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The Trip
It should have been paradise. But it turned into hell…
It was supposed to be the perfect trip. Four friends, fresh out of university, backpacking around Thailand. But among the sun, sea and sand, something went horribly wrong…
In the years since, Holly has tried hard to push memories of that terrible summer from her mind. Now a schoolteacher, she believes her life is finally coming together when she meets Tom, and his adorable five-year-old son, Jack.
But then, Holly starts receiving anonymous messages, showing photos which Holly was sure she had destroyed years ago. Someone clearly knows the truth about what really happened. The only question is, how far will they go to get revenge?
It was supposed to be the perfect trip. Four friends, fresh out of university, backpacking around Thailand. But among the sun, sea and sand, something went horribly wrong…
In the years since, Holly has tried hard to push memories of that terrible summer from her mind. Now a schoolteacher, she believes her life is finally coming together when she meets Tom, and his adorable five-year-old son, Jack.
But then, Holly starts receiving anonymous messages, showing photos which Holly was sure she had destroyed years ago. Someone clearly knows the truth about what really happened. The only question is, how far will they go to get revenge?
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2020
375 people are currently reading
880 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
February 22, 2020
It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime,they had been planning it for months. Holly, Meg, George and Kristof, four friends who had recently graduated from University, spending their final summer together backpacking in Thailand. To begin with everything goes to plan but as time passes petty arguments and jealousy causes divides amongst the group. Then one night whilst they are at a beach party there is a tragic accident.
Four friends went on a backpacking holiday but only three returned home.
Five years later, Holly is now a schoolteacher and is secretly dating Tom, the father of Jack who is one of her young pupils. She hasn't spoken too or seen her friends from University since they returned home after swearing an oath that they would never tell anyone what really happened that night on the beach. For Inc in her life Holly is really happy and content and finally feels like she is no longing being overshadowed by her successful celebrity sister. But then she starts receiving text messages from someone who knows that they didn't tell the truth about what happened on the beach all those years ago.
As her tormentor's campaign intensifies, Holly struggles with her conscience,does she keep her word and stay quiet,knowing that she is putting the lives of herself and her loved ones at risk or does she tell the truth and lose everything that she has worked so hard to achieve including the man that she loves.
This gripping,captivating thriller is voiced entirely from Holly's perspective and has chapters that flip back and forth between the present day,the friends time at university and the fateful backpacking holiday. Interspersed throughout the story was chapters that were voiced by Holly's tormentor but who was it? Were their actions justified? How far would any of us be prepared to go to uncover the truth about the fate of a loved one? Should readers dislike that character or feel empathy for that person? I can say that I thought any of the four friends very likeable both in the past or the present day. They were all vivid individuals who had their own unique personalities but I couldn't say that any of them had any redeemable qualities and one of them definitely had some serious mental health issues. I loved Tom and his interactions with his young son Jack who was a really sweet little boy. I loved the descriptions of the idyllic small village in the Yorkshire Dales where Holly lived and the author's descriptions of the places that the friends visited during their backpacking holiday. There was just enough description to set the scene so you could picture the places in your head but not so much that you lost interest in the story.
I find it very hard to believe that this extremely well written thriller is a debut novel. I was totally captivated from the first page,right through to the final chilling sentence. Once I started reading this brilliant book,I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more books by this very talented author in the future. Worth far more than five stars, definitely one of my favourite reads of this year and very very highly recommended.
Many thanks to Sarah Linley, Harper Collins uk, killer Reads, One More Chapter for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
Four friends went on a backpacking holiday but only three returned home.
Five years later, Holly is now a schoolteacher and is secretly dating Tom, the father of Jack who is one of her young pupils. She hasn't spoken too or seen her friends from University since they returned home after swearing an oath that they would never tell anyone what really happened that night on the beach. For Inc in her life Holly is really happy and content and finally feels like she is no longing being overshadowed by her successful celebrity sister. But then she starts receiving text messages from someone who knows that they didn't tell the truth about what happened on the beach all those years ago.
As her tormentor's campaign intensifies, Holly struggles with her conscience,does she keep her word and stay quiet,knowing that she is putting the lives of herself and her loved ones at risk or does she tell the truth and lose everything that she has worked so hard to achieve including the man that she loves.
