Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

This was the perfect way to kick off a dark, murder-filled summer (in books only, don’t worry). The waterpark setting was a cool and unique twist, inspired by real-life spots like Action Park and true crime cases like the Green River Killer. I always appreciate when a story pulls from reality because it makes the whole “could this actually happen?” question way more intense.

The mystery had me hooked from start to finish. I wasn’t totally sure who the killer was until pretty late in the game. Kit’s perspective really added something important here. Spouses of criminals often get painted as clueless or complicit, but Kit’s struggle with the idea that her husband might be a serial killer felt real and heartbreaking.

That said, I do wish the waterpark played a bigger role in the story. It mostly felt like a backdrop the characters visited now and then, rather than the central focus I was hoping for. The ‘80s vibe was strong and gave the book this fun, old-school campy feel that I really enjoyed.

The ending didn’t quite do it for me, but that’s probably just personal taste. Overall, I enjoyed Breakneck Bay and would recommend it to anyone who likes suspenseful domestic thrillers with a dark edge.

Thanks to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

4.25 Stars. This was about a woman who joins her husband to work at Breakneck Bay water park. A place where many lawsuits and shady business practices happen daily. One day they find blood and what appears to be a crime scene in her husband's office, sparking an investigation and a connection to a serial killer who takes a canine tooth from his victims. Most of the book we grapple with trying to guess who is the killer. I loved the setting of the book, the serial killer aspect and the guessing along the way. I rated this only 4 stars just based on the unanswered questions I still have, and the ending for me was a little lacking. Personally wish there were more twists revealed at the end. But overall I loved the storyline, the writing of the author was incredible and immersive. I would definitely read more from Faith in the future.
Thank you to Mirror House Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I read a lot of this while floating around in my pool, and that's really the best way to read this fun thriller about a crazy waterpark. I will say I was expecting a lot more of the premise to be about the waterpark itself, but that did not take away from the enjoyment I ended up getting out of this book. A perfect summer read. An underwater ferris wheel? A serial killer with an awesome name? I would love to read more books set in this waterpark! This was a very enjoyable time!

Alright, let's talk about Faith Gardner's "Breakneck Bay" because, CANNONBALL!, this book was a vibe. Her writing style? Chef's kiss. Absolutely inhaled it. Seriously, trying to put this down felt like trying to stop eating chips once you've opened the bag–nearly impossible.

The story was so engaging, you'd think it had super glue on its pages. And the dual timelines from two perspectives? Kept me on the edge of my floatie, trying to figure out which twisty slide I was on next. Pure literary catnip. Heads up, though: one perspective dips into some potentially heavy stuff. Seriously, check those trigger warnings before you dive in. You wouldn't jump head first into an empty pool, would you?

My only minor complaints? The water park felt more like a pretty backdrop than a main attraction. I wanted a bit more splash, more questionable rides, maybe even a leaky pipe or two! And story was a bit to neatly wrapped up for my taste. I like my literary bows slightly untied, leaving a bit of chaos, not a perfectly ironed beach towel.But honestly? Those are just tiny ripples. Overall, I seriously dug this story. It was a refreshing splash of summer fun, and if you're looking for a read that's anything but a shallow end experience, grab this one.

Pub Date: July 24, 2025

4.25⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, Mirror House Press and Faith Gardner for this advanced reader copy. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Chilling Mystery That’s Worth the Wait

This book had a slow start, but I’m so glad I stuck with it. Once it picked up, the story really pulled me in and kept me engaged. While some of the twists were predictable, the overall plot was still compelling and enjoyable.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author, and I’m already diving into The Mirror House Girls. If you enjoy stories about serial killers and mysteries that make you question everything — especially the people closest to you — this one’s for you. It’s a solid read for fans of psychological thrillers and dark mysteries.

I was super keen to read this book just by the look of the cover! I felt like the whole way through I was waiting for a heap of twists but never got them.
I felt like the authors writing was well done and I read the characters expressions really well.
I feel like it was lacking the intense thriller type vibe I usually go for.
I was a little confused at the end of the bonus.. I'm unsure who it was in the yoghurt shop.
3 ⭐️ for me.

My second ever copy of an ARC and this book was a nice easy dual POV read. I liked the setting of the waterpark and that it was in the 70s and 80s. <br /><br />The Hawk chapters which were told from the serial killers POV, really made the book in my opinion and were eerie and gave you those thriller vibes you seek when reading a thriller.<br /><br />The other POV is told from Kit who is trying to figure out the mystery of a missing employee when suspicion falls on her husband. <br /><br />A few of the twists I would say were a little predictable and far fetched but all in all it was a fun light hearted enjoyable thriller read. Thank you NetGalley 🫶
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/174943339-shannon-adlam">View all my reviews</a>

Breakneck Bay got it's name for a reason. The owner doesn't care about injuries, safety or lawsuits. One day a teenage employee goes missing and the blood in manager Mitch Blue's office points to him. Kit, Mitch's wife, starts questioning the girls disappearance, along with incidents from the past. Along the way, someone starts leaving Kit a series of clues that she doesn't know what to do with. Kit starts to question everyone around her, including her husband. I have enjoyed all of Faith Gardner's books and this was another fast paced mystery.

🎢 ARC REVIEW 🎢

PUB DATE: Jul 23rd 2025

My Rating : ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Tubular Stars

Y’All better buckle up for this onboarding 👀 because you’re in for a wild ride!!

Breakneck Bay was a fun, dark popcorn thriller and it was so addicting, so be sure to have a big tub of extra buttery popcorn for this one 🍿!!

What I loved about the setting was how much it oozed this 80’s nostalgic vibes and totally transported me back in time , right down to the music it was playing .

Breakneck Bay is a well executed thriller that jumps back and forth between past and present . While we’re in the present day we are following our morally grey protagonist Kit who is married to Mitch and gets caught in the crossfire when a young woman from their common workplace goes missing !

When we are in the past we are following the grotesque Hawk who is the Canine Killer and he enjoys getting his way with young girls and leaving them unrecognizable collecting their teeth as a souvenir…and he’s getting away with murder 😱

This book ENTERTAINED me to the point it stole hours of my sleep and had me guessing all kinds of who done its ! The delivery of that ending was gnarly 😜

I loved how the author spread little Easter eggs 🥚 throughout the story really throwing me off as to what was going to transpire !

Faith Gardner writes with such fortitude that makes it easy for the reader to sink their teeth 🦷 into her stories , making them unique and entertaining all on their own .

If you are a fan of Contemporary & Historical Fiction and like to dabble from time to time with serious thrillers then No I don’t think this is for you , however if you love a good popcorn thriller that is nonsensical and meant to have fun with and enjoy the show then absolutely 💯 this one is for you and I encourage you to try this author , she so talented!

And Breakneck Bay is without a doubt the darkest & gruesomest popcorn thriller I ever read yet and I loved every minute of it 😜🖤

Thank you @netgalley , @faith.gardner and Mirror House Press for this Righteous ARC

This has everything you want in a thriller: mystery, suspense, intrigue. It keeps you guessing and on your toes. A love letter to the 80s.

This book was so much fun in the most messed-up way. A shady waterpark, a missing girl, a blood-soaked crime scene, and a marriage full of secrets?? YES. I was hooked from page one.

The setting alone is creepy perfection—grimy, dangerous, and full of bad vibes. And Kit? Loved her. Watching her go from clueless newlywed to full-on detective mode was so satisfying. The tension builds fast and never lets up—there’s this constant sense that something is really, really wrong, and the twists just keep coming.

It’s got everything: sketchy husbands, creepy employees, a seriously haunted past, and that feeling like you’re being watched the whole time. I flew through it.

I love faiths writing, she makes it easy to immerse myself. I also enjoyed the summer 70/80’s vibes of the book. Con’s for me was the predictable and the FMC was just insufferable and kind of naive. But overall a good time

A thriller set at a waterpark? Say less—I was in. It’s such a cool, underused setting, and while I wish the park had played a bigger role in the atmosphere and plot, the concept still hooked me. The creepy calls were a standout element, and the slow unraveling of the mystery kept me turning pages. The back half did lose a bit of steam, and overall I just wanted more—more tension, more payoff, more waterpark weirdness. But even with that, I really enjoyed this and appreciate a thriller that tries something different.

I’ll definitely keep an eye out for more from Faith Gardner! 4.5 rounded up.

4.5 rounded up.

When I saw that Breakneck Bay was set at a waterpark, I was instantly intrigued. It’s such a fresh, underused setting for a thriller, and I was ready for all the creepy, sun-faded, slightly grimy vibes that come with it. Add in a serial killer? Solddddd. I do wish the waterpark had been used more as a character itself, though. The setting was so unique and full of potential, but it felt like it faded into the background. I kept waiting for it to really come alive in the atmosphere or the plot, and it never quite got there.

That said, there are some really compelling elements here. I appreciated how the mystery slowly unraveled. There were definitely moments that had me leaning in, trying to put the pieces together, and I loved the undercurrent of unease that runs throughout. The story did lose a bit of momentum in the back half for me, and I found myself wishing for more intensity, more payoff, more something—but I still really liked the concept, and I flew through the pages. This is a great pick if you’re looking for something a little different in your thriller rotation. I’ll always show up for books that take risks with setting and structure, even if they don’t hit every single note perfectly.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Mirror House Press for an e-ARC copy of this book.

I started reading this on a plane and I have never wanted to stay on a flight longer than I did while reading this. I loved the nostalgia and the water park setting. Some of the twists were predictable which is a bummer. But this is fast paced and an easy read. I really enjoyed it!

Thanks NetGalley for this e-arc.

Overall I think a well-done mystery with a sense of nostalgia. This book is set in the '70s and '80s so there is a different sense of mystery given the lack of cellphones or internet access. There's also a hint of summer nostalgia as this mostly takes place at a summer waterpark.

I was hoping for a twist and almost was sure it was going to happen but the story did have a somewhat predictable ending.

Breakneck Bay by Faith Gardner is a thriller slated to be released on July 24th. The read includes tropes such as complex characters, dual POVs, and dual timelines. This is by far my favorite book by this author, and I highly recommend adding it to your TBR!


I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was one of my favorite ARCs I have ever received! Thank you NetGalley and Faith Gardner. This was very much a thriller and the setting and characters were unique. The idea of a place like "Breakneck Bay" existing in the year this story was set in made sense, and I appreciated that I didn't have to suspend disbelief.

A gripping psychological thriller that you can devour in a day. It keep’s you guessing about who the Canine Killer is while expertly throwing you off the scent.

I'll definitely be reading more books by Faith Gardner.

4.5⭐️
Thank you Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for allowing me to read this as an ARC. I personally I really enjoy Faith’s writing and look forward to any book of hers I read so I was extremely excited to read this one early.

I enjoyed this from start to finish. This thriller masterfully blends suspense, mystery, and emotional depth, creating a story that kept me completely captivated the entire time. She feeds you just enough information to keep you guessing, yet constantly shifts the ground beneath your feet. Some parts did feel like filler but in the end did help make the story descriptive and give more of a visual imagination of the story for the reader. Some parts also felt like it leaned a little young adult but I think that’s because there are so many teens involved in the story it has to take that path at times. I was able to predict some things but she did such a good job blindsided you throughout in other areas. Kit as a character infuriated me most of the book and made me want to just shake her to wake up and stop being so naive.

I didn’t understand the point of the dual story relation at first but at the end it all came together so well. Hawks story reminded me of an infamous serial killer in the 70s-80s. I’m fascinated by serial killers and books relating to one so I appreciated his aspect of the book added in.

I’d recommend reading this one for sure it was a fun read