I had a challenging time connecting with this story. I am going to relisten to the audiobook this weekend. This is the 2nd book in the Martini Series. I was drawn to this book because it is a mystery book. I devour mystery books in one day. I also appreciated that the main characters are in their 70s; I think we need more representation for our aging population. And, the next reason I was drawn to this book because the women are all former CIA operatives who now help their local sheriff when the need arises. The dialogue is good, and the characters are well-rounded. I will update my review after I listen the 2nd time.

This was my first Tess Gerritsen and I was hooked from the beginning! I was not expecting the plot to go the way it did and I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the small town feel and the community. Thank you for the chance to listen early!

Tess Gerritsen, known for her captivating blend of humor and mystery, returns following The Spy Coast with the second installment of The Martini Club series, THE SUMMER GUESTS. This chilling whodunit mystery is infused with a delightful dose of humor and suspense.

The Martini Club, a witty and fun cast, embarks on a search for a missing teen with the local authorities, then another older body is found with a shocking connection to their pasts. Their escapades are thrilling and filled with moments of light-hearted humor, keeping the readers entertained, amused, and engaged.

From birds and books to martinis and murder!

About...

Picking up from Book #1, this exhilarating series, The Martini Club, is a character-driven narrative featuring five fascinating retired CIA agents settling into Purity, Maine, without anyone knowing their past. They want to blend in like their ordinary neighbors (known as the Martini Club) who meet for book club, martinis, great food, gossip, and much more.

Set in Maine, a destination for upscale summer visitors leads to friction between the locals and the demanding outsiders. The haves and the have-nots.

Maggie, who purchased a farm, and her four friends, all retired from the CIA, live nearby, known as the Martini Club. (Maggie, Ingrid, Lloyd, Ben, and Declan).

When the teenage daughter of a wealthy summer family goes missing, and Maggie's neighbor is implicated, Maggie and her four friends join the search for the girl. Maggie has a farm and her neighbors are Luther and his granddaughter, Callie.

The teen missing is Zoe Conover, granddaughter of summer guests and owners of Moonview, one of the largest cottages on Maiden Pond. The search for Zoe leads the police and our Martini Club into entirely unexpected areas, keeping you on the edge of your seat with its suspenseful storytelling.

As we found in the last book, there are clashes with the police chief, Jo Thibodeau, who sees the Martini Club always a step ahead. The over-eager acting police chief suspects there is more to this group of friends than meets the eye.

They think the girl may have drowned, so they drag the pond near the family home but discover a woman's skeleton from the past. They then try to find the identity of the woman and any motive.

As Jo grapples with two unexplained mysteries, the Martini Club races to uncover the truth behind shadowy secrets that are more sinister than they initially appear…before more lives are lost. (Are they connected)?

My thoughts...

Highly entertaining! Expect humor, thrills, twists, secrets, mystery, suspense, action, and murder. From a group of five ex-spies retired in Maine—birdwatching, books, good food, conversation, martinis, and more from this witty cast of characters. The Martini Club #3 is eagerly awaited, promising more lively adventures. A cracker of a series that leaves the readers excited and eager for the next installment!

I loved THE SUMMER GUESTS even more than The Spy Coast (both five stars) and enjoyed catching up with the Martini Club, the neighbors, and Jo. It's always a pleasure to reconnect with these characters and see how their lives unfold, making the readers feel connected and invested in the story.

The series is a multi-layered ongoing conflict between the town, its visitors, the older and the younger residents, and guests. It is particularly fun to watch Jo and the ex-spies and their back and forth, and in this installment she seems to be drawn slowly into their circle of trust. But of course, the Martini Club can never fully trust her.

The narrative alternates between the POV of Susan, Jo, and Maggie, and there is more going on with this family, may know (from past to present).

From red herrings, suspicions, suspense, and long-buried secrets —with conflicts between the locals and the privileged summer people, there is plenty of mystery and intrigue.

I love The Martini Club and am drawn to characters in this 70's age range (my age range), as they/we may be old but still have a lot of life left and full of wisdom. I enjoy their fun evenings together and how they solve crimes with good food, bird watching, lively conversation, and cocktails (martinis). I would love to join in.

This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a dose of humor. I look forward to Martini Club #3, THE SHADOW FRIENDS (Nov 17, 2026). I hope this series continues with new adventures and mysteries for the group to solve.

Audiobook...

I enjoyed reading the book and listening to the audiobook, narrated by my favorite, Hillary Huber! Highly entertaining, she delivers a rock-star superb performance for all the voices, making the characters come alive and keeping you glued to your iPhone with a perfect mix of wit, suspense, and mystery for an engaging performance and listening experience. I loved it. I highly recommend the audiobook! Hillary also narrates Martini Club #1, The Spy Coast— I recommend listening to #1 before #2 to get the characters' background.

Recs...

THE SUMMER GUESTS is for fans of Tess Gerritsen and the Martini Club series. Also, for fans of Mark de Castrique's Secret Lives series.

Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for a gifted, advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Day: March 18, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars +
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