This gripping,captivating thriller is voiced entirely from Holly's perspective and has chapters that flip back and forth between the present day,the friends time at university and the fateful backpacking holiday. Interspersed throughout the story was chapters that were voiced by Holly's tormentor but who was it? Were their actions justified? How far would any of us be prepared to go to uncover the truth about the fate of a loved one? Should readers dislike that character or feel empathy for that person? I can say that I thought any of the four friends very likeable both in the past or the present day. They were all vivid individuals who had their own unique personalities but I couldn't say that any of them had any redeemable qualities and one of them definitely had some serious mental health issues. I loved Tom and his interactions with his young son Jack who was a really sweet little boy. I loved the descriptions of the idyllic small village in the Yorkshire Dales where Holly lived and the author's descriptions of the places that the friends visited during their backpacking holiday. There was just enough description to set the scene so you could picture the places in your head but not so much that you lost interest in the story.
I find it very hard to believe that this extremely well written thriller is a debut novel. I was totally captivated from the first page,right through to the final chilling sentence. Once I started reading this brilliant book,I couldn't put it down. I look forward to reading more books by this very talented author in the future. Worth far more than five stars, definitely one of my favourite reads of this year and very very highly recommended.
Many thanks to Sarah Linley, Harper Collins uk, killer Reads, One More Chapter for a arc of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review
February 21, 2020
Holly is a teacher. She is in a relationship with Tom. His son, Jack is one of her pupils. Holly is getting frightening emails from someone who has access to her photos and knows about a trip she had taken to Thialand with three of her college roommates. A holiday that was a nightmare shed rather forget. Strange things start happening around Holly. Someone is out to get her, wanting the truth to come out about what had happened in Thailand.
This story has a slow start ut the pace soon picks up. Its told in alternating timelines covering the present day and Holly's college days. We are told quite early who the stalker is. I do prefer not to know and work these things out for myself. I couldn't find a connection to any of the characters, they came across as pretty bland. There were parts that were a it dragged out. It still an enjoyable read with a good twist at the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and the author Sarah Linley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story has a slow start ut the pace soon picks up. Its told in alternating timelines covering the present day and Holly's college days. We are told quite early who the stalker is. I do prefer not to know and work these things out for myself. I couldn't find a connection to any of the characters, they came across as pretty bland. There were parts that were a it dragged out. It still an enjoyable read with a good twist at the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and the author Sarah Linley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 21, 2020
Holly is a teacher. She's in a relationship with Tom. His son, Jack is one of her pupils. Holly is getting frightening emails from someone who has access to her photos and and k ows a out the trip she had taken to Thailand with three of her college roommates. A holiday that was a nightmare she'd rather forget. Strange things start happening around Holly. Someone is out to get her, wanting the truth to come out about what has happened in Thialand.
This story has a slow start but the pace soon picks up. It's told in alternating timelines covering the present day and Holly's college days. We are told quite early on who the stalker is. I do prefer not to know and try and work it out for myself. I couldn't find a connection to any of the characters, they came across as pretty bland. There were parts that were a it dragged out. It's still an enjoyable read with a good twist at the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and the author Sarah Linley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review
This story has a slow start but the pace soon picks up. It's told in alternating timelines covering the present day and Holly's college days. We are told quite early on who the stalker is. I do prefer not to know and try and work it out for myself. I couldn't find a connection to any of the characters, they came across as pretty bland. There were parts that were a it dragged out. It's still an enjoyable read with a good twist at the end.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and the author Sarah Linley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review
February 24, 2020
A superb read that shows you can never quite leave the past behind
Holly is settling into her new job as a teacher in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, she is loving life but has a secret....a secret she shares with old Uni friends Meg and Kristoff....George was also in the ‘Gang of 4’ but,sadly, George is dead......
The book goes between Uni days and the present and covers a backpacking holiday the 4 took to Asia, this part of the book is described superbly ( was not surprised to read the author spent 2 years backpacking there ) and the story really takes flight on one of their last nights in Thailand, they go to a ‘anything goes’ party but none
of them expected what happened
to happen
A really good ‘read read’, it was great to pick this book up over the last few
days and immediately be back with the characters and the plot
Written in a welcoming style and easy to follow, the pretty chilling ending was unexpected, always a good sign 😊
Excellent debut novel
9/10
5 Stars
February 21, 2020
Four graduating university students decide to take a trip to Thailand. It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime for the 2 girls and 2 guys. But something went seriously wrong.....
It's been several years and Holly has not forgotten what happened on that trip, although she's tried really, really hard to forget. Now a schoolteacher, she has begun a relationship with the father of one of her young students.
