DEAD OF SUMMER by Jessa Maxwell

4 stars

Great new psychological thriller from Jessa Maxwell, whose other two books The Golden Spoon and I Need You to Read This proved delightful as well!

Orla O’Connor returns to Hadley Island for the first time in a decade, a small and remote New England island where she grew up. Orla’s come reluctantly to clear out her family’s beach house in order to put it up for sale, and perhaps to clear up her past that continues to haunt her.

Orla is haunted by her long- standing crush on David Clark, the scion of an uber wealthy family who lives on the island. But the homecoming particularly depresses Orla because of the disappearance of her best childhood friend Alice during the Clark’s annual fourth of July party. Alice was presumed dead as her body was never found.

Henry, a local fisherman, has isolated himself on a small island off Hadley Island after police accused him of being somehow involved in Alice’s death. Henry, though declaiming his innocence, became a social pariah and relies on a relative to drop off groceries to his eroding pier. But using a telescope, Henry vigilantly watches the goings on in town.

The summer Orla that has come back, the Clark family has decided for the first time to re-host their July fourth party. David has come home with his girlfriend Faith who’s impatiently hoping he’ll put a ring on their relationship.

The story shifts narration between Orla, Henry and Faith. Things start to go haywire, freaking out Orla as she sees lights come on in Alice’s abandoned house next door and an attractive local girl goes missing,

The sinister atmosphere proves gripping.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.