The queen of psychological suspense, Keri Beevis (a favorite author), returns following The Summer House (2023) and The Sleepover (2022) with her latest, THE BOAT HOUSE —a getaway week to die for in this gripping, intense, and chilling locked-room thriller.

A dark secret. A deadly obsession. No place to hide.

The author skillfully takes readers down a dark, twisty sinister path of secrets, obsession, and revenge. How well do you know the people you think you can trust?

A couple goes away for a romantic week getaway at an Airbnb boathouse on a remote lake and discovers too late it is anything but relaxing. When dark secrets of the past collide with the present, the perfect getaway becomes a nightmare.

Max and Emily have hit a rough patch in their relationship. Emily has been tending to her dad in another town. He has terminal cancer and is in Hospice. Her mom and sister died years ago in an accident, and her dad was never the same. Emily went to live with her aunt Cathy, who recently passed away. She has no family left.

Emily is stressed, and her live-in boyfriend, Max, has not been very supportive. She loves their life, and Max has always been faithful due to the issues with his parents. They also have a lovable dog named Scout.

After her dad passes, she arrives home, and Max is with Leah (his friend once again)! This time she is kissing him. She has never liked Leah, and now this! She storms out and returns to her dad's house, out of town, to escape and deal with her grief. Is she safe there?

There is another back story with a guy named Connor Banks. She met him when he volunteered at Hospice reading to her dad. He is handsome and charming and seems like a great friend to lean on.

When things cannot get any worse, something horrific happens. Connor is not the man she thought he was. She is afraid to go to the cops to report him. She is fearful, and he turns into a dangerous stalker with an obsession.

In the meantime, she and Max make up, and he is no longer friends with Leah and wants to make it work. Emily keeps Connor a secret and tries to block him, and she confides in her best friend, Francesca, and they devise a plan. She knows she must confide in Max, but she fears he will not accept what has happened.

Then Max comes up with a romantic getaway week planned at an AirB&N at a beautiful boat house on the lake in Norfolk Broads as a surprise autumn break. A week for Emily to heal after her father's death and a chance to put everything behind them to start over. They take the dog with them, and they are both looking forward to the getaway. It is almost Halloween, and little do they know what horrors are in store for them.

Things do not go as planned. Someone has been in the house, and they get a strange note with a bottle of wine, not from the owners. Then someone is outside the door with a scary mask. Then when they go out on the boat, they see an abandoned small cabin directly across the lake from them that looks like squatters are staying there. Is someone spying on them? While on the boat, they see a torch inside their boat house. Then more strange and creepy things happen, and Emily soon suspects someone has followed them.

There is also something sinister about the owner and his wife drowning that was suspicious. How is all this connected? Emily does not know who to trust. Is Leah involved? Even Max is acting strange.

Then Max's car has a horrible message painted on the side, and there is a message on Emily's makeup case, and soon more sinister things begin happening, the power is cut, tires slashed, and they are trapped. And you guessed it, no cell service in certain areas.

Someone is determined to ruin their holiday, looking to exact payback for buried secrets. Who is the stranger among them? Then they come face to face with a monster. How will they escape this nightmare? Will they come out alive, and will their relationship ever be the same?

Beevis delivers yet another STELLAR THRILLER, packed with tension and twists and laced with nuanced insight and characterization—a cautionary tale. Be careful who you trust. The author is at her atmospheric best in this wickedly chilling story of a getaway gone wrong.

I think this is my favorite of hers thus far! Keri is a rock star when it comes to claustrophobic settings, evil creepy characters, and twisty plots. I love her writing style. This is my fifth book, and I look forward to reading more of her backlist.

THE BOAT HOUSE is INTENSE! You will be glued to the pages to see how this will turn out. I read into the wee hours of the morning and could not stop thinking about it and up again to finish. Yes, it is that good!

Emily is a character you will root for, and Connor's character is so creepy and scary, and what makes him so is that this story is so realistic and could be ripped from today's headlines. I am glad we had a happy ending and "'that Epilogue!" Will there be a sequel?