But then she starts receiving text messages from someone ... someone who obviously knows what happened that summer. And then the pictures come ... pictures that she swears she had destroyed.
And whoever it is ... they want revenge.
This debut thriller is well-crafted with memorable characters. My only complaint would be the reader knows who and why very early in the book. Suspense is lost ... as well as interest. I stuck with it just to see how it ended ... which was surprising.
Many thanks to the author / Harper Collins / Killer Reads / One More Chapter / Netgalley for t he digital copy of THE BEACH. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
It's been several years and Holly has not forgotten what happened on that trip, although she's tried really, really hard to forget. Now a schoolteacher, she has begun a relationship with the father of one of her young students.
But then she starts receiving text messages from someone ... someone who obviously knows what happened that summer. And then the pictures come ... pictures that she swears she had destroyed.
And whoever it is ... they want revenge.
This debut thriller is well-crafted with memorable characters. My only complaint would be the reader knows who and why very early in the book. Suspense is lost ... as well as interest. I stuck with it just to see how it ended ... which was surprising.
Many thanks to the author / Harper Collins / Killer Reads / One More Chapter / Netgalley for t he digital copy of THE BEACH. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
January 11, 2020
From the first few pages I was gripped and needed to know the truth of whatever the situation was that had Holly fearing her life would be over if the details were ever revealed.
She is being stalked but doesn't want to report it for fear of the police wanting to know the why, and she is also trying to deepen her new boyfriends commitment so that she doesn't feel like a secret. In addition she is worried about one of the children in her class at school , which although not a main story-line, did hold my interest especially with regards safeguarding procedures.
We also in between the present day chapter get the story of Holly's close friendships at uni and eventually that trip to the Far East that lead to one of the friends coming home dead.
The chapters where we get to see their travels were spot on for, I loved the details, I felt as though I was alongside the friends in Cambodia, Vietnam and then Thailand. I could picture it all so clearly, and would have loved more of it in the book.
As readers we know early on who is causing Holly hassle, but the motives are only made clear slowly, and I loved seeing inside their head, while wondering what they will try next, given it's clear they are ramping up their campaign on Holly.
At times rather creepy, others a bit more gentle but still very interesting, and at others I was hitting the end of a chapter and gasping, then ruing the inevitability that he best most addictive bits were at points I had to put the book down to either get on with real life, or to stop myself reading all night!! If life wasn't in the way I'd be saying this was fairly unputdownable!
A rather impressive debut thriller, that I'm delighted I took the time to read. Definitely kept me on my toes and when I wasn't reading, I was wishing that I was continuing with the story.
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
She is being stalked but doesn't want to report it for fear of the police wanting to know the why, and she is also trying to deepen her new boyfriends commitment so that she doesn't feel like a secret. In addition she is worried about one of the children in her class at school , which although not a main story-line, did hold my interest especially with regards safeguarding procedures.
We also in between the present day chapter get the story of Holly's close friendships at uni and eventually that trip to the Far East that lead to one of the friends coming home dead.
The chapters where we get to see their travels were spot on for, I loved the details, I felt as though I was alongside the friends in Cambodia, Vietnam and then Thailand. I could picture it all so clearly, and would have loved more of it in the book.
As readers we know early on who is causing Holly hassle, but the motives are only made clear slowly, and I loved seeing inside their head, while wondering what they will try next, given it's clear they are ramping up their campaign on Holly.
At times rather creepy, others a bit more gentle but still very interesting, and at others I was hitting the end of a chapter and gasping, then ruing the inevitability that he best most addictive bits were at points I had to put the book down to either get on with real life, or to stop myself reading all night!! If life wasn't in the way I'd be saying this was fairly unputdownable!
A rather impressive debut thriller, that I'm delighted I took the time to read. Definitely kept me on my toes and when I wasn't reading, I was wishing that I was continuing with the story.
Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
April 6, 2021
Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
This story is told from past and present story lines. It is an ok read but I wouldn't really consider it a mystery.
This story is told from past and present story lines. It is an ok read but I wouldn't really consider it a mystery.
March 1, 2020
Thank you so much to @netgalley and @harpercollinsuk for allowing me to read and review this book for you!
This book was released February 21, 2020!
This book is about a woman named Holly. She is currently a kindergarten teacher and living what appears to be a normal life. One day she gets a text message with a picture from a trip to Thailand she went on with her college friends in the past that can turn her life upside down. The story is told from Holly’s perspective, a perspective of someone who appears to be stalking Holly, and Holly’s perspective of her days in college.
