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The Bridesmaid
From the acclaimed author of The Clinic comes a pulse-pounding thriller about a society wedding turned deadly, for fans of The Unwedding.
The Kensingtons invite you to the society wedding of the decade. There's just one hitch. You might not make it out alive.
When a celebrity bridesmaid is murdered weeks before an exclusive society wedding, forensic attorney Holly Stone is drafted as an unlikely undercover replacement. As she works to unpick the lives of the notoriously private Kensington family, glamour-averse Holly discovers a new worst enemy in bridezilla Adrianna. Heir to a multimillion dollar fortune, Adrianna is set on throwing the event of the decade, and she won't let anything get in her way.
But beneath the veneer of poise and sophistication, Adrianna and her bridesmaids have secrets worth killing for.
As the wedding day gets closer, it's clear that one of the five hand-picked bridesmaids has committed murder – and a destination wedding is a perfect place to strike again. Soon, Holly finds herself on the playground of the rich and famous, but if she wants to find answers, she'll have to make it out alive.
The Kensingtons invite you to the society wedding of the decade. There's just one hitch. You might not make it out alive.
When a celebrity bridesmaid is murdered weeks before an exclusive society wedding, forensic attorney Holly Stone is drafted as an unlikely undercover replacement. As she works to unpick the lives of the notoriously private Kensington family, glamour-averse Holly discovers a new worst enemy in bridezilla Adrianna. Heir to a multimillion dollar fortune, Adrianna is set on throwing the event of the decade, and she won't let anything get in her way.
But beneath the veneer of poise and sophistication, Adrianna and her bridesmaids have secrets worth killing for.
As the wedding day gets closer, it's clear that one of the five hand-picked bridesmaids has committed murder – and a destination wedding is a perfect place to strike again. Soon, Holly finds herself on the playground of the rich and famous, but if she wants to find answers, she'll have to make it out alive.
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2025
481 people are currently reading
27343 people want to read
About the author
Cate Quinn
5 books752 followersCate Quinn is a travel and lifestyle journalist for The Times, the Guardian and the Mirror, alongside many magazines. Prior to this, Quinn's background in historic research won prestigious postgraduate funding from the British Art Council. Quinn pooled these resources, combining historical research with first-hand experiences in far-flung places to create critically acclaimed and bestselling historical fiction.
Books by Cate Quinn - Black Widows and Blood Sisters
Books by Cate Quinn - Black Widows and Blood Sisters
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 496 reviews
October 26, 2025
Our MC Holly is a forensic genius, and with her weird, gothic, out-there look, she really rocks her character. I appreciated the short chapters, and the alternating POVs made it interesting to follow the events on Elysium Island. This is a pretty standard mystery/thriller and unfolds as you would expect. The ending caught me a bit off guard, as I was on the fence about who the actual stalker is. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmarks for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
August 4, 2025
This novel is very mysterious and dark. It is a fast paced read, with both likable and unlikable characters. It is where a destination wedding went completely wrong. It comes with a diverse cast of characters and multiple point of views. I found it to be thought provoking, because I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen next in the book. It is set on a gorgeous private island! The wedding planner, whose name is Adrianna, plans the society wedding of the year. However, things take a sinister turn. One of the bridesmaids ends up being murdered.
The details of this murder were both gruesome and disturbing. A forensic attorney named Holly gets hired and goes undercover as a replacement bridesmaid. As the wedding day gets closer and closer, it is believed that one of the bridesmaids is the murderer. However, the bride is not letting anything get in the way of her wedding. Tensions begin to arise, secrets start getting revealed and we learn about the shallow friendships. This is a whodunnit thriller, that keeps you guessing! It comes with a big twist that I didn’t see coming! Overall, I rate this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Cate Quinn and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark for this eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I think readers that like to read whodunnit thrillers would absolutely love reading this book. Content warnings include abuse, death, murder and violence.
This book is expected to be published on November 4, 2025!
