Camilla Sten’s The Bachelorette Party is the psychological thriller equivalent of a champagne bottle popped at midnight—sparkling, a bit dangerous, and more potent than expected. Set against the backdrop of a secluded island weekend, this Swedish suspense tale serves up all the usual trappings of a party gone wrong—old friends, old secrets, and a gathering that spirals from festive to fatal.

Sten is a master of tension, and it shows. Nearly every chapter ends with a revelation, a whiplash turn, or the slow unfurling of dread. For readers who love being kept off balance, this book delivers. Secrets are peeled back with surgical precision, and just when you think you've figured it all out... bam, another layer unravels.

But here’s where the four-star reviewers split the champagne bottle: sometimes it’s just too much. There are twists within twists, and while that might thrill some, others might feel like they’re trapped in a narrative funhouse with one too many mirrors. A few reveals stretch plausibility, even for genre fans used to suspending disbelief like it’s an Olympic sport.

The setting is remote, mist-draped, and vaguely threatening and does much of the heavy lifting, and Sten leans into it with evocative descriptions that give you chills even when nothing is happening. There’s a strong sense of claustrophobia and the creeping fear of not being able to trust anyone, including yourself.

The central women are well-drawn, though not all equally so. Some feel like archetypes—the anxious one, the overachiever, the rebel—but their interactions, particularly the underlying tensions and betrayals, carry emotional weight. The exploration of friendship turning toxic over time is particularly effective.

The Bachelorette Party is a tense, twisty thriller with just the right amount of scandal, psychological warfare, and isolated mayhem. The storytelling occasionally sacrifices credibility for shock value, but if you're here for the drama and the thrill of the unexpected, this party's worth the RSVP. Just don’t expect to leave without a headache...and possibly some trust issues.

Read in less than 24 hours - couldn't put it down. Definite 5 star read for me. I'll tell you about it spoiler free. 4 best friends meet on a remote island every year to get away and it's a secret - nobody knows about where they go. But this time, they go and disappear, and no one ever has seen them again. Fast forward 10 years, Tessa is obsessed with true crime, especially this specific disappearance. She has a true crime podcast, but just recently, the podcast was shut down and she's now in some legal trouble. She gets invited to her best friends bachelorette party at a yoga retreat on an island. Tessa is convinced that this is the same island where the girls went missing years ago. She jumps at the opportunity - not because she wants to go to the bachelorette party, but because she thinks she might finally be able to figure out what happened to these girls.

I thought this book was very clever and utilized a unique path. Unfortunately, I was able to guess a lot of the plot twists. I just wasn't shocked as I should have been in a mystery novel. I am glad that the author was able to make realistic characters. They are good people, but sometimes do very problematic things.

I’m not exactly sure what it was about this book that didn’t work for me. Right from the start, I was thrown off by the fact that so many character names ended in "A”. Weird, I know, but oddly distracting. On top of that, the shifting timelines were a bit confusing, which made it harder for me to fully engage with the story. That said, the last quarter of the book really ramped up the suspense and I found the ending to be satisfying. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advanced reader’s copy.

I think this one is a 2.5 rounded up for me. The prologue was SO interesting and then the first half of the book fell really flat. If I didn’t have the audio, I’m not sure I would’ve finished the book. I did consider DNF at 52%, but then the next chapter is where it started to get interesting. Unfortunately the twist was what I was expecting from the beginning so overall was a bit let down by this one. I think it has potential and perhaps I’m just not the best audience for it.

I do think the plot and backstories were interesting. I just needed more :)

The Bachelorette Party was my first Camilla Sten book. I was drawn right into the story. Brought to a remote island for a bachelorette party Tessa is excited that this is being held at the same location where four friends had disappeared from years before. Tessa previously had a podcast and thought this could start things for her again.

I enjoyed the dual timeline between the Nacka four and the current bachelorette party. However, there were so many characters and their names were similar so I was getting confused on which time line some of them belonged with. I enjoyed the backstory on Tessa's podcast and her current legal troubles.

I struggled with the suspense/mystery of this book. I didn't feel like a whole lot happened until the last part of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for an ARC of The Bachelorette Party for an honest review.

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten is a psychological thriller about women attending a bachelorette party on an island where four women had previously disappeared.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher St. Martin’s Press (Minotaur Books),  and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.




My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
2012. Four friends met for their yearly trip to Blind Isle, which was owned by one of their fathers, but deemed uninhabitable.  Off the coast of Sweden, Tilly, Anna, Linnea and Evelina re-connect  to reminisce, drink, party, and generally just have fun before returning to their daily lives.  None of them returned.

Ten years later, Anneliese is having her bachelorette party on that same island. Her best friend, Tessa, is not sure she wants to attend.  She  has had a rough time lately, as her true-crime podcast has resulted in an unexpected tragedy, and she is being sued.  She is devastated.  But this is Blind Isle, and she has always been obsessed with the events that occurred there.  This may be the only opportunity for her to re-ignite her fading career.

