Thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This was another summer page-turner from Mary Kay Andrews. It starts out by introducing one character after another, and at first, I couldn’t see where the story was going. But suddenly it was all about the layers of relationships, a long-ago drowning accident, questions, secrets, and scandals. I couldn’t put it down.

The story takes place at “The Saint,” an upscale resort officially known as “St. Cecillia,” located on the Georgia coast. Family-owned and operated, the hotel is in the midst of financial troubles and staff shortages. The newest staff members, fans of true-life murder podcasts, begin investigating a suspicious death as well as questionable product issues on the hotel property. The plot thickens and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Andrews offers clues, twists, and suspense, a variety of bad guys and dangerous situations as well as revealing secrets from over 20 years ago. All the puzzle pieces fit together by the last page, and there’s even a nice bit of romance, too.

This is a summer mystery/thriller that’s a perfect beach read. ( )

Who wouldn’t want to be a guest at the Saint?

The exclusive resort was only affordable to the rich, but the next best thing would be to work there.

But was it the best place to work?

Traci worked there in the summers as a teenager, met the owner’s son, married him, and is now running the place since her husband was killed in an airplane accident.

It all sounds wonderful, but things happened when Traci was a teenager and things are happening now.

Murder, mystery, great characters, behind-the-scenes scams, cunning characters, but all of it wrapped up for another wonderful, can't-put-down read by Mary Kay Andrews.

Don’t forget to pack this in your beach bag or even for reading on your back porch.

You won't want to miss it.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ( )

Mary Kay Andrews has done it again with Summers at the Saint. This is a beach read with some teeth in it. It has everything: the beautiful coast of Georgia, the luxurious landmark hotel and the other side of that beauty and luxury that holds secrets and scandal.

There are the “Saints” and the Ain’ts” and rarely does anyone cross over . Traci Eddings did, she married the love of her life, and now widowed runs the St. Cecelia resort, “the Saint.” Life is okay although she still misses her late husband so much, but financial worries, staff shortages and seemingly constant confrontation with her in-laws are a challenge.

Summers at the Saint is intense, peeking under the beauty and luxury to show just what greed, avarice and pure evil can lead to, including murder. Author Andrews also gives the reader that little glimpse at “what if” that even though you’re reading at breakneck speed and totally engrossed allows you to sit back a bit, too, and hope for some love and happiness.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of Summers at the Saint via NetGalley. Each and every book by Mary Kay Andrews goes right to the top of my TBR list and this was no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it without hesitation. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. ( )

Traci Eddings was an “ain’t” but she married into The Saint. Then her husband was tragically killed in a plane crash. This left Traci running the St Cecelia, a resort on the coast of Georgia. Now, strange things are happening and her niece has been killed. Traci is not going down without a fight.

Talk about great characters! This book is full of them. And some of them I want to beat with a muddy stick!

Then there are all the plot twists! You have family drama, assault, murder and theft, all in one novel! Everyone needs to start their summer with Mary Kay Andrews! You will not be sorry!

The narrator is Kathleen McInerney. She narrates all of MKA books and she does a fantastic job!

Need a fabulous book to take to the beach or to just read wherever…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )

THE SAINTS & THE AINT’S

Mary Kay Andrews offers readers a look into the St. Cecelia, a landmark hotel on the coast of Georgia. For those fortunate to grow up going there, they were “the Saints.” Those from the wrong side of the river were known as “an Ain’t.” Andrews’ main character, Traci, was from the wrong side but found a job there one summer and found the love of her life. He happened to be the grandson of the founder of The Saint. They were happily married and were in the process of bringing The Saint back to its Glory Days when he died unexpectedly. Traci finds herself widowed and left with a monumental task ahead of her, particularly since she has to deal with her unscrupulous brother-in-law at every step. Traci is always looking for quality help and hires a super young woman who turns out to be her former best friend’s daughter and reignites a hotbed of emotions. They have been on the outs since the summer they worked at The Saint.

Andrews has invented a lively cast of characters for this novel. The Saint requires summer help, and Traci decides to hire a group of young adults and provide them with a lodge. Andrews could have written an entire book on that! They do provide help, but the young people are also running their own game behind the scenes.

As the rebuilding continues, Traci realizes some things are not adding up. Money is going out rapidly for what they are getting in return. She knows who is behind it, but can she prove it? And a mystery man shows up in town asking questions about something from the past. Is he there to ruin The Saint or finally solve what happened that fateful day that changed so many lives? What other mysteries might he solve?

I enjoyed the plot of this novel. Andrews exhibits the way the “haves” treat the “have-nots” no matter where they are in the world. It is a story of how one woman knew what it was like to cross from one world into another, and she never forgot. She wanted to help others be the best they could be. The one thing I did not like about this novel was the language. It was unnecessary.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence. ( )