4.25 stars!

Fast paced, disturbing, and tense. It was a perfect summer thriller.

I loved the setting, and the wide cast of characters, and it was a great throwback to the 80s without having too much needless nostalgia bait. It was incredibly hard to put this down, and incredibly easy to latch on to Kit, our main character, as well as some of the others.

Around the halfway mark, some things did begin to feel repetitive, namely the way Kit was back and forth with certain suspicions. But it was nothing that kept up or lingered too long to completely bother me. The pace was kept well enough that things moved on rather quickly from there. I can't say the ultimate reveals were too shocking, but still built up to well enough and written so well that they floored me anyway.

This is the third novel of Faith Gardner's that I've read, and I don't think she's capable of writing a bad mystery/thriller. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, and I'll add anything of hers to my TBR without hesitation.

At the notorious Breakneck Bay waterpark, a teenage employee goes missing, leaving behind a gruesome crime scene and a flood of suspicion. Kit, newly married to park manager Mitch Blue, is forced to confront disturbing secrets from his past and the chilling possibility that she's married to a killer. As the investigation deepens, Kit discovers that the most dangerous thing at Breakneck Bay might not be the rides but the truth lurking beneath the surface.

I’ll admit it, I can be a bit of a thriller snob. I don’t usually go for the mindless, popcorn-style reads, so I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this one. But Breakneck Bay surprised me in the best way. It delivered a fast-paced, entertaining ride that kept me turning pages late into the night.

The Gen-Xer in me absolutely loved the nostalgic throwback to my teenage years, especially the pure campy crappiness of this waterpark setting. I could practically smell the fruity Hawaiian Tropic lotion (because let’s be honest, we didn’t use sunscreen back then) and the overwhelming sting of chlorine. The whole vibe screamed "we're not liable" 80s chaos, and I was here for it.

Even if I had a feeling where things were going, the short, punchy chapters kept me engaged and made it easy to stay hooked. Gardner’s writing is addictive, and while I was hoping for a bigger, more jaw-dropping twist, I still found the whodunnit aspect fun to follow. There were a few viable suspects and enough tension to keep me guessing.

It’s a quick, punchy read that sits a notch above your average popcorn thriller. I’d call it a breezy, slightly campy thriller with bite. 3.75 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mirror House Press for the advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was an incredibly entertaining story to read. I loved having the killers POV throughout. It was disturbing at times but, that is also what kept me turning the page. I don’t particularly love the end which is why this is a 4 star read for me but, I did love getting there! Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC!

This book was not what I was expecting. When the synopsis mentioned blood soaked crime scene at the water park, I thought it would be more along the lines of Aquaslasher. To have a water park as the setting and none of the kills take place at the water park kinda felt like a letdown. It’s such a cool premise to not utilize!

The overall story was gripping and captivating yet also predictable. There was pretty good foreshadowing leading up the the big reveal so any twists and turns kinda felt redundant. If you paid attention, the truth is pretty easy to find.

The ending bothered me, it felt like putting a bandaid over a severed limb. I understand the symbolism of breaking the cycle but it felt cheap to me.

Overall, this is a fast paced thriller that covers with heavy themes such as: murder, rape, and abuse. If you can stomach it and want a quick thriller to help achieve your reading goals, this could be it!

Thank you NetGalley and Mirror House Press for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Mirror House Press for the ARC to review!

4 stars – Fast-paced, emotionally charged, and hard to put down

Breakneck Bay is exactly what I want in a thriller: short chapters, high stakes, and characters you’re not quite sure you can trust. From the first few pages, I was pulled into the chaos and heartbreak that kick off the story—and it only ramps up from there.

The setting adds a moody, atmospheric layer that works so well with the tension, and the twists hit at just the right moments. I also appreciated that the emotional weight of the plot wasn’t ignored—there’s a strong undercurrent of grief, guilt, and resilience running through it.

A couple plot points stretched believability a bit, but honestly, I was too hooked to care much. It’s the kind of book you can devour in a weekend and immediately want to talk about with a friend.

