A review by sharonleavy
The Festival by Sarah J. Naughton

dark mysterious medium-paced

3.75

Four best friends go to a festival together in honour of a landmark birthday. 

It's supposed to be a fun, nostalgic trip - but it goes wrong before it even starts when one of the women, recently widowed, loses her job and has to move back in with her parents. She doesn't want the others to know, but they are all dealing with their own issues - Thea's stepchildren are driving her insane, and all she wants is a child with her millionaire husband. Mel is coming to terms with her only son, Billy, leaving home for college. Lenny (Linny? Lanny? Apologies) is panicking about her health, particularly what a decline in her health could mean for her children. 

The four go off on their jaunt - but things soon turn sour when they are confronted by the past in several different ways. Should nostalgia just be - y'know - left in the past? 

I liked this. I devoured it one night before bed, and although it got a little daft towards the end, I couldn't really fault the lead up and the writing style. I still remember most of it weeks after which is always a good sign. A solid, well written thriller.