The bluff is slowly crumbling into the sea. Soon it will take the expensive lake houses with it. Kate and her husband moved to Crest Lake to restore a house on the bluff after their marriage. Madly in love with Ryan, Kate used her inheritance to turn the house into a show piece and then learned to deal with the abusive Ryan. After Ryan died in a suspicious car accident, Kate took his seat on the neighbor committee hoping to solve the bluff problem. There are several different ways proposed to slow the inevitable erosion, and the committee members now are angry and polarized. When Doug Mitchell, the opposition leader and Kate’s next door neighbor, dies in a suspicious boating accident, Kate becomes a suspect. As this deliberately slow paced thriller continues, many secrets will be revealed and nothing is as in seems.

Suspense builds slowly in The Bluff. The Kate shines as a character trying to control situations while hiding many secrets. Travis Whittaker, co-narrator with Kate, is another strong character, questioning his life choices as investigates Kate. He’s convinced that she is somehow responsible for her husband’s death and possibly Doug’s. The slowly disintegrating bluff controls this mystery/thriller and the residents’ actions. Those actions, and all the secrets revealed, lead to a totally surprising, unexpected conclusion. 5 star.

Thank you to NetGalley, Books Go Social and Bonnie Traymore for this ARC.

“The Bluff” is a mystery/thriller by Bonnie Traymore. This book follows Kate, who left Manhattan to be with her boyfriend Ryan, who found a house along Lake Michigan he wanted to renovate. The house (and some others) are near an eroding cliff which is of some concern to the home owners in the area. Kate (and others) look into ways to save the houses yet also take into concern some of the environmental impact of various things to do in the water (meaning sea walls, barriers, etc.). Kate’s plan causes some issues with locals but, as she points out, it’s a compromise. On the day of the “big vote,” one of Kate’s neighbors is found missing … then dead. There are some fishy circumstances surrounding his death - and could it somehow be tied to the death of Ryan a year previously? This book took a few turns into red herring land, but it was nice to read not only Kate’s viewpoint, but also that of one of the investigating officers. One could see how “The Bluff” refers to both Kate’s crumbling marriage but also to how she hopes to rebuild herself and her life. I found a few things a bit odd - the ending and the possible romance for a character - but they were plausible (I just didn’t care for them). This was a pretty fast read, though there was a slow build-up, and I did like the different POVs.

This was a slow burn psychological suspense that heated up to a twisty, thrilling finale. A domestic thriller with a timely topic in the background. Great setting. Highly recommended,

*The Bluff* is a captivating thriller that skillfully intertwines suspense, mystery, and personal drama against the backdrop of a perilous natural setting. With its high-stakes plot and complex characters, the novel is a masterclass in building tension and intrigue.

The story centers on Kate, who relocates from Manhattan to the small, picturesque town of Crest Lake, only to find her life and her home precariously positioned on the edge of a crumbling bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. The initial charm of small-town life quickly turns to anxiety as Kate deals with the loss of her husband, Ryan, who died in a mysterious car accident. The plot thickens as Kate’s attempts to sell her unstable property are thwarted by its dangerous location and a contentious local committee.

The novel’s tension escalates dramatically when a heated debate over the bluff’s future leads to the murder of Kate’s adversary on the shoreline committee. As the community's frustrations boil over and suspicions rise, Kate finds herself entangled in a web of deceit and danger. The murder investigation threatens to unearth more than just the identity of the killer—it risks exposing Kate’s own buried secrets.

The strength of *The Bluff* lies in its meticulously crafted suspense. The author excels at gradually building tension, creating an atmosphere of unease that permeates every aspect of Kate’s life. The bluffs themselves become a potent symbol of the novel’s themes, embodying the precariousness of Kate’s situation and the crumbling facade of her seemingly perfect life.

Kate is a richly developed protagonist whose internal struggles and external conflicts are portrayed with nuance. Her journey from grief and isolation to desperation and determination adds depth to the narrative. The supporting characters, including the local committee members and townsfolk, are well-drawn and contribute to the story’s intricate dynamics.

The novel’s climax is both shocking and satisfying, with revelations that tie together the various threads of the story in a dramatic and unexpected fashion. The blend of personal stakes, community tensions, and the looming threat of the bluff’s collapse creates a gripping read that keeps readers on edge until the very end.

*The Bluff* is a thrilling page-turner that expertly combines elements of mystery and psychological drama. It’s a compelling exploration of loss, secrets, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their lives and reputations. For fans of suspenseful thrillers with a strong sense of place and character, this book is a must-read that promises to leave a lasting impression.