Kristin's Bookshelf

The Vacation
By Kathryn Croft
🎧 Narrated by Julia Whelan & Mia McKenna-Bruce
⭐⭐⭐

A family vacation gone wrong… very wrong. 😬

A family trying to heal from a long list of issues heads to Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast for a tech-free getaway. But after discovering a mysterious warning letter tucked away in a drawer and meeting their unsettling neighbors, their dream vacation quickly begins to unravel.

I loved the premise, but this one was a bit of a slow burn for me. It took a while before things started going really wrong, and I found myself wanting the suspense to ramp up sooner.

Erin, the FMC, definitely falls into morally gray territory. Some of her reactions, especially involving her daughter, left me more than a little shocked (regarding what happened with Tristan). And while I know some readers love ending on one final jaw-dropping twist, this one felt a bit unnecessary to me.

That said, Julia Whelan and Mia McKenna-Bruce delivered an excellent narration, and the story was an enjoyable, suspenseful listen. I’d definitely recommend it to friends looking for a quick psychological thriller with a gorgeous Italian setting.