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What Happened That Weekend: A Gripping Psychological Thriller
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 27, 2026
Great thriller about four women staying in Mara's new home at Lake Tahoe. Things are going well until a dead body shows up in the water and with a huge thunderstorm approaching, who knows when the authorities will reach them. Suspicions and lies, secrets and regrets all feature prominently in this novel that may make you rethink that grand vacation!
July 8, 2026
First, thank you for the ARC copy! I read this book from start to finish and found the storyline really engaging.
For a debut novel, it's a strong effort, but it did have a few misses for me. The main issues were the editing and several lapses in the story's continuity. Because of these hiccups, parts of the book felt slightly underdeveloped.
All in all, it’s a solid three-star read with a great premise that just needed a bit more polish.
For a debut novel, it's a strong effort, but it did have a few misses for me. The main issues were the editing and several lapses in the story's continuity. Because of these hiccups, parts of the book felt slightly underdeveloped.
All in all, it’s a solid three-star read with a great premise that just needed a bit more polish.
August 1, 2026
Do not recommend
SPOILERS AHEAD Proceed with cation.
As an avid reader this book looked like a great rest. Right up my alley of books to love. However everything past the cover and synapse was a dud. The characters don't have any depth at all. They are all just rich whinny brats basically with loser husbands. The story of Cassidy and Todd is never told and they both die so their part of the story falls flat. We never see anything from Todd other than him showing up for girls weekend, being a cheating husband and going missing. It was hard to even get through this book to the end. I kept wishing we would learn more or a big twist but really it was all expected. We knew who was gonna be Todd's killer and Cassidy's killer was left a mystery. Hate to say it but I almost didn't finish it was just not good writing at all.
SPOILERS AHEAD Proceed with cation.
As an avid reader this book looked like a great rest. Right up my alley of books to love. However everything past the cover and synapse was a dud. The characters don't have any depth at all. They are all just rich whinny brats basically with loser husbands. The story of Cassidy and Todd is never told and they both die so their part of the story falls flat. We never see anything from Todd other than him showing up for girls weekend, being a cheating husband and going missing. It was hard to even get through this book to the end. I kept wishing we would learn more or a big twist but really it was all expected. We knew who was gonna be Todd's killer and Cassidy's killer was left a mystery. Hate to say it but I almost didn't finish it was just not good writing at all.
July 4, 2026
What HAPPENED
not bad and not great. Easy to read and fellow. Was better than a 3 but not a 4 so rounded up!
not bad and not great. Easy to read and fellow. Was better than a 3 but not a 4 so rounded up!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Firstly, I have to say that for a debut novel, I'm genuinely impressed. Tessa Tharp has created a thriller that constantly had me questioning everyone's motives, and she did a fantastic job of keeping me guessing right up until the reveal.
One of my favourite things about this book is the setting. As someone who struggles to visualise scenes while reading, the descriptions of South Lake Tahoe and the mountain house were detailed enough to paint a clear picture without feeling overdone. The weather almost became its own character, especially as the storm rolled in, adding so much tension and atmosphere to the story.
I also loved that Tessa didn't reveal everything about Cassidy straight away. Instead, little pieces were fed to the reader over time, allowing you to slowly understand why the group feels the way they do about her. Even by the end, it all felt a little juvenile—as though these women had never really moved on from college—but honestly, I think most of us know someone from school, college or university who still gets under our skin years later. That made the dynamics feel surprisingly realistic, even if they were frustrating at times.
The friendships themselves are fascinating because they're nowhere near as solid as they first appear. Every single character seems to be hiding something, making it impossible to know who to believe. The constant suspicion had me second-guessing everyone, and if I found myself trapped in that house with them, I'd probably take my chances outside! There were moments where the book almost makes you feel as though you're experiencing the same paranoia as the characters—is this cabin fever, or is someone genuinely dangerous?
The storm sequence was particularly effective. It made me genuinely uncomfortable in the best possible way, almost like I was standing in the room watching everything unfold.
My only criticisms are fairly minor. The opening felt a little clunky to me, although I suspect that's because it was laying the groundwork for everything that follows. I also tend to prefer faster-paced thrillers, whereas this sits somewhere in the middle. Once the story gets going though, I found it difficult to put down.
I do have one completely personal gripe: the phrase "I could care less." I know it's considered an acceptable variation, but my autistic brain simply cannot accept it! Surely if you could care less, then you must care at least a little? It will forever make more sense to me as "I couldn't care less." Absolutely a me problem rather than a book problem!
By the end, I actually found myself disliking every single character, but I think that's exactly what Tessa intended. They all have flaws, they're all hiding something, and they each carry this holier-than-thou attitude that makes you question everyone's motives. No one is completely innocent, and that made the mystery all the more compelling.
My only real wish for the ending is that we'd also had a final chapter from Simone's and Hana's perspectives. I think seeing where they ended up after everything that happened would have been the perfect way to wrap up the story.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable psychological thriller with an atmospheric setting, believable tension, and characters you can't quite trust until everything finally comes to light. For a debut novel, I'm incredibly impressed, and I'll definitely be looking out for whatever Tessa Tharp writes next. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers where everyone has something to hide, I'd absolutely recommend picking this one up.
One of my favourite things about this book is the setting. As someone who struggles to visualise scenes while reading, the descriptions of South Lake Tahoe and the mountain house were detailed enough to paint a clear picture without feeling overdone. The weather almost became its own character, especially as the storm rolled in, adding so much tension and atmosphere to the story.
I also loved that Tessa didn't reveal everything about Cassidy straight away. Instead, little pieces were fed to the reader over time, allowing you to slowly understand why the group feels the way they do about her. Even by the end, it all felt a little juvenile—as though these women had never really moved on from college—but honestly, I think most of us know someone from school, college or university who still gets under our skin years later. That made the dynamics feel surprisingly realistic, even if they were frustrating at times.
The friendships themselves are fascinating because they're nowhere near as solid as they first appear. Every single character seems to be hiding something, making it impossible to know who to believe. The constant suspicion had me second-guessing everyone, and if I found myself trapped in that house with them, I'd probably take my chances outside! There were moments where the book almost makes you feel as though you're experiencing the same paranoia as the characters—is this cabin fever, or is someone genuinely dangerous?
The storm sequence was particularly effective. It made me genuinely uncomfortable in the best possible way, almost like I was standing in the room watching everything unfold.
My only criticisms are fairly minor. The opening felt a little clunky to me, although I suspect that's because it was laying the groundwork for everything that follows. I also tend to prefer faster-paced thrillers, whereas this sits somewhere in the middle. Once the story gets going though, I found it difficult to put down.
I do have one completely personal gripe: the phrase "I could care less." I know it's considered an acceptable variation, but my autistic brain simply cannot accept it! Surely if you could care less, then you must care at least a little? It will forever make more sense to me as "I couldn't care less." Absolutely a me problem rather than a book problem!
By the end, I actually found myself disliking every single character, but I think that's exactly what Tessa intended. They all have flaws, they're all hiding something, and they each carry this holier-than-thou attitude that makes you question everyone's motives. No one is completely innocent, and that made the mystery all the more compelling.
My only real wish for the ending is that we'd also had a final chapter from Simone's and Hana's perspectives. I think seeing where they ended up after everything that happened would have been the perfect way to wrap up the story.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable psychological thriller with an atmospheric setting, believable tension, and characters you can't quite trust until everything finally comes to light. For a debut novel, I'm incredibly impressed, and I'll definitely be looking out for whatever Tessa Tharp writes next. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers where everyone has something to hide, I'd absolutely recommend picking this one up.
July 12, 2026
'Not all sins need to be forgiven.'
I love a murder mystery thriller, and this one sounded particularly twisty and exciting.
The characters were intriguing, and I enjoyed how slowly their true personalities and faults were drip-fed to the reader. It made for a constantly surprising read where you never really felt sure of anything or anyone. Very thrilling! Unusually, I ended up disliking all the characters, some more than others, which I found really interesting, as usually authors lean into making characters loveable. I liked that this book didn't do that: definitely memorable. Relationships were a key part of the plot, and were full of drama and mysteries. Sometimes character motivations felt a little confusing, but that did add to the mystery and tension of the story.
'Trauma makes a home in your body and refuses to pay rent.'
The pacing was slow in some parts and nail-bitingly fast in others. The contrast of the slower day-to-day life scenes, against the thrilling action scenes really conveyed the frustration and tension the protagonists were feeling. The climax of of the story wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped, given the detailed buildup. I liked the way the main storyline was rounded off: surprising without being unrealistic. However it did leave some large holes in the story, that really didn't make sense with what we know happened.
A pretty large thread was left completely unresolved at the end. This was a choice by the author, and I imagine some people will like it and some won't. Personally I don't understand why the mystery was built up only to be left without any sort of explanation. It felt like something that would happen when there was going to be some sort of sequel.
'Fear is a luxury I learned to spend carefully, and I am not spending it tonight.'
The descriptions were good, though not particularly detailed. I got a solid idea of the surroundings, and the house, without ever really feeling like I could visualise it in technicolour.
For a debut novel this was a fantastic, unique plot, and broadly a good read. However it needs some thorough editing and proofreading to bring it up to the standard it deserves to be at. The writing was clunky and awkward in a lot of places, the grammar and spelling was often incorrect, and there were words in places they didn't belong.
Also, the big issue is the continuity. There were several places where the stated situation would suddenly be different: a character would suddenly be in the wrong place, or the wrong person would suddenly be speaking. And the major problem is the timeline. Somehow they seemed to lose a whole day. Tracking the days and nights, the story was set over 5 days, but the characters seemed to think this was only 4 days, which made a lot of what they spoke about confusing.
Overall I think this thriller has a lot of potential, and I definitely enjoyed it (a real "page-turner"), but it's let down by the lack of careful editing, and muddled up continuity which break the wonderful tension that the plot is trying to build up.
I love a murder mystery thriller, and this one sounded particularly twisty and exciting.
The characters were intriguing, and I enjoyed how slowly their true personalities and faults were drip-fed to the reader. It made for a constantly surprising read where you never really felt sure of anything or anyone. Very thrilling! Unusually, I ended up disliking all the characters, some more than others, which I found really interesting, as usually authors lean into making characters loveable. I liked that this book didn't do that: definitely memorable. Relationships were a key part of the plot, and were full of drama and mysteries. Sometimes character motivations felt a little confusing, but that did add to the mystery and tension of the story.
'Trauma makes a home in your body and refuses to pay rent.'
The pacing was slow in some parts and nail-bitingly fast in others. The contrast of the slower day-to-day life scenes, against the thrilling action scenes really conveyed the frustration and tension the protagonists were feeling. The climax of of the story wasn't as satisfying as I'd hoped, given the detailed buildup. I liked the way the main storyline was rounded off: surprising without being unrealistic. However it did leave some large holes in the story, that really didn't make sense with what we know happened.
A pretty large thread was left completely unresolved at the end. This was a choice by the author, and I imagine some people will like it and some won't. Personally I don't understand why the mystery was built up only to be left without any sort of explanation. It felt like something that would happen when there was going to be some sort of sequel.
'Fear is a luxury I learned to spend carefully, and I am not spending it tonight.'
The descriptions were good, though not particularly detailed. I got a solid idea of the surroundings, and the house, without ever really feeling like I could visualise it in technicolour.
For a debut novel this was a fantastic, unique plot, and broadly a good read. However it needs some thorough editing and proofreading to bring it up to the standard it deserves to be at. The writing was clunky and awkward in a lot of places, the grammar and spelling was often incorrect, and there were words in places they didn't belong.
Also, the big issue is the continuity. There were several places where the stated situation would suddenly be different: a character would suddenly be in the wrong place, or the wrong person would suddenly be speaking. And the major problem is the timeline. Somehow they seemed to lose a whole day. Tracking the days and nights, the story was set over 5 days, but the characters seemed to think this was only 4 days, which made a lot of what they spoke about confusing.
Overall I think this thriller has a lot of potential, and I definitely enjoyed it (a real "page-turner"), but it's let down by the lack of careful editing, and muddled up continuity which break the wonderful tension that the plot is trying to build up.
July 17, 2026
What Happened That Weekend is a psychological thriller and is book 1 in the Weekend Series.
This is a whodunit, murder mystery while away at a cabin for a weekend.
Mara is on her yearly trip with her girls. They usually stay at her custom built home in the mountains. But on this trip, she ends up inviting an old friend / co worker on the trip as well. She plans on telling the girls a secret about her and her husband Todd. But then Todd unexpectedly shows up. He's gone by morning, but his car is there, his phone is missing, and there is blood in the house. There is also a raging storm that caused a road blockage limiting police assistance. While trying to investigate and look for answers as to what happened with Todd, another group member turns up floating in the lake.
The story is thrilling and keeps you wanting to read more, though I did find the pacing to be a little inconsistent. It would be really slow sometimes but eventually pick up again. I couldn't really form a connection to any of the characters. They were all a little.. all over the place for me. However, the story is pact with drama, secrets, and betrayals. If that's what you're looking for, definitely check this one out.
This is a whodunit, murder mystery while away at a cabin for a weekend.
Mara is on her yearly trip with her girls. They usually stay at her custom built home in the mountains. But on this trip, she ends up inviting an old friend / co worker on the trip as well. She plans on telling the girls a secret about her and her husband Todd. But then Todd unexpectedly shows up. He's gone by morning, but his car is there, his phone is missing, and there is blood in the house. There is also a raging storm that caused a road blockage limiting police assistance. While trying to investigate and look for answers as to what happened with Todd, another group member turns up floating in the lake.
The story is thrilling and keeps you wanting to read more, though I did find the pacing to be a little inconsistent. It would be really slow sometimes but eventually pick up again. I couldn't really form a connection to any of the characters. They were all a little.. all over the place for me. However, the story is pact with drama, secrets, and betrayals. If that's what you're looking for, definitely check this one out.
July 5, 2026
What Happened That Weekend had me second-guessing literally everyone. From the very first chapter, I was trying to piece together what happened, and every time I thought I had it figured out, the story threw another wrench into my theory.
The pacing is quick, making it one of those “just one more chapter” books that somehow keeps you reading way past bedtime. I loved how the tension kept building, and the isolated setting made everything feel even more unsettling. The friendships felt messy and realistic, and I never knew who deserved my trust.
If you’re looking for over-the-top action, this probably isn’t it. This is more of a slow-burn psychological thriller that focuses on secrets, lies, and the way people can hide who they really are in plain sight. (Crewfiction)
The ending definitely caught me off guard. I appreciate when a thriller surprises me without feeling completely out of left field, and this one managed to do that. While I would’ve loved a little more closure after the final reveal, I still closed the book feeling satisfied.
If you love twisty domestic thrillers with unreliable characters, buried secrets, and plenty of suspicion, this is worth adding to your TBR.
The pacing is quick, making it one of those “just one more chapter” books that somehow keeps you reading way past bedtime. I loved how the tension kept building, and the isolated setting made everything feel even more unsettling. The friendships felt messy and realistic, and I never knew who deserved my trust.
If you’re looking for over-the-top action, this probably isn’t it. This is more of a slow-burn psychological thriller that focuses on secrets, lies, and the way people can hide who they really are in plain sight. (Crewfiction)
The ending definitely caught me off guard. I appreciate when a thriller surprises me without feeling completely out of left field, and this one managed to do that. While I would’ve loved a little more closure after the final reveal, I still closed the book feeling satisfied.
If you love twisty domestic thrillers with unreliable characters, buried secrets, and plenty of suspicion, this is worth adding to your TBR.
July 12, 2026
Intriguing Beginning to End
What Happened that Weekend starts out hard right from the get go! I loved that there was no build up or filler just bam. This story kept me engaged throughout the entire thing. I really liked the authors writing style, and I thought she did a great job of putting in just enough suspense. There were moments where you found yourself questioning did that just happen, and there were so many moments that had you on the edge of your seat. As a whole I was very pleased that I chose to buy this book and read it. The only criticism that I would have is there were a few moments that were out of sorts, but it didn’t take away too much from the story itself. I fully intend to read upcoming books from this author, and if you are somebody who likes an on the edge of your seat, psychological thriller I recommend that you go grab this book right away. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
What Happened that Weekend starts out hard right from the get go! I loved that there was no build up or filler just bam. This story kept me engaged throughout the entire thing. I really liked the authors writing style, and I thought she did a great job of putting in just enough suspense. There were moments where you found yourself questioning did that just happen, and there were so many moments that had you on the edge of your seat. As a whole I was very pleased that I chose to buy this book and read it. The only criticism that I would have is there were a few moments that were out of sorts, but it didn’t take away too much from the story itself. I fully intend to read upcoming books from this author, and if you are somebody who likes an on the edge of your seat, psychological thriller I recommend that you go grab this book right away. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
July 8, 2026
Mara gathers her old college friends for a reunion at her jaw‑dropping, impossibly expensive new home — a place so perfect it almost feels unreal. Simone, Hana, and Cassidy arrive with smiles, but beneath the surface, resentment simmers. Not everyone is celebrating Mara’s success.Each woman is carrying a secret heavy enough to crack the glossy façade of the weekend. And when Mara’s husband, Todd, suddenly appears, the tension snaps like a live wire. The unease deepens as shadowy figures linger outside the house, watching. Staring. Waiting. Someone is out there, and that chilling sense of being hunted turns every page into a jolt of adrenaline.This thriller moves with razor‑sharp pacing, peeling back lies, betrayals, and the dangerous truth about the people Mara thinks she knows. By the end, you’re left wondering whether friendship is ever as harmless as it seems.Huge thanks to Tessa Tharp for generously sending me an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was indeed a thrilling read. I feel that this was comprehensively well written. Threading the element of suspicion and ominous moments throughout the read which fueled the mind to keep trying to piece it together or puzzle it out. The way this story was expressed I feel was well balanced with aspects of intrigue, perceptive notions, developed characters, and with a level of maturity and intelligence that shined through. I enjoyed this easy and gripping read that had me consuming it in one setting within the first day in receiving it. I am looking forward to what comes next with this series and reading more of this Author's work! I appreciate the ability and opportunity to have read this in advance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mara invites her friends from college to join her at her amazing and ridiculously expensive new house. Her friends Simone, Hana, and Cassidy are eager to catch up, but not everyone is excited by Mara’s success.
They are all holding secrets that could ruin everything, and why does Mara’s husband Todd show up?
This is a well paced thriller. There are secrets revealed, and scary people standing in the dark staring at the house - someone is out there, and that creepy feeling of being watched makes this a page turner for sure. How well does Mara really know her friends?
Thank you to the author, Tessa Tharp ,for so kindly sending me an ARC.
They are all holding secrets that could ruin everything, and why does Mara’s husband Todd show up?
This is a well paced thriller. There are secrets revealed, and scary people standing in the dark staring at the house - someone is out there, and that creepy feeling of being watched makes this a page turner for sure. How well does Mara really know her friends?
Thank you to the author, Tessa Tharp ,for so kindly sending me an ARC.
