3.5 Stars!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for giving me this ARC from NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Audrey, a tech expert who helps investigate crimes, is our main character who is contacted by her ex-boyfriend, the eccentric billionaire, Tyson. Tyson needs help investigating who is attempting to blackmail him, after a foot washes up in the Everglades. Audrey agrees to fly out to St.Barth’s to meet with him, and is brought into the complicated web of people in Tyson’s life. This investigation has a lot at stake though - because whoever is attempting to blackmail Tyson could also uncover secrets from Audrey’s past as well.

I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book. They’re all really diverse, and the author does a great job giving us background on all of them so we understand their actions. The flashbacks to explain Audrey, Tyson, and Cody’s relationship and history also kept me engaged and interested in the story.

I will say, the first part of the book felt a little long and it could have been edited down a bit. It felt like that section dragged on, and the second and third sections were more concise moving the story along. I also thought the romance aspect of this book took away from the main story, and didn’t really add anything overall, other than some spice to the book. Some of the twists were predictable, but I didn’t see the final one coming!

This book had a really fun setting though, and made for a great beach read. The setting of St.Barth’s was clearly well researched by the author, and I could see how she was inspired by her trip there to write this book!

Overall, an entertaining read, and if you like stories like the Knives Out movies, you’ll enjoy this book!

The good: This book was action-packed and exciting. Stuff was constantly happening. The plot moves quickly. I enjoyed the ride and did not figure out the twists and turns.

The bad: the writing is very disjointed and some of the plot points feel very random and just thrown in for no reason.

Audrey is a discovery agent, hired by her childhood first love, Tyson, to visit his compound in St. Bart's. Though they're now estranged, he offers her $100K for her services and his word that he will continue to keep some of her past secrets hidden. She agrees, but upon her arrival, she learns that Tyson’s entire entourage despises him—not just because of his eccentricities. During her time on the island, a body is discovered, and suddenly, everyone becomes a suspect.

This book has it all. It oozes wealth, with descriptions of glistening ocean views and expansive yachts that will make you want to whisk yourself away to the Caribbean with a couple million in your pocket. And with St. Bart’s being French, there’s an added layer of poshness and refinement that takes the story to another level. To top it off, there's a little romance mixed in with the intrigue... and then, of course, the body!

I absolutely loved this book. It strikes the perfect balance with just the right amount of everything. It’s the ultimate escape read!

Book Title: Sunburned
Author: Katherine Wood
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2 (3.5/5 stars)
Overall Impression:
I enjoyed this book. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers or character-driven mysteries akin to Lucy Foley and Alex Michaelides, Sunburned is worth reading.

Sunburned was a refreshing palate cleanser, offering an engaging escape to St. Barths, where high society collides with a hidden criminal underbelly. A contemporary mystery filled with betrayal, deception, and murder, it keeps the suspense high until the very end. While I enjoyed the suspenseful journey of the murder mystery, the final section felt repetitive and overly drawn out, with the 'whodunnit' element becoming somewhat predictable. Hence the 3.5/5 rating.

— SPOILERS AHEAD —

Review:
What I liked:
-The setting of St. Barths added an intriguing, glamorous backdrop to the story, enhancing its allure and making it feel like an exclusive exposé
-Audrey’s character was well-developed; her internal struggles and determination to uncover the truth (and she really was determined!) were compelling
-The pacing of the first two sections was just right, with enough suspense between flashbacks and present day to keep me turning the pages while still taking the time to flesh out the mystery.
What I didn’t like:
-The overabundance of red herrings, and Audrey’s CONSTANT internal deliberation regarding the murder suspects, especially in the final section
-The second to last “twist” at the end was a bit of a stretch and borderline unrealistic… hard to believe that Audrey went through this major life event that has haunted her for years and she doesn’t remember what Angie looks like?
-The use of lust and sexual content detracted from the overall story
WHY has it become a trend in contemporary novels to include sexual content? In this case, the constant focus on lust felt forced and unnecessary, ultimately detracting from the main plot.

