Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Montauk” by Nicola Harrison, St. Martin’s Press, June 4, 2019

Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews “Montauk” by Nicola Harrison, St. Martin’s Press, June 4, 2019

Nicola Harrison, Author of “Montauk” has written an intense, suspenseful, thought-provoking, intriguing, emotional and captivating novel. The Genres for this novel are Domestic Fiction, Fiction, Women’s Fiction with a touch of Suspense thrown in. The timeline for this story is 1938 in Montauk. I love the author’s vivid description of the beach and sandy shore, and the cool beautiful water, and the lighthouse. The author describes the wealthy opulent hotel contrasted with the shacks that local residents live in. There is a contrast between the tourist and resident, and the rich and poor. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. Some of her characters are prejudiced and dysfunctional.

Beatrice Bordeau and her husband are spending their summer in Montauk, hopefully improving their marriage. That is Beatrice’s hope, only to find that her husband will be working mostly in the city and she is spending time with the other wives in Montauk. Beatrice comes from a simpler life and is not comfortable with the wives that flaunt their wealth, clothing, jewelry and mannerisms.

Beatrice feels more comfortable with the domestic help from the hotel and loves to see the fishing village and people. Beatrice is drawn to the beautiful lighthouse and views. Beatrice becomes friends with some of these people.

Things are not what they seem in Beatrice’s husband’s circle of friends. There are betrayals and threats.  Some of the women are bullies.

Beatrice finds herself getting more involved with the resident’s and community problems and people.  Only, Beatrice doesn’t realize the danger that she is in. I would highly recommend this thought-provoking novel. Be warned there are some Kleenex moments.