A read that is dual time, a time before the death of seventeen year old Tamara Drayton, and then twenty years later. Tamara and her family are old money in Côte d’Azur in France, and we are there for the mother's birthday.
Friends, or people who use others, and then someone is accused of murder. Did she do it? A pod caster gets involved twenty years later, and I did guess whom the culprit was, but the journey there was full of surprises.
I did love that there is closure for some and some justice for others, I did feel sorry for Nina, and more so after the facts are revealed!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher St. Martin's Press, and was not required to give a positive review.

This book was so great! I enjoyed reading every word and my attention was kept at all times. I also really loved the writing style of this author. I am excited to read more from Katie Bishop. This book contained elements of mystery and suspense, and the ending was not "obvious" as it is with a lot of books in this genre. Well done!

Nina was only 6 years old when she watched her sister Tamara died in a pool. Josie was found guilty of this because of Nina’s testimony… 20 years later, Josie is out of prison which seems to have the interest of a podcast. They are bringing up questions Nina can’t quite remember anymore.

It was overall a great storyline but needed a little bit more of a few things to keep you engaged. If you have never read a book by Katie Bishop, I highly recommend you grab The Girls of Summer.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Katie Bishop for the advanced reader.

Katie Bishop’s High Season was a ride from start to finish. I did not read her debut novel, but I will definitely be checking it out after what an impressive ride High Season was.

High Season tells the story of the death of Tamara Drayton, found face-down in the pool of the family mansion at the birthday party of her socialite mother Evelyn Drayton in the Côte d’Azur in France. The Draytons were high society, and the family included Evelyn, an interchangeable husband, twins Tamara and Blake, and the youngest, Nina. With staff maintaining the home, grounds, and care of the children, they wanted for nothing but love (so it seems).

The family’s occasional babysitter, Josie Jackson, was found guilty of the murder and jailed for a decade for the crime. The only witness? Five year old Nina Drayton, the youngest person to ever testify at a French murder trial.

20 years later, a podcast focusing on true crime brings the case back to the forefront, asking questions and casting doubt on what happened. This story is told in a dual timeline scenario, enhancing both the backstory and weaving the cloth of the story in present day.

In 2024, it finds the surviving characters in a variety of different ways - trying to navigate families, blazing a new trail after incarceration, and still attempting to answer the biggest question in the room - did Josie Jackson kill Tamara Drayton, or did something else happen that night?

While it was a slow burn at times, High Season was a beautiful ride through idyllic France, though a much darker ride than many would anticipate.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to check out what could be a top read for summer 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the eARC.

One fateful summer that would change everything. We're first introduced to Nina then gradually we're introduced to her siblings and other characters who are all an integral part of the story. It's a slow burn to begin with lots of characters and scene building. Which I found a little confusing to keep up with trying to remember who was who. There's a lot of information to digest quickly as well as having past and present timelines. Despite the heavy amount of information, about a quarter of the way in it feels like it's building and the story really begins. We also have multiple points of view plus blog style chapters scattered in. We go between the past and the present (side by side) seeing where the twenty years in between has taken Nina and the other characters. Ultimately, arriving at the fateful night climaxing at where we end up today. I did however anticipate the ending. But it's a well written and exciting story of mystery, heartbreak, loss, secrets and lies. It beautifully shines light on the nostalgia of summer as well as the magic and beauty in the simple things that are often taken for granted in life.

Masterful writing with a unique direction. Characters were compelling, relatable and their situation was believable (which can be difficult to come accross.

Thank you NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s the 20th anniversary of Tamara Drayton’s murder & the case has been brought back into the spotlight because of TikTok & a new true crime documentary. The case was solved, yet many are questioning the testimony of Tamara’s sister Nina. She was 6 years old when she accused her babysitter Josie Jackson of the crime & that solidified the guilty verdict.

High Season will take you on a slow burn journey told between past and present with multiple POVs on how one summer night in the French Riviera changed the lives of many. Ultimately, finding out if Josie Jackson was Tamara’s killer or if it was someone else?

When I read this novel, I felt like I was there among the characters. Katie Bishop takes a summer setting and surrounds you in the environment. I could imagine the summer heat and the parties of the upper echelon. High Season is a thriller that will have you questioning everyone that was in Tamara Drayton’s life. I couldn’t stop reading because when I thought I was confident about what happened, a twist would occur. This summer thriller should be added to your TBR.

“High Season” by Katie Bishop is a twisty thriller set in the south of France. The Drayton family has returned 20 years after the murder of their daughter and sister Tamara by her sister’s babysitter. Or was she falsely accused and sentenced. The book was atmospheric and kept me in suspense till the end.

