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The House on Fripp Island
A taut, page-turning novel of secrets and strife. When two families—one rich, one not—vacation together off the coast of South Carolina, little do they know that someone won't be returning home.
Fripp Island, South Carolina is the perfect destination for the wealthy Daly family: Lisa, Scott, and their two girls. For Lisa’s childhood friend, Poppy Ford, the resort island is a world away from the one she and Lisa grew up in—and when Lisa invites Poppy's family to join them, how can a working-class woman turn down an all-expenses paid vacation for her husband and children?
But everyone brings secrets to the island, distorting what should be a convivial, relaxing summer on the beach. Lisa sees danger everywhere—the local handyman can't be allowed near the children, and Lisa suspects Scott is fixated on something, or someone, else. Poppy watches over her husband John and his routines with a sharp eye. It's a summer of change for all of the children: Ryan Ford who prepares for college in the fall, Rae Daly who seethes on the brink of adulthood, and the two youngest, Kimmy Daly and Alex Ford, who are exposed to new ideas and different ways of life as they forge a friendship of their own. Those who return from this vacation will spend the rest of their lives trying to process what they witnessed, the tipping points, moments of violence and tenderness, and the memory of whom they left behind.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 2, 2020
400 people are currently reading
5214 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Kauffman
6 books384 followersRebecca Kauffman is originally from rural northeastern Ohio. She received her B.A. from the Manhattan School of Music in Violin Performance, and her M.F.A. in Creative Writing from NYU. She currently lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 559 reviews
April 4, 2020
NO SPOILERS....
I just finished the last page of this book minutes ago — with mixed feelings.
MOSTLY.....I liked it - well- I’m glad I read it anyway. But....I’ll be thinking about this book for sometime. I’ve already had a few lengthy conversations with my husband - Paul - about this novel.
CLEARLY — I didn’t hate it - yet I sure don’t feel satisfied either.
I’ll try to explain....
But first....
I was overly jazzed with Rebecca Kaufman’s book, “The Gunners”....a story that some people compared with “The Big Chill”...
Point is....I was enamored! I enjoyed everything about it!!!!
This book...”The House on Fripp Island”, felt much darker than “The Gunners’s”. To me ....there were too many misleading clues .....and not all the loose ends tied well together. I also felt the pacing of the storytelling was a little uneven....as if a reward-carrot was hanging from a string for me to catch....but when I finally did catch it....it was an old-spoiled-tasteless carrot. Disappointing! And I was SAD!
Before I share more details about the characters - plot - themes - relationship- complexities - secrets - etc....let me say...
I’m a FAN of REBECCA KAUFFMAN.....in the same way I’m a fan of the
Chuck Lorre- ( who writes some of the most entertaining sitcoms ever written).....
There is something very FRESH- ALIVE- IN YOUR FACE - present about the way Rebecca writes. I’d like to read every book she writes!!! Rebecca’s book are of real interest to me.
But ....
by the END of this book —I was left feeling very sad! And left with QUESTIONS!
Rebecca Kauffman - is not stupid - I think every word of her book had a purpose — but I’m still grappling — wishing to find the few missing puzzle pieces.
I don’t feel complete - nor fully satisfied with the totality of this novel — but I CARED FOR ALL THE CHARACTERS. I felt empathy for everyone.
Rebecca gave us enough understanding of everyone’s idiosyncrasies - that my fricken heart ached.
This was the type of vacation that turned confusing, sickening, and extremely unsettling.
Life can be cruel!
A little more sharing....( basic plot descriptions and my average book report):
Scott Daly and his wife Lisa were the winner of a big-ticket raffle to an “All Expenses Paid. Four days and nights at Fripp Island Resort. Redeemable through the next year calendar”.
The island was situated just off the coast of South Carolina, midway between Charleston and Savannah.
Scott and Lisa had two daughters: Rae was 14 years old. Kimmy was 11 years old.
Lisa suggested they invite her best friend from childhood, Poppy, and her family to join them on vacation.
Poppy and her husband, John Ford, lived outside Wheeling, West Virginia. Their son Ryan, was 17 years old. Their daughter Alex, was 11.
Lisa grew up next door to Poppy - They had been best friends since they were five years of age.
Poppy’s family still lived next door to Lisa’s mother, Carol.
When Carol got sick, Poppy took on the role of surrogate daughter — she lived next-door.
Poppy married into the same financial bracket that she grew up in when she married John.
Lisa moved many years ago - moved up the financial ladder when she married Scott. From a blue collar lifestyle to a white collar lifestyle.
Poppy was a huge helped to Carol when she was sick -with appointments, delivering
food, and other essentials she may have needed.
Lisa and Poppy talked on the phone often- but rarely had a chance to see each other given they didn’t live next-door to one another any longer.
Lisa wanted to give Poppy and her family this paid-for vacation as a way to thank her for caring for her mother.
Given that Poppy and their family weren’t in the same economical bracket as Lisa and Scott were, Lisa knew her friend well—
Poppy would normally have refused a paid gifted vacation from her friend —but since this was an all expense paid ‘raffle’ gift- Lisa was sure Poppy and John they would accept. And they did. But....it was questionable as to how well fit the couples were socially together.
But....
Let the vacation begin....
Both families - The Daly’s and The Ford’s, settled into their Beach house. EVERY CHARACTER- adult and kids - had distinct characteristics you’ll remember well! But....I had questions about each of them from start to finish.
The adults started in with sangria drinks —while the four kids headed to the beach. Sounds normal enough....
But that’s just it - everything ‘seemed’ plausible and normal - until it didn’t.
There were meals together- golf for the guys - picnic lunches on the beach - swimming - gossiping - eavesdropping on conversations - secrets - misconstrued assumptions - jealousy feelings brewing - irritating and annoyances - judgments and comparisons between the families .... a little mystery...intrigue...and suspense —
And....
.......an ending to a beach vacation that is unsettling- to say the least!
A little undercutting dialogue sample:
“Poppy fingered the stem of her sangria glass and said, ‘why’s this thing so small?’
