This is a well-constructed story which comes to a slow boil. There is a large cast of characters who are each introduced in their own separate chapter; and the tricky technique of moving backwards and forwards in time which, although I don’t usually like, works beautifully here. It’s all quite innocuous until it’s not and it suddenly becomes a nail biting page turner.
The action takes place mainly in a backpackers’ hostel in Venice Beach, Los Angeles and the subjects of this story are American, English, Irish and Australian. Flashbacks slowly reveal their lives before they came to Venice Beach and their reasons for being there. Issues of love, hate, obsession, friendship, betrayal and a murder or two are all part of the story. The twists and turns are very clever and I for one got a few surprises which made for a most enjoyable read.
John Marrs has written another book, The One, which was bought by Netflix and became a miniseries. I can definitely see that happening with The Vacation as well!
Published by Macmillan
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