Five Days in Provence is one of those books that quietly pulls you in and stays with you. It’s a slow burn in the best way—Five Days in Provence" is one of those books that quietly pulls you in and stays with you. It’s a slow burn in the best way—taking its time to introduce you to the characters, their stories, and all the emotional baggage they carry. You don’t just read about them—you feel like you know them. Their regrets, their hopes, the secrets they’re holding onto—it’s all laid out slowly, piece by piece, and it makes for a really powerful read.

What I loved most is that it’s not just about the mystery (though that part is definitely juicy and full of surprises). It’s about the people. Their relationships, the decisions they’ve made, and the way the past keeps creeping in when they least expect it. The drama isn’t over-the-top; it feels real and raw, and that’s what makes it hit so hard.

McCleave does a great job of balancing emotion and suspense. Just when you think you’ve got things figured out, another twist pops up—but it never feels forced. Everything flows naturally, and by the end, you’re left feeling like you’ve been on a meaningful journey, not just through a mystery, but through the lives of these deeply human characters.

If you’re into stories that are rich, emotional, and full of heart—with a little drama and mystery thrown in—this book is definitely worth picking up. It’s thoughtful, engaging, and surprisingly moving in all the best ways.

This was a book that I wanted it to keep going. It was quite good. A birthday weekend that didn’t go quite as planned. A hike up a mountain that ended in disaster! Many twists, one I suspected shortly before it was revealed, didn’t lessen my enjoyment one bit. Others I was like what wait a minute! Great read!

Steph and her four lifelong friends have taken a trip to climb Mount Ventoux in France for Steph's birthday. However things don't according to plan from the get-go, with Instagram-obsessed Darcie clashing with sister Ruby, and Katie harbouring a secret. Throw in the handsome builders from across the road and things soon get out of hand. Not least when Darcie's stalker is on the loose and a dangerous wildfire threatens their idyllic mountain walk.

When the dust settles, the five friends become four, as one of the group is found dead on the mountain. Who is the culprit and can the others survive the night?

I really enjoy Simon McCleave's stand alone novels; they're full of all of the drama and thrill of his series novels, plus some excellent twists.

Five lifelong friends are holidaying in Provence celebrating a milestone birthday for one of the group. There are lots of issues and arguments between them. I wondered occasionally how their friendship had lasted so long.

The murder happens at the beginning of the book but interestingly we do not know which of the five is the victim. Nor do we have any idea of the killer. I was completely wrong about who the corpse was going to be but I managed to guess the killer just before it was revealed.

I thought this was an excellent thriller, unusual in its process and always well paced. The setting was well done and the characters an interesting mix. I actually spent the whole book thinking I knew who the murderer was only to fall for the author's trick at the end.

I am surprised I have not read this author before but will certainly look out for his books now.

I loved this !It's one of those books that I got into straight away. The plotline is fantastic and i didnt want the book to end, it kept me up reading into the early hours of the morning. I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters, A definite 5 star book ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Five friends get together for a long weekend at a luxury cottage in rural Provence to celebrate Steph’s fiftieth birthday. From the outset, each of the women appears to be on edge with conflicts and arguments quick to surface. They arrive at the cottage on 31 July and on 1 August one of the party is dead.

The story is told through the alternating perspectives of the core characters which gives it good pace and really helps in building the growing tensions within the party. There are lots of twists and turns and gradually secrets and insecurities get revealed.

A well crafted story, brilliantly told.

Our main character, Steph, has organised a 50th birthday trip to the Provence, where the 5 friends will hike up Mont Ventoux and spend time catching up with each other drinking and eating good food. The story is told using multiple points of view and over different time lines. It was fast paced, gripping and a rollercoaster of a read! Although, they are lifelong friends, I came to realise they have their flows, disagreements, secrets and lies. And that ending, it is one that I never saw coming.

A fast-paced and atmospheric mystery set against the sunlit charm of Provence, quickly draws the reader into a seemingly perfect getaway that unravels into suspicion, secrets, and murder.

