At the start of the book I thought it was going to be a little lightweight with a young girls on her modelling assignments until one day Bea just walked away from the life. With no idea where she will go or what is next on her path she finds herself in a shocking situation in an alley in Marrakesh where she thought there was no way out.

The story unfolds at pace and quickly moves out of the city to a surfers paradise, Mallah, where naively Bea is drawn in by those who own The Surf House.

There is enormous tension and drama between the characters. The whole situation is fraught with danger, excitement and at every turn there is a new twist to the story.

I loved this fast paced thriller

3.5 rounded up

Bea walks off her modelling assignment in Marrakesh as she’s had enough. Foolishly as it turns out, she wanders around the town and finds herself in a blind alley caught in a horrifying incident which Marnie bravely rescues her from and takes her to the remote Surf House. Will she be safe there from the consequences of what transpires in the alley?

First of all, the Moroccan setting is fabulous and it’s so well described that you feel as if you’re there. The Surf House, the cliff top, the sun, the beach, the waves and of course the surfing and I can understand how that becomes a passion. The unpredictability of the waves and those who seek the thrill of the big ones mirrors what is happening on dry land.

The plot does keep me interested as there are many things going on at the Surf House with plenty of tension between characters, some really fool you and there are things to puzzle over. It becomes apparent that Bea has stepped into a nest of vipers or maybe that should be caught up in a dangerous riptide.

I like Bea she’s a good character and she doesn’t deserve what happens to her, but equally she’s a bit naive and too trusting. As the situation becomes fraught with danger the twists keep coming. Some are good but some are easy to figure out. I’m not 100% convinced by the ending but it’s certainly dramatic and exciting.

Overall, this is an entertaining fast paced read and a rollercoaster atmospheric thriller.

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

Having recently returned from travels in Morocco, Lucy Clarke’s latest destination thriller ‘The Surf House’ was an obvious choice of reading material – and like her previous novels set in other iconic locations such as Tasmania, Fiji and Scandinavia, this novel did not disappoint! At the heart of this novel is Bea who has travelled to Marrakesh for a modelling assignment but is violently assaulted. To recover, she retreats into the ‘Surf House’, run by enigmatic Marnie and her partner as a surf school. Things are looking to improve when she meets ruggedly good-looking surf coach Aiden – but could he be hiding a secret too? And what is the story of the young female who disappeared from the Surf House a year ago?
As in her previous thrillers, Lucy Clarke is adept at slowly ratcheting up the tension and suspense that eventually turn a paradisiacal place, such as a golden, sun-drenched Moroccan beachfront, into a febrile, palpably dangerous setting of dread. Highly recommended as a literary form of escapism! I was pleased to receive a digital ARC of this book from the publisher Harper Collins UK via NetGalley, and all points made in this review are my own honest and unbiased views.

Having read and enjoyed a few of Lucy’s books now, I was excited to start The Surf House. I love the writing style and was instantly transported to Marrakesh. I found the pacing of the beginning and end perfect but the middle a little slow. I didn’t see the twist coming which is always a bonus.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

I love a bit of Lucy Clarke!! The Surf House is a gripping mystery set in Morocco.
After a terrifying assault in Marrakesh, Bea, goes to stay at Surf House, a sanctuary for travellers. She soon discover that a young woman, Savannah disappeared without a trace from there a year ago. The timeline alternates between Bea’s present-day investigation and flashbacks to Savannah’s stay a year ago.

This book is perfect for lovers of mysteries, especially those with plenty of twists. While some of the plot twists might feel a bit predictable, the strong characters and engaging writing keep you hooked until the last page.

Bea is a fashion model who says no to modelling and learns to surf whilst helping out at a boutique b and b in Morocco. But her arrival in her new life is due to a dangerous experience in a Moroccan souk and whilst her fresh outlook seems appealingly relaxing at first, circumstances do change, hurling her into uncertainty as to friendships and romance. A curve ball of a story right to the end.

I quite enjoyed this book. Couldn’t quite relate to the characters. Thanks @netgalley for letting me read this book.

The Surf House by new to me author L. Clarke, published by Harper Collins UK is a general fiction mystery/thriller. The author of One Of THe Girls wrote an heartpounding, fast paced and complex novel that had me right from the start. 4.5 stars.
Blurb: High on the cliffs of Morocco, far from the city lights and the souks, stands The Surf House: a sanctuary for travellers chasing sunshine and waves.
But the idyll hides a dark mystery.
And when Bea washes in, seeking refuge after a dangerous encounter in Marrakesh, she soon gets caught in the current.
A woman her age – who stayed in the same area, walked the same beaches, met the same guests – disappeared one year earlier, vanishing without trace.
Somewhere inside The Surf House lies the truth – but there’ll be a price for uncovering it.

