"A Stranger on the Beach"

“A Stranger on the Beach”

Written by Michele Campbell

Review written by Diana Iozzia

So, I have a lot to say about this book, but I think the first thing that I have to say about it is that if you’re not into reading about sex, rape, strange violence, victim blaming, obsession, unreliable narrators, confusing and conflicting perspectives, and unsettled conclusions, then I’m not quite sure this book is for you. I am not really sure for which type of reader this thriller is for, because it is so unbelievably confusing and muddled, but in a really good way? This is a really hard book to gauge, but I enjoyed it.

To start with, we meet Caroline, who is a very conceited, frazzled, and downright shady woman, struggling with the collapse of her marriage. Then, we meet Aidan, a super-sexy (I guess) madman who obsesses over Caroline after they have a weird, one-night-stand. Then, we have the dual perspectives of Caroline narrating her story, while we have an impersonal omniscient narrator telling us about Aidan. This type of narration style already makes us question: so, is Caroline’s side of the story trustworthy? Who should we believe?

As soon as we begin the book, we are launched into this scandalous (and really gross) one-night-stand. I’ve never been a fan of sex crudely described in books, but this really detracted my interest. As the narratives continue to provide details for us, we see how events experienced by the same characters are told to us differently. Aidan’s perspective makes him seem protective and caring for Caroline and her daughter, wanting to protect her from her horrible and possibly threatening husband. Meanwhile, Caroline tells us how Aidan is manipulative and crazy, trying to rape her and abuse her, while being a severe threat to her family and her. I think based on experience, beliefs, and morals, readers will sympathize with either character, perhaps both sometimes. I felt myself trusting Aidan more, because Caroline’s perspective was told to us by her. I wondered if she was an unreliable narrator throughout the story.

To continue, I felt that this was a highly engaging and gripping book. I really did not want to put it down. It really reminded me of “You” by Caroline Kepnes, with us possibly sympathizing with the villain. Or I did, at least. I felt that this book had great descriptions, dialogue, side characters, and more. I felt that when reading Michele Campbell’s second book, “She Was the Quiet One”, the narrative styles were similar. You can never be sure who to trust and when to trust them. The trust shifts back and forth after every plot reveal and encounter.

In conclusion, we have a satisfying ending, but we also are highly confused. Are we right? Were we wrong? Who should be punished?

I received a complimentary advance reader’s copy from St. Martin’s Press for reading and reviewing purposes.