❤️Review❤️
This book is currently being marketed as a mystery thriller novel and I honestly would call it a suspense novel instead. This book kept me on the edge of my seat because I wanted to know where this story was going to go, but it did not have as many twists and turns of a typical thriller novel. While reading I felt like I was watching an intense Lifetime movie. As the reader we knew Holly had a stalker and that things weren’t going to go well for her. I was very interested to find out how it would all turn out for her. I liked all of three of the perspectives. I wish that the stalker’s identity remained a mystery for longer than it did because we found out pretty quickly who it was. The identity was revealed in a very simple way and could have been a more complex twist if done differently. I really liked Holly in the beginning. By the end the author definitely had me questioning my opinion on her. The setting was also very well done. The fact that this book primarily takes place in a village/ remote area of land really added to the creepy factor. I also loved getting to read about the scenes set over in Asia. Overall though I was very glued to this story and the writing style. If you are a beginner to the thriller genre, I would highly recommend this book! I’d also recommend it if you are just looking for a suspenseful read.
4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
What is your favorite setting to read about?
#booksbooksbooks #2020books #newbookrelease #netgalley #harpercollinsuk #reviewbooks #project50books
This book was released February 21, 2020!
This book is about a woman named Holly. She is currently a kindergarten teacher and living what appears to be a normal life. One day she gets a text message with a picture from a trip to Thailand she went on with her college friends in the past that can turn her life upside down. The story is told from Holly’s perspective, a perspective of someone who appears to be stalking Holly, and Holly’s perspective of her days in college.
❤️Review❤️
This book is currently being marketed as a mystery thriller novel and I honestly would call it a suspense novel instead. This book kept me on the edge of my seat because I wanted to know where this story was going to go, but it did not have as many twists and turns of a typical thriller novel. While reading I felt like I was watching an intense Lifetime movie. As the reader we knew Holly had a stalker and that things weren’t going to go well for her. I was very interested to find out how it would all turn out for her. I liked all of three of the perspectives. I wish that the stalker’s identity remained a mystery for longer than it did because we found out pretty quickly who it was. The identity was revealed in a very simple way and could have been a more complex twist if done differently. I really liked Holly in the beginning. By the end the author definitely had me questioning my opinion on her. The setting was also very well done. The fact that this book primarily takes place in a village/ remote area of land really added to the creepy factor. I also loved getting to read about the scenes set over in Asia. Overall though I was very glued to this story and the writing style. If you are a beginner to the thriller genre, I would highly recommend this book! I’d also recommend it if you are just looking for a suspenseful read.
4 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
What is your favorite setting to read about?
#booksbooksbooks #2020books #newbookrelease #netgalley #harpercollinsuk #reviewbooks #project50books
November 12, 2019
This is my kind of psychological thriller! Holly is a young teacher in the throes of a new romance with the father of one of her students. But something haunts her from her past as the chapters go back and forth from present to her college days when she and three of her friends took a trip to Thailand one summer. Only one of them didn't return and now someone is stalking/threatening Holly to encourage her to "confess." The story plays out slowly but the suspense is palpable as we discover what really happened and who is to blame. I look forward to more from this author!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
May 23, 2020
3.5 stars rounded down. This one was actually quite good for a debut novel. It was a bit of a slow start but the story gradually picked up and held my attention.
August 21, 2024
4/5 ⭐️
- fast paced read with a good twist at the end
- enjoyed the backpacking references
- fast paced read with a good twist at the end
- enjoyed the backpacking references
September 1, 2025
Middle of the road psychological crime. Not mind blowing, not utterly crap.
April 18, 2021
Holly Metcalfe is a schoolteacher with a secret in her past. Five years earlier, she went on a backpacking trip through Asia with three college friends, and one of them wound up dead. Holly and the other two made it look like an accident, and went on with their lives. But somebody knows what happened, and is stalking Holly in order to have her confess.
We actually find out the identity of the stalker not too far into this astonishingly pointless and boring drivel. So then it's just a long, long, boring, pointless, snooze-inducing slog to more than 75% into the book to find out what actually happened to George on that trip, because just like 6,347 other entries in this sub-genre, Holly prattles on and on about the "terrible thing she did", without ever telling us what it is, with the author assuming we're interested enough to slog through pages and pages and pages of unimportant and unnecessary side-plots to find out. What the F was up with the side-plot of Nathan and his family's struggles? What purpose did that serve the plot? Honestly?!? That also applies to the flashbacks that drearily lead up to the big event in question.