An interesting story particularly if you are a surfer or have watched others participating. Set in an isolated beach resort in the eighties in Morocco it tells a tale with lots of twists and turns. The central character, a model, ends up solving the disappearance of an American girl dispite being lied to be all and sundry.

This was a very clever whodunnit. When Marnie saves Bea from rape, she ends up at Marnie's surf house. Initially it seems like a sanctuary, but then questions emerge about a girl who vanished a year ago. After the girls brother turns up on the trail, then he dies, things get tense. This is really well put together, some misdirection and a truly brilliant ending as the exact truth comes out. The idyllic surf scene had some terrible secrets, and it is amazing what people will do for love and to protect themselves. Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, and I look forward to reading more from this author.

Oh my goodness! This was so good. After a violent assault in Marrakesh, ex-model Bea finds sanctuary with Marnie and Ped at their surf-school on a stunning Morrocan beach. But ugly things are going on beneath the beautiful surface, and Bea is soon caught up in the mystery of an unsolved disappearance of a young girl over a year ago. What happened to her? And what will happen to Bea if she uncovers the truth?
This story has a real air of mystery and danger right from the start when Bea and Marnie meet in truly awful circumstances, and the tension and drama only escalate from there.
There's time, though, for some escapism on the waves as Bea learns to surf, but there are more twists and turns in this plot than on the surfboard, that keep the reader on edge for the whole roller-coaster ride.
There's romance, too, in the shape of handsome surf teacher. Aiden. Why can't he love Bea as she longs to be loved? What is torturing him so?
Crashing waves, golden sands, bright young travellers, hot , sometimes dangerous Marrakesh, corrupt police - this story has it all, with a complex, interesting heroine at its heart.
I loved it.

This thriller by Lucy Clarke is set in Morocco and I truly believed I was there, such is the rich descripitive storytelling. At the heart of it is a thriller, lots of secrets and twists that had me hooked throughout. I really enjoyed it.

Atmospheric, Immersive..
The Surf House sits high and proud on a hillside in Morocco, a seeming sanctuary from the hustle and bustle and the rigours of life. However, as luxurious and as idyllic as it may appear, nothing is quite as it seems. A perfectly plotted mystery relayed in a dual timeline and multiple voice with a deftly drawn cast of credible characters, a well imagined sense of place and a true mystery deep in its heart. Immersive and atmospheric.

The Surf House by Lucy Clarke is a captivating read that transports you to the sun-drenched shores of Morocco. As my first book by Clarke, I must say I was thoroughly impressed by her storytelling ability, which effortlessly combines suspense, complex characters, and a beautifully evocative setting.

The story centers around the lives of a group of characters whose destinies intertwine against the backdrop of the surf house, a place of beauty and hidden secrets. Clarke’s vivid descriptions of the coastal scenery and the surf culture really brought the setting to life, making it feel like you were right there on the beach with the characters. It’s a perfect mix of natural beauty and emotional depth, with the ocean serving as both a literal and metaphorical force in the narrative.

Clarke’s skilful writing ensures that even the most mysterious of her characters are relatable, creating a strong emotional connection with the reader.

While some aspects of the ending were predictable, there were a few surprises thrown in that kept me hooked until the final pages.

Overall, The Surf House is a delightful blend of mystery, character-driven drama, and a stunning setting.

‘The Surf House’ by Lucy Clarke is a vivid and slow-burning destination thriller from the absolute Queen of sun-soaked suspense. This novel follows model Bea who runs from her job in Morocco and finds herself saved from a dangerous situation by Marnie, who owns a guest house with her partner Ped. Soon, Bea finds herself enjoying gorgeous views of crashing waves while desperately trying to distance herself from a dark secret. When she learns that another young female guest went missing from the Surf House a year ago, the sense of dread permeating the book only grows…

One of the best things about Lucy Clarke’s books are how immersive they feel. Having travelled with the author to Greek Islands and the Norwegian wild in her previous novels, I enjoyed the trip to the idyllic Moroccan beachfront. The large and unpredictable waves were an effective metaphor for the tension in the story, and the dangers of extreme sports were laid bare. Bea was a compelling lead character, and the surfing community were intriguing and distinctive.

