A review by booksbybindu
The Summer Girl by Jenny Blackhurst

4.0

‘The Summer Girl’ was an unputdownable thriller that I devoured in one day! Jenny Blackhurst is an author who I know that when I pick up one of her books that I am guaranteed a great read! She is brilliant at writing thrillers that will entertain the reader. I think this is the best that she has written though as it is fully believable that people could act that way. I like it when a thriller is authentic and relatable as it's scarier if it feels like it could happen in real life. This is definitely the case here!

Claire’s little sister Holly has been working in Martha’s Vineyard for the summer and has been enjoying the life of barefoot parties and dalliances with the local rich kids. But now she is missing and the local police do not care. They think a message that Claire received is proof that she is safe. But Claire knows that is it impossible that Holly sent that message and heads to Martha’s Vineyard to find Holly herself. Who are the locals protecting and what does it have to do with another girl who went missing five years ago?

I devoured this in one sitting and was fully immersed in it. It was full of tension from the start, especially with that prologue! The tension is lightened with sparks of humour sprinkled throughout and the author had a wry way of writing at times. Both Claire and Holly come across as likeable girls and I especially thought that both girls were relatable with their actions which were born out of grief. I was 21 when my mum died and I fled away for the summer and had too many drunken nights as well.

The narrative I found to be entertaining and full of twists and turns! It was an engrossing read and at times I was mentally shouting at the characters for their stupid decisions. This would make for a great tv series as it really pulls at the heartstrings and the location would be a dream on screen! I did figure out that ending but the reveal was unfolded in a brilliant way!

Let me know if you pick this one up!