The details of this murder were both gruesome and disturbing. A forensic attorney named Holly gets hired and goes undercover as a replacement bridesmaid. As the wedding day gets closer and closer, it is believed that one of the bridesmaids is the murderer. However, the bride is not letting anything get in the way of her wedding. Tensions begin to arise, secrets start getting revealed and we learn about the shallow friendships. This is a whodunnit thriller, that keeps you guessing! It comes with a big twist that I didn’t see coming! Overall, I rate this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, author Cate Quinn and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark | Sourcebooks Landmark for this eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I think readers that like to read whodunnit thrillers would absolutely love reading this book. Content warnings include abuse, death, murder and violence.
This book is expected to be published on November 4, 2025!
November 13, 2025
The definition of a fun popcorn thriller, The Bridesmaid kept me on my toes from beginning to end. With an ominous setting, oodles of mysterious family secrets, and a core surrounding dark academia, there was plenty to love as the whos, whats, and whys were slowly revealed. You see, on top of the destination wedding gone wrong-slash-whodunnit premise, the entire book was a macabre scavenger hunt for clues. Keeping me on the back foot throughout, it wasn’t until the facts were laid at my feet by the forensically motivated sleuth that everything slotted perfectly into place. After all, between the deftly placed red herrings and multiple well-crafted POVs, Quinn left me guessing almost right up until the very end of this novel.
I do have to say, though, that the best piece of this puzzle was the small cast of characters. Diverse, memorable, and quirky, they ran the gamut from likable to hated. With a dark past that stretched back to their boarding school days, I was on tenterhooks just waiting to find out what secrets they were all trying to hide. And when the onion-like truth finally exploded into view, it was a mix of both good and bad shocks to the system. You see, the whole conclusion did feel somewhat abrupt. That being said, I still had a blast racing through the short, punchy chapters. A fast-paced mystery/thriller full of wealthy people behaving badly, it ultimately won me over 100%. After all, there were some truly clever twists that I didn’t see coming at all. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When a celebrity bridesmaid is murdered weeks before an exclusive society wedding, forensic attorney Holly Stone is drafted as an unlikely undercover replacement. As she works to unpick the lives of the notoriously private Kensington family, glamour-averse Holly discovers a new worst enemy in bridezilla Adrianna. Heir to a multimillion dollar fortune, Adrianna is set on throwing the event of the decade, and she won't let anything get in her way.
But beneath the veneer of poise and sophistication, Adrianna and her bridesmaids have secrets worth killing for.
As the wedding day gets closer, it's clear that one of the five hand-picked bridesmaids has committed murder – and a destination wedding is a perfect place to strike again. Soon, Holly finds herself on the playground of the rich and famous, but if she wants to find answers, she'll have to make it out alive.
Thank you to Cate Quinn and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 4, 2025
Content warning: murder, drug use, gun violence, mention of: kidnapping, stalking
I do have to say, though, that the best piece of this puzzle was the small cast of characters. Diverse, memorable, and quirky, they ran the gamut from likable to hated. With a dark past that stretched back to their boarding school days, I was on tenterhooks just waiting to find out what secrets they were all trying to hide. And when the onion-like truth finally exploded into view, it was a mix of both good and bad shocks to the system. You see, the whole conclusion did feel somewhat abrupt. That being said, I still had a blast racing through the short, punchy chapters. A fast-paced mystery/thriller full of wealthy people behaving badly, it ultimately won me over 100%. After all, there were some truly clever twists that I didn’t see coming at all. Rating of 4 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When a celebrity bridesmaid is murdered weeks before an exclusive society wedding, forensic attorney Holly Stone is drafted as an unlikely undercover replacement. As she works to unpick the lives of the notoriously private Kensington family, glamour-averse Holly discovers a new worst enemy in bridezilla Adrianna. Heir to a multimillion dollar fortune, Adrianna is set on throwing the event of the decade, and she won't let anything get in her way.
But beneath the veneer of poise and sophistication, Adrianna and her bridesmaids have secrets worth killing for.
As the wedding day gets closer, it's clear that one of the five hand-picked bridesmaids has committed murder – and a destination wedding is a perfect place to strike again. Soon, Holly finds herself on the playground of the rich and famous, but if she wants to find answers, she'll have to make it out alive.
