Back to the beach with books in tote

Your early summer 2024 reading list

By Tom Mayer

You’ll need a bigger bag — that’s the first thing to know about our early summer 2024 reading list. Not only are there waves and waves of new titles coming at us during the next few months, but the sheer volume of some of these 500-1,000 page tsunamis are sure to strain all but the most reinforced beach tote (“Southern Man” by Greg Iles comes to us in late May at more than a pound and 976 pages, by example). That is, if you’re reading in print, which, as always, I highly recommend. Not that I don’t have my trusty e-reader (trust is beholden in the eye of the charger) with me at all times, but have you noticed … print publishers have really upped their game.
Many of today’s print books are not only beautifully designed and produced for a complete reading sensation, they’re bound for the long haul … as in decades from now your progeny will be able to still marvel at the breadth of your literary acumen. Unlike a second-generation reader I own that no longer supports updates, making it a useful bequeath to exactly no one save for those who find a wicked joy in commenting on my age.
But back to the beach. The hand-curated titles here range from the fantastic to the fantastical, and for a bonus I’ve added a brief list of additional titles similarly recommended — just in case you’re lucky enough to find a space on an uninhabited island with nothing but sunshine and time. Bon voyage.

“I am Rome” (Ballantine Books) by Santiago Posteguillo
While Santiago Posteguillo is a best-selling author of crime and historical fiction in Spain, “I am Rome: A Novel of Julius Caesar” comes to us as his English-language debut — and one filled with action and oratory in translation by Frances Riddle. Using flashbacks to document Caesar’s early life — his announced arranged marriage which comes at age 12; his expansive education from his uncle, Marius; his political aspirations and early successes — the year is now 77 BCE, and a 23-year-old Gaius Julius Caesar wins a plumb assignment over mentors and others with decades more experience: the prosecution of Gnaeus Cornelius Dolabella, the governor of Macedonia who faces corruption charges. When prosecutorial witnesses begin to die, and a spy within Caesar’s own camp leaks testimonial secret to the opposition, the stage is set for a compelling narrative outlining the Roman general cum statesman’s rise to power.

“After Annie” (Random House) by Anna Quindlen
Anna Quindlen has made a career trading on secrets, but also on friendship, marriage, family and deep, deep loss. “After Annie” is a culmination of all of this in an achingly beautifully written story about how the lives of Bill Brown and his four young children are to continue after the death of Annie, his best friend, wife and mother of their children. For daughter Ali, it’s a coming-of-age story, though her father and younger brothers grow and learn about themselves and each other as they all navigate channels of adversity to come out stronger on the other side.

“Lilith” (Blackstone) by Eric Rickstad
You may not know that according not Jewish mythology, Lilith is the name of Adam’s supposed first wife — the woman before Eve who fled Eden after refusing to submit to male dominance — but you’ll know why Elisabeth Roth assumes the name in Eric Rickstad’s new novel. A challenging and rewarding work, “Lilith,” the person and the novel, seeks to answer two poignant questions: do the ends justify the means; and, do two wrongs make a right? For most of us, those questions seem elementary, but elementary is what kindergarten and single mom Elisabeth is … until her son, Lydan, suffers traumatic injuries in the wake of school violence. Posting video under her assumed name of a crime that she commits in answer to men in authority who she sees as too cowardly to stand up for her son and other victims, Elisabeth finds herself both vilified and venerated by millions. Working to elude capture, though, forces desperate measures, and those could ultimately result in the loss of her son. Rickstad earned a New York Times “Thriller of the Year” honor for “I Am Not Who You Think I Am,” and the form serves him well here.

“City in Ruins” (William Morrow) by Don Winslow
What an ending … and not only for the conclusion to a masterful trilogy about two New England organized crime families, but for the author himself, who has reported that “City in Ruins” will be the last novel of his career. The Danny Ryan trio of books takes us from Providence, R.I., and on a journey of redemption as this would be/wouldn’t be mob leader tries to leave his criminal life in the past. That past continuously catches up with him, reaching a crescendo with old enemies, the FBI, the IRS and even friends gunning for him. Written in Winslow’s signature style, you’ll enjoy the prose as much as a story that could be read as a standalone, but one you’ll appreciate more if you start at the beginning. Watch for an interview with Winslow late spring/early summer at cullmantimes.com.

