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The Festival
FOUR WOMEN.
Orly, Lenny, Mel and Thea have been best friends since school. But now it is 20 years later and inevitably they have drifted apart.
ONE WEEKEND.
It is Lenny's 40th birthday, plus Orly and Mel need cheering up, so Thea suggests a weekend away at a festival in their hometown. It's a chance for them all to reconnect.
NOT ALL OF THEM WILL SURVIVE.
But their holiday soon takes a sinister turn, and not all of the friends will leave the festival alive...
Orly, Lenny, Mel and Thea have been best friends since school. But now it is 20 years later and inevitably they have drifted apart.
ONE WEEKEND.
It is Lenny's 40th birthday, plus Orly and Mel need cheering up, so Thea suggests a weekend away at a festival in their hometown. It's a chance for them all to reconnect.
NOT ALL OF THEM WILL SURVIVE.
But their holiday soon takes a sinister turn, and not all of the friends will leave the festival alive...
301 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 2021
76 people are currently reading
563 people want to read
About the author
Sarah J. Naughton
14 books162 followersSee also Sarah Naughton
Sarah worked as an advertising copywriter for ten years before her first book was published in 2013. A supernatural thriller for teens, The Hanged Man Rises (Simon and Schuster) was shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards. A second thriller for teens, The Blood List (Simon and Schuster) came out in 2014. Her first adult thriller, Tattletale (Trapeze) is due out in March 2017.
Sarah lives in London with her husband and two sons.
Sarah worked as an advertising copywriter for ten years before her first book was published in 2013. A supernatural thriller for teens, The Hanged Man Rises (Simon and Schuster) was shortlisted for the Costa Book Awards. A second thriller for teens, The Blood List (Simon and Schuster) came out in 2014. Her first adult thriller, Tattletale (Trapeze) is due out in March 2017.
Sarah lives in London with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
April 28, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
The Festival is a gripping read about four women who have been friends since they were at school. We meet Orly at the wake after her husband’s funeral. She is a broken woman who has had to nurse her sick husband for so long and is now alone.
At the wake are her friends Mel, whose teenage son is getting ready to head to university and she is suffering from empty nest syndrome. Lenny, a high-flying businesswoman and a single mother to twins. Thea, whose life is complicated. She is a mother of two children, one who has mental health issues and attends a private special school paid for by her rich boyfriend Bruno, who seems to be losing interest in her.
With Lenny’s fortieth birthday coming up she decides it would be a good idea for the four of them to get away from it all for the weekend and let their hair down at the Gillfest Festival, but with a chance meeting with a man called Trey on the journey there and him leaving his case on the train, the story takes a deadly turn as Trey may have just left his case on the train on purpose for the women to find, plus an old friend of the women with an axe to grind has said she will see them there and the past and the present come colliding. One thing is for certain, four women will enter the festival but not all of them will be returning home!
The plot is told from the four women’s point of view and is very twisty and complicated at times. The first part of the book is an introduction to each of the women and how their lives have turned out, none were as they predicted when they were teenagers. The second part is the four women at the festival as they try to recapture their youth, but also try to understand how their lives turned out different from how they thought they would, as well as them having to deal with threats from someone on the site.
The pace ebbed and flowed, one minute it felt like it was going at warp speed the next it was like travelling at a snail’s pace. This worked for this book as the pace chanced with each point of view change and so it felt like it complimented the women’s personalities.
I was intrigued by the plot, especially with it being set at a festival which is described perfectly. The story felt fresh and completely up to date, especially with the Twitter posts dotted throughout. It was enjoyable and had me glued to the pages wanting to know who wasn’t going to make it home again, the answer was more shocking than I expected!
The Festival is a gripping read about four women who have been friends since they were at school. We meet Orly at the wake after her husband’s funeral. She is a broken woman who has had to nurse her sick husband for so long and is now alone.
