Description: When ninety-nine-year-old heiress Josephine Bettendorf Warrick summons attorney Brooke Trappnell to her 20,000 acre barrier island home, Brooke is puzzled. Everybody in the South has heard about the eccentric millionaire mistress of Talisa, but Brooke has never actually met her. Josephine’s cryptic note says she wants to discuss an important legal matter, but why enlist Brooke and not the prestigious Atlanta law firm she has used for years? Brooke travels to Shellhaven and meets the cagey Josephine, whose home is a crumbling pink mansion at the edge of the turquoise sea.
Over the course of a few meetings, Josephine spins a tale of old friendships, dark secrets, betrayal, and a long-unsolved murder. She is hiring Brooke for two reasons: first, to protect her island from those who would despoil her land, and second, to help her make amends with the heirs of the women who were her closest friends, the girls of The High Tide Club—so named because of their youthful skinny dipping escapades—Millie, Ruth, and Varina. To fulfill a dying woman’s wishes, Brooke must find Josephine’s friends’ descendants and bringing them together on Talisa for a reunion of women who’ve actually never met. But in doing so, Brooke unleashes the makings of a scandal that could make someone rich beyond their wildest dreams…or cause them to be in the crosshairs of a murderer….
The High Tide Club is Mary Kay Andrews at her Queen of the Beach Reads best: a story shrouded in mystery, Spanish moss, verandah cocktails, 1940s dinner dances, love lost, and possibly…love found. (publisher)
My take: The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews is the story of a group of women who are connected by secrets. When the group widens to include a new generation of women those secrets may be exposed and could have devastating consequences for all – or maybe the truth will set them free. The dual-storyline alternates between events of 1941 and present day. The historical backdrop and social construct of the 1940s give depth to the novel. There’s a big mystery to be solved as well as a few smaller ones. I appreciated the occasional twist in the plot. I also enjoyed the characters – some were quite colorful and made me laugh. All in all, an entertaining read that I can recommend.
Praise for The High Tide Club:
“Andrews creates a story that is at turns suspenseful, sad, and hopeful, with plenty of surprising twists.Her dialogue is natural and funny,and even her minor characters are fully drawn with unique voices…Another satisfying summer read from the queen of the beach.” —Kirkus
“A compelling novel about the people and places that shape a life and the secrets that create ripples for generations. With a unique setting, mysterious flashbacks, romance, and a surprising twist, this book will not disappoint readers looking for a juicy escape.” —Booklist
“Andrews has crafted a smart and wonderful beach read with a lot of rich Southern and historical details.” —RT Book Reviews
“Nothing says the start of summer like a new book from Mary Kay Andrews…An irresistible story of love, friendship, and skinny-dipping.” —PopSugar, Best New Books for Spring
A Southern Living Beach Books recommended read!
About the author:
MARY KAY ANDREWS is The New York Times bestselling author of The Beach House Cookbook, The Weekenders, Beach Town, Save the Date, Ladies’ Night, Christmas Bliss, Spring Fever, Summer Rental, The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues. A former journalist for The Atlanta Journal Constitution, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Connect with Mary Kay Andrews:
Bookfan 
I’m seeing good things about this one, Mary. Definitely looks like a good one for summer and maybe a bit of a ‘change-up’ for this author?
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She wrote several mysteries but I’ve read most of her contemporary fiction novels in the past ten years. There’s usually a mystery or two included in the recent novels. I always enjoy them. Thanks for stopping by, Kay!
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I really need to try a Mary Kay Andrews book. This one sounds pretty good. Thanks for recommending.
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At this point I’ll read anything she writes 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
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Really? Now I have to read one. I might even have one of hers in my library. 🤔I’m off to go check. Thanks! 😊
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It was a great read. Nice review.
Thanks for sharing and for stopping by my blog.
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I enjoyed this one, too, Mary. The descriptions of the setting made me feel as if I was right there with them. Thanks for sharing.
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I agree about the setting – I’d love to visit the island!
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I always love your thoughts about these books. It sounds perfect for lazy summer reading!
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Thanks, Patty. I think there’s a good reason for publishing at this time of year – plus they’re set in the south so if it’s summer where I am, I always feel the balmy settings 🙂
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Balmy settings are so good…especially with the weather we have been having!
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I enjoyed this one too.
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Glad you liked it as well, Kathy. She’s an auto-read author for me.
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And to add to the list, I liked this one too, it was slow reading because I was away visiting my sister, but it was a book that I could still pick up a few days later and fall right back into. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see that old house all fixed up and looking like its grand self.
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This sounds good. I have a few of her books so why haven’t I read them?
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Mary, this sounds like an entertaining book! Thanks for the giveaway–I’ve added it to my blog’s sidebar.
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Oh this one is calling to me! It sounds wonderful and Andrews is an author I’ve really been wanting to read. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
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Looks like a good beach read, but her books always look like that 🙂
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