beach wedding by michael ledwidge.
When Terry Rourke arrives at his brother's luxurious wedding on the east coast of the USA - summer home to billionaires and Hollywood stars - his biggest worry is the best man speech. But this isn't the first time Terry has been to the Hamptons.
A very good read with good characters. I liked the story. 4*.

Beach Wedding is gripping and highly entertaining thriller. Terry Rourke is invited a very lavish beach wedding in the Hampton and he's a little nervous. Will the past come back to haunt him? He can't help but looking into an old Hampton's murder case while he's there. Secrets start to unravel and the beach wedding turns dangerous. I had a blast reading this one. The Beach Wedding fast paced, interesting and easy to follow.

Favorite Quote:

The running of the bullshitters.

My Review:

This book tickled my fancy as well as tripped my curiosity and held my rapt attention throughout with unpredictable and entertaining intrigue combined with lashings of amusingly wry and whip-smart wit. I fell right into this well nuanced and engaging tale and was huffing to keep up with the active storylines while my mind was racing with countless theories. Though totally unfamiliar to me, this prolific author has crazy good word voodoo and an impressive backlist. I’ve got some catching up to do.

I had previously read Michael Ledwidge’s collaboration series (Michael Bennett) with James Patterson and I was curious to see how how a stand alone novel by just himself would be. Based on the description of Beach Wedding, I was hoping for a novel that would be filled with beautiful beach imagery (especially the wedding!) and a drama filled mystery. Unfortunately that wasn’t what I got.

The lead character, Terry, is exactly the type of main character that you would expect from a James Patterson or Harlan Coben novel. He’s a family man with a beautiful wife that he adores and all around good guy. I do get tired reading about these types of characters since they bore me and I tend to roll my eyes reading about their wonderful lives. I like reading about characters that have a bit of flaws and aren’t seen as perfect people.

The mystery was lacking to me. I was intrigued on what had happened in Terry’s youth that caused his family to be isolated by the town. The novel had Terry running around all over, talking to different people and by the end of the novel I was confused by all of the characters.

2 calculators out of a potential 5. Sadly a miss for me.

Thank you to Netgallery and Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This story tells a great tale of what can happen between townies and rich people. This is a story that starts at a wedding on the beach and then goes on to tell a story of what happened in the past. Then we get to know what is happening again during the 30 days before the wedding. This has a lot of suspense and a murder is solved. I love that the chapters are short. I love the characters. I loved Tom and Viv. There were some surprises in the story. I received a copy of this book from Harlequin for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

When I think of a beach wedding, a decades-old mystery, a crooked DA, and scandalous secrets of moneyed society aren’t what come to mind. But that, and more, is what we get in Michael Ledwidge’s Beach Wedding.

Tom Roarke is getting married, and he’s doing it up big. He’s rented a palatial house in the Hamptons for his big to-do, and he’s invited the whole family. Terry, Tom’s brother and our protagonist, never wanted to go back to the Hamptons, but he’ll do it for Tom.

In the midst of all the pre-wedding activities, Terry stumbles upon a stash of information accumulated by deceased author Xavier Kelsey. Information pertaining to the only case Terry’s father ever lost when he was prosecuting, the case against Hamptons socialite Hailey Sutton for the murder of her her husband, Noah. The pull of the past is too much for Terry, and he delves into the past, determined to see Hailey Sutton pay for her crime. But is she guilty? If not, who is? Therein lies the story, with all its twists and turns.

Beach Wedding was a little bit of a slow starter for me, but it soon picked up. The ritzy, summery Hamptons beach setting was a perfect foil for the dark underbelly of the past that Terry found himself deeper and deeper in. There were several nail-biting moments, and more than one thing that I didn’t see coming. I love it when a book can surprise me more than once!

That being said, I did have to suspend an awful lot of disbelief. There were times where I thought, okay, Terry is supposed to a be a cop, is he really going to do THAT? It made for an exciting read, but this former prosecutor had a little bit of a hard time believing that things would have unfolded as they did, given some of the things Terry did to achieve his goal.

I know it’s not summer yet, but this would be an excellent summer read. Engaging, a quick read once you get past the first little bit, and characters you’ll either love or love to hate. I give it four solid stars.

