I chose to read a free eARC of The Bridesmaid but that has in no way influenced my review.

Cate Quinn has, in a fairly short space of time, become a favourite author of mine. It all started with the incredible Black Widows. Closely followed by the The Clinic. Confession time: I haven't read Blood Sisters yet but it will happen very soon (this is the whole 'books I purchased versus books I have for review' thing - review books take priority above everything else which is why I still haven't read a book published in 2023 but I'm about to share my review of a book published this very day!). I saw Cate Quinn's new release - The Bridesmaid - on NetGalley and it would have been impossible for me to ignore. Why? Because I love the way the author tells a story. Cate Quinn's thrillers are engrossing, unexpected and always full of twists. The Bridesmaid was no different.

Adrianna Kensington, heiress to the Kensington Nightclub empire, is set to marry her tech billionaire fiancé, Mark Li, within a matter of days on her family's private island. The night before the dress fitting a shocking discovery is made. One of the bridesmaids' has been slaughtered. Her bloody corpse suspended from the ceiling in one of Adriana's exclusive, designer wedding dresses. The wedding must go on though and so, with a healthy mistrust of the police, Mark asks forensic specialist Holly Stone for help. Everything needs to run to schedule with as little disruption as possible, otherwise the Kensington brand could be tarnished forever. Can Holly, completely out of her depth with the privileged Kensingtons, discover the reasons behind the bridesmaid's brutal death and ensure, with the help of New York detective Fitzwilliam, the safety of those attending the three day long ceremony on the private island? Or will Adriana's long-held family secrets finally come to light, destroying her picture perfect life once and for all...?

The Bridesmaid is a book with a heck of a lot going on within the pages. Sitting here now, writing (as I always do) my own brief synopsis of the book (⬆️), looking back at what I've written, I don't feel I've really done the book justice. If you compare the official blurb to what I've written in the paragraph above, you *could* think they were two similar but different books. There are two main threads in this story. One I've covered, the other I've barely touched on, but it all comes together perfectly in the end. The part I haven't really mentioned is Elysium, the private island. Whilst staying on the island for her 21st birthday celebrations three years previously, Adriana was kidnapped. Unaware she was still on the island and at the family home, she was taken to the panic room and kept hostage for three days before finally escaping. Her kidnapper was never caught and Adriana only managed to get away after dislocating her wrist and escaping the handcuffs. This is the bit that ties it all together. Could the kidnapper have returned? And, in the three years since Adriana went missing, has kidnap escalated to murder? So yes, there is a lot going on in this book but I do feel, now I've added a little about the island and Adriana's traumatic experience whilst there, that you're getting a much clearer idea of what the book is about. Holly Stone, master of forensics, is the main character in The Bridesmaid. She is a wonderful lead and I would love to see more of her in the future (her own series perhaps?). Holly is thrown head first into the circus that is the Kensington family, secretly acting on behalf of Mark Li, whilst also, somehow, now acting as replacement bridesmaid. She is so out of her depth she is drowning!

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Bridesmaid is a thoroughly entertaining, twisty read from a favourite author of mine. It's a little bit bonkers in places and, as I've already mentioned, quite busy at times but I enjoyed the time I spent in Holly's company. The story is told from three points of view; Holly, Adriana and one of the bridesmaids, Petra. I did enjoy seeing how the story was unfolding from the different perspectives but I always looked forward to hearing from Holly the most. Although the simmering chemistry between Holly and Detective Fitzwilliam didn't really add anything to the story for me. I'm not one for romance in a crime thriller. However, I know others feel differently. The ending was explosive and fast paced. I was able to predict a couple of things which happened but I still enjoyed the book and look forward to more from this author in the future (I'll hopefully get Blood Sisters read and reviewed before Quinn's next book comes out!). Recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Bridesmaid. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Review will be published on 16th January 2025]

Adrianna is written well but this story of history repeating falls short. The forensics part of this book is much more interesting ad gripping than the why of a murder and that’s not entirely what I think the author wanted.

A lavish wedding for Adrianna, heir to a nightclub empire, is being planned on the island of Elysium. The island holds bad memories for Adrianna as she was held hostage here some years prior and the case remained unsolved. A bridesmaid is then murdered the day before the wedding. It is down to forensic scientist Holly, to get to the bottom of this and discover past secrets.

