loved this. You've got evil rich people, family secrets, and someone trying to uncover them. I did guess one of the twists but it somehow still managed to shock me. I totally wished I was in the Hamptons with a glass of wine reading this one! I really want this one turned into a movie.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for this gifted physical ARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
🫧 Vibes: the writer and the watcher
🎶 Song: vigilante shit - taylor swift
📚 Would I recommend? absolutely!
💬 tldr thoughts: a great thriller I wish I could've read on the beach!
In the package:
📦 multiple POVs
📦 unsolved murder
📦 found family
📦 grief & guilt
Plot: Holly Sinclair is a struggling writer, and she just inherited her mom's seaside cottage where she plans to go write her next novel but also finally discover what happened to her sister that died years ago. But someone is watching Holly's every move from the shadows.
Thoughts: OH I ATE THIS UP!!! I absolutely adored the way this was written with multiple POVs and then reading the manuscript of the book the FMC was writing. But the manuscript is actually recounting real life events 👀 This was very twisty and it reminded me so much of the TV show Revenge, one of my all time faves, so naturally I loved this. You've got evil rich people, family secrets, and someone trying to uncover them. I did guess one of the twists but it somehow still managed to shock me. I totally wished I was in the Hamptons with a glass of wine reading this one! I really want this one turned into a movie.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for this gifted physical ARC!
✩⁺₊✩☽⋆ follow me on tiktok and instagram⋆☾✩⁺₊✩
June 1, 2026
*audiobook
“Anna is there.”
“Closeness is pain. Caring is an illusion.”
“I was once a watcher, now I need to be something else, something I haven’t been in a long, long time.”
“I don’t know how the evening will unfold, but I’m certain of one thing, not everyone at the party will make it through the night.”
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for my #gifted copy of this audiobook. I was so excited to check it out and give my honest thoughts. As I started this one I was longing for the beach because as atmospheric as this one was, I wanted to be at the beach for real.
Holly is an author, and she’s struggling to pump out another manuscript. She needs a spark of creativity, an idea that can help to put her on the best seller’s list. Oh boy does she find it. She’s been going through it between her mother and sister Anna dying, this disaster of a beach house and a career at rock bottom. To make matters worse she find a a squatter named Jade in the dilapidated beach house when she arrives.
This book has a ton of interesting characters and it kept my interest from start to finish. I really enjoyed Jade’s character from the moment she came on the scene.
The creepy unknown narrator was a fun element in this book. There were a bunch of different POVs which works so well for a novel like this because you can gather so many clues as each person gives their portion of the story. You’ll find yourself asking what is fiction and what is reality.
There were a lot of twists and pivots in this one, so I appreciated how the author wrapped everything up at the end.
“Anna is there.”
“Closeness is pain. Caring is an illusion.”
“I was once a watcher, now I need to be something else, something I haven’t been in a long, long time.”
“I don’t know how the evening will unfold, but I’m certain of one thing, not everyone at the party will make it through the night.”
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for my #gifted copy of this audiobook. I was so excited to check it out and give my honest thoughts. As I started this one I was longing for the beach because as atmospheric as this one was, I wanted to be at the beach for real.
Holly is an author, and she’s struggling to pump out another manuscript. She needs a spark of creativity, an idea that can help to put her on the best seller’s list. Oh boy does she find it. She’s been going through it between her mother and sister Anna dying, this disaster of a beach house and a career at rock bottom. To make matters worse she find a a squatter named Jade in the dilapidated beach house when she arrives.
This book has a ton of interesting characters and it kept my interest from start to finish. I really enjoyed Jade’s character from the moment she came on the scene.
The creepy unknown narrator was a fun element in this book. There were a bunch of different POVs which works so well for a novel like this because you can gather so many clues as each person gives their portion of the story. You’ll find yourself asking what is fiction and what is reality.
There were a lot of twists and pivots in this one, so I appreciated how the author wrapped everything up at the end.
June 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This one had an interesting premise and some entertaining moments, but overall it was just an okay read for me. The story felt pretty slow through most of the book, and I found myself waiting for things to really pick up. Unfortunately, a lot of the twists ended up being fairly predictable for me, so I wasn't as surprised or invested as I hoped to be.