This is the perfect light, fun beach read! I first read and loved Ladykiller from this author, another great beach read, so was excited for this one. I did think the first was a bit better, but this one is still worth the read! Audrey is a "discoverer" for law firms. She is summoned to St. Barth's by Tyson her ex to find out who is blackmailing him. Oh, and Tyson is a billionaire now and their teenage relationship ended badly. So, what could possibly go wrong? Well, murder for one. A body turns up and we get to figure out who did it from the group assembled by Tyson at his beachside mansion. There are a lot of suspects, and I had several different ideas for what happened and was wrong on all counts! Pretty cool twist that I didn't see coming. Extra points for the rich-people island atmosphere and I especially the diving sequence! I could practically see the fish! I would love more from Katherine Wood!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Katerine Wood and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Instagram and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of Julu 01, 2025.

This book relied more on atmosphere and less on plot. It was a slow mover and honestly fairly predictable as a thriller. I think Wood’s first book was stronger.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book has the vibes of a summer game of Clue. I really enjoyed this book and the story. 95% through and I still had no idea who the killer was. The twist at the end threw an entire wrench into my thought process (I'm fairly good at guessing killers, I'd say I'm about 70/30) and had 0 idea. I knew that the passing from 11 years ago wasn't an accident but I definitely thought it was who everyone else thought. This would have been the perfect book to read on vacation by the pool. I will absolutely look into this authors other work. Thanks for the chance to read and I hope the release is as awesome as this book. ☀️

St. Barth's is the setting for Katharine Wood's Sunburned, this lush whodunnit mystery. Audrey is a high tech detective of sorts whose high maintenance ex Tyson comes calling, demanding that she help him uncover the truth behind a human foot that washed up in Florida's Everglades. In addition, someone in Tyson's group of friends and colleagues is extorting him and threatening to spill his secrets if he doesn't pay up. When Tyson ends up dead in a sketchy accident, Audrey must put her faith in others to help her solve the blackmail and his murder before it's too late.

I enjoyed the colorful locale and equally lively cast of characters. The action continued throughout and kept me guessing. As someone who loves stories shining the spotlight on the often megalomaniac personalities of tech founders, I really enjoyed the story. Four stars for this sandy, sun-drenched beachside adventure.

I received this advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and feedback.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC! I have enjoyed all of Katherine Wood’s (and her another pen name, Katherine St John) books and this one was no different! It is a great mix of mystery thriller and a bit of romance, and would make the perfect beach read. the author does a great job of making you feel like you are in this beautiful location, and explains things in such vivid detail! I loved this book and will continue to auto-buy anything by this author.

The perfect holiday read if you are looking for something fun and engaging yet having a mystery at the heart of it! The sort of novel you would delight in while lying by the pool in Vegas!

Audrey’s hasn’t seen Tyson in a decade. Since their breakup, he’s become a billionaire who is as awful as he is rich. When Tyson summons her to St. Barth’s with the promise of $100K, Audrey reluctantly agrees. When she arrives, Tyson is hostile and paranoid and demands Audrey figures out who is blackmailing him. With tensions rising and everyone in his mansion a potential suspect, Audrey has a lot of work to do and only one week to do it.

This was a lot of fun! Despite correctly guessing the blackmailer early on, I remained engaged in the story. The setting was also lovely and the author does a nice job of making each character appear shifty enough to commit any number of crimes. An entertaining summer read!

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Audrey is summoned to St. Barths by Tyson, an old high school friend/boyfriend that she hasn't seen in years. He is now super rich and is being blackmailed about something that happened years ago that Audrey was involved in. When Audrey arrives in St. Barths, she finds Tyson's house full of people and she isn't sure who she can trust.

I requested this book because I was in St. Barths in November and thought this would be a fun way to relive the trip, also I enjoyed this author's first book. I thought it got a little slow at certain points, but I did enjoy the scenery and overall it was a good book. I look forward to reading more from this author.

This book had it going on. Audrey is called to help her ex Tyson or he will expose some skeletons in her closet. Someone is blackmailing him and he is a billionaire plus a foot has washed ashore. Really what could go wrong. Throw in St. Barth`s, a bunch of rich people, and some twists and you have yourself a great summer thriller. Pick this book up!