Thank you to Cate Quinn and Sourcebooks Landmark for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: November 4, 2025
Content warning: murder, drug use, gun violence, mention of: kidnapping, stalking
June 4, 2025
ARC for review. To be published November 4, 2025.
1 star
DNF p. 84
Adrianna Kensington, daughter of fantastically wealthy Leopold Kensington, is getting married. However, a killer is on the loose. One of the bridesmaids is killed and it appears the killer may be another bridesmaid…is it the same person who kidnapped Adrianna years ago? Private forensic attorney Holly Stone is on the case.
Ugh. Is Cate Quinn aware that law enforcement has, you know, rules? Standards? That a private citizen like Holly can’t come in and just start taking evidence and doing whatever she pleases with it? That the evidence would then be useless? That there’s a little thing called chain of custody? That, at the very least, she would have to be hired as a consultant with a contract? Every police officer I saw in this book would be fired immediately.
I hate books like this, where, I guess, we are supposed to pretend like the basic rules of life just don’t exist. What’s next, no gravity? I threw it down in disgust.
1 star
DNF p. 84
Adrianna Kensington, daughter of fantastically wealthy Leopold Kensington, is getting married. However, a killer is on the loose. One of the bridesmaids is killed and it appears the killer may be another bridesmaid…is it the same person who kidnapped Adrianna years ago? Private forensic attorney Holly Stone is on the case.
Ugh. Is Cate Quinn aware that law enforcement has, you know, rules? Standards? That a private citizen like Holly can’t come in and just start taking evidence and doing whatever she pleases with it? That the evidence would then be useless? That there’s a little thing called chain of custody? That, at the very least, she would have to be hired as a consultant with a contract? Every police officer I saw in this book would be fired immediately.
I hate books like this, where, I guess, we are supposed to pretend like the basic rules of life just don’t exist. What’s next, no gravity? I threw it down in disgust.
December 18, 2025
The Bridesmaid is the first book I've read by author Cate Quinn. The description captured my attention on NetGalley and I'd previously heard of the author, so I grabbed a copy (thank you!). Writing style and plot were good, mostly keeping my interest as we traveled from NY to a mysterious island off the coast of South America. One bridesmaid found dead, and it's clear one of the others had to be the filler. I struggled some with the characters and ultimately too many devices to make the plot work. The father is villainous, which could've been a bigger draw... instead, it felt more like a caricature. I just couldn't accept that the bride who herself had some problems would let Daddy pick all the bridesmaids, most who weren't really her friends. And then the father is sleeping with one of them, plus the other is trying to dig up secrets on the family. Great drama, just I prefer a little more reality in the foundation. That said, Quinn's a great storyteller and I will read another of her books to see if it's her it was just a mismatched plot.
November 19, 2025
New York. Holly Stone is forensic scientist and secretly hired to investigate a murder of a bridesmaid weeks before the biggest society wedding of the year between Adrianna Kensington and Mark Li.
Holly knows the victim, she convinced there's a connection between the bride’s abduction from her twenty-first birthday party and the perpetrator and because of what was done to the body and how it was staged.
Adrianna's the daughter of nightclub tycoon Leopold, she attended Kensington Manor Girls School, Holly's to fill in the vacant attends role and has been invited to post nuptials party on Private Island in the Caribbean and the show must go one.
All the bridesmaids are handpicked by Mr. Kensington, Holly has piercings and dresses like she’s been to Halloween Party and doesn’t fit the brief. Holly has to deal with the ultimate bridezilla and beneath the veneer of perfection all the members of the wedding party have secrets worth killing for and she drawn into the mess and has to sort it out.
I received a copy of The Bridesmaid by Cate Quinn from Sourcebooks and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. I found the story rather far-fetched, I guess that’s because it's a thriller and the cast of characters where larger than life and rich.
Three stars from me, yes the crime was solved and I didn’t predict the big twist at the end, to be honest I skimmed this novel, not something I would read by choice and I liked Holly and Fitzwilliam.
Holly knows the victim, she convinced there's a connection between the bride’s abduction from her twenty-first birthday party and the perpetrator and because of what was done to the body and how it was staged.