If I didn't know it, I would think I was reading a James Patterson book, and I haven't read one for years. The style (short chapters, rapid pacing) and the "feel" of it make it the perfect book for those who have come to appreciate Ledwidge's collaborations with Patterson in the past.

It the story of Terry Rourke, who, along with his wife and young daughter, travel to the Hamptons from Pennsylvania to participate in Terry's brother Tom's lavish wedding. It is soon revealed that Terry's family hails from the community, where their late father was an attorney who was well known for prosecuting the wife of a wealthy, powerful man who was murdered. The more Terry thinks about that time of his life, the more he wants to find out what really happened back then. However, that's going to throw him into the middle of something that people do not want revealed.

This is an entertaining novel with a few twists and enjoyable if you suspend a bit of disbelief. I got pretty irritated with Terry for his armchair sleuthing (he is a cop, but he wasn't acting in that capacity here) and neglecting his family and his brother to go off on this tangent. He took risks that were not necessary, and ignored warnings that he absolutely should have followed.

There are also a large number of characters that did not need to be included. I am not sure why we needed to be introduced to all of Terry's siblings and their spouses and their children when none of them factored into the story at all. The wedding activities seemed like boring filler because they just didn't further the storyline at all. I know, it gave them a reason to be in the Hamptons, but it made things muddy at times.

Overall, if you like a decently fast paced mystery with a James Patterson-esque feel, then this is an excellent choice for you.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
BEACH WEDDING starts a little slow as the background is established. In the present, Terry is attending his brother’s wedding in one of the richest neighbourhoods in the country. We are soon taken back 20 years to when Terry is 17 years old. A rich and powerful local, Noah Sutton, is murdered and Terry’s dad prosecutes the case. In the present, the Rourke family are spending the next month living right near the Sutton home.

We move back to the present and Terry, now a Philly cop, gets his hands on the research of a deceased author who was planning to write a book on the murder. Although he is supposed to be spending time with his family, Terry decides to follow up the leads left by the author. This is where the story picks up speed. Some people refuse to talk about the murder while others are happy to help. One clue leads to more, corruption is uncovered. The further into the investigation Terry gets, the more danger he puts himself in and the more the tension builds. There are so many twists and turns, and in a few scenes the tension had me on the edge of my seat. If I’d been watching a movie rather than reading a book, my hand would have been covering my eyes. As it was, once or twice I had to pause and take a breath and get myself together so I could keep reading.

BEACH WEDDING was a thrilling read right to the very end and I’d recommend it to those who enjoy the genre. This is the first time I’ve read a book by Michael Ledwidge and I’ll definitely be looking out for more of Ledwidge’s work in the future.

I knew that I wanted to read Beach Wedding as soon as I first read the blurb. The promise of a Hamptons setting, an old murder trial and danger along the way made it impossible to resist this story, and I'm glad I didn't as I ended up having a brilliant time with it. Beach Wedding is suspenseful, engaging and flows with a pace that will make you keep turning those pages. If you like your thrillers fast and with plenty of twists and danger, you will like what you find here!

At first it seems like the story is focusing on the Rourke family returning to the Hamptons to celebrate the wedding of one of the brothers in style. Hints at an unfortunate past relationship with the town are made, but you are kept in the dark initially about the main focus of this story. Instead of distracting, it helped getting to know the main characters in play while also inciting your curiosity about why exactly especially Terry never wanted to return to the Hamptons. The characters themselves are easy to like and I soon found myself rooting for Terry and hoping he would achieve what he was after... Being able to connect to the characters always makes the story so much easier to enjoy.

I won't go into details to avoid spoilers, but the old murder case and trial are absolutely fascinating and I loved how this element was developed and incorporated into the present. The way Terry digs in and doesn't let go until he discovers the truth is inspiring, and especially when he stumbles across a LOT of roadblocks and danger along the way. There is a focus on corruption and how some rich people think their money can make everything disappear... Even if it means destroying other people's lives along the way.

