St. Martin's Press | 4 January 2022 | 320 pgs
Source: Library
In a nutshell, Reckless Girls is a locked-room mystery set in an isolated island. I've always been a fan of locked-room mysteries and having read the author's previous novel, The Wife Upstairs, I've high expectations of this book but regrettably, it left me feeling a bit disappointed.
Meroe Island is located in the middle of Pacific Ocean with a sad history of a mysterious shipwreck that had happened so long ago. Rumours have it that the island is haunted; and that cannibalism is part of the mystery, too. Not many people dare to explore that island, until time has kind of diminished the rumours but the history of the shipwrecks remain.
The journey begins when Lux and Nico decided to have a little sea adventure on Nico's boat, alongside with two other women who hired Nico to bring them to Meroe Island. Nico has been a free spirited guy who loves sailing and exploring the world. Lux, on the other hand, is tired of her job as a hotel maid and since she's devoted to her relationship with Nico, she decides that sailing with some strangers shouldn't be a bad thing considering the two female travellers, Brittany and Amma, paid a hefty sum for the ferrying.
When the four of them reached Meroe Island, they found they're not alone as they saw a luxurious boat docked before them. Eliza and Jack are a couple and the others could tell they're rich by their demeanour and of course, their boat and its facilities they seem to offer. The six of them become friends quickly; and they've a fun time having the island to themselves until an interloper disrupt their (make-believe happy) equilibrium and turn their dynamics into something dark and sinister. But then, it's not entirely the interloper's fault as each of them harbour a secret and they're about to unleash under their own fear and threats in an isolated island.
For a thriller, there isn't many actions in the first three-quarter of the book as it mostly focus on the interactions between the six characters who remind me a lot about the participants in reality TV show reminiscent of Survivor, Lost and the likes. The setting has a claustrophobic feeling and the cast of characters are intriguing so I think this is the strength of the story. However, the ending came off as abrupt and over-the-top, thus it seemed a little unhinged from the first half of the book. Apart from this, the characters aren't likeable and while this isn't an issue, it didn't help with my outlook on the story though I've to say it kept me entertained. All in all I'd still recommend this if you want a fun read and a brief break from reality.
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Too bad this one was disappointing. I'm not a fan of endings that don't really match the rest of the book either.
Diana - The ending felt rushed and too many things happened at the same time; otherwise it'd have made a great read. I'm curious what the author will write next, though.
Sounds like a good but not great read. I don't love over-the-top endings, especially when they don't fit the pacing of the rest of the book.
I saw this one at the library the other day, but I had an armful of books and didn't pick it up. I like part of what you told of the story, but....I don't think I'll rush to read it. Maybe in a while.
I love the colorful book cover but am not sure I'd read it.
I liked this one but I agree the ending kinda had me thinking... huh?
Lark - The book has such great potential. I'd love it better if the ending was better.
Kay - I'll be curious of what you think if you do read it, Kay.
Harvee - I loved the book cover. In fact it was what it'd caught my attention in the first place.
Greg - Yes, the ending spoilt the overall story IMO.
I really enjoyed her Wife Upstairs novel and am curious about this one. I am sorry this one left you feeling disappointed in the end.
Wendy - I liked it well enough though I hoped the ending would be better.