High Season by Katie Bishop ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Having enjoyed Katie Bishops debut novel The Girls Of Summer, I couldn’t wait to get the chance to read her new book High Season and once again she didn’t disappoint.

Twenty years ago Tamara Drayton was killed and Josie Jackson the family babysitter was sent to prison for a crime that the world thought she had committed all because of five year old Nina Draytons evidence that she had seen Josie murder her sister.
However all those years on and Nina is starting to question if she really did see her sisters murder.

The story takes us back to France where one perfect summer changed so many people’s lives but the time is now to find out what really happened that day when Tamara Drayton died.

The story looks at the past and present and hooks you from the very beginning, Katie Bishop has a way of writing stories which have raw emotion and can handle sensitive topics in a way you have to keep reading.

High Season is an intriguing read that makes you question everything.
Tamara Drayton is seventeen years old and spends her summers at her mother’s house in France, her mother is a former IT girl and loves being surrounded in luxury. The summer of 2004 leaves Tamara dead in the pool and her younger sister at only five years old saw everything and becomes the youngest person to testify in a French court. That puts Josie in jail for twenty years, Josie was hired to help look after Nina so is a double blow for her. Now in 2024 Nina is questioning what she actually saw and was it correct and with Josie out of prison and a true crime podcaster wanting interviews the girls find themselves together for the first time in twenty years.
This was a book that worked really well with a dual timeline, it really helped with the setting. The book had a good pace but I felt it slowed quite a lot by halfway, it did pick up pace but it could have been a bit tighter there. The characters were mostly likeable but it’s always good to have some that aren’t! The storyline I thought would be no different to what I’ve read in the past but this one seemed different, maybe it was because of the amount of tension! This would be a good book club read with there being so much to question.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good solid mystery thriller from Katie Bishop and I had a good time with it. There were lots of themes to follow in this book; family dynamics, social class, sexuality, abuse and of course there was murder. The story was told via two different timelines and I thought that was done very well. I didn't get confused when flicking between the past and the present and I liked the way that the two timelines were playing catch up with each other.

I did find the plot to be a little slow moving so it took me a while to get through it.. I think that some sections of the book could have been cut out and the story would have remained the same. However it didn't feel like a chore to pick up and read, I was quite happy to plod along with it.

There weren't many likeable characters to be honest. The only one I had some kind of positive connection with was Josie. I felt great sympathy and empathy for her and considering what she went through, she came out as a very well rounded adult. I had reservations about Hannah, Nina and Blake however on reflection, I can appreciate that they all had their own trauma that had lead them to their poor decision making.

I've read and enjoyed both of Katie Bishop's books and I'll happily pick up more.

A great read which was totally immersive and cleverly written. A slow burning thriller which captivated with huge tension. So compelling I galloped through it.

Fascinating what a memory and someone else’s influence can do to change events - false memory would be my description.

This book also describes very well the lives of privilege and unprivileged lives..

High Season takes place in 2024, with flashbacks to twenty years earlier in 2004. The book opens in 2004 on the night of a birthday party, when a girl is found dead in the water and we are told that only Nina knows what has happened to her.

Now in 2024, Nina has just landed her first full-time job as an assistant clinical psychologist, focusing on child psychology. See, she was only five when her sister Tamara died at their family’s luxury holiday home in the Côte d’Azur. It was her testimony that saw Josie, the daughter of the family’s hired help, put away for ten years. Over the years, Nina has started to question her memories, hence her chosen character path.The narrative switches between both Nina and Josie, showing just how deeply that night in 2004 shaped their both of their lives. And, in typical 2024 fashion, everyone finds themselves drawn back to the Côte d’Azur when a true crime influencer and documentary crew come sniffing around the case for its twentieth anniversary.

The narrative switches between both Nina and Josie, showing just how deeply that night in 2004 shaped both of their lives. And, in typical 2024 fashion, everyone finds themselves drawn back to the Côte d’Azur when a true crime influencer and documentary crew come sniffing around the case for its twentieth anniversary.

I really enjoyed the ins and outs of this one. I loved the journey, although I wasn’t too shocked at how it unfolded, I could definitely picture a TV adaptation! Aside from the mystery at hand, I really loved the characters in this one. The friendships and teenage growing pains were believable and I really felt for the women involved. Loved it!

Perfect holiday/ travelling read. It’s a relatively quick read not over taxing but enjoyable anyway.

This is a murder mystery that is told via a dual timeline.
Nina who was the only witness to her sisters death when she was just a child. Years later she’s left doubting her memories of events and the reality of what happened or her sister.

A sun-soaked escape hides shadows of betrayal in this slow-burn thriller. Bishop weaves tension and desire into a story that lures you in like a perfect beach day—until the storm hits. Atmospheric and unsettling in all the right ways.

Tense, riveting and compelling”
A look at how memory can change over time. How that can mean someone got away with murder and that person is still about. I love vex this! Very original.

This was a murder mystery was split between two timelines following Nina who was the only witness to her sisters death when she was just a child. Years later she’s left doubting her recollections and wondering what really happened to her sister.

