This is an interesting crime story, as it is investigated five years after it happens, through the perspective of two women producing a podcast. The protagonists, Sophie and Katie, met in college and started a podcast exploring unsolved crimes. Now they have the opportunity to examine one in depth—the unsolved murder of one of Katie’s childhood friends, killed at a summer beach party in their hometown in Cornwall. Katie was too drunk to remember a lot of the evening, but returning to her childhood home and interviewing old friends for the podcast brings to light a lot of information, which sets her reeling. I loved how this story unfolded; the premise allowed for so many aspects of the crime (and the life of the victim, Lacey) to be slowly revealed, without the frenzy of the immediate aftermath. The Beach Party may be a “beach read” in one sense, but it is not fun and frothy. It is an engrossing and intriguing mystery, and I enjoyed reading it. I guessed part of the ending, but there was still a lot of surprise. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.

2.5 rounded up to 3

Sophie and Katie meet at City University, London where they both study journalism. They start a true crime podcast called Small Town which investigates cold cases and is quite successful. After university Sophie becomes a much followed fashion/beauty blogger and so the podcast gets neglected until a radio station commissions six episodes to be based on the unsolved murder of 19 year old Lacey Crew in Cornwall five years ago. Lacey and Katie move in the same circles in Pengully though are never especially close friends. Katie returns home to Cornwall with reluctance afraid to confront the past for fear of what she might learn. Katie narrates the story how reliably only time will tell.

First of all, the positives of the debut novel. The premise is good and it’s a great setting in Cornwall which is used effectively. I like the podcast element and this is done well with an air of mystery maintained until the end. The characterisation is okay although Sophie is probably the only one that is truly well fleshed out.

However good the premise and plot are I cannot get past the way it’s written which has completely spoiled the book for me. There are short sentences throughout some are not even proper sentences as they require a verb! The execution means there is a lack of emotion in the storytelling and so my jaw does not drop even though it should as the end twist is indeed unexpected and is a good one. In addition, there are certain phrases that are grammatically incorrect but hopefully these will be sorted before publication. Please check out others reviews as this clearly didn’t worry other readers as they have given a much higher rating than myself.

Overall, it’s a quick read that should have been a winner.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

As the smoke from the bonfire spirals into the night sky and the cool drinks slip down our throats, none of us can take our eyes off Lacey. She dances in the dunes, her long golden hair damp from her late-night swim, her smile dazzling, her blue eyes closed.

Everyone who is close to Lacey sits by the smoky fire. Her adoring boyfriend, who holds onto her, perhaps a little too tightly. Her little sister, always in Lacey’s shadow, sifting fine soft sand through her fingers, never taking her eyes off Lacey. And me. Sad and full of rage, after an argument forced the man I love to leave the party early.

When the fire burns out, we stumble away from the beach, along the cliff path – faces burned by the wind, hearts full of secrets. But Lacey never makes it home. The next morning, her body is found in the sand dunes, a heart-shaped locket missing from around her neck.
I totally recommend this book I couldn’t put it down it was so gripping
Thank You NetGalley and Bookouture
I just reviewed The Beach Party by Amy Sheppard. #TheBeachParty #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this story! Don't be fooled by the title, its not a fluffy summer read. This mystery kept me on my toes. I found myself guessing until the very end. As a true podcast fan, I really enjoyed the concept. I was surprised to find that this was Sheppard's first psychological thriller!

Wow this was a great read by Amy Sheppard. Loved the characters and their role in this story. So many ins and outs, ups and downs. The action just didn’t let up. And the twists and turns just kept coming.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

This book was excellent! It had me riveted from page one. The pacing was perfect and the narrative intriguing, making it near impossible to put down. I read this one in record time and highly recommend. The twists as they played out were extremely well done too.

Thank you to Bookouture, NetGalley, and the author for the chance to read an advanced copy.

The beach party was a hit for me! his book has a great plot and I enjoyed reading it because it was really engrossing. I liked the characterization and the plot progression and pacing was really good. In fact, I believe that the pacing and tension are the two things that made this book such a huge hit.

Before Katie left Cornwall for university a girl in her friendship group was brutally murdered at a beach party. Katie escapes to London and meets Sophie. In the years to come, Sophie starts a small town true crime podcast with Katie as her co host, With some interest from a studio Sophie decides that their next crime should be the one in Katie’s past and they return to Cornwall.

This book had an interesting premise and I enjoyed reading it. There was a lot of unnecessary writing that neither added to the story nor created atmosphere, and there were many parts that were written as red herrings but didn’t sit well, meaning they looked like they just weren’t tied up or had been forgotten about.