“The House on Biscayne Bay” (Berkley) by Chanel Cleeton
Styled as a gothic mystery — a descriptor the novel wears well — Chanel Cleeton’s “The House on Biscayne Bay” is a haunting and atmospheric novel that brings past and present together as the lives of two women intersect under the roof of a dark and secret-infested mansion in Miami. The estate is gilded and golden, but there’s something rotten beneath its facade. Unless that sickness can be ferreted out, the result is likely to be a deadly history repeating itself.

“A Killing On the Hill” (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Dugoni
In the past two and a half decades, the prolific Robert Dugoni has gifted us dozens of stories, including his popular Tracy Crosswhite, Charles Jenkins and David Sloane series, in addition a handful of standalone novels.
So, what’s a popular and gifted storyteller to do in 2024? In Dugoni’s case, tell a different kind of story. Forging a new path, Dugoni’s “A Killing On the Hill” is the author’s first historical novel — and one that sits solidly in his canon.
Inspired by a real-life shooting that took place in a nightclub in Seattle during Prohibition, the novel centers on deception and misdirection as the mobster George Miller claims he shot former prizefighter Frankie Ray only in self-defense.
Told through the young and inexperienced eyes of a almost-cub reporter working the crime beat for the Seattle Daily Star, the story takes us deep into a criminal trial that transfixes a reading public as two competing newspapers each strive to out-scoop the other. Dugoni takes us back to the very roots of storytelling with this master work.

“The Clock Struck Murder” (Poisoned Pen Press) by Betty Webb
Betty Webb’s “The Clock Struck Murder” isn’t the first novel to feature American expat Zoe Barlow — that was “Lost in Paris.” In that earlier tale, missing Hemingway writings lead Zoe into the investigations of two murders. Here, the plot device works just as well as Zoe, living in 1924 Paris, searches for a replacement for a broken but favorite porcelain clock. Finding a new one that suits her sensibilities, Zoe is surprised to find, upon returning home, that her purchase has been wrapped in a painting by Marc Chagall. Certain that her purchase had been sealed in error, she returns to the market to find that the vendor has been bludgeoned to death in a storage shed — and near a stack of other Chagalls. With the Olympics set to stage soon in Paris, local authorities have little interest or resources for an investigation, so Zoe decides to go it herself, ultimately uncovering more than one murder.

“The Book That Broke the World” (Ace) by Mark Lawrence
The second book in Mark Lawrence’s planned Library Trilogy, “The Book That Broke the World” follows 2023’s “The Book That Wouldn’t Burn.” A love letter to the place where books live and are loved, Lawrence’s trio is a love story of its own, telling the tale of a both a vast library and the small spaces that are filled with our own stories, including those that must be reclaimed — as is the case with Livira. Though her place is beside Evar, the two are far separated as Evar is forced to flee the library and journey into a vast world with which he’s utterly unfamiliar. The library, working to reassemble the threads of Livira’s history, brings their past to a new landscape as discovery, adventure and romance flavor this enthralling, enchanting series.

And because even our teens, tweens and their younger siblings find time to read in the summer:

“The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry” (Holiday House) by Anna Rose Johnson
Selena Lucy Landry is a spirited French-Ojibwe orphan — her sailor father died at sea — who is sent to foster with the Martin family at that awkward age when she can’t seem to get anything right. Flavoring this is that the Martins are a mysterious group of lighthouse-keepers who just might hold the key to the whereabouts of a legendary necklace her father spent his life looking for. A sweet story that crosses multiple boundaries — age, race, creed — Anna Rose Johnson’s “The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry” is promoted for those in grades 3-7, but really, the whole family will enjoy the tale.

