Review: The Cliff House

The Cliff House by Chris Brookmyre
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 Stars

Note: I received an advanced copy of this book from W. W. Norton & Company via NetGalley.

She felt no pleasure or satisfaction over her revenge: that was the hollow truth those seeking vengeance only ever discovered too late.

At Jen's extravagant hen party held on a remote private island, the stage is set for a weekend of indulgence and celebration. With no immediate means of escape, the attendees find themselves in isolation, believing they are the only ones on the island. But they couldn't be more wrong.

Among the partygoers are Jen herself, a pop diva, a former bandmate with a strained relationship, a tennis professional, a fashion icon, an embittered former sister-in-law, and a candid future sister-in-law. The mix of personalities is explosive, and the tension quickly escalates. Amidst the drunken revelry, one of them mysteriously vanishes without a trace.

Suddenly, a chilling message arrives, revealing that unless someone confesses a deeply buried secret to the group, their missing friend's life hangs in the balance. The dilemma is that each person harbors their own closely guarded secret, and none are willing to divulge. As the pressure mounts, alliances shift, and trust among friends turns to suspicion.

The question becomes, who among them is willing to reveal their terrible secret to save their friend, and who is willing to go to great lengths to protect their own hidden truths?

The setting of an isolated island is a brilliant choice in this story. It adds an extra layer of intrigue and suspense to the plot. The idea of being cut off from the rest of the world without cell service creates a sense of vulnerability and isolation, making it the perfect backdrop for a thrilling mystery.

However, the decision to split up into pairs does raise some questions. Given the circumstances of a potential murder, logic would typically dictate that staying together as a group would be the safest course of action. The idea that one of them couldn't have been the killer is a valid point, and it does seem like a flaw in their logic. But sometimes, in stories like these, characters' decisions are driven by fear, panic, or mistrust, which can cloud their judgment and lead to unexpected consequences.

I personally resent the comment Beattie makes regarding Kennedy’s life choices. Just because she chose not to have kids in her twenties does not mean she isn’t a grown-up. I do not understand why the older generation looks down on women so much if they want to choose not to have kids at all.

In any case, the setting and the characters' decisions contribute to the tension and suspense of the story, keeping readers engaged and eager to unravel the mystery of what went wrong on that secluded island.

On a side note: I love Karen Millen clothing, I saw them in London for the first time and bought three dresses!

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