A delightful psychological thriller told from several conflicting perspectives.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SUMMARY
Caroline Stark notices the stranger on the beach staring up at her brand new, and very expensive house. He is very handsome, but it looks like he was up to no good. Other houses in the area had recently been robbed, perhaps he is casing the house? He looks like a local and she knew that people like him resented people like her, people that have everything: good looks, apartment in the city, nice car, and fancy parties.
The very next day, Caroline’s perfect life takes a turn for the worse. Caroline’s husband, Jason an successful investment banker, shows up at the beach house-warming party with another woman, his Russian mistress. He tells Caroline he wants a divorce, and then closes her bank accounts and credit cards. Caroline’s lavish lifestyle collapses around her. She turns to Aiden, the stranger on the beach who turns out to be a local bartender with a past, for comfort and maybe even a little revenge. A one night stand for Aiden turns into an obsession with Caroline. She is, and she has everything he ever wanted. When Caroline’s husband goes missing, her life descends into a nightmare that leaves her accused of her husband’s murder.
REVIEW
A STRANGER ON THE BEACH is a delightfully entertaining read. It’s a psychological thriller told from several conflicting perspectives, and you may think you know which perspective is right. But don’t be to quick to judge. There are so many twists and turns on this beach trip you are going to want to race to the end to uncover the truth.
I loved the vivid descriptions of Caroline’s gorgeous house on the beach with the wall of windows over looking the ocean, the infinity pool, the media room, the lighting system, and the soaring French limestone fireplace! Who wouldn’t want a place like that on the beach!
Books that keep you guessing are fun, but I got a little confused at times with the variety of perspectives and the unreliable characters. Who is manipulating who? And why? Even so, it’s a perfect read for a day at the beach. Just watch out for the category four hurricane that is headed straight your way.
Author Michele Campbell is a graduate of Harvard College and Stanford Law School and a former federal prosecutor in New York City who specializes in international narcotics and gang cases. Several years ago she moved with her husband and two children to an idyllic New England college town. She now teaches criminal and constitutional law and writes novels. Other books by Michele Campbell include She was the Quiet One (2018) and It’s Always the Husband (2017)
Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and Michele Campbell for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Published July 23, 2019
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com