I appreciated the Author's note! For fans of authors B. A. Paris, Jennifer Hillier, Lisa Unger, Sally Hepworth, Emily Shiner, and Miranda Rijks. I highly recommend her books if you have not read this author's work. THE BOAT HOUSE is a perfect Halloween book; also, check out THE SLEEPOVER.

Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for a gifted ARC in exchange for an honest opinion. #CoverCrush

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My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 14, 2023
August 2023 Must-Read Books

This book is by one of my favorite authors, so I had high hopes but unfortunately, I ended up disappointed. Emily is surprised by her boyfriend, Max, with a week away to stay at a boat house. There, the secrets she has been keeping appear to be catching up with her. She’s convinced someone is watching them and that someone is entering the boat house when they aren’t there. She’s constantly jumpy and Max never believes her about any danger. This goes on throughout the entire story. Something creepy happens, she freaks out and whines to Max, he gets irritated and says she’s being ridiculous.

Both of the main characters are terrible people who can’t stop lying to each other, yet are constantly declaring “No more lies!” That lasts about thirty seconds each time. Seriously, each time they reveal a secret they’ve been keeping, they declare full honesty from now on, and then they continue to lie. There is a lot of internal dialogue that fills up the story, mostly from Emily, as it’s told from her perspective both in the present while at the boat house, and the previous summer. This could have been a short story when you take all of that out and leave just the action. It’s really that repetitive. There’s also no real mystery as to what’s going on – I expected some sort of surprise or twist, but it’s exactly what you see coming.

I just don’t get it; this author has written so many good stories and could have done more with this setup. And why make the characters so ingratiating? It’s pretty telling when a reader like me wants something bad to happen to them because they deserve it. As someone who’s experienced a lot of what happened to Emily, I can see why the author felt compelled to write a story about it and I commend her for doing so. I just wish I had enjoyed it more.

This was a very straight forward thriller. Not a lot of twists just a rather basic story. I found the characters rather frustrating and was constantly questioning their decisions. Not a bad story just very simple.

I'm grateful to NetGalley for the ARC. My overall experience with the book was enjoyable, although I didn't develop a strong connection to any of the characters. Max's constant gaslighting tendencies made me want to give him a good shake repeatedly. Oddly enough, my favorite character turned out to be the dog. While the book has been labeled as "creepy" by many reviewers, I personally wouldn't categorize it that way. It presented an intriguing read, though the ending didn't hold any major surprises for me. Despite this, I'm open to exploring more works by the same author.

I've just posted my review for Keri Beevis' "The Boat House." #TheBoatHouse #NetGalley

"The Boat House" by Keri Beevis is an engrossing thriller that revolves around Emily Worth, a woman with dark secrets, and explores themes such as loss, obsession, and stalking to name a few triggers.

Emily Worth didn't have an easy life. She lost her mother and sister at an early age, and years later, the aunt who raised her. Not long after the death of her loving aunt, her estranged father was diagnosed with cancer. After Emily's father passed away, her life has fallen apart. Her boyfriend, Max Hunter, was not as supportive as he should have been, and she found a listening ear elsewhere. To make amends, he booked them a beautiful boat house on the Norfolk Broad to give them a second chance to reconnect. They, along with their dog, will spend a week there, trying to put the past behind them and pull their relationship back on track. However, what was supposed to be a restful break turns into a nightmare when creepy things start to happen and all hell breaks loose.

I greatly enjoyed the book. It is fast-paced and alternates smoothly between past and present. The opening scene was engrossing and pulled me into the story right away. I liked the way the suspense was gradually built as the story progresses, as well as the undertone of the creepy atmosphere. Each new detail provided added to the anticipation and suspense. While it was quite obvious who the villain was, I still wanted to read on and learn what happened and why.

Keri Beevis's writing style is fluid and smooth, immersing me effortlessly into the world of the characters. Her vivid descriptions brought scenes to life, making me feel as if I were right there with Emily and Max in the boat house. Speaking of that, I liked Emily and identified with her, even though she made some questionable decisions. She's one of those heroines that you really want to root for. I found myself empathizing with her struggles and rooting for her to overcome her past traumas and be honest about it while at it. And I loved the dog! I also appreciated the tactful way the author handled sensitive issues.