Thank you NetGallery for the ARC of Sunburn! I really enjoyed this book, especially the main character Audrey. The story kept me guessing and I always love a story that I don't figure out all the twists before they are officially revealed. Definitely recommend!

First and foremost, thank you so much to #NetGalley and #Bantam for this ARC of #Sunburned by Katherine Wood!
In Sunburned, Katherine Wood strikes a brilliant balance between tropical glamour and a classic whodunnit. Compared to her earlier novel Ladykiller, this new story delves even deeper into the dangers of hidden truths and fractured relationships. The result is a suspenseful escape where the glitter of an exclusive island can’t quite hide the darkness closing in on its guests.

The plot revolves around Audrey, who is reluctantly drawn back into the orbit of her wealthy and increasingly paranoid former partner, Tyson. He extorts a favor from Audrey, a discovery agent, to help him identify who’s blackmailing him. 
Audrey travels to Tyson’s opulent residence on a sun-kissed St. Barth’s island; yet, it’s there, among a select group of potential enemies—from Tyson’s wife, Samira, who appears trapped in her own marriage (and, was released from her previous marriage when her former husband was murdered), to the overshadowed sibling, Cody, living in Tyson’s wake, to Cody’s girlfriend, the TikTok famous sober, girl next door, Jennifer, to the gorgeous, lover-boy butler, Laurent, and the talented, former Olympian, business partner Allison—that Audrey realizes how quickly paradise can morph into a nightmare.

Sunburned offers layers of motives and electrifying tension. Readers, like myself, who relished the high-stakes drama and decadent thrills of Wood’s (written under the pen name of Katherine St. John) The Lion’s Den and The Sirens will find a similar blend of luxurious atmosphere and mounting dread here. Wood’s narrative style excels at showing how a dream destination can become a gilded trap when no one can be trusted.

Sunburned is a triumph of suspense, one that proves Wood's talent for combining allure, danger, and a cast of characters whose every move hints at betrayal. Pick this up if you crave a page-turner charged with tension—where the sun may be bright, but the truth is anything but clear.

SO good! A classic Katherine Wood - ritzy glamorous European island, and kept me guessing until the end! It was the perfect thriller - not scary but lots of twists and turns. I loved it!

Glittering beaches, private yachts, and the intoxicating pull of wealth—Sunburned lures you in with its paradise setting and a seemingly straightforward mystery, only to unravel into a twisty, high-stakes thriller where no one can be trusted. Marissa Stapley once again proves her skill at blending psychological suspense with sharp, immersive storytelling, making this novel a riveting, sun-drenched page-turner.

Audrey Collet has built a career as a fixer, tracking down assets and uncovering hidden truths before lawsuits go to trial. But when her billionaire ex, Tyson, calls demanding help, she wants nothing to do with him. Their relationship ended badly years ago and reminds her of some of the secrets she'd like to keep buried. Still, Audrey agrees to meet him at his luxurious estate in St. Barth’s, where he insists that someone among his inner circle is blackmailing him—and that they both have a lot to lose if the truth comes out.

Against her better judgment, Audrey flies to his private estate in St. Barth’s, where he claims someone in his exclusive inner circle is blackmailing him. He has seven potential suspects—his new Belgian wife who seems to dislike him, an angry and volatile business partner, his resentful brother, and a mysterious French butler among and he expects Audrey to uncover the truth. When a seemingly routine birthday dive turns deadly, the hunt for a blackmailer turns into something far worse: a fight for survival.

Wood masterfully blends opulence with unease, crafting a world of money, manipulation, and long-buried secrets. The novel’s pacing is razor-sharp and the tension keeps the pages flying by. While Sunburned has the sunny allure of a beach read, it’s anything but light—it’s smart, tense, and utterly gripping, a slow-burn thriller that erupts into chaos when you least expect it.

For readers who love luxury with a side of danger, characters who are as complex as they are morally gray, and a plot that keeps you second-guessing until the very end, Sunburned is a must-read. #randomhouse #ballantine #katherinewood #ladykiller

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.