At the wake are her friends Mel, whose teenage son is getting ready to head to university and she is suffering from empty nest syndrome. Lenny, a high-flying businesswoman and a single mother to twins. Thea, whose life is complicated. She is a mother of two children, one who has mental health issues and attends a private special school paid for by her rich boyfriend Bruno, who seems to be losing interest in her.
With Lenny’s fortieth birthday coming up she decides it would be a good idea for the four of them to get away from it all for the weekend and let their hair down at the Gillfest Festival, but with a chance meeting with a man called Trey on the journey there and him leaving his case on the train, the story takes a deadly turn as Trey may have just left his case on the train on purpose for the women to find, plus an old friend of the women with an axe to grind has said she will see them there and the past and the present come colliding. One thing is for certain, four women will enter the festival but not all of them will be returning home!
The plot is told from the four women’s point of view and is very twisty and complicated at times. The first part of the book is an introduction to each of the women and how their lives have turned out, none were as they predicted when they were teenagers. The second part is the four women at the festival as they try to recapture their youth, but also try to understand how their lives turned out different from how they thought they would, as well as them having to deal with threats from someone on the site.
The pace ebbed and flowed, one minute it felt like it was going at warp speed the next it was like travelling at a snail’s pace. This worked for this book as the pace chanced with each point of view change and so it felt like it complimented the women’s personalities.
I was intrigued by the plot, especially with it being set at a festival which is described perfectly. The story felt fresh and completely up to date, especially with the Twitter posts dotted throughout. It was enjoyable and had me glued to the pages wanting to know who wasn’t going to make it home again, the answer was more shocking than I expected!
April 21, 2021
The Festival is a right old page turner as ever from this author I just sat down and read it in one sitting.
A group of friends trying to recapture their youth one last time after one of them suffers a loss. A festival, lots of drink and lots of secrets makes for one hell of a weekend.
I loved it, so entertaining, not at all predictable, with some great characters and a classic hold your breath finale The Festival is perfect summer reading.
Recommended.
A group of friends trying to recapture their youth one last time after one of them suffers a loss. A festival, lots of drink and lots of secrets makes for one hell of a weekend.
I loved it, so entertaining, not at all predictable, with some great characters and a classic hold your breath finale The Festival is perfect summer reading.
Recommended.
April 11, 2022
Not for me but know many people that loved this.
Slow throughout and too many characters for my reading taste, strong ending though. Particularly the last chapter.
Slow throughout and too many characters for my reading taste, strong ending though. Particularly the last chapter.
November 24, 2021
I'll start off by saying that I have never been to a festival like the one in the book. Now that I have read it, I'm never going to go! haha Blimey that was hard core!
Four friends meet up for a reunion. There's camping and getting lost in the woods, drink, secrets, more drink, more secrets and well, it doesn't end well.
Four women who have been friends since school but whose lives have all gone in very different directions. I 'm guessing that if you have been to a festival, then the fear of someone getting into your tent, the vulnerability of sleeping close to the woods, having random people walking past your tent day and night and all the other issues...wow. The author has done some clever research and it all feels very authentic.
The friendship and secrets between the girls was compelling to read about. Plenty of red herrings to throw you off the scent. Yes indeed, this was a ride and a half.
Four friends meet up for a reunion. There's camping and getting lost in the woods, drink, secrets, more drink, more secrets and well, it doesn't end well.
Four women who have been friends since school but whose lives have all gone in very different directions. I 'm guessing that if you have been to a festival, then the fear of someone getting into your tent, the vulnerability of sleeping close to the woods, having random people walking past your tent day and night and all the other issues...wow. The author has done some clever research and it all feels very authentic.
The friendship and secrets between the girls was compelling to read about. Plenty of red herrings to throw you off the scent. Yes indeed, this was a ride and a half.
March 20, 2021
I laughed out loud at the ending.
December 19, 2021
Orly, Lenny, Mel and Thea. Friends for over 20 years. Once so close, now slowly drifting apart. To reconnect, they decide to go to a festival they went to as teenagers. Once there, the friends start receiving threatening texts, and feel like they are being watched. Four friends have turned up at the festival, but not all of them will be leaving alive...
