May 2024

I love big hotels that have a lot of history to them, so I was immediately drawn to SUMMERS AT THE SAINT. Here, Mary Kay Andrews has all the elements for a perfect beach read --- a beloved hotel with a storied reputation, a great cast of characters, and a few mysteries that include a murder. And she parlays this into a page-turning story!

The St. Cecelia (which everyone refers to as “the Saint”) is being run by Traci Eddings, who grew up as “an Ain't,” meaning that she was not wealthy or connected enough to frequent the resort. She married a man whose family owned the hotel and took over his position running it when he died in a plane crash.

Just when you think you can relax with the book poolside, Traci is faced with another crisis. We see the effect that staff shortages have on the vacation business as many people cannot afford to live near these luxury places.

Oh, I did mention murder, right? And there is a death from decades ago that raises questions.

I think this is Mary Kay's best summer book, and I have loved many of her others.

Fun fact: Mary Kay used the Sea Island Resort in Georgia as her inspiration for the Saint. This is where my parents honeymooned, and they brought the whole family back there for one of their big anniversaries. Want to hear more about SUMMERS AT THE SAINT? Then watch or listen to my interview with MKA.