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Playa Vista Social Club
Just on the edge of the city of Los Angeles lies a ‘perfect’ little beach town where major tech deals go down. Welcome to Playa Vista, also known as Silicon Beach, home of Los Angeles’ newest celebrity influencers and the venture capitalists who fund their seemingly carefree lifestyles.
The elite, close-knit community of neighbors that once thrived in a world of charity galas and glamorous social gatherings are now are forced to spend all of their time sequestered together, riding out the pandemic. Trapped inside the posh bubble of their luxury resort community, closely guarded, dangerous secrets are surfacing.
When Mia finds out that her best friend Jade has gone missing, her entire world shatters. Jade, the beautiful social butterfly and social media star is nowhere to be found, and Mia becomes obsessed with solving the bizarre mystery of her sudden disappearance.
Jade’s husband says he knows nothing, the police investigation has stalled, and the tension in the neighborhood is unbearable. All Mia wants is to find her best friend and have their lives return to normal.
What happens when the once neighborly residents begin to lose not only their manners, but their minds, well, it is shocking. Will Mia find out what happens to her best friend or will she suffer the same fate?
Each neighbor has a story.
One of them knows the truth.
The elite, close-knit community of neighbors that once thrived in a world of charity galas and glamorous social gatherings are now are forced to spend all of their time sequestered together, riding out the pandemic. Trapped inside the posh bubble of their luxury resort community, closely guarded, dangerous secrets are surfacing.
When Mia finds out that her best friend Jade has gone missing, her entire world shatters. Jade, the beautiful social butterfly and social media star is nowhere to be found, and Mia becomes obsessed with solving the bizarre mystery of her sudden disappearance.
Jade’s husband says he knows nothing, the police investigation has stalled, and the tension in the neighborhood is unbearable. All Mia wants is to find her best friend and have their lives return to normal.
What happens when the once neighborly residents begin to lose not only their manners, but their minds, well, it is shocking. Will Mia find out what happens to her best friend or will she suffer the same fate?
Each neighbor has a story.
One of them knows the truth.
Paperback
Published June 1, 2022
57 people are currently reading
635 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 7, 2024
Respectfully, this was so bad. I felt like I was reading a terrible first draft.
November 24, 2023
Gag Me (and Perhaps the Writer)
I've been a voracious reader ever since I started reading, which is over 50 years ago. I read multiple books per week, and while, in general, I like how writers can self-publish without the gateway of a traditional publisher, it's created an environment where writers take shortcuts to pump out more books as they also pander to the lowest common denominator of reader. Frankly, within just a few chapters, I was thoroughly disgusted with this book. Why? First, it feels like it starts well into the story. This is a domestic thriller. We should have been shown through a few key scenes what the life of the woman who's now gone missing was like before that happened. Nothing of the sort here. In a thriller, you need to show some of what went before so that the reader or listener can have a better understanding of the character and what's at stake. You can't sympathize with the character you don't know. This seems to be a fiction writing 101 that so many contemporary self-published authors just do not get. The book is also just filled with profanity. I'll admit I have a low tolerance for this, but when it feels like certain viewpoint characters speak them every other word, it's just way too much for me and shows a certain lack of skill on the author’s part. After a certain point, the author, the story, and the character(s) can't come back from that … for me, anyway. Unless you like poorly and vulgarly written thrillers, stay away from this book.
I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
I've been a voracious reader ever since I started reading, which is over 50 years ago. I read multiple books per week, and while, in general, I like how writers can self-publish without the gateway of a traditional publisher, it's created an environment where writers take shortcuts to pump out more books as they also pander to the lowest common denominator of reader. Frankly, within just a few chapters, I was thoroughly disgusted with this book. Why? First, it feels like it starts well into the story. This is a domestic thriller. We should have been shown through a few key scenes what the life of the woman who's now gone missing was like before that happened. Nothing of the sort here. In a thriller, you need to show some of what went before so that the reader or listener can have a better understanding of the character and what's at stake. You can't sympathize with the character you don't know. This seems to be a fiction writing 101 that so many contemporary self-published authors just do not get. The book is also just filled with profanity. I'll admit I have a low tolerance for this, but when it feels like certain viewpoint characters speak them every other word, it's just way too much for me and shows a certain lack of skill on the author’s part. After a certain point, the author, the story, and the character(s) can't come back from that … for me, anyway. Unless you like poorly and vulgarly written thrillers, stay away from this book.
