The Pool House by Tasmina Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Summer To Die For
To Jem Chapman, it's the chance of a lifetime. An invitation to join a group in an exclusive Hamptons house-share, who could say no? But when she discovers what happened last summer, Jem can't help but feel a chill.
A young woman was found drowned in the house's pool. The housemates said Alice was troubled. She'd been drinking. She couldn't swim...
A Secret To Kill For
As Jem gets to know her glamorous new housemates, she realises each has something to hide. What really happened last summer? And who would go to any lengths to keep a person quiet?
I have read a few books by Tasmina Perry, I must say her last few personally have not been as good in my opinion. This book though she was back to her best, this is quite a long book, well over 400 pages but you don't notice this when reading as you have to read more. This book crossed over the genres I feel, being thriller moving into mystery/crime.
The novel begins in the past, a girl leaving a beach party and arriving to a house alone. Grabbing a vodka, she takes it out to the pool in distress. She suddenly hears a voice and then the prologue ends. The story moves on a year and we meet Jem, her and her husband are in New York, they plan to stay, work a year or so before heading back to the U.K. Her husband Nat is working for a magazine in the city and sees his career going from strength to strength. Meanwhile, Jem is feeling a little disheartened, she moved from the UK with Nat but has had to give up her catering business and is struggling to find work in the same field in America.
The Hamptons is a luxury area by the beach and a house share opportunity has come up for Nat and her to spend the summer weekends there. Nat is keen as he knows the others and believes this will help his career to mix in the right circles. Jem agrees to the rental, although doesn't really fit with the other couples, they make an effort and are polite to each other but she would never have chosen to socialise with people like this if it hadn't been for Nat. When they arrive at the Pool House Jem quickly discovers that a year previously there was an 'accident' and a girl who was staying at the house (in Jem's now bedroom) died in the pool. All the couples apart from Jem and Nat were present guests at the house last year, the strange thing though is that they are all very reluctant to discuss the incident.
The book is split into sections from the year before where the reader hears Alice's voice and learns from her what her life was like before the 'accident' and the present day through Jem's voice.
I thought this was a fast pace book, that kept my interest from page 1 right to the end. Tasmina Perry is back on form with a great summer read and one I recommend you read.
Deep Blue Sea by Tasmina Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
'Beneath the shimmering surface lies a dark secret...
Diana and Julian Denver have the world at their feet. With a blissful marriage, a darling son and beautiful homes in London and the country, Diana's life, to the outside world, is perfect. But nothing is as it seems...
When Julian dies suddenly and tragically, Diana is convinced there is more to it than meets the eye. She calls on the one person she had never wanted to see again - her sister, Rachel.
A former tabloid reporter, Rachel appears to be living the dream as a diving instructor on a Thai island. The truth is she's in exile, estranged from her family and driven from her career by Fleet Street's phone-hacking scandal.
For Rachel, Diana's request opens old wounds. But she is determined to make amends for the past, and embarks on a treacherous journey to uncover the truth - wherever it may lead...'
This was my second book I have read by Tasmina Perry, the first being her show stopper The Proposal. This book, however was completely different to they style she has written that one.
First of all I was drawn in by the cover, isn't it fantastic! It screams being away on holiday and making me want to go. The story however is not as tranquil as the cover suggests and I got quickly swept in by the scandal and mystery of the story.
Diana and Julian have the 'perfect' life, Julian is the head of a multi million pound company and they have good family and friends, however cracks appear once Julian is found dead in his own house! Diana is told it is suicide, but a nagging feeling tells her there is more to this than meets the eye. There is only one person she feels that she can trust and take her seriously, this however is her estranged sister Rachel, who fled to Thailand a few years before.
Rachel has been living in Thailand for the past three years after turning her back on her reporters job and her family. Since then she has been running a very successful diving business with her partner, who she met out there Liam. When Diana turns up in Thailand to see her sister after 3 years of no contact, Rachel is pleased she has a chance to put things right and get their relationship back on track, she accepts Diana's proposal to help her and find out what really happened to Julian.
Although the book is quite long, not shy of 500 pages, I expected it to take me a long time to read it, however I got so involved in the story line and the characters I read it extremely quickly. This book seemed to have everything, romance, scandal, mystery, suspense, thrills.
I also expected the book to be predictable, I was very surprised. I couldn't work out they mystery that surrounded Julian's death and every time I thought I was getting close to finding out there was another twist. This to me made the book even more enjoyable and kept me hooked.
All the characters were developed well, even smaller characters. There were many in the book, but they were easy to follow and everyone had a reason to be in the story and bought something to the story line. Personally I loved Dot, she was sweet, I enjoyed learning about her own live in small amounts of detail and I also loved that Diana could help her and wanted to. I would have loved to visit their Cafe. I also loved Rachel, I felt really sorry for her and reading more about what happened and why she felt she was forced to get away made me really feel for her. I loved that she was able to repair her relationship with her sister and also loved the romance that surrounded her.
This was a wonderful story and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I loved it so much that I have run out and got another novel by Tasmina Perry and she is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. This is a wonderful story for the summer and if you are looking for a captivating and hooking read this one is for you.
I promise it won't disappoint!
I would like to thank the publisher immensely for sending me this copy in exchange for a honest review.
The Proposal by Tasmina Perry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
'Just say yes to this unforgettable read and take a spellbinding, romantic journey from the dazzling days of the debutantes in 1950s London to glamorous modern Manhattan.
When Amy Carrell's wealthy boyfriend ends their relationship just before Christmas, she's left to nurse her broken heart alone. With nothing to lose, she replies to an advertisement requesting a companion for a mysterious 'Manhattan adventure'.
Whisked off to New York with eccentric British aristocrat Georgia Hamilton, Amy experiences a glamorous side of the city that she's never seen before. Along the way, Georgia initiates her protegee in the arts of old-school elegance.
But as Georgia shares her life lessons, Amy discovers a painful secret in her mentor's past. A secret that shattered her future. A story of love and betrayal that only Amy has the power to put right.'
I have never read any of Tasmina Perry's books, not because I didn't want to, just I never got round to them. When I was offered the opportunity to read her latest one The Proposal I jumped at the chance.
Being my first Tamsina Perry book, it certainly won't be ny last, I absolutely loved this story and would recommend it to everyone!
Amy Carrell is American, however she has been over in the UK for a few years, following her dream of becoming a dancer. She has recently broken up with her boyfriend and wants to go home to visit her family for Christmas. Unfortunately she hasn't had much luck in the dance industry lately and is currently working as a waitress and cannot afford the fair back to Nee York.
She spots an advert in one of the local papers for a travel companion to New York for the holidays. Amy figures she has little to lose and responds to the ad. She goes to meet, which turn out to be a sweet old lady. So they are off on a Mantatten adventure, while they are away, it dawns on Amy she knows little about this lady. We learn about Georgia's time as a debutante in the late 1950's and we slip yo and from the present to learn about her story. One that is told with passion and I'd written well.
I absolutely loved this story, it is one where you think I'll just read a fee chapters and before you know where you are you are half way through the book. I found this to be an extremely quick read and I was only disappointed when it ended. I have recently visited New York myself and could almost see where Amy and Georgia were. I felt I was travelling with them on their Manhatten adventure and didn't want to come home.
This is a lonely story of an old woman, bitter betrayal, a love story and kindness. I feel this is a story that would stay with me for sometime.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a beautiful tale to read.
