Sunset beach by Mary Kay Andrews is a mystery story. The story goes into a lot of details of Drue trying to solve the case that her father represented. Read it you will find it interesting. Is very well written not exactly my type of book.

If you're looking for a relaxing great beach read you have found it! This is a fantastic book with well developed characters, a nice easy pace and a story that has a little of everything. Family drama for sure. A woman looking for her happy place in life. Mixed in is a little mystery as Drue not only investigates a current day homicide but also researches a possible homicide from years ago. I would have enjoyed the book a bit more of a romantic element played a bigger role but overall it was a very entertaining read and a book I highly recommend.

The cover and title might lead you to think this is purely a "beach read", and you wouldn't be wrong. What makes it interesting is that it's a beach read with elements of many different types of the genre - mystery (a couple of mysteries, actually), romance, family drama. And yes, even the beach. None of the characters are particularly likeable in the beginning - Drue, the main character, is a bit of a hot mess. Her dad seems like a jerk. Her former best friend/current stepmom seems like the stereotypical combination stepmother/trophy wife. But as the story rolls along and we learn more about the characters and their backgrounds we realize things aren't always what they seem. Good mysteries, a little romance, and a sense of place that makes me want to head to the beach with a good book right now, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more by Mary Kay Andrews.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

This book has a little bit of everything. Suspense, romance, murder, family dysfunction and a little bit of fun all rolled up into one book. Even though there was a lot going on it didn't get confusing and I really liked being along with Drue while she changed her entire life and came back from terrible circumstances. Great beach read for this summer!

It’s been a while since I read a book by Mary Kay Andrews. In the past, most of the books I have read by this author where fairly lengthy but funny rom-com novels. With “Sunset Beach”, while the fun and some romance is still present, the books focuses on solving not one but two mystery whodunnits.

As I was nearing the end of the book, I was hoping that this novel would be the start of a series featuring Drue and Zee as investigators for the law firm they both work for. There is an Epilogue which seems to doom this hope to failure; however, I think that Mary Kay Adrews could (and should) still consider doing a series featuring this intrepid and intelligent heroine.

The story is (mostly) about Drue. She has recently been injured doing a sport to which she had dedicated her life. She has also lost her job and is in fairly desperate straits. In walks her father with an offer. He wants her to come to work for his law firm which seems to be a bit of an ambulance chaser place.

Although their relationship is not great (to put it mildly), Drue agrees. Little did she know that she would be working with another figure or two from her past. While the situation is difficult, it allows her to live and fix up the shambles of a house she has recently inherited.

Drue becomes intrigued and then more than slightly obsessed with solving a crime that seems to have solved, at least as far as her father’s law firm is considered.

Along the way to researching this case (on the sly as she is told repeatedly that the case is DONE), she stumbles across another mystery from the past. She finds herself caught up in solving that much more personal mystery as well.

As always with Ms. Andrews books, I found the book to be a really good read. With the mystery elements included, the book moved into my favorite genre. I will certainly be back to read more of her books in the future. Hope against hope, this will not be the last time I visit with Drue Campbell.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

This wasn't the worst nor the best read of the week but it was something different. This was the first read by this author but definitely not the last and I will be diving back in for more in the future. Drue is not having a good time with life. At the age of 36 she has just been fired from her waitressing job, has an injured knee and her mother has just passed away from cancer. To top all that off, her estranged father has just showed up and offered her a job. He is a personal injury lawyer and once she moves she finds out he is now married to her once friend, now enemy from grade school, Wendy. Well, that doesn't go over good, especially since they will be working together. However, the one redeeming thing is she has found out she has an inheritance from her grandfather of his old beach bungalow...his delapidated bungalow. That is okay, she is on the beach. This story is rich with mystery but light on romance. It could have used more romance and really trimmed of length as I found myself bored before I was through but I was thoroughly entertained.

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

Sunset Beach is not my typical type of read but overall I really enjoyed this book. Story kept me interested which is hard to do sometimes.

Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews book is a masterful mystery. Drue is a woman in her mid 30s when she moves to St. Petersburg from Ft. Lauderdale. Her mother has recently died and her estranged father, Brice, offers her a job in his St. Petersburg law firm. Brice surprises Drue with the news that she has inherited her maternal grandparent's cottage on nearby Sunset Beach. Drue fixes up the beloved cottage and adjusts to her new job and surroundings. She hates her job working the phones at the law firm, but becomes fascinated by a case that may have not been handled properly. Drue wants to help the family get a larger settlement, but she does not know who she can trust. She decides to open her own investigation and will not stop until her questions are answered. She is also fascinated by a mysterious police binder she discovered in her cottage. Sunset Beach is a story of being open minded and Andrews does an excellent job of developing the relationship between Brice and Drue. The mysteries are excellent, with many twists and surprises. Sunset Beach is an entertaining novel on multiple levels.

I received Sunset Beach written by Mary Kay Andrews from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. This is the second book I have read written by Andrews.
Drue Campbell life is stalled and she doesn't know what to do about it. After losing her mom, she losses interest in life itself. When her estranged father, Brice- a personal injury attorney- shows up, she is upset, mad, and resentful. But Brice offers her a job , and a chance to get her life back on track. She grudgingly joins the firm weeding out grifters. But when she meets a woman wronged by her father in a wrongful death suit, she starts to investigate on her own. But will it upturn Drue's new life just as she is getting her bearings.
Sunset Beach was a joy to read. Drue is 37, single, and adrift!! No true friends she can call, she doesn't have her act together and isn't sure where to go next. When her father shows up, she doesn't want to accept his help but knows she doesn't have a choice. The go is rough in their relationship. Resentful for the years lost, Drue throws up barriers left and right. When she meets a woman who believes Drue's father should have done more for her wrongful death suit, Drue begins to investigate on her own out of spite. But as she digs deeper into the case, gets to know her father better, and slowly comes to terms with her mother's death, she realizes she could be wrong about a lot.
Sunset Beach was at times predictable but the fact that the main character was a mess (like me 5 years ago) made me smile. I truly understand the resentment and walls and revenge Drue has for her father. Some of the secondary characters where wonderful as well especially Corey (you will see). But, I do believe some of the secondary characters should have been developed a little more. For their importance for Drue, they seemed to be lacking a little. All in all a wonderful read that I didn't get bored with!! #SunsetBeach #NetGalley

It has been a few years since I’ve read a book by Mary Kay Andrews. Reading Sunset Beach and reacquainting myself with her signature writing style, I honestly don’t know why it’s taken me so long to dive back into her novels, but I’m certainly glad that I have.

After experiencing a great deal of loss and disappointment, Drue Campbell’s life is anything but stable and secure. With the recent loss of her mother, her job, her boyfriend, and an injury that has prevented her from participating in a sport that she’s always been passionate about, there is nothing keeping Drue in Fort Lauderdale. When her estranged father shows up at her mother’s funeral and offers her a job at his law firm, Drue is less than enthusiastic for this opportunity to work closely with her father and his latest wife – who also just so happens to be one of Drue’s old “friends.” But when her father also informs her that she is the new owner of her grandparents’ beloved cottage on Sunset Beach, well, it would be impossible to turn down a much-needed place to hang her hat – even if the cottage is now a dilapidated version from her childhood memories.

It was impossible to not feel for Drue and her situation. I was on her side from the very beginning. She had her work cut out for her, not only with her cottage, but also with her new job and co-workers. Answering calls for potential cases and claims wasn’t what she had ever envisioned herself doing, but a paycheck was a paycheck, and Drue needed the money. But when a particular client and case sparked Drue’s interest, she was bound and determined to get to the bottom of it, even if it was out of her job description and experience.

Not only were Drue’s amateur sleuth skills in full force with a two-year-old death/murder at a local resort, but she also discovered some old newspaper clippings and a missing persons file from a case from over forty years ago while she was up in the attic of her cottage. This only fueled her curiosity even more. Why would her grandparents or mother have this box of information? How did they know this missing woman? I loved this part of this novel. The book alternated between the more recent case and the case from the 1970s. I was just as caught up in the mystery of it as Drue was. I was right there beside her trying to solve these two mysteries.

