Mary Kay Andrews

Some people stay all summer long on the idyllic island of Belle Isle, North Carolina. Some people come only for the weekends-and it's something they look forward to all week long. When Riley Griggs is waiting for her husband to arrive at the ferry one Friday afternoon, she is instead served with papers informing her that her island home is being foreclosed. To make matters worse, her husband is nowhere to be found. She turns to her island friends for help and support, but each of them has their own secrets and the clock is ticking as the mystery deepens. Cocktail parties and crab boil aside, Riley must find a way to investigate the secrets of Belle Island, the husband she might not really know, and the summer that could change everything.

A Novel

The Weekenders

Kristen Claiborn

After reading multiple reviews here on Goodreads from people who truly hated this book, it just made me sad. This was the first Mary Kay Andrews I remember reading (but I read a lot so it might just be the first I remember reading) and I absolutely loved it. I feel like I'm pretty stingy with my 5-star ratings and I felt this one earned 5 from me. Now I don't in any way pretend to be any sort of literary genius, I just like to read. I like books that sit me down, wrap me up, and make me forget the rest of the world exists. This book did that for me. I loved the mystery, I loved the drama, I loved the quirky characters (especially the aunt), and I loved the karma. I am now looking forward to reading more of Andrews' work.

Mmm what can i say? Darker and with an investigation thrown in. Be prepared. I suppose house renovation porn isn't fashionable anymore :-)

Cindy

This book was , for me anyway, more of a cozy mystery meets great beach read! I was rooting for Riley all through this book and I hated her awful husband Wendell as much as she did! I was crazy about her Aunt, what a wild card she turned out to be...... I am still not sure about Riley's brother, I found his character to be weak and dishonest, I just could not get into his corner at all. The setting, Belle Isle, was one that I would love to spend a summer on and I loved the summer-house that Riley grew up vacationing in. As for Riley's mother? I definitely could not  relate to in any way, too old-fashioned stand by your man no matter what for me. I could not warm up to Parrish, Riley's best friend, at first but when she finally came through for Riley and started to be there for her then I was okay with her. I am still not sure what Parrish's secret was, did I miss something?

All in All this was a great summer read/cozy mystery, bring up a beach chair and enjoy!This review was originally posted on

KADY BURNS

It is a quick read that was fine. Some loose ends that don't make sense, but overall it was pleasant

I give it 3 stars. It isnt going to win any awards for fantastic plot, thought provoking writing, or loveable characters. What you get is a first light hearted beach read story, then oddly still light hearted murder mystery. It's almost like she wanted to write a cozy mystery but decided at the last moment to keep it focused on the main characters and not the mystery.

I liked it, despite the flaw. I will be listening tomore of her books in the future.

The Weekenders A Novel

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