Fantastic book, with shorts chapters and a gripping story that kept me hooked. I did not see the ending coming, the reason for all of it, and it was a shocker! Lies and betrayel, and an ending you won't see coming. A definite must read book.
Fantastic book, with shorts chapters and a gripping story that kept me hooked. I did not see the ending coming, the reason for all of it, and it was a shocker! Lies and betrayel, and an ending you won't see coming. A definite must read book.
January 20, 2021
I read The Festival by Sarah J Naughton as part of my monthly online book club’s readalong with approximately 60 other members over a 3 week period.
The Festival is the story of four women now approaching their 40th birthdays who have been friends since school but their lives have all gone in very different directions.
Orly is a recent widow, grieving the death of her husband from Cancer and the loss of their hopes and dreams, Lenny is a successful business women raising her twins as a single mum and trying to balance her work and life, Mel is a struggling single mother of a teenage son who is about to leave for university and having severe “empty nest” concerns and Thea is the beautiful trophy partner of a rich older man who appears to be losing interest in her.
With Lenny’s 40th birthday fast approaching the ladies decide to get together for a weekend away and go to a Festival, held in their home town and escape their current situations by dancing and getting drunk and reliving their youth. However as this is a thriller you will expect things to go wrong and they certainly do in this book. Long kept secrets are uncovered, guilty consciences force the women to reveal the truth about their past and what should have been a weekend of fun and frolics turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
I really enjoyed the pace of the writing and getting to know each of the characters throughout the storyline. When the women find their lives in danger, there were several red herrings scattered throughout the book to ensure the reader is constantly kept on their toes and never quite knows who to trust.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Festival is the story of four women now approaching their 40th birthdays who have been friends since school but their lives have all gone in very different directions.
Orly is a recent widow, grieving the death of her husband from Cancer and the loss of their hopes and dreams, Lenny is a successful business women raising her twins as a single mum and trying to balance her work and life, Mel is a struggling single mother of a teenage son who is about to leave for university and having severe “empty nest” concerns and Thea is the beautiful trophy partner of a rich older man who appears to be losing interest in her.
With Lenny’s 40th birthday fast approaching the ladies decide to get together for a weekend away and go to a Festival, held in their home town and escape their current situations by dancing and getting drunk and reliving their youth. However as this is a thriller you will expect things to go wrong and they certainly do in this book. Long kept secrets are uncovered, guilty consciences force the women to reveal the truth about their past and what should have been a weekend of fun and frolics turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse.
I really enjoyed the pace of the writing and getting to know each of the characters throughout the storyline. When the women find their lives in danger, there were several red herrings scattered throughout the book to ensure the reader is constantly kept on their toes and never quite knows who to trust.
I look forward to reading more from this author.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
January 25, 2021
I read this book in three parts over three weeks as part of a readalong. The first part didn’t quite grab my attention and I struggled to remember who was who even though there was only four main characters. Only Orly really stuck in my head as she narrates and her story, at first, seemed the most tragic. I don’t mind a slow start if it is to build characters but all through out I found I struggled to remember them so I ended up giving them the nicknames of widow Orly, cafe Mel, swot Lenny and Botox Thea. This helped along with a cliffhanger ending so I looked forward to part two.
Part two was the arrival of the friends at the festival and was by far my favourite. A lot went on and my suspicions were heightened as things turned sinister and new characters were introduced. Although minor these were very memorable and easy to follow. From hanger on Pandora, druggie Trey, hunky Ben and sleazy solicitor Rich I suspected them all and nothing had even really happened yet.
Then the conclusion, where all hell broke loose and it transpired I had judged people wrongly and had the wool pulled over my eyes. A very clever character driven thriller where not everyone is who they seem.
Part two was the arrival of the friends at the festival and was by far my favourite. A lot went on and my suspicions were heightened as things turned sinister and new characters were introduced. Although minor these were very memorable and easy to follow. From hanger on Pandora, druggie Trey, hunky Ben and sleazy solicitor Rich I suspected them all and nothing had even really happened yet.
