“Welcome to The Surf House. Where everyone’s escaping something…

*

High on the cliffs of Morocco, far from the city lights and the souks, stands The Surf House: a sanctuary for travellers chasing sunshine and waves.

But the idyll hides a dark mystery.

And when Bea washes in, seeking refuge after a dangerous encounter in Marrakesh, she soon gets caught in the current.

A woman her age – who stayed in the same area, walked the same beaches, met the same guests – disappeared one year earlier, vanishing without trace.

Somewhere inside The Surf House lies the truth – but there’ll be a price for uncovering it. . .”

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of The Surf House by Lucy Clarke. The Surf House was published by HarperCollins on 27th February 2025 and is available in hardcover, audio and digital formats with the paperback to follow. I chose to read a free eARC of The Surf House but that has in no way influenced my review.

A new book from Lucy Clarke is always a very exciting thing at damppebbles HQ. I have loved everything Clarke has written in the last few years, starting with The Castaways back in 2021. One of the Girls featured on my Top Ten books of the year in 2022, and I have devoured every new book with unabashed glee since. Lucy Clarke is the author who first got me into the destination thriller. I am now completely obsessed with psychological thrillers set in hot, sunnier climes. In The Surf House we’re whisked away to the crowded, bustling markets of Marrakesh where twenty-three year old model, Bea, has had just about enough of being told what to do, what to wear and how to look. Deciding enough is definitely enough, she flees the photo shoot and ends up hungry and thirsty in the Medina. Exhausted by the day, she doesn’t concentrate enough on where she is going, suddenly realising that she has strayed from Marrakesh’s hustle and bustle. When two men appear, trapping her in an alleyway, Bea knows that she is in danger. What do the men want? And what will they do to ensure they get it…?

The Surf House is another cracking read from the queen of destination thrillers. I’ve only really covered the first couple of chapters in the paragraph above. There’s so much more to this book which I haven’t yet mentioned. The titular surf house for example. Bea thankfully survives the attack in Marrakesh and befriends motherly Marnie, who takes her under her wing and gives her room and board free of charge at the Surf House. In exchange, Bea is expected to help out around the place; making breakfast, cleaning the rooms. It feel like the perfect arrangement and the break Bea needs. But then Seth arrives. Seth’s sister, Savannah, stayed at the Surf House when it first opened and shortly after leaving, went missing. She hasn’t been seen since and Seth is keen to find his sibling and ensure she’s safe. When questioned about Savannah, Marnie and her partner, Ped, are tight-lipped. Bea feels indebted to Marnie for giving her a roof over her head and feeding her. But something just doesn’t feel right. Bea is torn between helping Seth, and staying loyal to Marnie. Because Marnie knows Bea’s biggest, most destructive secret. And without Marnie’s protection, Bea’s life could be over in second…

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Surf House is a twisty, compelling read with a host of well-written, yet highly unlikable, characters. They’re all very suspicious. I think I doubted every single one of the cast, including Bea, at some point or another! I did gradually warm to Bea but she is the only character in the book I wanted to get through unscathed! There are secrets and lies a-plenty, and I was wholeheartedly there for it. No one tells the truth, everyone is hiding something. Now, regular readers of the blog will know that I’m not really a fan of romance in my crime/thriller novels. I can stomach small amounts occasionally. Very occasionally. Bea falls quite hard for Aiden, who runs the hostel next door to the Surf House. Aiden won’t commit though, which results in a bit of a ‘will they/won’t they’ throughout the storyline, with the odd hook up here and there. It WAS needed to help the storyline move along, it was key to the plot, but I did feel it pushed the book a touch further into the Women’s Fiction genre than Clarke’s earlier thrillers. Of course, this is my own personal interpretation of the book and you may feel completely differently. I very much enjoyed The Surf House. It’s full of surprises, the characters are well-written, the plot moves at a compelling, engaging pace and I felt truly satisfied by the conclusion. It’s a great book by a great author and I cannot wait to see what Clarke has for us next! Twisty, engaging, full of intrigue and lots of lovely suspense. Recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Surf House. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

The Surf House by Lucy Clarke was published in the UK by HarperCollins on 27th February 2025 and is available in hardcover, audio and digital formats with the paperback to follow (please note, the following links are affiliate links which means I receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no extra cost to you): | amazon.co.uk | Waterstones | bookshop.org | Goodreads | damppebbles bookshop.org shop | damppebbles amazon.co.uk shop | damppebbles amazon.com shop |

Sunday Times bestseller Lucy Clarke is the author of eight destination thrillers. They include Waterstones Thriller of the Month, The Castaways, Richard and Judy Book Club pick, One of the Girls, and most recently, The Hike. Lucy’s novels have sold over a million copies and are published in more than 25 territories worldwide.

Lucy’s thriller, No Escape (also published as The Blue) has been released as a major international show for Paramount+. Set in the Philippines, the seven-part series is directed by Hans Herbot (The Serpent) and stars Abigail Lawrie and Rhianne Barreto as best friends Lana and Kitty.

The Castaways has also been adapted for screen and was The Guardian Pick of the Week. BAFTA award-winner Sheridan Smith stars as Lori, and Celine Buckens plays her sister, Erin. The five-part thriller is available to stream on Paramount+.

When Lucy isn’t away on research trips (the real reason she loves being an author!), she can be found writing from a beach hut on the south coast of England. She lives with her husband and their two children.