This was a quick read, good for reading on holiday by the pool but I found it quite forgettable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of High Season by Katie Bishop. I received no compensation for this review, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Rating: 4 stars

Set against the glittering backdrop of the Côte d’Azur, High Season is a taut, atmospheric mystery that captures both the allure and the danger of an endless summer. The novel draws you into a world of privilege and longing, where the thrill of youth collides with the weight of consequence. Bishop perfectly evokes the heady intensity of being a teenager—the divide between the haves and the have-nots, the fragile bonds of friendship, and the choices that echo far into adulthood.

The story unfolds across two timelines, 2004 and 2024, a structure that I always enjoy when done well—and here, it’s seamless. Bishop weaves together a narrative of trust, betrayal, and the complicated ways love and loyalty can twist under pressure. At the heart of it all is the death of a teenage girl, the punishment of another, and the lingering guilt of a boy who loved them both. Moving between perspectives, the book gradually peels back the layers of deception to reveal a truth that feels both inevitable and devastating.

The writing is sharp and immersive, making it easy to slip into the luxurious yet claustrophobic setting. The Côte d’Azur isn’t just a backdrop—it feels alive, pulsing with sun-soaked beauty that hides its darker undercurrents. I appreciated how Bishop explored the way wealth and privilege shape not only opportunities but also the moral choices her characters make.

High Season is a quick yet compelling read, perfect for fans of dual timelines, multiple character perspectives, and unreliable narrators. If you enjoy stories where sunlit glamour masks deep secrets—and where the past refuses to stay buried—this is one to add to your summer reading list.

There is definitely a big audience for this type of book and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fairly easy read on holiday. However I’m a bit bored of the podcast angle as the world and his wife seem to be using them to develop a plot.

I liked the premise of this book and the questioning of memory, and the beginning hooked me in. However I did find it overlong with the pacing in the middle section a bit slow for me, although this did improve by the time I got to the clever ending
Thank you to netgalley and Random House for an advance copy of this book
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

The rich love to party in the Riviera and twins Tamara and Blake return every summer to their mother's beautiful pink house for a summer of indulgence. But other people, like 16year olds Hannah and Josie, live there all year and spend their summers working for the summer families. When the teenagers become involved with each other tragedy ensues, and Tamara is found dead.
The only witness is 5 year old Nina who says she saw Josie and Tamara fighting., leading to Josie's conviction.
20 years later, a true crime documentary throws doubt on the case and Nina begins to question what she saw. All the key players return to the Riviera to try and find out what really happened.
This is a fabulous, page turning, clever novel. Brilliant characters interact across dual timelines. I found the themes of family loyalty and false memory syndrome particularly interesting . The ending is brilliant and quite unexpected. Highly recommend.

I really enjoyed High Season - set in the French Riviera, it jumps back and forth between now and when the incident happened, 20 years ago. Great characters and storyline, a great read!

3.75*

Set against the sun-soaked glamour of the Côte d’Azur, 'High Season' is a compelling domestic thriller that gives us rich atmosphere and plenty of unsettling psychological tension. In this story we are introduced to Nina Drayton who, as a child, was the key witness in her sister’s mysterious drowning, but is now dealing with unreliable memories as a true-crime documentary reopens old wounds.

Overall I would say I enjoyed Katie Bishop’s writing. It is vivid without being overwritten and you do become invested in the characters, I enjoyed the dual-timeline structure which helped build suspense and effectively moved the narrative forward. But what dropped it a little for me were a couple of story elements. There were a few narrative beats that were a bit over familiar and I felt that some characters, mainly Nina's wealthy family strayed cliché.

These elements didn't detract too much and the twists were satisfying and the story was well paced. I also appreciated the novel’s exploration of memory, truth, and the consequences of unspoken trauma which elevated it above other books in the domestic thriller genre. Ultimately all of this makes 'High Season' a truly evocative and thoughtful read with enough thrills to keep the pages turning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Bantam for a digital review copy of "High Season" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

I absolutely loved this book. A dark tense emotional and enjoyable read.
A story about family dynamics, memory, social class, trauma, relationships and so much more..
It’s beautifully written, character driven, layered and the setting is so descriptive. Told in two timelines alternating between 2004 and 2024 and divided into four parts with POV’s of Nina, Josie, Tamara and Hannah. I loved the podcast transcripts and interview extracts. It’s gripping, thought provoking and intriguing. I couldn’t put it down and was kept guessing all the way through.
I enjoyed all the character backstories. You are just pulled right in and you feel invested in the characters.
Definitely recommend this mystery thriller. It’s well worth a read if you enjoy this genre. I look forward to reading more from @katiebishopwrites
With thanks to #NetGallery #RandomHouseUk #TransworldPublishers for an arc of #HighSeason in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 14 August 2025

I loved the authors debut novel so I was really excited for this one - and it absolutely did not disappoint!

It was such a compulsive read! It’s packed with intrigue, tangled relationships and enough twists to keep you second guessing almost to the final page. The dual timelines work beautifully - 2004 has all the intensity and angst of teenage summers, all suncream and secrets, while 2024 brings reflection, emotional weight and that building sense of dread.

