Letty and Tanya were both drawn from small-town life to big-city life. What do you think attracts people to cities? Do you think that feeling has changed over the course of the past few years? Which appeals more to you? Has that changed over time? As anyone who knows me knows, I absolutely LOVE Mary Kay Andrews and have faithfully read every book she's ever written since the early 90s! MKA never fails to write the perfect summer/beach read and The Newcomer is no exception. This is the perfect blend of mystery, murder, secrets, family drama, and a little romance, all set in a perfect southern summer setting.

Letty drove to The Murmuring Surf Motel and made it her home, but would she be able to hide in this welcoming place forever? Enjoyed it but it did not leave a lasting impression. I think this would work nicely as a beach read.Tanya told her sister Letty if something happened to her to take her child and run and to not forget the stash of cash. Tanya didn't want Evan to take their daughter. The Surf, as regulars call it, is the winter home of a close-knit but quarrelsome group of retirees and snowbirds who regard this newcomer and her adorable niece with suspicion and more than a little curiosity. There’s a No Vacancy sign swinging from the neon motel marquee, but the motel’s longtime owner Ava DeCurtis takes Letty in, offers her a room and eventually a job, much to the disapproval of Ava’s cynical son Joe, a local police detective whose every instinct tells him that Letty is a dangerous fugitive, possibly even a kidnapper and murderer. After she discovers her sister Tanya dead on the floor of her fashionable New York City townhouse, Letty Carnahan is certain she knows who did Tanya’s ex; sleazy real estate entrepreneur Evan Wingfield. Even in the grip of grief and panic Letty heeds her late sister’s “If anything bad happens to me―it’s Evan. Promise me you’ll take Maya and run. Promise me.”

Letty can’t forget her sister Tara’s insistence: “if anything bad ever happens to me–It’s Eli. Promise me you’ll take Maya and run. Promise me.” I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE NEWCOMER on 5/04/2021! Sun, sand, and a scintillating plot with hugely likeable characters make this the perfect summer read.”

Summers almost here! If you’re looking for a fantastic summertime book this is it. This is such a delightful beach read centering around feisty heroine, Letty, and her adorable 4-year-old niece Maya, and the mystery surrounding the death of Letty’s sister, Tanya.