THE DAHLIA SUITE by Carinn Jade

4 stars

At a lush, exclusive, highly discreet resort getaway in the Caribbean, celebrities and the uber wealthy flock to retreat steeped in luxury. At Sueños Resort on Beck Island, Gabby as the ever-resourceful, upbeat concierge sees to all their needs, no matter how outlandish. Gabby has cultivated relationships and suppliers from around the world- from bringing to the island a leading fortune telling psychic to Zoom access to top medical infertility experts to having unique treats flown in by private helicopter. Gabby’s been at the resort since dropping out of law school, where she felt out of place among privileged peers given her own impoverished background.

But events converge that throw Gabby into a situation above her head. First, it starts with two powerful women checking in as guest- famous actress Lindsay Law who’s bemoaning her fate as she just got passed over again for an Academy Award. Then there’s Paige Foster, the wife of one of legal executives running the business side of the resort, and her ongoing struggles with fertility. Gabby feels personally drawn to them both, and steps above her concierge duties to befriend and try to help them.

And then there are huge, vague sinister elements at play hanging over all of their heads: a young resort worker who was supposed to have gone off to New York City to pursue her acting ambitions washing up dead at the island’s shore. There’s the founder of the island, Oscar winning actress Mara Morgon and her business husband Alan Fish who both died in a mysterious fire consuming their island home. As Gabby realizes that there may be other missing girls, Paige and Lindsay delve deep into the legend and untold history of Mara Morgan, all the women’s investigations converge on a source of evil at work- which may involve the many male executives who come for long stays to handle the resort’s business.

All this culminates in thrills and unexpected reveals- which if you can set aside skepticism about all the over-the-top astrology and tarot card readings which I had to do, makes for a great, compelling story with a heart-lifting ending.

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.