Bad Summer People

A Novel

By: Emma Rosenblum

Narrated by: January LaVoy

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

This program includes a bonus conversation between the author and Chandler Baker, author of Cutting Teeth.

"Narrator January LaVoy's range is highlighted in this audiobook about a single summer on Fire Island when gossip among vacationers and townies is ratcheted up to new levels."- AudioFile

Emma Rosenblum's Bad Summer People is a whip-smart, propulsive debut about infidelity, backstabbing, and murderous intrigue, set against an exclusive summer haven on Fire Island.

"This roiling beach community satire serves up wicked, clever fun that is White Lotus sharp." —Kevin Kwan, New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians and Sex and Vanity

None of them would claim to be a particularly good person. But who among them is actually capable of murder?

Jen Weinstein and Lauren Parker rule the town of Salcombe, Fire Island every summer. They hold sway on the beach and the tennis court, and are adept at manipulating people to get what they want. Their husbands, Sam and Jason, have summered together on the island since childhood, despite lifelong grudges and numerous secrets. Their one single friend, Rachel Woolf, is looking to meet her match, whether he’s the tennis pro—or someone else’s husband. But even with plenty to gossip about, this season starts out as quietly as any other.

Until a body is discovered, face down, off the side of the boardwalk.

Stylish, subversive, and darkly comedic, this is a story of what's lurking under the surface of picture-perfect lives in a place where everyone has something to hide.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

©2023 Emma Rosenblum (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"This roiling beach community satire serves up wicked, clever fun that is White Lotus sharp. Emma Rosenblum gets to the comic heart of these nasty, nasty people. When I say she is unsparing and they are dreadful I mean it as the highest compliment. It is sinfully good like a summer cocktail you want to keep refilling. I found myself laughing out loud as I read and staying up way too late with this fabulous book.” —Kevin Kwan, New York Times bestselling author of Crazy Rich Asians and Sex and Vanity

"I am 100% invested in all the petty (and not-so-petty) drama of the delightfully messy residents of Emma Rosenblum's Fire Island. I like my beach reads either twisty, steamy, or funny and—lucky me—this was all three. Bad Summer People will absolutely be the book I push on all my friends this summer." —Chandler Baker, author of Whisper Network and The Husbands

"Like a tidbit of gossip flowing by on the sea breeze, Bad Summer People is irresistible. Funny, sexy, and scary, it made me eager to eavesdrop but glad not to be entangled in the vacation scandals dreamed up by Emma Rosenblum in her juicy debut." —Miranda Beverly-Whittemore, New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet and Fierce Little Thing

Easy fun lesson

I enjoyed this, not because it’s great literature, but it’s so well read and just fun. Not to be taken very seriously, and not requiring undivided attention all the time. It was perfect for what I was looking for at that moment.

Snarky Fun

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut. The women characters, especially, are allowed the full range of their flawed humanity. In the end, I liked Rachel best :) One of my fave listens of the summer.

Fun read

This book was quick to grad my attention and full of plot twists leaving you guessing till the end! loved the narration!

So bad it’s good

Exactly what you are hoping for. Dripping with the decadence of every little detail and leaving nothing to the imagination. These bad summer people are as easy to digest as sour milk but they read like buttah…

Exactly what you want in a summer book

It’s kind of like succession in the sense that the characters have lots of money, and most of the characters are inherently unlikable, but it’s SO GOOD!!!!

Almost glad I don’t have a beach house

I defy you and all readers to find a character. Do you like best. Will definitely enjoy hating all of the characters! Well done. Please write another one.

January Has Done it Again!

This was my first read from this author and I must say I enjoyed it! My title gives kudos to the narrator because I feel if the narration is bad, regardless of the book it doesn't come off right. However, I love the characters and January allows my emotions to either like a character or hate them. After you read or listen you'll see what I mean. There are a few characters that you will want to strangle! As for me the twist are there and I love when I guess the wrong killer. Good job Emma Rosenblum!

Great premise, no climax

The idea behind this book was great but when the climax came and went, and I kept asking myself, “Is that it!?” I feel like the book missed its mark. I was waiting for a twist that never came.

Not as good as I hoped

The reader did a great job. I didn’t really love the book. The ending like the last 5 minutes was a twist.

Great summer read

The NY upper class drama, mystery, and romance makes for a great easy summer read.