The story follows Steph and her four closest friends as they reunite for her birthday at a dreamy farmhouse. What begins as a relaxing holiday filled with wine, laughter, and a long walk takes a sinister turn when the hike up Mont Ventoux ends in tragedy. One friend is found dead—and the remaining four are left to wonder who among them might be hiding something deadly.

This was a thoroughly engaging and quick read—perfect for devouring in one sitting. The characters fit the familiar mold of upper-middle-class British women with complicated pasts, strained relationships, and polished facades beginning to crack. While some plot points were easy to predict, the intrigue, layered dynamics, and breezy writing style kept the momentum going.

Despite the grim premise, there’s a surprisingly light touch to the narrative that keeps it from becoming too heavy, making it an ideal pick for fans of friendship thrillers with a sharp edge and a summery setting. An enjoyable, twisty read about loyalty, betrayal, and the dark truths we keep even from those closest to us.

Five Days in Provence is a captivating blend of mystery, suspense, and scenic charm. Set against the stunning backdrop of the French countryside, Simon McCleave delivers a gripping story full of intrigue, secrets, and unexpected twists. With rich descriptions and a fast-paced plot, the novel keeps you turning pages while immersing you in the atmosphere of Provence. A perfect pick for fans of crime fiction with a touch of escapism.

a brilliant page turner. a one more page that turns into an entire book kind of read! this whodunnit and who are these people really kind of book was done to perfection. Simon gave us an awesome plot alongside gripping pace and twisty turny moments and reveals.
Steph cant think of anything better for her birthday than gathering great friends in a gorgeous farmhouse in France for a break together. its a time to celebrate with her closest friends right? the first night bring booze and partying and bed. and the next day is their planned hike which they begin with rather to heavy hungover heads. but a walk and brilliant views to clear their heads becomes something much darker when wildfires take over their path. its bring smoke and darkness from not just the weather event but from old secrets and harsh words. tensions rise and the group split and later the mountain has to be evacuated which reveal a head count of four not five. and when the fifth is found dead everyone is shocked and unsure of just what went on here. was she murdered? was it a fall in the smoke? and just why are two men who attended the gathering the night before now looking mightily suspicious too? it seems their night of partying when they first arrived has bought more up to the surface than holiday japes.
Steph's holiday has gone from a break away to who might break next. and as the police investigation takes flight we are treated to a fast paced revealing of just what happened between these friends and who if anyone is guilty of what.

Five Days in Provence is a fast-paced, drama-filled psychological thriller. Steph is finally turning 50 and she plans an epic celebration with her closest friends at a charming farm in Provence. She is most excited for their traditional hike. The first night is spent partying, celebrating Steph - there is plenty of booze, drama, and men (two young men from across the way). The next morning, fighting off hangovers, the women begin their journey up the mountain. What starts as a sunny, relaxing day soon turns tense when wildfires hit and the women begin rehashing secrets that were revealed the night before. As tensions rise, the group divides itself. When the mountain has to be evacuated, only four of the five women are accounted for. When the fifth woman's body is discovered at the bottom of a cliff, no one knows what to conclude. Was she murdered? Was it over one of the secrets revealed the night before? Why were the two men on the mountain at the same time? What Steph had hoped would be an unforgettable and joyous holiday has morphed into a nightmarish police investigation.

Five Days in Provence is well-paced with nice short chapters. I appreciated the multiple POVs and thought that they added to the overall story. Unfortunately, I could not connect with any of the characters. I found them all extremely dislikable. I was hoping they all were guilty at the end. The twists were quite predictable. I wasn't surprised by any of the reveals. The dialogue was also a bit awkward. Overall, it was a quick read but not an overly enjoyable one.

When a person is found murdered in the first couple of pages you just know that this is going to be a roller coaster of a ride. Our main character Steph is celebrating her fiftieth birthday and has decided that she wants her four closest friends together for a birthday celebration. However this trip turns out to be anything but celebratory as one of the friends is found dead. Who could have done such a horrible thing and why would anyone want to harm them? Those are the questions that plague our characters as they try to figure everything out all while staying safe and out of the way of a killer. With secrets, stalkers and long seeded tension this book has it all however the execution left a little to be desired. While I liked the concept of this book as a whole, the characters and change of perspective really made it hard to follow along and to be immersed in the story. I found myself consistently having to stop and figure out who was talking and who was who and it really pulled me out of the plot. While I liked getting to see the different view points and to see how everyone was reacting and how their secrets were changing their views on things, I did think that there was just to many characters to do this properly and it left me a little confused as a reader. I did like the ending of this book however the reveal completely shook me and left me speechless. However the lead up until that was a little on the slow side.

I have read many of Simon McCleave's books and enjoyed his various writing styles. As psychological thrillers are my favourite genre this book proved a winner with me with its tender side showing in a variety of relationships and although the killer became obvious as the book developed it was not expected earlier in the book.Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

Reading "Five Days in Provence" by Simon McCleave felt a bit like being whisked away on an exciting adventure with friends, only for it to take a chilling detour.

I was immediately drawn into Steph's vibrant birthday celebration, which she had meticulously planned in the stunning lavender fields of Provence. I could almost picture myself lounging by the pool, savoring crisp white wine, and laughing with friends as they reminisced about old times.

But as the story unfolded, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. What started as a joyful gathering quickly turned into a nightmare, especially when one of the friends ends up dead after a hike gone wrong. It struck a chord with me—how quickly life can change, and how the bonds of friendship can be tested in unimaginable ways. The tension among the group really grabbed my attention; I found myself anxiously flipping pages, desperate to understand the dynamics at play and who might have secrets lurking beneath their sunny exteriors.

I loved how McCleave crafted the characters with such depth; they felt like real people with real flaws, making the whole scenario all the more gripping. As the investigation progressed, I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and sympathy for them. I think I actually gasped at one point!

The way he explored themes of friendship, trust, and the shadows that can loom over even the closest of relationships resonated deeply with me. It made me reflect on my own friendships, and how easily misunderstandings can lead to conflict. The setting of Provence, with its stunning scenery, highlighted the contrast between beauty and darkness in the story.

Overall, "Five Days in Provence" was a thrilling ride that kept me on the edge of my seat. It combined the joy of friendship with the harsh realities of human nature, reminding me that even the most picturesque escapes can hide secrets. I’m definitely going to be looking out for more works by Simon McCleave—he's crafted a story that keeps you thinking long after you’ve closed the book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Publisher for this copy.

It's Steph's 50th birthday. To celebrate, she gathers her four best friends together for a weekend in the sun.
But what should be a weekend of fun and laughter, drinks, reminiscing, and making new memories, all turns sinister when the girls go for a hike
This book had it all, a stalker, secrets and lies, affairs, sibling and friendship issues, and of course, a murder or two!

I had my suspicions about the stalker early on and assumed I knew how the story would play out. However, I hadn't accounted for some fabulous twist to the tale coming! The author certainly kept me gripped and guessing right up to the very end.
Although this is a stand-alone, the ladies all had back stories, which I felt could easily have been a previous book in itself. Although the author does give enough detail for the book to flow well.
I really enjoyed this book and will be looking out for more by this author.

This was an OK read, but I didn’t like the characters {especially Darcie} and wasn’t interested in their lives. There was too much unnecessary bad language and the plot was very predictable. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

Steph has been planning this 50th birthday vacation with her 4 best friends for awhile and is excited to see everyone. After arriving at the villa they meet their young caretaker and feel less alone. Once the drinks start arriving the bickering and arguments start and some nasty things are said. Then one of the women falls off a cliff but was she pushed or did she fall.
I found the women hard to connect with since they were not really likeable. The killer wasn't too hard to predict due to a lack of suspects but the ending made up for it.

Steph books a holiday with her best girlfriends to celebrate her birthday. However, it does not end up how it was supposed to and someone ends up dead. I liked this book but felt it was also at times.

FIVE DAYS IN PROVENCE - I dislike Darcie so much I almost rejected this ARC. Another thing I dislike immensely was the continuous vulgar language spoken by everyone in this book, except the French characters. Otherwise, this turned out to be an interesting read with most of the characters and the story lines being good. The misdirection was obvious, along with the woman's killer. Source: Netgalley. 3*

Lots of twists and turns, a great plot and characters. A really good read. It is a real page turner, you will not want to put it down.