Shiver was my first five-star read of this year so I was very eager to get my hands on a copy of Allie Reynolds' latest, The Bay.

Just like Shiver showcased Reynolds' love of snowboarding, The Bay showcases her more recent love of surfing and the beautiful Australian coast. I love that Reynolds has been able to include her hobbies in her work and how she uses her passion for extreme sports, both set in very contrasting climates, as the basis for her thrillers.

The story is obviously influenced by stories such as The Beach and Point Break with its idyllic setting and sinister feel, and I enjoyed how Reynolds created a closed-in location with such a strong aesthetic.

The story is very descriptive and I was immediately lured in by the setting and characters, both of which are strongly developed. The mystery itself is slowly weaved in, continuously piquing your interest and setting your theories off in a different direction, as the threat of something unnerving which everyone seems to be in on constantly haunts in the background.

But while I loved the many revelations that are thrown at the reader at the end, I did find the final showdown a little chaotic with the back-and-forth narrative. Every loose end is tied up and there are some great twists, but it just didn't have the impact I think the story really deserves.

Nevertheless, if you like an adrenaline-fuelled adventure with a lot of atmosphere and suspense, be sure to visit The Bay! You'll definitely need a holiday after this intense ride.

Kenna and Mikki were best friends since childhood. They both loved surfing but after a tragic accident Kenna moved away from Cornwall and the beaches there to live in London. Mikki went to Australia and they grew apart. But when Kenna learns that Mikki is going to get married to a man she barely knows she gets suspicious. Although told that there is no need to travel around the globe to come and attend the small wedding Kenna hops on the next plane to Sydney to make a surprise visit. After arriving she gets immediately the feeling that something is off about the relationship between Mikki and Jack. And there were about to leave to a bay which is a secret surfing spot only they and a few friends, their “tribe” knows about. Jack invites Kenna to join them on their trip. But the rest of the tribe is not so keen about another person knowing about their secret spot.

This is a character driven story with a claustrophobic setting. Something about the group of people, the woods, the wildlife and the daring ocean with its killer waves gave me the shivers. The characters are all not very likeable. They are obsessed with surfing and absolutely reckless. Most of the time I could not decide if they were mad, brave or stupid to get themselves in all those dangerous situations. The tribe is bound together by secrets they share. They think they are helping each other to get stronger and more fearless. But in fact they are bringing out the worst in each other. And they overlook that there is someone among them who is a really a killer.

Two years ago I read “Shiver” and enjoyed it. It was all about snowboarding which I found quite interesting. This time it is all about surfing. I could see the similarities between the two books. A remote place with no way to escape, a small group of people tied together by secrets, a menacing undercurrent, extreme sport and love interests. It is almost the same story only at a different location and with a different addiction. Maybe that made it so easy for me to spot the villain. I guessed it early on.

However, the story is intriguing and well written. The chapters are short and keep you turning the pages.

A wild ride of a book. Gripping from the start taking you on an adrenaline filled ride! This book is full.to the brim of mystery, cliffhangers, action packed dramatic scenes and will have you flipping through the short chapters in no time.

I devoured this book in one day and I honestly didn't have a clue who the culprit was not until the very end and I was super shocked!!!

If someone asks me to go to A Bay... I'm saying a firm NO lol!!

The Bay - Allie Reynolds
☀️☀️☀️☀️☀️

I was so excited for this book to be released and it did not disappoint! Allie is the author of my favorite book of 2021 -Shiver so patiently (not very) I waited for The Bay.

Kenna is surprised to learn of her best friend, Mikka’s wedding to Jack, and flies half way round the world to surprise her and find out why the invite didn’t arrive. As they all have a passion for surfing, they take off to the Bay for a bit and meet up with the others…. Victor, Clemente, Ryan and Sky. They all have secrets. They are all troubled. The Bay seems to be cursed and nobody is talking…..

Hooked from the start - loved the twists, the whodunnit moments and the distrust. My heart was pounding as I read on - unable to put down.

An absolute must read - The Bay is Allie at her finest and I cannot wait for the next book!

There is something about The Bay by Allie Reynolds that hooked me from the first minute! This was so creepy and tense, I always love an isolated mystery novel. This book is quite character driven, as all of the characters have something they are hiding and are all suspicious in their own way. I honestly love it when a book has short chapters as this hooked me even more throughout the book.

