Synopses & Reviews
They found paradise.…what would they do to keep it?
“Lagoon swims and boozy nights turn sinister in [this] atmospheric thriller” (People) about a group of friends whose dream journey around the world on a yacht turns into a chilling nightmare when one of them disappears at sea.
Lana and her best friend Kitty leave home looking for freedom—and thats exactly what they find when they are invited onto The Blue, a fifty-foot yacht making its way from the Philippines to New Zealand. Manned by a young crew of wanderers, The Blue is exactly the escape they are looking for and the two quickly fall under its spell, spending their days exploring remote islands, and their rum-filled nights relaxing on deck beneath the stars.
Yet paradise found can just as quickly become lost. Lana and Kitty begin to discover that they arent the only ones with secrets theyd rather run from than reveal. And when one of their new friends disappears overboard after an argument with the other crewmembers, the dark secrets that brought each of them aboard start to unravel.
Haunting and infused with spectacular detail, the latest novel by Lucy Clarke—whose writing has been hailed as “breathtaking” (Kirkus Reviews) and “exciting and mysterious” (Library Journal)—is a page-turning thriller filled with adventure, exotic locales, and high stakes.
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“Brilliant. . . The characters and locations come alive.”
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“The plot twists are good—too good to spoil—and there is just enough of Tasmania’s rough wildness to transport the reader. . . . Clarke weaves secrets and betrayals and the inner journey of a quiet, appealing Everywoman.”
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“An intensely emotional story of love, loss and deception . . . Clarke skillfully envelops readers in a delicate, romantic story tinged with intrigue and set in a breathtakingly exotic locale.”
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“A satisfying exploration of two sisters’ relationship, cleverly put together and written in a way that draws the reader along.”
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“In the same vein as Rosamund Lupton’s Sister, Clarke takes the reader on an exciting and mysterious trail. . . . [She] does a nice job of creating characters who make us care about them and situations that are exciting and believable. A great read for fans of smart contemporary women’s fiction as well as thriller and mystery readers.”
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"Alternating chapters juxtaposing the two sisters’ lives engage readers from the start in Clarke’s accomplished debut."
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“A tender and intricate meditation on sisterhood and family, Swimming at Night is an accomplished debut. With a deft hand, Lucy Clarke weaves a deep and compelling story that is as much about what binds us together as it is about what tears us apart. Perfectly capturing the impossibly complicated love of siblings, this is a rich and moving story that lingers long after the book is closed.”
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“Swimming at Night reaches deep, exploring sibling relationships, love, friendship, identity, and the willingness to put it all on the line in order to learn the truth. I loved my own journey with these two sisters and the haunting landscape of their travels!”
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"I could not put down Lucy Clarke's engaging debut, Swimming at Night. As Katie searched for the truth about her sister's death, I savored being an armchair traveler to seaside locales around the world."
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“Tense and atmospheric, THE BLUE begins as an exotic adventure and turns chilling as tragedy and secrets unfold on the open sea. Clarke vividly depicts the ocean voyage in this immersive tale—both the beauty of an idyllic escape and its descent into something more sinister.”— Laura McHugh, author of
The Weight of Blood"[Clarke] paints brilliant images of physical surroundings and takes readers on an emotional journey as she explores the fragile bonds that connect each crew member to the others. . . . The narrative is punctuated with interesting, unpredictable plot twists that keep coming until the final page." —Kirkus Reviews
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"This is Clarke at her finest: thrilling plot, perfectly rendered scenery, and characters as real as your best friend—or your worst enemy. A spellbinding exploration of human nature, the bonds of family, and the beautiful mysteries of friendship and love, The Blue is a book worth staying up all night for.” Marissa Stapley, author of Mating for Life
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“[An] intriguing tale of nautical misadventure... Clarke handles the joys, challenges, and chores of sailing with easy confidence and does just as fine a job with her misfit crew and their easily upset equilibrium.” Publishers Weekly
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“Vivid imagery, increasing tension, and smooth prose immerse the reader in the rhythm of the ocean and the isolation of life at sea. Fans of psychological suspense will be taken in by Clarkes fast-paced and engrossing read.” Library Journal
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“Two girlhood friends join the laid-back crew of a yacht exploring idyllic islands. Smooth sailing? Ha! Lagoon swims and boozy nights turn sinister in an atmospheric thriller.” People ( - " - People Picks - " - )
About the Author
Lucy Clarke is the author of Swimming at Night and A Single Breath. She and her husband, a professional windsurfer, spend their winters traveling and their summers at their home on the south coast of England. Visit Lucy-Clarke.com.