The only issue I had with the book was the inconstancy in some small details. In one scene Emily left the house without her shoes, and in the next one, she put her boots back on. That being said, I love the story and couldn't stop reading it. It was unputdownable and a very suspenseful read that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Definitely recommended!

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.

Thanks for the ARC NetGalley. I did enjoy the book overall, but I didn’t have any attachment to any of the characters. I felt like Max needed smacked repeatedly because of his on-stop gaslighting. My favorite character was probably the dog. I don’t think I’d call this book creepy like so many others that have reviewed it. It was an interesting read. There were not any big surprises at the end for me though. I’d read more by this author.

I just reviewed The Boat House by Keri Beevis. #TheBoatHouse #NetGalley

This was my first book by Keri Beevis, but it won't be my last. When is it okay to keep secrets? And how do those secrets affect the health of our relationships? What is meant to be a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway for Emily and Max gradually turns into a horrific ordeal. The Boat House is an easy, gripping read full of suspense, mystery, creepiness, violence, untrustworthy characters ... and a very loyal and loving dog. I had a hard time putting it down, especially toward the end. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the eARC.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. Keri Beevis is one of my favourite authors and I always look forward to reading her new books. The Boat House had me hooked from the very first page. It was a fantastic thriller with a very well written plot and background for the characters was exceptional. I was so invested in the story that my heart was pounding at certain points! I don’t want to give any spoilers but I did have a few gasp moments. Every book just gets better and better from Keri, fabulous writer. Looking forward to the next book. Highly recommended and a massive 5 stars from me.

I've read a few books from this author and enjoyed them. This is a decent straightforward thriller. No big surprises but a good story that kept me engaged throughout. I like to know why the "bad guy" does what he/she does but this book doesn't really give any explanation or back story. A little more depth would have been nice.
Still a good quick read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book had me hooked right from the first page!

Emily and Max book a getaway at a boat house on the Norfolk Broads. After the recent loss of Emily's dad, the couple is looking for a peaceful and refreshing getaway. Soon after their arrival, strange things begin to happens. Creepy messages are left and Emily feels that someone is definitely watching them.

Emily is also keeping a huge secret from Max. One that could potentially destroy them. Max thinks that Emily is imaging the strange happenings, but Emily knows they are real. She cannot fully explain things to Max without revealing her secret. Can Emily keep her secret?

This was such a good creepy read! I was on the edge of my seat and could not put this one down. Keri Beevis has a way of hooking the reader in from the start. I really enjoyed her writing style and all the twists and turns in the book. The plot is clever and the character development is excellent. Definitely a must read.

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

After the loss of her father, Emily’s boyfriend Max books a surprise break in a beautiful Boat House on the Norfolk Broads for them.
Things had been difficult and it was time to start afresh and for Emily to relax and put the secrets and lies behind her.
Strange and sinister things start happening freaking her out and she starts worrying that the past has come back to haunt her. What will the outcome be and will they get away?
An absolute brilliant and chilling suspenseful thriller by Keri Beevis which kept me hooked and page turning the whole way through. Keri is a fantastic author and I love how she keeps her readers gripped to the story and on the edge of our seats !

Another fantastic 5* read from one of my favourite authors.

Keri's books are addictive and suspenseful and this is no different. Emily has had a very difficult few months, but her and her boyfriend Max are hoping a week away will help them both. They didn't know they wouldn't be alone and their break turns into a living nightmare.

I couldn't put this book down and have just finished reading it in one sitting. It was exciting and fast paced and I loved the narrative and storytelling. I was also very invested in Scout, Max & Emily's dog, he sounds like a real cutie.

Perfect way to spend my Saturday. Excellent 5* read and a book - and author - I highly recommend.

A gripping thriller with outstanding believable characters. Beevis' writing is excellent, from the first page, she draws you in. What a ride, wow! I strongly encourage all fans of thrillers to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I’m a huge fan of Keri beevis so I was delighted to be given the opportunity to read this book!

