She Started It: A Novel

By Sian Gilbert

A hot, twisty summer debut thriller about a Caribbean bachelorette party that takes a sinister turn. It’s Lord of the Flies meets And Then There Were None...but with Instagram and too much prosecco.

The party of a lifetime is nothing like what they expected...

Annabel, Esther, Tanya, and Chloe are best friends—or were, as children. Despite drifting apart in adulthood, shared secrets have kept them bonded for better or worse, even as their childhood dreams haven’t quite turned out as they’d hoped. Then one day they receive a wholly unexpected—but not entirely unwelcome—invitation from another old friend. Poppy Greer has invited them all to her extravagant bachelorette party: a first-class plane ticket to three days of white sand, cocktails, and relaxation on a luxe private island in the Bahamas.

None of them has spoken to Poppy in years. But Poppy’s Instagram pics shows that the girl they used to consider the weakest link in their group has definitely made good—and made money. Curiosity gets the better of them. Besides, who can turn down a posh all-expenses-paid vacation on a Caribbean island?

The first-class flight and the island’s accommodations are just as opulent as expected...even if the scenic island proves more remote than they’d anticipated. Quite remote, in fact, with no cell service, and no other guests. The women quickly discover they’ve underestimated Poppy, and each other. As their darkest secrets are revealed, the tropical adventure morphs into a terrifying nightmare.

Endlessly twisty, sharply observant, and deliciously catty, She Started It is sure to shock readers until the very end. 

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Published Jun 13, 2023

352 pages

Average rating: 6.96

273 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Kristin Rose
Kristin Rose
8/10 stars
Multiple twists were easy to figure out immediately but still a fun book to read!
B
Bosky
6/10 stars
3 stars. 'Hen party' goes wrong- unbelievably so. Book is unplausible, kinda crazy, and weird unlikeable characters. Lots of twists and turns. But, very quick read and not memorable. Done in a day.
Anne-Marie Eberhardt
Anne-Marie Eberhardt
10/10 stars
Damn. What?!?
jess.withbooks
jess.withbooks
4/10 stars
“And Then There Were None”…but with flatter characters and a more predictable plot.
Gail_71
Gail_71
8/10 stars
"She Started It" by Sian Gilbert is a captivating and suspenseful novel that kept me engaged from start to finish. The story follows a group of friends on a road trip that takes a dark turn as long-buried secrets come to light, testing their bonds and loyalties. The author's writing style is compelling, drawing me into the characters' lives and emotions. The complex web of lies and intrigue kept me guessing, and I appreciated the shifting perspectives that added depth to the narrative. I particularly enjoyed Poppy’s storyline, especially the flashback diary format, which contrasted nicely with the rest of the book. The plot was filled with enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued, and I valued the thought-provoking themes it explored. The unexpected plot twist surprised me, which is a rare occurrence for me, so I found that particularly enjoyable. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

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