I received a promo code for this audiobook, but that did not affect my review.
January 11, 2023
For me, Playa Vista Social Club was like… thrillerLite. It’s like a little kid trying hard to be as cool as their teenage sister (real thrillers) and just falling short — more of a soap opera than a thriller. And I called “the twist” in the second chapter😬
Mia’s best friend Jade disappears at the height of the pandemic, when everyone is on lockdown. Fortunately, for the residents of the Playa Vista Towers, lockdown doesn’t really affect them. They’re the wealthiest of the wealthy, the upper echelon of LA, and their Towers has everything they could need. A gym, restaurants, shopping, and all their friends means they’re basically living in a perfect little bubble — that is, until one of them goes missing.
You can imagine the gossip circuit through the Towers, and Mia uses it to track down what really happened to her best friend. But is she in danger herself?
Honestly, if the plotline here sounds interesting to you, I recommend The Paris Apartment over Playa Vista.
Mia’s best friend Jade disappears at the height of the pandemic, when everyone is on lockdown. Fortunately, for the residents of the Playa Vista Towers, lockdown doesn’t really affect them. They’re the wealthiest of the wealthy, the upper echelon of LA, and their Towers has everything they could need. A gym, restaurants, shopping, and all their friends means they’re basically living in a perfect little bubble — that is, until one of them goes missing.
You can imagine the gossip circuit through the Towers, and Mia uses it to track down what really happened to her best friend. But is she in danger herself?
Honestly, if the plotline here sounds interesting to you, I recommend The Paris Apartment over Playa Vista.
May 13, 2024
A Gripping Tale of Betrayal and Deceit...
"Playa Vista Social Club" by Zina Patel is a psychological thriller that takes place in the idyllic setting of Silicon Beach. The vanishing of a well-known TikTok influencer devastates the affluent community, uncovering sinister truths and straining allegiances. Mia, a determined female detective and the closest companion of the missing influencer, assumes a pivotal role in the narrative as she strives to uncover the truth. The story develops amid intimidating backstreets and elite social club meetings, providing a gripping chronicle of treachery, deception, and surprising alliances. The narrative's suspenseful developments will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the shocking truth is unveiled. An enthralling journey in which allegiances are called into question and the true cost of luxury becomes painfully apparent, "Playa Vista Social Club" features sinister secrets that lie in wait at every turn.
"Playa Vista Social Club" by Zina Patel is a psychological thriller that takes place in the idyllic setting of Silicon Beach. The vanishing of a well-known TikTok influencer devastates the affluent community, uncovering sinister truths and straining allegiances. Mia, a determined female detective and the closest companion of the missing influencer, assumes a pivotal role in the narrative as she strives to uncover the truth. The story develops amid intimidating backstreets and elite social club meetings, providing a gripping chronicle of treachery, deception, and surprising alliances. The narrative's suspenseful developments will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the shocking truth is unveiled. An enthralling journey in which allegiances are called into question and the true cost of luxury becomes painfully apparent, "Playa Vista Social Club" features sinister secrets that lie in wait at every turn.
August 21, 2022
I was super thrilled to find a story about a high class beachy town/ condo. Yes, name brands of clothing/shoes etc... Gets thrown around but that's about the extent. Who doesn't like reading about lifestyles of the rich? I do, but didn't really get the feel for how rich they were supposed to be. Onto the story. A girl is missing. Their building has the best security that money can buy, so how did Jade go missing? Mia, her best friend will not rest until she finds out what happened to her. I think I'm reading too many thrillers because I guessed the villain way before they were exposed. The motive was mind binding to the point that I almost didn't understand the WHY. ALMOST.
Here's what I did like about the story.
The characters. There were many of them, but it showed how close neighbors can be.
Here's what I did like about the story.
The characters. There were many of them, but it showed how close neighbors can be.
