This is a story about secrets & greed.

I’ve enjoyed other works by the author, so I was excited when I heard she had something new on the way. It didn’t disappoint! I love summer camp settings, especially this year when actual travel feels challenging. A fun, summery mystery.

Thanks NetGalley & Delacorte for this advanced e-ARC. The Cousins is out this December!

The Cousins was a fun teen thriller/mystery. It's a solid story, though I wouldn't say it's the best thing I've ever read. I'll be purchasing it for my teen collection, however.

As a fan of McManus's previous novels, I was thrilled to get the chance to read The Cousins early. It's the perfect book to read on a craggy New England beach. if you get the chance. The rotating perspectives as well as the peeks into the past combine to unravel the book's mysteries, plural - just when you think you've solved the mystery, a new mystery appears! It was a fun and compelling read that kept me saying, "just one more chapter before bed."

I have read all of Karen McManus's books. They each twist and turn that you do not know which way is up by the end, but you love the ride. I do feel like this one fell a little short. I felt that it was very predictable, but I am also an adult reading YA. Having read her, I was looking for who it was.
It will still be something my students love, and something I will buy for the library.

This was an intriguing mystery that kept me turning the pages.
If you've enjoyed McManus' other work, you'd enjoy this. The characters were interesting, each with their own secrets to unravel as the story went on.
Thank you to #Netgalley and @RHCBeducators for the opportunity to get an early copy.

If you enjoyed Karen McManus' other books then you will love this one! It's a good old fashion mystery but with a family dynamic twist that I did not see coming. Three cousins come together after years of their family being estranged, for a summer of trying to figure out the mystery surrounding their grandmother's apparent disinheritance of their parents. The story is told as a tripartite, or three person, perspective so we get a good understanding of each of the cousins. Also included is a 3rd person point of view of past events that help fill on some of the blanks. The story wraps up nicely but does leave a little tid bit at the end which leaves room for perhaps a sequel. This quick read, fun, and engaging story will have you speeding through the pages to figure out what is going on.

Possibly even more twists than McManus' previous books which kept me thoroughly engaged and waiting to see what would come next. All three main characters had me interested and they were each nicely defined. It did take me quite awhile to sort out the three older brothers, especially with all the names beginning with "A" and ESPECIALLY Archer vs. Anders! I like the corrupt rich person vibe and the ultimate comeuppance of some of the more miserable characters.

Another great novel by the author. Like the author's other books, she has characters to root for and shocking twists. This is a definite must buy for my library.

This was my first book by Karen M. McManus, and it won't be my last! After fully disconnecting from their family, the Story grandmother suddenly invites all three of her grandchildren to her island to work for the summer. Something doesn't seem right to our three main characters, as to why their grandmother would now be reaching out. All of the characters are fun and different, with a plot twist I didn't see coming. I couldn't put this mystery down.

I have enjoyed previous Karen M. McManus books so I was looking forward to reading this one. The premise of this one seemed to offer yet another interesting and thrilling story. It didn't disappoint.

Meeting Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah was a lot of fun. Being introduced to the history of their family and attempting to figure out what happened then vs what is happening now kept me thoroughly engaged throughout the story. There were plenty of twists and turns that I did not see coming, as well as a few that seemed to come from no where, as a reader, but made sense for the characters involved. Overall I really enjoyed the story and definitely look forward to reading more by McManus.

I look forward to having this at my library because I can already think of some young adult readers who will be interested in reading it.

This is such an excellent mystery and thriller novel. Karen McManus is my favorite new writer for all things mysterious and suspenseful.

Three 17-year-old cousins are summoned to their reclusive grandmother’s island twenty-four years after she abruptly disowned their parents. Everyone has secrets they’re keeping. The premise is interesting, but the delivery falls short. The plot meanders along for the first two-thirds or so, and I found the climax rather underwhelming.
Two and a half stars rounded up to three.

Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the electronic arc.

Karen McManus has done it again! This may be her best one yet. A great mystery about a wealthy family, with lots of secrets of course. Just when you think you are settled in, an unexpected twist and everything you thought you knew vanishes. The Story family is a storied family, with massive wealth that owns and lives on Gull Cove island, similar to Martha's Vineyard. Their wealthy creates a distinction between the 4 Story siblings and their townie peers. Unexpectedly, as adults, they are disowned from their mother, immediately after their father passed away. As they mystery of why unfolds, each of the siblings and their offspring, the cousins of the title, have their own unique story. McManus brings all kinds of excitement into solving the mystery of why were they disowned so abruptly and who and why were the cousins summoned to the island for one wild summer. A great read!

Milly, Aubrey and Jonah are three cousins who don't know each other and they all receive a letter from their estranged grandmother inviting them to come for visit for the summer. She disinherited their parents years ago after and none of the children know why. Their parents tell them their going so they can get back in the matriarch's good graces but one they get to the island they shortly learn that all may not be as it seems. They also learn about their family's dark and secret past any why their parents were disinherited in the first place. I love the setting of a mystery on an island or near a beach. It always puts me in the mind of one of my favorite mysteries Agatha Christie's And then there were none. A beach setting is usually so sunny and open and secrets that have been hidden for years have no way of hiding in that setting. McManus is becoming a go to author for anything mystery for me. She is truly skilled at character, secrets and plotting. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery.

Karen McManus does it again. Brings readers in with complicated characters, secrets and suspense that will keep readers on hanging on until the end.

Once again Karen McManus has written a twisty book. I had no idea where the plot was going (that's a good thing) and was constantly surprised by a reveal of detail. Great premise with old money family drama. Highly Recommend.

Three 17 year old cousins, Milly, Aubrey and Jonah, are invited to their estranged grandmother’s island resort to spend the summer. Their parents had been disowned 24 years ago. The three teens spend the summer getting to know each other and solving the mystery of why their parents and uncle were disinherited.

I liked all three of the main characters and thought they were well developed. The story was told by each of the grandkids in turn and through flashbacks for Milly’s mother Alison when she was 18.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I will read whatever Karen McManus puts out! She does such a great job of mixing strong characters and suspenseful stories. I will be adding this to the purchase list of our library.

Three cousins from the wealthy Story family, receive the same letter from their estranged grandmother offering them a summer job on the small island where their parents were raised. Years prior, Mildred Story had cut off contact with her children and severed their inheritance. The cousins are intrigued by the offer and are hopeful to develop a relationship with their grandmother.
Told from the perspectives of each of the cousins, McManus weaves a story of deep animosity and decades buried family secrets. Unlike the author's other books, this one does not become a murder mystery until towards the end of the book. Also, while not as suspenseful as her other books, the story has well developed and likeable characters, a few twists and flashbacks to make this a popular young adult read. The author has developed a language of writing that will draw even the most reluctant of teen readers.

I liked the three main characters and how the mystery unfolded. Parts were predictable, but thoroughly enjoyable with enough suspense thrown in. My students will definitely like this one.