The writing is very engaging and Terry is the perfect character to lead this story. I really liked his personality and voice as well as the way he is stubborn and determined to find the truth... There are many plot twists, secrets and lies to keep you busy along the way, and there will be plenty of tense moments as well as action to keep your heart rate on the high side. Beach Wedding was definitely a winner for me and if you like the sound of diving into a world of the rich, famous, family and murder, I can recommend getting a copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beach wedding by Michael Ledwedge
A special thanks to Harley Quinn trade Publishing – Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Set in Southampton New York, Terry Rourke and his pregnant wife and daughter are spending a month at a luxurious mansion with their extended family in preparation for Terry’s oldest brother Tom’s wedding. The Rourke family grew up in a nearby town where their father Sean was the district attorney 20 years ago. Sean‘s last case prior to his death change the families lives forever. When a prominent member of society Noah Sutton is murdered it’s falls in Sean‘s lap to prosecute his wife Hailey Sutton. When her trial ends in a mistrial the families life is never the same. People who knew them for years would walk by them and not look or speak to them. Not long after the end of the trial and the turning of the town Sean’s father drowned. After escaping to go to college Terry never returned until now. With his whole family back for the first time in 20 years . When Terry comes across a large envelope containing the missing manuscript of Xavier Kelsey a well-known author that the publishing world has been looking for for years he makes a trade with Xavier’s former friend for the research Xavier had started on The Sutton Slaying he was set to write. Once he realizes all the information he has legal and illegal alike he goes down the rabbit hole of trying to figure out what really happened back then.
This is my first standalone by Michael Ledwidge. I’ve read several of his co-authored books with James Patterson. He writes a fast paced story with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing!

This is the perfect afternoon read, fast paced with short chapters you can’t help but keep turning. This is a new author to me, but one I’d pick up again.

Part family drama/part legal thriller/part dark comedy - this book really had it all, right up until the very end when all the cards were finally laid on the table and we got to see the full picture for the first time. There are plenty of twists and turns in the book, which make for a really layered read that kept me turning page after page. But Michael Ledwidge was really good at tying all the loose ends together in the end to create a cohesive story that really steps up.

Terry and his family were also incredibly great characters, funny at the right times, and reflective and serious at the right times. After all, the focus of the book is an old murder case, so there is a need for this naturally goofy and excitable crew to settle down. Other themes also include wealth and its implications, revenge and appearances vs reality.

The solution to the mystery was pretty good, not Earth-shattering, but as I said, twisty and exciting enough that I was intrigued until the end of the book, guessing until the solution was revealed. I wanted to see how it all turned out. And I think it turned out just right.

Overall, this was a perfect little getaway to the Hamptons for someone looking for some intrigue and a glimpse into "how the other half lives." It's a good mystery with some great characters from an author that I'll definitely be enjoying again.

Michael Ledwidge - watch out Patterson! This book was so great - great characters, plot, mystery, family and a little action - everything a great book should be!!

The Rourke gathers at an exclusive Southampton home for the wedding of their oldest brother Tom. Terry is reluctant to return home as there are not good memories attached. When he was a teenager his dad lost a huge murder case that sent him spiraling and effected their entire family. While enjoying the amenities of the mansion Terry stumbles upon one of his favorite author's files of his investigation into the murder. He discovers that a book was planned. As Terry, a Philly cop, digs into the material he discovers things he didn't know and is off on a chase of finding out what really happened. Plenty of twists and turns happen as he digs and others try to keep the truth buried.

A unique story that offers the reader a story from an unlikely storyteller, the son of a deceased DA, about an unsolved murder. Not just any unsolved murder, but one that reeks of secrets and coverups in the Hamptons. Now Terry wants to do something about it.

Ledwidge takes us on a wild ride that builds in suspense with each turn of the page. His creativity and storytelling ability set up the perfect crime and the race to solve it before it’s too late. His character development is spot on with a multi-faceted cast.

Beach Wedding is a great read loaded with unexpected twists and grabs you as the surprise ending comes out of nowhere. Perfect for the mystery and crime buffs!