I chose to read a free eARC of The Bay but that has in no way influenced my review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Allie Reynolds's debut when it was published in 2021. So much so that Shiver was one of my top ten(ish) books of the year! So it goes without saying that I was very excited to get hold of a copy of The Bay, also known as The Swell in other parts of the world, and made a start on this one as soon as it landed on my Kindle.

London-based sports therapist Kenna hasn't seen her childhood best friend Mikki for a while but they speak regularly. When Mikki announces her sudden engagement to fellow surfer, Jack, Kenna is delighted for her. But soon Kenna starts to believe Jack isn't quite as perfect as Mikki makes out and may be more interested in Mikki's bank account than the woman herself. So Kenna jumps on a plane to Australia to check the situation out for herself. Arriving unannounced, Mikki is shocked to see Kenna and informs her that she and Jack are planning some time away from their Sydney apartment and heading to a secluded bay with a group of friends. Kenna tags along but upon meeting the group, starts to feel something isn't quite right about them. Kenna is an outcast. It soon becomes clear that the group all have secrets, they're all hiding something, and they'll do anything to protect their secrets and Sorrow Bay...

The Bay is a wonderfully written character-driven mystery which I savoured. I was always keen to return to the secrets of Sorrow Bay and its inhabitants, always feeling as though I was teetering on the edge of making a shocking discovery. Reynolds has created a cast of thoroughly intriguing characters who rub alongside each other, with an ever present feeling of threat never far away. On arrival at the camp it is clear that this close knit group of not friends, more accomplices, are hiding something and poor Kenna, having travelled thousands and thousands of miles, is really not welcome! What I found interesting was that I felt instead of trying to integrate herself into the group, Kenna went in with question after question which ensured the barriers went up and the original group grew tighter, leaving her alone, trying to figure out exactly what is going on between this odd bunch of people. Tensions rise, insecurities mount and Kenna is stranded far from home.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Bay is a twisty, compelling read which I really enjoyed. I'm a huge fan of Australian mysteries and a lot of the books I read by Aussie-based authors are set in small, dusty towns (not complaining, absolutely love that type of setting!) but The Bay with its vast coastline felt refreshingly different. I don't know how the author has made such a vast open space feel so confined and claustrophobic but she has and it's superb. I do love me a claustrophobic setting! As with Shiver which was based around a group of snowboarders, The Bay with its band of surfers has actually taught me a lot about a sport I have no experience of, which I enjoyed (me in a wetsuit? No chance!). I did have a tiny inkling about where the story was going to go which was eventually proved right but Reynolds does a marvellous job of making you doubt every single member of the group. All in all, The Bay is a gripping mystery with some of the most secretive, intriguing characters I have met in a long time. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future. Recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Bay. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

This review will be published on damppebbles,com on 27th June 2022.

I read this authors last book and was so excited for this one. This did not disappoint. It was so atmospheric and beach was just creepy. I thought it was well written and very twisty.

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. Really enjoyed this, it kept me guessing all the way through and still didn’t see the ending coming! I couldn’t work out who to trust, who was guilty and what of! The characters were all different and interesting in their own way, each with their own set of issues. Fast paced and kept me hooked!

I love a good mystery/thriller, I was very excited to receive a copy of The Bay. Kenna travels to Sydney to surprise her best friend Mikki, Mikki is marrying Jack who she’s not known long and Kenna is worried. When Kenna and Jack meet, she feels that something is off with him straightaway and wants to talk with Mikki about it. They invite her on a surfing trip to Sorrow Bay and Kenna thinks this will be a perfect opportunity to get to know Jack better and get time with Mikki.

When they arrive Kenna meets The Tribe.
They don’t like outsiders. Sorrow Bay is their secret, the waves are theirs and theirs alone and they will protect The Bay at any cost!

The longer Kenna stays the doubts start to intensify and secrets start to be revealed, people have gone missing before her and it seems the tribe will go to any lengths to keep The Bay a secret. Kenna starts to ask questions and digs for more information but the more she asks the more danger she is putting herself in.

This is the first Allie Reynolds book I’ve read and it won’t be my last, I was gripped from the beginning and kept wondering throughout what the secrets were and what was happening. Chapters were short and were mainly from Kenna’s point with a few chapters from the other characters which added to the intrigue. I really enjoyed the feel of isolation and the claustrophobia from the wildness surrounding them. I enjoyed the aspect of surfing and how that played into their personalities and fears.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will definitely read more by this author.