Am I supposed to stick my pinky out like this? Is that how the rich do?”
“Lisa laughed but was finding herself slightly irritated by Poppy’s constant references to the expense of things around the house and her commentary on how-out-of place she felt there”.
THIS WAS NOTHING....compared to the rest of the book
4 STARS... I RECOMMEND IT....but do not expect to be all happy dorie!
I just finished the last page of this book minutes ago — with mixed feelings.
MOSTLY.....I liked it - well- I’m glad I read it anyway. But....I’ll be thinking about this book for sometime. I’ve already had a few lengthy conversations with my husband - Paul - about this novel.
CLEARLY — I didn’t hate it - yet I sure don’t feel satisfied either.
I’ll try to explain....
But first....
I was overly jazzed with Rebecca Kaufman’s book, “The Gunners”....a story that some people compared with “The Big Chill”...
Point is....I was enamored! I enjoyed everything about it!!!!
This book...”The House on Fripp Island”, felt much darker than “The Gunners’s”. To me ....there were too many misleading clues .....and not all the loose ends tied well together. I also felt the pacing of the storytelling was a little uneven....as if a reward-carrot was hanging from a string for me to catch....but when I finally did catch it....it was an old-spoiled-tasteless carrot. Disappointing! And I was SAD!
Before I share more details about the characters - plot - themes - relationship- complexities - secrets - etc....let me say...
I’m a FAN of REBECCA KAUFFMAN.....in the same way I’m a fan of the
Chuck Lorre- ( who writes some of the most entertaining sitcoms ever written).....
There is something very FRESH- ALIVE- IN YOUR FACE - present about the way Rebecca writes. I’d like to read every book she writes!!! Rebecca’s book are of real interest to me.
But ....
by the END of this book —I was left feeling very sad! And left with QUESTIONS!
Rebecca Kauffman - is not stupid - I think every word of her book had a purpose — but I’m still grappling — wishing to find the few missing puzzle pieces.
I don’t feel complete - nor fully satisfied with the totality of this novel — but I CARED FOR ALL THE CHARACTERS. I felt empathy for everyone.
Rebecca gave us enough understanding of everyone’s idiosyncrasies - that my fricken heart ached.
This was the type of vacation that turned confusing, sickening, and extremely unsettling.
Life can be cruel!
A little more sharing....( basic plot descriptions and my average book report):
Scott Daly and his wife Lisa were the winner of a big-ticket raffle to an “All Expenses Paid. Four days and nights at Fripp Island Resort. Redeemable through the next year calendar”.
The island was situated just off the coast of South Carolina, midway between Charleston and Savannah.
Scott and Lisa had two daughters: Rae was 14 years old. Kimmy was 11 years old.
Lisa suggested they invite her best friend from childhood, Poppy, and her family to join them on vacation.
Poppy and her husband, John Ford, lived outside Wheeling, West Virginia. Their son Ryan, was 17 years old. Their daughter Alex, was 11.
Lisa grew up next door to Poppy - They had been best friends since they were five years of age.
Poppy’s family still lived next door to Lisa’s mother, Carol.
When Carol got sick, Poppy took on the role of surrogate daughter — she lived next-door.
Poppy married into the same financial bracket that she grew up in when she married John.
Lisa moved many years ago - moved up the financial ladder when she married Scott. From a blue collar lifestyle to a white collar lifestyle.
Poppy was a huge helped to Carol when she was sick -with appointments, delivering
food, and other essentials she may have needed.
Lisa and Poppy talked on the phone often- but rarely had a chance to see each other given they didn’t live next-door to one another any longer.
Lisa wanted to give Poppy and her family this paid-for vacation as a way to thank her for caring for her mother.
Given that Poppy and their family weren’t in the same economical bracket as Lisa and Scott were, Lisa knew her friend well—
Poppy would normally have refused a paid gifted vacation from her friend —but since this was an all expense paid ‘raffle’ gift- Lisa was sure Poppy and John they would accept. And they did. But....it was questionable as to how well fit the couples were socially together.
But....
Let the vacation begin....
Both families - The Daly’s and The Ford’s, settled into their Beach house. EVERY CHARACTER- adult and kids - had distinct characteristics you’ll remember well! But....I had questions about each of them from start to finish.
The adults started in with sangria drinks —while the four kids headed to the beach. Sounds normal enough....
But that’s just it - everything ‘seemed’ plausible and normal - until it didn’t.
There were meals together- golf for the guys - picnic lunches on the beach - swimming - gossiping - eavesdropping on conversations - secrets - misconstrued assumptions - jealousy feelings brewing - irritating and annoyances - judgments and comparisons between the families .... a little mystery...intrigue...and suspense —
And....
.......an ending to a beach vacation that is unsettling- to say the least!
A little undercutting dialogue sample:
“Poppy fingered the stem of her sangria glass and said, ‘why’s this thing so small?’
Am I supposed to stick my pinky out like this? Is that how the rich do?”
“Lisa laughed but was finding herself slightly irritated by Poppy’s constant references to the expense of things around the house and her commentary on how-out-of place she felt there”.
THIS WAS NOTHING....compared to the rest of the book
4 STARS... I RECOMMEND IT....but do not expect to be all happy dorie!
May 29, 2022
Library overdrive audiobook….narrated by Susan Bennett
…..9 hours and 10 minutes
This is my third Rebecca Kauffman novel……
Ha Ha….. and apparently second read!!!!
A new review to go along with. Lol
I think this is a first for me that I reviewed the same book twice —- years apart.
Having forgotten that I had read this book years ago.
I loved “The Gunners” and “Chorus”…..
My ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ are twofold with “The House on Fripp Island”.
DETAILS INCLUDED BUT NO SPOILERS….
…..note: I doubt this is a book everyone will love …..but ‘many’ will like it…..
in-an-‘above-average’ way.
I ‘liked’ it in an above average way……frothiness flaws included while on a beach vacation in South Carolina.
Readers must enjoy messy relationships between friends - spouses- children - teens - family dynamics & dysfunctions….
