Mary Kay Andrews Newest Book- The Weekenders Review
Description of books from Goodreads- “Some people stay all summer long on the idyllic island of Belle Isle, North Carolina. Others come only for the weekends-and the mix between the regulars and “the weekenders” can sometimes make the sparks fly. Riley Griggs has a season of good times with friends and family ahead of her on Belle Isle when things take an unexpected turn. While waiting for her husband to arrive on the ferry one Friday afternoon, Riley is confronted by a process server who thrusts papers into her hand. And her husband is nowhere to be found.
So she turns to her island friends for help and support, but it turns out that each of them has their own secrets, and the clock is ticking as the mystery deepens…in a murderous way. Cocktail parties 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.
Told with Mary Kay Andrews’ trademark blend of humor and warmth, and with characters and a setting that you can’t help but fall for, The Weekenders is the perfect summer escape.”
MY Review- This is my third book to read by Mary Kay Andrews. I must say, so for it’s my favorite. As you can read from the description above this book involves a little mystery, drama and fabulous Southern characters that feel as real as your next door neighbor, except with a little more sophistication and verve.
Imagine waiting one weekend for your husband to arrive at a boat dock and instead you find out he’s missing? Imagine also finding out in the same day that your beautiful home that you thought you owned was now in foreclosure? Riley, the main character is a Southern wife/mother that has lived the ‘good life’ of finer things thanks to her husband’s career, which it seems Riley really knows very little about. On top of her missing husband and foreclosure on her beloved island home, her twelve year old daughter was recently diagnosed with diabetes type 2. Matters only continue to become worse when you find out that Riley’s husband was actually murdered.
What kept me reading- Mary Kay Andrews writes real and tangible characters that come to life in your mind and take over the book for you. You actually forget you are reading the book. Of course lots of writers achieve this. But Mary Kay does it from the first paragraph. Usually it takes me a little bit to get cozy and adjust to forgetting I am reading and just letting the story come to life. I have other favorite authors that have the ability to snag your attention immediately, but that’s for another day and another blog. What kept me reading was my love for the main character. I cared about her outcome and I felt deeply interested in finding out what happens next.
My thoughts on main character Riley Griggs-I was first surprised by her reaction to her husband missing and other mishaps…she took it all so well…just like a true Southern Lady. That’s when I remembered this was the South and manners and holding together appearances are part of South’s wonderful character traits. I think this was built in to Riley’s character and I immediately liked it. I found her quirky, a little checked out, entertaining and endearing. Her ability to hold it together while her world kept crumbling beneath her, read in a comical fun manner even though the circumstances were grim.
THE ENDING- As a reader I felt satisfied with The Weekenders ending. Sometimes a book can let you down with what the mystery ends up being if it feels unbelievable or too shocking. The murder was wrapped up in a believable way, as well as other secrets that came to light for Riley. In some ways, I felt happier for her in the end to be free from this man that had been deceiving their beautiful family with lies.
Summer read? The answer is Yes! I loved it. Grab this one for sure this summer. You don’t want to miss it.
