Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for this ARC!!!

I loved the idea of the main character Bea embarking on a new journey after quitting being a model. I feel like the book was too slow for my taste. The twists at the end were interesting, but I was pretty bored for most of the novel. Overall not my taste, but well written.

Wow was I blown away by this twisty, surf thriller that was so atmospheric I could smell the spices in Morocco.
Bea is high fashion model in her early twenties whose lost and unhappy. She’s not close with her mom and while she gets to travel the world she really has no friends or a place she calls home.
While on a shoot in Marrakech, Bea walks off the set and decides to quit her job. As she wanders around the streets, she gets lost and followed by two men. One who takes her belongings and the other looking for something more. A woman named Marnie stumbles upon the scene and attacks the man with a knife who in turn tries to strangle her to death. Bea left with no choice takes the knife, killing the man to save Marnie.
With no where to go Marnie offers her refuge at their humble surf house hotel on the coast of Morocco.
But she isn’t out of the woods yet, as the local cop has stumbled upon their bloody knife and is looking for a bribe. With no money to pay the bribe, she stumbles upon a man at the hotel who is looking for his sister Savanah who disappeared as was last scene at the surf house one year earlier. He offers to pay for her debt if she can get to the truth of what happened to his sister. But when Bea gets to the truth, she realizes that his whole sunshine and surf vibe in the town is only a front for something much darker.
Not only does the Author Lucy Clarke, write the most beautiful descriptions, but the character arcs in this story were brilliantly done. You will finish this book satisfied and itching for another adventure.

Thanks so much for the ARC Grove Atlantic and NetGalley!! This was a fun and quick read. I probably would have read it all the day I started it, except it turns out I need sleep. I would have liked to get a little deeper into the culture of Morocco. It's an interesting backdrop for a book, but it never really felt like more than a backdrop. Would have liked to get a little deeper into the location as a character, and come away feeling like I knew more about it. The book did make me want to try surfing, and I've lived close to the ocean for a very long time, and never had the desire. So, two thumbs up, fun mystery!

Thanks to Netgalley and Grove Atlantic for the advance copy of this book.

Welcome to The Surf House

Where everyone’s escaping something . . .

High on the cliffs of Morocco, far from the city lights and the souks, stands The Surf House: a sanctuary for travelers chasing sunshine and waves. But the idyll hides a dark mystery. And when Bea washes in, seeking refuge after a dangerous encounter in Marrakesh, she soon gets caught in the current. A woman her age—who stayed in the same area, walked the same beaches, met the same guests—disappeared one year earlier, vanishing without trace. Somewhere inside The Surf House lies the truth—but there’ll be a price for uncovering it.

I've read a few books byLucy Clarke in hhe past. This one is not one if my favorites. Too many characters to track for my liking. The story also got a bit weird for me. 2.5 out of 5 ⭐️

This is officially my first 5 star review of 2025 and what a way to start the year! I truly loved this book from start to finish! It's filled with an array of emotions, from love to fear, and the ending's twists and turns had me physically gasping out loud.

The story begins with the main character Bea, who's struggling with the way her life is currently going and battling with obvious loneliness. She is then suddenly swept (if you pardon the pun of the book title!) into a world of sensational spices, dazzling colours and deep dark secrets beginning at the heart of Marrakech's medina...which then leads her to The Surf House and the mystery of a missing girl.

There are a lot of characters involved in this story, but you quickly catch up with their personalities and quirks. My favourite however has to be Salty the stray dog, as Bea is much like myself abroad always heartfully addressing the animals.
I was also transported back to my own experiences of Marrakech whilst reading, and it brought back memories of exploring the medina and the extraordinary landscapes of Morocco. I do however now want to try out surfing, as the descriptions in the book were so vivid I felt like I was being sprayed by the waves whilst turning the pages!

I am very grateful to have been able to read Lucy Clarke's latest novel before publication date, so thank you Netgalley for approving my request.

Three and a half stars rounded down to 3. I've read a few Lucy Clarke books and they're highly plot driven and twisty. This one is no exception--after Bea is robbed in Marrakesh, she ends up in a small village at the Surf House. While at first things seem idyllic, things (not surprisingly) are not what they seem. When a guest arrives looking for information about his missing sister, things get really weird. I guessed one of the biggest twists early on, and then the last few chapters were all 'tell don't show' to wrap up all the threads of the story--and it all went so fast.

Welcome to The Surf House Where everyone’s escaping something…. High on the cliffs of Morocco, far from the city lights and the souks, stands The Surf House: a sanctuary for travellers chasing sunshine and waves. But the idyll hides a dark mystery! When I started this book I read a few chapters and said eh I’ll come back! When I finally finished the book it was a fantastic read! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! It had suspense, very intriguing, murder, mystery, and some wild twists and turns! The story was very interesting and kept me glued to my kindle! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Always enjoy Lucy's books. Amazing beachfront setting and a missing girl. Definitely love the protagonist but she may be over her head in this one. Fun and fast read.

Welcome to The Surf House! Lucy Clarke’s latest novel is a mystery set against the stunning backdrop of Morocco’s remote beaches, far removed from the bustling streets of Marrakesh and the usual tourist haunts. This atmospheric story pulls readers into the sun-soaked yet shadowy world of a small surf community where secrets linger just beneath the surface.

The story centers on Bea, a former model who has walked away from her soul-draining career. Left stranded in Morocco, she is rescued by a young woman and taken in. Part of the group of surfers in the area, she offers her a place to stay at her new surf hotel in exchange for work, and for a while, Bea embraces the simplicity of her new life until a man arrives at the Surf House searching for his missing sister, Bea begins to notice cracks in the laid-back facade of the surfers around her. Suspicion and unease creep into the narrative as Bea realizes that the Surf House—and the people who call it home—may be harboring dark and dangerous secrets. The more she digs, the more she begins to wonder: what really happened to Savannah?

While the mystery itself is fairly straightforward, Clarke’s vivid descriptions of Morocco’s beaches, the complex dynamics of the surf community, and Bea’s own personal struggles make this an engaging and enjoyable read. Fans of atmospheric mysteries with a touch of escapism will find plenty to love here.

Lucy Clarke delivers another gripping tale with just the right balance of suspense, character depth, and an alluring setting. Perfect for readers looking to get lost in a page-turner that brings the intrigue of a thriller to the tranquil shores of Morocco.

#Grove #TheSurfHouse #LucyClarke

I’ve been a fan of Lucy Clarke’s books for a while now, but The Surf House didn’t quite hit the mark for me as much as her previous works.

That said, the setting was beautifully immersive—Morocco came alive on the page, and I felt like I was experiencing it right alongside Bea. Clarke has such a talent for bringing her locations to life, and this book was no exception in that regard.

I found myself guessing the twists fairly early on, which took away some of the suspense and surprise I usually love in her novels. While the story was solid and enjoyable overall, it didn’t quite keep me glued to the page the way I had hoped.

All in all, it’s a good read with a vivid sense of place, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations based on Clarke’s other books.