Then the conclusion, where all hell broke loose and it transpired I had judged people wrongly and had the wool pulled over my eyes. A very clever character driven thriller where not everyone is who they seem.
December 15, 2021
2.5 NOTHING happened in this book till 80 pages till the end. The twist at the end though was good but after 200+ pages of nothing happening, accept subtle hints towards the twist, it became obvious when the drama happened. Wouldn’t suggest this book as it so slow paste for mystery and nothing actually happened other than 4 all very unlikeable women in their 40’s getting drunk and sleeping with people.
June 6, 2025
This was pretty good but it never really pulled me in. It remained interesting enough that I didn't want to just quit but I didn't look forward to reading. It could have been shorter. The reveal was a bit disappointing for me.
April 18, 2021
I was completely drawn in by the concept of a thriller set at a festival, especially given that we've not been allowed out of the house for god knows how long! Send me all the summer, festival vibes.. just perhaps without the death!! So, this one follows 4 school friends, who 20 years on decide to reunite at one of their childhood festivals. The book begins with quite a lengthy background about the 4 friends which was possibly my favourite part actually; I found the characters really interesting. They then head off to the festival which is when things start to become a little creepy and suspicious, and things really do escalate towards the last third or so of the book. Not everyone is going to come back alive...
I do like a thriller about old friends and their secrets. There's just something addictive about these types of plots and this one was up there. It was quite a slow build which did actually work for me this time around as I really quite liked the characters and the setting. I also thought the setting of the festival was great, it provided a real nice contrast against the dark twists and turns which you knew were going to come. If anything, I found the ending a little underwhelming and I'm not quite sure I believed the events that unfolded and the reasons behind them - but maybe that's just because I liked the characters too much! I think it could have been more shocking if there was a bit more drama along the way and a bit more forewarning of the darkness. But otherwise a good, safe thriller to pick up if this is your genre!
Thanks to Trapeze, Orion Books for a copy of this book.
I do like a thriller about old friends and their secrets. There's just something addictive about these types of plots and this one was up there. It was quite a slow build which did actually work for me this time around as I really quite liked the characters and the setting. I also thought the setting of the festival was great, it provided a real nice contrast against the dark twists and turns which you knew were going to come. If anything, I found the ending a little underwhelming and I'm not quite sure I believed the events that unfolded and the reasons behind them - but maybe that's just because I liked the characters too much! I think it could have been more shocking if there was a bit more drama along the way and a bit more forewarning of the darkness. But otherwise a good, safe thriller to pick up if this is your genre!
Thanks to Trapeze, Orion Books for a copy of this book.
January 30, 2021
This is a great read about four close friends, all dealing with things in their lives.
Orly is a recent widow, struggling to cope with the death of her husband. Lenny is a successful business women raising twins as a single mum. Mel is a struggling single mum of a teenage son who is about to leave for university, but she doesn’t know how she’ll cope and Thea is mum to two children but her partner seems to be losing interest in her.
With Lenny’s 40th birthday fast approaching they decide to get together for a weekend away and go to a local Festival that they went to when they were younger.
All is well until they find a case on the train which belongs to a man they just met, and agree to meet him at the Festival to return it to him. It seems he wanted them to find the case and take in the contents for him so they dump it when they realise what it contains.
Threatening texts are then received and also weird items left outside their tent.
It’s clear something will happen to some of the group but it was a surprise when I realised who was behind it all.
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Orly is a recent widow, struggling to cope with the death of her husband. Lenny is a successful business women raising twins as a single mum. Mel is a struggling single mum of a teenage son who is about to leave for university, but she doesn’t know how she’ll cope and Thea is mum to two children but her partner seems to be losing interest in her.
With Lenny’s 40th birthday fast approaching they decide to get together for a weekend away and go to a local Festival that they went to when they were younger.
