I'm always a sucker for good gossip and drama, and figuring out the events that had unfolded decades prior that could have been trivial but were high stakes due to the death was super intriguing. Loved the twists and the way the characters and their friendships were built.

While a little slow going in the beginning, and a lot of internal monologue from the main characters initially, this turned out to be a fantastic page turner in the second half. I was floored by the twists and felt for the characters at so many points. This was a great suspense novel.

I found High Season long and drawn out. The story was good but took forever. Lots of different types of chapter lengths and types.. podcasts, texts, regular chapters. A lot of jumping between time lines. There was a lot to keep straight.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!
There are not enough accurate words in the world to explain just how much I loved this story. Obviously I’m going to try, but still I feel it should be acknowledged that I’m putting in the work.
I am probably the ideal audience when it comes to mysteries. Rarely is it ever who I suspect it is, and you could practically say anything and I’d believe you. It’s one of my irredeemable qualities, but if it works, it works. In other words, I can’t comment on the unpredictability of this novel like some other people might be able to. I have not and never will been the kind of person who can accurately comment on that. I can only describe how this book made me feel, and that is absolutely flabbergasted. Like, kicking my feet, covering my mouth, wide-eyed squealing in shock kind of flabbergasted.
When you’re reading a story that’s plot is based on the possibility that someone is wrongfully convicted of something, you really need to be invested in the character(s). Josie Jackson can’t be a terrible person, but she can be flawed. I wasn’t questioning whether or not she did it, but I was still invested in her redemption.
The swapping back and forth between 2004 and 2024 actually made the story even better; I can’t think of a better way for the story to be set up. Usually, I have an issue with the constant back and forth, but it was easy to keep up with (even considering the large cast) and made me even more invested in the characters.
I’m having trouble explaining myself, but just know, that I am incredibly grateful to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for allowing me to read such an emotional and thought-provoking book, and a huge thank you to Katie Bishop for writing it. It is hands down one of my favorite books from this year.

I flew through High Season—a fun summer thriller that’s perfect for a weekend read. Twenty years ago, Tamara was murdered in her own pool during a party. The only witness? Her 6-year-old sister, Nina. Now, a true crime podcast is digging into the case, questioning whether Nina’s memory holds the truth—or something far more complicated.

I loved how the story flipped between present day and 2004, slowly revealing what really happened that night. The pacing was great, the cast of characters kept me intrigued, and some definitely took me by surprise.

If you're looking for a mystery to add to your end of summer reading list, keep High Season on your radar! Big thanks to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

One of my favorite books of the year! I loved the cast, the dual timeline was fantastic, the true crime aspect was spot-on, and the reveals and twists are ones that I didn't see coming yet were completely believable. I will be looking forward to more work from Katie Bishop!

Wow!! What a ride High Season was! What great characters, some you'll love, some you'll love to hate! A beautiful setting with a tragic past, this is what makes a good story even better. I loved how it was told in dual timelines so although we know the outcome of the events of the past, we also get to follow those events in real time. And I'm a sucker for anything podcast related.. loved that part of the story. Bishop has outdone herself with this one.

Engrossing & Atmospheric is the best way to describe and recommend this book. I absolutely didn’t want to put it down.

The time jumps worked really well for me and I loved getting the podcast part as well as we followed all the characters. Definitely can’t wait to read more from this author!

High Season by Katie Bishop had an intriguing premise, but for me, it didn’t quite live up to its potential. While the setting and themes were compelling, the pacing felt uneven and I struggled to connect with the characters. I’m definitely in the minority, as many loved it, but overall it was just okay for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars, rounded up. While the story was intriguing and I found myself struggling to guess what the twist or ending would be, it seemed to be a little long. I found myself wishing it would hurry a bit because I felt ready to get to the climax. The characters were fleshed out well, the setting made me want to pack my bags, overall the only downfall was the length and pacing.

Thanks to Katie Bishop and St. Martins Press for the advance

I went into this book expecting a certain kind of story (and one I’ve read before). Coming out of it, I feel pleasantly surprised.

I was really interested in the way the author handled the internet true crime community. This wasn’t the first book I’ve read this year that’s done that, but I liked how it was done here. There’s a fine line between interest and wanting to help and just making a spectacle of something, and it was a thought-provoking topic. The multimedia/epistolary content throughout the book also made things interesting.

The murder mystery plot was interesting. I liked how the time jumps added some tension to the story, and how information was slowly given out. I also enjoyed seeing the contrast between the wealthy newcomers vs. the local working class with the Drayton’s and Josie, and the commentary there. I had my theories about what actually happened, but I didn’t see the ending coming.

