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The Cove
Welcome to Turtle Cove.
A luxury resort surrounded by pristine sea and the dense beauty of the jungle, it is the perfect escape from the stresses of life and work. For couples Lou and Adam, Eliza and Noah, a few days spent relaxing on the beach, while their kids are happily distracted, is exactly what they need.
But appearances can be deceiving.
There's a strange tension brewing at the resort, with relations between the hotel and the locals threatening to spill over into violence. This is nothing though compared to the strained atmosphere between the two families. They haven't been friends for long and they are starting to realise they don't really know each other at all.
Except for one of them. One of them knows another very well.
And they have a score to settle.
A luxury resort surrounded by pristine sea and the dense beauty of the jungle, it is the perfect escape from the stresses of life and work. For couples Lou and Adam, Eliza and Noah, a few days spent relaxing on the beach, while their kids are happily distracted, is exactly what they need.
But appearances can be deceiving.
There's a strange tension brewing at the resort, with relations between the hotel and the locals threatening to spill over into violence. This is nothing though compared to the strained atmosphere between the two families. They haven't been friends for long and they are starting to realise they don't really know each other at all.
Except for one of them. One of them knows another very well.
And they have a score to settle.
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2022
30 people are currently reading
708 people want to read
About the author
Alice Clark-Platts
11 books176 followersI am a former human rights lawyer who used to work for the UK Government. As a litigator, I worked on cases involving Winnie Mandela and the rapper Snoop Dogg. I loved my job but then we re-located to the tropics and now I live in wonderful Singapore.
I also write short stories which have been published in in various anthologies. And when I’m not writing, I’m running The Singapore Writers’ Group which I founded in 2012. This is a fantastic group of both professional and amateur writers who meet monthly and attend workshops and critique sessions
Found on: http://www.aliceclarkplatts.com/
I also write short stories which have been published in in various anthologies. And when I’m not writing, I’m running The Singapore Writers’ Group which I founded in 2012. This is a fantastic group of both professional and amateur writers who meet monthly and attend workshops and critique sessions
Found on: http://www.aliceclarkplatts.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
did-not-finish
April 25, 2022I loved tThe Flower Girls by this author so I was really looking forward to reading The Cove. A secluded island, locked room mystery, definitely my kind of book.
But it was not for me. The characters were all so very unlikeable and I really didn’t care for them at all. 2 couples who don’t know each other very well going on holidays together was something that I couldn’t buy. And one couple had a new born baby. Why would they go to an island like this with such a small baby? And then there was the constant flirting of one husband towards the other man’s wife. It was blatant and very much over the top. All the adults were complaining of something or other and the kids were palmed off to kids club.
I got to about halfway and had to stop. Nothing much else seemed to be happening, a lot of drinking, flirting and whinging.
Thanks Bloomsbury for my copy to read. Very disappointed.
But it was not for me. The characters were all so very unlikeable and I really didn’t care for them at all. 2 couples who don’t know each other very well going on holidays together was something that I couldn’t buy. And one couple had a new born baby. Why would they go to an island like this with such a small baby? And then there was the constant flirting of one husband towards the other man’s wife. It was blatant and very much over the top. All the adults were complaining of something or other and the kids were palmed off to kids club.
I got to about halfway and had to stop. Nothing much else seemed to be happening, a lot of drinking, flirting and whinging.
Thanks Bloomsbury for my copy to read. Very disappointed.
April 1, 2022
I would have to give this book 2 stars for my review.
I am really struggling to leave a review for this book. I don't really have much to say about it, I just found it very boring. Very boring.
I did not feel the plot moved, I did not like any of the characters (I'd like at least one to root for), and I found there were a lot (a lot!) of unnecessary descriptions and additions. Like the turtles! What?
I was skimming the pages and even then I felt like the book was too slow and went on for too long, unnecessarily so.
The book was ok, but I am sure I will forget it shortly.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
I am really struggling to leave a review for this book. I don't really have much to say about it, I just found it very boring. Very boring.
I did not feel the plot moved, I did not like any of the characters (I'd like at least one to root for), and I found there were a lot (a lot!) of unnecessary descriptions and additions. Like the turtles! What?
I was skimming the pages and even then I felt like the book was too slow and went on for too long, unnecessarily so.
The book was ok, but I am sure I will forget it shortly.
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
June 16, 2022
Thank you to Bloomsbury publishing for sending me a copy of this book to review.
You know when a book really suprises you, well this was it for me. I loved it. I couldnt put it down. I just had to know what was going on.
It was an intense book full of suspense that had me flipping the pages. For me this was an escape from reality book. Escapism at its best. It is told by the 4 main characters Lou, Adam , Noah and Eliza. The twist at the end was totally unexpected so I loved that. It has short chapters . I loved the setting an island called Turtle Cove. I made a connection with all the characters even talking to them in my head. The writing style was easy to follow.
You know when a book really suprises you, well this was it for me. I loved it. I couldnt put it down. I just had to know what was going on.
