Sun Damage

4.5 rounded up

Location:-Saint Cecile-sur-Mer, South of France.
Sean and Ali have a new mark in their sights. She's Lulu Fletcher Davies who seems vacuous but Ali's feelings about what they are doing keeps keeps changing and she's not comfortable. Resentment is growing between the pair, Sean keeps pushing, Ali pushes back. Then Sean goes off script.........

This is another utterly absorbing read from the talented Sabine Durrant who always creates excellent psychological thrillers. Ali's personality, her background and feelings are captured vividly. You end up unexpectedly rooting for her as she thinks fast on her feet which I guess has become second nature. The author captures all the moments and different moods with short sharp sentences. All the characters are depicted with clarity so you can easily visualise them. The dynamics are excellent with so much bubbling beneath the surface with some brightly smile through any difficulties. There are so many secrets among them and bucket loads of lies which are often air brushed out.

There are moments of high tension where you could cut the atmosphere with a knife. Ali also holds her breath when some of the characters discuss The Serpent* (though it's never named) and this makes her reflective and angry in turn. The tension rises and falls so you get some moments to relax and then it increases again and it becomes very claustrophobic and at times dangerous as you question who you can trust. It's as if you need to constantly look over your shoulder as if you were in Ali's shoes which is clever writing and a bit uncomfortable! What a way to live! It builds extremely well and there are two great twists at the end which are excellent and very unpredictable. Well played Sabine Durrant!

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

*The Serpent is a BBC drama based on the true story of conman and murderer Charles Sobhraj who becomes Interpol's most wanted man.

Nine guests arrive at a remote villa in the south of France. They know each other well. Or think they do. But at least one of them has plenty to hide….. have been waiting for what feels like forever to read this one! It was a thrilling, edge of my seat novel full of conflict and tension. Five stars!

Sabine Durrant is quickly becoming my favourite suspense writer, especially when she leans into the holiday read. This book was so much more than I expected, and she's so strong on character, I ended this novel bereft that I could no longer spend time with this flawed yet somehow compelling cast. Five stars from me.

Superlative Suspense…
A remote chateau in the South of France, nine guests. They all know each other. Right? Wrong. From smaller scams with Sean, to high time deception, grifter Ali finds herself with nowhere to run once she’s infiltrated the high life. Under the sun, tensions will escalate out of control in this superlative suspense from an accomplished author.