Summer, 2000. In the tranquil town of Queen’s Point in southern Australia, the Whitlam family marks the end of every season with a lavish party in their clifftop mansion. Here, clutching her first glass of real champagne, the summer breeze intoxicating on her skin, sixteen-year-old Lucy Ross is kissed for the very first time. And then, in the shadows of the rose garden, she sees something she shouldn’t.
Winter, 2019. After two decades of silence, Lucy is back in Queen’s Point. She hasn’t planned on staying long. But when human remains wash up on the freezing beach, the police close the town. Unable to leave, Lucy is forced to rekindle old friendships – and examine old truths – she has long ago tried to forget. As long-buried secrets start to surface, Lucy must decide. Will she confront the past and tell the truth? Or will she still do anything to protect the people she loves?
A glamorous, escapist psychological thriller set in Australia, perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, A.A. Torre and Adele Parks.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
Fantastic book, couldn’t put it down, but didn’t want it to finish. Easy to read but not one where you could guess what was happening the whole way through. Thoroughly enjoyed it!! Amanda, SA, 5 Stars
I absolutely loved reading The Summer Party. It’s a perfect book to read over the great Australian Summer holiday period. However, as I have not had time off from work, it’s been making me late to get to sleep at night as I couldn’t put it down. I have even been bringing the book to work with me to read on my lunch breaks. I can’t get enough. Rebecca Heath is an incredible author. She has crafted great characters, and developed twists and turns in the plot. The descriptions almost made me feel as if I was there, sneaking a peek at a different family and the way they live their lives and their hidden secrets. I can’t wait to share this book with my friends and it comes highly recommended from me. Emma, VIC, 5 Stars
I couldn’t put this book down. It hooked me from the first chapter. A young girl enthralled with a wealthy family she meets on a trip to her grandmother’s home one summer. The wealthy family hiding a terrible secret. The clues that led me to believe I knew ”whodunit”. Then another clue that sent me in a different direction. Masterful writing. I loved Lucy’s character. Always yearning to be a part of the seemingly golden family and aiming in her adulthood to become just like the successful mother. I want to know more about Lucy now the story is told. And to me that’s the sign of a brilliant book. Lynda, SA, 5 Stars
The Summer Party is a great read, with something for everyone – teenage romance, adult infatuation, murder, mystery and a truly awful mother. The location, a remote beachside town in country South Australia, feels real and the dialogue is easy to read. The ‘cast’ covers all the characters you would likely meet in such a town, and they are all (mostly!) believable, including those no longer with us. I found the plot a little too complex, maybe even contrived, but the ending wrapped it up nicely and explained away my misgivings. And, to me, Lucy is just a tad too enraptured with the Whitlams, not quite what you would expect. Some intriguing ‘side plots’ – the car accident and ‘what happened at the presentation’ – add to the mystery. Highly recommended. Victoria, NSW, 5 Stars
This story has a slow burn until you reach the point where you just cannot stop reading. Told over two timelines, 16 Year old Lucy desperately wants to be part of the perfect family the Whitlam’s. Staying with her Nan who works for the Whitlam’s, Lucy ignores all the warnings her Nan gives her and slowly gets to know Mae, Harry and Annabelle and their life of wealth ignoring the sinister undercurrents that her Nan alludes to. Twenty years later Lucy is back, this time to clear out the cottage of her recently deceased Nan and she again becomes seduced by the Whitlam family and their hold on her. The events of the Summer Party begin to be replayed through Lucy’s hazy memories and she slowly begins to realise how involved she and her Nan were in the devastating secrets the Whitlam family are involved in. Lucy begins to question her desire to want to be a part of this perfect family, but the past and her obsession with the Whitlam’s are hard to reconcile. The twists of this story keep you guessing until the last page. A great read from this debut author, looking forward to what’s next. Rita, WA, 5 Stars
I feel so honoured to preview debut author Rebecca Heath’s The Summer Party. This book is a banger. It is un-putdownable. It’s devastating, it’s full of secrets and a murder mystery of the rich set. The Whitlam family dynasty was perfectly summed up as scheming and problematic. The writing style on point for ease of reading at the beach or snuggled up in bed. Lucy is one of my favourite characters. I feel like she was a friend that I want to check in with but stay far away from her dilemma! It was that good! Preeya, QLD, 5 Stars