It was an intense book full of suspense that had me flipping the pages. For me this was an escape from reality book. Escapism at its best. It is told by the 4 main characters Lou, Adam , Noah and Eliza. The twist at the end was totally unexpected so I loved that. It has short chapters . I loved the setting an island called Turtle Cove. I made a connection with all the characters even talking to them in my head. The writing style was easy to follow.
June 17, 2023
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
In the same vein as popular television series The White Lotus, The Cove is the most recent release from author Alice Clark-Platts. A tropical paradise awaits the reader in this twisted tale of escape, survival, tension, deception and violence.
Here is your ticket to Turtle Cove, a tropical haven that is nestled in a beautiful jungle location, surrounded by crystal clear waters. This dreamlike destination seems like the perfect place for a much-needed getaway, promising to help guests forget their work troubles and personal issues. When the story opens, we meet two couples who are holidaying at the very inviting Turtle Cove. But something sinister awaits these families as they begin to relax and take in all the resort has to offer. There is a strained feeling at the resort as it becomes clear that the locals are not happy with the hotel. With tension brimming, it is only a matter of time before it erupts into something serious. With relations also strained between the two couples, conditions are clearly not perfect for a carefree holiday. Who is going to enact revenge and what will be the fallout?
I did a quick search of Alice Clark-Platts and it appears that I’ve had two of her books sat on my TBR shelves. I recently devoured the television series The White Lotus and I couldn’t help but notice that The Cove has been compared to this series, it is even mentioned on the front cover. Bearing this mind, I pulled The Cove off my overcrowded unread shelves, rather than opting for a review book. It was a little naughty of me, but I think it’s important to alternate books I have to read with those I want to read.
It was a solid start to The Cove, I was soon immersed in the eventful sequences of the first chapter which is narrated by Adam, one of the main characters. The story continues to roll this way and I found my interest was definitely piqued. But I have to admit I experienced a downward turn in the middle but then the second half zoomed to a conclusion with a twist I didn’t expect. The Cove is quite a moody thriller, it has a number of up and down moments. The suspicion level is high and relations are very strained. The characters are not terribly likeable so it is hard to feel an ounce of anything for them. There were times when I connected to Lou as a fellow mother, but this was as far as I went with developing any kind of affinity to the cast. I did find I was intrigued to see how it would all pan out. Alice Clark-Platts also introduces something extra to the story tension wise thanks to the tourism versus locals problem. I won’t say much more, as I don’t want to give away any plot spoilers.
A domestic thriller that whisks the reader away to a dangerous jungle island location in Asia where anything can happen, The Cove is a taut mystery novel.
In the same vein as popular television series The White Lotus, The Cove is the most recent release from author Alice Clark-Platts. A tropical paradise awaits the reader in this twisted tale of escape, survival, tension, deception and violence.
Here is your ticket to Turtle Cove, a tropical haven that is nestled in a beautiful jungle location, surrounded by crystal clear waters. This dreamlike destination seems like the perfect place for a much-needed getaway, promising to help guests forget their work troubles and personal issues. When the story opens, we meet two couples who are holidaying at the very inviting Turtle Cove. But something sinister awaits these families as they begin to relax and take in all the resort has to offer. There is a strained feeling at the resort as it becomes clear that the locals are not happy with the hotel. With tension brimming, it is only a matter of time before it erupts into something serious. With relations also strained between the two couples, conditions are clearly not perfect for a carefree holiday. Who is going to enact revenge and what will be the fallout?
I did a quick search of Alice Clark-Platts and it appears that I’ve had two of her books sat on my TBR shelves. I recently devoured the television series The White Lotus and I couldn’t help but notice that The Cove has been compared to this series, it is even mentioned on the front cover. Bearing this mind, I pulled The Cove off my overcrowded unread shelves, rather than opting for a review book. It was a little naughty of me, but I think it’s important to alternate books I have to read with those I want to read.
It was a solid start to The Cove, I was soon immersed in the eventful sequences of the first chapter which is narrated by Adam, one of the main characters. The story continues to roll this way and I found my interest was definitely piqued. But I have to admit I experienced a downward turn in the middle but then the second half zoomed to a conclusion with a twist I didn’t expect. The Cove is quite a moody thriller, it has a number of up and down moments. The suspicion level is high and relations are very strained. The characters are not terribly likeable so it is hard to feel an ounce of anything for them. There were times when I connected to Lou as a fellow mother, but this was as far as I went with developing any kind of affinity to the cast. I did find I was intrigued to see how it would all pan out. Alice Clark-Platts also introduces something extra to the story tension wise thanks to the tourism versus locals problem. I won’t say much more, as I don’t want to give away any plot spoilers.
A domestic thriller that whisks the reader away to a dangerous jungle island location in Asia where anything can happen, The Cove is a taut mystery novel.
August 16, 2022
A luxury island resort is home to minimal staff, an abundance of jungle creatures, and, at least for a short while, its present set of guests who are invited to relax, unwind, and leave every facet of the outside world behind.
