3.5-4 I think that I’m probably an outlier on this one but I didn’t enjoy this as much as the previous Tess Gerritson books I have read.

The premise of the Martini Club series is that there are 5 retired CIA agents living together in a small town in Maine. They may be senior citizens but they are still full of pep and because of their training are able to solve mysteries faster than law enforcement.

If you have read all of the Thursday Murder Club novels by Richard Osman, the premise of this will be all too familiar. For me, the chance of one former spy being in a retirement community is more plausible than of: 1) 5 former CIA agents staying in touch since training, 2) them staying close friends/partners/lovers and 3) choosing to all settle down in the-middle-of-nowhere, Maine.

The central mystery itself is strong and the awful Conover family are beautifully drawn. I think that it would have been a stronger novel without the addition of the Martini Club members as I didn’t find them engaging or convincing. They seemed an attempt to add a lighter tone which was at odds with the seriousness of the central plot and theme. I would love to see police chief, Jo Thibodeau allowed to just get on with her job!

With thanks to NetGalley, Tess Gerritson and Random House for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Since The Surgeon I have always enjoyed reading Tess Gerritsen's books so when The Summer Guests came up to review I jumped at the chance.

I was lucky enough to get accepted and eagerly read this novel. I actually did not realise that it is a series of books and this is number 2, but I found it fine to read as a stand alone novel.

We meet Maggie Bird, an ex spy and she is brilliant, I really enjoyed reading about her and will be picking up the first novel. Maggie is part of The Martini Club which is made up of ex CIA agents and together they make for a wonderful set of people.

When a teenager goes missing the group set about trying to figure out where she is and it makes for a tense read.

Really enjoyable and easy read, I think this is going to be a popular read.

Thanks to the author, Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Summer Guests Tess Gerritsen

5 stars

I have read a lot of books by this author and always enjoy them. However this book is the second one in a new series featuring The Martini Club, 5 pensioners , Maggie, Ingrid, Lloyd, Ben and Declan, all ex-members of the secret service. I have not read the first book but this does not detract from the story, although I now have 'The Spy Coast' on my need-to-read list!

Purity is a small place in Maine known mainly for its summer guests hence the title of this book. The Conover family have summered in their house overlooking Maiden Pond for many years. They are a formidable family who look down on the permanent residents of the town.

Susan, a widower with a 15 year old daughter, Zoe, has been married to Ethan for a couple of years and has joined the family in Maine for the memorial service of her Father-in-law, George, the patriarch of the family.

After a few days, Zoe goes missing although her backpack and telephone are found in different locations. Acting Police Chief, Jo Thibodeau is sent to investigate and at the same time, the members of The Martini Club decide to use their unusual skills to solve the mystery. Eventually Zoe is discovered at the bottom of a ravine barely alive and the search for her attacker is on. Whilst Zoe had been swimming she had discovered the skeleton at the bottom of the lake and it appears that someone had tried to silence her before she could tell anyone.

This body has been in the lake for some time and everyone is trying to find out who this is and the relevance to the attack on Zoe. The story revolves around the disappearance many years ago of two different people and why they had never been seen since. Police Chief Jo tries her best to work out what has happened but The Martini Club led by Maggie always seem to be one step ahead.

I really enjoyed this book, as in all good murder mysteries the killer is not the person I suspected and t rushed through this book in a couple of days wanting to find out what had happened. Tess Gerritsen is one of those authors who always writes a great story and any new book by her is on my must- read list.

Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net Galley

*The Summer Guests* by Tess Gerritsen is a gripping and atmospheric novel that combines mystery, suspense, and a deep exploration of human resilience. Known primarily for her medical thrillers, Gerritsen takes a slight departure from her usual genre to craft a compelling story set against the backdrop of a coastal New England town. This novel blends the tension of a natural disaster with the personal struggles of its characters, resulting in a page-turner that’s as emotionally engaging as it is thrilling.

