The Resort is a thriller filled with mystery and intrigue. Cass is a dive instructor on an island in Thailand. Unexpectedly a dive student is found dead. And something in the story does not add up. This book is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing about what really happened. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC,

The Resort is a fast-paced thriller set against the lush and tropical beauty of Thailand. With complex characters and an intriguing plot, this compelling story is full twists and turns.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this title. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

The Resort by Sara Ochs is a thrilling and intense story that, at times, felt almost overwhelming in its complexity. Despite this, I was captivated by the suspense and found myself repeatedly surprised by the unexpected twists. The final twist, in particular, left me both shocked and disturbed, making for a powerful ending. The backstories of the two main characters, Cass and Brooke, were fascinating, and the author skillfully connected their journeys, building a compelling and intricate narrative. It’s a gripping story that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

The setting—a beautiful Thai island—was vividly brought to life, with descriptions of sunrises over the water and the relaxing feeling of sipping a drink while taking in the view. The island felt like a place where everyone was running from something, with some characters carrying much darker secrets than others. The twists came fast and furiously, and by the end, I was left questioning everything I thought I knew. The suspense was built so effectively that I was left in a constant state of shock and intrigue, moving from horror to awe.

Overall, The Resort is a fast-paced, suspense-filled novel that will keep you guessing until the very last page. If you enjoy a tense, page-turning mystery, I highly recommend this book.

I really struggled to get through this book. I'm not sure if it was because there were a lot of characters, but not a lot of connection to them, or if it was the setting that I didn't really connect with. No matter what the actual issue may be, I just found this book lacking. I think another reader may enjoy this though, so I wouldn't discourage others from reading it!

"Welcome to paradise. We hope you survive your stay..."
The Resort follows two women, a group of expats and then the murder that will bring their paradise collapsing down. This was a captivating and page turning read from beginning to end. I loved this vacation thriller and it takes place on a remote island in Thailand. This was written well and all of the characters in this were great. The book will keep you guessing until the very end and then the epilogue will be one that you do not want to miss. This is a perfect beach read! I loved this book and would recommend it to any reader especially to those you love thrillers. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this amazing read in exchange of my honest review of The Resort by Sara Ochs.

"The Resort" by Sara Ochs is a gripping debut thriller that breathes fresh life into the destination mystery genre. Set on the fictional Thai island of Koh Sang, this novel masterfully blends atmospheric storytelling with intricate plot twists.

The story alternates between two perspectives: Cass, a "Permanent" resident and scuba diving instructor, and Brooke, a social media influencer visiting the island. Both characters harbor secrets, adding layers of intrigue to the narrative. When a murder occurs, the paradise-like setting transforms into a claustrophobic backdrop for suspicion and danger.

Ochs excels at world-building, vividly bringing Koh Sang to life with its lush vegetation and turquoise waters. This idyllic scenery contrasts sharply with the dark undercurrents of the characters' hidden pasts, creating a palpable sense of tension throughout the novel.

The pacing is expertly handled, with a leisurely build-up in the first half giving way to a breakneck speed in the latter part as secrets unravel. Ochs demonstrates skill in planting clues and red herrings, ensuring that readers remain engaged and guessing until the end.

While some plot elements may feel familiar to genre enthusiasts, Ochs manages to subvert expectations with well-crafted twists. The final reveal, in particular, has been noted for its ability to surprise even seasoned thriller readers.

"The Resort" showcases Ochs' potential as a thriller writer, combining elements of Agatha Christie-style mysteries with modern themes of identity and reinvention. Her background as a law professor and avid traveler lends authenticity to the narrative.

In conclusion, "The Resort" is a compelling and atmospheric thriller that marks an impressive debut for Sara Ochs. It's a must-read for fans of destination mysteries and psychological suspense.

I love a surprising thriller that also has strong, well-built characters and a unique setting - and this one has it all! Sara Ochs is now on my list of auto-read authors!

For readers who enjoyed 'The Clinic' this thriller feels like the employee's side of a 'White Lotus' episode.

While the atmosphere of The Resort is eerie, the plot is pretty good, and the first chapter had me itching to read more. I felt like Cass and Brooke didn't hold the story together for me. Each POV was interesting, and all the allusions to the secrets they are carrying certainly made me want to figure out what they were hiding. I didn't connect to Brooke or Cass the way I wanted to, which made it hard for me to be fully invested in what was happening.