I loved all the characters in this book, they blended together so well. This story grabbed me from the first page so I knew I was in for a treat. Love that it was set in Australia, makes me relate to the characters. Was a little bit “busy” at times, but it needed the business for the storyline. Kept me in suspense till the end. The main character, Lucy, explains the awkwardness of being a teenager and then how she becomes the woman moulded by her experiences. Jen, NSW, 5 Stars
Great book, had me gripped from the first page. What a read. Jessica, NSW, 5 Stars
The novel is a Mystery/Thriller about a murder that happened back in 2000 set on the Yorke Peninsula here in South Australia. Lucy was just 16 and visiting her Nan when she’s invited to a summer party hosted by her Nan’s very wealthy neighbours. Lucy got to know the neighbours after meeting one of the Daughters Anabelle at the movies and hanging out at the beach. She also has a crush on Anabelles Brother Harry and is envious of the families lifestyle. The story alternates between the year 2000 leading up to and including the events that happen at the party and the present 2019. There are twists and secrets revealed later in the book that really had me turning the pages to find out who the murderer was. As a debut novel by Rebecca Heath, I hope to read more! Thanks to Better Reading for the advanced copy. Nicola, SA, 4 Stars
It is always enjoyable discovering new local authors and Rebecca Heath’s psychological thriller The Summer Party does not disappoint. This page turning whodunit keeps you guessing till the very end as slowly the family dynamics of the Whitlam family unravel through the eyes of Lucy Ross. Brooke Whitlam is the matriarch of the Whitlam clan. As head of a wealthy and entitled family, this formidable woman has managed to alienate most of her family, friends and staff. So when her body part is discovered there are a myriad of potential suspects. Lucy Ross has returned to the town to deal with her grandmother’s estate. Somehow, she is once again lured back into the Whitlam web of lies and deceit. She finally starts to see the cracks in a family she once admired and had aspired to be just like them. This book is thoroughly enjoyable particularly as Lucy’s character is also fallible as she uncovers the truths about this family and herself. It will keep you guessing to the very end. Vivian, SA, 4 Stars
After many years Lucy returns to her grandmother’s cottage for the sad task of cleaning it out after her passing. There are things she would rather forget but the events of the past are soon catching up. Secrets, friendships and a body…What really happened in the Summer 2000? We get two time lines and multiple points of view which took me a while to get my head around but once I got going I was curious to know more. If you are looking for an Australian summer thriller, you might want to look for Rebecca Heath and her debut novel. Sabina, NSW, 4 Stars
An atmospheric and notably well written story revolving around an entitled family and a murder in the year 2000. Adelaide beaches, a small community and a wealthy family are the topic of this debut, told in chapters alternating between present times and that of the murder. The town appears tranquil, but the goings on are far from that. Beautiful beaches opposing fractured individuals; the grief and unhappiness creates an edgy vibe where the lovely Australian seaside cannot win over the tortured and entitled wealthy Whitlam family. Many people suffer in the wake of this trouble, and many of these are innocents. This story will want to be read quickly; the reader needing to know what is going on with these flawed souls! These troubled people are as murky as the waters surrounding the family mansion – I hope you are intrigued! Rylee, NSW, 4 Stars
We love a good old whodunnit with some Aussie flavour, mysterious characters with hidden agendas and spot on descriptions of our natural beauty and The Summer Party delivers in spades! Jumping between the past and the present; the book builds from Lucy’s arrival in a coastal town to pack up her beloved Nan’s home after her death. Running away from some troubles of her own, to a town jam-packed with plenty of issues – including the discovery of a dead body – brings back memories of a party held when she was a teen and the Whitlam family who seems to have it all – and are hiding plenty more. Cleverly written, the answers aren’t easy to predict, the prose rolls one chapter into the next smoothly and is a thinking woman’s beach read. Highly recommend this book to fans of Aussie mystery writers – you won’t be disappointed. Alex, SA, 4 Stars
