This mystery gives a lot to think about throughout the course of this dual timeline story. I’m incredibly in awe of the way the characters process the unfurling of the true story of Tamara’s death, and despite me knowing who was responsible early on, there were still plenty of surprising twists to the story along the way.

High Season was a slow burn mystery with a dual timeline. This one fell a bit flat for me. It was good but nothing memorable. I do love the cover though!

I received a complimentary digital copy from publisher St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you for the opportunity to preview this book.

At age 5, Nina’s testimony put Josie Jackson in prison for the murder of Nina’s sister, Tamara. 20 years later, Nina starts to question what she saw, Josie returns, and everyone who was around that night is thinking about it again, as a documentary film crew descends on their small beach town.

I really enjoyed the setting and atmosphere of this one, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sick of the “rich people behaving badly” storyline. All of the Draytons (Nina included) are out of touch with reality and hard to be around.

As we got more background on what really happened at Evelyn’s birthday party 20 years ago, and the months leading up to it, it became increasingly obvious to me who was responsible for Tamara’s death. There was a lot of potential for a crazy twist, but this was a classy mystery, not an outrageous thriller. The inevitable outcome is exactly what you think it’s going to be.

I really wasn’t expecting to be completely enraptured by this story, but here we are and I’m so sad it’s over.

This book has everything. A mystery, a murder, a rich family with a lot of dysfunction, past and present POVs, and a beautiful summer town.

The story focuses on a murder where the main witness is the victim’s younger sister, 5-year-old Nina. But here’s the kicker…Nina’s all grown up now, and she hasn’t been able to uncover any actual memory of the murder.

The author does a fantastic job of creating a thriller with a mysterious flavour that makes it feel unique. I definitely recommend you pick this one up!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my gifted copy!

I absolutely devoured this book! I'm a sucker for a duel timeline and deliciously evil rich people. Add in a south of France setting and you have the perfect book. This was a book full of twisty turns and juicy he said she said. Bishop did an excellent job of weaving in all the characters histories and how they tie in to one another. The author also did a great job and making you fall in love with all the characters, to the point of not being able to guess who committed the murder. While I didn't see the plot twist coming, I do think Bishop did a good job of the lead up of figuring out who did it. All the characters were extremely well developed and the writing flowed perfectly! I will definitely read whatever Bishop comes out with next!

Katie Bishop returns with another gut-wrenching novel about family, memories and where the truth lies in HIGH SEASON.

When 17 year-old Tamara Drayton is found face down in the family swimming pool, her twin brother Blake, the golden child, is left to pick up the pieces and his six year old sister, Nina witnesses her drowning. Nina testifies against the babysitter, Josie Jackson in court in the South of France and Josie is convicted of murder and jailed. Josie has maintained her innocence all these years.Twenty years after the murder, a true crime podcast plans on revisiting the crime and its aftermath. Nina was the youngest person ever to testify in a murder trial and believes that there are some questions about that summer leading up to Tamara’s death that need to be addressed and she agrees to participate in the podcast.. She believes that now with the trauma 20 years in the past, her emotions are more in check and she can revisit the circumstances surrounding the drowning. What role does true memory play in what happened that night, and what memories were suggested?

Told in differing POVs we learn of what led up to the drowning, not only from Tamara‘s perspective but also Josie’s, Blake’s and Hannah, his girlfriend’s. This was definitely an edge of your seat, one more chapter before bed type of book. I could feel my pulse pounding as Nina got closer to the truth of what really happened that night. The writing was clear and concise which led to an enjoyable read. While this is my first Katie Bishop novel, I have added her to my list of authors to watch for. I can’t wait to see where she goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

I have been listening bong all these true crime podcast books lately. This story was great, lots of turns that kept the story interesting and held my attention. I would definitely recommend this to readers who like true crime and a story with a positive, satisfying ending!

This is a classic whodunnit, but it didn’t feel overdone. Even when I guessed the killer, it still left me with so many more questions. And even better, the author brought raw emotions and life-like, complex characters to this mystery novel.