All is well until they find a case on the train which belongs to a man they just met, and agree to meet him at the Festival to return it to him. It seems he wanted them to find the case and take in the contents for him so they dump it when they realise what it contains.
Threatening texts are then received and also weird items left outside their tent.
It’s clear something will happen to some of the group but it was a surprise when I realised who was behind it all.
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
January 19, 2021
I read this book as part of a readalong over on Facebook. We were given the book in 3 parts and I have to say I was impatiently waiting for the next installment to arrive on my kindle. Follows a group of female friends from school reliving their youth by attending a festival.that they attended when they were much younger. We were given the back story to each character and what had happened to them since they left school. Quite intriguing characters. In the final third the story all got quite dark and twisted. Felt the last part felt a bit rushed but maybe that was because there was just so much happening. A page turner.
July 18, 2023
This book was a bit slow to start but then it got so so good!! Amazing!
October 22, 2023
Rated 2.5
The characters were fine, the plot was okay, but in the end I was just left very bored.
The characters were fine, the plot was okay, but in the end I was just left very bored.
January 19, 2021
Four life long friends revisit a festival for birthday celebrations years after their first time there at 18, what could possibly go wrong !
From a slow build at the beginning this thriller builds to a fast paced explosion of drama like music playing at a festivals main stage.
Red herrings a plenty keep you guessing to the end and the reveal as to who the murderer is and why.
I read this as part of read along through an online book club, and would like to thank the publishers Orian books, and TBC for a free copy of this book in return for a honest unbiased review
From a slow build at the beginning this thriller builds to a fast paced explosion of drama like music playing at a festivals main stage.
Red herrings a plenty keep you guessing to the end and the reveal as to who the murderer is and why.
I read this as part of read along through an online book club, and would like to thank the publishers Orian books, and TBC for a free copy of this book in return for a honest unbiased review
February 1, 2021
I read this book as part of a read along group. We received three parts over three weeks and read/reviewed as we went along.
An enjoyable read with an interesting cast of characters who aren't all who they seem. A group of childhood friends revisit a local music festival as part of a 40th birthday celebration but add in some dodgy attendees, drugs, lashings of alcohol and long buried grudges and it soon becomes a nightmare! Definitely put me off EVER attending a festival!
An enjoyable read with an interesting cast of characters who aren't all who they seem. A group of childhood friends revisit a local music festival as part of a 40th birthday celebration but add in some dodgy attendees, drugs, lashings of alcohol and long buried grudges and it soon becomes a nightmare! Definitely put me off EVER attending a festival!
July 8, 2021
You know a book has you genuinely gripped when you read it until you can no longer keep your eyes open, and then as soon as they open the next morning.
This is the kind of thriller that I love, quite a slow burn where we get to know about the characters before things start happening.
This genuinely terrified me and I really liked the representation of orlys anxieties which felt very true 👍
Only a few little bits that stopped it being a 5 star 🌟
This is the kind of thriller that I love, quite a slow burn where we get to know about the characters before things start happening.
This genuinely terrified me and I really liked the representation of orlys anxieties which felt very true 👍
Only a few little bits that stopped it being a 5 star 🌟
March 1, 2021
I’m giving 2 stars and not 1 because I’ve really enjoyed the beginning. I think this book had an amazing start and could’ve been great, but the author just got lost. It was so confusing, with so many plot twists! Also it was so focused on one of the four characters that, in my opinion, was the most boring that we forgot about the others... I do not recommend this book.
September 20, 2021
Loved it couldn’t stop and loved small chapters
September 25, 2021
Following a lovely confidence boost from @reading_and_dining yesterday, I was prompted to review this book as soon as I'd finished for a change!
Now, I read this book partly out of curiosity as a festival is my idea of hell 😂 - I don't like camping, being wet or cold! I felt this book was really well written - I was able to visualise the scenes and the setting because it was well described. The characters were all written well enough that I could differentiate between them easily. The first quarter of the book is dedicated to introducing the characters, which although definitely helps later on, I did feel it went on a bit too long and I was eager to get to the festival.
