The Blue: Beautifully written. . .a gripping page turner

After reading Lucy Clarke's debut book 'The Sea sisters' a few years ago which I loved, I soon become a big fan! So I was thrilled to be sent a review copy of Lucy's third novel, 'The Blue' , which in my opinion is by far her best! OK so I will just put this out there now. This is my favourite book of the year so far. And I've read a LOT. Lana and her friend Kitty join a group of travellers in the Philippines, and become part of the crew on the sensational yacht 'The Blue.' They soon set sail, and boy does this book take you on a journey! I lived and breathed this book whilst reading. I could smell the sea water, hear the crashing waves against the yacht, feel the scorching sun beating down on me. I was completely transported. This book is very much character driven, and we have a complete range of characters, all from different walks of life. All holding their own secrets. Some running away from something. Some trying to set themselves free. We get to know the whole crew with Lana and Kitty, and I am actually grieved to leave them all behind. There is also a gripping mystery to this story. It narrates backwards and forwards between the 'now' and 'then'. The book opens up in the now, where we are introduced to Lana, who left The Blue a few months ago. We soon realise that Lana left under bad circumstances, so of course, Lucy Clarke builds the tension up the whole way through the book, what happened on that yacht? Lana then hears some startlingly news... The Blue has sunk, and the remaining crew, Lana's friends, are all missing. We go back to the 'then' were we follow Lana and Kitty's journey from day one onto The Blue, and all the events that lead up to the current day. What happened on that yacht? What could have happened that could make Lana walk out on a life in paradise? Secrets, lies, friendship, betrayal, love, loyalty, loss and pain. This book has it all. It completely swept me off my feet, took me on a journey on The Blue, and I feel rather bereft now it's all over. This books had more twists and turns than I could handle at times. I. Could. Not. Put. This. Down. The descriptiveness was stunning and flawless. Lucy Clarke knows what she's writing! If you want to be stolen away on an exotic adventure, with a great cast of characters, a gripping suspense mystery, then this book is right up your street! 5 stars from me. I cannot wait for your next book Lucy. Please, write faster! ;-) Many thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

This book was only a few quid and was a good read. IT really sucks you in at the start and its the sort of thing you would love to have done yourself when you are young. A bit like the 'The Beach.' However, it peters out considerably and the ending is weak which is a shame. I suspect the author had to get this book in on time as she would have done better to have put it on the shelf until a better ending came to mind. However i still liked it, it just could have been brilliant.

I read The Blue in two days, I just couldn't put it down. Having enjoyed The Sea Sisters and A Single Breath I eagerly anticipated Lucy's new book...and I wasn't disappointed. It's a triumph! Set in The Phillipnies and New Zealand it is a story of friendship and family heartache but then develops into a psychological thriller. On their extended holiday Lana and Kitty join the crew of a yacht called The Blue, they can't believe their luck and soon immerse themselves in life onboard. The characters are so interesting, with such different personalities and I'm sure most women will relate to that close, sister like friendship that Lana and kitty have, which is eventually put to the test. I completely lost myself in this novel, I didn't want it to end and felt that I was on that boat with them. Loved the twists and turns, getting to know the character's and all their flaws and the wonderful, descriptions of the islands, deserted beaches and other places the crew visit on their journey. Don't want to give anything away so read and enjoy, it's staying on my Kindle!

I really find it hard to understand why this book had so many 5stars.. Yes, it is definitely atmospheric, the author really captures about life on sea. But the story was quite chick lit, sorry, if that offends but I expected more to figure out. Tame and trusted love story and couple of things never did get explained. Won't say more as it would be be a spoiler. It was ok but I won't buy or recommend. I will pass onto Charity shop. Sorry but not a book to get excited about. I had just finished Disclaimer and I Let You Go, so this was a disappointment. Apologies to all the 5 stars. Different tastes.

Quite easy reading and interesting if you sail and know the area the boat was sailing in. The end was a real surprise and very clever, although a 'happy ending' was a bit of a let down

Once more a brilliant summer read, beautifully written as expected from author Lucy Clarke. Having previously read and thoroughly enjoyed her other books The Sea Sisters and A Single Breath, I was not disappointed. The Blue has well developed characters and an engaging plot full of unexpected twists and turns. Her writing transports you onto a yatch,The Blue, where you experience the claustrophobic and sometimes sinister atmosphere of life on board whilst revelling in the beauty of this hedonistic lifestyle set as it is in the exotic surroundings of the Philipines. Very compelling, I couldn't put it down and highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an intelligent, pacy and well crafted read.

This is an engaging story and now its a TV series! Congratulations to Lucy Clarke.

WOW---WHAT A GREAT BOOK! I have literally become tired of mystery books that have a serial killer chasing his prey through the woods, the amnesiac waking up in her hospital bed after a car accident and wondering who is trying to kill her, the police chief's son, daughter, niece or nephew being kidnapped, the newspaper editor receiving letters from a madman who is intent on blowing up the city in two hours time and taunting him and the police to find him before he performs the dastardly deed--well, you get the picture. Most of the above-mentioned scenarios have been repeated endlessly in mysteries. But THE BLUE is quite different. Lana, Kitty, Shell, Denny, Heinrich, Aaron and Joseph have come from different backgrounds to sail on a yacht owned by Aaron, namely christened THE BLUE. At the offset, everything is perfect;, the boat, the weather, the friendliness between the 7 adventurers. But as time goes on, differences crop up, arguing breaks out and eventually a death occurs. Ms. Clarke divides her storyline into Then and Now segments. In other books, this might be annoying but it works well here. I am not a lover of the open seas, but I could envision myself sailing on the beautiful yacht under bright blue and sunny skies in the water off the Philippines. But then the ugliness sets in, pitting friend against friend, and when the death of one of the crew occurs everything they have shared starts to unravel. Ms. Clarke moves the story along at lightning speed, with just enough mystery to whet your appetite. Who has died on the yacht and why? What will the consequences be? Will their lives ever be the same again? An excellent read which I enjoyed from beginning to end.

Book in great shape and I'm enjoying it. Thank you

Some of the characters could have used just a bit more development, but overall it was an engaging story and well written. I really got a sense of what life would be like if I were on the crew of a boat (and have decided that would NOT be the life I'd ever want!) and I can see how these 20-somethings could get hooked on living this way. The story weaves back and forth from present to past, but you never feel confused about what is going on in either time. Full of plot twists, I was taken by surprise with yet another twist in the epilogue. All of the loose ends were tied, and left me feeling satisfied with this book. I will keep my eye out for other books written by this author.

Keeps you guessing loved it Lots of twists and turns and a different take on life than anything I have read before