I've been on this journey of reading Jessa Maxwell's books since her debut The Golden Spoon came out, and what a beautiful journey it's been! Her sophomore novel I Need you to Read This was in my top 10 books of 2024, and after reading Dead of Summer, I fully expect her to appear in my top 10 for 2025 as well! The popcorn-thriller pacing and beautifully atmospheric summer setting had me gripping those pages! The isolated setting was eerie enough to give me goosebumps. This thriller is a dream for us rabid readers who can't get enough of the rich people behaving badly trope. Definitely recommend this one, friends! Out 07/22!

*Dead of Summer* by Jessa Maxwell is a deliciously eerie murder mystery set against the backdrop of an exclusive summer camp. With its mix of nostalgia, dark secrets, and an unsettling atmosphere, the story keeps you guessing until the very end. Maxwell’s sharp writing and cleverly woven twists make every chapter more addictive than the last. If you love suspenseful thrillers with a hint of summer nostalgia, this one is a must-read.

This is definitely a quick little popcorn thriller with a the summer atmospheric vibes. Old money, power, status, secrets. A remote island in New England? Loved all of that.

I was a bit bored at times and things felt a bit predictable to me.

A bunch of smoke and mirrors and a very thinly veiled plot. But it makes for a quick summer poolside thriller.

Expected Pub Date - 07/22/25

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria publishing for the advanced digital copy, all thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley, author Jessa Maxwell, and Atria Books Publishing for this ARC !

This was a quick read. I quickly got sucked into the mystery and did not want to put it down. Some parts I did feel were repetitive and took away from the storyline. Overall enjoyed.

This book just didn’t do it for me. I found it to be pretty slow, and had trouble getting into it. At the end, it did start to heat up but I found it predictable

ARC review • pub date 07.22.25

Faith is on an island with her boyfriend, David, and hopes he will soon be popping the question. Orla hadn’t been back to the island since she was a teenager and her friend Alice went missing. Back then, both girls were after David. And then there’s Henry, a lonely old man living in isolation after the whole island puts him at fault for Alice’s disappearance.

I thought this was a decent read, but not my favorite from this author. It took me about 25% to really get into it, and figure out who was who and their story. The chapters would go back and forth from present day to past and sometimes was confusing as to which timeline I was on. I figured out all the twists in advance. I still wouldn’t discourage the read, but I enjoyed her first two books more.

3⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for my ARC

Set against the haunting backdrop of Hadley Island, this novel is a captivating blend of suspense, nostalgia, and simmering tension. When Orla O’Connor returns to her family’s beachfront home, she is forced to confront the unsolved disappearance of her childhood best friend, Alice. As she navigates old memories and local whispers, a new disappearance sends shockwaves through the isolated community.

The novel expertly weaves multiple perspectives—Orla, Faith, and the reclusive Henry—each offering a unique lens into the island’s chilling secrets. The atmospheric descriptions of the island’s desolate beaches and abandoned houses heighten the sense of unease, while the characters’ mounting paranoia keeps the suspense taut.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this book but unfortunately fell flat for me. I had a hard time adjusting between the two timelines. Loved The Golden Spoon by Jessa but this one missed the mark. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for advanced copy.

I’ve read Jessa’s other two books and enjoyed them both. All of her books have unique premises and keep you guessing, but they are all missing something that I can’t put my finger on. Maybe it’s lack of character growth - I have never cared much as to what happens to any of her main characters to have me fully invested. Still hard to put down and good yet predictable twists.

Jessa Maxwell’s *Dead of Summer* delivers an eerie, captivating thriller that mixes nostalgia, tension, and the weight of the past. Set on the isolated Hadley Island, the story follows Orla O’Connor, who reluctantly heads back to clean out her family’s summer home. But returning means facing unresolved issues, like the mysterious disappearance of her best friend, Alice. Plus, there’s David, her childhood crush, and his perfect girlfriend, Faith.

As Faith starts digging into the island’s secrets and town recluse Henry watches from afar, the tension really ramps up. When another person goes missing, the plot thickens with buried secrets and shifting suspicions. Maxwell’s writing brings the island to life, making it feel both beautiful and creepy, and adding to the suspense. Although it follows some familiar thriller plots, the sharp execution and pacing keep you on your toes.

