The East End

By: Jason Allen

Narrated by: Angelo Di Loreto

A tragic accident threatens to unravel two families in this gripping novel of suspense and culture clash set in the Hamptons.

Corey Halpern, a local high schooler with a troubled home life, is desperate to leave the Hamptons and start anew somewhere else. His last summer before college, he settles for the escapism he finds in sneaking into neighboring mansions.

One night just before Memorial Day weekend, he breaks in to the wrong home at the wrong time: the Sheffield estate, where he and his mother, Gina, work. Under the cover of darkness, Leo Sheffield—a billionaire CEO, patriarch and the owner of the vast lakeside manor—arrives unexpectedly with a companion. After a shocking poolside accident, everything depends on Leo burying the truth before his family and friends arrive for the holiday weekend. Unfortunately for him, Corey saw what happened, as did other eyes in the shadows.

Secrecy, obsession and desperation dictate each character’s path in this spectacular debut. In a race against time, each critical moment holds life in the balance as Corey, Gina and Leo approach a common breaking point. With an ending as explosive as the Memorial Day fireworks on the island, The East End welcomes a bright new voice in fiction.

Gripping, well written, and fun

This book had me on the edge of my seat. It is a great book for escaping the stresses everyday life. The story was compelling, the characters were complicated, and the reading was well done. I look forward to sharing this book with my friends and seeing what Jason Allen does next. This should definitely be adapted to film too!

The Tension Kept Rising

When I didn’t think the main characters’ situations could get any worse, they did. Jason Allen keeps the listener plugged in, waiting to see how the characters will navigate each new hurdle. The only thing it left me wanting was more. Maybe another book about the unraveling of all the knots?

Depressing

I found this book very sad and depressing. This book is about the disparity of the filthy rich and those who work for them. Included in the story is drugs and alcohol and death and some sex. It is really just sad. I wish I hadn't wasted a credit on it. It wasn't suspenseful. It wasn't a mystery. It had no point. I would not recommend this book to anyone. Honestly, I should have returned it.

Excesses

Everything in this story is excessive. The characters consume massive amounts of drugs and/or alcohol; they make wildly bad choices; many have vast wealth, others are barely making a living. There is violence, bad behavior, dysfunctional relationships.
Moderation is nowhere in this narrative.