Thank you to the publisher for sending me a reading copy! This was the perfect murder mystery to read whilst on holiday, and I thoroughly enjoyed the rollercoaster ride of ups and downs as I followed the characters through lies, secrets and more lies. Each character had their flaws, their reasons for keeping their cards close to their chest; their motive for murder. Each one was as real as you or I, and I loved trying to figure out which one had the biggest motive and least convincing alibi. The twists and turns I did not see coming, and the ending definitely left me wanting more. Can't wait to see what comes next from the author.

Liar’s Beach is the perfect summer mystery to pick up this year. As soon as I heard about a new YA take on Hercule Poirot and a particular favourite of mine out of his cases, I knew I had to have it in my life. Liar’s Beach pays a gorgeous homage to the intense atmosphere, claustrophobia and resultant paranoia of Christie’s locked-room mysteries. It has that same character study, with added nuance and a social awareness more benefitting current times. Cotugno weaves in an excellent discussion around class and privilege that I really enjoyed. It is thoughtful and provides context to the actions of the characters, giving the story an extra layer of depth. Also, it helps create a particular atmosphere evoked by incredible wealth and the ability to access a place like Martha’s Vineyard. I absolutely fell in love with Cotugno’s fierce, funny and incredibly smart new Poirot in the form of the undeniable Holiday. She misses nothing but does not always reveal her conclusions to Linden or subsequently us as readers. This allows armchair detectives to revel in shared suspicions, but also build to an explosive conclusion. The way Holiday provides a classic laying out of the who, what and whydunnit is amazing and also updated in a way that makes it relevant and believable to a modern audience. Linden is an interesting protagonist, with plenty of his own secrets and entangled relationships. He is not always a morally supportable character, but his flaws are all too human and the pressures surrounding him are all too heavy at times. Liar’s Beach is a rip-roaring, riveting and remarkable YA thriller that I highly recommend. It takes the ethos and spirit of the original story it is inspired by, but gives it a fresh new twist, so do not presume that you already know how this one will end. TW: death, murder, drug abuse, hospitalisation, injury, cheating

Cleverly addictive YA mystery that is both gripping and unpredictable. I loved the group dynamic of characters and their interpersonal relationships, that plus a great mystery makes for a terrific read. The setting is great and I engaged completely with main protagonist Linden, navigating world that is not his. I like the way the author plays with perception and I especially liked the last few words which offered up so much promise. If you like YA mystery you'll love this. Recommended.