Sarah Linley doesn't really have a story to tell here. It's yet another white-woman-with-a-secret, unreliable narrator retread inspired EIGHT YEARS AFTER Gone Girl, without actually understanding what made Gone Girl work. Cancel this trip.
We actually find out the identity of the stalker not too far into this astonishingly pointless and boring drivel. So then it's just a long, long, boring, pointless, snooze-inducing slog to more than 75% into the book to find out what actually happened to George on that trip, because just like 6,347 other entries in this sub-genre, Holly prattles on and on about the "terrible thing she did", without ever telling us what it is, with the author assuming we're interested enough to slog through pages and pages and pages of unimportant and unnecessary side-plots to find out. What the F was up with the side-plot of Nathan and his family's struggles? What purpose did that serve the plot? Honestly?!? That also applies to the flashbacks that drearily lead up to the big event in question.
Sarah Linley doesn't really have a story to tell here. It's yet another white-woman-with-a-secret, unreliable narrator retread inspired EIGHT YEARS AFTER Gone Girl, without actually understanding what made Gone Girl work. Cancel this trip.
February 26, 2020
This book starts out slowly but then picks up into a decent thriller. This is set around a group of university friends who travel together post-graduation and things do not go as planned. This is told in a dual timeline so we see the main character, the protagonist, Holly who is now in current day a single woman who has moved to a smaller town to take her first teaching job. She has a stalker who sends her old, nostalgic photos to prompt her memory of the university days.
Once this books gets going, it is really entertaining and engaging.
Definitely recommend. #Netgalley #TheBeach #HarperImpulseandKillerReads #OneMoreChapter
Once this books gets going, it is really entertaining and engaging.
Definitely recommend. #Netgalley #TheBeach #HarperImpulseandKillerReads #OneMoreChapter
December 1, 2021
Really enjoyed this book more than expected. Fantastic ending with a great twist. Would recommend.
December 9, 2023
A light hearted thriller with a little twist at the end.
Enjoyed the story xx
Enjoyed the story xx
March 16, 2020
Holly is now a primary school teacher, living in a secluded village cottage in the calm and quiet Yorkshire Dales. She comes from an adopted family and has an elder sister Lisa who's pretty famous. She's seeing Tom who is divorced with a kid. He wants to keep their relationship secret from the village and she's tired of sneaking around.
The story takes a twist as Holly starts getting anonymous text messages and letters that threatens to unravel the one secret she's hiding from everyone. A secret from her past. Her university days when she used to live with her then best friends. With whom she's not in touch anymore. Something terrible happened when the friends decided to take a trip to Thailand after uni and their lives hasn't been the same again.
Someone knows her secrets and threatens to expose her. And Holly knows it's time to go down the memory lane to find out who!
It's hard to believe that this book is the author's first novel. I loved the suspense that's building up right from the first few chapters. The atmosphere was very likeable and the recurring characters were friendlier than the main ones. In a sleepy little village where everyone knows everyone it's hard to hide a secret. Doesn't mean there isn't one though. The Vacation to Thailand showed the youthful days of the friends. Drinking partying all day and night as typical holidayers. It was a quick read for me, chapters rolling by smoothly and the suspense still waiting to come out by itself. If you want a light, fast paced, atmospheric thriller set in rural England with a taste of holiday in Thailand, then this book should be yours!
Thanks to Sarah Linley and One More Chapter for my digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. All views are solely mine.
The story takes a twist as Holly starts getting anonymous text messages and letters that threatens to unravel the one secret she's hiding from everyone. A secret from her past. Her university days when she used to live with her then best friends. With whom she's not in touch anymore. Something terrible happened when the friends decided to take a trip to Thailand after uni and their lives hasn't been the same again.
Someone knows her secrets and threatens to expose her. And Holly knows it's time to go down the memory lane to find out who!
It's hard to believe that this book is the author's first novel. I loved the suspense that's building up right from the first few chapters. The atmosphere was very likeable and the recurring characters were friendlier than the main ones. In a sleepy little village where everyone knows everyone it's hard to hide a secret. Doesn't mean there isn't one though. The Vacation to Thailand showed the youthful days of the friends. Drinking partying all day and night as typical holidayers. It was a quick read for me, chapters rolling by smoothly and the suspense still waiting to come out by itself. If you want a light, fast paced, atmospheric thriller set in rural England with a taste of holiday in Thailand, then this book should be yours!