Adrianna's the daughter of nightclub tycoon Leopold, she attended Kensington Manor Girls School, Holly's to fill in the vacant attends role and has been invited to post nuptials party on Private Island in the Caribbean and the show must go one.
All the bridesmaids are handpicked by Mr. Kensington, Holly has piercings and dresses like she’s been to Halloween Party and doesn’t fit the brief. Holly has to deal with the ultimate bridezilla and beneath the veneer of perfection all the members of the wedding party have secrets worth killing for and she drawn into the mess and has to sort it out.
I received a copy of The Bridesmaid by Cate Quinn from Sourcebooks and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. I found the story rather far-fetched, I guess that’s because it's a thriller and the cast of characters where larger than life and rich.
Three stars from me, yes the crime was solved and I didn’t predict the big twist at the end, to be honest I skimmed this novel, not something I would read by choice and I liked Holly and Fitzwilliam.
June 9, 2025
Let’s start with positives:
The cover is phenomenal, I love the off colour scheme that gives you picturesque yet ominous vibes all at once.
The synopsis sounds excellent, we have a big deal socialite wedding - the event of the season! And leading up to it the mysterious murder of one of the famously known bridesmaids. A detective is hired and given 24 hours to solve her murder!
Moving onto thoughts:
This is a mixed bag for me. Im not surprised i feel this way as I had the same experience reading “the clinic” by the same author, but when I saw the comparison of this book to “the unwedding” (a book I absolutely loved) I had to give it a fair try.
For me I kinda liked the detective I thought she had some interesting quirks and it was entertaining to watch her process. Obviously a lot of the characters are a little detestable and unlikeable but that’s usually the case and the whole point when dealing with the rich extravagant socialites who are out of touch with reality.
I think maybe this was just a bit too slow burn for me and with the POV continually changing every chapter without a deep rooted sense of who was who it just made the reading experience a little choppy and uncomfortable for me.
I’d say you’ll either love it or you won’t so give it a fair try.
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publishes : November 4th
The cover is phenomenal, I love the off colour scheme that gives you picturesque yet ominous vibes all at once.
The synopsis sounds excellent, we have a big deal socialite wedding - the event of the season! And leading up to it the mysterious murder of one of the famously known bridesmaids. A detective is hired and given 24 hours to solve her murder!
Moving onto thoughts:
This is a mixed bag for me. Im not surprised i feel this way as I had the same experience reading “the clinic” by the same author, but when I saw the comparison of this book to “the unwedding” (a book I absolutely loved) I had to give it a fair try.
For me I kinda liked the detective I thought she had some interesting quirks and it was entertaining to watch her process. Obviously a lot of the characters are a little detestable and unlikeable but that’s usually the case and the whole point when dealing with the rich extravagant socialites who are out of touch with reality.
I think maybe this was just a bit too slow burn for me and with the POV continually changing every chapter without a deep rooted sense of who was who it just made the reading experience a little choppy and uncomfortable for me.
I’d say you’ll either love it or you won’t so give it a fair try.
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Publishes : November 4th
July 21, 2025
This was one of those thrillers that grabbed my attention right from the start. The writing style and short chapters made this a quick, bingeable read.
When a bridesmaid in a high profile wedding ends up dead, forensic expert Holly Stone is brought in to help solve the case.
I loved Holly’s character and how her uniqueness set her apart from the other characters we were getting points of view from. Having several different view points kept me guessing as to who was behind everything and kept me on my toes.
All of the forensic elements that were woven into the story were really interesting and added another layer of intrigue to the story. I was definitely interested in figuring out who was behind all the chaos and how everything was going to wrap up.
Read this if you like:
→ Multiple POV
→ Forensic/Detective
→ Whodunnit
→ Destination wedding
→ Family secrets
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy of the book.
When a bridesmaid in a high profile wedding ends up dead, forensic expert Holly Stone is brought in to help solve the case.
I loved Holly’s character and how her uniqueness set her apart from the other characters we were getting points of view from. Having several different view points kept me guessing as to who was behind everything and kept me on my toes.
