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Killer Summer
Three friends. One dead body. The summer they'll never forget…
Sharing a beach house on Fire Island seems like a killer way for best friends Zoe, Sage and Nick to spend summer together. But just as they're dreaming of sunset margaritas and late-night barbecues, the body of their house hostess washes up on the beach. Talk about a buzz kill….
Now all Zoe can think about is why the "grieving" husband is planning parties rather than mourning his wife. Nick suddenly has secrets he can't tell a soul. And Sage is trying to score booty as if it's her last summer on earth…which it just might be. Because despite the ocean views and endless parties, Zoe, Sage and Nick have stopped wondering if the good times will last and started wondering if they will….
336 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2005
About the author
Lynda Curnyn
15 books25 followersLynda Curnyn is a native New Yorker who hasn't migrated very far from her Brooklyn birthplace. She grew up on Long Island and has since made Manhattan her home.
After getting a liberal arts degree from New College at Hofstra University, she went on to New York University for her master's degree in English Literature, even contemplated a Ph.D until she realized she didn't want to spend her 20s in the library. So she did what all good English majors do-she went into publishing. Now, after more than a decade of working with some of the top authors in women's fiction, she has settled down to her dream life of full-time writing. In between plotting novels and stories, Lynda enjoys hanging out with her family, dishing with her girlfriends, and summers spent on Fire Island.
After getting a liberal arts degree from New College at Hofstra University, she went on to New York University for her master's degree in English Literature, even contemplated a Ph.D until she realized she didn't want to spend her 20s in the library. So she did what all good English majors do-she went into publishing. Now, after more than a decade of working with some of the top authors in women's fiction, she has settled down to her dream life of full-time writing. In between plotting novels and stories, Lynda enjoys hanging out with her family, dishing with her girlfriends, and summers spent on Fire Island.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 18, 2025
En ser cínico, este volumen con más de 350 páginas para mí ni siquiera puede ser una oración escrita que devuelve al lector una idea clara de lo que empezar a leer. Inicialmente el texto lo interpreté con un contexto diferente. Como si fuera una biografía o algo similar.
En verdad el cuento escrito tiene conexión con una temporada de vida de la autora. Gracias a su equipo editorial, algunos motivos coincidieron con la vida de Lynda Curnyn durante un período que escribió este libro, por ejemplo: su vacaciones en Fire Island que es el sitio donde la narración se desarrolla; ella que camina con el perro, cuando largo el cuento un perro o su perro mismo contribuyó a hacer una muerte inocente.
La primera interpretación que este libro no era un texto autobiográfico me comenzó a desviar cuando entendí que estaba leyendo las visiones de un fantasma: sea como sea interpretado, una persona muerta físicamente mientras su alma como en la vida de todos los días seguía vagando entre la gente.
Para hacer un comentario crítico, con la interpretación de un fantasma comencé a explicar el libro como si fuera un abuso de lectura por parte de la autora. Como si a la escritora le hubiera gustado quitar los fantasmas de encima (quitar fantasmas de encima es para decir: acontecimientos traumáticos, duelos y períodos de depresión pasajera). Algo sin sentido que da gusto leer, un poco lo que hacía el poeta chileno Roberto Bolaño (1953 - 2003) cuando se dejaba llevar por la imaginación y su soledad.
Básicamente Lynda Curnyn vende el libro como thriller por qué hay un asesinato: la escritora eligió la muerte que más convenga y se ayudó con la figura de un perro. Sin embargo, con la presencia de un fantasma la historia sigue siendo otro tipo de ficción. Una ficción divertida y no thriller: digo esto porque en cualquier caso el sujeto principal y luego el sujeto narrador del libro sabe que debe morir.
De todas las formas la persona fallecida se convierte en la figura principal de la historia: es ella que continúa a supervisar la compañía discográfica. Con la figura de fantasma descubre los intereses discográficos de cuando ella estaba viva: hasta el final el mismo espíritu descubre las intrigas económicas raras del lugar de su trabajo.
En parte las intrigas económicas el libro no es pesado. Está dirigido al presente. Algo que habrá favorecido la escritora y sus lectores. Incluso los pocos actos sexuales son mencionados claramente.
Para que no iba a faltar nada se aconsejó la figura de un muerto, pero es el alma de la persona fallecida que en manera divertida observa y escribe cosas. De alguna manera el fantasma quita al libro el aspecto de thriller: vigilando asiduamente los hechos como si no hubiera un mañana, siempre sobre el lugar de trabajo el fantasma llega a enterarse que existieron intrigas amorosas entre hombre y mujer. [...] Con un comentario final, el libro parece más una forma de venganza que revela cosas y me pregunto: ¿Que hay de nuevo y dónde está el libro thriller?
En verdad el cuento escrito tiene conexión con una temporada de vida de la autora. Gracias a su equipo editorial, algunos motivos coincidieron con la vida de Lynda Curnyn durante un período que escribió este libro, por ejemplo: su vacaciones en Fire Island que es el sitio donde la narración se desarrolla; ella que camina con el perro, cuando largo el cuento un perro o su perro mismo contribuyó a hacer una muerte inocente.
La primera interpretación que este libro no era un texto autobiográfico me comenzó a desviar cuando entendí que estaba leyendo las visiones de un fantasma: sea como sea interpretado, una persona muerta físicamente mientras su alma como en la vida de todos los días seguía vagando entre la gente.
Para hacer un comentario crítico, con la interpretación de un fantasma comencé a explicar el libro como si fuera un abuso de lectura por parte de la autora. Como si a la escritora le hubiera gustado quitar los fantasmas de encima (quitar fantasmas de encima es para decir: acontecimientos traumáticos, duelos y períodos de depresión pasajera). Algo sin sentido que da gusto leer, un poco lo que hacía el poeta chileno Roberto Bolaño (1953 - 2003) cuando se dejaba llevar por la imaginación y su soledad.
Básicamente Lynda Curnyn vende el libro como thriller por qué hay un asesinato: la escritora eligió la muerte que más convenga y se ayudó con la figura de un perro. Sin embargo, con la presencia de un fantasma la historia sigue siendo otro tipo de ficción. Una ficción divertida y no thriller: digo esto porque en cualquier caso el sujeto principal y luego el sujeto narrador del libro sabe que debe morir.
De todas las formas la persona fallecida se convierte en la figura principal de la historia: es ella que continúa a supervisar la compañía discográfica. Con la figura de fantasma descubre los intereses discográficos de cuando ella estaba viva: hasta el final el mismo espíritu descubre las intrigas económicas raras del lugar de su trabajo.
En parte las intrigas económicas el libro no es pesado. Está dirigido al presente. Algo que habrá favorecido la escritora y sus lectores. Incluso los pocos actos sexuales son mencionados claramente.
Para que no iba a faltar nada se aconsejó la figura de un muerto, pero es el alma de la persona fallecida que en manera divertida observa y escribe cosas. De alguna manera el fantasma quita al libro el aspecto de thriller: vigilando asiduamente los hechos como si no hubiera un mañana, siempre sobre el lugar de trabajo el fantasma llega a enterarse que existieron intrigas amorosas entre hombre y mujer. [...] Con un comentario final, el libro parece más una forma de venganza que revela cosas y me pregunto: ¿Que hay de nuevo y dónde está el libro thriller?
January 13, 2018
Il libro inizialmente l’interpretai sotto un contesto differente da quello che la scrittrice e il suo team decisero di fare imprimere: giacché menziona la presenza di un fantasma iniziai a spiegarmelo sotto un contesto di abuso di lettura per parte dell’autrice. Tipo se la scrittrice si sarebbe voluta levare i fantasmi da dosso. Ma appresso a tale interpretazione, la medesima descrizione che gli avrei potuto attribuire cominciò a portare fuori strada: a quel punto il libro non sarebbe potuto essere stato fatto per capriccio della scrittrice.
