What a setting! From Marrakesh to Mallah, with the Surf House perched high on the cliffs, the descriptions were mesmerising and I really felt that I had been transported to an idyllic paradise.

Bea walks out on her modelling job in Marrakesh, as she is sick of being valued only for her looks and never seen for who she really is. As she flees, she is trapped in an alleyway, robbed and about to be assaulted, until another woman comes to her rescue, armed with a knife which Bea has no choice but to use to save them both.

The two women flee to Mallah and The Surf House, a tranquil getaway favoured by the surfing community. As Bea’s life intertwines with the staff, guests and neighbours of The Surf House, she finds herself involved in bribery, a missing woman and a whole web of deceit.

The story was good, but part of it just felt too far fetched and I found the pace quite slow. It wasn’t a book I picked up at every opportunity as I didn’t really like or care for any of the characters.

3 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Lucy Clarke and Harper Collins for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I love this authors books and this her latest did not disappoint. This story is set in Morocco and Lucy Clarke brings the atmosphere straight to you through fabulous descriptions of the sights, sounds and aromas.
Bea is a model and on her latest assignment a photoshoot in a 5 star hotel but lately she has realised that this is not the life she wants.
The next chapter of Beas adventure leads her to a horrendous situation in the back streets of Marrakesh. Fortunately she is rescued and agrees to go to Mallah that appears to be the most idyllic, peaceful place she has encountered. Here Bea discovers a passion for surfing and is surrounded by happy people living a simple life.
There are many twists in this story and some great interesting characters and I was totally invested in this novel from start to finish.
The fact that this authors love of surfing and the water brought the book alive and shone throughout the story.

Excellent twisty storyline.
Keeps you guessing right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review

This book is a jaw-dropper! It had me booked from the very very beginning and kept you guessing throughout. This has everything you want from a good thriller, twists and turns, suspense and tension, and an ending that had so many different revelations I couldn't believe what I was reading! I had suspected some of it, but Clarke leads you down so many different routes you don't know which theory could be true! It is written perfectly, and the scene of a beautiful Morrocan seaside is set out so perfectly. Highly recommend this one, a perfect thriller mystery.

An absolutely stunning read. Completely engrossing from start to finish. Beautifully described scenery makes the readers feel like they are there with characters.

Book Review: The Surf House by Lucy Clarke

Wow, what a ride! I just finished The Surf House by Lucy Clarke, and I’m still reeling from the twists and turns. If you’re looking for a thriller that mixes a breathtaking setting with suspense and mystery, this is it.

Set against the backdrop of Morocco, The Surf House is exactly what you’d expect from a destination thriller. The house itself, perched high on the cliffs, is both beautiful and haunting, offering a sense of escape for those seeking refuge—though, as we quickly find out, it's far from a peaceful retreat.

The story centers around Bea, who washes up at the Surf House after an encounter in Marrakesh goes wrong. What she doesn’t realize at first is that a woman, much like herself, disappeared from the same house the year before. As Bea unravels the mystery, the tension mounts. You can feel the eerie atmosphere building as she digs deeper into the secrets hidden within the walls of this secluded sanctuary.

What I loved most about The Surf House is how Lucy Clarke builds tension. The plot is gripping from the very first page, with each new reveal pulling me deeper into the story. The setting is gorgeous but menacing, making it the perfect backdrop for a thriller that’s as much about atmosphere as it is about the mystery at its core. The suspense is so well done, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, the story would throw me for a loop.

The characters, especially Bea, are well-drawn and relatable, which is essential in a mystery like this. Bea's determination to uncover the truth makes her an engaging protagonist, and I found myself rooting for her the entire time. The other characters are intriguing, with their own hidden motives, which kept me constantly guessing about who could be trusted.

If you love a good twisty thriller with a dark undercurrent, this book will absolutely sweep you away. It’s got all the elements I love—an exotic setting, a gripping mystery, and just the right amount of suspense. I could not put it down, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves thrillers with a twist, especially those with a stunning, atmospheric backdrop.

Rating: 5/5
Lucy Clarke has done it again! The Surf House is an unputdownable thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. Perfect for fans of suspenseful, sun-soaked mysteries!

I really enjoyed this thriller, which has a fantastic twist at the end - it's well written and the plot develops incredibly, and the characters are well-rounded too. The descriptions of Morocco and the easy way surfing was written into the plot were both great, and overall it's just a brilliant, easy to read but well done psychological thriller!

A Vacation Gone Sideways

Bea, a former model with a mysterious past, finds herself in a captivating Moroccan coastal town. Fleeing a perilous encounter in Marrakesh, she seeks solace and belonging among the diverse group of people who call this place home. But paradise soon turns into a twisted mystery when Bea gets entangled in the search for a missing American girl who vanished a year ago.

Lucy Clarke masterfully paints a vivid backdrop of Morocco, immersing readers in its vibrant culture, delectable cuisine, and breathtaking landscapes. The diverse cast of characters adds depth and intrigue to the narrative, each with their own secrets and motivations. As Bea delves deeper into the investigation, she uncovers a web of lies and hidden agendas that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The explosive climax delivers a shocking twist that will leave you reeling.

If you're looking for a thrilling escape with a captivating setting and unforgettable characters, look no further. This book is a must-read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Lucy Clarke for the opportunity to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I often enjoy a Lucy Clarke book. They’re a safe thriller read. Typically set in delightful settings, she really makes you envisage being there and this book was no different. I’m heading to Morocco in a weeks time and this made me want to consider searching for Mallah and the surf house. Maybe not the characters though. Or at least some of them..I’d happily give salty a scratch behind his ears.

It’s definitely an easy read, enjoyable if not slightly predictable. It took me a little to get into the story and some bits were just not believable but it was enjoyable all the same.

As gripping and juicy as I'd expect from a Lucy Clarke thriller. This one is set in Morocco and I really felt I was there turning the pages. Tense, twisty and addictive

An adventure mystery set in Morocco. Some of the elements I liked, the surfing culture, landscape and exotic location. However, the narrative dragged and I did not engage with the characters.

A location thriller, ideal for holiday or to imagine the sun, sea and surf.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Publication date 27 February 2025.

I really loved this book. Set in Morocco we follow Bea, a model who is on location. Bea is unhappy with her work and life, subsequently walking out of her job in the middle of a shoot. Whilst walking around the Souks of Marrakesh, she gets lost in the more dangerous part and finds herself being followed by some men with sinister intent. Bea finds herself being attacked, but finds an unlikely saviour in Marnie, who happens to be nearby. However, events escalate, and the ladies end up fleeing back to Marnie’s business and home, The Surf House in Mallah.

The business is on the cliffside, of a beautiful surfing beach and we are immediately in holiday mode. We can feel the sun on our skin, salt and sand in our hair, the smells of the beach and sea and it feels wonderful. Here starts an engaging read as things are not as they first appear.

Bea has been invited to stay with Marnie until she finds her feet, however, once Marnie’s partner, Ped, returns she feels unwelcome. There is the enigmatic next door neighbour and old friend, Aiden. Farah and Driss, two regular guests who regularly visit from the city, Elin and her RV and then Momo the local policeman.

Then Seth arrives, investigating the disappearance of Savannah, his sister, who had been staying at The Surf House. This is when Bea gets drawn into the mystery within this idyllic surfing town.

I loved this story so much. It was a page turning read, with some misdirection and twists along the way and at the end. Written from 2 perspectives and timelines, but easy to follow with short chapters. The characters have depth and mystery and you quickly find yourself trying to peel the layers off each individual and solve what has happened to Savannah.

Lucy Clarke is quickly becoming one of my favourite author’s. This is the third book of hers I have read, and it felt like settling back in with an old friend telling a story. She has a knack for description, particularly the beach and you can tell she has spent much time there. I cannot recommend this book enough. Sun, sea, romance, intrigue and twists.

Well recommended.

Lucy Clarke has a way of transporting you to a different country with her stories and this time we are taken to Morocco. I could feel the heat, smell the ocean and taste the food described in this book.
Ex model, Bea arrives at the Moroccan coast after a dangerous encounter in Marrakesh and is delighted to find a sort of family amongst the people who live and work here. She soon gets involved in trying to solve a case involving an American girl who went missing in the area a year ago.
I loved this! The Moroccan setting, the interesting characters and the brilliant storyline that kept me gripped from start to finish. An explosive ending with a twist you won’t see coming, I would highly recommend this book

I don’t really know how to feel about this book. The first part really dragged and I found myself not wanting to pick the book up. I did get better once it started focussing on the disappearance of Savannah but I’m not sure it’s enough for me to recommend this book as there are better thrillers out there.

What a tense book! I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This book was terrifying! It’s not a horror novel, it’s a thriller but it was genuinely so scary. The events that the main characters goes through early in the book that set off the next events are horrible. But the looming threat that comes as a result just keeps you feeling so on edge. I felt so tense and uncomfortable all the way through this book as the main character tries to navigate the situation she’s in.

The sense of the village was evoked so well. You could so clearly imagine the waves crashing, the buildings by the sea, the surfers out early in the morning. The setting felt so integral to the story. It influenced the characters strongly and it felt like this story wouldn’t have played out the way it did if they had been anywhere else.


This was a fascinating thriller that felt a bit different to a lot of others I’ve read. It was engrossing, stunning setting and really tense!

✨4 stars✨

This was a great twisty book that had me guessing until the very end! Just when I thought that I worked it out the author added another twist.

I only discovered this author at the tail end of last year but I have thoroughly enjoyed each of her books. Can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.

Completely addictive! Would definitely recommend!

I received an ARC from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinions.

I was so excited when I got approved for this book, but when I finished the book, I was kind of disappointed because I really wanted to love this one!

For one, this is a thriller/mystery novel; the introduction of the suspense material didn't kick in for a while. It was just about Bea in the beginning, which is good if you think about backstories and all of that.

Another thing that didn't work for me was that it took a while for me to really connect with the characters; the pacing also felt kind of off to me. And the ending was so unsatisfying.

It was a good novel, just not one I enjoyed. Yeah, there were some shockers, but in my opinion, they really didn't tie well with the story.

Thank you once again for the e-ARC.

The Surf House by Lucy Clarke
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication date: 27/02/2025
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I absolutely loved the idea of the story for this new Lucy Clarke story plus the cover is just stunning.
Bea, wrapped up in the protection of Marnie, following a nightmare in Marrakesh, arrives at The Surf House with the promises sea, surf and sanctuary until she can get back on her feet. But when Seth rolls into the village, in search of his sister who was staying there a year ago, a dark mystery starts to unravel. Is Bea really safe here?
This is a great story. The characters are relatable and Bea is incredibly likeable. I loved how much she developed as a person through the story. Splattered with detailed descriptions of the setting, which helped set the scene without taking away from the main story, it made me want to visit! Until I found about the dark past, maybe I’ll give it a miss!
Thank you to NetGalley, Lucy Clarke and Harper Collins UK for this ARC in return for an honest review.

I always enjoy a Lucy Clarke adventure thriller with her exotic locations, blue skies and blue seas, characters looking for an escape, and a mystery set around betrayals and revenge.

This one isn't my favourite by her, but still a very enjoyable read which kept me guessing. Strong characters, but I would have liked to know more about them.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't for me. The first third of the book was very slow. I found it difficult to believe a professional model would be so naive as to wander into deserted back streets of Marrakesh alone. As I didn't particularly like Bea, the model, I started to lose interest. Although the end explains some of the inconsistencies, some were not. eg. how do you get $2000 in cash within 24 hours where there's no bank or cash machine and you have no passport? Basically a good story but the execution didn't work for me.