I liked it, but didn’t love it. The plot is good, but the first 2/3 dragged and then it seemed rushed, disjointed. The ending is great, satisfying, but getting there took awhile. I would recommend this book, it’s one of my favorite tropes! But it’s a 3 stars from me, a solid 3, but still 3.

This one started out slow but really picked up the pace during the 2nd half. It centers primarily on Tessa, who is attending her best friend's bachelorette part on a remote island where 4 young women disappeared 10 years earlier. You do get glimpses into the lives of the previous group of women as the story continues, building the connection between the past and present timeframe. Tessa is a true crime junkie who is eager to solve the mystery, but it becomes clear very quickly that someone does not want her to keep digging.

The book did start off slowly, and it was a little confusing that there were so many characters between past and present, some with similar names. Tessa also sometimes had long, repetitive monologues that slowed down the pace. That being said, as time went on and I got clear on who was who, it was easy to immerse myself in the creepiness of what was happening on the island. Though I did figure out who the villain was, I didn't know why until it was uncovered later, and I appreciated that no one was safe from bad things happening in this book! There were some surprises at the end, and I liked that the ending overall was hopeful without tying things up too neatly, which would have felt inauthentic with the rest of the story.

Overall, this was a good read once I got into it, but is a little of a slow start. I enjoyed it overall, though, and the cover art was gorgeous. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was middle of the road for me. You’ve seen a lot of this before and unfortunately some of the timeline really did not make sense to me. Fun and fine for a beach read!

This book had so much potential and I was intrigued by the description but, no thanks.

So many characters and no real connection with any of them while reading this. Plus, the main character's monologue that is so over-the-top, dragging on and on, had me bored and speed reading through a lot of the chapters.

Three stars because the cover of this book is gorgeous.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book.

This was beyond boring and stunted. I couldn’t even read to page 100 because I was falling asleep. Even the prologue didn’t intrigue me.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

Tessa is going to a remote island for her friend Anneliese's bachelorette weekend. She used to have a true crime podcast and already knows the island's lore. A few years ago, a group of women disappeared from the island. They go to a resort on the elusive island and have to surrender their phones and connections to the outside world so they can focus on being mindful, but this just adds to the seclusion of the island.

This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I really enjoyed it. I plan on checking out her other books. I grew up in the age of slasher movies like Scream and this gave me many of the same feels as that. It was a fun, high-speed slasher with a great mystery plot along with it. The twists were decent and even if you get one figured out, there are many twists to come. It was a locked room mystery and had a dual timeline POV. The writing was good and the main characters were well-developed. I highly recommend this book if you’re into this style of thriller. It was a change of pace from what I’ve seen recently in the thriller space.

I really enjoyed this book!

I have been in my thriller era the last few months so I figured now was the perfect time to read this. I loved the setting, Sweden has a piece of my heart, and because it was a cabin in the woods it makes it gives it more creepy energy as you read. Although it is not like the usual thrillers I read, I still quite enjoyed it. I think it is a good book to read if you want to start reading thrillers but don't want "too much." I loved the element of friendship and the podcast because I love listening to murder mystery podcasts.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an arc in exchange of a review!

This was a dark and twisted thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat from the very start. Told in two different timelines the author invites the reader to try and solve this murder mystery along with the main character.

A really quick read. Although some of the twist and turns were easy to figure out but NOT all of them. Which is a good thing because at least I still had the element of surprise at certain points. The storyline was easy to follow with the past and present back and forth. I will say this though….I don’t think I will ever hand my cell phone over to where I have no contact with the outside world because you never know what will happen to you and around you.

An easy and fast read for fans of locked door mysteries!

Let’s be honest- locked door can get repetitive. But the vibes are usually still there, and it’s a much loved setting! I find the key with locked door is to not speculate too much as I read and just enjoy the ride. I read quickly, so I sped right through this one as I do with majority of locked door settings.

The bachelorette trip as a setting is a fun time, and I enjoyed the characters as well as the duel mysteries going on. The chapters moved along at a nice pace and I was entertained throughout the book. I would recommend the read if the setting suits your mood!

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC

You’ve never been to a bachelorette party like this before… or maybe you have? Ever walk into a room and you’re bombarded with so many new faces and names that it’s hard to keep up? Then, maybe you’ve been to this bachelorette party, a “thriller” from Camilla Sten. Hopefully sans a killer, though.

I knew this wasn’t going to a party I ever wanted to be invited to (like our MC Tessa) as soon as the prologue started. See, I’m not a fan of authors who offload characters from the jump, wipes their hands after giving them just minor discernible qualities, and move along. Except here, it happens twice, with dual storylines each with 4 to 5 women.

