This is the PERFECT thriller beach read of the summer!

Through a set of unusual circumstances, Bea finds herself cornered in a dark alleyway of Marrakech and relieved of her belongings, including her passport. Just as the situation is escalating, her avenging angel Marnie comes to the rescue brandishing a knife. In the scuffle, Bea stabs and kills one of the assailants so she and Marnie flee together. Marnie takes Bea to Surf House, the surf retreat that she owns with her boyfriend, Ped. Bea loves this place in Mallah, perched high on a cliff overlooking the waves that beckon the surfers every day. She spends her days doing what she loves most; baking flavorful cakes and serving the guests to help pay for her room and board.

But not all is as magical as it appears. Surprisingly, Bea finds herself forced to find bribe money to pay the local police officer. A new guest arrives who is looking for his sister, Savannah, who went missing a year ago. Surf House was the last place she was seen. Why does no one seem to know what happened to her? Marnie’s boyfriend, Ped, is moody most of the time and he makes it very clear that he doesn’t want Bea staying there. Underneath the tranquil life of Surf House there are secrets and deceptions just waiting to be discovered.

Lucy Clarke is an auto buy for me and she never disappoints. I love how her novels are so intricately plotted with lots of redirection and side stories to keep me captivated. But my favorite part of her novels is that she takes us to exotic places in the world and she captures the very essence of that locale so exquisitely. I always end her books with the feeling that I’ve taken a trip to a faraway place!

Thank you Netgalley, Grove Atlantic, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on June 10, 2025

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Monthly Press for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Lucy Clarke. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Bea is looking for an escape from her life as a model but ends up in a scary situation in Marrakech. She gets rescued by Marnie, who takes her to a small town where surfing rules and lets her stay at The Surf House. Bea learns that another young woman disappeared from the area and gets involved in trying to locate her. But everyone has secrets and life is not as idyllic as it seems.

This was such an atmospheric thriller with an intriguing cast of characters. There was such a laidback coastal vibe and I admired all the relationships that developed. It's so descriptive - I got hungry for all the wonderful sounding food! But don't get too relaxed at the beach, because this book is also a fast-paced, tense, and gripping mystery. I questioned so many of the characters and was shocked to find I was not even close to figuring things out. A perfect summer thriller!

The Surf House – Lucy Clarke
I’m a great fan of this author and I have been on tenterhooks waiting for her new book to hit the shelves.
Lucy Clarke is queen of the destination thriller so it was no surprise that the setting for The Surf House - Morocco and the tiny fishing village of Mallah - play as much of a role as the characters.
The inciting incident is as high-octane as you can get: protagonist Bea, a model who has grown tired of her choice of career, is attacked in an alleyway in Marrakech after walking out of a photoshoot, with fatal consequences.
Her saviour, a woman called Marnie, whisks her away to the safety of The Surf House, a hostel for travellers and surfers. Initially, Bea thinks she has found a little slice of heaven. But this is a thriller, not a feelgood story, and it soon becomes apparent that trouble lurks just beneath the seemingly tranquil surface.
A year ago, another young traveller, Savannah, disappeared without trace, and when her brother asks Bea to help him find out what happened, Bea is pulled into a tangled web of lies and deceit, unsure who she can trust.
I thought I had the bad guys sussed, but boy was I wrong. Clarke masterfully led me down one path while expertly paving the way for the final, shocking reveal.
It is another brilliant, escapist read from an author at the top of her game. Was it my favourite Lucy Clarke novel? No - I’m not sure anything can top The Castaways - but it was still an excellent thriller that will have you immersed in Bea’s story, right alongside her under the bright blue Moroccan skies, the crash of surf on the shore in your ears.

Bea feels lonely and unloved and after struggling in a photo shoot in Morocco she decides to quit modelling. She leaves the hotel and gets lost in the market and its surrounding streets until she realizes someone is following her and she in danger. The unexpected happens, a woman shows up and helps her but Bea commits a crime and will deeply pay for it. The story reeks of greed, lust, lies and misconceptions as for each truth that is revealed there are two or more lies behind it, lies that killed and broke people. Bea will have to mature rapidly to find her way in life and maybe have a chance with love.
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to the publisher for a netgalley.

I am actually really struggling to rate this one.