The story revolves around a group of people who seek refuge in a luxurious, secluded mansion during the approach of a hurricane. Among them are a group of strangers—each with their own baggage and secrets. As the storm intensifies, so does the pressure on the characters, forcing them to confront their pasts and their relationships with one another. What initially seems like a simple survival story soon unravels into something more complex, with layers of mystery, betrayal, and trust emerging as the characters’ lives intertwine.

Gerritsen excels at creating suspenseful and high-stakes situations, as the hurricane itself becomes a metaphor for the emotional storms brewing within the characters. Her ability to build tension through both the weather and the interpersonal dynamics is a standout feature of the novel. The characters are well-drawn, with each having distinct personalities, desires, and flaws. Gerritsen doesn’t shy away from exploring deeper themes like guilt, forgiveness, and the complexities of human nature, making the characters’ development feel genuine and multi-dimensional.

While the novel has a slower, more deliberate pace at times, it is precisely this build-up that makes the dramatic moments hit harder. The tension between the characters, compounded by the impending natural disaster, keeps readers engaged, and the unexpected twists in the plot are sure to keep everyone on the edge of their seat.

In conclusion, *The Summer Guests* is an expertly crafted, atmospheric novel that offers much more than just a tale of survival. Tess Gerritsen's writing is compelling and emotional, with well-developed characters and an intriguing plot that explores themes of human vulnerability and the choices that define us. It’s a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers, as well as anyone looking for a gripping and thought-provoking story.

The second book in the Martini Club series and oh my days; what a cracking read.

I absolutely loved the fact that we got to meet a whole new set of characters, and to hear from different perspectives. So many crime novels only tell the story from the titular characters’ point of view .

We meet some of the other residents, and visitors to the town. And we live through the terror of a young girl disappearing, presumably abducted. This was such a twisty and unexpected storyline, I couldn’t put it down.

The second in the Martini Club series, featuring a return of the retired spies in a small Maine town. I enjoyed this, where the disappearance of a teenage girl brings back dark secrets from the past. The character of the town police chief was fleshed out more, and our retired spies continue to provide their help and interference. There's a bit of a gothic vibe at times with the lake with the dark history and the twisted family dynamics, but overall it's a good thriller.

A great read! I want sure whether to go for this one as it’s the second in a series, but I am so pleased I did. I definitely plan to read the first one now, but this worked well as a standalone.

Set in a small town in Maine, when a teenager visiting for the summer goes missing, Acting Police Chief Jo, has her work cut out. Thankfully, although Jo could never admit it, The Martini Club are several steps ahead. The five retired CIA agents are great characters! Nobody knows their history and so they seem to be able to get away with pretty much everything as they’re just cute old people, right?!

There were lots of twists as Jo and her unofficial helpers peeled back the layers of this brilliantly thought out plot, which linked to several families in the small town and uncovered secrets from over 50 years ago. Highly recommended.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Tess Gerritsen and Random House Transworld for an ARC in return for an honest review.

4.5/5

Thank you Bantam and Netgalley for a copy of this book!

Tess Gerritsen is one of my favourite authors and after enjoying the first book in The Martini Club series, I was so looking forward to this one (book 2 of the series).

Maggie Bird’s ‘book group’ aka a group of retired spy’s are back after a teenager goes missing down by the lake where the summer people stay. The Martini Club’s good friend becomes a prime suspect and they get to work to help acting Police Cheif Jo Thibodeau uncover what really happened to the missing teen.

In book 1, you get a lot of back story into Maggie Bird and while reading this book, having knowledge of all that back story made this book so much more enjoyable! I love all the characters so so much! I wish they were real as I would love to join their ‘book club.’

You could probably read this as standalone but I really would recommend reading book 1 first (even if it isn’t quite as good IMO).

Spy thrillers aren’t my usual thing but this has been done so well and it definitely feels more like a police procedural/cozy mystery type novel. I enjoyed the story, it was filled with so many twists and turns.

I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

When a young girl goes missing and her neighbour is the main suspect retired spy Maggie Bird and her friends use all their skills to help the local police find the real culprit.

The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen sees a welcome return to The Martini Club, a group of spies who have retired to the small town of Purity in Maine. While I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, The Spy Coast (review here), I felt that this second book was a cut above. By keeping the story local we got to see more interaction between the characters and a glimpse at the subtle ways in which the skills and knowledge of the retired spies can be utilised.

A cry for help from Maggie's neighbour has the group springing to action. Luther Yount looks like something that has just walked out of the forest but Maggie knows he's a retired professor with a gentle nature, all he wants is a quiet life and the perfect surroundings to raise his teenage granddaughter. Suspicion falls on Yount as he was the last person to see the missing girl, unfortunately, his alibi is a little vague so Maggie and her friends spring into action to help clear Luther's name.

We see the group utilise all of the skills they honed in their careers to uncover clues, usually a step ahead of the local police, and sometimes discover things the police missed in their search. Acting police chief Jo Thibodeau is constantly frustrated by the abilities of Maggie and her friends and irked that no matter how many times she tells them not to get involved they ignore her.

There is a menacing feeling throughout the story, mixed with a lot of dry wit. During the search for the missing girl remains are found, leading to another investigation and adding to the sense that something sinister is happening in a place so quiet and peaceful that locals don't lock their doors. The police are at a loss trying to identify the remains, but Maggie and her friends are dogged and refuse to give up. What they discover is shocking and has huge implications for lots of people.

I loved the setting, holiday cottages in a lakeside setting, wealthy families, a new wife, a missing teenager. Lots of small town narrow mindedness in this book which was well portrayed...but the retirees involving themselves in the investigation, and generally making a nuisance of themselves is not something that I really enjoy. I found the character of Maggie quite irritating and found it detracted from the story. I found it a bit drawn out towards the end and skimmed to get to the end.

Another great book by Tess Gerritsen.
Maggie is a retired CIA agent and when a teenager visiting the small community goes missing Maggie`s retired martini club goes to investigate against the local police`s advice and the secrets of the small community are revealed and the suspense keeps you reading.
Some great characters in the club that keep you amused.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

Always a fantastic book from Tess Gerritsen! One of the first authors that I ever read and I will always pick up her books! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

The Summer Guests is the second book in Tess Gerritsen's new 'Martini Club' series in which four ex-CIA friends (Maggie, Declan, Ingrid, and Ben), have retired in the remote and picturesque town of Purity in Maine and use their 'particular set of skills' to help solve local crime.

The Conovan's extended family have returned to their summer cottage in the woods by Maiden pool. Susan's daughter Zoe goes missing. A neighbour is the last to see her alive and becomes the prime suspect so he asks his friend Maggie Bird for her help.

The plot is great, very intricate and very well planned out. I do wish the same could be said for the Martini Club characters. I haven't read the first book, The Spy Coast, but there seems to be an assumption by the author that you know these character and their background.

The real strength of this book is the Interim Chief Jo Thibodeau who reminds me of Agent Baker from TV's Resident Alien. She's a very intelligent and diligent Chief who I honestly believe would have solved this case without the help of Maggie Bird and her friends.

I have to compare this to Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club, both being cosy mysteries about retired senior citizens. I think 'The Summer Guests' is the better book as it is better written and has a cleverer plot, but the main characters come to life more in 'The Thursday Murder Club'. Maggie and co appear with the arrogance of being the smartest person in the room. For instance, when they interviewed a young girl before the police, it could have derailed the investigation. When questioned by the police she kept saying she'd already told that to Maggie. I found it just as infuriating as Jo Thibodeau!

All of that being said, I really did love this book. The story had me gripped. I felt so sorry for the mum, poor Susan. We follow the police chiefs investigation more that Maggie's. The locals that live around the lake help add substance to the story with their age old hatrid of the holiday crowd. It was lovely that the missing girl wasn't just the usual 'victim' and was a strong character in her own right, with her love of swimming being a great narrative.

I'll definitely be reading book 1, The Spy Coast, to find out more about the Martini Club and hopefully get some of their background stories that were missing here.

I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for giving me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.