This sounded like a fun premise with an intriguing mystery to solve. I enjoyed the fact that the action starts almost straight away, with some interesting twists and turns. I liked the character of Holly as she seemed unique with a strong personality. I enjoyed exploring some of the more minor character’s also.

I found the use of forensics interesting and learnt a few things a long the way. Although this was a good story, I had quite a large issue with the chapters, as the point of views constantly changed. I found myself getting half way through a chapter and realising it wasn’t the voice of the character I first assumed. Maybe some headings to say who was talking would be beneficial. Some parts ended up being far fetched, but still enjoyable all the same. I would quite like to read more books with Holly in if this were to happen. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed the story and the forensic elements.
I normally enjoy multiple points of view - but this book made it very difficult to tell who you were with so it felt a little clunky at times.
To me the ending also felt a little rushed.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

This is the first Cate Quinn novel that I’ve read and I would read more by her. The concept of the book was really interesting, secrets, lies and twisting the narrative. There were some points when I was t quite sure whose part I was reading but after a while I worked it out. The ending tied everything together and secrets were uncovered which isn’t always believable and felt like the author just needed to tie everything together.

Oh my god what a book! This was absolutely gripping and jam packed with twists you won’t see coming. I was on the edge of my seat reading this. My heart was pounding. Will definitely recommend this book.

I have read a couple of Cate Quinn's books in the past and was excited to pick this one up. Cate did not disappoint, and I cannot wait to buy a physical copy for my collection. This brought all the chaos of weddings and murder into one place and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I enjoyed the drama and twists and turns of this book. Thanks, NetGalley for the ARC, such a fun read.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

I am a fan of Cate Quinn and this book didn't disappoint. It is gripping, tense, and has a few twists that left me very surprised. Everything I ask of a thriller!

The characters were interesting as they all put up an obvious facade to fit into their roles, so it was very difficult to understand them and it was very engaging trying to figure them out.

The writing is very easy to follow and engaging, and made me fly through the pages without realising it. The short chapters, told from the perspective of multiple characters, help keep the interest high, also thanks to a few well-placed cliffhangers.

All in all, a gripping thriller I recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Orion for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

THE BRIDESMAID BY CATE QUINN.
Release date set for the 16th of January 2025.
I thought this book was good but i really struggled with all the different POVs.
I hated certain characters and found a few rather likeable.
thank you NetGalley, Orion Publishing Group and the author for this ARC.

Adrianna Kensington, heiress to the multi-million dollar Kensington nightclub empire is about to be married. Everything has been meticulously planned. Media releases, photoshoots and the guest list have undergone rigorous planning, even the selection of the five bridesmaids, their couture garments and usefulness to the Kensington family have been selected by her father Leopold.
Holly Stone is a freelance forensic scientist who works for Liberation Law. She receives an invitation to the Wedding, hand delivered, but as she discovers it comes with a bit more than a catch. One of the bridesmaids has been murdered in a most horrific manner and the Kensington’s do not trust the Police to deal with the situation quickly.
Mark Li, the Groom, contacts Holly, who reluctantly agrees to come to the New York Plaza to investigate the scene of the Murder; when she learns who has been murdered she is determined that justice will be done.
Before she knows it she is the replacement bridesmaid, is fitted out for the event and is on her way to Elysium Island; the Fantasy Island owned by the Kensington’s. As the hours count down to the day of the wedding, secrets are slowly being revealed and nothing is as it appears; it is getting harder to separate fact from carefully cultivated fiction.
The story unfolds chapter by chapter with Adrianna and Holly telling the story as they go. Adriana has been developed well as a character, spoilt, traumatised and determined to have a perfect wedding at all costs. Holly is the antithesis of the usual hero; she is a Goth, dresses from the Goodwill Shop and has blue hair and tattoos. She is also determined and immensely intelligent.
Cate Quinn carefully winds up the suspense to reach a cliff-hanging conclusion, with her delightfully abstract ‘Goth’ Holly Stone and the very dapper New York Defective Fitzwilliam, who in spite of their past issues, find they must work closely together to find a ruthless killer.
The Bridesmaid is a gripping holiday read for those who enjoy a very different Murder Mystery filled with well-kept secrets!

