The Cousins by Karen McManus is set on Gull Cove Island. The setting is similar to the show Revenge but not quite as upscale as the Hamptons. There is a real Gull Island but no one lives there.

Three cousins – Aubrey, Milly, and Jonah- from the Story family are invited to work at their grandmother’s summer resort on Gull Cove Island. Mildred Story disinherited her three children years ago without an explanation. She never saw them again. Then one day, the grandmother invites the grandchildren to Gull Cove Island.

Revenge may actually be on someone’s mind. I stayed up all night to find out who was behind all of the secrets. What else should I do when this mystery is keeping me awake?

There is a background story involving Kayla and Matt. Kayla and Matt were two young people from town. Kayla dated Anders Story, who is Jonah’s dad. Matt dated Allison Story, who is Milly’s mom. (There is a family tree at the beginning of the book, which is very helpful.) It didn’t end well for either Kayla or Matt. Both people met an untimely demise. Both deaths were ruled accidental but was that true?

The grandmother’s lawyer, Donald Camden, is a sneaky scumbag. I cannot shake that feeling. Call it intuition or whatever but he’s a creep. Was he involved with any of the reasons for the disinheritance or any other secrets? Apparently, he knows something. He wrote a letter to each of Mildred’s children stating that “You know what you did.”

The cousins are trying to put all of the pieces of their family puzzle together. They even have a few secrets of their own.

Recommendation:

If you enjoy secrets and mysteries on top of more secrets, then you will love The Cousins. Also, the scenery is probably like taking a little vacation. A mystery plus a beautiful setting. I call that a win.

If you are a scam artist or an impostor, then this book might hit too close to home for you. It is still worth reading.

• I was supposed to get a copy of the ebook from The Write Reads. Things get confusing sometimes and I received a different book. Everything is cool. The Write Reads is still awesome! I got a copy from the library using the Libby App. It’s almost old-fashioned – getting a book from the library. Better return it or else I might get fined like I used to because I dislike returning books. I want to keep them forever and ever. (Honestly, I think Libby returns the book for you. So no worries . . . )

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