The Getaway

Kieran Scott’s The Getaway delivers many of the elements that suspense readers crave, bringing three couples together for their annual retreat at their friend Lincoln’s lavish Hamptons estate. This year, however, a few key details have changed: Lily, Lincoln’s ex-wife and the person who connects the entire group, is absent; another couple, Gemma and Grant, arrive with their twin daughters, aspiring social media influencers; and a major storm is bearing down on the coast.

Scott does an excellent job establishing both the setting and the cast of characters. From the cleverly coordinated names of the couples to the extravagant Hamptons backdrop, every detail feels intentional. The tension escalates when mysterious notes begin appearing, each revealing a damaging secret about someone else in the group.

For much of the novel, the story is engaging, suspenseful, and highly entertaining. The mystery deepens as members of the group begin turning up dead, and the pool of potential suspects remains wide open. However, as the plot progresses, some developments become increasingly implausible. Certain character actions seem inconsistent with their established personalities, and several plot points strain credibility. While the novel’s twists are clearly designed to shock, the pursuit of surprise sometimes comes at the expense of realism.

Despite these shortcomings, The Getaway is well written and features an intriguing cast of characters. The premise, setting, and central mystery are compelling, but a more grounded conclusion may have resulted in a stronger and more satisfying payoff. Ultimately, the novel succeeds as an entertaining suspense read, even if its final twists don’t fully live up to the promise of its excellent setup.