Four childhood friends meet annually on a remote Swedish island for a night of fun and secrecy. Ten years later, true crime podcaster Tessa is obsessed with their disappearance. When her best friend plans a bachelorette party on a similar island, Tessa sees it as her last chance to uncover the truth. But someone else has revenge in mind.

I recently discovered this author, and let me tell you, this book was like diving headfirst into a suspenseful mystery. The writing style was refreshingly different - you knew what was happening, but the how and why kept you on the edge of your seat. The pace was just right, with enough detail to keep you hooked without overwhelming you.

We meet a cast of characters, from Tilly, Anna, Linnea, and Evelina to Lena, Minna, Mikaela, Natalie, and our main gal Tessa. The diverse personalities added layers of drama and intrigue to the story. Some characters were a bit tough to warm up to, but Tessa was a gem - likable and totally underestimated.

Now, I know what you're thinking - that's a lot of characters to keep track of. But fear not, it's all handled with finesse. The plot builds up beautifully, but I have to admit, the ending fell a bit flat for me. I was expecting one more twist to really knock my socks off.

The back-and-forth timeline kept things interesting, and while some parts were predictable, it was still a solid murder mystery read. The vivid descriptions of the environment made me feel like I was right there with the characters - it was truly an experience to remember.

I opted for the audiobook, and let me tell you, it was a fantastic listen. It added an extra layer of intrigue, especially during the longer parts. If you're into secluded island murder mysteries, soap operas, short chapters, or beautifully described scenery, this book is must-read. It's the perfect summer read for a rainy day - you'll breeze through it in no time.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Camilla Sten’s “The Bachelorette Party” is the first book I read from her. Set on a remote island off the coast of Sweden, it flips between May 2012 and April 2022 for most of the book.

For May 2012, the reader is introduced to four friends, Tilly, Anna, Linnea and Evelina, who have been meeting at the island for years. The island belongs to Anna’s family so they have it all to themselves. All four friends disappeared and authorities investigated, but concluded they had accidentally drowned.

For April 2022, we have a Bachelorette Party arriving on the same island to a newly finished yoga retreat called Baltic Vinyasa. The Bachelorette Party consists of six women. Tessa, her sister, Lena, her best friend and bride-to-be, Anneliese, the maid of honor, Mikaela, as well as Natalie and Caroline.

This novel is a locked-room mystery that began with May 2012 and ended in April 2022. The May 2012 parts are told from Tilly’s point of view and Tessa’s the narrator for the April 2022 events. Tessa has long wondered what happened to Tilly, Anna, Linnea, and Evelina. She agreed to come on the trip because she recognized the location. She also sees it as an opportunity to resurrect her career and podcast after a tragedy occurred about nine months earlier.

There was a nice flow to the author’s writing style and the chapters were relatively on the short side. I wasn’t particularly surprised by most of the twists, but that’s probably due to me reading a lot of mysteries and thrillers. I will say there is a line towards the end by one of the Bachelorette Party attendees that made me laugh. The attendee in question makes a comment, during an action-packed part of the book, that refers to something she mentioned at the beginning of the book, when the reader’s still getting to know each of the women.

Overall, I recommend this book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

First, this cover is GORGEOUS! 🫶🏼
This was a fun, twisty “locked room” type thriller!
Locked away at a fancy wellness resort for The Bachelorette Party…it seems everyone has a secret,
Told from the POV of Tessa, who has her own demons….the isle is home to a decades old missing person case when 4 BFF’s go missing on thier yearly trip together.
I listened to this audio & it was great! Narrator did a fab job. The story was fun too…I felt the final twist was a little lackluster & kinda came from no where but over all this was fun thriller!
3.5/5 rounded up for NetGalley

I did not finish this book. The characters are not relatable, I don't care about the characters or the problem. I love lock room mysteries, and this one is not the best for me.

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Stern was an entertaining read, especially with its two storylines for Tessa. It was fast-paced and a very easy read. Tessa’s storyline pulled me in, and I really wanted to know the scandal that has ruined her life. We get bits and pieces of these as the story progresses, and that really kept me turning the pages. I wanted some more there with that and wish it tied in with the other main piece of the story line.
The main piece of the storyline.. the mystery of the Nacka Four. Tessa goes to this island for her childhood friend’s bachelorette party. Which this was weird to me because even this soon to be bride didn’t call her the name she goes by now, so how close are they for her to be in a wedding?! Then Tessa’s sister is in the wedding too, but they never all hung out together.. Weird. But anyways. Tessa wants to also go to this island to try to figure out the Nacka Four mystery- what happened to these four women ten years earlier that supposedly just “disappeared”. I didn’t expect the twist there with that mystery, and I did like that.
Overall, I think that the characters together aren’t really “friends” and don’t really know each other, so it was weird it was a bachelorette party. I wish the two story lines intertwined better and Tessa’s had more to it. The Nacka Four and what happened to them was interesting to me and that is what kept me reading.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"The Bachelorette Party" by Camilla Sten is a gripping psychological thriller.

Sten masterfully crafts a narrative that delves into the complexities of friendship, trust, and the dark shadows that can lurk behind even the most joyous occasions.

The story revolves around a bachelorette party gone horribly wrong, set in an isolated cabin in the woods. What starts as a celebration quickly turns into a nightmare as secrets are revealed, and the bonds between friends are tested to their limits. The claustrophobic setting adds to the tension, making every page a nail-biting experience.

Sten's characters are vividly drawn and feel incredibly real. Each woman at the party brings her own baggage, and as their pasts intertwine with the present, the layers of their relationships are peeled back to reveal hidden truths. The protagonist's journey is particularly compelling, as she grapples with her own fears and insecurities while trying to survive the unfolding chaos.

