Jem is a long way from home both literally and figuratively. She and her husband moved to New York City for his job. Instead of running her catering business or having tea with her friends back home in England, Jem is suddenly thrust into the work of art gallery premieres, product release parties, and…a Hamptons house share for the summer? She’s feeling very out of place, especially after she learns another woman drowned in the pool at the Hampton’s house last year and no one bothered to tell her before she arrived. Jem is stunned and wants to know more, but none of the housemates want to discuss it. When a famous novelist tells Jem he wants to write a story about the death, but needs her help to uncover the truth, Jem hesitantly agrees. Slowly over the summer, Jem discovers who she can trust and what really happened at The Pool House last year.
Tasmina Perry is well known for her “beach reads” and women’s fiction, but The Pool House delves into a darker world. Full of mystery and suspense, along with some romance, Perry utilizes her career in the magazine world to add in the glamour of the New York finance and publishing scene to the mix. This is a novel about the dangers of keeping secrets and of following your heart’s desires.
I give The Pool House 4 out of 5 stars. This book had me guessing right until the end! More than once, I thought I had figured out what happened to the woman in the pool last summer, but was proven wrong. I appreciate the mystery and the deceit around some of the housemates throughout the novel, but I did find some of the romance contrived. I really enjoyed the discussions about travel between the city and the Hamptons – having made that trek myself just before the Fourth of July a few years ago, I can attest to the very long journey to travel just a handful of miles. I finished this book wishing that there was a sequel that followed Jem’s character as she moves on from The Pool House – maybe one day?
This book would be great for a girlfriend weekend getaway or a book club choice! With the discussion of murder and adultery throughout, it might be best directed to audiences over 16. If you love books like Gone Girl, or Agatha Christie mysteries, you will love this book!
I chose The Pool House for the Read With Lindsey Reading Challenge prompt “swimming pool”. The cover of this book features a pool and it caught my eye immediately when I was looking at options. I’m not usually one for thrillers like this, but I loved it! What are you reading by the pool this week?
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What I’m Reading
- Current print book: Nineteen Minutes, Jodi Picoult
- Current audio book: Before We Were Yours, Lisa Wingate
- Book I’m most looking forward to: Ragtime, E.L. Doctorow
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