The Other Couple

McGowan (Truth Truth Lie) delivers an enticing tale of murder and troubled marriages set in the Canary Islands. London couple Beth Jones and Vince Castries arrive at a ritzy resort in Tenerife, hoping the sea- and sun-filled setting might help repair their faltering union. Meanwhile, London police detective Alison Hegarty and her husband Tom are staying at the same hotel, intent on enjoying a little relaxation before the imminent arrival of their first baby, and beautiful Corinna and her partner Joel—half-sneeringly dubbed “The Influencers” by the other guests—seem intent on flaunting their looks and money in front of their followers and fellow guests. When the hotel’s sexy lounge singer, Ana Garcia de Vasquez, turns up dead on the beach, one of the guests is arrested by Spanish police, and Alison can’t stifle her instinct to investigate. Soon, she casts suspicion on the other main characters, each of whom is hiding secrets that could destroy their relationship. The White Lotus influence is strong, but McGowan elevates her novel above copycat territory with sharply drawn characters. It’s an effective bit of escapism. Agent: Diana Beaumont, DHH Literary. (Feb.)