I enjoyed the first novel in the Martini Club.series and this second outing featuring a group of retired CIA agents and the local police chief in a small Maine town is a compelling, fast paced read. The characters and plot were well written and tight. I have been a fan of Tess Gerritsen for years and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Requesting this book I did not realise it was the second in a series featuring the 'Martini Club' - a group of older friends with a 'spy based' past living in Maine. I gather there was probably a lot more background in the first novel explaining exactly what they did in their former working lives but here we get more hints and veiled conversations about it. That didn't spoil the book for me in any way - just made me wonder about the detail a bit.
The book starts with an early '70s prologue which set me up for expectations of a more brutal book than the story that followed: a bloody incident on the streets of Purity, Maine. We then jump forward to present day and a missing girl - disappeared from the lake side home her mother and step father are visiting extended family. Acting Police Chief Jo Thibodeau is stuck and the Martini Club members led by Maggie Bird cannot ignore a mystery...
For the most part (aside from the prologue and a couple of F bombs) this reads more like a cosy crime - albeit a very well written one (the two should not be considered exclusive of course, but often are) - and while the (apparently) amateur sleuths being dismissed by the local authority as 'meddling' (Murder She Wrote is even invoked at one point), this does have more substance: Thibodeau is more receptive and appreciative (if occasionally exasperated) by the help, and the plot is more complex, with more turns, than a typical 'cosy' (again - I must stress not ALL cosies)
Despite jumping in after the start I enjoyed this one a lot and will go back to read book one as a result.

The Summer Guests is a new mystery story from Tess Gerritsen. It's a captivating tale about the search for a teenager who goes missing in a small seaside town, and the ensuing investigation which sets into motion a surprising exploration of the past which threatens to dredge up more than a few secrets that certain people would rather stay hidden.

The Martini Club is central to the story, a tight-knit group of retired spies who enjoy putting the skills from their previous occupations to good use. Given their determination and their habit of turning up precisely at the right moment, the police chief doesn't have much choice but to accept their assistance as they work together to uncover the truth behind the disappearance.

The story itself was engaging, different mysteries woven together to keep the reader guessing at the final outcome. However, it's the characters of that really shine in this book, not only do the Martini Club bring a humourous angle but the struggles and insights of the supporting characters create a valued authenticity.

I look forward to reading a new adventure of the Martini Club in the future!

I had read and enjoyed all the Rizzoli and Isles books and wasn't disappointed by this stand-alone book.
Some of the characters were a little sterotypical, but it was easy to empathise with most. I enjoyed the relationship between the police chief and the 'martini club' - it added another dimension to the plot, setting it apart from the standard crime tale.
The twists and turns kept it interesting.

The second in the Martini Club series and just as brilliant as the first one. A wonderful tightly controlled plot with so many twists and surprises. Best of all are the characters who are so engaging. Tess Gerritsen is one of my favourite writers, she never fails to entertain. Highly recommended.

Fantastic character development in this tale teased out over time. Chock full of red herrings, twists and turns and, dark family secrets. Gerritsen delivers once again. You can't help but love the Martini Club. A family holiday that turns disastrous when the past comes back to haunt a killer.

Top-class writing from an author at the very top of their game.

I had liked - but not loved - the first book in this series, The Spy Coast, and felt the characters had a lot of promise. So I was very glad to find that this second outing for retired spy Maggie and her ex-CIA friends and smalltown Maine police chief Jo Thibodeau takes everything that I liked about book number one and adds to it.

The plot - centring around a teenage girl, Zoe, who goes missing from one of the lakefront second homes - is propulsive and pacy without losing the human touch through a focus on Zoe's mother. The secondary characters, especially the horrific WASP-y in-laws, are superbly drawn and there is a nice balance of levity (particularly as the self-described Martini Club inveigle their way into Jo's investigation) and tension.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5: a highly recommended thriller that will go down well with fans of, yes, Richard Osman but also readers who enjoy Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter and their ilk, while the Maine setting and some plot elements will hold appeal for John Connolly readers, too.

Loved this. I was so glad when I saw the second book in this series was out and it certainly didn't disappoint.
Welcome to Purity, where martinis flow, spies retire, and secrets simmer under the summer sun. The Summer Guests delivers a thrilling cocktail of suspense and wit, making it the perfect read.
Maggie Bird and her band of ex-spies, collectively known as The Martini Club, trade in their covert ops for covert book club meetings. Their idyllic life gets a jolt when a missing teenager case washes up, threatening to expose old secrets and test new alliances.

Acting Police Chief Jo Thibodeau has her hands full with tourist season chaos when the case lands in her lap, but she didn't count on the "help" of Maggie's meddlesome crew. With clever banter and unexpected twists, this unlikely team-up unearths a scandal that rocks their quaint town to its core.

The characters are wonderfully crafted, each bringing their own quirks and charms to the story, making every page turn effortlessly fast. Fans of "The Thursday Murder Club" will feel right at home—if that home is armed with spy gadgets and drenched in intrigue. The Summer Guests is a delightful blend of humour, mystery, and the unexpected, proving that retirement doesn’t mean the end of adventure.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Summer Guests - Tess Gerritsen

I ADORE this series - and what a follow up to The Spy Coast!

Like a ‘Thursday Murder Club’ on steroids - this was a hugely entertaining read and kept me guessing all the way to the end!

Let’s hope this series runs and runs - as I for one will be soaking them up!

Thanks to Tess and NetGalley for my ARC.

Second book in this series featuring an elderly group of ex agents Full of unexpected twists,suspects and a surprising murderer.

The Summer Guests by Tess Gerritsen

Maggie Bird’s ‘book group’ is an unusual one – a group of retired spies living an anonymous life in the seaside town of Purity. And this summer they plan little more than ‘reading’ (whilst sipping martinis), and some gentle birdwatching.

