Reissue: Read a thriller about an expert swimmer who drowns under mysterious circumstances
How to Kill Your Best Friend — Lexie Elliot
Hello, readers, and welcome to all new subscribers! I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather, so I’m rerunning a recommendation from last summer, which many people may not have seen. It’s a beach-side, page-turning thriller perfect for your next poolside read.
And keep reading for the start of the big summer mystery box giveaway! You can start to earn entries today to win!
Under-the-Radar Book of the Week
How to Kill Your Best Friend by Lexie Elliot
What It’s About
Georgie, Bronwyn, and Lissa were inseparable in college. They dominated on their college swim team, and they’ve remained strong swimmers and strong friends since. But when Lissa is declared dead—found drowned in Kanu Cove, a dangerous and strange area of ocean—her friends are shocked and confused.
Georgie and Bronwyn reunite for Lissa’s memorial on the island, along with some other friends, but from the moment they arrive, something isn’t right. It seems like someone is tormenting them for past mistakes and past secrets held tightly, and the island doesn’t feel so secure and secluded as they thought.
As things get more dangerous and more real for the women the more they look into Lissa’s strange death, the more they realize they may also be in danger, and it’s up to them to determine why and keep themselves alive on the island.
Why You Should Read It
This is the quintessential thriller that is perfect for reading beach-side (or pool-side)—lots of drama and intrigue that’s easy to jump in and out of. To me, there’s nothing better than these kinds of books in the summer. They’re suspenseful enough to keep you interested and full of characters who are not making the best decisions, which makes them extra fun to read about.
If you loved The Guest List by Lucy Foley or An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher, this should be your next pick for your summer list. Lexie Elliot also has several other thrillers out, including The French Girl and The Missing Years. I also curated a whole list of mysteries perfect for the warm weather if you’re looking for a whole bunch of selections.
Giveaway!
This summer, enter to win a mystery box of ARCs! Books will be from all across genres, but will all be 2023 releases (a few 2022). Last summer, 2 winners received boxes of about 6–7 books of all kinds. This year, there will be at least 2 winners, possibly more as I collect more books to add to the giveaway!
To enter:
US only
Must be 13 or older, or have parent/caregiver permission
Every comment on any June or July post will earn you 1 entry. This applies to What’s on my Stack posts AND weekly book recommendation posts.
To earn a bonus entry each week, share a post on social media, and come back, leaving a separate comment with a link on where you shared it!
More Books
Can’t get enough, or looking for a different recommendation? Browse the archives, or check out some popular past recommendations:
Read about the dark history of an Oregon desert town and the ghosts that haunt it
Read about a historical family inheritance that comes with a catch
Read a Renaissance Faire rom-com with grumpy pirates and pub songs
I also love hearing from readers! Let me know what kinds of books you’re looking for that you’d like to see featured, or send in your most recent five-star read (or two) and get a recommendation just for you. You might be featured in an upcoming newsletter! Reply to this email to get in touch!
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I've heard a lot about this book. Maybe it's time I finally pick it up!
This was a good summer pageturner, although I didn't love the depictions of the hotel staff from the island.