It was an interesting concept of 4 friends meeting up after 15 years, all at very different places in their lives and having had very different experiences in the intervening years. Throw in some grudges, some new and old enemies and it wasn't going to be a relaxing weekend! The only thing I found frustrating is that there was security as the festival, so why didn't they approach them when things started happening? Obviously that wouldn't have made a story, but it seemed daft to me!
My favourite quote:
"The wall opposite used to be covered in Blu Tack bullet holes in the plaster, from a constant cycle of posters being hung up and taken down. But these little markers of her journey to adulthood have been filled and painted over."
Now, I read this book partly out of curiosity as a festival is my idea of hell 😂 - I don't like camping, being wet or cold! I felt this book was really well written - I was able to visualise the scenes and the setting because it was well described. The characters were all written well enough that I could differentiate between them easily. The first quarter of the book is dedicated to introducing the characters, which although definitely helps later on, I did feel it went on a bit too long and I was eager to get to the festival.
It was an interesting concept of 4 friends meeting up after 15 years, all at very different places in their lives and having had very different experiences in the intervening years. Throw in some grudges, some new and old enemies and it wasn't going to be a relaxing weekend! The only thing I found frustrating is that there was security as the festival, so why didn't they approach them when things started happening? Obviously that wouldn't have made a story, but it seemed daft to me!
My favourite quote:
"The wall opposite used to be covered in Blu Tack bullet holes in the plaster, from a constant cycle of posters being hung up and taken down. But these little markers of her journey to adulthood have been filled and painted over."
June 19, 2022
Four friends go to a festival & one of them doesn't go home alive, well that's the crux of the matter but it takes soooo long to get that point! Don't read this expecting a regular murder mystery just 'cos there's a death involved. In this rather addictive thriller it's the build up to it that is the main focus, giving the reader chance to get to know the characters & to wonder, not only, who is the potential victim but who is the killer? ...and why?
Each chapter primarily centres on one of the friends, be it what's happening to them at the festival or relating their past, showing how they've become the person they are. These characters weren't likeable - well, maybe Orly, it was hard not to pity her - but they didn't need to be & while I didn't like Thea or the way she had "improved" her life, I really felt for her with those truly awful - but stereotypical - step-children!
The festival atmosphere was well portrayed & the tension that was brewing built nicely. Things were only slightly let down for me by one or two of the actions/episodes seeming unrealistic. I don't want to give away any spoilers but Mel & the suitcase comes to mind.
Overall, it was a good story with some nice twists & an ending that left me wondering.... ;o)
Each chapter primarily centres on one of the friends, be it what's happening to them at the festival or relating their past, showing how they've become the person they are. These characters weren't likeable - well, maybe Orly, it was hard not to pity her - but they didn't need to be & while I didn't like Thea or the way she had "improved" her life, I really felt for her with those truly awful - but stereotypical - step-children!
The festival atmosphere was well portrayed & the tension that was brewing built nicely. Things were only slightly let down for me by one or two of the actions/episodes seeming unrealistic. I don't want to give away any spoilers but Mel & the suitcase comes to mind.
Overall, it was a good story with some nice twists & an ending that left me wondering.... ;o)
April 4, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.
This book is based around 4 women, Orly, Lenny, Mel, and Thea, who have been best friends since their school years. They have all grown apart slightly as the years have passed, but when they get together the years fall away and they’re back as normal. They all each have their own family issues, but all that’s gets put aside for Lenny’s 40th birthday. They arrange to get to the 25th anniversary of a festival they’d attended as teenagers. But the three day break turns into a nightmare.
This book was really fast paced and a real page turner. All the characters were diverse, and all relatable in their own ways. The story also touched on all manner of real life issues, such as death, depression, fertility issues, marriage problems, the trials of being a single parent, and drugs, among others. It was really well written and the story flowed seamlessly, and I enjoyed the breaks in the book of Twitter posts that also gave small snippets of information. It was a great all round domestic thriller.
