The Swell

By: Allie Reynolds

Narrated by: Samara MacLaren, Nicolette Chin, Joe Eyre, George Greenland, Helen Keeley, Sid Sagar, George Weightman

Length: 11 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

"Fast-paced, nail-bitingly tense and packed full of twists and turns. I found it unputdownable--loved it!"—Sarah Pearse, author of The Sanatorium

Point Break meets And Then There Were None in a pulse-pounding beach listen that explores the dangerous ties between a group of elite surfers who are determined to find the perfect waves at any cost…even murder.

The waves are to die for.

Three years ago, passionate surfer Kenna Ward lost her two great loves—after her boyfriend drowned, she hung up her surfboard and swore off the water for good. But she is drawn back to the beach when her best friend, Mikki, announces her sudden engagement to a man Kenna has never met—a member of a tight-knit group of surfers. Kenna travels to a remote Australian beach, entering a dangerous world far from civilization where the waves, weather, and tides are all that matter. Kenna is tempted back into the surf, and drawn into the dazzling group and the beach they call their own.

But this coastal paradise has a dark side, and members of the group begin to go missing. Kenna realizes that in order to protect Mikki and learn more about the surfers, she must become one of them…without becoming one of their victims. What follows is an adrenaline-fueled thriller packed with twists and turns, exploring the dangerous edge between passion and obsession.

©2022 Allie Reynolds (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“The holiday getaway takes a suspenseful turn.”—Washington Post, "Summer Reading Picks"

"A surfer who quit the sport after her boyfriend’s drowning is drawn back in by new friends, who may be even more dangerous than the waves they chase.”—People

“Pick up this adrenaline-pumping novel for a cast of unhinged, sinister surfers, a remote Australian beach and a woman caught in a deadly adventure."—Parade

Story was kind of all over the place

Story was kind of all over the place but still love it regardless, love the how the one you think you can trust the most is the most secretive.

More Like Alex Garland's The Beach

This book has been marketed as a cross between Point Break and And Then There Where None. But I think it's more like Alex Garland's The Beach. When the Main Character Kenna heads to Australia to visit Childhood friend, Mikki, she gets introduced to a small group of ride or die surfers and a secret, secluded bay, perfect for surfing. I don't know anything about surfing, but was still able to enjoy this book about surf obsessed characters. Most of us have a hobby or sport, that we love, and the rest of the world doesn't understand. So in this aspect, I found the surfing theme universal for a love of whatever activity is in your life. Allie Reynolds description of getting a euphoric high sounded familiar and intimate.For me that high was road trips when I was young, packing up a simple bag and just heading out somewhere and then somewhere else again. It was a waste of money to some people's thinking, and it cost me long term employment, but I don't regret any of those days. I miss those days. (sigh) It was my surfing.

Overall, it's a good read, I wanted to know how it ended and had a hard time putting it down. What it's not, is a great, who done it mystery. It's more like... these people ain't right,, and DID they do something? Very fun.

Another great book by Allie Reynolds!

Absolutely loved The Swell! I was immediately hooked and loved making guesses and trying to figure out what was going to happen next. I also enjoyed the surfing aspect—I’ve never surfed and probably never will, but it was told in a very relatable way. This book definitely makes me want to go spend some time in nature!

All of the narrators were excellent! Definitely recommend!

Loved this story

Ending kept me guessing through the book. Interesting setting and characters. Very good narration. Worth a listen.

Not a bad story

Not the best story I’ve ever read but also not the worst. It did keep you guessing till the very end.

Give this a chance

I loved Shiver and went into this book with high expectations. This book is absolutely worth a credit in my opinion.

Ending I never thought!

Twist and turns that I didn’t see coming. I couldn’t stop listening. Great great book!

Not “swell” enough for me

Just not my kinda book… recently been on a loser streak of audiobooks. Again, perhaps it’s me. Though narration was okay, I couldn’t get back into “The Swell.” Luckily, this was a two-for-one and I didn’t waste a credit. “Audible hopes you enjoyed this program.” Well, I didn’t. As my editor, dear friend and mentor wisely told me in 1979, “If everyone liked the same things, the world would indeed be a boring one.” RIP Dan Di Leo