“Hello, Alabama,” (Arcadia) by Martha Day Zschock
A fun board book that tags nearly every important Alabama bag, Martha Day Zschock’s “Hello, Alabama” is a colorful, fun and beautifully illustrated journey through the state. From the gulf shore to the USS Alabama, Magic City to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, you and your little ones are “off and away” on a fun educational trek across Alabama — and a trek that might just have mom and dad learning a thing or two, also.

(Sidebar or boxed content below)

(Hede) More for the beach bag
And so, you’ve exhausted our summer list and there’s still a bit sunshine left. Consider:

“Matterhorn” (Thomas & Mercer) by Christopher Reich
Mac Dekker’s been living under a false name and trying to stay off the grid … until he learns about the death of his son who, unknown to him, had followed his dad into the world of espionage.

“Bare Knuckle” (Blackstone Publishing) by Stayton Bonner
Former Rolling Stone editor Stayton Bonner traveled the world of bare-knuckle boxing with world champion Bobby Gunn (73-0) for years to produce this Rocky-esque tale of triumph, loss and a father’s love for his family. Highly inspirational, highly recommended.

“You Like It Darker” by Stephen King (Scribner)
It’s Stephen King. It’s a book of his short stories. It’s summer and now you have the time enjoy a collection of new fiction from the master of horror. Enough said.

“Camino Ghosts” (Doubleday) by John Grisham
We typically have to wait until October for a new John Grisham novel, but this third installment in the Florida Camino Island story is right on time for a breezy, summer read.

“Southern Man” (William Morrow) by Greg Iles
We’ll be visiting with Greg Iles in early summer for an interview about his newest lawyer Penn Cage book, but this one has been long in coming and it’s worth mentioning here. Well, that and that you’ll want to start the book in late May, as soon as it comes out, if you plan on finishing before Labor Day. Iles’s new novel is much anticipated, and it delivers an intricately crafted plot that’ll keep you engrossed through its nearly 1,000 pages. It’s 15 years after the events of the Natchez Burning trilogy, and Penn Cage, carrying a mortal secret that keeps him isolated, is alone. A true masterpiece with historical depth that could only come from Iles’ pen. Check back for the interview in an upcoming issue of Meridian Life magazine (meridianstar.com/magazines/) and several Southern newspapers, including The Cullman Times (cullmantimes.com).

Chanel Cleeton is normally an auto-buy author for me without failure. This was not one of her best, unfortunately.

Thank you so much to Berkley for an advanced copy of this book! I enjoyed it so much.

Chanel Cleeton is one of my favorite authors, and what I love most about her writing is how she gently folds in many different story elements to her stories while still giving a cohesive tale. This book was more of a gothic story than her previous books, but it still had the historical elements, the romance, and the intrigue that each of her previous novels are known for.

I really liked the characters, the story, and most importantly, the house in this book. The house is almost a character of its own, and the story really does come full circle for all the characters from start to finish. I saw some of the "twists" coming, but that didn't bother me too much because she did a great job with foreshadowing certain aspects of the story.

Overall, I enjoyed this book lot!

Star Rating: 4⭐️

It’s after the Great War and people are settling back into their normal lives. If they are even able too. People are more apt to head south to Florida, to take a chance in the sunshine state. What could go wrong, where the sun always shines? Robert Barnes and his wife head south to build the home of their dreams. Well Robert wants to build the mansion of his dreams but who’s counting? He is ready to become the toast of the town and money is no object to get that done. Even if it costs too much.
Years later another couple tries to call this mansion a home. But it seems that maybe the house is bad luck. As with the first go round accidents happen and there is so much tragedy and drama. Both couples, twenty plus years a part can’t catch a break. Carmen is the newest resident of Marbrisa and from the moment she arrives, she knows something is terribly wrong. Can she figure out the secrets of the home? Can she protect herself from the tragic past? Chanel Cleeton does a good job at tying together these two timelines. The House on Biscayne Bay is a historical novel that has a lot of depth and interesting characters. This was a good read but I did have trouble keeping things straight. I had to reread some parts and it was a little too detailed for my liking. Overall it was a good read. I want to thank Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group and the author for my copy for an honest review. It was my pleasure to read and review this book. What are your thoughts?