This book is based around 4 women, Orly, Lenny, Mel, and Thea, who have been best friends since their school years. They have all grown apart slightly as the years have passed, but when they get together the years fall away and they’re back as normal. They all each have their own family issues, but all that’s gets put aside for Lenny’s 40th birthday. They arrange to get to the 25th anniversary of a festival they’d attended as teenagers. But the three day break turns into a nightmare.
This book was really fast paced and a real page turner. All the characters were diverse, and all relatable in their own ways. The story also touched on all manner of real life issues, such as death, depression, fertility issues, marriage problems, the trials of being a single parent, and drugs, among others. It was really well written and the story flowed seamlessly, and I enjoyed the breaks in the book of Twitter posts that also gave small snippets of information. It was a great all round domestic thriller.
October 18, 2024
This book is seriously enjoyable.
Four childhood girlfriends reunite for a Glastonbury-esque festival as they are all turning 40. "But their holiday soon takes a sinister turn, and not all of the friends will leave the festival alive..."
Absolute page-turner. The characters are simple but so well written - I feel like I know these women! As in, I feel like I've met them. Extremely relatable. Everyone knows a Thea - obsessed with her looks, a Leonora - obsessed with her career, an Orly - haunted with anxiety and desperate for love. As well as being a very exciting thriller (borderline horror), this story feels a bit like a real person's diary, revealing secrets, lies, and gossip about four people we've probably all encountered. Best bit: I can usually work out a whodunit early on, but I was held in suspense until taken completely by surprise at the end.
Should definitely be adapted for TV.
Loved it and can't wait to read the author's other novels.
Four childhood girlfriends reunite for a Glastonbury-esque festival as they are all turning 40. "But their holiday soon takes a sinister turn, and not all of the friends will leave the festival alive..."
Absolute page-turner. The characters are simple but so well written - I feel like I know these women! As in, I feel like I've met them. Extremely relatable. Everyone knows a Thea - obsessed with her looks, a Leonora - obsessed with her career, an Orly - haunted with anxiety and desperate for love. As well as being a very exciting thriller (borderline horror), this story feels a bit like a real person's diary, revealing secrets, lies, and gossip about four people we've probably all encountered. Best bit: I can usually work out a whodunit early on, but I was held in suspense until taken completely by surprise at the end.
Should definitely be adapted for TV.
Loved it and can't wait to read the author's other novels.
September 10, 2023
I enjoyed this book but it took me longer than usual to finish as I wasn't feeling it when I started but glad I went back to it. Full on suspense, trapped at a festival when things go wrong. Drugs and alcohol, loads of single people, one night stands and a group of friends that seem to be looking out for each other while on a birthday weekend but all is not what it seems!
Pandora seems an unwanted, unwelcome addition and her part is short and sweet as it were. I loved the concept of this book, a lot seemed to happen in those three days and wow, what a weekend!
Would recommend this book, the cover intrigued me and I wanted to know more!
Pandora seems an unwanted, unwelcome addition and her part is short and sweet as it were. I loved the concept of this book, a lot seemed to happen in those three days and wow, what a weekend!
Would recommend this book, the cover intrigued me and I wanted to know more!
January 25, 2021
Reminded me a little of Sex and the City, so maybe Sex and the Festival? Four lifelong friends that have a long history that now lead very different lives, get together and go to Gillfest’s 25th anniversary.
I had a little trouble following who was who at the beginning of the book, but I am glad I stuck with it. What starts out as very character drive, turns into a suspenseful story.
I had a little trouble following who was who at the beginning of the book, but I am glad I stuck with it. What starts out as very character drive, turns into a suspenseful story.
February 18, 2021
Four friends with troubles of their own decide to go to the music festival they used to attend as college students, thinking it will be a good break.
But events at the festival turn out to be more than they asked for.
An engaging read.
But events at the festival turn out to be more than they asked for.
An engaging read.
September 14, 2022
Poignant
June 17, 2024
3,5/5
RTC
RTC
August 31, 2025
Was just okay and felt rushed at the end.
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