Two couples - Lou and Adam and Eliza and Noah - along with the children, intend to do just that but an unsettling air has settled over the resort and something is brewing behind the scenes that is threatening the tranquillity of their break and the longevity of their marriages.
I found this a solidly enjoyable thriller with multiple mysteries that were exposed along the course of the narrative, to ensure my continued enjoyment, throughout. The couples at the centre of it had as much to hide as those working around them, it was soon proved, which further heightened my intrigue and twisted the unfolding storyline. I didn't wholly guess the direction and found the stakes heightened more than I could have anticipated, which made for such tense reading!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Alice Clark-Platts, and the publisher, Raven Books, for this opportunity.
Two couples - Lou and Adam and Eliza and Noah - along with the children, intend to do just that but an unsettling air has settled over the resort and something is brewing behind the scenes that is threatening the tranquillity of their break and the longevity of their marriages.
I found this a solidly enjoyable thriller with multiple mysteries that were exposed along the course of the narrative, to ensure my continued enjoyment, throughout. The couples at the centre of it had as much to hide as those working around them, it was soon proved, which further heightened my intrigue and twisted the unfolding storyline. I didn't wholly guess the direction and found the stakes heightened more than I could have anticipated, which made for such tense reading!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Alice Clark-Platts, and the publisher, Raven Books, for this opportunity.
May 6, 2022
3.5 rounded up, but as I read it in one sitting (plane flight), it’s possible my attention waned, especially towards the end.
In a nutshell, 2 overly social and alcohol dependent expat couples and their kids decide, perhaps unwisely, to take a long weekend to an eco island. But behind the facade, darkness lurks, and this applies to the island, the couples’ relationships, and the individuals themselves.
If you’re looking for a switch off holiday read, this is probably a good choice, keeps you engaged, mostly, and may reflect where you are, on a beach somewhere. Hopefully without the drama.
In a nutshell, 2 overly social and alcohol dependent expat couples and their kids decide, perhaps unwisely, to take a long weekend to an eco island. But behind the facade, darkness lurks, and this applies to the island, the couples’ relationships, and the individuals themselves.
If you’re looking for a switch off holiday read, this is probably a good choice, keeps you engaged, mostly, and may reflect where you are, on a beach somewhere. Hopefully without the drama.
March 18, 2022
Two couples and their children go on holiday together to a luxurious resort.
A story about secrets and lies. Lots of unlikeable characters and some twists and turns.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
A story about secrets and lies. Lots of unlikeable characters and some twists and turns.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2022
I love discovering new authors and Alice Clark-Platts was one to me, another Twitter post! I wasn’t sure what to expect but oh my goodness, The Cove is sensational, what a thriller, taught and suspenseful.
Two couples and their children, head out to an exclusive Island resort, Turtle Cove, Think stunning white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters around the Island, very few other people and just staff to wait on their every whim. It should have been a relaxing, peaceful weekend break for the two families the Carters and the Fishers…. but as soon as I started to read The Cove, I could feel the underlying tension, in the characters and the setting.
The attention to detail in describing each protagonists point of view (each chapter is from a different persons point of view) from their feelings and impressions of each other is stunningly written, Alice Clark-Platts surely knows her stuff on the human psyche. Add into this the tension that starts to build with each page and you’ve got an amazing and totally gripping thriller. I devoured The Cove in 2 days, sleepless nights due to reading always means a good book!!
I can’t go into much of the plot as I really do not want to give anything away, but suffice to say, I totally believed what I was reading, I clicked with the characters and I could not stop turning the pages.
The Cove will surely be one of the hits of 2022, if you like a thriller, set in a tropical paradise where when you scratch the surface the cracks begin to appear, then this book is for you.
A magnificent 5 Star read ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Two couples and their children, head out to an exclusive Island resort, Turtle Cove, Think stunning white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters around the Island, very few other people and just staff to wait on their every whim. It should have been a relaxing, peaceful weekend break for the two families the Carters and the Fishers…. but as soon as I started to read The Cove, I could feel the underlying tension, in the characters and the setting.
The attention to detail in describing each protagonists point of view (each chapter is from a different persons point of view) from their feelings and impressions of each other is stunningly written, Alice Clark-Platts surely knows her stuff on the human psyche. Add into this the tension that starts to build with each page and you’ve got an amazing and totally gripping thriller. I devoured The Cove in 2 days, sleepless nights due to reading always means a good book!!
I can’t go into much of the plot as I really do not want to give anything away, but suffice to say, I totally believed what I was reading, I clicked with the characters and I could not stop turning the pages.
The Cove will surely be one of the hits of 2022, if you like a thriller, set in a tropical paradise where when you scratch the surface the cracks begin to appear, then this book is for you.
A magnificent 5 Star read ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 17, 2025
This was boring, so boring. Unlikable characters, I didn't for any of them (although I did feel sorry for the mother of the baby at the beginning), unnecessary descriptions... And the kind of philosophical moments? Awful and so stupid.
July 30, 2022
I’ve read a lot of domestic-ish thrillers recently and this is easily one of the best. The balance of domestic drama to actual crime is spot on, the atmosphere is tense and claustrophobic, setting effectively rendered, and the characters are suitably complex and differently problematic. The perfect weekend read.