All of the forensic elements that were woven into the story were really interesting and added another layer of intrigue to the story. I was definitely interested in figuring out who was behind all the chaos and how everything was going to wrap up.
Read this if you like:
→ Multiple POV
→ Forensic/Detective
→ Whodunnit
→ Destination wedding
→ Family secrets
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy of the book.
October 25, 2025
3.75 stars. A society wedding turned deadly. Yes please! I LOVED The Clinic (rated 4.5★) so when this arc popped up I immediately requested it. Quinn’s mystery-crime-thriller takes you on a thrill-filled quest of whodunnit after a celebrity bridesmaid is murdered while wearing one of the bride, Adrianna Kensingtons dresses. The Kensington’s are very wealthy, so of course, the show must go on. Forensic investigator Holly Stone is called in to go undercover as a bridesmaid whilst solving the murder - with only 24 hours to find the culprit. Everyone is suspect. All are hiding secrets.
I LOVED the unreliable characters + the “rich people behaving badly” storylines, both are my favorites.. as are short-chaptered books which Quinn created here giving the story a faster-paced feel (the middle did slow somewhat). The red herrings kept things fresh, entertaining and kept me guessing. If like me you’re a fan of Cate Quinn - add this to your list. Pub. 11/4/25
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley for the eARC! All opinions are my own.
I LOVED the unreliable characters + the “rich people behaving badly” storylines, both are my favorites.. as are short-chaptered books which Quinn created here giving the story a faster-paced feel (the middle did slow somewhat). The red herrings kept things fresh, entertaining and kept me guessing. If like me you’re a fan of Cate Quinn - add this to your list. Pub. 11/4/25
Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley for the eARC! All opinions are my own.
October 15, 2025
The Bridesmaid by Cate Quinn. Thanks to @bookmarked for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A bridesmaid for a celeb wedding is murdered and an undercover forensic artery takes her place. Thrust into the glamorous world, Holly Stone, needs to deal with Bridezilla and solve a murder.
The promo for this release was superb. I loved the wedding invite and rsvp card. Perfectly done! The story was suspenseful and dramatic, but with some majorly out of touch and uber wealthy characters that I couldn’t find myself to care about. I did like
Holly’s character and stuck around for her.
“At first glance, it seems impossible to imagine. But as I look closer tag their rictus grins - unsmiling eyes fixed coldly on the camera - my perspective shifts. It suddenly seems very possible indeed.”
The Bridesmaid comes out 11/4.
A bridesmaid for a celeb wedding is murdered and an undercover forensic artery takes her place. Thrust into the glamorous world, Holly Stone, needs to deal with Bridezilla and solve a murder.
The promo for this release was superb. I loved the wedding invite and rsvp card. Perfectly done! The story was suspenseful and dramatic, but with some majorly out of touch and uber wealthy characters that I couldn’t find myself to care about. I did like
Holly’s character and stuck around for her.
“At first glance, it seems impossible to imagine. But as I look closer tag their rictus grins - unsmiling eyes fixed coldly on the camera - my perspective shifts. It suddenly seems very possible indeed.”
The Bridesmaid comes out 11/4.
June 24, 2025
Although I ended up guessing pretty early on some of what was going on, I did find myself thrilled to know I hadn't uncovered every single twist to the story. This still managed to keep me on my toes and, of course, eagerly turning the pages. I really adored Holly and her personality alone, which made all the others more bearable.
Overall, this was a fun thriller, perfect for summer.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Overall, this was a fun thriller, perfect for summer.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
December 4, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved The Clinic by Quinn, so thought I would give this one a try. Unfortunately, it just fell a little short for me. The story starts out interesting and with a bang with a dead body being found in a gruesome manner first thing. Then we start getting into rich family issues and how a forensic scientist gets dragged into all of it to help solve the murder. While the book started out good, it slower down significantly and I feel there was extraneous things put into the story that could have made it become a little more fats paced and engaging if it were removed. It also took a turn that I was not expecting and the ending was just dull. I will definitely read more from the author, this was just a no go for me.