A new hotel is being erected on Blind Isle, and the entire Bachelorette party will be the first guests to be pampered.  Annaliese (the bride) has invited Mikaela, Natalie, Caroline, Tessa, and Lena (Tessa's sister) to the island.  Their host is Irene, and their chef is Adam.

Tessa is uncomfortable right from the start.  Something doesn't feel right.  Tessa's instincts are correct.  Someone is out for revenge.




My Opinions:
This was quite good. I like mysteries that take place on an island where the chances of getting away from a murderer are slim.  This did not disappoint.

The overall plot was good.  It was about friendship, family, loyalty.  It was also about revenge and murder.  It was told in two timelines, which kept things clear.

Most of the characters were somewhat unlikeable.  I did like Lena and Natalie, but not even Tessa was completely endearing.  The actual perpetrator of both crimes was fairly evident, but never a sure thing, so that was fun.

Overall, it was a fast-paced story.  It was an eerie, atmospheric read (sort of like a slasher film)....and I'm not going anywhere that doesn't allow cell phones.

If you're in the mood for a gripping, fast-paced thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, look no further than "The Bachelorette Party" by Camilla Sten. This captivating mystery unfolds with a perfect blend of suspense and intrigue, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to immerse themselves in a world filled with unexpected twists and turns. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions as the story unravels, promising to hold your attention from the very first page to the end.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Camilla Sten & St. Martin’s press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Bachelorette Party is the best book I have read so far this year, based on it's great suspense and the twists and turns I didn't see coming. I don't give many 5 star ratings, but I would definitely give 4.5 stars if I could. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes good suspense, with a bit of back and forth between two decades.

After reading Lost Village I had been wanting to check out more of Camilla Sten’s writing. So I was really excited to read The Bachelorette Party, which sounded like a fun premise. A true crime podcaster attending a bachelorette party on a murder island? Sign me up!

This is a bit hard for me to review because my feelings are mixed. The first third of the novel felt somewhat weak in terms of setup. I had trouble distinguishing between the characters at the beginning and they kind of blurred together, and it took a while for each one to stand out. The premise and mystery were interesting but with some of the ways characters behaved I really had to suspend my disbelief, which is fine. I was willing to go along for the ride.

However, the final third of the story really pulled things together. The writing flowed much better, and I was genuinely drawn in. Overall while it wasn’t a total hit for me I did enjoy and still want to explore more of Sten’s work.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance review copy. This review was written voluntarily.

Being billed as Scream meets The Guest List was more than enough for Camilla Sten’s The Bachelorette Party to get my attention. But I have to say I actually had to restart this one three times before I could get into it. Nothing against the book, just wasn’t in the right mindset the first two times, but you know what they say, ‘third times the charm’. And that was definitely the case here. The occasion: a bachelorette party. The location: a remote private island, where cellphone don’t work, no contact with the mainland, and just one way off the island. The fact that ten years earlier four friends disappeared there isn’t something they should worry about, right? Despite being absolutely broke, Tessa knows she can’t skip the event, after all the party is for her best friend. Plus, as a struggling true crime podcaster this might be just what she needs to get her show back on track. This is an entertaining locked room (island) mystery, and I could see it making an excellent miniseries for Netflix. I’d like to thank St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of The Bachelorette Party.

https://www.amazon.com/review/RO5PSRGQ3E77C/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this read. I enjoyed it. I have read two books from Camilla Sten and both were good and quite informative. I found this one quite shocking and had me on the edge of my seat many times with her creative writing. Haha.. I found the end really wrapped it up even though I found that it was very speedily completed. Thanks again for the read and hope to read from her again in the future!.

Podcaster Tessa who is the host of a dying podcast seeks to revive it by revisiting a famous decade old case involving 4 disappearing women. The opportunity falls into her lap when she's the guest for a bachelorette trip that happens in the same location as the previous events. This was an interesting premise, loved the past and present locked door suspense, but ultimately this had a predictable ending and I lost some interest in the middle.

3/5 ⭐

Camilla Sten’s *The Bachelorette Party* is a chilling, atmospheric thriller that weaves together past and present with gripping intensity. The story follows Tessa Nilsson, a disgraced true crime podcaster seeking both redemption and answers as she joins a bachelorette party on a remote island eerily reminiscent of a place where four women vanished a decade ago.
Told in dual timelines that shifts between the present celebration and the ominous events of 2012, the novel masterfully builds suspense, exploring obsession, guilt, and the fine line between truth-seeking and exploitation. Tessa’s complex character adds emotional weight, while the isolated setting amplifies the tension.
Sten blends psychological depth with classic thriller tropes, resulting in a compelling narrative that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Perfect for fans of layered mysteries and atmospheric suspense.

Thank you to Minotaur books and NetGalley for a copy of The Bachelorette Party. I really enjoyed the tension and stress I experienced reading this book. It genuinely had me on the edge of my seat and I was holding my hand over my mouth at some of the ending scenes. I was a little disappointed that the resolution for the original four seemed rushed. I did enjoy the flashbacks and it added a fun element to the book. I felt like the pacing was pretty good. I was a little disappointed by the very last chapter and felt like there could’ve been more resolution.

