Bad Summer People
by Emma Rosenblum
Summary
None of them would claim to be a particularly good person. But who among them is actually capable of murder?
Jen Weinstein and Lauren Parker rule the town of Salcombe, Fire Island, every summer. They hold sway on the beach and the tennis court and are adept at manipulating people to get what they want. Their husbands, Sam and Jason, have summered together on the island since childhood, despite lifelong grudges and numerous secrets. Their one single friend, Rachel Woolf, is looking to meet her match, whether he’s the tennis pro or someone else’s husband. But even with plenty to gossip about, this season starts out as quietly as any other.
Until a body is discovered, face down off the side of the boardwalk.
Stylish, subversive, and darkly comedic, this is a story of what’s lurking under the surface of picture-perfect lives in a place where everyone has something to hide.
My Review
This was my first time reading this author, and I was immediately drawn to the premise. I love the trope of rich people behaving badly, tangled up in secrets, lies, and betrayal, and this book delivered exactly that. I listened to the audiobook and was thrilled to discover that one of my favorite narrators, January LaVoy, was behind the mic. As always, she gave a flawless performance that elevated the entire reading experience.
The story features many different points of view, including both main and side characters. While this gave the narrative a layered feel, it also made the first third of the book a little overwhelming. I struggled to keep track of who was who, especially with the heavy amount of backstory provided for each character. At times, it felt like too much information to take in all at once.
In terms of content, it was not entirely to my taste. There is frequent profanity and a touch of spice—nothing overly graphic, but edging toward a heavy PG-13. Some characters are gay, and there is a notable amount of infidelity, often between members of the same social circle. The dynamic within this “friend group” leaned more toward frenemies, with constant betrayal and backstabbing. Personally, I found it difficult to connect with the characters since most were shallow, petty, and morally questionable, making consistently poor decisions.
That said, the mystery itself kept me engaged. The author set up multiple storylines with believable motives for many characters, which kept me guessing right up to the reveal. I did not see the ending coming, and I appreciated how the plot maintained suspense without making the outcome obvious.
Overall, the book felt like Desperate Housewives meets Gossip Girl in their thirties and forties—juicy, gossipy, and dripping with drama. While there were no high-intensity action scenes or moments that left me breathless, it still made for a fun summer read filled with rich people behaving badly. It may not be a mystery I will remember long-term, but it was entertaining enough that I might check out more from this author in the future.