July 14, 2026
Bravo for this being a debut novel, you did an amazing job Tessa! I ate this up within a day, I just didn't want to put it down. It isn't an action packed psychological thriller, but the story is very gripping. Right from the beginning you can tell the friend group of these girls isn't as close as everyone thinks, there is some high tension. I really didn't know who to trust and I kept doubting my thoughts. There were so many surprises and shocking things I didn't see coming. She really described the setting really good too, I felt like I was there. I just couldn't believe the ending, I didn't see that coming at all! I can't wait for the next one in this series.
July 14, 2026
This was a very thrilling read right from the beginning. You could feel the undertones of something that was going to happen just from the excitement of the friends and their girls weekend. I’m not sure how to explain it, but I could feel it. And sure enough, the deeper I got into this book, I could see things unfolding. And it had me on the edge of my seat. It was so captivating, and intriguing. There was a tension throughout the book and I loved it. I could feel it in my bones, waiting for something to go so wrong. I loved the twists and turns in this. Absolutely thrilling read.
July 3, 2026
I received this ARC from the author and this is my honest review.
What a book!! I loved it, the descriptions of the setting was perfect, I sometimes have a hard time picturing scenes, but not this time. The suspense was fantastic and kept me hooked from beginning to end.
I really enjoyed the style of writing, it flowed perfectly.
I'd happily recommend this to any thriller lover.
Thankyou to Tessa for the opportunity to read and review this book.
What a book!! I loved it, the descriptions of the setting was perfect, I sometimes have a hard time picturing scenes, but not this time. The suspense was fantastic and kept me hooked from beginning to end.
I really enjoyed the style of writing, it flowed perfectly.
I'd happily recommend this to any thriller lover.
Thankyou to Tessa for the opportunity to read and review this book.
July 4, 2026
This was a suspenseful read about four friends who head off for a weekend getaway that quickly spirals out of control. Full of secrets, lies, and people who aren’t quite who they seem, the tension keeps building after Mara’s husband suddenly goes missing. As the truth starts to unravel, the drama ramps up and every new twist has you questioning who can really be trusted. It kept me guessing until the very end and made me wonder if anyone was truly innocent.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Puzzled Pieces
Well... im stunned, mouth hanging open. A mystery that unfolds in bits.
The bits. Friends. Husbands. Money. Stir that well then drop a good dose of arrogance, betrayal and jealousy. Ladle that in a big bowl girl's weekend away in the mountains.
Full on secrets. Shadowy figures. Things just aren't as happy as they should be. Not all secrets are told.
Well... im stunned, mouth hanging open. A mystery that unfolds in bits.
The bits. Friends. Husbands. Money. Stir that well then drop a good dose of arrogance, betrayal and jealousy. Ladle that in a big bowl girl's weekend away in the mountains.
Full on secrets. Shadowy figures. Things just aren't as happy as they should be. Not all secrets are told.
July 2, 2026
Mara invites her friends to her new home in Tahoe, one she's very proud of and wants to have a fun girl's weekend! But what happens that weekend is far from expected. From mystery figures in the trees to secrets and the deadly reprocussions of them. This book was a fast paced thriller that had me on the edge of my seat until the bitter end.
July 9, 2026
For a debut Novel this one was really good. At first it seemed off with the way sentences were structured but as you went it got better. I couldn't stop reading it. kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more. Can't wait to keep reading more of her books as they come.
July 29, 2026
A book about friendship, struggles, betrayals, marriage, infidelity, lies, paranoia, and so much more. A girls weekend reunion turns horribly wrong. This book keeps you reading just to figure it all out.
July 12, 2026
Read the book on Kindle. Needs proofreading. (Found a handful of grammar / storyline mistakes)
July 27, 2026
I did enjoy this book, it was good as far as psychological thrillers go. I felt a bit confused at times but in the end it was a decent read. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre.
August 13, 2026
I may have found a new favorite author! This book was hard to put down and the plot just kept getting thicker. I’m excited about this series and can’t wait until the next release in December.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews