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The Beach House
This vacation is about to turn deadly...
Cora's on the island vacation of her dreams: a private beach in paradise, a romantic proposal, and an eight-figure cheque following the sale of her new fiancé’s business.
When their island turns out to be not so private after all, Cora tries to make the best of a bad situation by inviting their strangely friendly neighbours to celebrate with them.
But it doesn't take long for her once-in-a-lifetime holiday to take a very sinister turn...
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2020
57 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
P.R. Black
8 books34 followersP.R. Black lives in Yorkshire, although he will always belong to Glasgow.
He is the author of the DI Lomond thrillers, starting at Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine back in 2019. The first full-length novel, To Pay The Ferryman, is available now.
The second in the series, Jack-in-the-Box, will be published on February 2026.
Pat is also the author of six psychological thrillers, including the bestsellers The Beach House and The Runner.
He is the author of the DI Lomond thrillers, starting at Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine back in 2019. The first full-length novel, To Pay The Ferryman, is available now.
The second in the series, Jack-in-the-Box, will be published on February 2026.
Pat is also the author of six psychological thrillers, including the bestsellers The Beach House and The Runner.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
January 30, 2020
Favorite Quotes:
‘If that’s your best come-on line, then that’s some weak sauce.’ ‘Trust me,’ Jonathan said – with that particular twinkle in his eye that usually meant she should do the opposite.
They had gone to see a conch expert at the conch museum, where a man in bright red ‘CONCH MUSEUM’ T-shirt had held up a live specimen of the shellfish, dripping wet from the pool, and told the rest of the spectators with a straight face: ‘This is a conch. And this is its penis.’ He went on to tell the assembled tourists how the humble conch has the biggest penis-to-body ratio in the animal kingdom, at which point Cora began to suffer from a coughing fit, which meant she had to go outside and laugh properly.
Cora hadn’t failed to notice he was absurdly ripped, with one of those fat-free gym-honed physiques that looked as if they shouldn’t exist outside of a comic book – abs she could have played a tune on, straining muscle fibre best suited to a racehorse and a closely shaven chest that might have belonged to Action Man.
‘Mixed Martial Arts. I was only thinking about it. I’ve got this health condition that stops me from getting into the ring.’ ‘What’s that?’ ‘I’m allergic to getting punched in the face.’
When a man lives with a woman who could disembowel him with a dessert spoon, a man understands when to shut up.
I’ll let you in on another secret –I’m great at lying. Hey, I’m a primary school teacher… About eighty percent of my job is bullshitting children so they can sit still, and shut up. It’s a skill. You get good at it.
My Review:
This compelling book started off with crisp humor and amusing levity that put a smirk on my face and had me gleefully nestling in my chair for a snug session of relaxed reading. However, the tone soon turned a bit tauter, and steadily more so, until the smirk disappeared and I fell into Mr. Black’s vortex of intriguing doppelgangers, dangerous con artists, and a stupidly rich idiot fiancé and I totally lost track of myself as well as time. Wow, this absorbing read was nonstop action and cunningly well-paced with more twists and turns than a snake’s trail.
When I finally stopped to catch my breath and seek a bit of sustenance, I noticed my shoulders were in my ears and I was white-knuckling my Kindle, which was generally my reading posture for the remainder of the tale. I resented any interruption to my perusal and may have been rather snappish when my sweet husband inquired about dinner. Oops. I seemed to have fallen under what I’m calling The P.R. Black Spell, as this wordsmith is obviously a master of the darker arts of word voodoo.
‘If that’s your best come-on line, then that’s some weak sauce.’ ‘Trust me,’ Jonathan said – with that particular twinkle in his eye that usually meant she should do the opposite.
They had gone to see a conch expert at the conch museum, where a man in bright red ‘CONCH MUSEUM’ T-shirt had held up a live specimen of the shellfish, dripping wet from the pool, and told the rest of the spectators with a straight face: ‘This is a conch. And this is its penis.’ He went on to tell the assembled tourists how the humble conch has the biggest penis-to-body ratio in the animal kingdom, at which point Cora began to suffer from a coughing fit, which meant she had to go outside and laugh properly.
Cora hadn’t failed to notice he was absurdly ripped, with one of those fat-free gym-honed physiques that looked as if they shouldn’t exist outside of a comic book – abs she could have played a tune on, straining muscle fibre best suited to a racehorse and a closely shaven chest that might have belonged to Action Man.
‘Mixed Martial Arts. I was only thinking about it. I’ve got this health condition that stops me from getting into the ring.’ ‘What’s that?’ ‘I’m allergic to getting punched in the face.’
When a man lives with a woman who could disembowel him with a dessert spoon, a man understands when to shut up.
I’ll let you in on another secret –I’m great at lying. Hey, I’m a primary school teacher… About eighty percent of my job is bullshitting children so they can sit still, and shut up. It’s a skill. You get good at it.
My Review:
This compelling book started off with crisp humor and amusing levity that put a smirk on my face and had me gleefully nestling in my chair for a snug session of relaxed reading. However, the tone soon turned a bit tauter, and steadily more so, until the smirk disappeared and I fell into Mr. Black’s vortex of intriguing doppelgangers, dangerous con artists, and a stupidly rich idiot fiancé and I totally lost track of myself as well as time. Wow, this absorbing read was nonstop action and cunningly well-paced with more twists and turns than a snake’s trail.
When I finally stopped to catch my breath and seek a bit of sustenance, I noticed my shoulders were in my ears and I was white-knuckling my Kindle, which was generally my reading posture for the remainder of the tale. I resented any interruption to my perusal and may have been rather snappish when my sweet husband inquired about dinner. Oops. I seemed to have fallen under what I’m calling The P.R. Black Spell, as this wordsmith is obviously a master of the darker arts of word voodoo.
December 13, 2019
Pat Black wrote one of my fav books of 2019 ‘The Family’ and so was excited to read this new book
Jonathan/Cora
Hazel/Dylan
Narcissist’s are us/them
Both couple’s , strangers, are holidaying on a luxury island, they meet and they seem to get on....a perfect holiday friendship is formed but is it
Who are these people, why have they met and what or who is behind it?
Nothing is quite as it seems on this dream island and the story then follows the 4 and ‘things’ start to come to light
A great thriller, a fast paced and changing story with surprising twists and turns and ‘wrong footings’ especially towards the end
I wasn’t keen on any of the 4 main characters but then you weren’t supposed to be
A really good well written book that didn’t disappoint and I look forward to the authors next book!
10/10
5 Stars
Jonathan/Cora
Hazel/Dylan
Narcissist’s are us/them
Both couple’s , strangers, are holidaying on a luxury island, they meet and they seem to get on....a perfect holiday friendship is formed but is it
Who are these people, why have they met and what or who is behind it?
Nothing is quite as it seems on this dream island and the story then follows the 4 and ‘things’ start to come to light
A great thriller, a fast paced and changing story with surprising twists and turns and ‘wrong footings’ especially towards the end
I wasn’t keen on any of the 4 main characters but then you weren’t supposed to be
A really good well written book that didn’t disappoint and I look forward to the authors next book!
10/10
5 Stars
July 19, 2022
If you like books that are more realistic, then this book isn't for you.
The plot and characterization was over the top. Particularly, the characters never felt realistic....you could very much tell they were characters if that makes sense.
But it is a fun and quick beach read with a beautiful setting.
The plot and characterization was over the top. Particularly, the characters never felt realistic....you could very much tell they were characters if that makes sense.
But it is a fun and quick beach read with a beautiful setting.
January 12, 2020
What the freak!! What a mind blowing action thriller. I left my analytical brain aside and just soared high where the author took me.
Cora and Jonathan were at the beach house on an island for a holiday. The neighbors appeared to be their doppelgangers. Initially they appeared to be friends, then things started crumbling.
My first book by author P R Black, and I was completely taken aback by the prose. The suspense slowly became a high voltage thriller. And Cora OMG she was fantastic. My dream come true. She had a brain which worked so quick that I was taken aback.
I loved the author’s style of writing. I was given a memory behind each of Cora’s actions which revealed who she really was layer by layer. And man, I admired her. Great way of characterization.
The book was a high speed adrenaline rush, a fight for survival. A school teacher navigating her way through the scams and twists, that too on a holiday. Whew… What a book. I finished the book at precisely 2:40am, and loved every minute of it.
Cora and Jonathan were at the beach house on an island for a holiday. The neighbors appeared to be their doppelgangers. Initially they appeared to be friends, then things started crumbling.
My first book by author P R Black, and I was completely taken aback by the prose. The suspense slowly became a high voltage thriller. And Cora OMG she was fantastic. My dream come true. She had a brain which worked so quick that I was taken aback.
I loved the author’s style of writing. I was given a memory behind each of Cora’s actions which revealed who she really was layer by layer. And man, I admired her. Great way of characterization.
The book was a high speed adrenaline rush, a fight for survival. A school teacher navigating her way through the scams and twists, that too on a holiday. Whew… What a book. I finished the book at precisely 2:40am, and loved every minute of it.
January 22, 2020
The cover sold it for me—the story, not so much.
I am annoyed by how the author dragged me into this none-existent plot with its dull characters whose motives are incomprehensible—such as, why is Jonathan asking Cora to marry him, it beats me, there's no love or trust or concern between these two; they constantly argue like they're 20 years and four kids into their marriage, not engaged 48 hours ago; they're so flat and boring. I hardly ever leave bad reviews, but I feel like I've been hoaxed; the author fills in pages after pages with Caribbean “adventures” and endless-and-unnecessarily-detailed-just-short-of-explaining-you-how-to-calculate-the-stack-to-pot-ratio poker and alcohol-induced nights to give you the sensation that "something wicked this way comes” to quote another author. And don't get me started on the dialogue…
After 55 or 60%, the plot finally changes gear, but it's too late, I couldn't care less—and there's like 10 pages of “Give me the passports now.”-“No.”-“Yes.”-“No.”-“Yes.”-“Fuck you!” then another 10 pages where Cora is tortured…with a spider (not even kidding) to get her to talk… none of which, really, is helping the book… Yet, if I were to give a shitty review, I had to persevere. Not sure it helped, though, it was painful, the rolling-my-eyes and all. The more I persevered, the shittier my review became. Here's a quote from the book: “That’s bullshit. Don’t insult our intelligence any longer.” Reading it, I heard the readers’ voice. So I skimmed through and when at the 77% mark the villains were still trying to get their greedy hands on the good guys’ passports, I couldn't take it anymore and remembered that James Patterson has written a twisted psychological thriller called The Beach House, too.
Sorry about the rant; hope you have a better experience with it.
I am annoyed by how the author dragged me into this none-existent plot with its dull characters whose motives are incomprehensible—such as, why is Jonathan asking Cora to marry him, it beats me, there's no love or trust or concern between these two; they constantly argue like they're 20 years and four kids into their marriage, not engaged 48 hours ago; they're so flat and boring. I hardly ever leave bad reviews, but I feel like I've been hoaxed; the author fills in pages after pages with Caribbean “adventures” and endless-and-unnecessarily-detailed-just-short-of-explaining-you-how-to-calculate-the-stack-to-pot-ratio poker and alcohol-induced nights to give you the sensation that "something wicked this way comes” to quote another author. And don't get me started on the dialogue…
After 55 or 60%, the plot finally changes gear, but it's too late, I couldn't care less—and there's like 10 pages of “Give me the passports now.”-“No.”-“Yes.”-“No.”-“Yes.”-“Fuck you!” then another 10 pages where Cora is tortured…with a spider (not even kidding) to get her to talk… none of which, really, is helping the book… Yet, if I were to give a shitty review, I had to persevere. Not sure it helped, though, it was painful, the rolling-my-eyes and all. The more I persevered, the shittier my review became. Here's a quote from the book: “That’s bullshit. Don’t insult our intelligence any longer.” Reading it, I heard the readers’ voice. So I skimmed through and when at the 77% mark the villains were still trying to get their greedy hands on the good guys’ passports, I couldn't take it anymore and remembered that James Patterson has written a twisted psychological thriller called The Beach House, too.
Sorry about the rant; hope you have a better experience with it.
January 20, 2020
I am a great fan of the idyllic beach holiday setting in a thriller and this lured me into reading The Beach House by PR Black. I was absolutely thrilled with it!
I revelled in the story-line, the characters and all of the many twists and turns as Cora begins the holiday of her dreams - a private beach in paradise - with her fiancé, Jonathan. Everything is going well as Jonathan has recently proposed to Cora and the sale of his business is the icing on the cake for the couple. Realising that the island isn't as private as they had believed, the couple invite their neighbours, Dylan and Hazel, to celebrate with them. But then events turn sinister...
The setting was glorious, but all was not perfect, giving rise to surprises, shocks, drama and suspicion. The development of the interrelationships between the holiday-makers and their strange neighbours meant that I was totally addicted to this drama-style thriller from start to finish and could not put it down. The clever writing by PR Black made it unclear as to what exactly was going on but that resulted in an even more compelling story. The Beach House is very highly recommended and a must-read!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Aria via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
I revelled in the story-line, the characters and all of the many twists and turns as Cora begins the holiday of her dreams - a private beach in paradise - with her fiancé, Jonathan. Everything is going well as Jonathan has recently proposed to Cora and the sale of his business is the icing on the cake for the couple. Realising that the island isn't as private as they had believed, the couple invite their neighbours, Dylan and Hazel, to celebrate with them. But then events turn sinister...
The setting was glorious, but all was not perfect, giving rise to surprises, shocks, drama and suspicion. The development of the interrelationships between the holiday-makers and their strange neighbours meant that I was totally addicted to this drama-style thriller from start to finish and could not put it down. The clever writing by PR Black made it unclear as to what exactly was going on but that resulted in an even more compelling story. The Beach House is very highly recommended and a must-read!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my request, from Aria via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
February 3, 2020
Interesting premise but the story drags and the dialogue was quite cheesy and inorganic
This took too long to take off. I got fidgety. In the meantime, I grew irritable with the silly conversations between the characters. The writing is fine but the plot becomes absurd and over the top. Cora is almost superhuman and Jonathan is a dud who only makes things worse.
It wasn’t horrible (quick read and I wanted to finish it to see how it ended). Some people have really enjoyed it so if it seems like your cup of tea then please give it a try.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Aria for a copy in exchange for a review.
This took too long to take off. I got fidgety. In the meantime, I grew irritable with the silly conversations between the characters. The writing is fine but the plot becomes absurd and over the top. Cora is almost superhuman and Jonathan is a dud who only makes things worse.
It wasn’t horrible (quick read and I wanted to finish it to see how it ended). Some people have really enjoyed it so if it seems like your cup of tea then please give it a try.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Aria for a copy in exchange for a review.
January 5, 2020
Literally NOTHING is as it seems on this holiday island!
The Beach House kept me turning the pages to find out who to believe and who to root for. Strike Back meets Bond with a touch of Columbo too! Recommended!
The Beach House kept me turning the pages to find out who to believe and who to root for. Strike Back meets Bond with a touch of Columbo too! Recommended!
January 28, 2020
It was going to be their dream holiday and when Cora's fiancée sold his business for an eight figure sum it was the icing on the cake.
Little did they know that many eyes were following their path. Many people knew about the sale and the money involved and even if it meant murder, they meant to get their hands on it. Befriending Cora and Jonathan till it came to the point that they did not know who their friends were and who were their enemies, the story unravels slowly taking you to a point of almost no return.
I was not a fan of any of the characters, but having said that the characterization was spot on. The island's beauty and sleaze were both depicted in equal measure and the bad guys were really bad!
Little did they know that many eyes were following their path. Many people knew about the sale and the money involved and even if it meant murder, they meant to get their hands on it. Befriending Cora and Jonathan till it came to the point that they did not know who their friends were and who were their enemies, the story unravels slowly taking you to a point of almost no return.
I was not a fan of any of the characters, but having said that the characterization was spot on. The island's beauty and sleaze were both depicted in equal measure and the bad guys were really bad!
July 14, 2021
First off, I was captivated by the cover.
Second, I thought this was going to be a fast, beach read.
Third, it was an interesting premise, I mean what's not to love, being on a dream vacation with your man that turns and turns and twists out of control!
Fourth, I would have given this novel a 4 star rating if the pace of the novel was quicker, for me, it was a slow burn.
Second, I thought this was going to be a fast, beach read.
Third, it was an interesting premise, I mean what's not to love, being on a dream vacation with your man that turns and turns and twists out of control!
Fourth, I would have given this novel a 4 star rating if the pace of the novel was quicker, for me, it was a slow burn.
October 10, 2024
don’t bother
October 23, 2024
A nice bit what next.. but a long drawn out run to the end and disappointing way to end left me a bit 🙄
February 15, 2020
Cora and her boyfriend are off on a vacation of their dreams. They soon discover their private island is not so private. There is another couple on the island, and while things start out friendly, they soon take a turn for the worse.
This story was crazy! At one point, even the good guys looked like they were. bad. And while I'm very willing to suspend plausibility, there were parts of this story that had me rolling my eyes. That being said, it was still a quick paced thriller. Believe me, there was never a dull moment!
My thanks to Aria and Netgalley for providing this ARC.
This story was crazy! At one point, even the good guys looked like they were. bad. And while I'm very willing to suspend plausibility, there were parts of this story that had me rolling my eyes. That being said, it was still a quick paced thriller. Believe me, there was never a dull moment!
My thanks to Aria and Netgalley for providing this ARC.
January 18, 2020
From the blurb, the reader knows that this is not the idyllic holiday you'd expect, but nothing prepares you for the twists and turns that appear with increasing alacrity as the story progresses.
Cora and Jonathan are on a dream holiday, Cora seems unsure whether she wants to be there. Jonathan is full of surprises, and it seems that life is on track. Until, their exclusive holiday retreat becomes crowded, with another couple, and they can't fail to see the resemblance to themselves.
The story has a strong technological theme, which adds depth and complexity to the plot.
Progressing, through Cora's point of view, things start to spiral in an increasingly uncomfortable way. The characters are believable and complex. They are not what they appear to be on the surface.
Cora is an unreliable narrator, and as the story progresses, she presents a hidden side to her character. Flashbacks to incidents in her past illuminate and reinforce her present actions. The last part of the story is an adrenaline rush, and at times full of confusion.
Even at the end, I still wasn't sure I'd understood everything, but that's what you want from a psychological thriller.
An absorbing, addictive read.
I received a copy of this book from Aria via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Cora and Jonathan are on a dream holiday, Cora seems unsure whether she wants to be there. Jonathan is full of surprises, and it seems that life is on track. Until, their exclusive holiday retreat becomes crowded, with another couple, and they can't fail to see the resemblance to themselves.
The story has a strong technological theme, which adds depth and complexity to the plot.
Progressing, through Cora's point of view, things start to spiral in an increasingly uncomfortable way. The characters are believable and complex. They are not what they appear to be on the surface.
Cora is an unreliable narrator, and as the story progresses, she presents a hidden side to her character. Flashbacks to incidents in her past illuminate and reinforce her present actions. The last part of the story is an adrenaline rush, and at times full of confusion.
Even at the end, I still wasn't sure I'd understood everything, but that's what you want from a psychological thriller.
An absorbing, addictive read.
I received a copy of this book from Aria via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
May 26, 2021
I feel really torn about this book because there were things that I liked and things that I didn't like. The first half was a really slow burn, slow enough that I started to question if it was one of them books where nothing actually happens. Once the action and drama kicked in, it started to get really exciting and I did really start to enjoy it. I have to say, Jonathan's character was so annoying and I really questioned why Cora was putting up with his behaviour. The premise was great and I did love certain twists, and towards the end I was right on the edge of my seat! When it comes to the villainy plot, I felt a bit 'meh' about it. Some of it cringed me out a little bit. But overall, I think I would recommend it to others.
January 9, 2020
Cora and Jonathon are on a dream trip that quickly becomes a nightmare. A lookalike couple befriend them and suddenly snarky things happen that alert Cora to a possible scam. Several twists make this a fast read and Cora, a schoolteacher, becomes a certified superhero. The real Cora? The real Jonathon? Who knows until the over the top ending!
June 12, 2025
What an absolute thrilling read this is and just reinforces why I don’t go on holidays. Ok so this might be a bit of an exaggeration, but if I was ever offered the opportunity to vacation on an island with my own private beach, I would definitely think twice before accepting after reading this book! If it was PR’s intention to make the reader feel this way, he has succeeded and has put the fear into me now. Thanks PR! Thanks a lot!
Starting with the ominous cover of this book which sets up the tone of the book perfectly, PR takes the reader into the lives of Cora and Jonathan as they embark on what was supposed to be the perfect holiday. Everything starts out great as Jonathan has just proposed to Cora and with the sale of his business which is going to set them up for life financially, life is great, but when they meet Dylan and Hazel, their perfect holiday soon becomes their worst nightmare as things take a sinister turn.
Although I did not really connect with any of the characters in this story, they have all been exceptionally well written and are very believable in the roles that they play. They are all well rounded and each are not without their complex traits but this just makes them all work well together through the chapters. As the story progresses, there was many a time where I was questioning each and every one of them and who was actually playing who, which just made the story all the more interesting and engaging.
I really enjoyed the ease of PR’s writing which made the experience of reading this book all the more enjoyable. I did feel that the story moved at a slow pace to start with, but when it kicked in, boy did it take off and had me hanging on tight as I was taken on a wild ride that was full of twists and turns in the lead up to the thrilling and satisfying conclusion.
This is the first book I have read from PR and even though he has now ruined holidays for me, I will be definitely be reading more of his work in the future. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to read and review The Beach which I recommend.
Thank-you to NetGalley, Aria and PR Black for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Beach House which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Starting with the ominous cover of this book which sets up the tone of the book perfectly, PR takes the reader into the lives of Cora and Jonathan as they embark on what was supposed to be the perfect holiday. Everything starts out great as Jonathan has just proposed to Cora and with the sale of his business which is going to set them up for life financially, life is great, but when they meet Dylan and Hazel, their perfect holiday soon becomes their worst nightmare as things take a sinister turn.
Although I did not really connect with any of the characters in this story, they have all been exceptionally well written and are very believable in the roles that they play. They are all well rounded and each are not without their complex traits but this just makes them all work well together through the chapters. As the story progresses, there was many a time where I was questioning each and every one of them and who was actually playing who, which just made the story all the more interesting and engaging.
I really enjoyed the ease of PR’s writing which made the experience of reading this book all the more enjoyable. I did feel that the story moved at a slow pace to start with, but when it kicked in, boy did it take off and had me hanging on tight as I was taken on a wild ride that was full of twists and turns in the lead up to the thrilling and satisfying conclusion.
This is the first book I have read from PR and even though he has now ruined holidays for me, I will be definitely be reading more of his work in the future. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to read and review The Beach which I recommend.
Thank-you to NetGalley, Aria and PR Black for allowing me to read an advanced copy of The Beach House which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
July 20, 2021
It was definitely the cover that first attracted me to this book and then the blurb, as I do love anything set on a holiday. Yet it then sat on my kindle for over a year before I had a chance to read it and I went in blind.
I really had no idea what to expect other than for it to be quite dark at some point - so the relatively sedate opening, took me a bit by surprise, but I really enjoyed getting to know Cora and Jonathan, being happy with their new proposal and impressed with Jonathan's business dealings.
But then there are a few weird occurrences but even then I had absolutely no idea what turns this book was going to take. What resulted was the second half of the book is full of action, fast paced, and at no point was I sure exactly what I could believe or not.
Full of drama this is fabulous, and had me on the edge of my seat and completely gripped and wrapped up in the story. For this turns out to be anything but at a holiday of a lifetime, but yet it will for Cora be remembered forever but not for the reasons you may first be thinking.
This is the first book I've read from the author and if this is an indication of their skills, then I'd certainly be happy to read more in the future.
Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I really had no idea what to expect other than for it to be quite dark at some point - so the relatively sedate opening, took me a bit by surprise, but I really enjoyed getting to know Cora and Jonathan, being happy with their new proposal and impressed with Jonathan's business dealings.
But then there are a few weird occurrences but even then I had absolutely no idea what turns this book was going to take. What resulted was the second half of the book is full of action, fast paced, and at no point was I sure exactly what I could believe or not.
Full of drama this is fabulous, and had me on the edge of my seat and completely gripped and wrapped up in the story. For this turns out to be anything but at a holiday of a lifetime, but yet it will for Cora be remembered forever but not for the reasons you may first be thinking.
This is the first book I've read from the author and if this is an indication of their skills, then I'd certainly be happy to read more in the future.
Thank you to Aria and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
August 31, 2024
Firstly, do NOT listen to this audiobook on Spotify Premium. The editing was awful! There were long pauses not only after every two sentences, but sometimes in the MIDDLE of a sentence! These pauses were so long that I thought that either the chapter had ended or that my phone had broken... And (and I made a note of this), there is a ONE MINUTE pause near the beginning of chapter 18. And after this ONE MINUTE pause, the start of the chapter repeats itself!
In terms of the storyline, I found it convoluted and boring and in terms of the characters, I found them irritating and bizarre.
I did that thing where I am enthralled by the cover before listening to the sample and reading the blurb. I would say that I will learn from this experience but I know I won't.
It's not a 1-star because there were some gripping moments in this book, for example the tense scenes with the spider and the shark (I was scared, listening to the vivid descriptions of these predators!)
In terms of the storyline, I found it convoluted and boring and in terms of the characters, I found them irritating and bizarre.
I did that thing where I am enthralled by the cover before listening to the sample and reading the blurb. I would say that I will learn from this experience but I know I won't.
It's not a 1-star because there were some gripping moments in this book, for example the tense scenes with the spider and the shark (I was scared, listening to the vivid descriptions of these predators!)
March 27, 2020
This was unexpected, in a way. I'm used to this author jumping right into gory and horrifying, and this book offers a slow start - actually, it's pretty slow during the first half, which makes you suspect a dozen things and lets you cling to each and every detail as you try to figure out where it's actually going. The second half neatly ties up all the loose suspicions from the first, and with flashbacks to the female MC's past leads to a satisfying ending. I'd have loved a few of those flashbacks in the first half already, maybe the better to understand the dynamics between the male and the female MC. All in all, a totally recommended read.
August 15, 2023
This is quite predictable (of course X and Y are up to no good) and in parts very silly (the card game?) but a really enjoyable read regardless. Other readers have called it slow - I actually felt it had a surprisingly excellent amount of world building/scene setting that’s unusual to find in thrillers. There are two scenes involving sharks that are genuinely scary. The final act is a fun read, and enjoyably silly as the author tries to put in (or pull off? Unsure) an incredible number of minor plot twists. Definitely a surprise hit for me!
July 6, 2020
Amazing with a crazy ending!
I absolutely loved this book.
I really felt as if I was there in the tropical paradise with them, and couldn’t wait for things to start going wrong!
The book kept me engaged all the way through, although the ending was super fast paced and at times a little hard to follow!
I’ll never swim in the sea again as I don’t want to meet Bertha!
I absolutely loved this book.
I really felt as if I was there in the tropical paradise with them, and couldn’t wait for things to start going wrong!
The book kept me engaged all the way through, although the ending was super fast paced and at times a little hard to follow!
I’ll never swim in the sea again as I don’t want to meet Bertha!
September 1, 2020
Totally ridiculous
Sorry, I hate slamming books on here but what has happened to kindle unlimited?! The amount of rubbish I’ve read recently is unreal. This book had the most outlandish storyline, too much “action” to keep up with and quite honestly I’m only giving it 2 stars because I had hopes for it before I read it. Utter rubbish.
Sorry, I hate slamming books on here but what has happened to kindle unlimited?! The amount of rubbish I’ve read recently is unreal. This book had the most outlandish storyline, too much “action” to keep up with and quite honestly I’m only giving it 2 stars because I had hopes for it before I read it. Utter rubbish.
January 22, 2022
Thriller situated on an island paradise
The story started of really interesting but how two people could be taken in by the the two look a likes was much too farfetched to be believed. The way the couple had been beaten up so badly was impossible for them to have escaped and killed the fraudsters.
The story started of really interesting but how two people could be taken in by the the two look a likes was much too farfetched to be believed. The way the couple had been beaten up so badly was impossible for them to have escaped and killed the fraudsters.
October 22, 2020
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book.
But it was good.
Really well written, so many twists and surprises in this book. Tons of action and at one point I’m pretty sure I screamed! Hahahaha it’s a good one! I might have to read another one of his books!
But it was good.
Really well written, so many twists and surprises in this book. Tons of action and at one point I’m pretty sure I screamed! Hahahaha it’s a good one! I might have to read another one of his books!
October 4, 2021
It was an OK read at the start I found it a bit boring & the characters Cora & Jonathan annoyed me but it did get better & I did not see the plot coming but I did find it a bit long winded near the end!
July 7, 2021
Ok, not one of my faves
September 29, 2021
Rubbish
One of the worst books I have read this year. Nothing about this book is worth reading, characters, plot and so on, a waste of time.
One of the worst books I have read this year. Nothing about this book is worth reading, characters, plot and so on, a waste of time.
April 17, 2022
Thrilling!
I thoroughly enjoyed this! The protagonist was brilliantly smart and tough, and I couldn't put it down. A great read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this! The protagonist was brilliantly smart and tough, and I couldn't put it down. A great read.
September 28, 2022
I could only give this book a two star as it was very difficult to get into. It ended pretty good but I picked this book up and put it down probably 15 times before committing to reading it.
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