Becky's Great Book Reviews Bad Tourists by Caro Carver

Caro Carver's Bad Tourists is a solid thriller. This plot-heavy novel was fascinating from page one, pulling this reader in with its immediate flashback to a mass murder in a European hostel.

Over two decades later, three friends go on a trip to the Maldives, with the purpose of celebrating the divorce of one of the women. The three have a strong connection: they each have a tie to the mass murders of twenty years ago and the anniversary is happening the week of their vacation. Kate was the only survivor; Carmella's twin brother was one of the victims; and Darcy's boyfriend was also one of the murdered.

While at the resort, the friends conclude there was a co-conspirator in the murders that night. When they meet a new wife honeymooning with her abusive husband, the women have reason to believe he was somehow involved. However, the man who confessed to the killings the day after it happened has since died and because of the timing of the tragedy (the day after 9/11), it didn't get the investigation warranted.

The women take matters into their own hands to get answers about their shared trauma. Carver deftly pulls in other characters, like Darcy's ex who introduces a question over a man involved in the investigation. Red herrings keep the reader guessing as to the relevance of several plot details.

Carver writes skillfully about the effect of PTSD like when Kate is pondering that she always has to mentally sort rational fear from irrational fear. She thinks, "fear can save your life, but it can also drive you mad". The other characters are also compelling: Darcy's custody battle and Carmella's lifetime of grief and anger over the loss of her twin pull you in and make you care.

The real villain/killer is pretty easy to figure out, and the motive behind the murders is a bit of a head-scratcher, but not entirely unbelievable. The book is chilling and comes full circle, tying up the details and concluding satisfactorily. I give this thriller four stars out of five.