I loved The Clinic by Quinn, so thought I would give this one a try. Unfortunately, it just fell a little short for me. The story starts out interesting and with a bang with a dead body being found in a gruesome manner first thing. Then we start getting into rich family issues and how a forensic scientist gets dragged into all of it to help solve the murder. While the book started out good, it slower down significantly and I feel there was extraneous things put into the story that could have made it become a little more fats paced and engaging if it were removed. It also took a turn that I was not expecting and the ending was just dull. I will definitely read more from the author, this was just a no go for me.
November 11, 2025
This one was another page-turner! I also really enjoyed The Clinic by this author! Both books have such eerie settings and immerse you into them! I thought the characters were mostly unlikable, but Holly saves the day there! She reminded me of Abby from NCIS who I absolutely adore as a character! I also loved how she maintained her integrity throughout even though there were plenty of tempting opportunities to abandon it. There was a little romantic tension between her and Fitzwilliam as well which gave the story a little something extra! Overall really enjoyed this thriller!!!
September 15, 2025
Family secrets, wedding-day chaos, and plenty of drama - The Bridesmaid is a juicy, twisty read that kept me hooked the whole way through. Cate Quinn nails the suspense while making it completely addictive.
Thanks to Sourcebooks and Cate Quinn for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to Sourcebooks and Cate Quinn for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 17, 2025
The Kensingtons invite you to the society wedding of the decade. There's just one hitch. You might not make it out alive.’
Yeesh. The Bridesmaid is told from multiple POVs and is heavily populated with a cast of juvenile acting adults. I found zero connections with any of them. Didn’t give a damn about any of the FMC’s. And that crushed my soul a little.
I found the attempt at colossal misdirection to be such a serious undertaking that ended up having very little payoff. Sadly, It didn’t work for me. It felt wholly overworked.
In the case of the characters, well… they were all insufferable & simultaneously, they were simply underwhelming. The lack of attachment was significant & discouraging.
Regardless, I am always grateful & I’m sure there will be plenty of thriller readers who will enjoy this.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Pub: 11.04.2025.
Yeesh. The Bridesmaid is told from multiple POVs and is heavily populated with a cast of juvenile acting adults. I found zero connections with any of them. Didn’t give a damn about any of the FMC’s. And that crushed my soul a little.
I found the attempt at colossal misdirection to be such a serious undertaking that ended up having very little payoff. Sadly, It didn’t work for me. It felt wholly overworked.
In the case of the characters, well… they were all insufferable & simultaneously, they were simply underwhelming. The lack of attachment was significant & discouraging.
Regardless, I am always grateful & I’m sure there will be plenty of thriller readers who will enjoy this.
Thank you Sourcebooks Landmark for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Pub: 11.04.2025.
May 26, 2025
Thank you NetGalley & SourceBooks for allowing me to read this ARC.
The Bridesmaid by Cate Quinn will be released on November 4th. it was super fun, like reading an episode of your favorite detective TV show.
Forensic attorney Holly Stone goes undercover as a bridesmaid after one of the original bridal party is murdered just weeks before a high-society wedding. As she navigates the world of the ultra-wealthy and clashes with the demanding bride, she uncovers dark secrets among the bridesmaids. With another killer potentially in their midst, Holly must solve the mystery before the wedding turns deadly again. Short chapters, fast paced, a lot of POV, I honestly had a really good time with this one!
The Bridesmaid by Cate Quinn will be released on November 4th. it was super fun, like reading an episode of your favorite detective TV show.
Forensic attorney Holly Stone goes undercover as a bridesmaid after one of the original bridal party is murdered just weeks before a high-society wedding. As she navigates the world of the ultra-wealthy and clashes with the demanding bride, she uncovers dark secrets among the bridesmaids. With another killer potentially in their midst, Holly must solve the mystery before the wedding turns deadly again. Short chapters, fast paced, a lot of POV, I honestly had a really good time with this one!
January 21, 2025
Ok so this was the first book I tried by Kate, but I hear her historical fiction is good. This is supposedly her first modern thriller.
I broke my huge rule and didn’t finish this book.
Apart from Holly, no characters were likeable at all, and the book had a wrong attitude and vibe.
Ok, I get the setting. Rich people wedding.
But the bride and father, ridiculous.