It’s the PARTY-SIZE double-whammy—
Two families- friendships and tons of fairly realistic drama.
…..occasionally eye-rolling annoying —
…….yet it’s engrossing. The complicated shenanigans just keep on rollin.
There is humor, betrayals, secrets, withelds, suspense, picnics, sandwiches, chips, beer, capri-suns. BBQ’s, blended margaritas, gossip, judgments and assumptions…
The kids and ‘parents’ are both COMING -of age.
Most of the time I was interested in the two families:
….their varied differences….. as individuals and in relationship to one another.
We meet ……
….The Daly family: Lisa, Scott…and their two daughters, (teenage Rae, and younger sister Kimmy)
….The Ford Family: Poppy, John…and their two kids, Ryan, the oldest, off to college soon, and his pre-teen sister, Alex who might be questioning her sexual identity—having recently shaved her head.
….My sleeves were rolled up …fully engaged with the trials, tribulations, background histories, and mysteries. There were ‘many’ trials, and mysteries!
I had a few of those drop-off lag moments—but then — I’d get pulled back in —totally wanting to contemplate the juicy issues.
This story moves in several directions - with several side tales….several side curiosities …
There were also many assumptions between characters….
puzzle pieces to solve.
….Lisa and Poppy were best friends as children. They grew up in West Virginia…. both middle class.
Their adult friendship was still sacred — but they had more complications, withholds, secrets, class discrepancies, (Lisa escaped a middle class working lifestyle when she married Scott), mild jealousies, judgments, and resentments —
but…..
Lisa and Poppy still valued their friendship even with numerous issues.
Many readers will relate to the lifetime friendship Lisa and Poppy shared.
They were the core reason their two families gathered together for a 4-day getaway. ….regardless if it was really Scott’s company that flipped the bill or the all expense vacation.
The *prologue* opens Pandora’s box into the great *mystery* ahead….
For some readers this may be the best part…..
They will either jump on board — commit to the endurance rolling hills journey …. with a cast of four adults and four kids of different ages with varied concerns of their own….
or….
turn back around — and walk another path.
The rigorous- as in patience to involve oneself with the human-issues of eight plus characters—(people saga stories)….is not an all-UP or all-DOWN trail…..
but it’s definitely not a flat trail!
Readers can’t drift off to sleep and expect to feel the benefits of the caloric burn!
One must stay awake —in order to have a few calories melt away in the process.
I MUST say again
— this is a very self select type read —
If you hate long distance hiking or running — especially with a group — don’t bother choosing this novel.
But if you’re up for a little challenge and a little lifetime drama —- by a skillful writer — then take the plunge.
….Lisa married Scott - giving her much more wealth than she grew up with.
She’s been married for 20 years, but hasn’t been happy with Scott for the last couple of them.
Something has changed …. we suspect it might not be normal boredom.
Sex isn’t happening. Lisa is sure Scott was having an affair. She confessed this to Poppy - told her she didn’t really even care if he was or not. Might even be doing her a favor if he was. Lol
….[as the reader, I questioned if he was having an affair at all — I suspected something worse — but that’s where my mind went]
….Scott comes off as a schmucky lying-cheating husband …… (but I had a hunch something else was going on under the surface).
….Scott was definitely a Schmucky friend…An All-American-White-Male all-around basic asshole friend.
He gets the asshole award for a stunt he pulled on John.
….Scott also had a very Schmucky JOB……
He went after people who were in debt……nailed them to the wall . Scott financially benefited. His clients were completely broke.
John was overwhelmed with too many bills - medical bills — so one might imagine he disliked the type of job Scott had.
John — and each of the kids have their stories and issues too —
…. We also meet mystery man Keith and his wife Roxy.
….I was enjoying the ‘holiday’ ….Flipp Island itself…..
Summer breezy days with organic thunderstorms — literally and figuratively.
….I was interested in the ways the Ford family were different from the Daly family…..
The ways they operated as a family and their individualism.
If you’ve been married 43 years like I have these type of relationships are familiar.
Plenty to keep readers interested until sometimes it’s ‘enough’ already.
But — as I say — overall I enjoyed it.
About a 3.7 rating from me…. coloring in 4 stars.
…..9 hours and 10 minutes
This is my third Rebecca Kauffman novel……
Ha Ha….. and apparently second read!!!!
A new review to go along with. Lol
I think this is a first for me that I reviewed the same book twice —- years apart.
Having forgotten that I had read this book years ago.
I loved “The Gunners” and “Chorus”…..
My ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ are twofold with “The House on Fripp Island”.
DETAILS INCLUDED BUT NO SPOILERS….
…..note: I doubt this is a book everyone will love …..but ‘many’ will like it…..
in-an-‘above-average’ way.
I ‘liked’ it in an above average way……frothiness flaws included while on a beach vacation in South Carolina.
Readers must enjoy messy relationships between friends - spouses- children - teens - family dynamics & dysfunctions….
It’s the PARTY-SIZE double-whammy—
Two families- friendships and tons of fairly realistic drama.
…..occasionally eye-rolling annoying —
…….yet it’s engrossing. The complicated shenanigans just keep on rollin.
There is humor, betrayals, secrets, withelds, suspense, picnics, sandwiches, chips, beer, capri-suns. BBQ’s, blended margaritas, gossip, judgments and assumptions…
The kids and ‘parents’ are both COMING -of age.
Most of the time I was interested in the two families:
….their varied differences….. as individuals and in relationship to one another.
We meet ……
….The Daly family: Lisa, Scott…and their two daughters, (teenage Rae, and younger sister Kimmy)
….The Ford Family: Poppy, John…and their two kids, Ryan, the oldest, off to college soon, and his pre-teen sister, Alex who might be questioning her sexual identity—having recently shaved her head.
….My sleeves were rolled up …fully engaged with the trials, tribulations, background histories, and mysteries. There were ‘many’ trials, and mysteries!
I had a few of those drop-off lag moments—but then — I’d get pulled back in —totally wanting to contemplate the juicy issues.
