I became a fan of Jessa Maxwell when I read her debut novel, The Golden Spoon. It took me longer than planned to pick up her subsequent books, partly because whenever I love a debut, I get a little nervous about what comes next. Will the follow‑up live up to the magic, or will I have to mark our reader–author relationship as “it’s complicated”?
Dead of Summer is Maxwell’s third novel, and for reasons I can’t fully explain, it was the one I felt least excited about. Maybe it was the word summer in the title (I’m not a summer person). Maybe it was the cover — yes, yes, I know I’m not supposed to judge! Regardless, when I saw it sitting on Libby with no wait, I made myself download it and dive in.
The story takes place on Hadley Island and unfolds through alternating viewpoints, much like The Golden Spoon. We follow Faith, a newcomer dating David, who’s tied to a wealthy, influential island family. Then there’s Orla, an artist reluctantly returning home to close up her family house for good. And finally Henry, the island recluse who lives on a rock in a home he built himself, spending his days spying on locals and meticulously logging their movements. Threaded through all of their stories is the long‑standing mystery surrounding Alice’s death, a young woman from years past whose story still reverberates across the island and shapes the tensions between its residents.
Everyone on Hadley Island has a past, and Maxwell lets those shadows hang over the picturesque setting like a sinister fog. No one is exactly who they appear to be.
The narrative shifts between past and present, and if I have one critique, it’s that the time jumps occasionally blur together. There were moments when I had to flip back a paragraph or two to reorient myself, which is why I recommend reading the physical or eBook version rather than listening to the audiobook. It’s easier to regain your footing when you can visually scan the page.
One of Maxwell’s greatest strengths is her atmospheric writing. She builds a world you can feel. The island, the tension, the secrets. All vivid enough to work their way into your bones and linger.
The story is full of scandal, lies, and revenge. And I loved every bit of it.
If you’re looking for a quick, intriguing read with plenty of twists and a moody island setting, Dead of Summer is absolutely worth picking up.
Until next time,
Lisa
Because I believe that a TBR pile can never be too big, feel free to share some of your favorite reads with me here or on social media. You can find me on Bluesky, Instagram, and StoryGraph (lisareadsbytrees).
