Release date: June 9, 2026
Publisher: St. Martins Press
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Synopsis:
The next riveting summer suspense by the author of THE BLOCK PARTY, ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY, and THE LAKE ESCAPE Jamie Day.
Holly Sinclair, a struggling writer, is forced from her cherished New York apartment and returns to her family’s seaside cottage in the charming town of Beauport, Massachusetts—a home she hasn’t seen in nearly twenty years. Guilt grabs her the moment she arrives. Years ago, her sister died here, and Holly still blames herself.
She arrives on a mission from her literary agent to write a best-selling novel. Her future depends on it. But she’s not the only one with an agenda. Someone is watching Holly’s every move from the shadows. Desperate for a good idea, Holly makes the fateful choice to write about her past. The Watcher sees all and knows what Holly doesn’t: Some secrets must remain buried.
As threats from the ominous Watcher become increasingly sinister, Holly realizes that, even though the past is a faint echo, it is still close enough to be deadly.
Review:
Beach Thriller by Jamie Day was exactly the kind of summer suspense read I gravitate toward: fast paced, addictive, and impossible not to binge. This is pure popcorn thriller energy, but with enough depth and sharpness to keep it from feeling forgettable. The coastal small town setting was one of my favorite parts, all the gossip, buried secrets, wealthy families, and long held grudges created such an immersive atmosphere. Beauport felt charming on the surface while still carrying that eerie undercurrent that something terrible happened here years ago and never truly stayed buried.
I also loved the structure of this one. Multiple POVs always make thrillers more entertaining for me, and the anonymous “Watcher” chapters added such a creepy, sinister edge throughout the story. The book within a book angle was another fun layer that made the mystery feel more layered and engaging. I kept changing my theories as the story unfolded, which is always a good sign, and I appreciated that the twists didn’t feel overly predictable. The pacing stays steady the entire time and moves quickly without sacrificing atmosphere or character drama.
At its core, this is a solid cold case mystery wrapped in a juicy beach town thriller full of secrets, suspicion, and simmering tension. If you love messy small town dynamics, coastal settings, unreliable vibes, and thrillers that feel tailor made for summer reading, this one absolutely delivers. It’s dramatic, creepy, and ridiculously easy to fly through in just a couple sittings.
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
Novelgossip 