June 10, 2016 / Leslie

Book Review & Giveaway

Beach Read, Tandem Literary, Women's Fiction

The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews

Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press | May 2016
Format: Hardcover | 464 pages
Rating: 4 of 5

From the Publisher

Some people stay all summer long on the idyllic island of Belle Isle, North Carolina. Others come only for the weekends-and the mix between the regulars and “the weekenders” can sometimes make the sparks fly. Riley Griggs has a season of good times with friends and family ahead of her on Belle Isle when things take an unexpected turn. While waiting for her husband to arrive on the ferry one Friday afternoon, Riley is confronted by a process-server who thrusts papers into her hand. And her husband is nowhere to be found.

The Story

Riley Griggs and her teenage daughter, Maggie, are planning to spend the summer as they always do on Belle Island. But on the day they were to leave for the island, Riley’s husband, Wendell, never showed up at the ferry to join them as planned. Instead she is served with papers by a process-server shortly before departure. Riley assumes these are divorce papers and is furious. She and Wendell were having problems and planned to tell their daughter, together, about their decision to divorce, and now he does this. And he is not answering her text messages.

When they arrive at the island, the situation only gets worse. Riley finds a foreclosure notice on their home and the locks have been changed. Riley is stunned. She had no idea they had financial problems. She will soon learn there are a lot of things her husband kept hidden from her. And when he turns up dead — murdered — she is left to solve the mystery and discover what secrets her husband was keeping.

Thoughts

A perfect summer read with a blend of mystery, romance, and a summer island setting.

Although over 450 pages, this was a fast read. Mary Kay Andrews has an easy writing style and I find her books a nice break from the intense psychological thrillers, sci-fi, and non-fiction I often choose. Vivid descriptions, colorful characters, and snappy dialog keep the plot moving quickly.

While a charming and captivating story, it was not very realistic. But that’s the point — this is a book you read for fun, entertainment, and escapism.

Win a copy of the book – US Only

Courtesy of the publicist, I have one copy of The Weekenders to give away to a reader with a US mailing address. To enter, fill out the form below on or before midnight, Saturday, June 18th.

Tweet for an extra entry.

One random winner will be chosen and notified by email.

[Giveaway has ended]

Winner: Nancy

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Source: Review copy provided by the publisher and Tandem Literary.
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