The bridesmaid By Cate Quinn

Nothing spells chaos like an heiress getting married on her family’s private island. Then add In Deciet, lies and family secrets and you have the ultimate batch of chaos!

This book had me on the edge of my seat but then became confusing as the chapters were being told from other POVs. Which I normally would enjoy but then became daunting.
The story premise was interesting with tidbits of clues here to keep you on edge but the catty women and the head spin of the forensic work of holly one of the characters became dull.

The story ending was not believable and was difficult to relate to. But it was a good book to pass the time.

Thank you NetGalley and Orion publishing

I really enjoyed the Bridesmaid by Cate Quinn. We follow along with rich heiress Adrianna and her perfectly sponsored wedding…but what wedding isn’t complete without murder, drama and deceit?!

Crime scene forensic Holly is able to tag along to the private island owned by Adrianna’s family to try and solve the murders undercover…but she’s in for some big twists and turns along the way.

It was fast paced and fun to read!

I liked the overall premise of The Bridesmaid, but did find the chapters changing characters somewhat confusing. I think some additional context at the beginning of each chapter would be helpful so the reader isn’t spending half the chapter trying to remember who is talking. I still found the book engaging and definitely wanted to finish it. Not my favorite Cate Quinn book, but still recommend!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

Adrianna is a wealthy heiress, getting married on her family's private island. One of her bridesmaids is murdered the night before the final dress fitting, and things start to go badly wrong - can forensic expert Holly help solve the crime?

I found the change of character narrator in each chapter very confusing - I regularly spent paragraphs trying to work out who was talking. I liked the characters of Holly and Fitzwilliam, but none of the other characters were likeable and I simply didn't care what happened to them. The trail of clues was interesting, and Holly doing forensic work with whatever was at hand was fun, but the story on the whole was not for me. I find it very hard to believe a school could operate as suggested, it was too hard to spend my disbelief.

Kidnapping? Murder? Weddings? Secrets? This one was fun!! Not the best character or plot development that I've ever seen, but it was a quick and easy read that would make for fun conversations at a book club. The characters kind of irked me and the dialogue felt a little disingenuous from time to time, but overall it was entertaining and I easily finished it in only a few sittings. Thank you for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me engaged and it only took a few days to read. I think this is going to be a good book club option for several clubs. I plan recommending to my book friends and I look forward to reading more by this author.

2.5 stars

I really wish I liked this book but beside the blurb, there was nothing interesting.

Holly a freelance forensic gets wrapped up in a high profile murder of a bridesmaid. This murder is then linked to the previous kidnap of the bride. This introduces Holly to a bunch of girls who share a traumatic childhood and could be potential killers.

The story switches POV's between the women which doesn't help the plot. The characters aren't well fleshed out and the whole cult trauma felt dragged. The climax of the book wasn't satisfying and kind of predictable.

The author tried to sweep in a romance but the overarching plot was so convoluted that it felt flat. I wish there was a more justifiable end to the story.

I thank NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed the premise of this book and the setting and characters were well written. At times I found it a little tricky to follow what was happening and would have liked a little more background information, but on the whole it kept me hooked and I was satisfied with the ending!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!!

What a good book!! This one had me hooked from page one! I could t put it down. I loved the writing style of this book. I lived the characters and they had great chemistry.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for the advance copy of this book.

Adrianna, heir to the multimillion dollar Kensington nightclub empire, is planning her dream wedding - a lavish ceremony funded by exclusive sponsors, on the Kensington's private tropical island Elysium.

There's only one flaw in her perfect plans. Elysium holds traumatic memories as the place where she was kidnapped and held hostage for three days on her 21st birthday - a case that was never solved...

When a bridesmaid is murdered the night before the dress fitting, it soon becomes clear that Adrianna won't be able to get hitched without a hitch. The body is staged in a gruesome display, chillingly reminiscent of Adrianna's kidnapping.

When forensic expert Holly becomes embroiled in this alien world, the secrets that have dogged the bride and her bridesmaids since childhood start to come out. The answers lie on Elysium, if Holly can find her way into this playground of the rich and famous - and more importantly, if she can get out of it alive...

I loved the character of Holly. She reminded me of Abby on NCIS, quirky, an outsider, but brilliant at her job.

This book had a unique storyline, one I've not read before This was a quick , fun read with lots if twists.

3.75 out if 5 ⭐️