The House on Biscayne Bay is Historical Fiction with a mysteries in two timelines: 1918 and 1941.

A new mansion is build on the Bay with great views by Robert Barnes and a young architect, James. The costs keep growing as more and more is added to the house and decorated inside. Robert tells his wife, Anna, that he wants to surprise her, only she is not so impressed with this monstrosity. When they finish the house and hold a big party to show off to the Miami elite there is a death of a young woman. Did she accidentally fall off the edge as Robert professes or was she pushed?

Jump to 1941 when Asher and Carolina Wyatt are presiding in the home after much refurbishing and Carolina's sister Carmen comes to live with them from Cuba. Not long after her arrival, Carolina is murdered in the garden maze. Was it her husband Wyatt or someone else? Carmen learns more about the house's past and wants to know if the deaths are somehow related.

Cleeton does a great job of connecting the timelines and the mysteries. I liked the characters and their youthful exuberance. She also does a good job of creating the feel of Miami early in the twentieth century and how it was growing as a place to be seen.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Chanel Cleeton never disappoints! Dual timelines, murder mysteries and immersion into the moneyed world of Biscayne Bay kept me turning the pages, and the atmospheric vibe reminded me of gothic classics like Rebecca. It's a delicious story of loyalty and lies that you don't want to miss.

Thanks to Berkley for the copy to review.

Cleeton veers from chronicling the history of the fictional Perez sisters during the turmoil of Cuba's regime changes to give us this gothic thriller about a fictional high society estate in Miami during the span of both World Wars. Anna's story starts when her husband commissioning the build of Marbrisa, ostensibly for her birthday although she discovers later that it was for selfish reasons. Carmen's story begins when she arrives at Marbrisa at the start of World War II with her sister and brother-in-law as owners of the property. Both women faced personal tragedies and had initial aversions to the estate that played out to support their worst fears.

Honestly, at this point, if Chanel Cleeton's name graces the cover of a book, I will read it and recommend it. I devoured this one in one day, unable to put it down. The characters are all engaging and it is hard not to connect with them. The plot was well thought through and very organized with delicious twists. If you haven't read Cleeton, you are missing out.

It’s the 1920s, after the Great War, Anna and her wealthy husband move to Miami where he’s building her a magnificent mansion - Marbrisa. It’s an exciting time in Miami’s history with new money flooding in from the north. A woman m is found dead at the party they’re hosting, and Anna’s husband comes under suspicion. In the 1940s, Carmen moves to Marbrisa from Cuba to stay with her sister and brother-in-law after her parents’ deaths. Impressed by its grandeur, Carmen also senses an unsettling undercurrent in the house and among its inhabitants. Soon enough there’s another murder, and disturbing things happening in the aftermath. Rather than be frightened, Carmen searches for the truth, believing the answers lie with Marbrisa’s history and former owners.

The mystery, glitz and glamor conspire to make this an enticing read. As usual, Cleeton’s amazing writing and inclusion of historic details immersed me in that era. I was taken with both FMCs and liked the parallels in their individual storylines. I do wish the suspense had lasted a little longer only because I was so wrapped up in it. Both narrators were incredible. I hung on their every word. I like that the end gives closure to all involved.

I love all of Cleeton’s books, especially her historical fictions, and 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗮𝘆𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘆 with its atmospheric allure is a new favorite!

Highlights:
* Mystery & suspense
* Atmospheric
* Roaring ‘20s & pre-WWII ‘40s
* Romance & HEA
* Historical details

Be aware of: infidelity & gaslighting

Thank you to @netgalley & the publishers for my ARC & ALC in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been reading Cleeton since her debut, and truthfully, I lose a little bit of enthusiasm with each book. In some bookstagram circles, we talk about the toll it might take on an author and their overall ability to churn out well-written, highly engaging books consistently, and if I’m being honest, I think that’s what’s happening here.

Cleeton is a really talented writer. I think she’s one of the best in historical fiction and I really love how she integrates Cuba and Cuban culture into her books. But as she continues to write, the Cuban influence is getting less and less, and we’ve even strayed away from her first family, the Perezes.

For me, this one was just ok. It felt a little elementary, I thought the dialogue was a little cheesier than usual, and the mysteries were kind of predictable. In the end, I was hoping for more immersion, more atmosphere, and more engagement. 😔

I’d definitely recommend Next Year in Havana for anyone looking for a book to sweep you away! It may always be my favorite book of Chanel Cleeton’s!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Chanel Cleeton's latest novel, *The House on Biscayne Bay*, is a beautifully haunting historical tale that promises as much atmosphere as its captivating cover. Set against the stunning, untouched backdrop of Miami's Biscayne Bay, this book delivers a rich narrative that intertwines the lives of its characters with the enigmatic estate of Marbrisa.

The story unfolds in dual timelines. In 1918, just after the Great War, wealthy businessman Robert Barnes builds Marbrisa for his wife, Anna. Despite the grand gesture, Anna senses something ominous about the estate. Cleeton masterfully depicts Anna's journey, portraying her as a classic, dutiful wife of her time whose sense of foreboding grows as she uncovers Marbrisa’s secrets. The estate itself is almost a character, alive with history and hidden truths.

In 1941, Carmen Acosta arrives at Marbrisa to start afresh after the tragic loss of her parents in Cuba. Living with her sister Carolina and brother-in-law Asher, Carmen finds herself embroiled in the house's mysterious and dark past. Cleeton’s portrayal of Carmen’s quest for independence and self-discovery is compelling, as she navigates the eerie incidents that plague the estate.

Cleeton excels in bringing her characters and their settings to life. Marbrisa is depicted so vividly that it feels like a living, breathing entity, filled with secrets and histories that shape the lives of Anna and Carmen. The narrative is a gripping blend of history, thriller, mystery, and gothic elements, making it a multifaceted read that is hard to put down.

The characters are richly developed and their stories are deeply intertwined with the fate of Marbrisa. Anna’s evolution from a submissive wife to a woman fighting for her needs contrasts sharply with Carmen's initial independence and her later discoveries about herself through the mansion's mysteries.

The dual timeline narrative keeps the reader engaged, with each era revealing more about the characters and the house itself. The suspense builds gradually, leading to several surprising revelations that are both satisfying and thought-provoking.

*The House on Biscayne Bay* is a masterful tale of love, loss, self-discovery, and the enduring impact of secrets. It’s a fast read, yet deeply immersive, transporting readers to the 1920s and 1940s Florida with ease. Chanel Cleeton has crafted a memorable and atmospheric novel that stays with you long after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley, Chanel Cleeton, and Berkley for providing this ARC. This review reflects my honest thoughts about the book. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and atmospheric mysteries.

This historical fiction novel by Chanel Cleeton is a fast paced gothic thriller. Set in Miami in the 1920’s and 1941, the novel alternates between Anna in the 1920’s and Carmen in 1941. Anna arrives from NYC with her husband Robert, as he is finishing the touches on the newly built mansion on the bay, Marbrisa. We meet Carmen as she arrives from Cuba to live with her sister and her sister’s husband at Marbrisa in 1941. Carmen has just lost her parents and has no other close family to live with. Secrets and lies surround both women in their lives. This was a fun read- I keep picturing the robber baron mansions in Newport, but on the water in Miami. Florida must’ve been an interesting place to be in the eras in which Cleeton set the novel. This book is worth the read- thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read it as an ARC.

1918

Just after the war, wealthy couple Robert and Anna Barnes, have built a huge home on Biscayne Bay that they have named Marbrisa. Anna prefers living up north so she is privately not too thrilled about moving to Florida But Robert is so happy to build this estate for her. The night they throw a huge party opening their home to guests, a young woman drowns in the Bay. The police continue to question Anna and Robert but they claim they know nothing.