This story moves in several directions - with several side tales….several side curiosities …
There were also many assumptions between characters….
puzzle pieces to solve.
….Lisa and Poppy were best friends as children. They grew up in West Virginia…. both middle class.
Their adult friendship was still sacred — but they had more complications, withholds, secrets, class discrepancies, (Lisa escaped a middle class working lifestyle when she married Scott), mild jealousies, judgments, and resentments —
but…..
Lisa and Poppy still valued their friendship even with numerous issues.
Many readers will relate to the lifetime friendship Lisa and Poppy shared.
They were the core reason their two families gathered together for a 4-day getaway. ….regardless if it was really Scott’s company that flipped the bill or the all expense vacation.
The *prologue* opens Pandora’s box into the great *mystery* ahead….
For some readers this may be the best part…..
They will either jump on board — commit to the endurance rolling hills journey …. with a cast of four adults and four kids of different ages with varied concerns of their own….
or….
turn back around — and walk another path.
The rigorous- as in patience to involve oneself with the human-issues of eight plus characters—(people saga stories)….is not an all-UP or all-DOWN trail…..
but it’s definitely not a flat trail!
Readers can’t drift off to sleep and expect to feel the benefits of the caloric burn!
One must stay awake —in order to have a few calories melt away in the process.
I MUST say again
— this is a very self select type read —
If you hate long distance hiking or running — especially with a group — don’t bother choosing this novel.
But if you’re up for a little challenge and a little lifetime drama —- by a skillful writer — then take the plunge.
….Lisa married Scott - giving her much more wealth than she grew up with.
She’s been married for 20 years, but hasn’t been happy with Scott for the last couple of them.
Something has changed …. we suspect it might not be normal boredom.
Sex isn’t happening. Lisa is sure Scott was having an affair. She confessed this to Poppy - told her she didn’t really even care if he was or not. Might even be doing her a favor if he was. Lol
….[as the reader, I questioned if he was having an affair at all — I suspected something worse — but that’s where my mind went]
….Scott comes off as a schmucky lying-cheating husband …… (but I had a hunch something else was going on under the surface).
….Scott was definitely a Schmucky friend…An All-American-White-Male all-around basic asshole friend.
He gets the asshole award for a stunt he pulled on John.
….Scott also had a very Schmucky JOB……
He went after people who were in debt……nailed them to the wall . Scott financially benefited. His clients were completely broke.
John was overwhelmed with too many bills - medical bills — so one might imagine he disliked the type of job Scott had.
John — and each of the kids have their stories and issues too —
…. We also meet mystery man Keith and his wife Roxy.
….I was enjoying the ‘holiday’ ….Flipp Island itself…..
Summer breezy days with organic thunderstorms — literally and figuratively.
….I was interested in the ways the Ford family were different from the Daly family…..
The ways they operated as a family and their individualism.
If you’ve been married 43 years like I have these type of relationships are familiar.
Plenty to keep readers interested until sometimes it’s ‘enough’ already.
But — as I say — overall I enjoyed it.
About a 3.7 rating from me…. coloring in 4 stars.
June 23, 2020
Lisa and Scott have not been happy in their marriage for some time. Their two daughters and the wealth they surround themselves with are not enough to reconcile the pair. But perhaps an all-expenses holiday to Fripp Island will be? Or maybe it will provide the backdrop for their undoing, instead.
The four are joined by Lisa's childhood best friend, Poppy, and her family for what promises to be a sun-drenched four days of relaxation and family fun on the white sands that are metres away from their front door. But there is something, or someone, lurking near their new abode that is potentially far more sinister than the beach sands and with only a small section of it to separate them. And whilst Lisa's attention is directed towards the figure she thinks will become her next nightmare, in addition to the turmoil lurking within, another is rearing its head and none of them can stop it from striking.
This was an absolutely riveting read I tore through over the course of a single day. Mysteries were in abundance and every character had something to hide from the others. It never veered into the realms of melodrama and never felt overdone in its suspenseful journey to the climax, however incredible and inciting the incidents became. Instead, Kauffman kept the readers on an even pace that matched the leisurely days of the holidaying families and that made the conclusion, and small previous reveals, all the more shocking for the supposed serenity that surrounded them.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Rebecca Kauffman, and the publisher, Serpent's Tail, for this opportunity.
The four are joined by Lisa's childhood best friend, Poppy, and her family for what promises to be a sun-drenched four days of relaxation and family fun on the white sands that are metres away from their front door. But there is something, or someone, lurking near their new abode that is potentially far more sinister than the beach sands and with only a small section of it to separate them. And whilst Lisa's attention is directed towards the figure she thinks will become her next nightmare, in addition to the turmoil lurking within, another is rearing its head and none of them can stop it from striking.
This was an absolutely riveting read I tore through over the course of a single day. Mysteries were in abundance and every character had something to hide from the others. It never veered into the realms of melodrama and never felt overdone in its suspenseful journey to the climax, however incredible and inciting the incidents became. Instead, Kauffman kept the readers on an even pace that matched the leisurely days of the holidaying families and that made the conclusion, and small previous reveals, all the more shocking for the supposed serenity that surrounded them.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Rebecca Kauffman, and the publisher, Serpent's Tail, for this opportunity.
June 12, 2020
This book was a novella stretched to novel length by describing every little thing they did, everything they ate, wear, see....you get the idea. On top of this the first 80% was mundane and extremely slow.
July 18, 2020
3.5 rounded to 4 Stars
June 8, 2020
Maybe 2.5 because the writing was good. The prologue of the book held so much promise...hints to a murder mystery that pulled me right in. Unfortunately, that page and a half was the high point of the book. This was beach read fluff that plodded along. The mystery wasn't much of a mystery, and the most interesting plot line was dropped and just left me hanging. Very unsatisfying.
February 21, 2020
The juiciest set-up I've seen in a while. A person is murdered in the prologue. Who is murdered - and who murdered them - isn't told. Then, enter chapter one: two families, eight people with secrets. Who killed who-- and why? The House on Fripp Island reads like a love song to third person omniscient. I didn't see the ending coming at all.