This is a debut novel and it kept my attention right through. The story revolves around Lucy Ross who holidayed in Queens Point in South Australia, with her Grandmother the summer of 2000 and she has now in the year 2019 returned to clear out her Grandmothers house and ready it for sale. Days after she arrived a woman’s foot if washed up on the beach and the police close the town as they begin to investigate whose foot. A wealthy family The Whitlam’s live in a huge mansion over looking the village. Each summer they hold a huge party but in the summer of 2000 Brooke Whitlam wife of the owner , disappeared during the party and had not been heard from since. As speculation runs rife about the body part and if it could possible be Brookes the story takes us back and forth between 2000 and 2019 . Many twists and curves and Lucy begins to wonder why she is so caught up in this. Secrets come out, relationships are exposed and there is mystery and intrigue right through the story. I felt the chapters set in 2000 dragged a wee bit and towards the end I skip, read them. Thank you to @Better Reading for the opportunity to preview this book. Lyndsay, QLD, 4 Stars
I enjoyed The Summer Party by Rebecca Heath. The characters were relatable and the pace was good. I enjoyed the twists that a good thriller provides. All is not what it seems and that became very clear as the story progressed and even after the discovery of the killer there was another twist. A thoroughly enjoyable Australian thriller. Alice, NSW, 4 Stars
This was an interesting murder mystery set in beautiful town of Queen’s Point in South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula. Our main character is Lucy who is returning to her grandmother’s home 19 years after a summer spend there when she was 16 years old and befriended by the glamorous, rich and powerful Whitlam family. The story follows Lucy and the Whitlams in the present and the Summer of 2000 which made the story interesting as pieces of the puzzle slotted together to form the full picture as the story develops. At the start of the story Lucy reads a newspaper article a shoe is found on Queen’s Point beach and ‘may contain human remains’ could it be true and if so, who has died and how? Debra, NSW, 4 Stars
This was a fast paced novel with plenty of twists and turns. I found I couldn’t put it down and it had me guessing right to the end! Nicky, NSW, 4 Stars
Well this one had me guessing wrong right till the end! Even when it appeared all the answers had been given there was another turn. Lucy arrives at the small South Australian coastal town of Queens Point to clear out her grandmothers cottage. She hasn’t been there since January 2000, when as a teenager she came to stay. It’s in the shadow of the local rich family’s house above the cliffs. Lucy as a teenager became obsessed with the Whitlams, who appeared to be the perfect family and she makes friends with Anabelle, adores Harry and admires their older sister Mae. It is of course, a facade and even though Lucy’s grandmother warns her she continues her idolisation and wishes she herself had their wealth and possessions. So what happened at the summer party in 2000 and how did the body of Brooke Whitlam, the family matriarch suddenly turn up buried on the beach? The story is told in two timelines, the present and in the days leading up to the party in 2000. Lucy is a frustrating lead character, she makes some terrible decisions and lacks self confidence even at 35 when you’d think the reality of her childish adoration would’ve worn off. This is definitely an enjoyable thriller and I sped through it. Janelle, NSW, 4 Stars
Lucy returns to the atmospheric Queens Point where she spent a single summer entwined with the glamorous Whitlam family. When a body is discovered, she is forced to contend with the secrets she’s kept since the night of a lavish party at the Whitlam’s mansion nineteen years ago. A taut, well-paced debut thriller that delivers twists and turns amid glamour, wealth and family secrets. Leearna, VIC, 4 Stars
The Summer Party was a great book, it kept me guessing right to the end. A story about relationships, family, friends, murder, mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Michelle, VIC, 4 Stars
🌿 Book Review 🌿 The Summer Party by Rebecca Heath This thriller had me guessing right to the very end. Set in a small costal town in South Australia the story follows Lucy and her (bizarre) obsession with the wealthy Whitlam family. Lucy spent one summer in this town at age 17 and befriend the three siblings in this family. The summer spent interacting with the siblings and family led to a lifelong obsession to emulate the matriarch of the family and amass wealth and status. Lucy is drawn back to the town twenty years later to pack up her Nan’s house that she lived in during the fateful summer. During Lucy’s visit the secrets of the not so perfect Whitlam family emerge with the death of their matriarch revealed and Lucy is entangled in their attempts to maintain the facade of perfection. I found this a decent summer time read. It was a fairly quick read, although a few parts could have been left out. Overall I was left feeling satisfied with the ending. Suspenseful in all the right places! Laura, QLD, 3 Stars