The characters are brilliantly drawn, even when they are at their most unlikeable, and I loved that you are never quite sure who to trust. Once the story found its stride, I genuinely struggled to put it down, and the final chapters delivered a satisfyingly sharp wrap up long after the main reveal - the perfect balance.

Bishop’s writing is vivid and atmospheric, capturing the heat and tension of a Mediterranean summer in a way that makes you feel you’re right there. If you enjoy literary thrillers with unreliable narrators, layered characters and a generous dose of psychological suspense, this one is well worth picking up.

Twenty years ago Nina was responsible for sending a young woman to jail, Josie was employed to look after her. The person killed was Tamara, Nina’s big sister. Tamara was 17, Josie was 16 and Nina? She was five. Now all Nina can remember is the drawing she did, the drawing used to send a young woman to jail.
Out of the blue Nina is contacted by a true crime podcast, they are revisiting her sister’s death and want to know what she remembers.
A really good thriller which kept me glued to the book, so much so that I read it all at once.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

Twenty years ago 17 yr old Tamara Drayton was found floating face down in her family’s swimming pool. A testimony from her five year old sister Nina, convicts 16 yr old Josie Jackson, who works for the family, looking after Nina.
As the 20th anniversary of Tamara’s murder approaches, there is renewed interest in the case. A documentary is planned. Nina, now a psychologist, has spent her life haunted by the case. Her emotions see saw between wanting to become involved and stepping as far away as possible from opening up old wounds. What she cannot avoid is how she begins to call into question her memories of that time, and the validity of her testimony.
Set on the Cote D’Azur, in the Drayton family’s glamorous home overlooking the sea, the story moves between 2000 and present day as it builds a picture of the then and now. Evelyn, the Drayton matriarch, a woman who inherited a fortune at 19 and has spent a good deal of it, has had several husbands and as many lovers. She is the worst kind of mother, more concerned with herself and her champagne social life than that of her children. Local girl Hannah Bailey, whose parents run a local diving school aspires to have the lifestyle of Tamara and her twin brother Blake. Being friends with Josie, who at the time of the murder, is employed to look after Nina, proves a way in. It’s clear, however that Tamara is less than happy, especially with the blossoming friendship Hannah begins to develop with Blake.
This is a tale of friendship, rivalry, bullying and betrayal. It’s easy to see the way the older Drayton siblings have turned out is not only because of their wealth, but also because there’s absolutely no parental guidance. The men in Evelyn’s life also bear some of the responsibility. In between all this, there are glimpses of happier times, when Josie and Hannah first met and established their girlhood friendship with days of laughter and camaraderie. Sadly, as events unfold, it’s clear to see the train crash approaching.
Fast forward to present day and Hannah, Nina and Josie all return to the South of France. Their lives have changed. They have all moved on over the last twenty years. Although they are all there for different reasons, none of them plan to meet, but they do, with unexpected consequences.
I really enjoyed High Season. A great plot with memorable characters. Definitely one of my favourite reads so far this year.

My thanks to Transworld, the Author and Netgalley for an ARC of High Season in exchange for an honest review.

When Nina was Six years old, she was the only witness to her 17 year old sisters murder. A drawing of the murder scene, based on Nina's description, was used as evidence in court to convict Josie Jackson.

Now, 20 years later, Josie is out of prison, a Tiktok true crime star is creating a documentary about the case and all Nina can remember of that night is the picture. Which begs the question, if she can't remember it, how does she know that her six year old self wasnt making it up?

This story is set in 2024 with the flashbacks to 2004 covering the events leading up to the murder of 17 year old Tamara Drayton. In 2004 we follow Josie Jackson and Hannah Bailey. Josie's mum works as a cook at the Drayton family's holiday home who only live there during 'High Season' and Josie babysits the Draytons daughter Nina. Hannah is Josie's best friend who works at her families surf shack. We learn how Josie and Hannah first met and their close friendship as each chapter counts down the the evening of Evelyn Draytons big Party and the death of her daugher, Tamara.

In 2024 we learn about how Nina's life has been affected by witnessing such a traumatic event and her subsequent therapy. She's clearly haunted by that night 20years ago and when she's approached by a production company to take part in a true crime documentary she chooses to return to the South of France during High Season to meet with her Mum Evelyn, and her brother, Tamara's twin, Blake.

We also follow Josie now she's out of prison, who has also been approached to take part in the documentary. Her struggles to hold down a job, and her reluctance to stay anywhere for long as it doesn't take long for people to realise who she really is and what she did 20 years ago.

I loved this book. The way that the present and the past are equally important to this story is so well put together. I was quickly invested. The slow build up to the murder back in 2004 works great. I had some sympathy for each of the leading characters, which shows how well written they are.

Its quite an emotional journey for each of the "kids" and of course there's a few twists along the way. The reveal was not surprising but it was a satisfying conclusion to everyones story.

I would like to convey my thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for providing the opportunity to review this novel. All opinions are my own.

High Season is due to be released on 14th August 2025.

4.5 Stars