The Summer Guests is due to be published on 27th March 2025 by Random House UK, Transworld Publishers

I enjoy a good crime novel and this doesn’t disappoint. I love the idea of a bunch of retired spooks using their skills to help while looking like harmless old people who are dismissed.

The story unfolds and you are left guessing as to who is the culprit and twists and turns while you think you know who it is.

Great read

My first Tess Gerritsen book and it was a good thriller full of twists and turns. I like the Martini Club characters, they reminded me a little of the Thursday Murder Club characters. A really unexpected ending!

The book is the second in the Martini Club series. I haven't read the first book, and this one works well as a standalone.

Maggie is a former spy, living in the quiet town of Purity, Maine. She and her former CIA friends have created the Martini Club, and assist the local Police Chief Jo - whether they are asked or not. When a teenager visiting Purity for the summer disappears, Maggie is determined to prove the innocence of her neighbour. Can Maggie and her friends help find the teen, and work out the strange history of her family?

I loved the elderly spies, and the book was a quick, easy read, with writing that draws the reader in. I really liked Jo, who was torn between accepting help and sticking to the rules. I look forward to reading the third in the series - and have already purchased the first to read now!

A missing child leads the Martini club to put aside their bird watching retirement and once again use skills that they attained while working within the CIA to locate her. The main opposition to their help is the child's family who are wealthy out of owners who have expensive summer cottages by the lake.
When I got this copy I had not read the first book so set about with that one first, this is not required as the book is superbly written and covers all the salient points that even if you have not read The Spy Coast you will not miss out. It is full of twists and turns where not just the police but also our ex spooks are lead down the wrong path with incorrect assumptions, needless to say they do solve the case and much more besides.
The characters are superb and I love that fact that it is focusing on an older generation, ones that to all intents and purpose would be overlooked. The are well crafted complete with the inevitable aches and pains that would be common in this generation. Also there is moments of light hearted humour like with the Waiting for God type reference in the care home.
I can't wait for the next one.

A big welcome back to the Martini club, a loose configuration of ex spies living in the aptly named Purity (it’s not so pure :) For those of you who have not read the first in the series “The spy Coast” the Martini club comprises unofficial leader Maggie, Declan, her possible boyfriend, Ben, Ingrid and Lloyd. Retirement has brought little respite for the five and when a young girl Zoe is reported missing they are determined to help acting chief Jo Thibodeau solve the case, even if acting chief Thibodeau does not want any help.

Susan, Ethan and their daughter Zoe are travelling to Maiden Pond to scatter the ashes of Ehtan’s father George. There he will meet with George’s widow Elizabeth, his brother Colin, wife Brooke and their young son Kit. However all is not well in this family, when Zoe disappears, the past resurfaces and deadly family secrets emerge with near fatal results

I thought this was an excellent story weaving parts of questionable CIA history (and educating me in the process)with a top notch edge of the seat thriller. I love this new series that the author has commenced, what a wonderful direction for her to take, and a treat for the reader. Highly recommended.

What a brilliant book to kick off the new year!

It centres on the disappearance of teenager Zoe, who was visiting Purity with her mother and stepfathers family. Once the Martini Club’ get involved, truths come to light, family secrets are uncovered and long standing mysteries are explained. The Summer Guests was a gripping read which kept me guessing until the end. Tess Gerritsen has written this in a really clever way that weaves the lives of multiple families through the one main plot.

I hadn’t realised this was the second in the ‘martini club’, I look forward to reading the first!

Huge thank you for the ARC of this excellent book.

A very welcome 2nd book in the Martini Club series by Tess Gerritsen. I have always liked her books but this particular newer series is great! The characters (Maggie, Bird's Book Group) are funny at times, warming and determined to help Jo the Police Chief to solve her crimes.

This story is about a family of regular summer visitors, who own the biggest of the house on the lakeshore and a young girl that goes missing. Now one of the groups friends and neighbours is accused of being involved and therefore the Martini Club, get cracking and help Jo to solve the crime.

It's a terrific read, it keeps you guessing all the way through, with characters you grow to love and loathe!

Bring on no 3 in the series please !