Mary Kay Andrews

If you have been looking for your annual Mary Kay Andrews beach read, this is it. But be warned, this is a beach read with an edge. The danger, suspense and uncertainty start on the very first page and never let up. It’s full of twists and turns and connections and clues that will have you thinking and guessing and turning pages as fast as you can.

Letty loved her sister Tanya and always tried to do what was best for her, but it wasn’t easy. She was lied to, manipulated and betrayed by show more Tanya. And now she is trying to honor Tanya’s last wish by keeping Maya safe. Maya is a typical four year old – pretty, precocious, petulant, but a ray of sunshine and love. Typical except that she may have witnessed her mother’s murder.

Letty doesn’t go to the Murmuring Surf Motel by accident; Tanya had an old newspaper article about it in her “go” bag. Letty doesn’t understand why Tanya had the article, but as it turns out, luck was on Letty’s side when she was led there. The Murmuring Surf is family owned, and its residents are a close-knit mixed bag of retirees and snowbirds. Not exactly welcoming at first but they have long memories and stick together.

Ava is wonderful. The mom or aunt or grandma we all want to have. Too big hearted for her own good but tough when she needs to be. Son Joe is a cop, with a cop’s suspicions and wariness. But he’s got his mom’s heart even if he keeps it buried deep. Isabella is a typical teen, welcoming without judgement and with some very helpful friends.

Trouble follows Letty to the Murmuring Surf. Joe believes Ava is too trusting; she’s been conned before and he doesn’t intend to let it happen again. So he’s keeping a close eye on Letty. But she doesn’t really seem like a con, so what’s going on? What is she hiding?

Every Mary Kay Andrews book is a delicious read, and The Newcomer is no exception. And it's such a treat to read the first chapter in a book - and know you're going to love every page that follows. The Newcomer is a wonderful combination of just the right amounts of light and dark, sweet warm-hearted people and those with evil intent, with such a gorgeous location as the backdrop.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for providing an advance copy via NetGalley for my reading pleasure and honest opinion. All opinions are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed The Newcomer and recommend it without hesitation. show less

In this first book of the series, we meet Weezie and BeBe, best friends. BeBe owns and runs a restaurant, Weezie is a “picker” who finds and deals in second-hand items, hoping someday to have her own shop. Waiting at night at the site of an estate sale, Weezie is desperate for a bathroom, and does the logical thing. She breaks into the estate, finding not only a bathroom, but also the very dead body of her ex-husband’s fiancée. She gets caught and arrested, but her Uncle James, a show more lawyer and ex-priest, is hard at work to clear her name. Set in Savannah, the heat and humidity practically seeps into the pages, even for those of us in the snowy northland. Weezie and BeBe are delightful characters, as is Daniel, Weezie’s new man in her life. Though the mystery of who killed Caroline is interesting, that storyline almost takes a backseat to the friendship between Weezie and BeBe, and Weezie’s growing fondness for Daniel. It’s a great southern story with all the right elements for an entertaining tale. show less

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?"
—Mary Oliver

Therese and Maeve, daughters of Mary Helen Sullivan Dunagin, are stunned by the news that their Uncle Keith delivers the morning after their mother's funeral. Each sister envisions a future that doesn't involve the other, convinced that their renewed connection is only temporary. But with a promise involving a coffee can and a mysterious newspaper article Therese clipped on her way back to Savannah, their show more immediate future becomes tangled and unpredictable, setting them on a journey neither expected.

I was eager to discover how the estranged sisters would navigate the process of settling their mother's estate. After so much time apart, could their perspectives toward each other shift? How would the loss of their mother affect them? Might they reconcile, heal old wounds, and move forward with newfound respect? Could their differences become a source of strength, allowing them to reconnect as sisters?

I loved this story—it offers a memorable road trip, an intriguing mystery, long-held secrets, rich family history, and a touch of romance. The way the author contrasts Savannah with the lush landscapes and distinct atmospheres the sisters encounter on their journey adds vivid texture to their emotional journey. This novel is a heartfelt exploration of sisterhood and forgiveness, told with warmth and wit. Both main and secondary characters are given insightful attention, each with a distinct identity and purpose that moves the story forward. The author's vivid storytelling and compelling cast made it impossible to put down. A 5-star read—highly recommended!

Thank you to Mary Kay Andrews, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel. show less

Weezie Foley is back and better than ever. She’s trying her best to win Savannah’s historic district decorating contest, but the couple across the street are throwing tons of money into their efforts. To add to her troubles, her boyfriend Daniel always becomes decidedly Grinch-like at Christmas, and she just can’t get him into the Christmas spirit. But nothing ever defeats Weezie for long, and there are plenty of laughs as we watch her determinedly spread Christmas cheer.

I adore Mary show more Kay Andrews, and her Savannah books are my favorites. I wish I could be friends with Weezie and her best friend, BeBe. I would say that I have a crush on Daniel, but I have my own sexy husband who is also a fantastic cook. I’ll let Weezie keep Daniel.

This was a short, easy, fun read that reminds us what is truly important about Christmas. I picked up a few other pointers along the way too. First of all, “Unless you scrub [your hands:] under hot water for at least three minutes with an antibacterial soap, you’re just inviting trouble.” And here the hospital I work for is teaching us to wash our hands for 15 seconds. Next, “Never, ever ask a former clergyman to say the blessing over a holiday dinner. Not if you like your dinner warm, anyway.” I kind of knew that one, but it never hurts to repeat the lesson. And finally, and most importantly, DO. NOT. EVER. interrupt a group of UGA football fans who are watching a replay of the 1980 Georgia-Florida championship game. Ever. Trust me. The results will not be pretty. But they will be hilarious. I was howling with laughter as I read about this extended family Christmas dinner!

I recommend this for a fun little Christmas read. It was just the thing to get me in the Christmas spirit. show less