Review Detail

The Gray quintuplets are tall, blonde, and deeply in love with their home, Whidbey Island. Pixie Gray and her siblings are the unofficial search and rescue team for the island, along with their dog. When a young boy they know goes missing, they set out a search to find him. Together with Henry, the boy’s older brother, they discover an unexpected dead body, a hidden traitor, and more, all while still searching for the boy.

USELESS BAY is a great mystery, perfect for fans of the show Broadchurch. The island has the feel of a small town, isolated from the rest of the world, though that doesn’t make them any safer. The atmosphere is a combination of creepy, magical, and occasionally somehow comforting. The descriptions of the water and the island are vivid, and the magical realism is so tied to the Gray family and the island that it’s easy to imagine the setting as almost mystical.

Though Pixie and Henry are very likable, the characterization falls a little flat. Neither character develops much, though it is easy to connect with both of them. The family ties both on Pixie’s and on Henry’s side are strong and make a nice part of the story. The splash of romance between Pixie and Henry is also a sweet side plot. Outside of the character development, the plot is magnificent, building well and holding plenty of unexpected twists.

M.J. Beaufrand writes a compelling mystery with an unforgettable island and two families that will do anything to find the truth.