Scan barcode
lynguy1's review
4.0
Michael Ledwidge brings intrigue and action to his latest crime novel, Beach Wedding, set mainly in Southampton, New York. Terry Rourke and his wife and daughter are spending a month at a luxurious home in Southampton on the beach. His oldest and wealthy brother is getting married and has invited the whole family to stay at the house prior to the wedding. The Rourkes grew up in a nearby middle-class neighborhood where his father, Sean, was an Assistant District Attorney 20 years ago. Sean’s last case was a murder trial that changed their lives forever when he lost the case and subsequently drowned. Terry, a Philadelphia cop, can’t resist looking at the old case while he’s in the town. But messing with the rich and powerful can be dangerous.
Terry is a likeable and determined character, but sometimes gets so wrapped up in his investigation that he can lose sight of other things. The author did a great job in bringing the Rourke family to life as well as the non-family characters. The characters were quite believable, and injected with a blend of attributes both good and bad.
The plot is well-developed and clever and the narrative is descriptive, bringing the locations to life. There’s also a bit of humor which relieves some of the tension from time to time. The pacing was just right and the writing style was smooth; even with relatively short chapters it draws the reader into the story. While it takes a while to get to the mystery as readers learn about the lives of the members of the Rourke family, the intrigue grows as the investigation falls into place.
Don’t expect much action until near the end of the novel. This is more about the investigation and the people involved in it and those affected by it as well as uncovering the mystery. I appreciated how the author showed the impact on many characters, not just the Rourke family. The action at the end is nerve-wracking and somewhat harrowing, and it includes a shocking surprise or two that I didn’t see coming. Themes include family, friendship, corruption, murder, money, and power.
Overall, this was suspenseful with a great mystery and compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. It is well worth the read and provides entertainment, thoughtful moments, and thrills. This is the third solo book that I’ve read by Ledwidge and I’m looking forward to reading more books by him.
Harlequin Trade Publishing – Hanover Square Press and Michael Ledwidge provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 15, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-------------------------------
My 4 star review will be posted in the second half of January (per publisher guidelines).
Terry is a likeable and determined character, but sometimes gets so wrapped up in his investigation that he can lose sight of other things. The author did a great job in bringing the Rourke family to life as well as the non-family characters. The characters were quite believable, and injected with a blend of attributes both good and bad.
The plot is well-developed and clever and the narrative is descriptive, bringing the locations to life. There’s also a bit of humor which relieves some of the tension from time to time. The pacing was just right and the writing style was smooth; even with relatively short chapters it draws the reader into the story. While it takes a while to get to the mystery as readers learn about the lives of the members of the Rourke family, the intrigue grows as the investigation falls into place.
Don’t expect much action until near the end of the novel. This is more about the investigation and the people involved in it and those affected by it as well as uncovering the mystery. I appreciated how the author showed the impact on many characters, not just the Rourke family. The action at the end is nerve-wracking and somewhat harrowing, and it includes a shocking surprise or two that I didn’t see coming. Themes include family, friendship, corruption, murder, money, and power.
Overall, this was suspenseful with a great mystery and compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. It is well worth the read and provides entertainment, thoughtful moments, and thrills. This is the third solo book that I’ve read by Ledwidge and I’m looking forward to reading more books by him.
Harlequin Trade Publishing – Hanover Square Press and Michael Ledwidge provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 15, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
-------------------------------
My 4 star review will be posted in the second half of January (per publisher guidelines).
rebeccai's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
rmarcin's review
4.0
Super fast read about a family, the Rourkes. Tom, a hedge fund millionaire was planning a wedding in the Hamptons. He invited his entire family for a reunion, choosing the location because it was close to "the glass house" where a wealthy man, Noah Sutton, was found murdered years earlier. Terry Rourke, now a cop, was interested in the case that his dad, assistant DA was prosecuting.
When Terry discovers some information about the case, he begins investigating, putting his family's life in danger.
I love quick reads, and this did not disappoint. I liked the style of writing, the quick pace, and the reveal. Some was a little far-fetched, but it was still a fun read.
When Terry discovers some information about the case, he begins investigating, putting his family's life in danger.
I love quick reads, and this did not disappoint. I liked the style of writing, the quick pace, and the reveal. Some was a little far-fetched, but it was still a fun read.
mommasaystoread's review
4.0
Don't let the title fool ya. Beach Wedding makes it sound like a fun, happy story, at least until you read the blurb. Instead, it's a crime novel and a darn good one at that. The writing is sharp and witty, and it pulled me in quickly. The pacing is good with short chapters that make it all too easy to say 'just one more chapter' until you've found yourself at the end - and there's no setting this one down once you get to that intense conclusion. Had I not already known that Michael Ledwidge co-wrote with James Patterson, I would've guessed by some of the structural things in this book. There were several similarities in style, but at the same time, Ledwidge makes this one all his own. I enjoy crime novels and trying to suss out how the story will unfold, and I enjoyed that here. But even more than that, I enjoyed getting to know these characters. The author introduces them quite cleverly. He gives us everything we need to "know" these characters without dumping a pile of information all at once, and he makes them seem so real. It's easy to root for characters like these and to become invested in their lives. To sum it up, Beach Wedding made for a great book to curl up on the couch and listen to the rain outside while I fell into this intriguing story.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finished reading: February 5th 2022
"There are reasons why some people leave the place they were born and raised and never come back. Usually, they're very good reasons."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Hanover Square Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
I knew that I wanted to read Beach Wedding as soon as I first read the blurb. The promise of a Hamptons setting, an old murder trial and danger along the way made it impossible to resist this story, and I'm glad I didn't as I ended up having a brilliant time with it. Beach Wedding is suspenseful, engaging and flows with a pace that will make you keep turning those pages. If you like your thrillers fast and with plenty of twists and danger, you will like what you find here!