Would recommend to anyone who likes thrillers with emotional depth and a killer pace.

I love the setting of amusement parks in my books. This book is set in a waterpark in the 80s, If you are familiar with Action Park in New Jersey, Breakneck Bay is very similar. There are very low safety standards and some crazy rides. The story is a murder mystery but I enjoyed the nostalgia and setting more than the whodunnit. This was a perfect summer read, fast paced and a lot of fun. Recommended!

I really enjoyed Breakneck Bay! The setting, a slightly creepy water park in the 1980s, was super atmospheric and gave the story a great nostalgic feel. Absolutely perfect for summer! This would be an incredible beach read.

Now to the plot. Kit’s new job and marriage get tangled up with the mystery of a missing teenager, which kept me hooked from start to finish.
The suspense was just right. It wasn't too over-the-top but definitely gripping. I especially liked how the story balanced the mystery with the small details that made the water park come alive and bring me back to waterparks as a kid. (I'm thinking Action Park here, ha!)

If you’re looking for a thriller that’s fun, tense, and perfect for summer reading, Breakneck Bay is a great choice.

This was definitely fun. I love Faith Garder but this one fell a little flat for me. I enjoyed the setting and the characters- although I could have used more character depth especially with Mitch and his shady friend. The theme park setting was definitely fun.

I enjoy multiple points of view and varying timelines in a story the book presents a POV from a character named Hawk. It's clear throughout the story the author intends for you to guess the identity. I wish there was more mystery there, more story, etc. I had the ending figured out halfway through the book. I also wish FG had played up the setting. I kept forgetting this was supposed to be set in the 80s. So much opportunity there for descriptive narrative.

My other qualm with this book is some of the ideas presented were quite far fetched. Some of the actions of the FMC had me going - that would never happen. I chalked it up to the story being set in the 80s. Who throws away a box that someone shady hands you and says - get rid of this, especially when the FMC knows he's shady: That blew my mind. Also, I couldn't take how the medical portions are written. I've worked in neuro for years and what FG wrote doesn't happen. People don't come back from a life saving crani and breathe on their own. That character would never have come back with no ventilator even if his brain stem was intact. Very unrealistic, makes me wonder if she had a medical consult. I'd be willing! 😂

The ending could have been better. I figured out who dunnit halfway through and thought- no way- that can't be the ending there has to be more twists. There weren't. There was a possibility when I leaned there is a free epilogue written in a different POV. That even ended weird. I thought I was getting the twist finally..

Overall this was super fun if you take it for what it is. It's a popcorn thriller that if you can look past the inconsistencies, it's entertaining. Major props to the author for using a cool, atmospheric setting that brings back memories for so many of us!

Thank you @netgalley and @expressoreads for a copy of this title. All my reviews are unbiased.

This was a top-tier thriller! One of the best I have had the pleasure of reading this year! I LOVED the setting, the twisty duel POV and the characters were perfect. It had me on the edge of my seating guessing right up until the end. This was a fantastic read start to finish!! I could not put it down or stop turning the pages. 5+ stars for me!!

Thank you @faith.gardner #mirrorhousepress for the gifted copy of this book!

Breakneck Bay by Faith Gardner was such a blast — in the most messed up, thriller-y way possible.

Faith is one of those reliably twisty thriller authors for me, and once again she delivers a wild ride from point A to point WHAT JUST HAPPENED. I’m a total sucker for books set in amusement parks (give me all the creepy carnival lights and rickety roller coasters), and Breakneck Bay did not disappoint. This park is a total disaster — poorly run, constant accidents, and one lawsuit away from going under. And then, of course… someone turns up dead. That’s when things really go off the rails.

Faith filled this one with shady, questionable characters you can’t trust for a second, and I ate it up. The setting was perfection — it gave me big small-town, slightly grimy, 1980s amusement park energy. I could totally picture the lazy owner in his cluttered office, safety violations everywhere, and teenagers running rides they absolutely shouldn’t be.