Thanks to Sarah Linley and One More Chapter for my digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion. All views are solely mine.
February 22, 2020
It should have been paradise, but it turned into hell. I haven’t seen this book around much, but the tag line and the title of this book really drew me in.
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See review at www.instagram.com/books.cats.travel.food
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The Beach⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ by Sarah Linley is about 4 friends who have just graduated college and go backpacking around Thailand. On their adventure something goes terribly wrong. In the years since, Holly, the main character, has tried to forget what had happened and move on with her life. Unfortunately someone has started sending her anonymous messages threatening to reveal what really happened on their trip.
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I thought this was a really good mystery, the books pacing slowed a little in the middle of the book, but it really picked up in the last half and I really enjoyed the ending. This story switched between past and present and also between different viewpoints as well.
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I would recommend this book to mystery lovers, those who enjoy stories that alternate timelines, and those who are looking for a mindless escape. Thank you @netgalley and @harperscollins for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
🏝
See review at www.instagram.com/books.cats.travel.food
🏝
The Beach⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ by Sarah Linley is about 4 friends who have just graduated college and go backpacking around Thailand. On their adventure something goes terribly wrong. In the years since, Holly, the main character, has tried to forget what had happened and move on with her life. Unfortunately someone has started sending her anonymous messages threatening to reveal what really happened on their trip.
🏝
I thought this was a really good mystery, the books pacing slowed a little in the middle of the book, but it really picked up in the last half and I really enjoyed the ending. This story switched between past and present and also between different viewpoints as well.
🏝
I would recommend this book to mystery lovers, those who enjoy stories that alternate timelines, and those who are looking for a mindless escape. Thank you @netgalley and @harperscollins for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2020
Holly, Meg, Kristof and George are best friends all through university. Right out of school they go on a backpacking trip to Thailand but something horrible happens. Five years later, Holly has moved on and is now a teacher and in a relationship with the father of one of her young students. Everything is looking good for her, until she begins receiving threatening messages with pictures from that trip which she thought she deleted years ago.
The Beach is a character study of the history of these friends and how they fall apart. Through a dual timeline we follow Holly as she fears who knows her secrets from that trip, and go back in time and watch as events unfold leading up to that devastating trip. It's also a portrait of how far a person will go for truth or revenge. I didn't like Holly, yet I've known more than a few people just like her so the author did a great job describing that character. And the ending was both well set-up and well done.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.
The Beach is a character study of the history of these friends and how they fall apart. Through a dual timeline we follow Holly as she fears who knows her secrets from that trip, and go back in time and watch as events unfold leading up to that devastating trip. It's also a portrait of how far a person will go for truth or revenge. I didn't like Holly, yet I've known more than a few people just like her so the author did a great job describing that character. And the ending was both well set-up and well done.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.
January 22, 2020
Five years ago Holly and 3 of her University friends went on a trio to Thailand which one of them did not survive. Today, Holly is a kindergarten teacher in a small village in Northern England. She lives a quiet life and is romantically involved with a man who is the father of one of her pupils. Then suddenly she begins to receive threatening messages about what happened in Thailand.
The blurb of this book gripped my interest immediately. But it did not turn out to be a thriller because very early on we learn who died in Thailand and also who is threatening Holly. So it is just all about how everything turns out. Unfortunately all the characters are not very likable or interesting. Especially Holly. She is needy and self-centered. It is an easy read but the story is not very suspenseful and parts of it are a bit far-fetched.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The blurb of this book gripped my interest immediately. But it did not turn out to be a thriller because very early on we learn who died in Thailand and also who is threatening Holly. So it is just all about how everything turns out. Unfortunately all the characters are not very likable or interesting. Especially Holly. She is needy and self-centered. It is an easy read but the story is not very suspenseful and parts of it are a bit far-fetched.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
September 15, 2022
I’m in two minds about this book. Part of me enjoyed it, but I really think it lacked the drama and twists that the author was aiming for.
Once you find out it was George that died, it’s pretty easy to work out roughly what happened in Thailand. A lot of time is spent with Holly worrying about her stalker, but these narratives lack the drama needed to keep it interesting, possibly, because you know who it is straight up . Holly is clearly a bit unhinged, so again it’s easy to work out that there is going to be a twist with the events and her role in Thailand, therefore it comes as no surprise. The epilogue kind of reminded me of the twist at the ending of The Serial Killers Wife, however this one was so predictable, unfortunately, it didn’t carry the gravitas to make it thrilling.