If you’re in the mood for a summer-y mystery, pick this one up!

3.75 stars rounded up. I enjoyed this one and its definitely worth a read. Would characterize it as a family drama steeped in mystery. The setting was to die for - Southern France is personally one of my favorite places in the world. This would have been 4 stars for me but about halfway through it slowed down so much and it was hard for me to stay engaged. It picked back up in the end but it was a struggle to stick with there for awhile. Overall, I liked it!

This is one of the best books of the year. I love this style of writing and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. I listened and read both to keep the story going!

Nina is sure she knows what happened the night her sister died. She was 6, but was convinced that she had seen who had killed her sister. Or did she? Oh, I loved this story! It had me going in all sorts of directions and I honestly didn't have the correct killer pinned once. I loved the twists and turns. It's a great mystery thriller that I would recommend to any mystery lover!

I loved the summer vibe and the glitz and glamour of High Season. The added combination of a murder, a possible wrong conviction, and a true crime documentary made it a highly entertaining and when I wasn't reading it, I wanted to get back to it. I also liked the dual timelines with the days leading up to the murder juxtaposed with a current timeline with the documentary being filmed. There have been quite a few rich people behaving badly style books lately but High Season kept me flipping the pages and gave me people to root for. I thought the ending was really well done. This is a solid beach read/thriller.

At just six years old, Nina Drayton becomes France’s youngest eyewitness in a murder trial after a tragic summer ends with her sister Tamara drowning in the family’s pool on the Côte d’Azur. The accused? Their teenage babysitter, Josie Jackson.

Twenty years later, a true crime documentary revives the infamous case—and with it, Nina’s long-buried doubts. Did she really see what she thinks she saw? Her older brother Blake and mother Evelyn have always confirmed her version of events, but over the years, their own choices have proven them far from trustworthy.

As cameras begin to roll and old wounds reopen, the truth starts to surface—threatening to unravel not just the Drayton family but Josie Jackson’s carefully rebuilt life. Some truths refuse to stay buried, no matter how deep they're submerged.

High Season is a moody, slow-burn thriller about fractured memories, fleeting loyalty, and the price of being believed. Perfect for fans of true crime and twisty family drama.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and author Katie Bishop for the advanced copy of the book. High Season is out on August 12th. All opinions are my own.

Nina Drayton was just six years old when she discovered her sister Tamara dead, floating in the pool. Now, twenty years later, her memory of that night is hazy. Tamara and her twin brother Blake were the privileged children of a wealthy socialite, spending their summers in France. Nina had told her mother she saw the babysitter, Josie Jackson, arguing with Tamara that night. She testified in court at the age of six, leading to Josie's conviction. This story follows Nina as she tries to piece together the truth of what really happened that summer, while Josie, having returned to their hometown, seeks a fresh start. The family pressures Nina to let the past go, but with a podcaster investigating the murder and a documentary being filmed, the case is brought back into the spotlight.

Everything comes to life in the summer."

Reading The High Season was like vacationing in the South of France.

The pink house, La Maison Rose, was a central figure. The "house seemed steeped in bad luck. A place where death lurked beneath beauty "

This would make an excellent book to film adaption. Here's who I would cast:
Nina: Drew Barrymore as 5 year old & present day Drew for Nina 2024
Blake: Ryan Phillippe
Evelyn: Kris Jenner
Hannah: Bachelorette Hannah Brown
Josie: girl from Clueless
Tamara: Kelly Osbourne

The book gave me a French version of Cruel Intentions meets a darker, edgier Clueless

I want to read Katie Bishop's first book, Girls of Summer, soon.

Definitely read this book before summer ends.

When a true crime documentarian takes a closer look at a death that occurred twenty years before . . . it brings forth a new perspective that challenges the testimony of a six-year-old eyewitness and the flexible nature of memory.

I recommend this novel to those who enjoy dark family drama, flawed characters, alternating timelines, and slow-burn mysteries.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of High Season for my unbiased evaluation. 3 stars

Great book about the death of the 17 year old daughter of a rich socialite at her annual birthday party at their summer residence in Côte d’Azur. The witness is the 5 year old sister who claims that it was one of the local residents that was fighting with her sister in the pool and she is arrested and sent to prison. This book goes back and forth between the date of the party and twenty years later and goes over all of the evidence and discovers what really happened on that day. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher, the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to receive an advance copy of this book!