July 28, 2020
A great family drama that takes you on a summer vacation that no one will forget.
July 25, 2021
This is my second Rebecca Kauffman novel and I've given both 5 stars! This author definitely does not get the attention she deserves. Her stories are very character driven and focus on a group of people and their relationships with one another.
In this book two women who are longtime friends vacation together with their families in a beach house. You are told right away that someone is going to die, but you don't know who or how. The story is filled with family drama, but it's always realistic and not too over-the-top like a thriller would be. I would call this a contemporary suspense novel. I loved it.
In this book two women who are longtime friends vacation together with their families in a beach house. You are told right away that someone is going to die, but you don't know who or how. The story is filled with family drama, but it's always realistic and not too over-the-top like a thriller would be. I would call this a contemporary suspense novel. I loved it.
October 11, 2020
Beautifully illustrated book cover and zero substance. I felt like this was a book about nothing, I kept thinking something, anything, please happen. And this is after the author threw in every possible social issue, followed by bickering adults. Its the most boring vacation and uneventful 300 pages I have ever read. I didn't care about either adult relationship, I couldn't keeps the kids names and personalities straight. I found this dreadfully boring. Yawn.
August 11, 2020
Two families go on an all expense paid trip to Fripp Island where someone dies.
This is not just a #WHODUNNIT but also a #WHODIED.
This is an edge of the seat, atmospheric, all holiday feels kind of a vibe read. I enjoyed the throng of characters and could relate to some of them. The book was interesting and got me instantly hooked and I stopped only after i finished it.
If you like mystery and the trope of a family vacation where things go wrong, this is the book for you.
I enjoyed reading it thoroughly.
3.5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Rebecca Kauffman for an e ARC in exchange of an honest review.
This is not just a #WHODUNNIT but also a #WHODIED.
This is an edge of the seat, atmospheric, all holiday feels kind of a vibe read. I enjoyed the throng of characters and could relate to some of them. The book was interesting and got me instantly hooked and I stopped only after i finished it.
If you like mystery and the trope of a family vacation where things go wrong, this is the book for you.
I enjoyed reading it thoroughly.
3.5/5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Rebecca Kauffman for an e ARC in exchange of an honest review.
May 16, 2022
Libro giusto al momento giusto. Forse 4 sono tante, più un 3.5/3.7.
Scorrevolissimo, ben caratterizzati tutti i personaggi anche se forse c’è un po’ troppa divisione tra personaggi positivi e personaggi negativi (Poppy è un po’ troppo perfetta per i miei gusti).
Regge molto bene sulla lunghezza poiché sostanzialmente per il primo 70% non succede granché se non la preparazione per le ultime pagine ma, appunto, su questa lunghezza non viene a noia.
La storia è tutta giocata sul non detto/nascosto e sulla presunta necessità di nascondere lo sporco sotto il tappeto, un po' per vergogna, un po' per proteggere chi si ama. E tutto questo può far sì che una sciocchezza, degeneri in tragedia.
Forse tra un anno non mi ricorderò più niente, però per questi giorni mi ha tenuto compagnia e mi ha incollato alla pagina in tutti (pochi) i momenti liberi che ho avuto: di conseguenza ha fatto quello che doveva.
Scorrevolissimo, ben caratterizzati tutti i personaggi anche se forse c’è un po’ troppa divisione tra personaggi positivi e personaggi negativi (Poppy è un po’ troppo perfetta per i miei gusti).
Regge molto bene sulla lunghezza poiché sostanzialmente per il primo 70% non succede granché se non la preparazione per le ultime pagine ma, appunto, su questa lunghezza non viene a noia.
La storia è tutta giocata sul non detto/nascosto e sulla presunta necessità di nascondere lo sporco sotto il tappeto, un po' per vergogna, un po' per proteggere chi si ama. E tutto questo può far sì che una sciocchezza, degeneri in tragedia.
Forse tra un anno non mi ricorderò più niente, però per questi giorni mi ha tenuto compagnia e mi ha incollato alla pagina in tutti (pochi) i momenti liberi che ho avuto: di conseguenza ha fatto quello che doveva.
June 19, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and Mariner Books for my ARC. I was drawn to this book because the setting of Fripp Island. I have actually visited the island many times and have enjoyed my time there. Most of the story took place on the Island. The first few pages intrigued me. Unfortunately, the rest of the story was rather slow and dull. There were a few interesting parts sporadically throughout the story, but most of it was overly descriptive and uninteresting. It did pick up slightly toward the end, but ultimately left me feeling very disappointed overall.
June 14, 2020
Both couples were approaching their 20th anniversaries. 20 years! It was amazing how time could slither away from you, that sly bastard. Blink and a year is gone. Get a good night’s sleep and when you wake your kids are half grown.
Rebecca Kauffman
The House on Fripp Island
In my opinion, this book did not know what it wanted to be. This quote sums up what I “think” the author intended . . . a story about the ebbs and flows of marriage and family life. It highlights two couples of differing social status vacationing together on the South Carolina coast and the prologue informs us that something happens on the vacation that changes everyone’s lives. So right out of the gate I had to find out.
BUT, I listened to this audio and in my opinion (and I love my audiobooks) the narration is deplorable. I think maybe (a big maybe) if I’d read this I’d not have a 2 star reaction. But I had this narrator sped up to 2.0 just to get through it. This novel proves that all prose is meant to be read aloud.
So I trudged on and was interested enough to see where this all was going. And the ending was another eye roll of a moment. The “incidents" at the end felt implausible and one comes totally out of left field.
If 2.5 were a rating I guess I’d be there. Another novel that proves endings are very hard to get right. Thank you @libro.fm for this ALC.
Rebecca Kauffman
The House on Fripp Island
In my opinion, this book did not know what it wanted to be. This quote sums up what I “think” the author intended . . . a story about the ebbs and flows of marriage and family life. It highlights two couples of differing social status vacationing together on the South Carolina coast and the prologue informs us that something happens on the vacation that changes everyone’s lives. So right out of the gate I had to find out.
