Dead of Summer by Jessa Maxwell is a fast-paced mystery set on Hadley Island. Faith goes with her wealthy boyfriend, David, to his family’s home, while Orla returns to clean out her family’s place. David and Orla have a history together, and with their friend Alice, they spent great summers on the island... until something went horribly wrong.

Now, years later, Henry, the town recluse, is being questioned about the disappearance of a young girl, after being accused of Alice’s murder in the past. The book is full of twists and surprises, and it kept me hooked the whole time. With multiple characters’ points of view, it’s easy to follow, and I found myself cheering for Henry!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read Dead of Summer.

Very twisty, an excellent read for the beach (the story takes place on one of those East Coast summer islands around the 4th of July). This is Jessa Maxwell’s 3rd book, and they’ve each been very different plot-wise but equally immersive. This go-around I did hazard a guess about a certain plot detail and was gratified by the reveal to know I had been correct! Anyway, you’ll definitely want to solve the mystery of what rabbit hole poor Alice fell down, and what do Orla and Henry know about it.

I will say there's a certain feeling of predictability throughout the book. BUT you will have a ominous gut feeling that will still surprise you. Just when you think you know exactly the way it's going to go, your thoughts will be kept racing until the very end. The mysterious island, the seemingly perfect couple unraveling, the unexpected death that you didn't see coming, the minor details throughout the passages that add to the climactic ending.. It all adds up to make it a great thriller. The ultimate She-venge, you could read at the beach! The author's ability to switch point of views each chapter in a smooth manner, keeps it a calculated, easy read! I was fascinated the whole way!

A solid thriller from the author of the Golden Spoon and I Need You to Read This. There is nothing new or noteworthy here that would make this a standout book but there are some decent twists, it’s a page turning book and the perfect beach read to throw in your bag and read in a few sittings that will keep
your interest and wrap up nicely in the end. Themes of rich people behaving badly, grief and secrets. I enjoyed it. It may not stick with me in the months to come but it was fun while I was reading. I loved Henry’s character and the twist involving him made my mouth drop open while reading!

Surrounded by the wealth and privilege of Hadley Island, David Clarke and his girlfriend Faith arrive at his family’s lavish mansion for the summer. But they’re not the only ones returning to the island… Orla is back for the first time since her best friend Alice’s mysterious death. Though Henry Wright was blamed, no body was ever found, and long-buried secrets are ready to surface.
Is life among the elite as perfect as it appears, or is something far more dangerous hiding underneath?

An atmospheric, slow-burn mystery set on a secluded New England island, Dead of Summer is a gripping, eerie read that weaves together secrets, privilege, and the ghosts of the past.

Faith has everything she’s ever wanted—a wealthy, devoted boyfriend, David, who offers her the stability and love she’s always craved. When he invites her to spend the summer at his family’s exclusive island estate, she doesn’t hesitate. She quits her job in Manhattan, imagining an idyllic escape filled with romance and luxury. But once she arrives, things feel...off. David is always absent, his powerful father barely acknowledges her, and whispers in town suggest that the family she’s tied herself to is far more dangerous than she realized.

Meanwhile, Orla has returned to the island for the first time in years, still haunted by the disappearance of her best friend, Alice. A struggling artist facing a recent failure, she comes back to her family’s empty home, hoping to find solace—but instead, she finds long-buried truths resurfacing.

As Faith and Orla’s paths cross, the mystery surrounding Alice’s fate deepens. Clues begin to surface, revealing shocking connections between the island’s most powerful family and the tragedy that changed Orla’s life. What really happened to Alice that night? And is history about to repeat itself?

Maxwell crafts a tense, beautifully written thriller that unfolds with creeping unease, drawing the reader into an isolated, unsettling world where privilege masks dark secrets. The dual timelines keep the suspense high, and the twists will leave you second-guessing everyone’s motives.

Perfect for fans of gothic island thrillers, slow-burning suspense, and deeply immersive mysteries, Dead of Summer is a chilling, compulsive read that lingers long after the final page.

#AtriaBooks #DeadOfSummer #JessMaxwell #AtmosphericThriller

Quick, good pacing, though a bit predictable at times. This is a solid beach read and all three POVs weave together nicely.

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

A really great and easy thriller. This would be a perfect beach read if you like your summers a little riveting.