Michael Ledwidge brings intrigue and action to his latest crime novel, Beach Wedding , set mainly in Southampton, New York. Terry Rourke and his wife and daughter are spending a month at a luxurious home in Southampton on the beach. His oldest and wealthy brother is getting married and has invited the whole family to stay at the house prior to the wedding. The Rourkes grew up in a nearby middle-class neighborhood where his father, Sean, was an Assistant District Attorney 20 years ago. Sean’s last case was a murder trial that changed their lives forever when he lost the case and subsequently drowned. Terry, a Philadelphia cop, can’t resist looking at the old case while he’s in the town. But messing with the rich and powerful can be dangerous.

Terry is a likeable and determined character, but sometimes gets so wrapped up in his investigation that he can lose sight of other things. The author did a great job in bringing the Rourke family to life as well as the non-family characters. The characters were quite believable, and injected with a blend of attributes both good and bad.

The plot is well-developed and clever and the narrative is descriptive, bringing the locations to life. There’s also a bit of humor which relieves some of the tension from time to time. The pacing was just right and the writing style was smooth; even with relatively short chapters it draws the reader into the story. While it takes a while to get to the mystery as readers learn about the lives of the members of the Rourke family, the intrigue grows as the investigation falls into place.

Don’t expect much action until near the end of the novel. This is more about the investigation and the people involved in it and those affected by it as well as uncovering the mystery. I appreciated how the author showed the impact on many characters, not just the Rourke family. The action at the end is nerve-wracking and somewhat harrowing, and it includes a shocking surprise or two that I didn’t see coming. Themes include family, friendship, corruption, murder, money, and power.

Overall, this was suspenseful with a great mystery and compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. It is well worth the read and provides entertainment, thoughtful moments, and thrills. This is the third solo book that I’ve read by Ledwidge and I’m looking forward to reading more books by him.

Harlequin Trade Publishing – Hanover Square Press and Michael Ledwidge provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 15, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

So many twists and turns in this story. Absolutely loved it. I have read all of his cowrites with James Patterson so I knew I would love this book.

I have to admit firstly, the only reason that I wanted to read this book was that I knew of this author as he had co-written the Michael Bennett series with James Patterson and I am also all for giving the co-writers stories ago. Beach Wedding was amazing and such a great read and if you are familiar with the Michael Bennett series, you could see bits and pieces coming through the writing of Beach Wedding and also gave you an insight into what Michael had brought to the series. For example, Michael Bennett's family is Irish and a big family, and therefore the family in Beach Wedding The O'Rourkes had Irish blood but were Irish-American and a big family. The other thing I loved was that despite this book being set in the Hamptons area and an amazing mansion to die for, the family - even the bride's upper-English family all had down-to-earth energy about them. Beach Wedding starts with the brother Tom's wedding, here has rented out the biggest house in the Hamptons and created an extravaganza for himself but also as an F-U to the town that turned their backs on their family about twenty years prior. The book mainly focuses on one of the brothers Terry O'Rourke who followed in his father's footsteps and became a police officer. Being in this town has brought back memories of the last case his Dad worked on "The Death of Noah Sutton". While checking out the mansion, he has found the last manuscript of Xavier Kelsey who was writing before he died a book about the death of Noah Sutton. This is Terry's chance to finally finish what his father started, but will he be ready for the can of worms and pandora's box he is about to crack open? Find out in this fast-paced murder mystery that is also written in a similar style to JP's with the short chapters and fast-pacedness. I am now looking forward to reading Michael's other books. PS - this is also published under Beach Murder - depending on which country you purchase the book from, one of those UK/US title changes.

Beach Wedding is gripping and high entertaining thriller. Terry Rourke is invited a very lavish beach wedding in the Hampton and he's a little nervous. Will the past come back to haunt him? He can't help but looking into an old Hampton's murder case while he's there. Secrets start to unravel and the beach wedding turns dangerous. I had a blast reading this one. The Beach Wedding fast paced, interesting and easy to follow.

Ledwidge is a great mystery writer. Set in high-society Hamptons, this book had a very interesting plot with many unexpected twists. The narrator, a Hamptons townie, returns to attend his millionaire brother's wedding. Using his skills as a Philly police officer, he aims to uncover the truth about a murder that happened when he was a teenager.