October 4, 2023
Lou, Adam, Eliza and Noah, along with their children have arrived at Turtle Cove Resort in Pulau Kalah for a long weekend.
The luxury resort is surrounded by the sea and the dense beauty of the jungle. It is the perfect place to forget about the stresses of life and work, also included is childcare ... what more could you want?
The weekend starts well with the couples relaxing on the beach whilst the children are happily distracted. It is exactly what they need. But appearances can be deceiving.
There is a tension at the resort with relations between the hotel and the locals threatening to spill over into violence, also the awkward atmosphere between the families, could threaten the tranquilly of their break and their marriages.
The couples have not been friends long and they are starting to realise they don't really know each other at all.
I loved how descriptive this book was, bringing the resort to life and twists which I did not see coming!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
The luxury resort is surrounded by the sea and the dense beauty of the jungle. It is the perfect place to forget about the stresses of life and work, also included is childcare ... what more could you want?
The weekend starts well with the couples relaxing on the beach whilst the children are happily distracted. It is exactly what they need. But appearances can be deceiving.
There is a tension at the resort with relations between the hotel and the locals threatening to spill over into violence, also the awkward atmosphere between the families, could threaten the tranquilly of their break and their marriages.
The couples have not been friends long and they are starting to realise they don't really know each other at all.
I loved how descriptive this book was, bringing the resort to life and twists which I did not see coming!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 5, 2023
Turtle Cove. A dream holiday destination. For couples Loo and Adam, Eliza and Noah, it’s the opportunity to relax on the beach while their kids run around having fun, just what they all needed. But things don’t quite go to plan. After a terrifying scuba diving incident they start wondering if there is more to this holiday destination than meets the eye. Then one of them goes missing and the tension really starts to escalate….
Oh I do love a good holiday thriller and that’s exactly what I got here. Sumptuous descriptions of an idyllic island contrast with the stress and bickering within these couples’ relationships. The odd incidents start to mount up and the tension escalates. Something is terribly wrong on this island and it becomes apparent that it’s not going to end happily. I raced through this one; exciting and exhilarating, it’s actually the perfect holiday read - unless you’re sunbathing on an island just like Pulau Kalah of course!
Oh I do love a good holiday thriller and that’s exactly what I got here. Sumptuous descriptions of an idyllic island contrast with the stress and bickering within these couples’ relationships. The odd incidents start to mount up and the tension escalates. Something is terribly wrong on this island and it becomes apparent that it’s not going to end happily. I raced through this one; exciting and exhilarating, it’s actually the perfect holiday read - unless you’re sunbathing on an island just like Pulau Kalah of course!
April 25, 2022
Started really well, I can’t say I liked the characters (not very nice people) but are well fleshed out and two thirds of the book Entertained me.
It just seemed to fall off abit at the end, not really a coherent plot and despite the dangerous setting of the island, I never really felt any stakes because the story was jumping around so much.
Had potential but just fell short at the end.
It just seemed to fall off abit at the end, not really a coherent plot and despite the dangerous setting of the island, I never really felt any stakes because the story was jumping around so much.
Had potential but just fell short at the end.
July 19, 2022
Opening this book, you are whipped away to a scenic island holiday. The author is brilliantly descriptive allowing all your senses a chance to explore this paradise. However, just as you start to relax and enjoy this amazing escape things start going wrong and you release you are embarking on an intriguing read.
I am new to this author’s writing, she tells the story shift from character to character between the different chapters, allowing you to get to know each one. As you read you are given each character’s thoughts this adds to the intrigue as you watch how they do not say what they are thinking. I enjoyed the setting and the twists in this story and would love to read more of this author's work. (Another book or two has been added to my wish list.)
Lou needs a break. The new baby does not sleep for long and she is exhausted. She convinces Adam to head to Turtle Cove for a long weekend. Adam invites Eliza and Noah to join them. They haven’t been friends for long and soon discover that they do not know each other very well. What should have been a relaxing getaway quickly turns into a horrible experience when tension between the hotel management and the locals threatens violence. But there is more going on, one of them knows more than they are sharing, and one of them has a score to settle.
I found myself lost on this beautiful island as I read this book. It was beautifully descriptive and I could almost feel the salt on my skin while reading. (I think I need a seaside break – I haven’t seen the ocean in ages.) I loved the twists along the way.
The characters in this book were awesome. Lou is a struggling new mom who knows she has changed and is eager to find herself again. She is determined to make some changes to her life, but she never expected how much a weekend away could end up changing her life. Adam was not my favourite; he was so selfish I did not like this man at all and battled to understand how Lou ended up married to him. As for Noah and Eliza – they are a rather curious match as well. I loved the bits and pieces of the past that were revealed about all these characters. It made them realistic. As for the hotel manager, I loved this guy and could picture him prancing around shirtless. The way he annoyed Adam was fabulous, the author did a great job with this guy.