Overall, *Dead of Summer* is a gripping read that stays with you after you finish. With its haunting setting and complex characters, Maxwell proves she’s great at crafting psychological thrillers.

This was an enjoyable read, but for me, it didn’t quite reach the heights of The Golden Spoon. Some of the twists felt a bit predictable, and I found myself less invested in the plot overall. That said, Jessa Maxwell’s talent as a writer still shines through, and she remains an author whose future works I’m eager to explore. While this one wasn’t entirely my cup of tea, I’m still looking forward to what she creates next!

Old money, power, prestige, secrets, lies, and an isolated New England Island set the stage for Dead of Summer. This book is a twisted, chilling, gripping, and dark tale about a young woman coming home to Orla O’Connor and looking for answers! I enjoyed this dark tale the mystery about what happened the night a young woman name Alice disappeared.

Orla O’Connor hasn't been to Hadley Island since her best friend, Alice disappeared one night. Orla, Alice and David were inseparable that summer. They had fun in the sun and partied at night.

David has returned to his family's luxurious estate on the island with his girlfriend, Faith. Faith is hoping for a romantic and luxurious trip, but David is preoccupied and seldom around.

Henry, an islander, was accused in Alice's disappearance and has never left. He remains, always watching......

This was an enjoyable mystery which kept me fully invested and turning the pages. I enjoyed the twists and turns along the way; although there were times that I hoped the pace moved slightly faster. I enjoyed the setting and that trapped feeling of being on the isolated where everyone knew everyone, and secrets are hard to keep.

Coming in under 300 pages, this proved to be an enjoyable book. This is the second book which I have read by Jessa Maxwell, The Golden Spoon being the first. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Buckle up for the perfect beach read!

Faith is excited to spend a summer with her boyfriend, David, the son of a billionaire who owns a mansion on the beach. It's a dream come true, especially with her checkered past.

Orla is back in her hometown to take care of her parents' home. But everywhere she turns, she sees ghosts.

Henry hasn't been back to the town in years, turned away after he was accused of killing a teenager. He spends his days watching the people on the island.

Three POVs for one crazy, twisty tale of lies, the rich, the guilty, and a summer that will see everything come to light.

Thank you, NetGalley for the early read!!

This story is told by multiple POV’s. It moves at a really slow pace until the halfway mark, & even then, what unfolds is a pretty weak and forgettable “mystery”. It’s poorly executed & the characters lacked any type of depth. The plot overall is far-fetched with a ridiculous ending twist.

Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for this advanced reader copy. This book hits shelves on 7/22.

I love Jessa Maxwell. The golden spoon was excellent and this one is very good as well. I love how she’s embracing the different types of mysteries in each book. Definitely recommend this one.

The camp, which once had a reputation for being a fun and safe place, now harbors disturbing events that cast a shadow over the counselors’ idyllic summer. As tensions rise, old wounds are reopened, and relationships become strained. Dead of Summer" is a tale of suspense, intrigue, and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a seemingly tranquil summer camp that harbors dark and dangerous secrets.

A mystery set against wealth and secrets. Lots of flashbacks and hints of corruption. It was well-written and did a good job of keeping me engaged !

This story is told from three POV’s. Faith, who has come to Hadley Island for the first time with her super wealthy boyfriend, David. Henry, who has lived under a dark cloud suspicion since Alice disappeared many years ago. Then there is Orla, who was Alice’s best friend.
What does Alice’s disappearance have to do with these people now? Lots of secrets and lies are slowly revealed. I will say that one of these characters gave me odd vibes almost from the beginning. I was not wrong to give this person side eye.
This was a treadmill read for me, and it worked. My only requirement is that those reads keep my interest with no middle of the book lulls. This one had me needing to know what was going on with these characters, this wealthy family, and on this island. I will say I wasn’t totally surprised when everything was revealed.

a perfect summer thriller right here!!! thank you so much for the arc netgalley!! having read the golden spoon and loving the idea but not execution, i was skeptical. i enjoyed the plot, the cover (to die for cmon), pacing was great. characters were spot on and could picture them in my head!! i guessed the plot twist but that's okay. i had a fun time !!!

Great premise but unfortunately this was underwhelming and predictable. Wish this had more of the shock from I Need You to Read This. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!