There were many grammatical, spelling and even wrong word errors in the book, which made it difficult to tell whether the author had meant to call the location Pengully, or Pengelly. I am sure it is meant to be the former but unfortunately the errors blurred the lines.

With some solid editing this will be a good book.

Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture, and Amy Sheppard for my gifted copy!

Synopsis:
When Katie returns to her hometown to do a podcast on the murder of popular Lacey at a beach party, she doesn't know what she's bargained for. Because while everybody wants to be part of the story, they all have something to hide.

My opinion:
While I was definitely gripped by this pacy story and found it to be a quick read, there were some things that bugged me: 1. Katie did not really like Lacey and doesn't want to stir up trouble. So why doesn't she simply refuse to do the podcast? 2. The podcast revealed stuff people didn't tell the police back then. Why would they speak up in public if they wouldn't even inform the authorities about what they know? 3. Why don't the police intervene when the podcast reveals stuff they didn't know before? 4. There were three male main characters. Why tf was Katie in love with all of them at some point? 5. The Goodreads synopsis made me believe this was a story about the beach party, taking place in real time - at the time of the beach party, NOT at a podcast some years later, which was a bit disappointing since I am not a fan of podcasts.

Imagine returning to your home village to record a series of podcasts about an unsolved murder that you'd been around for. I don't think I'd be brave enough, so hats off to Katie for letting Sophie talk her into it. The evening itself passed in a vodka blur, but something is tickling the back of Katie's mind - will remembering put them in harms way?

Loved it

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher I read a free advance review copy of the book. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.

Amy's debut novel 'The Beach Party' has you wondering from the moment you start reading. The premise is about Katie and Sophie - friends with a True Crime Podcast called Small Towns. It involves Katie's hometown and the murder of Lacey. Lacey the girl that had a past. I loved how the story went back and forth between the present and past. If you love small-town crimes that keep you guessing until the very end, this book is for you.
I give it ⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars out of 5.
*Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy.

I was really interested in this premise - two friends who are also hosts of a true crime podcast go back to the hometown of one to investigate a cold case murder. However, I struggled with the writing here and it would randomly flashback without clear indication.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Bookouture and #NetGalley, thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


WOW! A phenomenal read about two woman that have a true crime podcast. The setting is a quaint small town, that feels quite picturesque. Suspenseful, thrilling, twists, turns. I didn't put it down once I picked it up.

The Beach Party by Amy Sheppard was a very well thought out book. It was well written and the plot was super interesting. I liked the small town setting and the suspense of the book. There were quite a few twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t able to guess the ending-so that is always a ‘win’ in my book, as I appreciate a good surprise at the end. I look forward to reading more of Amy’s work in the future. I would definitely recommend this author’s new book to others.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Beach Party by Amy Sheppard was a thriller that had lots of twists and turns.
The plot and characters wind together wonderfully and I became immersed in this story very early on. It is the kind of book that keeps you hooked and guessing till very end.
I think the tension was successfully created and maintained throughout the book.
Full of mystery, tension and suspense. Had my heart pounding!
The best thriller I've read this year. This boo will reel you in instantly!

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Bookouture,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Unfortunately this writing style is immediately not for me. It takes until well into chapter two for the narrator to take a break from telling me about the past. Then it goes right back into info dumping about the past. It’s either excessive back story or if all of this information is important it should be introduced differently. Personally, I feel like it’s ineffective for a thriller. I had to put it down in chapter 3. I will not be posting a public review for this on goodreads or YouTube because I do not want to bring down its rating do early on.

Wow, I really enjoyed this book! It did fall a little bit flat at certain points but overall I found it difficult to put down!

This was an interesting ride. I loved the true crime podcast idea and how everything comes together to unveil a cold case murder.

A chance encounter makes both of our protagonists to go back where everything started, the same small town where a 19 years old, Lacey, was killed.

The same beach party that one of them took part. But recalls nothing of importance from that night. Slowly, they investigate people who might have a secret or two.

The fast-paced kept me engaging throughout the story and some of these characters are quite the challenge.

This is an unmissable book!

🆓📖Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy

Amy Sheppard has written a sensational novel for her first psychological thriller. Two young women, Katie and Sophie, run a True Crime Podcast called 'Small Town' and start investigating the death of Lacey Crew in Pengully, Katies home town. As their investigation develops Katie unearths shocking memories from her own past as she attended the beach party where Lacey was murdered. There are many twists and turns in the story that lead to an unexpected and shocking finale. A novel that is well worth five (5) stars. Accolades to Amy Sheppard and her team.