Hannah’s yearning for more and for love from a boy who will only ever use her brought me back to my own lost teenage years of pining after boys who promised something more than my lot in life. I also really resonated with her guilt and shame for “allowing” Blake’s secrecy and manipulation.

The only thing I really didn’t like was the podcaster’s transcripts. It felt like the author Googled “how to talk like gen z podcaster” and fluffed sentences with slang. Meh. Also, Nina’s storyline was the least compelling and disconnected, which made it an interesting move to make the first chapter hers.

It was a solid modern mystery with characters and a plot you’ll be emotionally invested in!

Thank you, Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, for the advanced reader copy! This book was amazing, and I already want to reread it with my book club! Twenty years ago, Tamara was found dead in her family's pool, and the witness, her twin sister, Nina. Nina testifies, but as an adult, she is now doubting her memory from that time. This twisty and suspenseful read is perfect for any time of the year!

I enjoyed this more than Bishop's previous novel. It kept me interested and wanting to keep reading, but I did also put it down for days at a time because the dual POVs and timelines had me struggling to keep everything straight. I will say it is quite predictable of a novel, but it was an enjoyable journey.

this was a delicious summer thriller -- rich people behaving badly, redemption, affairs, and secrets -- truly nothing could be better. I loved how this story unfolded, especially the inclusion of the tiktok influencer. I do wish that the ultimate reveal was a little more hinted at throughout, as the seeds didn't really seem to be planted until the latter half of the book. overall, I had a lot of fun reading this!

I was really intrigued by the premise of this one, but reading from the perspective/over the lvies of 17 year old just didn't do it for me. I also didn't find the end believable.

The story unfolds across two pivotal summers, separated by twenty years. In 2004, Nina Drayton—just six years old—witnesses her sister Tamara’s tragic death at their mother’s lavish birthday party. Her babysitter, Josie Jackson, is convicted largely based on Nina’s testimony. Fast forward to the present: Josie is released, a true crime documentary reopens the investigation, and Nina begins to doubt the clarity of her own childhood recollections.

Oh what a web of lies and deception! High Season was a well woven mystery/thriller, that kept me on my toes.
The Drayton’s are an ultra wealthy family, with a beautiful home in the south of France. Everyone knows the Draytons. Non emotionally present mother Evelyn, and her 17 year old twins Blake & Tamara and their 6 year old sister Nina. When Tamara is found dead at her despicable Mothers party all eyes turn to Nina, who seems to be the only witness to what happened to her sister.

Josie takes the blame. Of course she does, her mother works for the family, and often babysits Nina.
Seems simple right? Hannah a close friend of the teenage group, dating Blake, gets more than she bargains for by attending the party that night.

This story has complex characters, and I kept turning the pages. Told in dual timelines, around the time of the party, and twenty years later, you see how one fateful night can change the trajectory of lives for all involved. I liked the little true crime social media aspect to this story as well.

Overall I really liked the plot, and the way Katie Bishop went beyond the surface layer of these characters. Everyone was dealing with their own issues. Some heavier than others. I definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the early copy. This book was released on August 12,2025.

Are you looking for a book to recommend to your bookclub? Look no further! I think this would be a fantastic fall fiction choice to recommend. There are so many elements of this book to ponder and discuss.

This book is written really well. It was hard to put down and very thought provoking. When I read the synopsis I was a bit hesitant because it felt like it has been done before, however I really enjoyed Katie Bishop's previous works, so I dove in anyways. I am glad I didn't let my initial thoughts stop me as this one was so unique and well done.

It felt a little too long in the last few parts, but overall this one is a great mystery/thriller to add to your TBR for fall!

Why did I wait so long to read this? I enjoyed this summer thriller. I will admit there was quite a bit to keep straight: multiple points of view and dual timelines. But it kept me hooked, and I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to become a detective and figure out what was going on!

