Book Review :: The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

The Cousins by Karen M. McManus
ISBN: 9781761042
Published by Penguin Books
on 2020-12-03
Pages: 328
Goodreads

Milly, Aubrey and Jonah Story are cousins, but they barely know each other, 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.

Last updated on 10 November 2021

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The Cousins Overview

Milly, Aubrey and Jonah Story: The cousins. From the famous Story family, rich beyond measure and at the centre of a scandal years prior which had all four children were disowned and disinherited. Now, as the third generation Storys, the cousins receive a mysterious letter from their grandmother – whom they have never met – asking them to summer at her island and work for the resort.

Reluctant and begrudgingly, the cousins board the boat and head off to the island. But not all is as it seems. When the cousins finally meet the famous grandmother they’ve only heard stories about (and little at that), it’s clear that she was not expecting them.

Who sent the letters to Milly, Aubrey and Jonah? What really happened all those years ago when their parents were left with nothing, left to fend for themselves? What other secrets are lurking around every corner?

‘Everybody has secrets,’ she says, taking a sip of her drink. ‘That’s non-debatable. The only question is whether you’re keeping your own, or someone else’s.’

My thoughts on The Cousins

The Cousins was your classic Karen M McManus novel: short, sweet, murder-infested and mysterious. It was easy to read, easy to digest, and easy to figure out what the secrets were before most of the main characters.

Having said that, those features are usually part of the charm. They certainly were for One of Us is Lying, One of Us is Next and Two Can Keep a Secret.

But the simple plot, the forgettable characters, and the less-than-mysterious mystery laced in family feuds and scandal were quite enough for me to give The Cousins more than a 3-star. And the random twists – something which I usually love in a story – weren’t that surprising or captivating.

Don’t get me wrong, it was an enjoyable read (and a very fast one – I read it in just a few sittings) but if you’re expecting a story more along the lines of One of Us Is Lying (a book which I thoroughly enjoyed!), then bring your expectations down a notch or two. Then you’ll really enjoy it.

Have you read The Cousins? What did you think?