That said, Day's writing kept me engaged enough to finish, and the beach-town setting added a fun summer vibe. I think if you enjoy slow burn thrillers with family drama and secrets, then you will most likely enjoy this one better than I did.
This one had an interesting premise and some entertaining moments, but overall it was just an okay read for me. The story felt pretty slow through most of the book, and I found myself waiting for things to really pick up. Unfortunately, a lot of the twists ended up being fairly predictable for me, so I wasn't as surprised or invested as I hoped to be.
That said, Day's writing kept me engaged enough to finish, and the beach-town setting added a fun summer vibe. I think if you enjoy slow burn thrillers with family drama and secrets, then you will most likely enjoy this one better than I did.
July 28, 2026
Beach Thriller by Jamie Day was a decent summer thriller with an atmosphere that kept me reading, even if it didn't completely win me over. There were definitely moments where the story felt ominous and made me wonder what was really going on, which was probably my favorite part of the book.
That said, I did feel like it dragged in places. There were times when the pacing slowed enough that I found myself wishing things would move along a little quicker. While I enjoyed certain aspects of the story, I never fully connected with the characters or the overall plot the way I was hoping to.
Overall, I think it's worth picking up if you're looking for an easy, suspenseful beach read, but it wasn't a standout for me. I'm glad I read it, but it's not one I'll be thinking about for very long.
That said, I did feel like it dragged in places. There were times when the pacing slowed enough that I found myself wishing things would move along a little quicker. While I enjoyed certain aspects of the story, I never fully connected with the characters or the overall plot the way I was hoping to.
Overall, I think it's worth picking up if you're looking for an easy, suspenseful beach read, but it wasn't a standout for me. I'm glad I read it, but it's not one I'll be thinking about for very long.
June 9, 2026
Grab your beach chair, cooler and towel. Go sit near the ocean and get ready for the read of your life! Two thrillers for the price of one in this incredibly suspenseful, story, Beach Thriller! Part mystery, part nail biter this has it all! With twists you will not see coming, and so many secrets and lies your head will spin. Told in chapter form by the three main characters, a flailing writer, a runaway teenager and a mysterious watcher who seems to know too much. How much more could you want?
Holly Sinclair is a writer who is going back to Beauport, MA to fix up the home her late mother, dead sister and herself lived in. She did not want to come home because of the memories but with no money and an eviction notice from her apartment, well, she had no choice.
Not only is she anxious about coming home but she knows if she doesn't come up with a great book idea, she's going to not only be in trouble with her agent, but she's so much in debt she will be living on the street. But their house has not been lived in for so long it has become dilapidated, and she has to hire someone to fix it up. But unfortunately, she is still waiting for her mother's estate to go through probate.
What she did not expect was for someone to take up residence in the attic! Jade is a runaway who has come to the town with a necklace she thinks comes from here. She's trying to figure out what it's meaning could possibly be. Jade discovers an unfinished manuscript in the attic Holly had begun years ago. It chronicles what was going on at the time of her sister's disappearance. This prompts Holly to delve into her sister's death and begin to ask questions.
Holly takes a liking to Jade and allows her to stay but when Jade gets a job at the powerful Carmichael family mansion, Holly is angered and scared for Jade. This family destroyed her family's life! Matriarch Maeve Charmichael ruined not only her Holly's life but put her sister on a path to death! Jade decides to keep working for Maeve and help with a beach party which years ago was held every year and a must attend! For some reason Maeve feels at her age, this may be the last of this type of party she will ever attend.
To Holly that party was the beginning of the end of her sister's life. Then Jade suddenly disappears and it's up to Holly, her realtor Gail and local psychic Serena to find out what happened to her. But unfortunately, there have been so many secrets and lies and deceptions throughout the years will they find her in time. Once again, it seems the Carmichael's are bent on wrecking lives!
Beach thriller will blow your mind! If you love deception, greed and plot twists, this is certainly the book for you! Two incredible mysteries for the price of one! Relax and enjoy! Oh, and don't forget the sunscreen!
Thank you #NetGalley #St.Martin'sPress #JamieDay #BeachThriller for the advanced copy!
Holly Sinclair is a writer who is going back to Beauport, MA to fix up the home her late mother, dead sister and herself lived in. She did not want to come home because of the memories but with no money and an eviction notice from her apartment, well, she had no choice.