High Season is one of those books that takes its time to unfold, and I’ll admit there were moments when I found the writing a bit verbose. Still, the extra detail felt necessary—it gave room for each character to be fully drawn and for the stakes of their lives to be understood. The pacing let me settle into the world of seaside glamour and subtle tensions that drive the story.

I especially enjoyed getting to know Nina, Hannah, and Josie. Their personalities, choices, and flaws were so different, yet they all felt real and relatable in their own ways. The book doesn’t shy away from showing how friendship can be messy—filled with loyalty, jealousy, disappointments, and unexpected grace. Watching their paths cross and diverge added depth to the drama unfolding around them.

At its core, the novel explores what lies beneath the polished surface of high society. Behind the summer houses and enviable lifestyles are secrets, insecurities, and shifting loyalties. That blend of privilege and vulnerability kept me hooked. I always enjoy a story that delves into the hidden lives of the wealthy, and this one delivered both the glitz and the raw humanity beneath it… as well as one heck of a mystery to unravel.

It’s a story that asks for patience, but rewards it with atmosphere, layered characters, and an honest look at the complexities of friendship, family, and belonging. Finding out what happened to Nina’s older sister keeps the momentum of the book going.

After reading Katie Bishop's debut novel and loving it I was so excited to have been gifted the second book as well. I had no idea what to expect from this one but I had high expectations. The writing style of this book was exactly what I needed as a reader. Katie Bishop took a very dark and serious subject but she wrote it in such a way that it made it lighter for the reader. This made it much easier to get into the plot, the characters, and to completely become submerged in her world. This book although had multiple different timelines and I enjoyed every minute of it. Twenty years ago seventeen year old Tamara was discovered dead in her family's swimming pool. Her little sister, Nina, age six, was the only witness to the crime and claims that, it was their babysitter Josie who pushed Tamara in the pool. However as we flash back to current times we learn that memory is in fact a multifaceted concept and not always as clear as we think. I loved this story because it was quite dark however so realistic. And even when the characters were wrong in their retelling I got a sense that they weren't always malicious about it it was just human error. With so much going on we as the reader are left deciding what is real what is fake, who is telling the truth who is misremembering and who is straight out lying to cover their tracks. Through the time lines we also get to see the character evolve and grow over the years, and see how the tragic actions of the past came to shape their adult lives. And when the circumstances surrounding the death get looked at once again we are thrown for a major curveball. I loved the back and forth time changes it really made everything much more fascinating. The characters in this book were very complex and realistic. I loved trying to figure out what really happened and each time I was given more information my opinions changed. I was constantly looking for tells in the characters and everyone was guilty at one point or another. Fantastic job and I'm so mad I waited to long to read this book. Don't follow in my footsteps read it ASAP. This book will make all others pale in comparison and I literally lost track of time as I read these pages. The story was so compelling that nothing else matters while I read this. I'm so glad that I got the chance to check out this book as Katie Bishop shows us yet again that she is a force to be reckoned with in the literary world.

This multilayered, character driven mystery explores the fragile nature of memories, complex relationships, family secrets, childhood trauma, and the power of perception. Told through multiple POVs and dual timelines, it incorporates a true crime documentary that adds another layer to the story as they unravel the secrets of what happened on that tragic night.

Bishop does a great job creating a slow burn buildup, crafting well-developed questionable characters, and being incredibly descriptive, which made it easy to visualize the setting and feel like I was there experiencing the scorching heat.

The audiobook created an incredible immersive experience. The audiobook narrator, Alix Dunmore, did a great job with tone and voice differentiating the multiple eccentric characters, and setting the mysterious, atmospheric vibes. Dunmore definitely helped bring the story, setting, and characters to life and delivered a flawless performance from start to finish.

Thank you @stmartinspress, @macmillanaudio, and @netgalley for the #gifted ARC and ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3 stars. It wasn't bad at all, To me a 3 is a nice, solid read. The pacing was good and I really enjoyed the multiple POVs that we got. Additionally, going back and forth in time helped really paint the picture of what happened and what was going on prior to the party. All-in-all, it was a well fleshed out story and I would read books by Kate Bishop again.