The Summer Party – a perfect family. A devastating secret. Lucy a 16 year old girl gets sent to stay with her grandmother for the summer where she meets and becomes entranced/attached to the local rich kid family. She wants to be just like them! Summer fun, parties and murder! What more could you get it one summer. Although this book was really good and kept me wanting to know what happened at times it was slow and at times confusing trying to keep up with what was happening. However it did keep me guessing to the very end who actually killed Mrs Whitlam. Was it her family or someone else? You’ll just have to read to find out! I’d give this book a 3/5. Thanks better reading preview for the opportunity to read this book! Amy, ACT, 3 Stars
“The Summer Party” by Rebecca Heath is a whodunit murder mystery full of twists, turns and intrigue. A little slow to start, it improved with each chapter. Set in the quiet coastal town of Queen’s Point, South Australia, the story centres around the shock murder of one of the towns most renowned and glamorous figures. Main character Lucy Ross spends a memorable summer of 2000 in Queen’s Point becoming acquainted with the seemingly perfect Whitlam family who occupy the extravagant white clifftop mansion. It’s some twenty years later that she returns on family business, a shoe is found that contains human remains, and everyone becomes a suspect. The novel switches between two timelines, present day and another counting down to the all important Summer Party in January 2000. I enjoyed the mystery of the story, but some of the characters had quite irksome qualities. Lucy’s dog Hades does steal the limelight on a few occasions, as quite the loyal, protective companion. I would recommend this to fans of crime thrillers and I’m interested to see what Rebecca Heath releases in the future. Rory, NSW, 3 Stars
“The Summer Party” is a dazzling Australian thriller that flits between two decades where secrets become uncovered. Lilly Ross returns to Queens Point in the winter of 2019 when a foot is washed up on the beach. The last time she was there was as a coming of age 16 year old staying with her name and becoming enthralled with the glamorous Whitlam family -two decades on it is friendships and secrets she would rather not face. For those who love escaping into a psychological thriller this book is for you. Jennifer, QLD, 3 Stars
Thank you to Better Reading Preview and Bloomsbury Publishing for my limited edition proof. This book is written with two timelines. Present day, winter 2019 and January 2000 which does a countdown of days before the party where an incident happens. Set in the coastal town of Queens Point, South Australia and mainly involves the super rich Whitlam family of Mae, Anabelle and Harry and the main character Lucy Ross. Lucy moves temporarily back into her deceased grandmother’s cottage to clean out her possessions and a body is discovered soon afterwards. There are plenty of suspects for the murder of the person who I won’t disclose so as to not ruin the story. Each person has a good reason for killing the person and I kept changing my mind and never guessed the killer. Well written and kept me turning the pages wanting to find out who was murdered, who the killer was and which love interest Lucy ends up with. Tracy, WA, 3.5 Stars
I was intrigued with Lucy’s character straight away and the mystery and compelling writing to this story, it did seem a bit out of reach that so many did not know the mother Brooke was missing for 19 years and her body is suddenly discovered but it worked! There was actually a lot of detail to the final twists and I really enjoyed it. Multiple times I thought I guessed some scenarios right but I was a bit off in the end, having a lot of people with motives made it very unpredictable. I really enjoyed Hades character (The Dog) Jake and Lucy were definitely my favourite and I wish the ending for them was better. I was also glad Lucy and her step daughter improved their relationship. Madison, SA, 3 Stars
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In the novel set in Winter, 2019, what compels Lucy to return to Queen’s Point after two decades of silence? How does the discovery of human remains on the beach affect her plans, and what challenges does she face in rekindling old friendships and confronting long-buried secrets? How does Lucy navigate the choice between telling the truth and protecting the people she loves?
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