Skip to main content

Member Reviews

The descriptions of Marrakesh transport you to heat, the pungent aromas and the crush of the crowd and the counterpoint of the surfers paradise, secluded bay, fresh sea breezer plays really well to help divide the story into 2 different lifestyles, neither of which quite fits Bea.
some great story telling and characters but for me the twists were fairly obvious, not that this should distract from enjoying a good book!

Was this review helpful?

A super gripping thriller that kept me hooked from the first chapter. I’ve read a few of Lucy Clarkes destination books and this one was by far my favourite - it’s pacy and has the right amount of twists and turns without being over the top. Could definitely see this being made into a drama series in the future.

Was this review helpful?

Bea is in Morocco on a modelling job. On the way back to her accommodation she is mugged and another woman helps her to escape.
She takes Bea to the Surf House that she manages until Bea is ready to go home.
A mystery thriller that had me guessing as to what was going on.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Outstanding read! Five stars all around. This book keeps you guessing the whole way through. I stayed up until 2am because I couldn't put it down! I had to find out the ending!

Was this review helpful?

A gripping and page turning thriller full of shocking twists and turns. It was brilliant and shocking, and the ending was great too.

Was this review helpful?

Another riveting location thriller from Lucy Clarke!
I loved the surf setting of Morocco and the character development of the main female lead, Bea. Bea gets wrapped up in several mysteries surrounding the newly opened Surf House after she arrives there on the kindness of a stranger. The majority of the story is a relatively slow burn, and filled with suspense and lots of suspicion on various people Bea comes into contact with. I enjoyed the twists up to the ending, and the way the story unfolds and is tied up. Highly recommend for an easy, enthralling read when you’re craving an escape from reality!

Was this review helpful?

I usually love books by this author, so I think maybe this book suffered because I had such high expectations for it. Firstly, I have to say that the setting was absolutely beautiful, I almost felt like I was in Morocco. I enjoyed the writing style too.

The story did struggle to hold my interest, I thought it was fairly obvious from the start where it was all going and it meandered a lot to get there. I felt very little connection to main character Bea, I never really got a handle on her personality, maybe the book would have benefited from first person narration.

Overall this was a decent enough read, but it didn't excite me.

Was this review helpful?

Welcome to The Surf House Where everyone’s escaping something…. 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! When I started this book I read a few chapters and said eh I’ll come back! When I finally finished the book it was a fantastic read! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one! It had suspense, very intriguing, murder, mystery, and some wild twists and turns! The story was very interesting and kept me glued to my kindle! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Was this review helpful?

I love Lucy Clarke novels and this book took me back to Summer. There is snow on the ground where I am so i really enjoyed the rich vivid setting of Morrocco.

Bea is escaping a drama and arrives at her hotel filled with hope.

Last year another young girl did the same, same hotel same people, same everything ...then she disappeared

Nea is a good character and I loved gerring to know her. The story is filled with drama, tense and I was hooked....

A brilliant read.. .

Was this review helpful?

I’m taking you all back to summer with this book. I couldn’t resist picking it up. Set in Morocco, the country where I’ve spent most of my life. This book delivers an atmospheric, sun-drenched thriller with crashing waves, and an air of mystery that kept me turning pages late at night.

The story centers on Bea, who escapes a dangerous incident and finds sanctuary at The Surf House, but this paradise hides its own secrets. A year earlier, another young woman disappeared, and the last place she was seen was this very house. As Bea settles in, she’s pulled into the shadows of what should be an heavenly retreat, unraveling lies and long-buried truths. The tension is palpable, and the sense of unease grows with every chapter as the mystery deepens. The characters are well-crafted, each bringing their own intrigue and complexity, making it hard to know who to trust.

It’s a story of escape, secrets, and the lengths people will go to protect their own lies, all set against the irresistible pull of the ocean. While the idyllic seaside might lull you into a false sense of security, don’t be fooled, darkness simmers beneath the surface… Making this story as gripping as the waves crashing on the shore.

𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 :
• psychological thriller
• locked room mystery
• stranger in a strange land
• found family with secrets
• friends drama
• missing woman

Thank you Lucy Clarke, HarperCollins and NetGalley for an e-ARC copy.

Was this review helpful?

Fab author.
Wonderfully written storyline in an amazing location.
I was sucked in from the start in this gripping tale.
Bea turns detective and there were quite a few suspects.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Was this review helpful?

I’ve loved all of Lucy Clarke’s ‘destination’ thrillers so was excited to read The Surf House.
The cover and the Moroccan setting are beautiful and atmospheric and I longed to be on a beach while I was reading it.
After Bea walks out of a modelling job in Morocco she is attacked in an alleyway in Marrakesh, a meeting with surfer Marnie changes the course of her life. Bea goes to stay with Marnie and her partner Ped at The Surf House, a hotel for surfers in a remote coastal part of Morocco. Bea soon discovers that a year previously Savannah, an American tourist went missing from The Surf House.
This was a gripping and compelling thriller, I loved the setting and was completely drawn into Bea and Savannah’s stories. I liked the characterisation and there were a few unexpected twists, A satisfying and enjoyable thriller. Recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Was this review helpful?

This book had me on the edge of my seat throughout it had many twists and turns they were non- stop and it was real page turner!

It was cleverly written and it had a wow factor in terms of the characters and the setting in Morocco which I loved, I just wish I was there whilst reading it!

Another fantastic book by Lucy Clarke this is a must read for 2025!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟stars

Was this review helpful?

Bea is a model in Morroco who is mugged and almost killed before she can reach the airport. Marnie steps in to help her and they end up killing a guy. Marnie take Bea to her Surf House because he passport and money were stolen. On their way there, a cop takes the bloody knife from their fan and proceeds to blackmail them. Bea realizes a girl who was at the surf house last year disappeared. Now a man drowns, and something odd is going on with Marnie's boyfriend. Who can Bea trust? It was ok. Skimmed more than anything,

Was this review helpful?

I was SO excited to get an ARC of this, as Lucy Clarke is my favourite author. I read it in two days. The Surf House is trademark Clarke, leaves you feeling as though you've been living in Morocco alongside the characters. Beautifully written, vulnerable protagonist, layered mystery with plenty of twists and turns. Loved it!

Was this review helpful?