If I’m being honest? I would’ve happily taken even more theme park shenanigans. The nostalgic, eerie vibe was my favorite part of the whole book. The suspense kept me guessing, and poor Kit… girl just could not catch a break. (Pro tip: take the money and RUN, babe. 😂)

If you’re into small-town murder mysteries, shady characters, and creepy nostalgic settings, definitely add this one to your TBR.

This was a lot of fun! I loved the short chapters and the summer time feel. It was a perfect quick thriller to read during the summer. I do wish that there were a few more twists to the story than there were, but it was still a really fun thriller that kept me wanting to keep reading!

✨Reviews✨
📚Breakneck Bay- Faith Gardner📚
📖 3.5/5

Thanks NetGalley and Mirror House Press for the ARC copy of the upcoming thriller Breakneck Bay.

This one was fast, easy to read and had a lot of things I love in a thriller. However, it didn’t have the depth and darkness that makes a thriller a slam dunk for me. I found the second POV a little confusing at first but as the book went on it became clear we were supposed to be guessing who it was.

Though I binged this book in a couple sittings, and it had some great suspense as the story went on I felt the ending fell flat. I would have loved a bit more about the Canine Killer, maybe an investigation or justice? I don’t know what I needed but I needed a bit more.

Although this one wasn’t a top read so far this year it did have some key elements that made it enjoyable.

🌊Missing Girl
🌊Possible Serial Killer
🌊Mysterious Caller leaving creepy messages
🌊Atmospheric small town
🌊Dangerous Waterpark
🌊Lots of suspects

Publish date: July 24th 2025

The true crime girlies will love this. Small town, janky amusement park, a missing employee, and possibly a serial killer? The vibes were immaculate. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Breakneck Bay is the perfect summer thriller. It's set in the 1980s at "Break Your Neck" Bay waterpark, as the teens working there call it. Breakneck Bay is home to drunk teens, "ride-at your-own-risk" rides, and several traumatic incidents, some even leading to death. Sadly, when it comes to a place like this, nobody cares. It's no surprise that when one girl is found dead some years prior, it is swept under the rug. Fast forward to the summer of 1982, where another girl, Gloria, goes missing. Her disappearance is tied to The Canine Killer - a serial killer who r- and m- girls and then pulls out their canines when he's done. Nobody knows who this "Canine Killer" is, but clues are being found, and the pieces are starting to come together. Has he been around, lurking this whole time?
Breakneck Bay is a page-turner, a fast-paced thriller that you won't want to put down. Although everything is pretty much predictable, especially as the story progresses, it is no less entertaining. Although we learn who the killer is, as well as the perpetrator, the pace and thrill of this book leaves you wanting to see it through to the very end. It's a great, fast-paced read, with a very atmospheric setting that will pull you in. Definitely recommend, especially for the summer!
Thank you NetGalley, Mirror House Press, and Faith Gardner for this ARC!

Breakneck Bay was a very easy read. I really enjoy this authors work. The story flowed and I was intrigued to see how it all played out. I will admit this wasn’t my favorite of hers as I figured everything out pretty easily however it was still a solid 3.25 star read for me and still recommend you pick it up.

The story follows our FMC Kit and her husband Mitch who work for a waterpark that is known for all of its accidents and is nicknamed Break Your Neck Bay. While at the park a disturbing incident occurs that causes a bunch of questions. Is someone dead? Who is Gloria? If she missing? Why did this happen? Who’s the suspect? You’ll have a time at Breakneck Bay! Enjoy the ride.

Ohh yes, I loved it. I was expecting something else and it turned out to be a complete surprise package for me. I thought I'm predicting the twist but obviously, I was wrong and it definitely kept me on my toes!!
Loved the eerie feeling through out, loved the writing, overall.
Thank you for providing me with the ARC.

I really wanted to love this book, the premise sounded like it would be right up my alley. I struggled from the beginning with the author's need to tell as well as show. It really felt like they were holding the reader's hand throughout the entirety of the book. Characters were having illogical conversations just to drive home the point to the reader, which really frustrated me. For instance, there was one moment where the main character's husband explains something to the main character that has already been mentioned several times throughout the book.

"'It's how we used to do it,' he reminds me, taking my hand and kissing it. 'Every year I'd come work here, March through September, and then stay with you October through February when the park closes.'"

This just isn't how people actually talk to one another. They both already know this information.

Beyond the hand holding, the main character's naivete just proved too much for me. Throughout the book, she espouses her husband's greatness a the while being repeatedly confronted with the fact that he is a bad man. There is one singular instance in this book, during present time or flashbacks, where he is truly nice to her. Beyond that, he doesn't have a single redeeming quality. Which is okay, characters can be completely morally corrupt, but I just couldn't understand what led her to be so loyal to him. There was no backstory of love-bombing or even a good part of their relationship so it just wasn't convincing to me that she was so willing to overlook indisputable evidence of his crimes. I would like to pick up more from this author in the future, I think maybe these characters in particular just didn't mesh with me.

whew. what a blast from the past. well, the 80's. 😂 this was my first book by this author and I will definitely be reading her other works.

this was a medium paced book that could easily be read in one sitting. I constantly wanted to know more! (and leaving me on a cliff hanger at the end of a chapter will do that!)

thanks to netgalley and the author for the ARC.

First I would like to thank NetGalley and Mirror House Press for the ARC of this novel.

This was another fun thriller from Faith Gardner. I loved the summer thriller vibes and the location of Breakneck Bay was great. I also enjoyed that every one seemed to be sketchy to me. I love when I suspect everyone.

There were times I felt that Kit seemed a little oblivious to everything going on around her and I just wanted to shake her a little bit. It wasn’t a super twisty thriller (it reminded me a lot of The Mirror House Girls in that way) but the final twist at the very end of the novel was great.

Overall, I enjoyed it and will continue to read Faith Gardners books.

3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4 for this review.

Breakneck Bay

. Where should I even start with this book?

Let me begin by saying this: please check the content warnings before diving in. While Breakneck Bay doesn’t hit you with dark content from page one, by the 20% mark things start to take a serious turn—and if you’re not prepared, it can hit like a brick wall.

The story opens with the mysterious disappearance of a girl named Gloria from a run-down 1980s waterpark. What begins as a missing persons case quickly spirals into something much darker. The story follows Kit, our main character, a newlywed trying to adjust to life with her husband Mitch, who runs Breakneck Bay. But as the investigation deepens, Kit finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, suspicion, and serial horror.

One thing that really caught me off guard (and is also where the trigger warnings come into play) is the dual POV element. We get chapters from a mysterious man named Hawk, and the perspective is chilling. These entries give you a window into the disturbing thoughts of a killer—and honestly, I was not prepared for how dark it got. It’s written in a way that’s effective but deeply unsettling.

The pacing is fast, with some chapters flying by and others slowing down just enough to let the dread settle in. The 1980s waterpark setting is nostalgic in a creepy, decaying way—it adds a unique atmosphere that sets Breakneck Bay apart from most thrillers. You can practically feel the humidity, the sunburned teenagers, and the rust on the rides.

Faith Gardner does a great job making you feel uneasy without relying on cheap jump scares or overdone gore. The tension creeps up on you instead, especially when past and present timelines begin to blur.

While I loved the pacing and concept, I wasn’t fully satisfied with the ending. I was hoping for something a bit different—maybe a stronger emotional resolution or a twist that landed harder. That said, it does offer a sense of closure, and for many readers, that might be enough.

Some side characters also felt like they had more to give. I would’ve liked a deeper dive into Gloria’s life or even the people working at the park.

This isn’t just your average summer thriller—it’s a haunting story wrapped in neon lights, chlorine, and secrets. If you’re looking for something with serial killer psychology, messy marriages, and a disturbing twist of nostalgia, this book is for you.

Recommended for a cool fall evening or a gloomy summer afternoon… but only after you read the trigger warnings.