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Reading age
12-17
Genre
Thriller
Publisher
Delacorte Press
Publication date
March 18, 2025
What dark truth will be exposed about this picture-perfect island?
Lucia, affectionately known as Lu by those closest to her, is a 17-year-old girl traveling with her mother to meet her mom’s new boyfriend, Todd, for the summer. Despite the challenges she faces, especially after the tragic loss of her best friend, Lucia tries her best to support her mom. However, her world takes another dramatic turn when she discovers a dead body on the beach. Although the incident is quickly hushed up, Lucia can’t help but feel curious: who is the girl?
This marks the fourth thriller I’ve delved into this year. Although the opening felt a tad drawn out, it soon gathered momentum, pulling me into a gripping narrative. The beach backdrop was a refreshing change, casting an almost haunting atmosphere that lingered like the salty breeze.
Lucia embodies the spirit of kids my age, navigating the complexities of adolescence with relatable nuances. I appreciated the ample character development she experiences early in the story, allowing me to connect with her on a deeper level. Her mother, despite her efforts to nurture Lucia, often finds herself caught up in the whims of romance, distracted by her lovesick infatuation with her boyfriend. In contrast, Todd maintains a stern demeanor, yet his son, Eric, emerges as a beacon of kindness, exuding warmth and compassion.
This captivating tale is perfect for thriller enthusiasts who crave narratives set in worlds where hidden truths lie just beneath the surface.
My rating
About the Author
Rachel Ekstrom Courage is the author of the Young Adult thriller Nothing Bad Happens Here (PRH/Delacorte) and Murder By Cheesecake: A Golden Girls Cozy Mystery (Hyperion Avenue/Disney). She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband (the children’s book author Nick Courage) and their dog, Chaely.
By day, she’s the founder of Courage Literary, advocating for books and authors that make the world a better, smarter, and more interesting place. As a literary agent, Rachel has represented the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon Best Sellers. Her clients include GoodReads Choice Award Winners, IndieNext Picks, and Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections as well as finalists for the Lambda Award, the National Jewish Book Award, and the ITW Thriller Award.