Sunset Beach was a well-rounded reading experience. Mary Kay Andrews delivered an intriguing story that was filled with family drama, two mysteries, interesting characters, and a touch of romance. It was an entertaining novel that held my interest and had me flipping the pages in anticipation.

*4 Stars

First, thank you to NetGalley for an e-book copy of this newest novel by Mary Kay Andrews. Once again, she shines, and this one is a bit of it all!! Sunset Beach where her father has hired her, and many things are happening, take you along for the ride. Excellent, another Mary Kay at her best!! Thank you!!

Mary Kay Andrews has done it again, folks! MKA is one author that I look forward to reading every summer. Her southern fiction, with a touch of mystery, is always at the top of my list. Sunset Beach did not disappoint! I think this might be my favorite, even above Save the Date and The High Tide Club!

We're introduced to Drue, a 36 yr old, down on her luck, who recently lost her mom and is now faced with returning to her childhood hometown to work for her estranged dad. She's also dealing with losing her favorite hobby. Drue was a really enjoyable character for me--sarcastic and sassy, does it get any better?

What I love most of MKA and Sunset Beach is all the scenery that I can easily picture when I close my eyes. The detailed writing makes you feel like you were sitting on the beach chair, watching the blue heron with your feet in the sand while the sun set over the water.

I also love that there was a mystery to be solved, but it didn't feel like a crime novel. I don't know how she does it, but it was so smooth, I couldn't stop reading!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this novel. All thoughts are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! It's a story of challenges, and learning to forgive and grow. It has a mystery that kept me guessing. I hope there will be more books featuring these characters. I think it would make a good series.

I received an Advanced Review Copy of Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews from the publisher St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Drue is at a crossroads; she's destroyed her knee and can't kite surf anymore, her mother just died, and to make things worse her boyfriend didn't bother to come to the funeral. Then her father shows up offering her a house and a job and with no real other options, she goes. Things aren't going well, she struggles at her job and things are awkward with her dad. Then a dissatisfied client shows up and Drue is thrown into two mysteries.

What I Loved: The mysteries were lightish reading, I loved the amateur detective solving a mystery with the backset of beautiful Florida. It was a fun read and I kept turning to find out what would happen next and to figure out who did it.

What I didn’t like so much: Drue was an unlikeable character and it felt like she was unnecessarily cruel to her father. I wanted to yell at her and say, 'GIRL! Move on!'. I also saw the major twist coming and so that disappointed me.

Who Should Read It: People looking for light beach reading with a mystery.

General Summary: A story of a girl at a crossroads who tries to be uncover what really happened with a cold case.

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

This is my first book by Mary Kay Andrews, although she is a favorite of my oldest daughter. Should be fun! I've got a conundrum with this book. I'm not sure just what it is. I didn't read the blurb and started expecting a Chick-Lit sort of romance. It's not really that. It is definitely Chick-Lit as the 36 year old chick is sorting out issues from her childhood with her father, moving on with her life after an accident that has ended her favorite recreational activity, the death of her mother, the breakup with a long time boyfriend and the loss of a dead end job. In other words, just about her whole world crashed.

No woo-is-me martyr, just a woman putting it together without the help of anyone from the male species. Drue Campbell is determined to fix up the beachfront cottage that had belonged to her grandparents and to make peace with her father and newest stepmom. But, there is also a mystery, make that two mysteries she has fallen into, both of which involve her father and one is over 40 years old. I just love how she keeps digging even after she has been warned off.

This is a very interesting read, not at all what I am normally into. I still have no idea what to Bookshelf/tag this book. It just doesn't fit neatly into a specific genre, so since the mysteries were a big part of the plot, I'm going to call it a Mystery - or - a Chick-Lit Mystery, but I don't think that's an actual genre. Maybe a Chick-Lit Mystery Cozy Romance? Read the book and if you can come up with a better Tag, let me know.

I expected this book to be a typical beach book, not too serious, with a little romance. Instead it was much more complex and I really liked it much more than I thought I would. I ended up really caring about Drue and appreciating the struggle she was going through with her father to try to mend their relationship. The fact that there ended up being 2 mysteries involved really added a lot of dimension and depth to the story. And there were a few unexpected twists thrown into the mix!

I feel like I read a different book than everyone else. Goodreads is full of reviewers that loved this book and I didn’t like it. I was hoping for more of a beach read, but it was more mystery, which I wasn’t in love with.

There are 2 mysteries to be solved in Sunset Beach. The first one is dating back 40 years, where a beautiful woman disappeared one day. The second is in present day, where a young mother was found dead at her workplace. There was some twists and turns and some red herrings thrown in, but overall I found that they weren’t great mysteries.

I didn’t enjoyed the main character, Drue and it was mostly due to the writing of the author. The author drilled what happened over the reader so many times, it was annoying. Drue would take action and something would happen. Then Drue would tell person A exactly what happened. And then she told person B the exact same thing. I didn’t need to be told what happened three times, I got it the first time.

Really repetitive and sadly not the light beach read I was looking for.

I really enjoyed Mary Kay Andrews’ Sunset Beach! It’s a great blend of family drama, romance, and mystery. I’ve listened to several of Mary Kay Andrews’ books, and I have enjoyed them all. Sunset Beach has more depth and a better-defined mystery plot than Ms. Andrews’ prior books, and I couldn’t put down this fun cozy mystery.

There is a good deal of scene set up and character development, and lucky for the reader, the plot contains not one but two mysteries. Both are nicely plotted with building tension throughout the story. My usual complaint about cozy mysteries is that the crime is presented, and then it is basically abandoned until the miraculous reveal at the end. I was so delighted that the mysteries and the unraveling were both thoughtfully explored throughout the story.


The story is told from the point of view of the heroine, Drue Campbell. She is portrayed as a strong, independent woman, but there were many times that she seemed like a woman-child who petulantly fought her father and her, rather unlikable, step-mother. While pursuing justice for Jazmin and a 40-year-old missing person case, Drue juggles a few prospective romantic relationships. I loved the author’s use of the shabby and in-need-of-a-renovation beach cottage as a metaphor for Drue’s life. Between the chip on her shoulder, her life changing accident, and the loss of her mother and job, Drue is in a state of disrepair at the start of the book. As she investigates the mysteries and cleans up her inherited cottage, her life and attitude also improve.

Sunset Beach is an engaging, easy-to-read cozy mystery. While the cover might bring to mind “beach read”, readers will be glued to the book wherever they are reading!

4.5 stars

Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Mary Kay Andrews, the Queen of the Beach read, has delivered another book with "inviting dialogue, beautiful settings, low-stakes drama, and happy endings," although this time it's a darker, more intricate tale. The book will go on sale May 7, 2019.

Drue, down on her luck, moves back home and takes a job in her father's personal injury law firm. This isn't what she planned to do with her life so she is distracted by a couple of cases that she obsesses over. I'm not a big reader of chic-lit and kept putting the book down until I got closer to the ending. The Kindle edition I read included suggested book club questions and several recipes.

My guess is that this entry, in the long list of books by Mary Kay Andrews, will be another best-seller.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is only my second book my MKA and I’m so excited to see she has such an extensive backlist because I enjoyed this one so much! I really expected it be light and fluffy but it went darker than I thought as it delves into two murder cases. Besides that though it did have plenty of lighthearted humor, romance and a heroine that I was rooting for all along.

I don’t often describe WF as gripping but this one really was, Drue stumbles upon an old unsolved missing persons case and she’s also digging into a more recent murder case with ties to her fathers law firm. I was so interested in both cases and loved Drue as an amateur sleuth. She was a fantastic lead character, enough bad ass fearlessness mixed with real life, realistic clumsiness to make it believable. Her life is messy and complicated and those kind of characters are always my favorite kind.

This was a really fun read and one that held my interest all the way through, MKA’s writing style was fluid and easy and the setting of Sunset Beach was fabulous. If this book doesn’t make you want to rent a little beachside cottage and mix up a mai tai I don’t know what will, totally recommended by me to add to your summer reading list!

Sunset Beach in three words: Humorous, Entertaining and Engaging.