In ogni modo, su un volume di oltre 350 pagine, non può essere nemmeno una frase scritta in maniera decisa che fa avere l’idea di ciò che si sta leggendo. Fondamentalmente Lynda Curnyn lo dà come thriller, ma per conto proprio libro rimane una finzione. Anche se c’è un omicidio. Inoltre la stesura scritta avrebbe potuto non avere alcun nesso con la realtà dei fatti, però grazie al suo team alcune movenze coincisero con la vita dalla scrittrice durante il periodo che scrisse il libro, per esempio: le ferie a Fire Island; le passeggiate col cane, che contribuì a una morte innocente. Forse un decesso persino stupido fu il suo, ma in ogni modo se il soggetto sa che deve morire si sceglie la fine che più va a genio, specie in un romanzo. La casa discografica e gli interessi che la protagonista seguiva quando era in vita e poi da defunta continuò a vigilare, così scoprendo suo malgrado intrighi economici e malizie fra uomo e donna, etc.
Il libro nel leggerlo non è pesante, o noioso perché impegnativo. È sempre rivolto al presente, che sicuramente avrà favoreggiato la scrittrice, ma anche i suoi lettori: in parte agli intrighi economici; ai pochi atti di sesso menzionati in maniera chiara, cosa che noi altri italiani se messi a confronto con gli americani nel parlare di sesso pubblicamente si può dire che ci masturbiamo ancora mentalmente. A l’autrice consigliarono d’inserire la figura di un morto. Quindi, direttamente o indirettamente, in questa rappresentazione rivolta al presente è la defunta stessa che osserva. Ed è sempre la figura della morta che vigilando assiduamente fra i tre o quattro protagonisti centrali del racconto li farà contemplare fra loro. E poco alla volta, l’abilità della scrittrice, o a volte del medesimo fantasma, è colei o colui che induce il lettore nel capire il finale della storia.
In ogni modo, su un volume di oltre 350 pagine, non può essere nemmeno una frase scritta in maniera decisa che fa avere l’idea di ciò che si sta leggendo. Fondamentalmente Lynda Curnyn lo dà come thriller, ma per conto proprio libro rimane una finzione. Anche se c’è un omicidio. Inoltre la stesura scritta avrebbe potuto non avere alcun nesso con la realtà dei fatti, però grazie al suo team alcune movenze coincisero con la vita dalla scrittrice durante il periodo che scrisse il libro, per esempio: le ferie a Fire Island; le passeggiate col cane, che contribuì a una morte innocente. Forse un decesso persino stupido fu il suo, ma in ogni modo se il soggetto sa che deve morire si sceglie la fine che più va a genio, specie in un romanzo. La casa discografica e gli interessi che la protagonista seguiva quando era in vita e poi da defunta continuò a vigilare, così scoprendo suo malgrado intrighi economici e malizie fra uomo e donna, etc.
Il libro nel leggerlo non è pesante, o noioso perché impegnativo. È sempre rivolto al presente, che sicuramente avrà favoreggiato la scrittrice, ma anche i suoi lettori: in parte agli intrighi economici; ai pochi atti di sesso menzionati in maniera chiara, cosa che noi altri italiani se messi a confronto con gli americani nel parlare di sesso pubblicamente si può dire che ci masturbiamo ancora mentalmente. A l’autrice consigliarono d’inserire la figura di un morto. Quindi, direttamente o indirettamente, in questa rappresentazione rivolta al presente è la defunta stessa che osserva. Ed è sempre la figura della morta che vigilando assiduamente fra i tre o quattro protagonisti centrali del racconto li farà contemplare fra loro. E poco alla volta, l’abilità della scrittrice, o a volte del medesimo fantasma, è colei o colui che induce il lettore nel capire il finale della storia.
August 9, 2019
Quick read while at a vacation rental. I'm glad no one washed up naked and dead at on the beach in our backyard! The book was decent. Despite the first person perspective being a bit confusing when different chapters were told be different characters (including the dead chick), I did like following the different storylines.
This was perfect for relaxing on vacation, but I wouldn't recommend anybody tracking down a copy.
This was perfect for relaxing on vacation, but I wouldn't recommend anybody tracking down a copy.
February 6, 2025
I enjoyed the book however it did take me a long time to read it. It didn't grab my interest until near the end. The climax of the story happened at the end of the book and it was quickly resolved. The book ended very fast after the climax was resolved.
