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4.0 

The Beach

By Lorna Dounaeva
The Beach by Lorna Dounaeva digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

You thought you were keeping them safe. You let the evil in...

My heart twists as I watch my teenagers, Willow and Josh, head off on their first holiday without me. They're spreading their wings, venturing into the world, and I feel a mix of pride and anxiety. Choosing a quiet resort in Bulgaria seems like a safe bet, but I can't shake the worry gnawing at my gut.

Then, like a beacon of hope, I stumble upon Kelly's ad. An English woman of my own age is offering to discretely watch over them for a fee. It's a lifeline, a way to ease my frazzled nerves. So I accept, clinging to the reassurance it offers.
Kelly's updates paint a picture of blissful normalcy. I relax, trusting that my children are safe and sound. Little do I know, they're facing dangers they're too proud to confess.


Then a phone call in the middle of the night shatters the illusion. With desperation fuelling every heartbeat, I drive to the airport, praying it's not too late. As I wait for my plane, I research the woman I hired to watch my children. Panic grips me as I delve into Kelly's past and discover the horrifying truth. There is more to Kelly's offer than I ever could have imagined.
What the hell have I done?

Lorna Dounaeva's works include The Wife's Mistake and The Perfect Housemate. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers like 'Girl on The Train' and 'Gone Girl,' you won't want to miss these thrilling reads. Recommended for fans of K.L Slater, Shari Lapena and Freida McFadden.

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4 Reviews

4.0
“The Beach by Lorna Dounaeva is a quick and easy read packed with twists and turns. The story follows Willow, a teenager whose vacation with friends takes a dark turn. The suspense builds as the group uncovers secrets and faces tension. While the book keeps you guessing with its unpredictable plot, the ending may feel a bit flat compared to the buildup. Despite this, it remains an engaging thriller that kept me reading until the end.”
“Wow!!!! Mind is blown. I had absolutely no idea who did what in this book. She nailed it. 5 stars all day long.”
“3.5* rounded up Siblings Willow and Josh head off on their first holiday without parents for Josh's 18th birthday. They go to Bulgaria with some friends, expecting it to be amazing and enjoying their freedom. Once they get there, though, strange things start happening, and some of their friends end up hurt. When Josh goes missing, Willow is sure that he's been kidnapped by whoever she has felt watching her the whole time. She's determined to find her brother and bring him home. I have been a little unsure how I felt about this one. It started off fairly slow, and even with the odd accident happening, it was just them on holiday. It wasn't until they discovered Josh was missing that things started to pick up a little. And that was great. Sort of. Some of the things that happened just seemed a little too far-fetched. The last few chapters pulled all the story together and explained everything. But then it ended the way it did, and it left me feeling a little annoyed. However, props to the author for not giving any clues as to what had really happened. I certainly did not see any of it coming.”

About Lorna Dounaeva

Lorna Dounaeva is a quirky British crime writer who once challenged a Flamenco troupe to a dance-off. She is a politics graduate and worked for the British Home Office for a number of years, before turning to crime fiction. She loves books and films with strong female characters and her influences include Single White Female and Sleeping with the Enemy. She lives in Surrey, England with her husband and their 2.5 children, who keep her busy wiping food off the ceiling and removing mints from USB sockets.

You can follow her @LornaDounaeva on Twitter or at www.lornadounaeva.com

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