Kerry’s writing style is really easy to read, she builds up suspense well and her character development in this book was fabulous.

I finished this book in one sitting - genuinely couldn’t put it down and gutted that it is over. Really twisty thriller that will keep you in the edge of your seat!

Thank you to Boldwood Books & NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

I just put this book down, and I am honestly still speechless. Talk about pulse pounding, looking over your back while reading, nail biting thriller! This book was so intense, I just simply couldn’t stop reading.

Emily isn’t having the greatest year. First, her Aunt who was like her second mother passed away unexpectedly. As she’s dealing with her Aunts death, she finds out her Dad has been moved into hospice with only a few weeks left to live. Determined to spend as much time as possible with her estranged father, she begins to spend each day after work at the hospice center with him. While all of this is happening, her and her boyfriend Max have hit a rough patch in their relationship. She’s convinced it’s due to all the stress she’s been under recently, and has hope that with time they will be okay.

During her visits to the hospice center, she meets a volunteer named Connor. He appears at just the right time when Emily is vulnerable and emotional, and knows just what to say to her. They strike up an unlikely friendship, but does Connor have ulterior motives here?

In the aftermath of her Dads death, her boyfriend whisks her away to a remote vacation at the Boat House. He’s hoping they can spend the week together, and finally get their relationship on track. But that’s not possible, because as soon as they arrive creepy things start to happen. Someone is watching them, and someone has been in the Boat House with them.

If you’re looking for an addictive thriller, with crazy plot twists, and an ending that sends chills up your spine this is the one! My first book by this author, but now that I’ve discovered her writing, I am excited to read all of her work!

**Trigger warning should be included for rape & abortion.

I’m not even sure where to start.

If this author described something as “creepy” one more time, I was going to scream as much as the main character did through the entire book. Which was a lot.

This was my first read by this author. The premise was really cool but the blurb really didn’t accurately describe what was taking place in the story, which is frustrating.

The atmosphere was not well described and the characters were so superficial and honestly, just dumb and constantly making poor decisions, it was hard to feel any emotion towards them other than irritation.

I found myself rolling my eyes continuously throughout this one. The author did a lot of telling us how the characters felt instead of showing us. It felt a lot like listening to your friend with ADHD retell a story. It was all over the place and very convenient. I most likely will not read another one by this author.

The perfect holiday read that will keep you gripped. Fast paced and well written with believable characters. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy.

Our girl, Emily, is going through it. First her estranged father ends up in hospice. she is balancing a full-time career and visiting her dad in hospice, because this is not America he is in a good care home with volunteers and capable nurses. Also because it is not America he still has a house.
So dad dies, and our girl is in a really vulnerable state. She gets home needing comfort and Max, her boyfriend, is being the literal worst. She doesn't have a lot of friends so she ends up driving around town crying and eventually ends up at her dad's house.
While there things happen and in the end she gets hurt. NONE of this is her fault but because she is young and vulnerable she thinks this is on her.
Fast forward she's in a boathouse on a holiday with Max the scumbag and someone is stalking her.
It gets crazy and I really just wanted to take her home and put her up in my guest room.
I wanted to fight people.
I love all Keri Beeves books but this might be my favorite.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this. I live for this.
Keep writing Keri Beeves!

Wow! What a fast paced thriller! I absolutely devoured this one.

Emily and Max are on a vacation at a boat house after a rough year. Someone’s been breaking into the house and Emily is terrified. Could this have anything to do with everything that’s happened since her father died?

The twists in this book were amazing & believable. Everything made sense, but you didn’t see it coming. Both Emily and Max had their faults, but for the most part were likeable enough. The location was claustrophobic which gave it an extra element of terror. This was an easy read, I enjoyed the authors writing style.

This book had me on the edge of my seat, I could not get enough. 10/10 recommend!

Another gripping story from Keri. There hasn't been a book I've not loved.

This book had me gripped from page 1. My heart went out to Emily and everything she had been through over the years.

This book had me on the edge of my seat towards the end as I didn't know how it would end. As with all of Keri's books I've read, I can't wait for the next one.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️