1941

Some years later, Carmen Acosta, has journeyed to Marbrisa to stay with her sister, Carolina and husband Asher Wyatt. Asher had bought Marbrisa as it had been closed up for many years. He has worked hard to make repairs and fix it up. Carmen and Carolina’s parents recently died in an accident in Havana. The two sisters are not close and, unfortunately, Asher controls Carmen’s money until she turns 21. A friend of Asher’s, Nicholas, is staying with them and Carmen thinks that Carolina is having an affair with him. One night, a peacock is killed by an unknown which upsets everyone as they say other animals have been cruelly killed. Then another night, Carmen is awakened by a scream and sees Asher carry her dead sister out of the maze where Carmen thinks she was meeting Nicholas. What is going on here in this house?

The story opens up like layers of a flower giving the reader just bits and pieces of information at a time. This tends to keep one on the edge of their seat. As a long time Florida resident, I enjoy reading about the history of this glorious state. A delightful type of mystery. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

As a former Miami resident I absolutely loved the scenery here. It was actually spot on (looking at you peacocks!). This is my very first Chanel Cleeton novel and it’s off to good start! I love a good mystery and the fact this is also historical fiction sold it for me. Loved the writing and both stories and how both entangled! The twist at the end wasn’t completely unexpected but it worked for me because I was hoping for it!

I love love love Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction novels about the Cuban diaspora in the US, and this one didn’t disappoint, with the added bonus of also being a mystery with a spooky slant to it.

As with many of Cleeton’s novels, the story is told in two interwoven timelines. The first follows Anna, who is the wife of a wealthy American man who basically wants to be the next Gatsby and moves them from New York to Florida to build an over the top, enormous manor and estate (Marbrisa) that his wife isn’t really a big fan of. The second timeline follows Carmen, the sister of the wife of the new owner who’s bought the manor decades later after it’s fallen into a state of disrepair after a scandal (and murders) led to it being abandoned and rumored to be haunted.

I love a good spooky but not full fledged horror situation, and The House on Biscayne Bay fit that perfectly. Marbrisa definitely has a presence, and both women are trying to unravel its secrets that ultimately lead to deaths on the grounds of the manor. The description of the house is eerie, from the fog lade hedge maze to the dozens and dozens of corridors (it gives off Winchester Mystery House meets Hearst Castle). Throughout Carmen’s timeline, she’s trying to find out what happened to the wife of the original owner, which adds a layer of anticipation and foreboding to Anna’s scenes as you know she’s going to disappear at some point.

While the story was super atmospheric and I enjoyed Cleeton’s foray into the Gothic fiction world, I did find the character of Carmen to fall a little flat compared to some of her other protagonists. My favorite Cleeton novels are always those that tie back to the complex Cuban roots and family tree of the original family first mentioned in Next Year in Havana, and since Carmen is orphaned when she arrives at Marbrisa there’s very little ties to Cuba in this story compared to her previous works. However, I think Cleeton did an admirable job with her first foray into the Gothic genre and I would definitely read more by her. The vibes of this book would honestly be perfect for a movie or spooky video game.

Loved this one! I enjoyed the more suspenseful nature of this book. Most of hers are heavily historical fiction, which I do enjoy, but I loved the change of pace in this book.

I’ll be recommending this title to readers looking for a gothic who-done-it set in sweltering Miami. Though the differing timelines were at times difficult to distinguish (the characters narrating sound way too similar to tell apart), it was easy to get past and I enjoyed the story.

My first book by Chanel Cleeton, and it was a solid historical mystery. It was atmospheric and immersive with how descriptive the writing is. We get dual POV and past/present timelines. The whodunit murder kept me reading until the very end, and while I did guess the person right, there was a plot twist I didn't see coming. •*
This book would be a good choice if you are in the mood for historical fiction with a slow-burn whodunit murder mystery and feminist undertones.

