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A review by mapetiteliseuse
The Vacation by John Marrs
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
At the centre of this book is a hostel in LA, and group of travelers who have lots to learn about themselves and each other as they all embark on their own version of a “fresh start”
It sounds like a classic “murder mystery” which is exactly what I predicted but was very wrong. The “sun, sea, sex and murder” tag line on the cover sets an inaccurate tone in my opinion, and cheapens the writing. There’s a lot more to this.
The story very subtly but naturally centres on Tommy and Nicole, who find the hostel a central point in their lives for different reasons. They take the lead in shaping the plot as it unfolds from multiple perspectives (not something I often enjoy) as they meet other guests.
There are lots of surprises and minimal predictably which was really refreshing in a thriller.
Although Tommy and Nicole feature heavily in the plot in the present, we learn a lot about their pasts and the past of other hostel residents - which binds together the action into a real page turner.
This isn’t your average “who dunnit” and quite atypical of a thriller, features no crime/police procedural narrative which for me was really refreshing.
In hindsight I don’t like the title*, I think it creates a false idea of the book that could deter people (made me think “summer holiday who dunnit”) but it’s actually quite deep in parts with emotion as well as action - touching on themes of friendship, loyalty and loss.
A lot happens. Sometimes the action is so crammed into a book that it loses credibility and substance, but that didn’t happen here. The twists are plentiful and for me, happened without me anticipating them.
I found it to be unique in both setting and plot; with real character diversity on too
If you’ve enjoyed books like “I know you” (Clare McGowan) then this will be a great next read for you.
*Interestingly I’ve since discovered the book was previously titled “welcome to wherever you are” - I much prefer this.
It sounds like a classic “murder mystery” which is exactly what I predicted but was very wrong. The “sun, sea, sex and murder” tag line on the cover sets an inaccurate tone in my opinion, and cheapens the writing. There’s a lot more to this.
The story very subtly but naturally centres on Tommy and Nicole, who find the hostel a central point in their lives for different reasons. They take the lead in shaping the plot as it unfolds from multiple perspectives (not something I often enjoy) as they meet other guests.
There are lots of surprises and minimal predictably which was really refreshing in a thriller.
Although Tommy and Nicole feature heavily in the plot in the present, we learn a lot about their pasts and the past of other hostel residents - which binds together the action into a real page turner.
This isn’t your average “who dunnit” and quite atypical of a thriller, features no crime/police procedural narrative which for me was really refreshing.
In hindsight I don’t like the title*, I think it creates a false idea of the book that could deter people (made me think “summer holiday who dunnit”) but it’s actually quite deep in parts with emotion as well as action - touching on themes of friendship, loyalty and loss.
A lot happens. Sometimes the action is so crammed into a book that it loses credibility and substance, but that didn’t happen here. The twists are plentiful and for me, happened without me anticipating them.
I found it to be unique in both setting and plot; with real character diversity on too
If you’ve enjoyed books like “I know you” (Clare McGowan) then this will be a great next read for you.
*Interestingly I’ve since discovered the book was previously titled “welcome to wherever you are” - I much prefer this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
At the centre of this book is a hostel in LA, and group of travelers who have lots to learn about themselves and each other as they all embark on their own version of a “fresh start”
It sounds like a classic “murder mystery” which is exactly what I predicted but was very wrong. The “sun, sea, sex and murder” tag line on the cover sets an inaccurate tone in my opinion, and cheapens the writing. There’s a lot more to this.
The story very subtly but naturally centres on Tommy and Nicole, who find the hostel a central point in their lives for different reasons. They take the lead in shaping the plot as it unfolds from multiple perspectives (not something I often enjoy) as they meet other guests.
There are lots of surprises and minimal predictably which was really refreshing in a thriller.
Although Tommy and Nicole feature heavily in the plot in the present, we learn a lot about their pasts and the past of other hostel residents - which binds together the action into a real page turner.
This isn’t your average “who dunnit” and quite atypical of a thriller, features no crime/police procedural narrative which for me was really refreshing.
In hindsight I don’t like the title*, I think it creates a false idea of the book that could deter people (made me think “summer holiday who dunnit”) but it’s actually quite deep in parts with emotion as well as action - touching on themes of friendship, loyalty and loss.
A lot happens. Sometimes the action is so crammed into a book that it loses credibility and substance, but that didn’t happen here. The twists are plentiful and for me, happened without me anticipating them.
I found it to be unique in both setting and plot; with real character diversity on too
If you’ve enjoyed books like “I know you” (Clare McGowan) then this will be a great next read for you.
*Interestingly I’ve since discovered the book was previously titled “welcome to wherever you are” - I much prefer this.