This book left me feeling as if I was on the island. It was a quick read, but it didn’t feel like it as I was reading it. I enjoyed my escape while reading this story and have added this one to my loved list for the year.
If you are keen on an escapist thriller, then this is, without doubt, the book for you. It is an intriguing read with stunning scenery and colourful characters that will keep you guessing.
https://featzreviews.com
I am new to this author’s writing, she tells the story shift from character to character between the different chapters, allowing you to get to know each one. As you read you are given each character’s thoughts this adds to the intrigue as you watch how they do not say what they are thinking. I enjoyed the setting and the twists in this story and would love to read more of this author's work. (Another book or two has been added to my wish list.)
Lou needs a break. The new baby does not sleep for long and she is exhausted. She convinces Adam to head to Turtle Cove for a long weekend. Adam invites Eliza and Noah to join them. They haven’t been friends for long and soon discover that they do not know each other very well. What should have been a relaxing getaway quickly turns into a horrible experience when tension between the hotel management and the locals threatens violence. But there is more going on, one of them knows more than they are sharing, and one of them has a score to settle.
I found myself lost on this beautiful island as I read this book. It was beautifully descriptive and I could almost feel the salt on my skin while reading. (I think I need a seaside break – I haven’t seen the ocean in ages.) I loved the twists along the way.
The characters in this book were awesome. Lou is a struggling new mom who knows she has changed and is eager to find herself again. She is determined to make some changes to her life, but she never expected how much a weekend away could end up changing her life. Adam was not my favourite; he was so selfish I did not like this man at all and battled to understand how Lou ended up married to him. As for Noah and Eliza – they are a rather curious match as well. I loved the bits and pieces of the past that were revealed about all these characters. It made them realistic. As for the hotel manager, I loved this guy and could picture him prancing around shirtless. The way he annoyed Adam was fabulous, the author did a great job with this guy.
This book left me feeling as if I was on the island. It was a quick read, but it didn’t feel like it as I was reading it. I enjoyed my escape while reading this story and have added this one to my loved list for the year.
If you are keen on an escapist thriller, then this is, without doubt, the book for you. It is an intriguing read with stunning scenery and colourful characters that will keep you guessing.
https://featzreviews.com
September 19, 2022
➸ Trigger warnings for .
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph
April 21, 2022
“Murder has always felt like such a wilful destruction of your own being. The ultimate ending of another’s life, yes. But, more than that … it’s the ruination of any part of your character that you might justifiably argue was moral and right.”
Holy, holy, HOLY HECK I NEVER SAW THAT TWIST COMING. I certainly never saw the second twist after that. Lou and Adam Carter are off on a lovely holiday to a remote island with their friends Eliza and Noah Fisher, along with both couples children. The first few days prove to be relaxing, but not without their issues, and we quickly learn that both couples don’t seem to be in a happy marriage. So what happens when a fight breaks out between Noah and Adam, and then Lou and Adam before Adam stumbles off drunk and doesn’t return? A monsoon comes straight in after he’s disappeared and the island staff are hiding secrets of their own. But who exactly was the last person to see Adam alive? And just what secrets are being hidden by almost everyone in Turtle Cove? Oh, not to mention that Lou and Adam’s son Raffy goes missing a few days after Adam does….
You all need to read this one, although it’s a slow start it picks up quickly from the halfway point and you just can’t put it down. I absolutely recommend this one if you fancy a suspenseful thriller with twists that you don’t see coming, even when they slap you in the face.
Thank you to Raven Books/@bloomsburypublishing and @netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
Holy, holy, HOLY HECK I NEVER SAW THAT TWIST COMING. I certainly never saw the second twist after that. Lou and Adam Carter are off on a lovely holiday to a remote island with their friends Eliza and Noah Fisher, along with both couples children. The first few days prove to be relaxing, but not without their issues, and we quickly learn that both couples don’t seem to be in a happy marriage. So what happens when a fight breaks out between Noah and Adam, and then Lou and Adam before Adam stumbles off drunk and doesn’t return? A monsoon comes straight in after he’s disappeared and the island staff are hiding secrets of their own. But who exactly was the last person to see Adam alive? And just what secrets are being hidden by almost everyone in Turtle Cove? Oh, not to mention that Lou and Adam’s son Raffy goes missing a few days after Adam does….
You all need to read this one, although it’s a slow start it picks up quickly from the halfway point and you just can’t put it down. I absolutely recommend this one if you fancy a suspenseful thriller with twists that you don’t see coming, even when they slap you in the face.
Thank you to Raven Books/@bloomsburypublishing and @netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.
December 21, 2023
The tagline for this book is "Its the perfect escape...Until there is no escape."
A few reasons why this doesn't correlate with the book:
1. The four main characters think the place is awful from the get-go, so it's not perfect. All they do is moan and gripe. One starts moaning about the weather even though they booked in monsoon season, that's not the resort's problem love.
2. "No escape" makes it sound much more exciting than it is. They are stuck for around 24 hours due to the monsoon. There is sadly no threat to them (I willed them all to drop dead).