Once you find out it was George that died, it’s pretty easy to work out roughly what happened in Thailand. A lot of time is spent with Holly worrying about her stalker, but these narratives lack the drama needed to keep it interesting, possibly, because you know who it is straight up . Holly is clearly a bit unhinged, so again it’s easy to work out that there is going to be a twist with the events and her role in Thailand, therefore it comes as no surprise. The epilogue kind of reminded me of the twist at the ending of The Serial Killers Wife, however this one was so predictable, unfortunately, it didn’t carry the gravitas to make it thrilling.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2020
The Beach is my first read of 2020 and it didn’t disappoint. I love thrillers based around travel and this fitted me perfectly, and reminded me of the master of this type of book - Emily Barr, and also CL Taylor.
The Beach is a well paced read switching between now (set in Yorkshire and the past (Leeds student life and backpacker Thailand), and kept me up reading long into the night. I did feel it was a little far fetched in places, in the way that people wouldn’t make some of the choices, but it didn’t detract from the story. A tale to remind us that people are often not as they seem.... A recommended holiday thriller for the summer.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Beach is a well paced read switching between now (set in Yorkshire and the past (Leeds student life and backpacker Thailand), and kept me up reading long into the night. I did feel it was a little far fetched in places, in the way that people wouldn’t make some of the choices, but it didn’t detract from the story. A tale to remind us that people are often not as they seem.... A recommended holiday thriller for the summer.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 7, 2021
This had me guessing from start to finish. Very strong PLL vibes.
I need to stop judging the 'trash' mum reads as this was really good. I'm pleasantly surprised.
I need to stop judging the 'trash' mum reads as this was really good. I'm pleasantly surprised.
May 18, 2021
Not the most cheerful read during lockdown
I enjoy a good thriller but this was very gloomy maybe
not the best choice of book to read during a lockdown
I enjoy a good thriller but this was very gloomy maybe
not the best choice of book to read during a lockdown
December 9, 2019
I really enjoyed this one. I liked how the story was told from a past and present perspective and I also enjoyed how the stories interlinked. I think a few parts were a little bit exaggerated however all in all the story kept me gripped throughout and I didn’t expect the final twist. Definitely a recommendation from me.
January 18, 2020
The Beach is my first read of 2020 and it didn’t disappoint. I love thrillers based around travel and this fitted me perfectly, and reminded me of the master of this type of book - Emily Barr, and also CL Taylor.
The Beach is a well paced read switching between now (set in Yorkshire and the past (Leeds student life and backpacker Thailand), and kept me up reading long into the night. I did feel it was a little far fetched in places, in the way that people wouldn’t make some of the choices, but it didn’t detract from the story. A tale to remind us that people are often not as they seem.... A recommended holiday thriller for the summer.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
The Beach is a well paced read switching between now (set in Yorkshire and the past (Leeds student life and backpacker Thailand), and kept me up reading long into the night. I did feel it was a little far fetched in places, in the way that people wouldn’t make some of the choices, but it didn’t detract from the story. A tale to remind us that people are often not as they seem.... A recommended holiday thriller for the summer.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 27, 2019
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Holly is a teacher, dating the parent of one of her students, when strange things start happening. It goes back to her time in Asia, 5 years ago, with her 3 best friends and what happened during that trip.
This book was just ok. It was a quick read, but it wasn't that amazing. My problem was that we knew who was tormenting Holly early on and why and it was just waiting for it to play out. There was a bit of a reveal at the very end but it didn't do much to move this book out of the just ok category.
Holly is a teacher, dating the parent of one of her students, when strange things start happening. It goes back to her time in Asia, 5 years ago, with her 3 best friends and what happened during that trip.
This book was just ok. It was a quick read, but it wasn't that amazing. My problem was that we knew who was tormenting Holly early on and why and it was just waiting for it to play out. There was a bit of a reveal at the very end but it didn't do much to move this book out of the just ok category.
November 4, 2019
I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review
This book definitely went down some roads I did not expect it to go. Some of it’s very standard vacation “accident” thriller type stuff but in the end it transcended the tropes and still felt fresh. Definitely well worth the read. 3.5 rounded up
This book definitely went down some roads I did not expect it to go. Some of it’s very standard vacation “accident” thriller type stuff but in the end it transcended the tropes and still felt fresh. Definitely well worth the read. 3.5 rounded up
December 8, 2019
Thank you Net Galley and One More Chapter for an early copy of The Beach. I’m not sure why I stayed with this book, the main character was ridiculous, I never liked her. The plot was interesting in waiting to find out what happened in Thailand but the current plot was a bit all over the place. I’m still not sure if I liked the book.
