The Review

Caro Carver’s Bad Tourists offers a thrilling departure from her previous works under the pen name C.J. Cooke, embracing a darker, twisty psychological thriller. The novel begins with a heart-wrenching prologue. A young archaeology student stumbles upon a massacre at the Spinnaker Guesthouse, only for the tragedy to be overshadowed by the 9/11 attacks. The victim’s haunting trauma reverberates through the book, tying together three women who are connected by this shared past.

Kate, Camilla, and Darcy are the central characters, each bearing the scars of their respective losses from the massacre. Kate, the sole survivor, has abandoned her dream of becoming an archaeologist and now works as a ghostwriter, battling PTSD. Camilla lost her twin brother, and Darcy is reeling from her divorce while haunted by the tragedy that still lingers in her life. When Darcy invites them to a lavish resort in the Maldives to celebrate her divorce, the trio aims to find solace and support each other.

Carver’s writing shines in creating a tense and atmospheric setting. The Maldives’ serene beauty contrasts sharply with the dark undercurrents of the plot, enhancing the suspense. The introduction of eerie characters and escalating stakes builds a gripping narrative, drawing readers into a vortex of secrets and lies.

However, while the premise is intriguing, the execution leaves some room for improvement. The dynamics between the three women, though central to the story, often feel underdeveloped. Their relationships, forged through shared trauma, seem tenuous at times, raising questions about the depth of their bond. This lack of emotional depth makes their interactions and decisions feel somewhat implausible.

Additionally, the plot’s twists, while engaging, sometimes stretch credibility. The revelation of the killer and the motivations behind the events are, at times, overly dramatic. The buildup to the climax feels uneven, and some plot points are left unresolved or feel like missed opportunities. This creates a sense of disconnection between the reader and the narrative’s resolution.

Despite these criticisms, Carver’s ability to craft a suspenseful and atmospheric thriller is evident. The setting is vividly described, and the tension builds effectively. Readers who enjoy a psychological thriller with a dark edge and can appreciate a complex, twist-laden plot may find Bad Tourists an engrossing read. Overall, I would rate it 3.5 Stars, rounding down to 3 stars.

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Short Review (AKA TLDR)

In Bad Tourists by Caro Carver, readers are thrust into a psychological thriller set against the luxurious backdrop of the Maldives, where three women connected by a past massacre reunite for a celebratory vacation. Despite the gripping setting and atmospheric tension, the novel’s execution leaves some room for improvement, with underdeveloped character relationships and plot twists that occasionally stretch credibility. While the book delivers a suspenseful narrative with vivid descriptions and a dark edge, it may not fully meet the high expectations set by Carver’s previous works. Overall, it is a compelling read with its share of thrills and dramatic moments but falls slightly short in delivering a wholly satisfying conclusion.