A solid murder mystery set in the French Riviera. This book has all the elements you'd want - a complicated backstory, complex characters, obvious and hidden rivalries, glitz and glamour, gorgeous setting - but somehow it didn't quite come together. Perhaps it was the lack of likable characters, the predictable ending, or the slow pacing. Worth a read, but didn't really do it for me.

Thank you to NetGallery and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

If you liked Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid or Night Swim my Megan Goldin you will probably like this.

TikTok true crime vids? Interviews? Down to earth writing? Compelling characters? This book has pretty much everything I love in a mystery/thriller.

I honestly loved this. I love how the author says so much without fully saying it. The way that so many time crime content creators speak disrespectfully about cases, forgetting that the people and victims involved are actually real people. I was interested in the way a case blowing up can really affect the victims, and not in the best ways. Many true crime content creators want to bring light to cases and get attention to them, but is that actually helping every time?

I loved how this was written as well. The multimedia format really modernizes this kind of story, making this a digestible read for members of any generation. I will say this is very much a mystery and not so much a thriller.

I only knocked off a star due to pacing and some repetitiveness.

Definitely give this one a shot when it releases! I very much enjoyed it.

High Season by Katie Bishop is an absolute gem of a novel that effortlessly blends the intrigue of a murder mystery/thriller with the depth and emotion of literary fiction. From the very first page, I was hooked by the well-developed characters and the engaging plot.

The main female characters are particularly noteworthy, each one likable and richly drawn. Their interactions and personal journeys add layers of complexity to the story, making it a truly immersive experience.

One of the standout elements of the book is the documentary aspect, which adds a unique and fun twist to the narrative. It keeps the reader engaged and adds an extra layer of realism to the unfolding mystery.

Overall, High Season is a must-read for fans of both thrillers and literary fiction. Katie Bishop has crafted a story that is not only thrilling but also deeply emotional and thought-provoking. I highly recommend it!

I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review..

High Season was emotional, gripping, tender and tells a twisty story of truth, memory, coming of age, and kept me flipping through the pages till the very end. Nina , when she was 6, was the youngest witness to testify at her own sister's murder trial 20 years later, when she returned to the crime scene, as a true crime documentary is being made about the murder, Nina is forced to examine her own meomory no matter what the cost. Great pyschological thriller.

When six-year old Nina witnesses her older sister's murder, she becomes one of the youngest children to testify in a murder trial in France. Years later, the memory of that night still haunts her. When a documentary crew comes to town to highlight the case, she must confront her memories of that night and grapple with how reliable they truly are. I really enjoyed the commentary woven throughout High Season on true crime and social media, and the way that murder and death gets turned into content for attention, money, and fame.

Fantastic story with well rounded and fleshed out characters. Drawn into the finish and highly recommend

High Season was the best book I have read so far this year. I loved the variety of characters Ms. Bishop has created. While some characters were not necessarily likable, they were all 'relatable'. I usually like books that go back and forth in time, and Ms. Bishop has done a great job in this. Her shift between time periods was smooth and built stories and characters profiles in a wonderful way. There was always a feeling of suspense, even 'danger', that kept me reading. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next!

Many thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel.

This was 3.5-4 stars in my opinion.

The one issue I had with this book was its length—it started strong but dragged in the later sections.

The story follows Nina Drayton, who returns to her childhood home in the south of France, where her sister Tamara was murdered. Only five at the time, Nina hopes revisiting the past will clarify her memories. Struggling with trauma and medication, she now works as a child psychologist, a choice her family disapproves of.

Josie Jackson, convicted of Tamara’s murder, spent ten years in prison but remains an outcast even after her release. But was she truly guilty? The case gains new attention when true crime TikToker Imogen Faye uncovers fresh evidence.

The narrative shifts between 2004 and 2024, offering deep character insights. I particularly enjoyed Nina’s character and wished for more focus on her. I think I would have enjoyed the story more if it had explored child psychology through the lens of Nina’s degree and personal trauma, rather than the teen relationship drama that took center stage. That said, I really appreciated the flashbacks to the early 2000s—they felt familiar since I came of age during that time. The first two parts were compelling, but the latter half dragged with unnecessary details.

Still, I enjoyed the book overall and plan to read more from this author.

High Season by Katie Bishop was a wonderful book. I like how the book starts with 5 year old Nina at her mother’s birthday celebration when she stumbles upon someone dead in the pool. Unfortunately the dead person is Tamara, Nina’s sister. The story is told in two timelines. Nina as a 25 year old trying to recall the actually events of that particular day. She had testified that Josie her babysitter had caused her sister’s death. This weighs hard on Nina as she becomes an adult. Then we see how Josie struggles with acclimating to society once she is released from custody. Both are interested in finding the truth. The story goes back and forth between these two timelines leading to an unexpected ending. Definitely a must read!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy.