3. The tagline makes the book sound interesting.
By the end I was so confused, too many (male) characters and they all blended into one.
A few reasons why this doesn't correlate with the book:
1. The four main characters think the place is awful from the get-go, so it's not perfect. All they do is moan and gripe. One starts moaning about the weather even though they booked in monsoon season, that's not the resort's problem love.
2. "No escape" makes it sound much more exciting than it is. They are stuck for around 24 hours due to the monsoon. There is sadly no threat to them (I willed them all to drop dead).
3. The tagline makes the book sound interesting.
By the end I was so confused, too many (male) characters and they all blended into one.
July 21, 2022
Atmospheric but ultimately underwhelming. Not so much a story arc, more a slow ramble up a slight incline.
May 23, 2022
An escapist thriller which follows two familes who go on a tropical island getaway together for the weekend. Only nothing at the serene resort is as it seems, when one of the couples marriage reaches breaking point and tension rises between the locals, someone is going to end up hurt.
Told from the alternating POV of our two couples, Lou and Adam and Eliza and Noah, The Cove is a shortish read filled with secrets, lies and murder.
The story itself is rather a slow burn, and felt more like a light domestic suspense rather than a tense thriller. There were two main plot points, one being the secrets and threat of the island itself, and the other the revolving around domestic relationships.
I didn't develop a liking to any of the characters, which is ok, but I did feel empathy for Lou, struggling to cope with her newborn daughter and care for her 8yr old son all the while her husband is off making moves on other women.
It was the cover art on this one that really drew me in. The cool colour of tranquil waters, a remote island and towering volcano screamed escapist thriller to me and that was enough to get me excited! But, all in all, it all fell a little flat for me. I think the settling had a lot of potential to provide imminent threat and hightened suspense, but it was very underplayed.
There were a few twists I didn't really anticipate, but none of them were really shocking to me. The final twist actually had me scratching my head a bit because it just felt a little left field, almost like an afterthought.
Told from the alternating POV of our two couples, Lou and Adam and Eliza and Noah, The Cove is a shortish read filled with secrets, lies and murder.
The story itself is rather a slow burn, and felt more like a light domestic suspense rather than a tense thriller. There were two main plot points, one being the secrets and threat of the island itself, and the other the revolving around domestic relationships.
I didn't develop a liking to any of the characters, which is ok, but I did feel empathy for Lou, struggling to cope with her newborn daughter and care for her 8yr old son all the while her husband is off making moves on other women.
It was the cover art on this one that really drew me in. The cool colour of tranquil waters, a remote island and towering volcano screamed escapist thriller to me and that was enough to get me excited! But, all in all, it all fell a little flat for me. I think the settling had a lot of potential to provide imminent threat and hightened suspense, but it was very underplayed.
There were a few twists I didn't really anticipate, but none of them were really shocking to me. The final twist actually had me scratching my head a bit because it just felt a little left field, almost like an afterthought.
August 29, 2022
Another great locked room thriller that I devoured in a couple of days.
What should’ve been a relaxing holiday turns into a nightmare - a missing husband, flirtations, drunken fights, dodgy staff and the monsoon arriving early so no one can get off the island. Would you visit turtle cove? I wouldn’t!
Although he’s not a very nice character (saying they neither is Noah) I quite liked Adam for some reason. To be honest none of the characters were loveable other than baby Laila who was a law unto herself!
Lou was over drugged, over stressed and totally void of help when it came to raising her children- who in their right mind takes a four month old to a remote island off the coast of Singapore?
Eliza wasn’t much better - but this all led to a chilling book where you couldn’t quite tell who you could trust and who you couldn’t.
What should’ve been a relaxing holiday turns into a nightmare - a missing husband, flirtations, drunken fights, dodgy staff and the monsoon arriving early so no one can get off the island. Would you visit turtle cove? I wouldn’t!
Although he’s not a very nice character (saying they neither is Noah) I quite liked Adam for some reason. To be honest none of the characters were loveable other than baby Laila who was a law unto herself!
Lou was over drugged, over stressed and totally void of help when it came to raising her children- who in their right mind takes a four month old to a remote island off the coast of Singapore?
Eliza wasn’t much better - but this all led to a chilling book where you couldn’t quite tell who you could trust and who you couldn’t.
October 24, 2022
Two couples and their kids head off to a luxury island resort for a long weekend break. But tensions are mounting as a monsoon heads their way. I whizzed through this as I was so intrigued by the secrets that everybody seemed to have and I was curious as to what on earth was going on. Good book to curl up with on a dreary day.
July 5, 2023
It was fine, but long and slow and predictable. Mostly. I couldn’t distinguish between the 4 main characters for most of the story.
June 18, 2025
I have to be honest, the writing wasn't my thing, but the characters were so complex and the story was interesting overall
December 30, 2022
Disclaimer: Jonathan Ball Publishers SA kindly sent me a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Married couple Lou and Adam decide to go away for a weekend with their two kids Raffy and Laila, and are joined by the couple's newfound friends Noah and Eliza, and their twins Chloe and Sam. The two families plan to spend a glorious weekend at a private island resort called Turtle Cove. The resort lies beneath a dormant volcano on the north-easterly tip of Pulau Kalah in Malaysia, and as it offers both adventure and in-house childcare it is practically perfect.