The pacing of the novel is expertly handled, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Sten's prose is evocative and precise, creating a sense of impending doom that permeates the entire story. The use of multiple perspectives adds depth to the narrative, allowing the reader to see the events from different angles and increasing the overall sense of unease.

"The Bachelorette Party" explores the theme of trust; Sten delves into how fragile trust can be, especially among friends who have known each other for years. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about how well we know the people closest to us and what happens when that trust is broken.

"The Bachelorette Party" is a chilling and atmospheric thriller that will keep you captivated.

Camilla Sten has crafted psychologically complex must-read story for fans of the genre. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

I’ve loved everything I’ve read by Camilla Sten and The Bachelorette Party didn’t disappoint. There are some plot holes and convenient twists and maybe a bit of predictability, but I loved the isolated-closed-circle mystery and the two groups of women enjoying their time on the island. This book felt suspenseful and creepy- probably my favorite thing about sten’s books is her ability to build an atmosphere.
I felt like the mindfullness and wellness aspects of the current day bachelorette party retreat were a very with the times touch and all the podcast details were really spot on for the popularity of truecrime and the moral implications of covering it.
There was some real depth in the examination of sexual identity that I, as a bisexual lady myself, truly appreciated.
This book it’s necessarily shopping but it’s certainly gripping and it’ll make an excellent beach read that I’ll be recommending all summer.

Tessa is a character you love to route for… while faced with good intentions she’s crashed and burned her own life and while faking it through life for the benefit of others your seeing her unravel a natural mystery as it unfolds and she has no way to stop herself from uncovering the truth. As Tessa digs deeper into the past the current timeline starts to unravel and spin that you have no idea who’s the real villain of the story…. I don’t think anyone was shocked that Lies from the past uncover the truth and what really happened all those years ago.

Note to self: if someone invites you to a yoga retreat on a remote island with a sketchy history… just say no.

This book was a blast! Tessa, our true crime queen, is basically me if I had a podcast, a lifelong obsession with an unsolved mystery, and absolutely zero sense of self-preservation. I loved the mix of dark humor, suspense, and messy friendship dynamics.

Was it a little over-the-top at times? Yup. Did I predict a couple twists? Sure. Did I care? Absolutely not. I was too busy binge-reading and yelling “GIRL, DON’T GO INTO THE WOODS.”

Perfect for anyone who loves a good thriller with a side of chaos and a reminder that sometimes the bachelorette party should’ve just been brunch.

I do not give out 5 stars easily in thrillers but baby, this book had me on a rollercoaster ride. I loved every high and low. It hooked me right from the start. Well done Camilla.

This novel follows main character, Tessa, as she travels to Isle Blind with her sister and group of friends to celebrate a bride-to-be. On the island, Tessa is haunted by memories of a terrible event that occurred recently in her life, as she tries to uncover the secrets of a tragedy that occurred on the very island 10 years ago when 4 women went missing.

I really enjoyed this novel! While the beginning was a lot of world building (which I tend to and did enjoy), it was worth it for the suspense ramp up 50% through the book, for those of you for a preference without a strong build up. The storyline was cohesive, I liked the writing style, and I loved the suspenseful scenes towards the end, as the villain came to light.

My biggest dislike while reading this was the multiple allusions to the traumatic past event in Tessa’s life, as that is one of my least favorite tropes, especially if it’s not related to the current situation(s). I felt that story could have been revealed much sooner and not taken away from the suspense.

Ever since I read The Lost Village, I’ve been hooked on this author. Perhaps not as shocking of an ending but still an engaging read.

While this was a quick read, I just wasn't as invested as I thought I would be. I can see it being a good beach read, but it's a familiar set up and I could see the twists coming.

Read along while listening to the audiobook. Well written characters. Thsnks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

3.5⭐- I enjoyed this, but I do feel like I've read quite a few thrillers lately that have the same or very similar storyline. I was able to guess most of the twists, so I wasn't too surprised or shocked by them. But I enjoyed the execution and the story got very fast paced after 50% in. I felt like the ending was a little rushed but I liked the way to story came together in the end.

I enjoyed reading THE BACHELORETTE PARTY. It had a slow burn but the short chapters and suspense made for a faster paced read. I did guess a few of the twists and found the last 20% to be the most exciting of it all, but it was a fun thriller.

The secret trip where friends gather. The troupe of secrets revealed and revenge being had. This was a really fast read with not many surprises. Ending was guessed really early on but it was still entertaining.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the digital advance reader copy.

I read this in a weekend, so it's definitely a page-turner.

In 2012, four girls went missing near Isle Blind. In 2022, disgraced podcaster Tess is going with friends to a newly built resort on Isle Blind for a bachelorette weekend. It'll be fine, right? Right?

There are ties between the 2022 friends and the 2012 friends, and, of course, things are not fine.

I enjoy a good thriller, and this is a solid entry.

The backstories of each of the women is revealed slowly, allowing you to figure out the connections between the two groups, and who may have caused the tragedy in 2012.

This is not a "big twist" reveal novel, which I appreciated.

It's more a dread-building story, with an action-packed climax.

It's not going to change your life, but if you're looking for a entertaining, distracting beach thriller, this is a great choice. For fans of Lucy Foley or B. A. Paris.

I'd definitely read more by Sten (and feel like I've read books by her before, but I didn't go back and check).

Two thumbs up.

*graphic violence, language

This was a good one I love the setting of the book but with friends like these you don’t need enemies because who did what is crazy lol can’t trust no one

While the summary of this book was super interesting I got bored and it did sounds like a knock off of a couple other books I have read. 4 friends go on a trip and one is murder.. pulling huge vibes off Darby Kanes book no thanks