BUT, I listened to this audio and in my opinion (and I love my audiobooks) the narration is deplorable. I think maybe (a big maybe) if I’d read this I’d not have a 2 star reaction. But I had this narrator sped up to 2.0 just to get through it. This novel proves that all prose is meant to be read aloud.
So I trudged on and was interested enough to see where this all was going. And the ending was another eye roll of a moment. The “incidents" at the end felt implausible and one comes totally out of left field.
If 2.5 were a rating I guess I’d be there. Another novel that proves endings are very hard to get right. Thank you @libro.fm for this ALC.
Read
June 3, 2020I can’t figure out if I liked this book or not. It didn’t seem to serve much of a purpose and I didn’t really like any of the characters and didn’t really understand what the purpose of a few characters were. But I still wanted to know what happened next. I just had no clue what the purpose of it all was. So I am not rating this book.
Thank you @libro.fm for the audiobook
Thank you @libro.fm for the audiobook
June 29, 2020
I'm in two minds after putting this book down. It was not a bad read but unfortunately, it didn't wow me. I think the thing that bothered me most was the conclusion. It just didn't feel right. I also found the behaviour of some of the characters odd at times.
Thank you to NetGalley, Serpent's Tale and Profile books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley, Serpent's Tale and Profile books for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 20, 2020
I live right by Fripp Island and I've been so excited for this book! Thanks to Goodreads and the publisher I won a Kindle ARC. There was a lot going on and the ending left something to be desired for me, but I loved getting to know all the characters and seeing what made them tick.
January 29, 2021
Actually 3.5. Was definitely going to a 4 or more until the ending, Not happy, logical, or worthy, Not sure if worthy was the correct word, but it matched my feelings.
90% of the book had me, the the last 10% left me empty. Authors prerogative.
90% of the book had me, the the last 10% left me empty. Authors prerogative.
January 13, 2023
This started off as a very fun and readable vacation thriller, but it just didn’t stick the landing. For a thriller to be successful, it just needs to deliver one thing: be thrilling. Unfortunately, all parts of this book where suspense was building quickly deflated as each character’s motivations and mysteries were revealed. The story felt like it was going to culminate somewhere and then it just kind of ended.
The problem with whodunnits is that they hold me hostage until the big reveal at the end, but this ending was very unsatisfactory. It felt like the only thing keeping my attention was the knowledge of a murder, but now that I know the details, I’m realizing the rest of the book was similarly disappointing.
———————————————————————————
“Over time, she accepted the fact that the price for this great love was this great fear. Love's unfortunate alter ego. Fear, she came to realize, was utterly enamored with love. Obsessed with it. Vying for its attention, modulating its own particularities to suit love. And love was equally accommodating to fear: creating space, ushering it in, giving it a home, the two of them operating in comparative measure and perfect synchrony, clinging to each other like warm bodies in the night.”
The problem with whodunnits is that they hold me hostage until the big reveal at the end, but this ending was very unsatisfactory. It felt like the only thing keeping my attention was the knowledge of a murder, but now that I know the details, I’m realizing the rest of the book was similarly disappointing.
———————————————————————————
“Over time, she accepted the fact that the price for this great love was this great fear. Love's unfortunate alter ego. Fear, she came to realize, was utterly enamored with love. Obsessed with it. Vying for its attention, modulating its own particularities to suit love. And love was equally accommodating to fear: creating space, ushering it in, giving it a home, the two of them operating in comparative measure and perfect synchrony, clinging to each other like warm bodies in the night.”
October 14, 2024
Insomnia again, 4.30 this morning so a better sleep! Kauffman here kept me company!
A very well written fiction with a slight thriller/crime element.
The characters are well constructed, Kauffman deftly handling male, female, adult and teenage humans. The story and pacing are great and there is a building unease throughout, as if something is gonna "kick off" or go awry.
I was impressed with the storytelling and the "twist" as it were. I didn't see that coming I'll admit.
A keeper for sure.
A very well written fiction with a slight thriller/crime element.
The characters are well constructed, Kauffman deftly handling male, female, adult and teenage humans. The story and pacing are great and there is a building unease throughout, as if something is gonna "kick off" or go awry.
I was impressed with the storytelling and the "twist" as it were. I didn't see that coming I'll admit.
A keeper for sure.
August 7, 2025
I didn't cry when I read it, but I might later. This a book I will quicky recommend and keep in mind for a re-read.
I recommend it to Gabby, Aunty Erin, and Aunty Mel.
Rated a 4.5 on StoryGraph and Fable.
I recommend it to Gabby, Aunty Erin, and Aunty Mel.
Rated a 4.5 on StoryGraph and Fable.
September 8, 2023
Una murder story in cui non si conosce né la vittima, né l'assassino. Due famiglie trascorrono qualche giorno di vacanza insieme nella stessa casa a Fripp Island, un'isola sulle coste della Carolina del sud. Un romanzo molto piacevole, rilassante e scorrevole, non appare come il classico giallo, ma si concentra più sullo sviluppo degli eventi e sulle dinamiche relazionali dei protagonisti. Tuttavia ho trovato lo stile di scrittura un po' acerbo e poco elegante, i temi talvolta banali o sviluppati a volta in modo inverosimile, come se non ci fosse una reale profondità psicologica dei personaggi. Il personaggio, invece, per me più interessante e che forse acquista maggiore profondità è proprio quello della vittima.
May 18, 2020
The House on Fripp Island is the newest novel written by Rebecca Kauffman. The novel follows two families, the Dalys and the Fords: the former are wealthy and have won an all-inclusive retreat at the Island on raffle, while the latter are a family that lives paycheck to paycheck, trying to make ends meet. Poppy Ford is invited by her childhood friend Lisa Daly to join her family for this holiday: both families have 2 kids, who seem to get along. However, during the prologue of the book, the reader discovers that one person has died: not sure who, or how, which adds mystery to the novel.
thought this book was well-written and engaging: everybody had secrets and the author is very good at pulling all the characters together in a realistic way. I did, however, expect to find out more about the murder earlier on, and I thought it would be a thriller, while it seems more of a contemporary fiction novel, with a murder in it, that doesn't really get mentioned if not at the beginning and very end.
