Thank you Hachette Audio, #partner for the ALC of Swan Song in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Published: June 11, 2024
Summary:
In the grand finale of “queen of the beach read” Elin Hilderbrand’s beloved Nantucket novels, there’s a new couple in town… and they instantly shake things up. Amid the extravagant parties on land and sea, there’s trouble on the island, forcing Chief of Police Ed Kapanesh to postpone his retirement and changing the fabric of life on the picturesque island forever…
After thirty-five years serving as the Chief of Police on the island of Nantucket, Ed Kapenash’s heart can no longer take the stress. But his plans to retire are thwarted when, with only three days left to serve, he receives a phone call. A 22-million-dollar summer home, recently purchased by the flashy new couple in town, the Richardsons, has burned to the ground. The Richardsons are far from hurt—in fact, they’re out on the water, throwing a lavish party on their yacht—but when news of the fire reaches them, they discover that their personal assistant has vanished. The Chief is well-acquainted with the Richardsons, and his daughter is best friends with the now-missing girl, leaving him no choice but to postpone his retirement and take on the double case.
On a small island like Nantucket, the Richardsons shook things up from the second they stepped on to the scene, throwing luxurious parties and doing whatever they could to gain admittance to the coveted lunches at the Field & Oar Club (with increasing desperation). They instantly captured the attention of local real estate agent Fast Eddie, and the town gossip Blond Sharon, both dealing with their own personal dramas. Blond Sharon is going through a divorce, and in order to avoid becoming a cliché, she’s enrolled in a creative writing class, putting her natural affinity for scandal towards a more noble purpose. To solve the case of the fire and track down his daughter’s best friend, the Chief will have to string together the pieces of the lives of all of these characters and more, rallying his strength for his final act of service to the tight-knit community he knows and loves.
The last of Elin Hilderbrand’s bestselling Nantucket novels, Swan Song is a propulsive medley of glittering gatherings, sun-soaked drama, wisdom and heart, featuring the return of some of her most beloved characters, including, most importantly, the beautiful and timeless island of Nantucket itself.
My thoughts:
I think I am still in denial that this is to be Elin Hilderbrand’s last Nantucket book. I always looked forward to starting my summers off with her latest book and while I may have missed one or two along the way, I have always enjoyed picking her books up. I may not have ever physically been to Nantucket, but through her books, I feel that I have gotten to know the place and I do hope to eventually get there.
This last book was everything I hoped it to be – full of charming characters, some Easter Eggs for those devoted Elin fans, a story set during the summer, and even a mystery woven in. We have our beloved Chief Ed Kapenash set to retire, but with 48 hours to go, not only does a woman go missing but a house has burned to the ground.
I loved how the story moved effortlessly back and forth from the night of the incident to the beginning of the summer to fill in who all the people were that are involved. We really get to know everyone that plays a part and by the end of the novel, you feel as if they are people you know quite intimately – that is such a talent that Elin has, creating these well-developed, multi-dimensional characters. And of course, we get to be on Nantucket one final time, going around to all the places we’ve come to love – The Chicken Box, the Gallery and beaches, and so many other places.
I very much enjoyed this last hurrah and will be picking up the books I have yet to read very soon.
Audio thoughts:
As usual, I listened to this one. I find that Elin’s books translate very well onto audio and with Erin Bennett narrating them, I know I am in good hands. Erin has narrated many of Elin’s books and knows the nuances of the characters and get them.
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