Why I want to give it a 3:
- Length-- thrillers really do not need to be more than 350 pages. This one dragged a smidge.
- Too many red herrings-- I think most people can guess the OG problem person. So it felt like we went in circles with a couple characters.
- The development for Seth.

Why I want to give it 4:
- The plot on this one was really good. I enjoyed the mystery of Savannah's location.
- The flashbacks were just enough. Not too many. Not too little.
- Bea was the character with the most development and she was very likable.

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. It really was a good mystery/suspense novel!

This is an ARC from NetGalley. The author does a fantastic job of taking the reader to these exotic locations. You definitely feel the surf, traveler, hostel culture. The murder mystery aspect of the story was much more standard and predictable. There were a lot of characters introduced, but very little development of their story or the plot as a whole. Instead, it was all an attempt at a misdirect from the obvious answer. Enjoyable ready for the atmosphere, standard read for the storyline. #netgalley #thesurfhouse #mystery #vanlife #surfandsand

Another great novel by Lucy! This book starts off with a bang, no easing us into the storyline and then more and more happens (two concurrent issues happening) and then as the twists started coming towards the end of the book I just couldn't stop reading. When I did have to actually put the book down to do some work I kept thinking about what had just been revealed. Definitely did not predict any of the things that happened in this book, which is the sign of a great story. 4.5 stars

Lucy Clarke's "The Surf House" is a masterful blend of suspense and intrigue that immediately draws you into its world. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Morocco's coastline, Clarke's prose transports you from the bustling, claustrophobic alleys of Marrakech to the oceanside cliffs where The Surf House sits. Her ability to create such vivid settings has always been one of her strongest qualities as a writer, and this novel shows this talent at its finest. I loved the North African setting and the surf language and culture.

The story follows Bea, who finds herself seeking refuge at The Surf House after a terrifying encounter in Marrakech. What initially appears as an idyllic place quickly reveals itself as something far more complex when Bea discovers that another young woman disappeared from the same location just a year earlier. Clarke expertly builds tension that simulates the push and pull of the ocean itself. The character development is exceptional, with a diverse cast that feels authentic and multidimensional. Every character has secrets that may hold the key to the truth.

What raises the bar in this thriller is Clarke's skill at misdirection. Just when I thought I’d figured it out, she introduced another layer that made me question myself. As Bea delves further into the disappearance, the casual atmosphere of The Surf House transforms into something far more sinister. The pacing is so good. Just when you think things will calm down, BAM – another twist that changes the story's direction.

With the beach setting, this is a perfect summer read that will have you feeling the Moroccan sun on your skin even as chills run down your spine. I think this is my favorite of her works I’ve read.

I received a complementary ARC of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the author and the publisher.
This book started out a bit slow for me but I enjoyed reading about the foreign lands and surfing. Bea's story starts when she throws away everything she knows and decides to make a new start. Her new start ends up with her being attacked, robbed and almost raped. She's rescued by a woman names Marnie and they become friends. Marnie takes Bea in and introduces her to a life of surfing and the joy of living a beach life. But of course there are some weird things going on and some strange people in her new friend group. As Bea gets involved in helping to solve a missing person case she starts to find out things that probably would have been better for her to not to know. The second half of this book closer to the end is crazy twisty.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.

Lucy Clarke writes the perfect thrillers to enjoy in the heat of the summer. Her writing is immersive, giving you a sense of being where her characters are, whether you are scaling the side of a mountain or riding on a boat in the bluest of oceans. In this case, she brings us to the shores of a Moroccan beach with Bea, who finds herself reliant on a small collective of surfers.

Bea, who has recently been robbed of her passport, feels indebted to Marnie, who saved her from her being sexually assaulted (the depiction of his incident does not get very far in case you are reluctant to engage because of that). And yet, as things begin to crop up about a missing girl named Savannah, Bea begins to question just who she can trust.

Lucy Clarke is incredibly clever, weaving a story of intrigue with plenty of twists, but none that feel as if they are going to give you whiplash because they are so wildly out of place. I love reading her thrillers, and I look forward to each new book she writes. "The Surf House" is no exception, and it makes for a perfect summer read.

I have loved all the Lucy Clarke books I’ve read so far, this one is my favorite. One of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. The author writes so beautifully, I felt like I was in Morocco. It was clear in my mind. She created such rich and interesting characters and the romance storyline was also compelling. I was sad to see this one end and highly recommend other thriller lovers check it out!

Loved that the setting for this book was abroad, so much description that you could imagine yourself there. A great thriller with believable characters and a story that keeps you guessing. Thanks for my ARC.

Lucy Clarke does it again!
The Surf House follows Bea as she quits her modeling job while in Morocco and while not in quite the best headspace, she winds up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Seemingly, her only option after what happens in that alleyway is to go with her savior, Marnie, back to her Surf House and hope for the best.
Mostly told from Bea's perspective, the tension runs deep! The setting was so idyllic and beautiful and it was such a balance to the anxiety of the situation Bea found herself in. After Bea finds out that a previous resident of The Surf House has gone missing about a year ago, all of the emotions escalate as she tries to navigate her own stressful situation. 
I loved the addition of short chapters from the other characters' POVs. I didn't want to trust anyone, even Bea felt unreliable at times, and I was suspicious of nearly everyone! The twists and turns were surprising and yet completely believable - I love that I couldn't nail it down while reading.
This was the perfect book to read beach side, even if our waves weren't surf-worthy! 
Thanks, Grove Atlantic, for the eARC in exchange for thoughts!!

This was a compelling destination thriller, complete with atmospheric setting, layered mystery and tangled relationships.

Set against the vivid backdrop of Morocco’s rugged coastline, the novel follows Bea, a disillusioned model who, after a harrowing incident in Marrakesh, finds refuge at the Surf House – a remote hostel for travelers seeking escape. However, the idyllic facade conceals dark secrets, including the unresolved disappearance of a young woman a year prior.

The author expertly crafts a sense of place with immersive details of the Moroccan setting, from the bustling souks to the wave-pounding cliffs. The story weaves together themes of identity, freedom, and shadows of the past, creating a suspenseful and emotionally engaging story.

Although some plot twists may be anticipated, the strong character development and the gradual unraveling of the central mystery, make this the perfect read for fans of psychological thrillers set in exotic locations.

What a wonderful introduction to the writing of Lucy Clarke for this reader! A dreamy setting at a small surf community high on the cliffs overlooking the sea in Morocco? Yes please! I can feel the sea spray in my hair and it’s fantastic.

The author gives us a cast of complex, interesting characters and keeps us guessing until the end. What happened to Savannah, who was staying at the Surf House a year ago? Bea is trying to figure this out while her life seems to be spinning out of control due to an incident in Marrakech.

This is a fast paced, engaging and atmospheric thriller and it’s fantastic. Highly recommend! I will be looking for more work by Lucy Clarke as I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Unfortunately this book was not formatted for me to be able to read on my ereader. That being said, based on what I sampled, I heavily enjoyed. I am also a fan of the cover.

I’ll check this book out and see if I can find it at the library or purchase it in stores!! I am such a sucker for a cover with an ocean on it too.

Thank you for approving me for this eARC! I appreciate the opportunity to leave honest feedback voluntarily.

I had no idea where this would go, so many characters were suspicious. Bea felt so real and flawed and I couldn't help but feel compassion for her and proud of her for finding herself.

The destination felt magical and had me longing for such a carefree lifestyle where your biggest worry is the size of your wave.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the digital arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

A destination thriller filled with danger, mystery, blackmail, and secrets. Bea, an unhappy model, is attacked in an alleyway and taken to the Surf House. She quickly forms a friendship with the owner Marnie. Then a new visitor arrives. Seth is looking for his sister Savannah who has been missing for the last year. Her last known location before she went off the grid was the Surf House. Seth asks Bea to help him gather information on Savannah, but no one wants to talk about Savannah’s time there.

I thought I had it all figured out. But that last twist got me.

Bea walks away from her life as a model and into a surfing community in Morocco that is hiding a mystery about a missing girl. I loved the surfing vibe and the characters. Good twists had me suspecting everyone! Great summer escapist read.

I enjoyed the first two chapters, particularly as Bea provided insight into her career as a model and how her mind was affected by the demands placed upon her. However, after the first couple chapters, Bea's background doesn't matter much to the story itself. A compelling context for the story--an accidental murder, a theft, and a potential found family, with a missing person case in the background. Every character at The Surf House is connected in ways that aren't shown until the last quarter of the book, and this is somewhat of a slow build, but I would recommend this to fans of missing person stories set abroad.