January 5, 2020
Holly teaches kindergarten in a quiet village. On her return to school one lunch time she saves a young girl from drowning, making the local news.
Suddenly, Holly begins receiving messages, bringing up events from her past that she has hidden for close to five years.
The Beach alternated between Holly’s points of view in the current day and from her past. The life she has made for herself involves a current love and a wonderful, happy family life. The life before focuses on her friendships at University, and her backpacking travels during which one of her friends dies. Those living swear it was an accident but it wasn’t.
The messenger threatens to expose Holly and disrupt the peaceful balance of her life. She contacts her old friends with frightening outcomes and is faced with the prospect that she will be the next victim.
Holly begins this book as an austere, and fairly bland individual. We find out she is adopted, her sister is not. She was a fringe person within her group of friends who seemed to acquiesce to everyone else’s wants and needs. Similarly in her relationship with her partner.
As the book continues we see inconsistencies Holly’s presentation - at times she’s acutely smart, shown to be self-serving, driven, and seems to be able to adapt in circumstances where you think she might be at a disadvantage. We wonder whether her predator (whose identity we know by then) has underestimated her?
This book is 288 pages and I read this over two days this Christmas holiday period. It’s a solid debut novel. For a mystery and thriller the book is reliant on the story and plot development with tension building across the time periods, as opposed to specific incidents of harm or violence and there is no real sexual tension to speak of either.
There is quite the twist in the tale at the end of this book and although I didn’t believe the version of how their friend died (because then there would be no mystery) I didn’t quite expect the outcome of the last couple of pages. There is a tell tale quote at the end that if quoted potentially is a big spoiler for this book so I won’t do it.
This book will appeal to lovers of general fiction and mysteries though I’m not sure it’s sufficiently hard core to be considered a thriller in my opinion. It’s definitely not as hard hitting as I normally read.
Thank you to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and One More Chapter, Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date 21 Feb 2020.
Also is it sneaked out or snuck out ??? That is the question ...
It’s a 3.5 star read for me - I’ll give it 3 here as I think pushing it to 4 doesn’t do some of my other recent reads of 4 stars justice.
Suddenly, Holly begins receiving messages, bringing up events from her past that she has hidden for close to five years.
The Beach alternated between Holly’s points of view in the current day and from her past. The life she has made for herself involves a current love and a wonderful, happy family life. The life before focuses on her friendships at University, and her backpacking travels during which one of her friends dies. Those living swear it was an accident but it wasn’t.
The messenger threatens to expose Holly and disrupt the peaceful balance of her life. She contacts her old friends with frightening outcomes and is faced with the prospect that she will be the next victim.
Holly begins this book as an austere, and fairly bland individual. We find out she is adopted, her sister is not. She was a fringe person within her group of friends who seemed to acquiesce to everyone else’s wants and needs. Similarly in her relationship with her partner.
As the book continues we see inconsistencies Holly’s presentation - at times she’s acutely smart, shown to be self-serving, driven, and seems to be able to adapt in circumstances where you think she might be at a disadvantage. We wonder whether her predator (whose identity we know by then) has underestimated her?
This book is 288 pages and I read this over two days this Christmas holiday period. It’s a solid debut novel. For a mystery and thriller the book is reliant on the story and plot development with tension building across the time periods, as opposed to specific incidents of harm or violence and there is no real sexual tension to speak of either.
There is quite the twist in the tale at the end of this book and although I didn’t believe the version of how their friend died (because then there would be no mystery) I didn’t quite expect the outcome of the last couple of pages. There is a tell tale quote at the end that if quoted potentially is a big spoiler for this book so I won’t do it.
This book will appeal to lovers of general fiction and mysteries though I’m not sure it’s sufficiently hard core to be considered a thriller in my opinion. It’s definitely not as hard hitting as I normally read.
Thank you to Harper Impulse and Killer Reads and One More Chapter, Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date 21 Feb 2020.
Also is it sneaked out or snuck out ??? That is the question ...
It’s a 3.5 star read for me - I’ll give it 3 here as I think pushing it to 4 doesn’t do some of my other recent reads of 4 stars justice.
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