At first it seems like the story is focusing on the Rourke family returning to the Hamptons to celebrate the wedding of one of the brothers in style. Hints at an unfortunate past relationship with the town are made, but you are kept in the dark initially about the main focus of this story. Instead of distracting, it helped getting to know the main characters in play while also inciting your curiosity about why exactly especially Terry never wanted to return to the Hamptons. The characters themselves are easy to like and I soon found myself rooting for Terry and hoping he would achieve what he was after... Being able to connect to the characters always makes the story so much easier to enjoy.
I won't go into details to avoid spoilers, but the old murder case and trial are absolutely fascinating and I loved how this element was developed and incorporated into the present. The way Terry digs in and doesn't let go until he discovers the truth is inspiring, and especially when he stumbles across a LOT of roadblocks and danger along the way. There is a focus on corruption and how some rich people think their money can make everything disappear... Even if it means destroying other people's lives along the way.
The writing is very engaging and Terry is the perfect character to lead this story. I really liked his personality and voice as well as the way he is stubborn and determined to find the truth... There are many plot twists, secrets and lies to keep you busy along the way, and there will be plenty of tense moments as well as action to keep your heart rate on the high side. Beach Wedding was definitely a winner for me and if you like the sound of diving into a world of the rich, famous, family and murder, I can recommend getting a copy.
katiem716's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
robinsbooks's review
4.0
If the book jacket looks like a Patterson title and reads like a James Patterson thriller, then it must be by the prolific James Patterson, right? Nope, it isn't, but it is by an author who co-wrote 13 (or thereabouts) suspense thrillers with Patterson, and it turns out he's a good author in his own right.
This was an extremely quick-paced mystery/thriller set in the Hamptons, where the family gathers for the wedding of his wealthy brother. But before the big day arrives, events occur that set his brother Terry (the narrator) to further investigate a murder his dead father tried and lost. The action is fast and the dialogue snappy, and while the characters tend to be slightly drawn, they are appealing, and I was drawn into the action. Sure, it's a little predictable, but it had a few good twists along the way.
If you are a fan of James Patterson and can't wait two days before his next title is released [ha!], then give this a try. Seriously, I am not a big fan of Patterson but enjoyed this and would consider reading more books by this author. This is also recommended for readers of Andrew Gross and Harlan Coben, and for reading on a plane or a beach.
Thanks to the publisher for the digital advance copy. To be published in February 2022.
This was an extremely quick-paced mystery/thriller set in the Hamptons, where the family gathers for the wedding of his wealthy brother. But before the big day arrives, events occur that set his brother Terry (the narrator) to further investigate a murder his dead father tried and lost. The action is fast and the dialogue snappy, and while the characters tend to be slightly drawn, they are appealing, and I was drawn into the action. Sure, it's a little predictable, but it had a few good twists along the way.
If you are a fan of James Patterson and can't wait two days before his next title is released [ha!], then give this a try. Seriously, I am not a big fan of Patterson but enjoyed this and would consider reading more books by this author. This is also recommended for readers of Andrew Gross and Harlan Coben, and for reading on a plane or a beach.
Thanks to the publisher for the digital advance copy. To be published in February 2022.
scott_a_miller's review
4.0
Just dumb enough to be awesome. Perfect summer read. Ledwidge out Pattersoned Patterson.
robinlovesreading's review
4.0
Terry Rourke has headed to the Hamptons to attend his brother Tom's wedding. Tom is a hedge fund manager and has spared no expense. Not only is this not Terry's first time at the Hamptons, he decides to investigate a murder that happened there back when he was just 17 years of age. Terry was very impressed with his father's cases at that time. His father was an Assistant District Attorney and Terry shadowed him whenever possible. However, a party where Terry served as a last-minute fill in as a bartender resulted in a murder case his father tried.
His father lost that case and so much more. Terry has found something while in the Hamptons for his brother's wedding that bring up events from all those years ago. That murder trial took everything away from his family and Terry, is now a Philadelphia cop, posing as a journalist, just might be able to right the wrongs of the past. As Terry leaves no stone unturned he starts to ruffle quite a few feathers.
In this compelling read by Ledwidge Terry does what he can to try and identify the truth about the old case. In fact, the deeper he digs, the more he discovers. This book is delightfully fast-paced and is full of suspense and also has some terrific surprises, all culminating in an exciting conclusion.
Many thanks to Hanover Square Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
His father lost that case and so much more. Terry has found something while in the Hamptons for his brother's wedding that bring up events from all those years ago. That murder trial took everything away from his family and Terry, is now a Philadelphia cop, posing as a journalist, just might be able to right the wrongs of the past. As Terry leaves no stone unturned he starts to ruffle quite a few feathers.
In this compelling read by Ledwidge Terry does what he can to try and identify the truth about the old case. In fact, the deeper he digs, the more he discovers. This book is delightfully fast-paced and is full of suspense and also has some terrific surprises, all culminating in an exciting conclusion.
Many thanks to Hanover Square Press and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
alicewonders's review against another edition
3.0
I mean, this was engaging, but literally there are 15-20 corrupt cops in this book. TWENTY! That’s 100% too many corrupt cops.