June 25, 2024
Good enough. A light little nonsense read for a weekend at the lake.
September 22, 2024
2.5/5 Stars
Standard whodunnit book from the early 2000s. Enjoyable enough.
Standard whodunnit book from the early 2000s. Enjoyable enough.
March 1, 2025
Felt dated. Characters felt shallow. Saw the “twist” coming a mile away… but an easy beach read.
June 28, 2025
DNF. Found it a dull read. Couldn’t get through it
October 4, 2012
Another very good offering from the now defunct Red Dress Ink line. I feel like I'm beating the dead horse here, but I can't help it. I am such an obsessed chick-lit girl; I collected every release published by Red Dress Ink that I had missed out on after I signed up for home delivery. Every month, I would literally jump up and down and do the happy dance when my Red Dress Ink shipment arrived. I couldn't be happier when some of the titles began to cross into other genres such as mystery and paranormal. Sadly, as with a lot of good things, it came to an end and I was left with a whole bunch of Red Dress Ink books that I have dragged my feet reading because I want them to last.
I chose Killer Summer this year because this has been a killer summer here in the Pit of H.E Double Hockey Sticks where I live. Perhaps a little respite at the beach is in order. I am sure that's all Zoe, Sage and Nick are looking for. Sage's boss has a beach house on Fire Island and the three best friends agree to timeshare space there for the summer, though Zoe's heart really isn't in to it. She gets stuck in the city picking up items for the dinner party being thrown by the house hostess, Maggie. Zoe doesn't arrive with everyone else but instead takes the last ferry out. When Zoe arrives at the house, it's obvious the dinner party has been canceled as evidenced by Maggie's absence from the house. Unfortunately for Zoe, she takes Maggie's pooch for a walk and discovers Maggie's corpse on the beach.
The majority of the book focuses on Zoe's conviction that Maggie's death is no accident, especially since Maggie's husband does not appear to be grieving. It's always the husband that did it, right? He certainly appeared suspicious to me but as the book unfolds, so did a lot of other people. I enjoy it when a mystery has several layers and isn't obvious. Another aspect of this book that I also thoroughly enjoyed is different points of view. Each chapter has a different point of view from Zoe, Sage, Nick or Maggie. Sometimes too many points of view can confuse a story, but I thought it made this one more intriguing.
I also enjoyed the dynamics of all the different relationships. It made for some very interesting characters. I have only read one other book by this author, but I enjoyed this one more and am looking forward to more from this author. Take a break from your killer summer, kick back with something cold and frosty to drink, kick off your shoes and dive into this book. I think you will enjoy it.
I chose Killer Summer this year because this has been a killer summer here in the Pit of H.E Double Hockey Sticks where I live. Perhaps a little respite at the beach is in order. I am sure that's all Zoe, Sage and Nick are looking for. Sage's boss has a beach house on Fire Island and the three best friends agree to timeshare space there for the summer, though Zoe's heart really isn't in to it. She gets stuck in the city picking up items for the dinner party being thrown by the house hostess, Maggie. Zoe doesn't arrive with everyone else but instead takes the last ferry out. When Zoe arrives at the house, it's obvious the dinner party has been canceled as evidenced by Maggie's absence from the house. Unfortunately for Zoe, she takes Maggie's pooch for a walk and discovers Maggie's corpse on the beach.
The majority of the book focuses on Zoe's conviction that Maggie's death is no accident, especially since Maggie's husband does not appear to be grieving. It's always the husband that did it, right? He certainly appeared suspicious to me but as the book unfolds, so did a lot of other people. I enjoy it when a mystery has several layers and isn't obvious. Another aspect of this book that I also thoroughly enjoyed is different points of view. Each chapter has a different point of view from Zoe, Sage, Nick or Maggie. Sometimes too many points of view can confuse a story, but I thought it made this one more intriguing.
I also enjoyed the dynamics of all the different relationships. It made for some very interesting characters. I have only read one other book by this author, but I enjoyed this one more and am looking forward to more from this author. Take a break from your killer summer, kick back with something cold and frosty to drink, kick off your shoes and dive into this book. I think you will enjoy it.