I was actually really excited to read this book: my grandparents live on Fripp Island and I've been going there since I was born, visiting them every summer until very recently. I was expecting to find in this book the characteristics that I love of the island, maybe some well-known spots mentioned (like roads, or even beach names etc), but it's sad to say I was disappointed: it almost feels like the author has never been on the island and has just randomly picked a nice place to set her book in. She also gets a few things wrong (for example the island has two golf courses, not one. She talks about surfers, but no one surfs on Fripp, as the waves aren't tall enough, etc.). I mean, being that the island really doesn't serve a true purpose to the story, other than to continuously reiterate that it's for the rich and wealthy, it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things
thought this book was well-written and engaging: everybody had secrets and the author is very good at pulling all the characters together in a realistic way. I did, however, expect to find out more about the murder earlier on, and I thought it would be a thriller, while it seems more of a contemporary fiction novel, with a murder in it, that doesn't really get mentioned if not at the beginning and very end.
I was actually really excited to read this book: my grandparents live on Fripp Island and I've been going there since I was born, visiting them every summer until very recently. I was expecting to find in this book the characteristics that I love of the island, maybe some well-known spots mentioned (like roads, or even beach names etc), but it's sad to say I was disappointed: it almost feels like the author has never been on the island and has just randomly picked a nice place to set her book in. She also gets a few things wrong (for example the island has two golf courses, not one. She talks about surfers, but no one surfs on Fripp, as the waves aren't tall enough, etc.). I mean, being that the island really doesn't serve a true purpose to the story, other than to continuously reiterate that it's for the rich and wealthy, it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things
I did enjoy this book though, as I read it in only 2 sittings. I thought it was well-written and the characters were all well-rounded, and had their own personality. She does also tie up things very nicely in the end, although she does set an unrealistic "happily ever after" to all the characters (well... except for the person that died).
June 11, 2020
This is the perfect beach/summer read.
June 19, 2020
4.5 stars (rounded down to 4).
I often measure the quality of a good book by my willingness to put it down. This book is one I just wanted to keeping reading and reading! The story is set on Fripp Island, South Carolina when two childhood friends, Lisa and Poppy, join their families in a large home on the island for a long weekend. Lisa is married to Scott and they have two girls, Rae and Kimmy. This family is quite wealthy and fit in nicely with the other rich families on the island. Money does not buy serenity though. Lisa is constantly in fear of danger that may come her way, and learns of a local island handyman with a dark past. Poppy is married to John and they have a son Ryan, and a daughter Alex. John is recovering from surgery and Poppy watches over him with extreme caution. This couple does not have the wealth of the other, but have been invited to this all expenses paid vacation. The weekend is enjoyable - there is a pool, a beach and sun. There are also plenty of secrets. The synopsis also tells us that one of the guests will not be returning home.
The author does a great job of keeping the reader guessing on which guest will suffer their demise. The story is told from the POV of each of the characters and I really felt I knew a significant amount about each of them. I love a story which not only has you guessing on which character will die, but if this death was caused by another and who. I found the descriptions of the beach and its ecology to be insightful. There are definitely some surprises in this book and it was easy to stay engaged and to want more.
I listened to the audiobook edition of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed the narration provided by one of my favourite narrators, Susan Bennett. Her voice is pleasant and articulate and has an amazing story-telling quality to it.
Thanks to libro.fm , Recorded Books and HMH Books for the ALC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.
I often measure the quality of a good book by my willingness to put it down. This book is one I just wanted to keeping reading and reading! The story is set on Fripp Island, South Carolina when two childhood friends, Lisa and Poppy, join their families in a large home on the island for a long weekend. Lisa is married to Scott and they have two girls, Rae and Kimmy. This family is quite wealthy and fit in nicely with the other rich families on the island. Money does not buy serenity though. Lisa is constantly in fear of danger that may come her way, and learns of a local island handyman with a dark past. Poppy is married to John and they have a son Ryan, and a daughter Alex. John is recovering from surgery and Poppy watches over him with extreme caution. This couple does not have the wealth of the other, but have been invited to this all expenses paid vacation. The weekend is enjoyable - there is a pool, a beach and sun. There are also plenty of secrets. The synopsis also tells us that one of the guests will not be returning home.
The author does a great job of keeping the reader guessing on which guest will suffer their demise. The story is told from the POV of each of the characters and I really felt I knew a significant amount about each of them. I love a story which not only has you guessing on which character will die, but if this death was caused by another and who. I found the descriptions of the beach and its ecology to be insightful. There are definitely some surprises in this book and it was easy to stay engaged and to want more.
I listened to the audiobook edition of this book and I thoroughly enjoyed the narration provided by one of my favourite narrators, Susan Bennett. Her voice is pleasant and articulate and has an amazing story-telling quality to it.
Thanks to libro.fm , Recorded Books and HMH Books for the ALC of this book in exchange for the honest review provided here.
June 28, 2020
2.5
Thank you to both NetGalley and Libro FM for these copies - I switched between print and the audio pretty frequently.
If you're looking for a thriller, murder mystery, or even downright decent mystery - this is not the book for you. If you want a commentary on class, wealth, and parenting - maybe this would interest you. In the beginning I had a feeling of deja vu, and this book was reminding me a lot of We Were Liars which I read recently. That book is a solid mystery on top of depictions of wealth, class, and parenting/lack thereof. This book, just fell short of everything it was trying to do. The prologue had such promise and hooked me right away, but it took SEVENTY percent of the story to even get anywhere, which was very frustrating. After the mystery is somewhat "solved", we then are just reading about everyone's lives in the after of the event the story is based around, and it just felt very lackluster and haphazard. I did fly through this book very quickly, but mainly because I just wanted to know what was happening. Otherwise, I wasn't very impressed because the story never really went anywhere, and the most interesting characters were just left out of the ending. There was also a very odd quip about being transgender in the beginning that left a bad taste in my mouth, that was never addressed and nothing ever came back around. All in all, just a very fluffy "thriller" with no real plot or good qualities to it.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Libro FM for these copies - I switched between print and the audio pretty frequently.