3.5 stars

In her latest work, Chanel Cleeton tackles the gothic theme by centering her dual timeline story around Marbrisa, a glamorous mansion built in Miami, Florida right after the Great War. The over-the-top mansion is a gift that Robert Barnes surprises his wife with for her birthday, but during the inaugural party to celebrate the estate’s completion, tragedy strikes and their lives are changed forever. More than 20 years later, Carmen Acosta has no place to go after the tragic death of her parents in an accident, so she moves into the Marbrisa, the mansion that is currently home to her sister Carolina and her rich husband Asher Wyatt. Prior to her arrival though, strange things were already happening at the mansion but things escalate soon after, to the point where Carmen’s life is in danger. Is Marbrisa cursed and haunted like people believe it is? Or are the strange events the result of something more sinister?

Overall, Cleeton’s latest foray into Gothic fiction was entertaining, but I enjoyed her previous works more. While the writing was good (as expected), the plot was way too predictable, to the point that I already had everything figured out less than halfway through the story, which of course took the “suspense” out of things (not to mention some loose ends never got explained, which created a few plot holes here and there). The other issue I had was the narrative structure: the story was told in a dual timeline structure, with each time timeline narrated from the first person perspective of its respective protagonist— Anna in 1918 and Carmen in 1941. The two protagonists couldn’t have been more different in terms of age, race, life experiences, circumstances, etc., yet at times, I found it difficult to tell the two narrative voices apart and had to go back to check the chapter heading to remind myself which timeline I was reading. This got a bit tiring after awhile, though it wasn’t to the extent where it prevented me from moving through the story at a decent pace.

As I mentioned earlier, I did enjoy this one, but I have to admit that I was a little bummed that the story this time around had no connection to the Perez family (though I shouldn’t have been surprised, since this book and her Cleeton’s previous one were both standalone). With that said, there was an indirect link to one of Cleeton’s previous novels — a “blink and you’ll miss it” reference that I totally missed and only found out about after reading the Author’s Note.

Even though I didn’t take to this one as much as I thought I would, Cleeton continues to be one of those “go-to” authors for me whose works I will continue to read regardless (though I do hope she writes another book with a Perez family connection at some point).

Received ARC from Berkeley via NetGalley.

Review will be posted on 5/9/24

Anna Barnes' husband has built her a palatial mansion, Marbrisa, outside Miami and it's intended to rival all the new post-WWII development that is going on in Florida. It's opulent and a sight to behold. Anna isn't that excited about it though. She feels Florida is too hot, has scary insects, and an annoying social circle. Nonetheless, they threw a party when the house was done being built and it was a disaster as a woman ended up dead. As time goes by, Anna knows her husband is keeping secrets. Fast forward many years later and Carmen visits her sister's family at Marbrisa. Once she arrives at the estate, she notices her sister is acting strangely, the mansion is downright creepy, there's a detective that keeps popping up, and a spooky garden maze. This isn't what she expected and as time goes by she wonders what secrets lurk in this estate and wonders what her sister is keeping from her. Chanel Cleeton weaves these two storylines together beautifully in The House on Biscayne Bay with the estate as a major part of the story. If you enjoy some Gothic suspense, look no further!

At first, I must admit I had no idea how Cleeton was going to bring these two women's stories together, but slowly she did and quite well. Both women, despite their different backgrounds and time periods, they have a lot in common and both want to uncover the truth surrounding Marbrisa and their families. I really enjoyed how Cleeton merged the two stories. I also really loved the Gothic suspense elements as well as her depiction of Old World Florida- very atmospheric! The incorporation of a murder mystery only added to my enjoyment as it kept me flipping the pages. The House on Biscayne Bay is another hit from Chanel Cleeton and for fans of historical beach reads, this novel would be a great addition to your beach bag this summer.

Oh Chanel Cleeton. I love her books so much. Historical Fiction has a big part of my heart, and this one was a great change of pace for me. It wasn't nearly as heavy on the heart as most HF books. There was a murder mystery aspect to this one that I didn't know was coming (I go into books blind), and I loved it. If you enjoy dual time frames, then this is your jam right here. I loved how it all came together in the end...I guessed most of it and was happy with the outcome.