Both families are originally from the UK but have been living and working in Singapore for the last few years. Lou is a stay-at-home mom and has recently given birth to baby Laila, and Adam is a well-known novelist. Noah is a businessman whose sole mission upon arrival at the resort is to find working wi-fi and finish up some business deals, whilst his wife Eliza buries herself in novels and mourns the loss of her mother.
Lou is also suffering from post-partum depression, and whilst Adam just wants to drink himself into oblivion, and flirt outrageously with Eliza, Lou is developing an addiction to prescription medication, and plans to leave Adam after the vacation is over.
Neither couple seems to know why they've all ended up together, as they haven't known each other for very long, and the resort itself is a little off the beaten track. Despite this, they sign up for diving expeditions with the resort's laidback owner and hand their kids over to the overly-friendly staff. The drinks flow, and the couples enjoy a brief respite from their daily lives.
Two days after their arrival a monsoon threatens to hit the island, and one of their party has gone missing. The tensions that were slowly simmering come straight to the surface, and it becomes very obvious that something is not quite right at Turtle Cove. There seems to be a lot of animosity between the resort's staff and the island's locals. The rising storm is making it difficult to search for the missing person, and it also means that no one can travel to and from the island. When a body is eventually found their paradise getaway turns into a tropical nightmare overnight.
The Cove is written from several points of view, and it is obvious from the different perspectives that everyone has something to hide, and a reason to keep up a facade. The laidback resort no longer seems as appealing, and beneath it, there is darkness threatening to leak out. As the tensions simmer hotter than the weather amongst those that wish to protect the island, those that wish to take what they can from it, and those who wish to leave, a violent storm has the power to trap them all. And even the truth might not survive.
"Much like this very place. This painted lady. We admire her, revel in her beauty, but underneath it all, there's a darkness to her. As we've discovered."
Clark-Platts has written a thrilling novel that will keep you riveted from the very first page. Like voyeurs we watch the characters tumble all over the island enwrapped in their own nightmares when they should have been drinking fruity drinks on a beach in the sun. This novel brings up issues of ethical tourism, conservation, environmentalism, addiction, grief, and depression. The perfect thriller for lovers of Alex Garland's The Beach.
Married couple Lou and Adam decide to go away for a weekend with their two kids Raffy and Laila, and are joined by the couple's newfound friends Noah and Eliza, and their twins Chloe and Sam. The two families plan to spend a glorious weekend at a private island resort called Turtle Cove. The resort lies beneath a dormant volcano on the north-easterly tip of Pulau Kalah in Malaysia, and as it offers both adventure and in-house childcare it is practically perfect.
Both families are originally from the UK but have been living and working in Singapore for the last few years. Lou is a stay-at-home mom and has recently given birth to baby Laila, and Adam is a well-known novelist. Noah is a businessman whose sole mission upon arrival at the resort is to find working wi-fi and finish up some business deals, whilst his wife Eliza buries herself in novels and mourns the loss of her mother.
Lou is also suffering from post-partum depression, and whilst Adam just wants to drink himself into oblivion, and flirt outrageously with Eliza, Lou is developing an addiction to prescription medication, and plans to leave Adam after the vacation is over.
Neither couple seems to know why they've all ended up together, as they haven't known each other for very long, and the resort itself is a little off the beaten track. Despite this, they sign up for diving expeditions with the resort's laidback owner and hand their kids over to the overly-friendly staff. The drinks flow, and the couples enjoy a brief respite from their daily lives.
Two days after their arrival a monsoon threatens to hit the island, and one of their party has gone missing. The tensions that were slowly simmering come straight to the surface, and it becomes very obvious that something is not quite right at Turtle Cove. There seems to be a lot of animosity between the resort's staff and the island's locals. The rising storm is making it difficult to search for the missing person, and it also means that no one can travel to and from the island. When a body is eventually found their paradise getaway turns into a tropical nightmare overnight.
The Cove is written from several points of view, and it is obvious from the different perspectives that everyone has something to hide, and a reason to keep up a facade. The laidback resort no longer seems as appealing, and beneath it, there is darkness threatening to leak out. As the tensions simmer hotter than the weather amongst those that wish to protect the island, those that wish to take what they can from it, and those who wish to leave, a violent storm has the power to trap them all. And even the truth might not survive.
"Much like this very place. This painted lady. We admire her, revel in her beauty, but underneath it all, there's a darkness to her. As we've discovered."
Clark-Platts has written a thrilling novel that will keep you riveted from the very first page. Like voyeurs we watch the characters tumble all over the island enwrapped in their own nightmares when they should have been drinking fruity drinks on a beach in the sun. This novel brings up issues of ethical tourism, conservation, environmentalism, addiction, grief, and depression. The perfect thriller for lovers of Alex Garland's The Beach.