I think there’s a good story here — we follow our MC back to an island where four women went missing a decade before — filled with a slow burn intrigue but neither the parts nor the whole are ultimately worth the trip to this isle. Short chapters (at least that’s what appears to be on the kindle) keeps the story moving. You might just want to RSVP “no thank you” and send a bigger gift instead. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the ARC.

Some things that struck me here. The main characters and locations are Swedish. It doesn't
take away anything from the story but helps to acknowledge the differences.

The story: a bit derivative but you cope, just affected the flow of the story. The twist here holds until about 80% through. You gotta wonder how so many pretty Swedish lasses are such emotional basketcases.

BUT decent read. Yes I would recommend to thriller/ suspense readers.

The Bachelorette Party was an okay thriller. I feel like I've read similar setting/plot before. Friends are away on a fabulous secluded island.....with a murderer. While a tad predictable in the twists, the gore made up for it, at least for me.
The mixed story lines added confusion to the flow and kept me detached from the main character.
Thank you, Netgalley, publisher and author for the ARC.

Interesting twist on a locked room mystery. I really enjoyed the story but felt like a number of loose ends were not tied up and there was no real explanation for why the murderer had to do what she did. The premise of the story is four young women are murdered on an uninhabited island in 2012. Ten years later, a group of young women go to that island, where a hotel/spa has been built by the sister of one of the original four victims. Unbelievably, more murders occur! I will say, I was not sure who did this because it made no sense until it was revealed. I wish that there had been more of a clear discussion on the facts of the 2012 murder. Regardless, this was engaging and I could not put it down!

I’m a sucker for a thriller in an isolated setting and this was definitely that! I read this book very quickly and was so tense the whole time! It opened with a bang and then it slowed down for a buildup, then things really devolved quickly from there. There were some unexpected twists and reveals along the way, especially in the second half of the book. Overall I thought this was a really tension inducing ride which is what I look for in a thriller.

Fast paced story with a past mystery and a current one mixed together. Confusing with a large cast of characters and going back and forth on the timeline. But overall an enjoyable read.

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten ARC review will be published on June 10, 2025

I really enjoyed this book. The beautiful cover caught my eye and brought me in.

Tessa, a true crime podcaster, finds herself on an island for a Bachelorette party after dealing with her own misfortunes. While there, she tried to solve a murder from years before.
I enjoyed the dual timeline and the fast pace.  The suspense in this thriller book rocketed me through the pages.  It was hard to hold on at times - a lot of characters with similar names had me flipping back and forth to get my timeliness right, but I loved the unfolding of the mystery.  At times, I was worried and fearful for the characters as the descriptions of the gruesome senses sucked me in.
I will admit that I was just as intrigued in Tessa's personal mystery that when it unraveled, it had me wishing to read more about it.

While I was able to predict the killer before it came to light, I wasn't able to guess the main reason why.  I also still wanted to continue reading to see how it all unfolded. 

Thank you, NetGalley and publisher, for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion.

The you, NetGalley for a digital copy of this book. The opinions expressed are my own and freely given.
Story told from two timeline. 2012 when 4 friends meet for their annual trip to Isle Blind. All 4 friends end up murdered.
In 2022 when 5 friends meet for a bachorlette party, also on Isle Blind at a new resort (not yet open). The owner is the sister of one of the girls from 2012. Then one of the bridesmaids body is found.
This is a very well written book and it kept me guessing who could be involved in the murders both in 2012 and 2022.

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC!

Ten years ago, four childhood friends meet for one night at a remote island off the coast of Sweden. The next day they disappeared, presumed to have drowned. Now they are known as the Nacka Four and no one knows what truly happened.

Now, six friends gather on the same island for Annelise’s bachelorette party at a yoga retreat/wellness resort. Tessa is in attendance and more planned than just celebrating her friend. She wants to uncover the truth about what happened to the Naka Four and revive her career that is currently in ruins. The island will also consist of Irene, the owner, and Adam, the chef. When Annelise, Tessa, Caroline, Lena, Mikaela, and Natalie arrive on the island, they are asked to turn in their phones for a digital detox. What happens next is exactly what you would expect: secrets revealed, and chaos ensues.

Sten wrote a popcorn thriller that was fast-paced and entertaining. She easily intertwined the past with the present to create a gripping plot. I struggled to connect with the characters, but Sten still deserves credit for creating a cast of diverse characters and keeping me guessing. I honestly didn’t see the ending coming.

If you’re a fan of locked room mysteries, I recommend picking up a copy on June 10th!

This book was very tense! I was not expecting that plot twist AT all! And I was very happy with the ending!

In all seriousness though, this book was very rough on my anxiety to read at some times. But I still really enjoyed the book!