Review Detail

Luca lives on Parris, an island primarily inhabited by the rich and well off. But underneath the glamor is a haunting string of dead women. When Luca's sister, Whitney, is the island's latest victim, she knows she has to find out the truth before the curse comes for her next.

3 Reasons to Read BAD THINGS HAPPEN HERE:

1.) The setting: I love a setting that features a gritty, dangerous remote location, especially one that is shielded by the illusion of grandeur. Luca sees everything the island tries to hide, and she feels the weight of the hypocrisy around her.

2.) The relationships: While a good mystery does need strong action, I would argue the relationship between the victim(s) and the person living are just as important if not more. Luca lost her best friend, Polly, before she lost Whitney, and it is the loss of both relationships and the harsh grief that propels Luca forward into the action.

3.) The character development: Luca is grieving, mourning, experiencing betrayal and love, and trying to decide what next step to take all at the same time. Her heart is broken repeatedly by different circumstances, and she has to find a way through, even if it means leaving what is familiar and making hard choices. Her development feels really authentic and understandable for her character, and you can't help but want her to find happiness in some way, shape, or form after everything she's been through.

BAD THINGS HAPPEN HERE is the perfect summer thriller with a beating heart at the center.