August 1, 2024
Drinking water instead of alcohol would have definitely solved everything
September 11, 2024
The Cove was an interesting read. I found it to be a complex story with multiple elements going on but it all linked well. Lou was the most well developed character for me; however, there was a lot of sadness, stress and fear laced throughout her story particularly. There were a few interesting twists and the ending was refreshing as it was not your typical "feel good". This was a well-written book with good integration; however, the mood of the book was low from the start.
February 4, 2025
Eigentlich eher 2,7 Sterne oder so. Ich hatte Spaß, aber es war nicht wirklich überraschend oder twisted. Dafür mochte ich das Setting und viele angesprochene Themen (über Tourismus und seine folgen).
March 10, 2024
The first 100 pages I read on a plane and somehow was deluded into thinking this had potential?! Don't be fooled like me with the front cover review "perfect for fans of white lotus" , this was really boring.
April 13, 2022
Beautifully written, perfectly plotted, this compelling 5 star thriller has got it all and more!
Glamorous, luxurious tropical resort, with white sandy beaches, cocktails galore, interesting, well developed characters, mystery, murder and mayhem - this excellent thriller is choc a bloc with all my favourite things plus it is just so well written it is like plunging into the welcoming turquoise waters of the titular Cove.
This is my first Alice Clark-Platts book I have read but it certainly won't be the last as I simply adored the flawless writing, the great story structure and especially the length of the chapters which were all so well rounded and made the plot very easy to follow. The descriptions were so vivid and evocative that I really did feel I was on that island, I could see all the scenes so clearly and almost felt that sugary white sand in between my toes.
I am not usually one for thrillers with children and babies in them as I find going into all the day to day minutiae of making packed lunches, school pick ups and mithering the mundanities of nappies and bottles just seems so much like hard work it gets depressing - but this was not the case with The Cove. Yes there were 8 year olds and a baby but it never got boring and the details and events concerning the children were all relevant to the plot or to give us deeper understanding of the parent's mind set or relationship dynamic rather than just the every day grind of child care.
I really enjoyed the way the couples were described and the insight into their relationships - funny, bittersweet and so true to life and just so beautifully written it was a joy to listen to and so very moreish, even though I savoured it and tried to make it last I finished in two days.
Plot wise I did guess one of the twists but none of the rest and there was just so much meat on the bones of this tightly wound thriller which was all very well paced saving reveals right up until the last minute when it all ended in a way which I certainly did not see coming.
Wow!
I really enjoyed this first class thriller and recommend it especially to those sun-starved listeners like me who are craving all the pleasure of a fabulous holiday whodunnit which will keep you guessing right up until the last minute.
Thanks so much Alice Clark-Platts - please, please, please can we have another soon and this time I might even get to read it on a beach with a large cocktail!
Glamorous, luxurious tropical resort, with white sandy beaches, cocktails galore, interesting, well developed characters, mystery, murder and mayhem - this excellent thriller is choc a bloc with all my favourite things plus it is just so well written it is like plunging into the welcoming turquoise waters of the titular Cove.
This is my first Alice Clark-Platts book I have read but it certainly won't be the last as I simply adored the flawless writing, the great story structure and especially the length of the chapters which were all so well rounded and made the plot very easy to follow. The descriptions were so vivid and evocative that I really did feel I was on that island, I could see all the scenes so clearly and almost felt that sugary white sand in between my toes.
I am not usually one for thrillers with children and babies in them as I find going into all the day to day minutiae of making packed lunches, school pick ups and mithering the mundanities of nappies and bottles just seems so much like hard work it gets depressing - but this was not the case with The Cove. Yes there were 8 year olds and a baby but it never got boring and the details and events concerning the children were all relevant to the plot or to give us deeper understanding of the parent's mind set or relationship dynamic rather than just the every day grind of child care.
I really enjoyed the way the couples were described and the insight into their relationships - funny, bittersweet and so true to life and just so beautifully written it was a joy to listen to and so very moreish, even though I savoured it and tried to make it last I finished in two days.
Plot wise I did guess one of the twists but none of the rest and there was just so much meat on the bones of this tightly wound thriller which was all very well paced saving reveals right up until the last minute when it all ended in a way which I certainly did not see coming.
Wow!
I really enjoyed this first class thriller and recommend it especially to those sun-starved listeners like me who are craving all the pleasure of a fabulous holiday whodunnit which will keep you guessing right up until the last minute.
Thanks so much Alice Clark-Platts - please, please, please can we have another soon and this time I might even get to read it on a beach with a large cocktail!
September 21, 2022
I really wanted to like this book. I was drawn to the cover and to the blurb... it sounded right up my street as I've read a lot of similar books. But oh dear... it was disappointing. It was long and drawn out and I really didn't care at all for any of the main characters. That in itself isn't a problem - you're not meant to love all protagonists... that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the book. But I couldn't even distinguish the 4 main characters (2 couples) from each other... I had to keep trying to remember who was married to who, and who was talking at any one time! I don't think I cared enough about them to commit who they actually were to memory. That's far from ideal!
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