There were lots of secrets revealed throughout the chapters, especially in the flashbacks to Savannah’s time in Morocco, but I did find elements of the plot a little predictable, which made it less gripping. I didn’t love it as much as some of Lucy’s others, but she has set incredibly high standards!

Overall, this gets 3.5 stars from me. If you enjoy beachy thrillers, complex characters and simmering tension, pick this one up!

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Harper Collins UK via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is a very good read not least because it takes place in the unusual setting of .Morroco. Bea, the main character, comes from London but has been working as a model there until she walks off the set finding that it is not a life for her. She is on her own in Marrakesh when two men follow her up an alleyway with obvious intent to rob her or worse. She is rescued by Marnie, the other main character. Marnie takes her to the coast where she lives with he boyfriend. They have built a surfing business on the coast but are financially challenged. That leads to illegal efforts to raise money. There are other prominent characters who live and surf there and relationships become complicated. Then an American arrives looking for his sister whom he wants to take home. She has disappeared. The book describes the aspirations and sinister behaviour of some characters very convincingly. Then it all comes together in a dramatic climax. This is a very compelling read and i recommend it.

Thankyou NetGalley & harper Collins for this arc copy, I really enjoyed this book it felt like you was immediately immersed into morrocco as you follow Bea and the other characters living life in the surf house. From the start it starts with high impact of intense moments and throughout you follow Bea navigating through trying to find a missing person but also trying to maintain her care free life in the surf house. I would definitely recommend if you want a good thriller with some depth within the storyline

Lucy Clarke writes an absolute banger of a thriller with this one ,It gave me the shivers reading it .One of her best yet I think full of travel ,sun and surfing .Wonderful .

Another great thriller from Lucy Clarke, set in Morocco following Bea a model who walks away from that life keen for a fresh start.

Although I had my suspicions about a certain character from early on I didn't see that ending coming. It was a compelling read, hard to put down.

I have already read and loved several of the author's books, and was therefore very excited about this one. First of all: it was brilliant. As expected, a page-turner. You are drawn into the story from page 1, and it has a pull; I read through the almost 400 pages in one weekend :-)

The plot: We are in Morocco. Bea is a well-paid model and has a photo shoot in Marrakesh. Bea is frustrated, the job was never her passion, and the negative aspects are piling up: she quits the job more or less spontaneously. When she gets lost in the souks a few hours later, she has a threatening experience and is robbed. Fortunately, Marnie arrives at the last minute, and both women are able to escape the danger. Bea drives with Marnie to her hostel by the sea: "The Surf House", Marnie's dream, is also supposed to be a refuge for Bea. Sun, the ocean, surfing - what more could you possibly want? Life is beautiful. Or at least it could be, because somehow the Surf House hides its dark secrets...

Flashback to a year earlier: The Surf House opens its doors and Savannah, an American, rich heiress but a bit on a self-discovery-trip, also finds her refuge here. But unlike Bea, Savannah is more of a modern hippie and always stays where the parties are. And one day Savannah disappears without a trace.
A year later, her brother Seth comes looking for her and is supposed to meet Bea, who decides to help him searching Savannah...

That is the starting point; and we alternate between Bea and later Savannah, so that the story develops on two time levels. The other protagonists around the Surf House are always the same, which of course makes the story interesting. What happened there last year? Or rather, what is actually going on with Bea right now? And the more Bea unravels the threads of events, the more it becomes clear: no one here is who they seem to be on the surface. And you should never jump to conclusions too quickly.....
Beneath the superficial tourist surfer idyll, there are some pretty serious dramas taking place, and the more the story progresses, the more the level of tension increases.

Each of the narrative strands is written in the present tense, which I personally find a little difficult to get used to, but on the other hand, of course, it also has an immediacy, and increases the drama a little.

My reading impression and conclusion: It was captivating. And the author once again managed to lead me completely astray a few times. So, friends of intelligent plot twists: the story is extremely well done and I didn't know who the villain was until the very end :-) The connections are only clarified at the very end. Really well done.

I also found it believable. I can certainly imagine that these same characters are drawn to the surf spots of this world as dropouts, and that exactly the same emotional/psychological pitfalls lead people into exactly the same messed up situations that Bea and the rest of the cast find themselves in. And you need strength and maturity to find your way out of it. The question is who ultimately has this strength and insight and who doesn't.
So yes: please read it! I was gripped and I'm happy to recommend the novel.
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy!