Sirens of the Salted Sea hooks readers from the first chapter. Jennifer Evans presents a cast of characters who are both incredibly flawed and obsessively compelling. The point-of-view changes with each chapter, beginning in third person, but moves to a first-person POV when the chapter is seen through Bailey's eyes. This centers the story on Bailey, while allowing readers to move between characters (and suspects) and build their own theories on the whodunit. In Bailey, readers find a young protagonist with a Sherlockian mind. Her cool reasoning, independent mindset, and self-assured confidence create an allure that rivals even the sexiest members of the club. While romantic scenes are closed-door, Evans does not hold back from creating sexual tension and heat on the page. Evans offers a refreshingly beachy take on the locked-door mystery by combining the eliteness of a gated club with its position on a Texas peninsula, where security and tidal forces cut it off from the mainland. For those who like their mysteries spicy with a wide array of characters, they should look no further than Sirens of the Salted Sea. REVIEWED BY: Kathryn Bettendorf (Reedsy Reviewer)

Sirens of the Salted Sea is a page-turner of a book, a modern day Agatha Christie murder mystery, with all the spice of a hot Texan summer. A five star read to add to your TBR pile. Sirens of the Salted Sea is the new whodunnit by author Jennifer Evans, filled with mystery, shady criminals and beautiful people doing ugly things. But then what did you expect at an exclusive Texan pool club? The Salty Octopus Pool Club was meant to be Bailey Wixx's chance to start over, escapism from the hauntings of her past. The discovery of "pool girl" Melisande Benet's lifeless body in the pool, that not in the plan. Split across multiple points of view between different characters (with Bailey's being told in first person), Sirens of the Salted Sea follows the twists and turns in a complex murder case where nothing is ever as glamourous as it seems. From high-flying boss, Frankie, to Jaime the security guard, everyone is under the watchful eye of local detective Jack Barnes, attention that even the closed-off Bailey cannot hide from forever. As secrets emerge and the evidence builds, it soon becomes clear that if Melisande's murder is not solved soon, Bailey could be next. This is an exceptionally well-written book and one that is unputdownable. I was hooked on Bailey's back story as much as I was all the finer details of the characters that existed in her world. Bailey is a flawed but likeable character which make her interactions with Jack all the more flavoursome, especially as the pair start drifting closer together as the case progresses. Like any good cosy murder mystery, the murder serves as the catalyst for bringing the characters together, however it is not a storyline that dominates the plot to obsession. As well as the romantic love interest between Bailey and Jack, the book also explores themes of criminal activity and exploitation which help drive the narrative forward until its gripping climax when the murderer is revealed. The choice of telling this murder mystery through the perspectives of various different characters provides a fully-rounded view of the Salty Octopus Pool Club and everything going on behind the glossy photos and smiling staff members. The positive observations on this book build and build until it is left practically faultless. Even the cover design has all the hallmarks of a stand-out title, making it the perfect addition to any physical bookshelf. REVIEWED BY: -AEB (Reedsy Reviewer)

Sirens of the Salted Sea by Jennifer Evans follows the diverse cast of characters surrounding the highly exclusive Salty Octopus Pool Club after one of the employees is found murdered by the pool. At the center of these characters is Bailey Wixx, an incredibly intelligent and sharp-eyed young woman; she has spent most of her life running from the trauma of losing both of her parents in a tragic accident at thirteen years old. When the local detective assigned to the case enlists Bailey's help after noticing her investigative prowess, Bailey resolves to find the murderer. Using her own keen attention to detail and the help of her friends and fellow employees at the Salty Octopus Pool Club, Bailey begins to dig deeper and deeper into the history and workings of the country club. As more details come to light, Bailey-and her very friendly detective companion-begin to barrel towards the truth; a truth that some will stop at nothing to keep hidden. The first thing that stands out about Evans' debut novel is the thoroughly distinct voice of each perspective she writes from. This book is told from the POV of Bailey Wixx, but also of many of the other characters we meet along her journey. Most strikingly, the book does not begin with Bailey's perspective, but from the POV of another character whose punchy voice fully grounds us in the spirit of the story right from the beginning. I thoroughly enjoyed getting a different piece of the puzzle from each character's chapters. Beyond their unique voices, each character felt well developed and fleshed out in regards to their personal stories and experiences at the club. I felt that the look we got into each character's life helped to form the greater picture of the club environment and the kind of world this novel takes place in. I also appreciated the complexity of the web of relationships at the club and how these relationships shaped the direction of the investigation. Evans' writing is generally rich, complex, and engaging. All the little details that build up through the duration of the novel culminate in a satisfying conclusion; and then, in a climax that the reader will never see coming. This is a very successful debut novel from Jennifer Evans. This story is uniquely complex and engaging with elements of romance, deceit, and corruption. I would recommend this novel to anyone interested in a multiple-POV murder mystery that goes beyond the typical mystery beach read in its intricacy and depth of each character. REVIEWED BY: Simon Huynh (Professional Reviewer, Bookstore Employee, Active in Online Book Communities.)

Sirens of the Salted Sea is a fun and engaging romp full of juicy secrets, morally ambiguous characters, a richly drawn setting, and a fast-paced plot. It has all the ingredients of your favorite thrillers, with a dash of romance. It's not hard to root for Bailey, the main protagonist, who is intelligent and wise beyond her years, perhaps a reflection of having suffered an unimaginable tragedy at such a young age. The fast bond between Bailey and Jack, heightened by their simmering sexual tension, is also a strength. The colorful cast of characters, strong sense of place, and riveting mystery will compel thriller lovers to keep turning the pages. REVIEWED BY: Laura Berlinsky-Schine (Book Reviewer for Publishers Weekly. Senior Copywriter and Marketing Manager for Penguin Random House.)

Five stars! Sirens of the Salted Sea will pull you into its depths, with twists and turns like weather on the water. The tide is eerily choppy from the first page of Sirens of the Salted Sea. The character at the heart of it all, Bailey Wixx, is a mysterious woman with private pain who has been working at The Salty Octopus Pool Club. She makes a stomach-turning discovery one morning while walking the grounds that bursts the bubble of the upper-crust ambience of the area. She feels compelled to figure out what happened, almost like a calling, and in doing so, things change irrevocably not just for certain club members and staff, but within her. Sirens of the Salted Sea is a captivating novel. One aspect of it that stands out is its structure. Instead of numbered chapters, names of the characters are used as headings, giving multiple points of view. The multiple perspectives help shape the suspense. In this way, readers can more clearly see the scope of the danger that has encroached on the seemingly idyllic Campo, Texas. Not everyone at The Salty Octopus fits into the image that its owner, Frankie Fox, has spent years building. Getting insight into who they are heightens the mystery. The intricate backstories of the main characters come with developed connections and relationships, which makes Sirens of the Salted Sea even more of a page turner. Detective Jack Barnes is a steady presence in Bailey's life, and their romance unfolds delicately. Her friendship with Jamie, the security guard, is meaningful. The banter between her and Carlos, the bartender and a knowing observer of dealings at the club, is fun to read. The scenes that include Jack, and officers Grant and Bonnie are enjoyable to picture and realistic. These portions further pull readers in because they're written so well that it's like being there trying to solve the crime with them. Furthermore, there is a sense at times that everything has come to light or been figured out, not just for the characters, but for readers. Yet, there's more to unfold. Everything fit together, but somehow doesn't until the ending, even with twists and turns. For all of these reasons, Sirens of the Salted Sea could easily become a favourite novel for many readers. It's best for readers who love to figure out the "why" behind who characters are and what happens to them, all amidst a summer backdrop and salty sea air. REVIEWED BY: Leslie Coccia (Reedsy Reviewer)