"The Cousins" by Karen M McManus

This feels like a guilty pleasure. It really shouldn't.

It looks and feels like a throwaway summer novel to be read on a sunlounger and then not quite make the cut when you're packing the suitcase for the trip home.  But there's something about it that elevated it way past that for me.  Yes, ok, it's not something I'm going to re-read - but I can count on one hand the books I've ever re-read.  What it is, is fun.  And smart.

Twists and revelations for me tend to fall into two camps.  Those that are entirely predictable, and those that are so left field the only thing I can think is "Well, that's just *&@$#% ridiculous".  Of course the perfect one is the one that hits me with "How did I not see that coming?".  "The Cousins" hit the mark at least twice - which is pretty rare in my experience.

Ok, the concept isn't groundbreaking - the new generation searching the past for family secrets - but the set up is done well, our lead characters spark off of each other and the mystery is an engaging one.

I found this an excellent reminder that thrillers don't always need to be dark and brutal - requiring a body every ten chapters.  Sometimes a "lighter" read can be just what you need - especially when it's as well plotted and written as this one is.

Check it out here.