If you're looking for a thriller, murder mystery, or even downright decent mystery - this is not the book for you. If you want a commentary on class, wealth, and parenting - maybe this would interest you. In the beginning I had a feeling of deja vu, and this book was reminding me a lot of We Were Liars which I read recently. That book is a solid mystery on top of depictions of wealth, class, and parenting/lack thereof. This book, just fell short of everything it was trying to do. The prologue had such promise and hooked me right away, but it took SEVENTY percent of the story to even get anywhere, which was very frustrating. After the mystery is somewhat "solved", we then are just reading about everyone's lives in the after of the event the story is based around, and it just felt very lackluster and haphazard. I did fly through this book very quickly, but mainly because I just wanted to know what was happening. Otherwise, I wasn't very impressed because the story never really went anywhere, and the most interesting characters were just left out of the ending. There was also a very odd quip about being transgender in the beginning that left a bad taste in my mouth, that was never addressed and nothing ever came back around. All in all, just a very fluffy "thriller" with no real plot or good qualities to it.
May 7, 2025
Wow, I could not put this book down! Haven’t read many books that I can say that about. I luckily found this book in a neighborhood free library and took a chance. It intrigued me with interesting characters and their interactions as I raced through the book in two days, a record for me. Highly recommend it and will definitely look for other books by this author in hopes of a similar wonderful reading get away!!
May 24, 2025
An affluent couple with two kids wins a paid vacation to Fripp Island and invite their working class friends who have kids the same age to join them.
This book begins with one of the main character's dead body floating in the water, but which one? Everyone has a different face then what they are showing - definitely gives off White Lotus vibes (I had to look up which came first, this book did).
I could've done without the "what everyone is doing now" ending, although some may find that satisfying.
A quick read, it is a solid 3.5 stars from me, but I rounded up to four. Better than "good" but it probably won't be one I bring up if I'm in a book discussion.
This book begins with one of the main character's dead body floating in the water, but which one? Everyone has a different face then what they are showing - definitely gives off White Lotus vibes (I had to look up which came first, this book did).
I could've done without the "what everyone is doing now" ending, although some may find that satisfying.
A quick read, it is a solid 3.5 stars from me, but I rounded up to four. Better than "good" but it probably won't be one I bring up if I'm in a book discussion.
Read
December 2, 2022I didn't love it as much as The Gunners, for which I made a gushing and embarrassing video review in the early days of the pandemic, but it's right up there.
July 14, 2024
Un'insolita murder story
La terra odorava di cane bagnato e di borsone di tela bagnato, l'aria era densa e calda come lana.C'erano cartelloni pubblicitari contro l'aborto con ecografie giganti e numeri di telefono gratuiti scritti in un rosso che pareva uno schizzo di sangue.Grosse barbe di muschio spagnolo pendevano da ogni ramo di ogni quercia del sud e di ogni cipresso calvo e oscillavano al vento come allampanati ballerini ubriachi. Una terra silenziosa e abbandonata.
(..)Attraversammo un ponte per entrare a Fripp Island , un francobollo di terra coperto da una vegetazione lussureggiante con ogni sfumatura di verde immaginabile, dal quasi-giallo al quasi -nero (..) Qualche giorno dopo morii.
Inizio spiazzante . Una voce racconta già a pagina 2 che qualcosa di terribile accadrà a Fripp Island - scelta azzeccata , che mi ha accalappiato immediatamente - fin da subito si sa che qualcuno morirà (ammazzato)durante la vacanza. Più si va avanti nella narrazione più monta l’ansia di capire chi ucciderà chi.
Come , quando, perché ?!
Una sottile cappa di inquietudine incombe e si insinua tra le pagine, nell'attesa , pagina dopo pagina ,di sapere cosa romperà la pigra e lussuosa routine dell' isola, tra sole e tuffi, cocktail e grigliate , confidenze tra amiche e segreti ,relazioni complicate, adolescenti immusoniti e tensioni pronte ad esplodere.
Non male , con accelerazione sul finale
Tra 3 e 4 stelle
La terra odorava di cane bagnato e di borsone di tela bagnato, l'aria era densa e calda come lana.C'erano cartelloni pubblicitari contro l'aborto con ecografie giganti e numeri di telefono gratuiti scritti in un rosso che pareva uno schizzo di sangue.Grosse barbe di muschio spagnolo pendevano da ogni ramo di ogni quercia del sud e di ogni cipresso calvo e oscillavano al vento come allampanati ballerini ubriachi. Una terra silenziosa e abbandonata.
(..)Attraversammo un ponte per entrare a Fripp Island , un francobollo di terra coperto da una vegetazione lussureggiante con ogni sfumatura di verde immaginabile, dal quasi-giallo al quasi -nero (..) Qualche giorno dopo morii.
Inizio spiazzante . Una voce racconta già a pagina 2 che qualcosa di terribile accadrà a Fripp Island - scelta azzeccata , che mi ha accalappiato immediatamente - fin da subito si sa che qualcuno morirà (ammazzato)durante la vacanza. Più si va avanti nella narrazione più monta l’ansia di capire chi ucciderà chi.
Come , quando, perché ?!
Una sottile cappa di inquietudine incombe e si insinua tra le pagine, nell'attesa , pagina dopo pagina ,di sapere cosa romperà la pigra e lussuosa routine dell' isola, tra sole e tuffi, cocktail e grigliate , confidenze tra amiche e segreti ,relazioni complicate, adolescenti immusoniti e tensioni pronte ad esplodere.
Non male , con accelerazione sul finale
Tra 3 e 4 stelle
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