It's no secret that I loved Allie's first book 'Shiver' which was one of my favourite reads last year. I thoroughly enjoyed this one too and read it in one sitting. I was drawn into the thrill of the surfing and was intrigued to discover if my theory was correct!

Kenna flies to Australia to surprise her friend Mikki who is getting married to Jack. It's all a bit sudden, Kenna isn't too sure about the relationship and these doubts intensify once she meets Jack in person. Something just seems off about him.

The day after Kenna arrives, they all go on a surfing trip to a secluded beach with a small group of Jack's and Mikki's friends - The Tribe. Everyone has secrets here. Even Sorrow Bay is a well kept secret between the friends as they don't want outsiders surfing on their water. They will protect their bay any way they can.

Kenna soon discovers that people have gone missing and it appears that the friends will do anything to cover things up, even if it means murder! She starts asking questions but could this put her in more danger than she could have ever imagined?

Chapters written mainly from Kenna's point of view in current time with a few very short chapters in the past. Also, the odd chapter from some of the other characters in the group.

Altough this is a slow build thriller, the author's knowledge of surfing is really clear throughout the book and this was what kept the interest up for me. As the story unfolds, we get to discover each character's secret and fear. They really are a bunch of crazy surfers!

Looking forward to another great read from Allie in the future.

Many thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC.

I loved Shiver by this author, I thought it was amazing, tense and she clearly knew exactly what she was writing about.
The Bay is a really solid return to writing and the isolated setting of this one, similar to Shiver, really dragged me in. Again, I really liked trying to solve the mystery of what was happening. I preferred Shiver but I will now read anything this author comes out with, as it was the perfect thriller to dig your teeth in to and enjoy.

I dislike comparing books, no matter how good they both might be it leads to one coming off worse. Sometimes both suffer because the strengths may be split between them. Sometimes it's inevitable though. And this book falls into that situation. I read Reynolds' other book, "Shiver", and saw the teaser chapter for this in the back. I don't like teaser chapters and don't read them, but I did like "Shiver", so I was pleased to see The Bay was available. I read one other book and then dived into reading this.

The books have some strong similarities, some fairly superficial, and some more central to the story. Both feature a small group, cut off from the rest of the world and potential help. Both feature a hidden threat. Both feature people who have drifted away from their extreme sports past. There are differences too, superficially it's a sunny beach of surfers instead of a cold mountain with skiers, but there's also very different energy in terms of the threat. That way spoilers lie, but basically, this book gave me slightly more sense of imminent danger.

As I say, especially reading them so closely together I find it difficult not to compare. If you honestly only have time for one? Pick between snow and sea - you'll be happy either way. If you have time for both? Go for it, you get two books that standalone and are both worth reading.

However, focusing purely on this book since, ya know, it's supposed to be a review of this one... The story flows easily. Despite some twists it never leaves your brain trying to catch up or anything. The main focus of the story is Kenna, she flies down to Australia from London and soon ends up at Sorrow Bay. A very apt name as it turns out. Most chapters are told from her perspective, with a handful taking the perspective of other characters. I don't think this is the best use of that trick because the balance is so heavily slanted towards Kenna. The jumps to other characters do add to the story, but they occur so infrequently they feel somewhat abrupt. It never fully commits to the lone narrator, nor does it truly embrace the multiple perspectives. I think it would've been stronger picking a lane.

As for Kenna... she reads as somewhat annoying. Which is to say, I can see how people around her would find her slightly annoying. - she wasn't annoying to read. It's a testimony to the writing that she seems that way because objectively she isn't actually annoying. There's just a friction between her and other characters that is presented in such a way that I found it easy to empathise with them at times. The new face in the bay who doesn't quite fit in yet. Someone who, without meaning to, disrupts certain rhythms. It's fascinating and rather clever - she may be slightly less likeable as a result, but it creates nuanced dynamics that make everyone more relatable.

"The Bay" offers an enjoyable escape. The seclusion makes for something akin to a locked room mystery. It also abstracts it from much of our normal lives. It takes simple and effective routes to heighten the tension. It resonates with our desire to get away from it all, and preys on our fears of being too cut off. It's clever and rewarding. Although I would recommend a bigger gap between this and "Shiver" if you want to avoid comparing too easily.