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten is a locked room type mystery/thriller set in Sweden. Suspenseful and atmospheric, this book will keep you up way too late because you don't want to put it down!

On a remote island off the coast of Sweden, four friends Linnea, Evelina, Matilda (Tilly), and Anna meet every year for a fun filled break from everyday life. But in 2012, something happened and all four friends were never seen again.
Now ten years later, Tessa has been invited to her best friends destination bachelorette party. Tessa has been trying to lay low after a disastrous end to her podcast career. When she finds out that Annaliese has planned her party for the exact place the four friends were last seen, Tessa knows that she can not pass up this opportunity. But the sunrise yoga and unlimited cava is not enough to hide the ugly truth of what happened 10 years ago. And someone wants revenge...

Wow! I flew through this book in a day! Fast paced and exciting, it definitely gives off slasher movie, final girl, and The Guest List meets Girls Trip vibes! Atmospheric and rich in details, I could totally see myself in tree pose overlooking Sweden's majestic landscape! I really liked the parallel with the four missing friends in 2012 and the women in 2022 on the same island. This book does get a bit graphic in some parts and some sensitive topics are introduced including: gun/knife violence, homophobia, violence, and mention of suicide. Overall a great tension filled thriller that is perfect for classic scary movie lovers, final girls, and fans of locked room mysteries!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Camilla Sten, and Minotaur Books for this ARC!! Publication date:June 10th 2025

3.5 stars rounded up The Bachelorette Party is a suspenseful thriller told in alternating timelines. Ten years ago four best friends disappeared. Now ten years later, some friends are traveling to the same island for a bachelorette party. Tessa is one of the guests. A former podcaster whose career was marred by tragedy, she's now looking for redemption by finding out what really happened ten years ago but danger has returned for the island's guest once again. The suspense builds steadily to keep you reading but I didn't really develop any attachment to the main characters. The book was okay with a few twists thrown in but some of the plot was obvious. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

The Bachelorette Party is a meeting of a thriller and a character study of a fallen podcaster. Its always interesting to read translated stories, giving us a glimpse into another country and what they interpret as meaningful. I enjoyed the overall summertime vibe along with the remote island setting.

Tessa Nilsson is a true crime podcaster dealing with a big scandal that has left her struggling. Much of the story is Tessa dealing with anxiety and feelings of inadequacy alongside her successful childhood friends and sister while attending a bachelorette party. The posh, soon to open yoga resort, is set in a place where an old crime may have been committed and Tessa tries to investigate but she never seems competent enough. She is always second guessing her choices and straight out panicking when things don't go her way. I had a hard time connecting to her and it was a struggle at times to keep reading. Thankfully I found the characters and their interactions along with the dual plots interesting, feeling like a true bachelorette party where everyone reminisces and sometimes doesn't always get along while imbibing lots of alcohol. I felt like the big reveal was a little lackluster but I enjoyed the ending and wish we got some more fleshing out of the after events and one more chapter of the past party.

Overall suggest for those who enjoy dual timelines, translated works and psychological thrillers.
Thanks to the publishers St. Martins Press and Minotaur Books for access to the netgalley edition.

I liked how the past catches up with the cast of this locked room mystery. Tessa was my favorite with her determination to solve the mystery. The setup on an island with no contact with the outside world was fun, especially with the dual timelines gradually unraveling the mystery.

Summary: On a remote island nestled off the coast of Sweden, four friends—Tilly, Anna, Linnea and Evelina—meet every year. Best friends since childhood, the idea is to drink beer, dance by the water, and shake off the weight of life's expectations. The location of the island is a secret to everyone but them. One night of reckless fun and secret-sharing, and then they return to their normal lives.

Ten Years Later. Ever since she was a teenager, Tessa Nilsson has been consumed by the story of four friends who disappeared. As her true crime fervor turned into a wildly popular podcast, Tessa covered Sweden’s most gruesome cases, but could never find the answers behind what happened to these women who disappeared. Now Tessa’s podcast has crashed and burned, any chance she had at uncovering the truth vanishing with it.

Anneliese is Tessa’s best friend, and before she walks down the aisle, she wants to have a bachelorette party. The destination: Baltic Vinyasa, a sleek, sophisticated yoga retreat on a small island off the coast—one with such similar characteristics to the tragedy years ago that it raises the hair on Tessa’s neck. The idea is to drink gallons of cava, do sunrise yoga, and get in their last chance to bond with the bride. Tessa will not pass this up. It’s her last chance to find out what happened to the four women, once and for all.

And it’s someone else’s last chance to get revenge

🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️🏝️

Review: This one didn’t grab me the way most thrillers do. I never connected to the main character and I guessed pretty quickly what the twist was going to be. It was an interesting story, but could have been executed better.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.