March 5, 2022
Received as Goodreads giveaway. Easy read, plot line a bit far fetched. This book uses the pandemic to create a closed, British country house mystery vibe in a modern day setting, but it seems to deviate when inconvenient to the setting. The motive comes in rushed at the end, and not fully explained. It was a light read on the airplane - enjoyable enough if you suspend reality a bit.
April 18, 2022
Not for me
I very much enjoyed the premise of this book, but there were so many characters I could not get invested in any of them. The pace of the story I also found to be painfully slow, with not much driving the story forward. I do appreciate the close friendships that the author portrays and how a best friend will go to any lengths to find her friend.
I very much enjoyed the premise of this book, but there were so many characters I could not get invested in any of them. The pace of the story I also found to be painfully slow, with not much driving the story forward. I do appreciate the close friendships that the author portrays and how a best friend will go to any lengths to find her friend.
October 16, 2025
We are here for more and more Black authors in the mystery suspense thriller spaces! Ms. Patel has given Us an intriguing tale of the wealthy and the wayward. Whoo chile! The twists! And its an smooth n easy beach read. And We love a beach read! Yes Ms. Patel! Keep these well crafted tales a~comin'!
September 11, 2024
This book is a good book to get back into reading. It’s not too heavy, and kept my attention. Story is told from different perspectives which I really enjoyed. I wouldn’t necessarily categorize this as a thriller.
January 21, 2025
Really liked the way the author wrote each chapter from the POV of different characters. That allowed me to better understand various perspectives while maintaining an understanding of the overall plot. Enjoyed the main character and her undying friendship for the victim. Good read.
November 18, 2025
This book grabbed a hold of me and wouldn't let go! Sooo good!
This book was so good. Short and sweet and kept your attention the entire time. If you love thrillers but are in a bit of a reading slum this would be a great one to get you out of it
This book was so good. Short and sweet and kept your attention the entire time. If you love thrillers but are in a bit of a reading slum this would be a great one to get you out of it
February 4, 2022
Wonderful storyline. A true page Turner.
February 5, 2023
Poorly written - lots of exposition, every character sounded the same, no one was interesting, the mystery wasn’t compelling in the slightest.
October 17, 2023
Terribly written with pretty predictable and stereotypical characters. DNF but I don’t think I needed to.
November 30, 2023
I enjoyed this book, and it kept me engaged. I liked the different viewpoints from various characters. It was a good, easy read.
February 29, 2024
This one took a bit to get through. It was like Real Housewives meets Dateline. It took a while to get to the point.
March 18, 2025
Very predictable
June 4, 2025
I liked this book, it kept me interested. the end was very abrupt though I would have liked there to be more conflict/action at the end of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2025
Not great! Took me about 2 years to finish reading it as I kept putting it down as it wasn’t going anywhere! It picked up about 2/3s in but then it was a ending that could be seen a mile away!
December 7, 2025
Jade goes missing during the lockdown and mia does all she can to find out whos to blame. You just dont no who you can trust could be those closer than you think.
Really good book. Well written
Really good book. Well written
October 14, 2022
Best friends, don't give up!
The super-rich, locked down in a high rise during COVID, had it all; shopping, restaurants, a gym, and even a spa to occupy their time. How lucky can you get! The author goes into great detail, acquainting the readers with the many characters and their partying lifestyle. Even when Jade, a woman purported to be good friends with many of the women, goes missing, the partying continues. Weeks turn into months, and the Police are getting nowhere. However, Mia, Jade’s best friend, is distraught and determined to find out what happened to her. The ending was a surprise; even though I thought I knew who had kidnapped her, I had no idea why!
The super-rich, locked down in a high rise during COVID, had it all; shopping, restaurants, a gym, and even a spa to occupy their time. How lucky can you get! The author goes into great detail, acquainting the readers with the many characters and their partying lifestyle. Even when Jade, a woman purported to be good friends with many of the women, goes missing, the partying continues. Weeks turn into months, and the Police are getting nowhere. However, Mia, Jade’s best friend, is distraught and determined to find out what happened to her. The ending was a surprise; even though I thought I knew who had kidnapped her, I had no idea why!
January 4, 2023
A complete waste of time. This was a kindle unlimited book and the cover looked interesting but the writing was so bad.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews