The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

Karen M. McManus is a must read for me.  Since reading her debut novel, One of Us Is Lying, I was hooked.  I have been highly anticipating her latest novel, The Cousins, since it was first announced, seemingly forever ago.  And I have to say, it didn't disappoint.  McManus is such a great story teller.  She is a master of the mystery and will keep you guessing throughout.  As with her previous novels, this one will keep you on the edge of your seat as you discover all the twists and turns that this story provides.  If you like a good mystery novel, you can't go wrong with The Cousins.

This novel is the story of three cousins, Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah, who barely know each other.  Their parents come from the ultra-rich Story family, but were cutoff and disinherited by their mother many years ago, when they were all young adults.  Mysteriously, these three cousins all get a letter from their grandmother, whom they have never met, inviting them to come to Gull Cove Island and work at the Story family resort for the summer.  While the kids are all a bit hesitant, their parents insist they go.  This could, after all, get them back in the good graces (and of course the will) of Mildred Story.  But when these cousins arrive on the island, they quickly discover that they were most likely brought there on false pretenses.  Their grandmother takes no real interest in them, the family lawyer is more interested in getting them off the island, and there are more questions than answers when it comes to why their parents were disinherited all those years ago.  As the mystery unravels, the reader will be hanging on to every twist this story can throw at them.   

 

From Amazon: 

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER From the bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying comes your next obsession. You'll never feel the same about family again.

Milly, Aubrey, and Jonah Story are cousins, but they barely know each another, and they've never even met their grandmother. Rich and reclusive, she disinherited their parents before they were born. So when they each receive a letter inviting them to work at her island resort for the summer, they're surprised . . . and curious.

Their parents are all clear on one point--not going is not an option. This could be the opportunity to get back into Grandmother's good graces. But when the cousins arrive on the island, it's immediately clear that she has different plans for them. And the longer they stay, the more they realize how mysterious--and dark--their family's past is.

The entire Story family has secrets. Whatever pulled them apart years ago isn't over--and this summer, the cousins will learn everything.