Not only is she anxious about coming home but she knows if she doesn't come up with a great book idea, she's going to not only be in trouble with her agent, but she's so much in debt she will be living on the street. But their house has not been lived in for so long it has become dilapidated, and she has to hire someone to fix it up. But unfortunately, she is still waiting for her mother's estate to go through probate.
What she did not expect was for someone to take up residence in the attic! Jade is a runaway who has come to the town with a necklace she thinks comes from here. She's trying to figure out what it's meaning could possibly be. Jade discovers an unfinished manuscript in the attic Holly had begun years ago. It chronicles what was going on at the time of her sister's disappearance. This prompts Holly to delve into her sister's death and begin to ask questions.
Holly takes a liking to Jade and allows her to stay but when Jade gets a job at the powerful Carmichael family mansion, Holly is angered and scared for Jade. This family destroyed her family's life! Matriarch Maeve Charmichael ruined not only her Holly's life but put her sister on a path to death! Jade decides to keep working for Maeve and help with a beach party which years ago was held every year and a must attend! For some reason Maeve feels at her age, this may be the last of this type of party she will ever attend.
To Holly that party was the beginning of the end of her sister's life. Then Jade suddenly disappears and it's up to Holly, her realtor Gail and local psychic Serena to find out what happened to her. But unfortunately, there have been so many secrets and lies and deceptions throughout the years will they find her in time. Once again, it seems the Carmichael's are bent on wrecking lives!
Beach thriller will blow your mind! If you love deception, greed and plot twists, this is certainly the book for you! Two incredible mysteries for the price of one! Relax and enjoy! Oh, and don't forget the sunscreen!
Thank you #NetGalley #St.Martin'sPress #JamieDay #BeachThriller for the advanced copy!
May 30, 2026
This one felt different because of the *book within a book* setup. I’m honestly still not 100% sure how I feel about it 😅 I appreciated how unique it was and how much it stood out, but I definitely had moments where I had to remind myself, *okay wait… we’re in the book-inside-the-book right now*. That said, this story moved FAST for me. I kept questioning what was really going on, who was hiding what, and where the story was heading next. It felt like a messy little adventure full of secrets, suspicion, and people behaving badly (which, let’s be honest, is always entertaining).
Jade was absolutely the MVP for me. Sarcastic, funny, a little messy, and fully committed to amateur sleuthing, her POV was consistently entertaining. And speaking of POVs, the three perspectives actually worked really well here, each one added something to the mystery. Also? Watching rich people spiral and hide secrets is apparently one of my favorite thriller hobbies 😂 My only real hiccup was the ending. I didn’t hate it, but it leaned a little more YA-feeling than I expected and didn’t totally stick the landing for me. The story kept me peeking around the corner, suspicious of literally everyone in town. A fun, fast-paced thriller with messy characters, secrets galore, and plenty of drama. Solid 4 stars.
Jade was absolutely the MVP for me. Sarcastic, funny, a little messy, and fully committed to amateur sleuthing, her POV was consistently entertaining. And speaking of POVs, the three perspectives actually worked really well here, each one added something to the mystery. Also? Watching rich people spiral and hide secrets is apparently one of my favorite thriller hobbies 😂 My only real hiccup was the ending. I didn’t hate it, but it leaned a little more YA-feeling than I expected and didn’t totally stick the landing for me. The story kept me peeking around the corner, suspicious of literally everyone in town. A fun, fast-paced thriller with messy characters, secrets galore, and plenty of drama. Solid 4 stars.
June 17, 2026
Beach Thriller is a suspenseful book that keeps you guessing until the very end. Holly Sinclair is hesitant to return to her home town of Beauport, Massachusetts because of what happened 20 years ago. Beauport is a beautiful seaside town and holds many memories for Holly. Holly needs a change as she's struggling to write her next book and she can't afford to stay in her New York apartment any longer. Holly's sister, Anna, died here 20 years ago and Holly has never gotten over it. She feels guilty for being late to meet Anna as she was supposed to go with her when she told her boyfriend. she wanted to break up. She was a bit late and she never saw Anna ever again. Was it really an accident? Holly has always believed that someone killed Anna on purpose. She's coming back to write her new book and to try to find out what really happened to Anna. Holly's mom recently died so the seaside cottage is all hers. It needs a lot of work, but she's ready to settle in and get it done.
