How the Other Half Die (How the Other Half #1)

Scandalous White Lotus mystery vibes combine with teenage mean girl drama in Roscoe’s suspenseful thriller. Affluent college student Avery Finch can’t wait to soothe herself from her breakup with Hugo Vandenburg by spending the summer on Mokani Island. It’s a favorite Caribbean destination and veritable playground for ultrawealthy families, and this year, the Finches invite Avery’s roommate Nora Miller. The girls’ plans for rest and relaxation are foiled, however, by the arrival of Hugo and his family, who own Mokani Island. Luckily for Avery, she immediately hits it off with newcomer Leo Walker, who proves a welcome distraction from Hugo’s larger-than-life presence. When a tropical storm descends on the island, already existing fissures within the vacationers’ relationships widen; trouble intensifies with the discovery of a brutally murdered corpse. As authorities investigate, each guest must reckon with their own past transgressions, and those of their loved ones, if they hope to uncover the perpetrator and absolve themselves of suspicion. The white-cued cast’s tawdry and theatrical behavior, paired with the novel’s scenic setting—relayed in immersive, image-rich prose—make for a gratifying summertime entry into an abundant genre. Ages 14–up. (Apr.)