Title: A Stranger on the Beach
Author: Michele Campbell
First published July 23, 2019
352 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781250202536 (ISBN10: 1250202531)
Rating: 3.71
Overview
Caroline’s life seems perfect with her new beach house and a husband who adores her. But when she discovers her husband’s deceitful ways, everything comes crashing down.
At a party, a stranger named Aiden catches Caroline’s eye, and soon they begin a reckless fling. But Caroline’s mistake turns into a nightmare as Aiden becomes obsessed with her and her family.
When Caroline’s husband goes missing, she becomes the prime suspect in his murder. Will she be able to prove her innocence and escape Aiden’s clutches before it’s too late?
A Stranger on the Beach is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
About the Author
Michele Campbell has quite the impressive background. She graduated from both Harvard College and Stanford Law School and worked in New York City as a federal prosecutor, where she specialized in international narcotics and gang cases.
However, Michele decided to leave her bustling legal career behind and move with her family to a serene college town in New England, much like the setting in her book, IT’S ALWAYS THE HUSBAND. Since then, she has been teaching criminal and constitutional law while also pursuing her passion for writing novels.
Throughout her life, Michele has had numerous close female friends, a few frenemies, and just one husband who, as far as she knows, has never attempted to harm her.
Editoral Review
Michele Campbells latest thriller, A Stranger on the Beach, is a gripping and suspenseful exploration of deceit, obsession, and revenge. With her trademark flair for crafting addictive page-turners, Campbell succeeds in crafting a gripping story that will keep readers engrossed until the very last page.
Set in the picturesque coastal town of Westport, Connecticut, A Stranger on the Beach introduces us to Caroline Stark, a wealthy and successful attorney who appears to have it all. But when Carolines husband begins to stray, she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Aiden Callahan, a young bartender who she meets at her favorite local watering hole.
Despite their vastly different backgrounds and lifestyles, Caroline and Aiden find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. But when a series of increasingly disturbing events begin to occur, Carolines life is thrown into chaos.
As she becomes more and more convinced that Aiden is behind the sinister occurrences, she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew about him and herself. As the mystery deepens, Campbell weaves together a complex and intricate plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end.
One of the strengths of A Stranger on the Beach lies in Campbells skillful characterization. Both Caroline and Aiden are complex and multi-layered, with motivations that are not always clear.
As the novel progresses, Campbell peels back the layers of their personalities, revealing the depths of their desires and fears. This makes for a deeply satisfying reading experience, as readers become fully invested in the lives of these characters.
Another standout feature of A Stranger on the Beach is the authors evocative sense of place. From the sun-drenched beaches of Westport to the shadowy dimness of the local bar, Campbell captures the essence of her setting with vivid and sensory detail.
This adds an extra layer of richness to the novel, immersing readers fully in the story. However, the novel is not without its flaws.
Some readers may find the pacing a bit slow, particularly in the first half of the novel. Additionally, some of the plot twists may feel a bit too contrived for some readers tastes.
Nevertheless, these are minor quibbles that do not detract from the overall power and impact of the novel. Overall, A Stranger on the Beach is a gripping and suspenseful novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
With clever plot twists, complex characters, and a strong sense of place, Campbell has crafted a thriller that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Highly recommended for fans of the genre.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