Someone in Beauport is watching Holly and doesn't want her to find out the truth. Holly begins getting threatening notes and is convinced she's right about Anna's death. The police aren't cooperating, but Holly finds help from some locals and keeps looking into things. When Holly comes across a story she wrote all those years ago, she decides that it might make a good start for her new book. It's about Anna and how she died, but not everyone wants that story to get out. As Holly visits people to get information from all those years ago, the person watching is getting more and more upset. Will Holly find out what really happened or will she become the next victim? Jamie Day does a great job of flipping between the 2 timelines to build the suspense more and more. I really enjoyed trying to figure the mystery out and rate Beach Thriller 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of Beach Thriller in exchange for a fair review.
Someone in Beauport is watching Holly and doesn't want her to find out the truth. Holly begins getting threatening notes and is convinced she's right about Anna's death. The police aren't cooperating, but Holly finds help from some locals and keeps looking into things. When Holly comes across a story she wrote all those years ago, she decides that it might make a good start for her new book. It's about Anna and how she died, but not everyone wants that story to get out. As Holly visits people to get information from all those years ago, the person watching is getting more and more upset. Will Holly find out what really happened or will she become the next victim? Jamie Day does a great job of flipping between the 2 timelines to build the suspense more and more. I really enjoyed trying to figure the mystery out and rate Beach Thriller 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of Beach Thriller in exchange for a fair review.
June 2, 2026
Beach Thriller (audio) 4⭐️
This truly embodies a great summer read! Some things the reader can expect:
-a 40-something returning to her childhood home that she vowed never to come back to.
-a book (“Beach Thriller”) within a book (also titled “Beach Thriller”).
-a mystery from 20 years earlier.
-multiple POVs, including an unknown “watcher”.
-small town/rich family/gothic mansion.
Holly returns to the neglected family summer home, still haunted by her sister’s death 20 years earlier. As an author Holly has had some success, but her first story “Beach Thriller” remains unfinished after the “based on true story” plot turned deadly. But the book becomes prevalent to Holly after she finds a teenage squatter in her home who read the book and wants to help solve the lingering mystery.
This has a lot of elements of your typical return-home-summer-mystery, but that’s what makes it entertaining and easy to breeze through.
The narrators did a great job and I appreciated having multiple voices.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Jun 09 2026
This truly embodies a great summer read! Some things the reader can expect:
-a 40-something returning to her childhood home that she vowed never to come back to.
-a book (“Beach Thriller”) within a book (also titled “Beach Thriller”).
-a mystery from 20 years earlier.
-multiple POVs, including an unknown “watcher”.
-small town/rich family/gothic mansion.
Holly returns to the neglected family summer home, still haunted by her sister’s death 20 years earlier. As an author Holly has had some success, but her first story “Beach Thriller” remains unfinished after the “based on true story” plot turned deadly. But the book becomes prevalent to Holly after she finds a teenage squatter in her home who read the book and wants to help solve the lingering mystery.
This has a lot of elements of your typical return-home-summer-mystery, but that’s what makes it entertaining and easy to breeze through.
The narrators did a great job and I appreciated having multiple voices.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Jun 09 2026
June 14, 2026
This was a very exciting story that had me quickly flipping through the pages. It had a great plot, surprising twists and relatable characters. I hope to read more by this author.
I’d like to thank NetGalley and St Martins Press for the opportunity to review this ARC that will be released in June 2026!
I’d like to thank NetGalley and St Martins Press for the opportunity to review this ARC that will be released in June 2026!
June 20, 2026
I have loved Jamie Days books in the past so I was very excited to pick this one up.
I was thrown off because it wasn’t what I was expecting. Jamie’s previous releases involved gossipy neighbors with lots of juicy secrets. This book was completely different.
It was a slow burn mystery about Holly moving back to a the small town she grew up in to investigate the death of her sister. I honestly felt bored in the middle of the book. There wasn’t a lot happening. I wasn’t a big fan of this one.
I was thrown off because it wasn’t what I was expecting. Jamie’s previous releases involved gossipy neighbors with lots of juicy secrets. This book was completely different.
It was a slow burn mystery about Holly moving back to a the small town she grew up in to investigate the death of her sister. I honestly felt bored in the middle of the book. There wasn’t a lot happening. I wasn’t a big fan of this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,167 reviews