Book review: The Surf House by Lucy Clarke

The Surf House by Lucy Clarke is an intriguing read set in Morocco. And who knew Morocco even had surf beaches? My geographical ignorance means I’d always pictured it as desert-like and land-locked, not the type of place where you’d find retreats on hilltops overlooking surf beaches! It’s certainly a world away for Bea, a young English model who has become disillusioned with her profession and life in general.

High on the wave-pounded cliffs, far from the bustling souks of Marrakech, sits The Surf House.

A hidden gem on Morocco’s shores, the house is a sanctuary for the surfers, travellers and dreamers who wash in.

But the idyll is built on something rotten.

And when Bea arrives, relieved to find refuge after a dangerous encounter in a Marrakech alleyway, she soon gets caught in the swell of a deep, dark mystery.

Because another young woman went missing one year ago – and the last place she was sighted was The Surf House.

This predominantly unfolds from Bea’s point of view, though we dip back into the past to a year earlier to spend time with Savannah.

There’s something enigmatic or charismatic about Marnie (who rescues Bea from an unfortunate encounter in Marrakesh) and Ped her partner—who built the Surf House—and their friend Aiden who runs a neighbouring surf school… and Bea (like Savannah) is soon swept up in the unconventional lifestyle. There is however a simmering cloud, with Bea and Marnie being blackmailed over the events that took place in Marrakesh. Adding to the unrest is the arrival of Savannah’s brother, keen to find out what happened to his sister who disappeared a year earlier.

Clarke gives Bea some substance with a solid backstory so she’s likeable and relatable. Marnie, Ped and Aiden have some history and though there’s an obvious friction we (and Bea) realise we don’t know the full story which probably feeds the sense of trepidation as Bea tries to help Savannah’s brother to trace her movements.

This is an atmospheric read, that sense of doom is palpable in some ways and a series of tragedies keep the pace moving. There are several pivotal moments near the end of this book, heightening the suspense. Some of it I think we see coming but Clarke continues to add new twists into the mix. I’m not sure why but I was a little disappointed but in fairness to Clarke, it’s a reminder that people aren’t necessarily ‘all good or all bad’. Just some mixture of the two.

The Surf House by Lucy Clarke was published in Australia by Harper Collins.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.