This was not what I was expecting from having read and loved the author's previous book #Shiver. In that I particularly loved the competitive sport aspect and so was looking forward to more of the same here but with surfing instead of snowboarding. This had more of a cult feeling, with tribe members who live for surfing rather than being professional sportspeople. That's not to say it wasn't competitive though, as the six (seven if you count main character Kenna) dysfunctional, obnoxious, ruthless, adrenaline junkies competed on absolutely everything from holding their breath under water to free rock climbing - these initiation or 'trust' exercises all designed by tribe leader Sky to push the physical and mental boundaries. Despite not particularly liking any of the characters or the cult vibe this was still weirdly addictive with its fast pace, short snappy chapters, high tension and undercurrent of danger. I couldn't put it down.

Having read Allie’s debut novel which I loved, I was really looking forward to The Bay. Firstly I thought the cover was enticing and if I had seen the physical book on the shelf I would have picked it up. I also was drawn to the structure of the book, I particularly like it when authors devote a chapter to a specific character which is how this book is structured. As in the previous book, the characters were well developed and the book kept my interest throughout, however I did feel it lacked a bit of pace. I am torn between a 3.5/4 star rating. I would look out for more of this authors work in the future.

I absolutely loved Allie Reynolds’ debut and have been gripped by this exhilarating second novel just as much!

The story is told in the first person, primarily from the perspective of Kenna. She has just arrived in Sydney to surprise her best friend Mikki ahead of her upcoming wedding to Jack, who she’s not long met! As they were due to be heading away on a trip, Kenna is asked to join them and finds herself in the beautiful Sorrow Bay. A picturesque, but remote and dangerous surfing spot, with waves to die for! Here Kenna meets Sky, Ryan, Clemente and Victor who, alongside Mikki and Jack, are prepared to do anything to keep their haven a secret. As Kenna finds herself immersed in their world, she sees the extremes they will go to for their next thrill. She also soon realises that everyone seems to be hiding something. Desperate to get herself away from this dangerous group, and with her best friend Mikki too if she can persuade her, it soon becomes all too clear to Kenna that once you’ve entered Sorrow Bay, you never leave...

This is such a fantastic book, full of tension and atmosphere! I had so many different suspicions and ideas as I was reading and never quite knew who to trust! Even when I wasn’t reading the book the characters were in my mind, and I couldn’t wait to be able to delve back into their lives again! The prologue was also never far from my mind, given that we see somebody stood on the shoreline waiting for the waves to wash away the evidence on the beach, and to take a body out to sea!

I felt so immersed in the world of surfing as I was reading and could visualise the picturesque Australian coastal setting. I am very grateful to Allie Reynolds for giving me this incredible insight through all of her beautiful descriptions and amazing details. I could really picture everyone honing their craft and taking on ever more dangerous waves! I am not an adrenaline junkie myself, so loved how this exhilarating feeling was brought to me vicariously through the pages of The Bay!

I also really liked the different relationships between the friends and seeing how Kenna fitted in to their group. The ‘locked room’ nature of the situation Kenna found herself in with these new people made this such a chilling read! There was so much that took me by surprise as the story progressed and I really didn’t know what to expect next! I absolutely loved the ending and the build up to this when all of the truths were finally revealed! It was so thrilling and I just didn’t see it coming at all. It was so clever and I know I’m not going to stop thinking about the ending and what could happen in the future!

The Bay is an absolutely incredible book and I cannot recommend it highly enough!

3.5 rounded up

Kenna’s arrival in Australia to visit her best friend Mikki has an inauspicious start when she’s almost accosted by a desperate mother looking for her missing daughter. However, this is just the beginning of what can only be described as a tidal wave of ever worsening events. First of all Kenna is concerned about Mikki as she fears she may be controlled by her fiance Jack and certainly the vibe she gets are tense, weird and the dynamics are off. If she thought this is strange then it takes a deep dive into the downright bizarre when Jack and Mikki take her to a remote, isolated Sorrow Bay where she meets The Tribe. They are an odd, aggressive, rude bunch of adrenaline junkies addicted to surfing big waves, the bigger the better and goading and pushing each other to take bigger and bigger risks. They’re a disparate bunch who have washed up from all around the world but the alpha seems to be Sky. What has Mikki got herself involved in? What has she dragged Kenna into ? Are there any links to the missing girl? The story is principally told from Kenna’s point of view but each character has one chapter which works well.

The first three quarters of the book is really good and I really enjoy the focus on surfing. Allie Reynolds has created a very odd jarring bunch of characters who are mostly unlikable and via them you get hold your breath tension, several jaw droppers and behaviour that makes you gulp in shock so you can’t decide if they’re brave, stupid or both. It’s really intriguing, there’s a cracking pace, the undertones ooze menace, there’s suspense, intimidation and danger as power is exerted. These are all damaged souls and The Bay is a magnet for them, bringing out their darkness and then binding them together with secrets. Kenn’a growing suspicions flip-flop between the various characters which keeps you invested in the plot.

