The Blue by Lucy Clarke is a fascinating tale of two young girls from England- Lana and Kitty- who are in the Philippines when they come across a yacht called the Blue. The crew are a bunch of free spirits, and after meeting and getting drunk with them one night, they find themselves aboard. Shaking off hangovers, they get to know the crew better and discover that the Blue and her crew sail from Australia to Fiji and all points in between. Everyone keeps their past to themselves for the most part. New crew members are voted in or out by the existing crew, and when Lana and Kitty decide to join they are welcomed aboard.
Lana and Kitty have reasons to escape. Lana in particular has deep seated reasons for fleeing her home, and her and Kitty have been inseparable for years- best friends. The crew votes on where they stop and one of the few rules is that no relationships are permitted between crew members. They spend their time anchoring in secluded lagoons, drinking under the stars and living by their own lights. It's idyllic and romantic and Lana and Kitty feel like they've never been happier. But it soon becomes clear that everyone aboard has secrets- and when someone dies, those secrets threaten to tear the group apart.
Lana and Kitty have reasons to escape. Lana in particular has deep seated reasons for fleeing her home, and her and Kitty have been inseparable for years- best friends. The crew votes on where they stop and one of the few rules is that no relationships are permitted between crew members. They spend their time anchoring in secluded lagoons, drinking under the stars and living by their own lights. It's idyllic and romantic and Lana and Kitty feel like they've never been happier. But it soon becomes clear that everyone aboard has secrets- and when someone dies, those secrets threaten to tear the group apart.
I picked this one up based solely on the cover, and the synopsis didn't hurt either. This is told in both the past and the present- we get current events mixed with the events of eight months ago, and slowly the secrets and lies are revealed. Lana finds the rule about "no relationships" hard to observe, and you're never quite sure who is telling the truth and who has something to hide. Lana and Kitty find their loyalties tested, and there are several surprises, including not one but two big twists at the end that I didn't see coming. I enjoyed the little details of life on the yacht, and the descriptions of the islands and locations were so vivid.
Who hasn't wanted at some point to get away from it all and live for the day? This is a great mystery and summer read and I'll be looking for more by this author. Her other books do seem to explore the same themes-the power and challenges of friendship, alienation- and I look forward to exploring those as well. This one was a lot of fun.
The cover really attracted me too. I hadn't heard of this, but I love the isolated feel, has a way of really bringing out the tensions.
ReplyDelete~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
oooh, there's something claustrophobic about this happening on a boat trip like this.
ReplyDeleteWow, this definitely sounds like it could be fun and thrilling, and I love the setting. There's something about stories on boats that feels so exotic to me😁
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this since you first mentioned this one and it sounds so good! I love thrillers that involve boats. There's something so creepy and claustrophobic about that setting.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story premise. I love twists that I never see coming.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a perfect summer beach read. (Or a summer-at-home-but-dreaming-of-the-beach read as the case may be.) :D
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds intriguing. I may have to check out this author!
ReplyDeleteFor some bizarre reason this is giving me Brokedown Palace vibes. Maybe because of the two best friends who find their loyalties tested. Sounds like a win for a total cover buy! :)
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of this mystery!!!! I have always wanted to relax on a deserted island. But the murder part doesn't sound so great lol
ReplyDeleteThe cover does catch the eye. I love covers with scenic water scenes.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely have me intrigued! Adding to my TBR!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really good. I will definitely keep it in mind for a summer read. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really unique premise, or at least one I haven't come across before. I can't say I'm planning on reading it, but I am a bit curious about all the secrets aboard this mysterious yacht!
ReplyDeleteDon't blame you for picking this up because of the cover, it's a good cover. Your review has me intrigued, I think I'll keep this as a maybe book for summer.
ReplyDeleteAdding to my TBR!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good. Great review!
ReplyDeleteMary