Another outing for this series , and again the author has come up with an excellent book.
Lots of twists , heaps of intrigue to keep you turning the page . Really enjoyed it.

“The Summer Guests” is the second novel in The Martini Club series by author Tess Gerritsen. This is a thriller that supplies a mix of suspense, mystery and intrigue in the setting of a seaside community. I have enjoyed reading Tess Gerritsen books for many years and loved the Rizzoli and Isles series.

The novel is set in Purity, Maine and features Maggie Bird who is a former spy, now retired but still can’t resist getting involved in local mysteries. Maggie formed ‘The Martini Club’, a book club where all the members are retired CIA operatives. Together they delve into any local mysteries using their intuitive minds to try and solve cases. This is a quirky series, plenty of humour adding to cleverly thought out plots and interesting characters. They team up with local police chief Jo Thibodeau to tackle two complex cases, the disappearance of a teenager and the discovery of a long-dead corpse.

The two mysteries are tied together and make a fascinating read.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Random House UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

After their former lives came back to haunt them in the small town of Purity, Maine, retired spies The Martini Club have settled into a life of birdwatching, book recommendations and - naturally - martinis. But when a friend is drawn into a disappearance, their skills are required to clear his name and find a young girl who has gone missing. But buried secrets don't stay buried for long, and some people will do anything to keep their secrets.

This is another fantastic book in the series - I eagerly awaited a follow-up after the first one, so I'm very glad it was another great one! An easy 5*.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this sequel to The Spy Coast.
Brilliant characterisation and so lovely to see older characters taking the lead and keeping it real.
Family secrets, community dynamics and hidden lies all combine for a gripping read.
A mystery with loads of twists, red herrings and a pacy plot.

Can't wait for the next one

Plot Twist!
Set in the late 20th and early 21st Century in the USA. Combination of abduction, murder, intrigue and mystery.
Thoroughly enjoyed this readable cosy thriller. 100% would recommend.

Second installment of The Martini Club and just as enjoyable as the first. This crime thriller romps along and I enjoyed every moment of it!

The Martini Club #2 - boozy book club get togethers by ex CIA agents led by Maggie, all now in their 70’s but still as sharp as ever. They enjoy life, martinis and solving a mystery or two, their skills put to good use by police chief Jo Thibodeau whether she wants their assistance or not!

‘The past is never dead. It’s not even past.’ William Faulkner.

The summer season is underway in Purity, main with summer guests and tourists that the town relies on beginning to arrive and Jo knows it spells trouble. One evening as she patrols looking for potential problems, her phone rings with the news that a teenager is missing. Zoe Conover, granddaughter of summer guests and owners of Moonview, which is one of the largest “cottages” on Maiden Pond. The search for Zoe leads the police and of course, our Martini Club into entirely unexpected areas.

The novel starts very dramatically and is in contrast to Maggie et al sipping their cocktails, watching birds and maybe, just maybe discussing their latest book club choice. The peace and tranquility of Moonview is also well and truly shattered. What a fantastic setting which adds a terrific atmosphere to a good read. Small town Maine is easy to visualise.

The characterisation is excellent with some unlikeable personalities in the Conover clan, who along with their friends, close ranks. The club members are very likeable and funny although you can understand why they drive Jo mad with their persistence, though inevitably with all their spy skills they lead her in the right direction. Eventually.

The mystery of Zoe and what is uncovered is intriguing, there are plenty of good twists and turns which keep me reading on thoroughly enjoying the plot. There are some bumps in the road, some diversions and red herrings. The storytelling starts in one place and takes a wholly unexpected direction. It is however, very believable. What is uncovered is extremely serious but as always our intrepid heroes provide much entertainment.

I’d love to share a martini or cocktail or two with them and dip into their delicious pot luck! Looking forward to number 3.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Transworld for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

So excited to have another instalment in this lovely series. There’s so much to get stuck into, the whodunnit of the crime but also the ‘who are they’ of our main characters who we are gradually learning more and more about. Thank you to Netgalley for the advance reader copy, looking forward to the next one.

Tess Gerritsen never disappoints, the second in the Martini Club series is as fast paced and unpredictable as the first. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Jo and the Club develop further and can’t wait to read more of their adventures!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

The Martini Group is back, and in fine form.

Several months have passed since the events of "The Spy Coast", and Maggie Bird and her ex-spook friends are enjoying their retirement, with the reading club (read, Martini cocktail drinking club) back on the agenda. Except, they are all getting itchy again, and bored with their quiet existence in the backwater village of Purity, Maine.

So when the daughter of well-to-do summer vacation family, the Conovers goes missing, and a good friend of the club is arrested, they quickly get back into harness and begin using the skills they gained as CIA operatives to investigate. Much to the frustration of acting Police Chief Jo Thibodeau.

And without further ado, the group are soon knee-deep in a mystery that goes back fifty-years and involves some of the powerful families which have dominated Purity for much of that time. The story is full of gorgeous characters - jealous brothers, spoiled brat teenagers, a Matriarch that just shouts "Bette Davis", and a mother who just wants her daughter back. The story unfolds at a brisk pace, leads are followed, the team make mistakes, and soon discover things about their own past employer they'd rather not have know. We learn a little more about Maggie and her cohorts, and what makes them tick, but really, it's the story that's so much fun.

Just like the first book, "The Summer Guests" reads like the very best episodes of "Murder She Wrote" (a story character even asks whether they are in an episode) but that's not a criticism. Nor is this book some cosy-crime novel. It's a fully formed thriller, with a cast of three-dimensional characters, and a plot to rival Lee Child or Robert Ludlum.

Highly recommneded for fans of thrillers and crime beach reads.