However, the last 20% also becomes overly dramatic with too many twists. It gets repetitive especially on Kenna‘s desire to extract Mikki from the group and Kenna herself gets irritating as it’s like she’s constantly picking as a scab. The ending feels unfinished, it’s sort of fizzles out which is a huge pity as most of it is really good.

Overall, it’s a well written thriller and I like the short short chapters which perfectly match the plot/mood and dynamics. With a more punchy ending it would’ve been a 4 to 5 star read.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed Reynolds' debut SHIVER, so I was very excited to be invited to read The Bay.

Much like Shiver, The Bay is centred around an extreme sport, only this time it's in the heat of Australian waves. Reynolds sets her scenes so well I felt like I was there with Kenna and Mikki and the rest of the gang in the campsite and on the isolated beach.

Lots of comings and goings with a past story woven in too, The Bay was gripping and easy to read and I wanted to get to the end to see if my predictions were true.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

As a big fan of Allie Reynolds’ debut thriller Shiver, I couldn’t wait to read her latest book, The Bay (called The Swell in the US).

Much like Shiver focused on skiing, The Bay is all about a group of surfers. Kenna arrives in Sydney to surprise her best friend Mikki, who is getting married in a few weeks. However, Mikki and fiancé Jack are heading on a trip up coast so Kenna tags along.

They end up at an abandoned national park where Mikki and Jack’s friends, known as The Tribe, await them. A secluded beach paradise with some of the best waves in Australia? It seems too good to be true. Kenna will soon learn that these waves are to die for…

Full of atmospheric tension, intrigue and untrustworthy characters, I found The Bay to be a teasingly slow burn of a thriller until about half way, then the plot thickened, the revelations kept coming and I could not put it down until I had read the last page.

Lead character Kenna is head strong and determined to stay true to her friend. Despite that, she was often tempted by the lifestyle and the charisma of some members of the group, and I felt that this truly showed the power both the Tribe and the Bay had over its members. Thr other members of the Tribe are given a unique voice, so it was easy getting to know them.

I found the setting to be beautifully crafted, with the attention to detail fully embellishing this part of the world that I myself have never visited, making it all the easier in which to immerse myself. I particularly enjoyed the use of the weather and the churning waves to give a sense of foreboding and to foreshadow the storm brewing within the Tribe itself.

What I especially loved about this novel is the way the big finish seemed to come several times! I thought it was all over and winding down, but WAIT-there is more! I found myself frantically turning the pages to see how we leave the story, not quite wanting it to end.

With revelations right up until the final page, The Bay caught me in its riptide and wouldn’t let go until I finished.

It could perhaps have been 50-60 pages shorter, as there several similar events within the Tribe early to mid novel that could have been condensed. However this did not impact my enjoyment and I would thoroughly recommend The Bay to any thriller fans!

Reynolds has created a locked room mystery on a beach paradise, reminiscent of Christie’s And Then There Were None. You don’t want to miss this!

The Bay is out 23rd June. Thanks to Headline and NetGalley for the early proof approval.

Loved, loved this book. It totally blew my mind. From beginning to end it was a thrill ride. So chilling and tense… Outstanding!

Worried about her best friend Mikki and her unexpected upcoming wedding, Kenna jumps on a plane to Australia to surprise her. She catches Mikki and Jack just in time before they head off to their secret surfing spot. Kenna hasn’t surfed since a tragic accident several years ago but goes along for the ride to try and work out what is going on with Mikki.

When they arrive at Sorrow Bay and meet the rest of “The Tribe” – Ryan, Sky, Victor, and Clemente – Kenna realises something strange is going on. Why does Sky have so much power over the group? Why do they all take so many dangerous risks? Have any of the missing backpackers been here?

Soon Kenna realises that the group would do anything to keep their bay private and their various dark secrets safe.There are so many layers to the secrets of The Bay: addiction, theft, drugs, and infidelity. Do the secrets extend to death or even murder?

Whilst I did guess the real villain – whose “voice” becomes a little clichéd at the end – there are so many layers of overlapping secrets and strange behaviour that you’ll be hooked.

A tightly plotted thriller, perfect for fans of Allie Reynolds’s Shiver.