3.5 rounded to 4. The mystery within a mystery within a mystery was pretty clever. I enjoyed it. There was some things that didn't quite make sense and the ending was kind of anticlimactic.

The Resort by Sara Ochs delivers an enticing mix of tropical paradise and dark secrets, creating a suspenseful setting that immediately draws you in. The isolated resort backdrop adds an eerie tension, and Ochs builds a slow-burn mystery filled with lies, hidden motives, and unexpected connections.

While the premise is engaging and the atmosphere well-crafted, the plot leans on familiar thriller tropes, and some twists feel a bit predictable. Character development also falls a little flat, making it harder to fully invest in the stakes.

Still, it’s an entertaining, quick read—perfect for fans of destination thrillers looking for a bit of escapism with a dark twist.

I wish this book had been better. There was an intriguing premise that initially drew me in, but unfortunately, the execution left much to be desired. While the setting of the novel is captivating, with its luxurious and mysterious resort, the story ultimately fails to deliver on its potential.

The plot starts off with a bang, promising suspense and excitement. However, as the story progresses, the pacing becomes uneven, and the suspense quickly fizzles out. The plot twists feel predictable, and the narrative struggles to maintain a consistent level of tension and intrigue.

The characters, while having interesting backgrounds, lack depth and development. Their motivations and actions often feel contrived, making it difficult to connect with them on an emotional level. The interactions between characters sometimes come across as forced, detracting from the overall impact of the story.

Additionally, the writing style can be repetitive and lacks the polish needed to elevate the narrative. There are moments where the descriptions and dialogue feel clunky, disrupting the flow of the story and making it a less engaging read.

In summary, "The Resort" has the makings of a great thriller but falls short in its execution. While there are glimpses of potential, the book ultimately struggles to keep readers invested. Two stars for a novel that had promise but didn't quite hit the mark.

I should have written a review right after I read it because now I can't even remember what happened. Even reading the synopsis doesn't help ring any bells. If that doesn't tell you what I thought of the book, I don't know what will.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 Rounded up.

The Resort follows Cass who thought she had finally outrun her past and managed to land a dreamy fiance and a group of friends at the picture perfect Koh Sang Resort. When mysterious Brooke shows up, her arrival coincidentally coincides with paradise becoming much less peaceful as dead bodies begin to show up.

The setting is so vividly described and luscious that you can almost hear the waves crash. The cast of characters aren't people I would trust to hold open a door let alone with my life and I instantly started keeping notes on who I didn't trust and suspected. However, just when I was sure I was correct, Ochs threw a curve and blindsided me.

Pack this in your beach bag, but trust no one.

I wasn’t a big fan of this book because I didn’t really like or connect with any of the characters. It seemed very repetitive to me and the twists were mostly predictable. Up until the end that is, there’s a big twist at the end that I didn’t see coming and that was probably my favorite part of the book. This book is about a murder that takes place on an island. This book also dives into the culture of tourism, the greed and corruption that can lie there and travel expats/ travel influencers and what they add to that equation.

The Resort by Sarah Ochs is a gripping, suspense-filled thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With its clever twists and complex characters, it's a chilling, immersive read that’s impossible to put down.

I requested this one just for the cover and am SO happy I did. I couldn't believe this was a debut novel! There were so many twists and turns that kept me on edge the entire book. Whenver i thought i knew what was going to happen, i was proven wrong. Loved the Dual POV in this one--different for this kind of a book!! Thanks so much for the copy!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

When staying on the resort of Koh Sang - you must follow three rules:
1 - Leave the past behind
2 - Always be careful who you trust
3 - If someone discovers who you really are, run

Cass comes to stay on the party island as a means for escape. When the Permanents - expats that become residents - advise her of these rules, she welcomes them. The island is a place to hide from her past. However, when #3 happens and she stays, she opens up a lot of issues for the permanents, who are hiding also.

This thriller kept me guessing until the very end! It was just so good and there were so many twists. Going into this book I was a little worried that it would end up being similar to a few other remote island thrillers, and while similar, it was not the same at all – it was better! I enjoyed getting to know both of them as they were very different. The pacing was good for a thriller, not overwhelmingly fast, but not slow either. Just fast enough to keep you on the edge of you seat wanting more. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and will definitely be recommending it to my readers.

This book really grabbed me in the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. The first half of the book had my mind reeling on what was going to happen next.
I was slightly disappointed because this book sounded like it would really blow me away and I really did like it when I first started reading it. Once we got towards the second half of the book I just wasn’t as thrilled with the reveals as I hoped to be.