Publishers Weekly
04/15/2024
A divorcée discovers a corpse during her California vacation in the formulaic adult debut from YA bestseller Condie (after The Only Girl in Town). Forty-something Ellery Wainwright initially booked her stay at the luxurious Resort in Big Sur to celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary. After her husband left her for another woman, she decided to keep the reservation and indulge in a solo getaway. When Ellery arrives at the resort, she learns a wedding is being held there, and she’ll be one of the few guests who’s not involved. The next morning, she heads out for a swim and is stunned to discover the groom’s lifeless body floating in the infinity pool. A sudden storm hits, isolating the staff and vacationers from the outside world and impeding the arrival of the police. Ellery teams up with two other nonwedding guests, Nina and Ravi, to do a little detecting. They soon discover that the wedding party has darker secrets than appearances suggest, and race to find the killer before the body count rises. Unfortunately, Condie’s characters are paper-thin, and she resolves the mystery with a series of implausible contrivances. This misses the mark. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (June)
From the Publisher
Ally Condie’s adult debut THE UNWEDDING is a clever, witty, and fast-paced whodunit. I read it in one sitting and can’t wait for the next.”—Harlan Coben, #1 New York Times bestselling author of "I Will Find You"
“Mesmerizing! Equal parts a clever whodunit and compelling character’s journey, The Unwedding will speak to anyone who’s been there, done that, and had the vacation from hell thrown on top of it all. This Big Sur luxury resort closed-room mystery will stay with you well past the final page.”—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Dead bodies, brutal secrets and a fabulous view – The Unwedding is proof that Ally Condie knows exactly what we love and what we fear. Come take a wonderful rollercoaster of a trip, but don’t expect much sleep.”—Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling author of "The Lightning Rod"
"A knife’s-edge whodunit that’s as much a thriller as it is an exquisite meditation on grief and loss."—Nicola Yoon, #1 New York Times bestselling author of "Everything, Everything"
“A classic mystery for a modern world – I couldn’t put it down!”—Ally Carter, New York Times bestselling author of "The Blonde Identity"
"An idyllic setting turns deadly in Ally Condie’s smart and twisty debut adult thriller. With an isolated resort, a killer on the loose, and a cast of compelling characters, THE UNWEDDING kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. A clever and suspenseful mystery where everyone has something to hide."—Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of "The Only Survivors"
"Ally Condie's dazzling debut The Unwedding is a wild and mysterious suspense novel that will have you turning pages long into the night with the lights on! A lovely wedding is planned at a remote resort with a fresh, original and shady cast of characters. In the author's brilliant hands, the happy occasion can only lead to murder. Buckle up!" —Adriana Trigiani, bestselling author of "The Good Left Undone"
“A gorgeous murder mystery that explores what it means to be human—the pain and the love.”—Kirkus, Starred Review
“This is an engrossing story with an interesting take on grief and forgiveness, with pieces of art found at the resort adding a fun element. Edgar Award–winning YA author Condie’s adult debut is an unpredictable locked-room mystery for Agatha Christie fans and all readers looking for an intelligent read.”—Booklist
“Condie's first novel for adults is a juicy read that kept me guessing until the very last page. Ellery is a protagonist you'll feel deeply for, and the supporting characters are impressively and successively fleshed out. You'll also, if you're anything like me, appreciate the vivid descriptions of the beauty of Big Sur (which, coupled with the suspenseful plot, will call to mind another Witherspoon project, Big Little Lies). All in all? Great choice, Reese.”
—PureWow
JUNE 2024 - AudioFile
Christine Lakin captures Ellery Wainwright's unsteady state of mind so effectively that the tension in this mystery builds exponentially. Ellery finds herself alone at an exotic Big Sur resort after her husband leaves her. As she struggles through her major life change, she finds herself embroiled in a possible murder. When a major storm rolls in, the guests are cut off from the rest of the world. Condie's audiobook transports listeners to the perfect summer locale with exquisite twists. The mounting danger of a second murder, coupled with the beautiful but cut-off setting, establishes a real sense of menace. Throughout, Lakin's authentic performance is layered and vulnerable, making Ellery's plight even more frightening. S.P.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