**Features:**
- Character driven murder mystery
- Family secrets and wealthy people behaving badly
- Explores the nature of memory and manipulation

**Synopsis:**

Nina has been haunted by the death of her older sister, Tamara, for almost as long as she can remember. As the only witness to her sister’s drowning by her babysitter, Josie Jackson, Nina became the youngest person to testify in a French trial at the age of six. Though she has been dealing with the trauma of these events ever since, Nina was too young to still remember the details of that fateful day. Now, twenty years later, Nina is contacted as part of a new true crime documentary focusing on her sister’s murder and the insecurities she felt over the gaps in her memory only grow stronger. Meanwhile, Josie Jackson is struggling to build a new life after she has spent ten years in jail. The documentary offers a new opportunity to investigate the case, but will what it reveals bring closure or reveal a past better left buried?

**Thoughts:**

An idyllic location, a terrible murder, and secrets buried in memory. The truth about Tamara’s murder is uncovered through two timelines; the weeks leading up to Tamara’s death and twenty years later when the case becomes the focus of a documentary. Main character Nina’s discomfort with the gaps in her memory surrounding Tamara’s death puts her in the complicated position of wanting to know the truth while also fearing what she might uncover if she opens that door. I was immediately intrigued by Nina’s self-questioning and she very much feels like the black sheep in a wealthy family used to getting their way. I found unraveling this mystery through the eyes of an unwitting secret keeper extremely compelling and it is executed extremely well in this story!

In addition to Nina, the story also focuses on Josie Jackson, the person accused of Tamara’s murder. Where Nina’s perspective poses some interesting questions, Josie’s perspective provides an examination of how wealth can be used to abuse and manipulate as well as the very real struggle to re-establish yourself after being labeled a criminal. The chapters set in the past slowly converge with Nina’s and Josie’s journey to uncover the truth in the present in a way that felt meaningful to me. Though the book starts to drag a little towards the end, it is a really compelling story that is just as much about the characters as it is about the secrets they keep.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

High Season by Katie Bishop is a captivating blend of intrigue, suspense, and psychological depth, all set against the stunning backdrop of the South of France. The novel expertly weaves together a rich setting with a gripping narrative that kept me hooked from start to finish.

The South of France setting is nothing short of magical—Bishop’s vivid descriptions transport you to sun-drenched streets, sparkling seas, and luxury villas. It’s a world of wealth and glamour, yet also one filled with undercurrents of tension and mystery. The locale adds an undeniable allure to the story, making it feel like you’re not just reading about the characters but actually experiencing the place alongside them.

The true crime element is masterfully woven into the plot, adding a layer of suspense that constantly kept me on edge. As the story unfolds, the reader is drawn deeper into a web of secrets and lies, with an ominous atmosphere that ramps up the tension. Bishop does a fantastic job of keeping the reader guessing, with twists and turns that kept me eagerly turning pages.

What truly stood out for me, however, was the exploration of child psychology. The way Bishop delves into the minds of Nina in the story adds complexity and depth, examining how young minds can be influenced by their environments, emotions, and the adults around them. This psychological layer makes the novel even more thought-provoking, as it raises questions about nature versus nurture and the hidden forces shaping these young lives.

High Season is a brilliant blend of atmospheric setting, psychological insight, and thrilling suspense. It’s a novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mix of crime, psychological depth, and a captivating location.

Katie Bishop's High Season is a captivating exploration of memory's fragility, family secrets, and the ripple effects of trauma. Set against the lush, sun-soaked backdrop of the Côte d'Azur, the story alternates between two pivotal summers—2004, when Tamara Drayton's tragic death shattered her privileged family, and 2024, as a true crime documentary resurfaces unanswered questions about that fateful night.

At the heart of the narrative is Nina Drayton, who, as a five-year-old, became the youngest witness in a French murder trial after claiming she saw their babysitter, Josie, drown her sister Tamara. Now, two decades later, Nina is compelled to return to the Pink House, the family's opulent estate, to confront the past and uncover the truth.

Bishop masterfully weaves a dual-timeline narrative, delving into the complexities of familial relationships, the unreliability of memory, and the dark undercurrents that can lurk beneath a life of privilege. The Côte d'Azur setting is rendered with vivid, atmospheric detail, immersing readers in a world where beauty and darkness coexist.

The novel's strength lies in its character development and the intricate portrayal of how past traumas reverberate through time. Nina's journey is both poignant and gripping, as she grapples with her fragmented recollections and the weight of her family's legacy.

While the pacing is deliberate, allowing for deep character exploration, some readers may find the unfolding of events to be gradual. However, this measured approach enhances the suspense and emotional resonance, culminating in revelations that are both surprising and satisfying.

High Season is a thought-provoking and atmospheric novel that examines the intersections of memory, truth, and the indelible impact of the past. Katie Bishop's evocative storytelling ensures that this tale will linger with readers long after the final page.