October 20, 2010
Three friends share a house on Fire Island along with one friend's boss who owns the home. Zoe finds his wife's dead body. Zoe is convinced her drowning isn't accidental.
The chapters focus around Zoe, Nick, Sage and the dead wife Maggie with each chapter written in first person. It was confusing as to who is "I". Also, supposedly Zoe, Sage and Nick are close friends, but I really didn't get the feeling that they were that close, especially with Nick.
The chapters focus around Zoe, Nick, Sage and the dead wife Maggie with each chapter written in first person. It was confusing as to who is "I". Also, supposedly Zoe, Sage and Nick are close friends, but I really didn't get the feeling that they were that close, especially with Nick.
September 2, 2010
I would give this book 1.5 stars if I could, or maybe even 1 star but since I reserve that rating for books I can't/won't finish, 2 it is. This book was painfully slow, and very wordy. I have never taken so long to read a chick lit type book before and that's because there was nothing in this book to grip me. It was just bad in all sense of the word.
August 24, 2010
It was cute. I liked how it was formatted, with each main character having a chapter from their point of view. The 'mystery' was a little too obvious in my opinion, but the book was still enjoyable. I'm not going to rush out to find more Lynda Curnyn immediatley, but I'm not against reading another one of her books either.
September 26, 2011
I have had this book on my shelf since 2004 and finally read it because nothing was in for me at the library. It was okay....interesting enough to stick with. Not really sure why I bought it, I think the cover and title intrigued me. I thought it would be a good summer read.....like I said, it was only okay.
August 15, 2012
I really wanted to like this book...especially because it was set in Fire Island. It started off ok. Then the characters were becoming very annoying. But I figured I should just keep going, it might pay off. Boy was I wrong! Towards the end, I found out who the murderer was, was sooo annoyed that I didn't even finish the book. Very disappointing!
February 4, 2013
It took me forever to get through this book basically because i kept getting lost on who was telling the story. I don't mind when a book has many point of views but I do mind when the author does not make it clear who is telling the story. I also found the characters a little flat. It's sad because this book had a lot of potential to be really good.
June 14, 2007
Three friends take a summer share in a beach house. But when their hostess ends up dead, only one of the friends suspect that it is more than just a drowning accident. A good read, but somewhat slow paced for a mystery.
July 8, 2009
Seriously one of the worst books I've ever read. I wish I could give it negative stars. I had to stop half-way through. And it still hadn't gotten anywhere. And this woman that drowned herself has chapters from her perspective looking down on things. Seriously? a dead lady?
January 15, 2011
This was a great, light, fast-paced chick lit mystery. While the characters were a little stock and flat, it was pretty entertaining nonetheless. Lots of characters kept the mystery interesting and foreshadowing was clever enough not to give away the ending too soon.
June 8, 2013
Zoe, Sage and Nick are spending weekends at a beach house and Maggie who they stay with was found naked and dead at the beach. Zoe investigates and figures out Sages crush Vince is guilty. She also gets back with Myles. Pretty good summer read
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2013
Zoe's chapters had me grinding my teeth, but I didn't have a problem w/the story or writing. As I didn't expect anything more from this book than a way to pass time in an airport, nothing disappointed me.
January 9, 2008
While it's certainly not the best mystery/chick lit I've ever read, it was pretty enjoyable.
February 19, 2008
it was a good air plane book!
February 23, 2008
Great beach read!
April 29, 2008
Ugh, this just didn't grip me. I really had to pull on some will power to finish the book. I kept hoping it would get better, but no go.
December 1, 2008
Good summer read!
July 10, 2009
I really wanted to enjoy this book, but somehow the characters let me down, and I didn't like reading from so many points of view, four in total.
July 19, 2009
A good thriller by an author I had not yet read. Ms. Curnyn does a good job of developing the main characters and keeps interest as the plot unfolds. A good summer read.
July 31, 2010
It was supposed to be a mystery, but it was starting to get annoying. I figured out who the killer was in the middle of the book.
September 4, 2009
I got half way through this book and put it down. It just wasn't interesting and life it too short to waste time on books that are boring to you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews