Sunset Beach

The name of this is misleading. I was expecting a lighthearted, fun book to read and this was not it. The saying of “don’t judge a book by its cover” applies here. I’m excited to read more Mary Kay Andrews in the future.

This was a enjoyable read.A murder of two years and a missing woman over 40 years ago.A lot of twists, and the beach side of Sunset Beach.Read it

I almost didn't buy this book because I normally read cozy mysteries and this seemed more of a romance novel. As a few other reviewers commented, it took a few chapters to get into the book because Drue was pretty whiny, trying to punish her father and his new wife (a former friend of Drue's) for problems from years ago. However, once Drue settled in at her job at dad's law office and became interested in 2 old cases, the storyline picked up. Drue had to decide who to trust with her new evidence and worried that her father had been involved, if not in murder at least in covering up the truth. There were some unbelievable scenes, such as breaking into a hotel and leaving a gun in an unlocked house, almost begging the murderer to come after her. However, I did enjoy the solution to the mysteries and the development of the relationships between Drue, her father and her stepmother/ex-friend. The resolutions left me thinking about how the legal solution to a problem is not always the morally correct one - are there times when the end justifies the means?

Mary Kay Andrews is one of our absolute favorite authors here at Jessica’s Reading Room. She consistently writes wonderful novels and creates memorable and likable characters. I really enjoyed Sunset Beach, but I’ll also admit that it’s not my favorite of all her novels. It kept my attention, I was emotionally invested, and the ending surprised me. However, it just felt slightly shallower as compared to her other books. I love the romance component to each of her stories and this one seemed to be lacking that. There was some romance and I really liked Jonah a lot, I just needed more. My other issue was all the racial stuff she decided to throw in. Thankfully, she was very balanced, showing the problems on both sides of the “color spectrum”; I guess I just don’t understand why it had to be included at all. I really don’t think anything would have suffered had she not included such a focus on race. Other than that, the story was interesting, the mystery was solid, the characters were relatable and likable. And the cover of Sunset Beach is definitely one of my favorites of all the MKA books. It’s beautiful and totally appeals to a summer lover and beach bum like me! Definitely a good book that I would recommend for a great summer read!

I've been reading Mary Kay Andrews for quite awhile, and she never disappoints. Sunset Beach is her latest book, and it lives up to the standard she has set over the years. However, I want to say, this in not the light womn's fiction her summer books are, but a darker mystery type of novel. Just as good, but different!Drue Campbell is at loose ends, having 1) severely injured her knee in a kiteboarding accident, 2) just buried her mother and 3) just lost her waitress job in the crummy dive bar by the beach. When her Dad, who she hasn't seen in 15 years, offers her a job in his law firm, and tells her that she is now the owner of the little beach cottage her grandparents owned, she reluctantly accepts it and moves to Sunset Beach.As her job progresses, Drue stumbles upon a case that the firm handled as workers comp, that should have been, she believes, wrongful death. In addition to this, there is the police case file on a death from 1976, that turns up in the attic of her cottage. Drue comes to believe that both of these casses need to be looked into, in order for there to be justice for the victims. The book focuses on Drue's investigation into these two events, and along the way, the growth that ensues in Drue's character, as she realizes that everything is never as it seems on the surface.Ms. Andrews has delivered yet another fast paced, and touching book about family, secrets and how life can change your outlook, even when you least expect it.

Slow to start and takes a long time to get things moving but still kept me intrigued and eager to finish.

Enjoyed reading this book. This book included several good mysteries and surprises. Plus some romance. Highly recommend reading this book

This book is fun, entertaining and a fast easy read. I like the protagonist and the changes she goes thru...its a fun summer read.

Light reading, entertaining. Good for a relaxing afternoon read.

Interesting story with twists to unravel with a hint of romance. Family secrets and intrigue. Very entertaining!

It was well written and fun to read. I would have liked it better if it had a bit more romance.

Having enjoyed previous novels by this author I have to say I found this one extremely boring. I gave up less than halfway through!