If I were a cop, with that attitude of the father, I’d have told him we only communicate with him through an attorney, or even arrested him for being uncooperative.
Ludicrous how she was portraying the cops.
Even if Holly does come and solve the case, you’ll just hate the whole lot, so you really wouldn’t care anyway.
I broke my huge rule and didn’t finish this book.
Apart from Holly, no characters were likeable at all, and the book had a wrong attitude and vibe.
Ok, I get the setting. Rich people wedding.
But the bride and father, ridiculous.
If I were a cop, with that attitude of the father, I’d have told him we only communicate with him through an attorney, or even arrested him for being uncooperative.
Ludicrous how she was portraying the cops.
Even if Holly does come and solve the case, you’ll just hate the whole lot, so you really wouldn’t care anyway.
June 1, 2025
This is the second book I’ve read by Cate Quinn, the first being The Clinic. I find that I really enjoy Cate’s writing. This is a fast paced novel that starts off right in the trenches of the murder. Adrianna is our bride and one of her bridesmaids has been murdered. Holly, our forensic expert, also happened to know the person who was murdered, now is playing as the new bridesmaid. And is swept away to the island where the wedding is going to take place. Will the murderer be found or will more bodies pile up?
The whole concept of the book I really liked, I thought the execution was done really well and also the pacing kept me entrenched in the book. It will definitely make me come back for more Cate Quinn novels in the future!
Thank you to Sourcebook Landmark for the complementary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The whole concept of the book I really liked, I thought the execution was done really well and also the pacing kept me entrenched in the book. It will definitely make me come back for more Cate Quinn novels in the future!
Thank you to Sourcebook Landmark for the complementary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 20, 2025
I adored Quinn's novel The Clinic so knew I wanted to read this! It's wildly different and took me awhile to get into, but I really enjoyed it once I gave it some time. Adrianna is excited to be a bride--especially after being kidnapped three years ago--but soon discovers one of her bridesmaid's corpse hanging in the house! Forensic scientist Holly is called in to investigate and discovers much more than she expected!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
November 4, 2025
This was an engaging popcorn thriller. I flew through it. It's the first book I've read by Cate Quinn and I will definitely read more by her. A celebrity bridesmaid at a destination wedding winds up dead. Investigator Holly is hired to go undercover to find out what's going on, and who is the murderer. I loved the clues throughout to keep you guessing and I had a few hunches about what was going on and in the end I ended up being right about one twist, but others I wasn't. There are some unlikable characters, but Detective Holly was awesome! I really liked this one.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
October 21, 2025
This was…not for me and I honestly don’t recommend it.
The first half of the book we have the repeated phrase “she can see what the police missed” (regarding the mc) way too many times without being shown it’s actually true. After reading the book, I can only surmise that only reason that’s true is because cops generally aren’t extensively trained as forensic experts. So…🤷🏽♀️
The mc’s constant need to be the victim was so annoying like okay we get it…you were poor and you had it rough…you don’t need to one up everyone around you with your sad past. Everyone goes through things regardless of how much money their family has - that’s life.
*Random* but portraying a ‘bigger woman’ stuffing her face with cake was probably not the best writing choice. We all have our stuffing-face-with-cake moments (don’t get me wrong AND the character hadn’t eaten all day) but it just wasn’t in good taste imo 🤷🏽♀️
The book in general was entirely too long and could probably do with cutting a good 100+ pages. All the long detailed descriptions were not necessary. The short chapters were good but it felt like instead of building tension the pacing was thrown off chapter after chapter.
And finally…the ending. *clears throat* WDYM THE MC WANTED JUSTICE THEN SUDDENLY DECIDES ‘nah I’m gonna lie instead’?!?!?! AND THEN THE COP ALSO DECIDES NOT TO PURSUE JUSTICE?!??!? Absolutely not. ABSOLUTELY NOT‼️‼️‼️ I get it’s fiction but c’mon now, really???
*sigh* As I said at the beginning I do not recommend this book. I was really looking forward to it too and was gravely disappointed.
TW: language, child abuse, drug abuse, potentially implied assault
The first half of the book we have the repeated phrase “she can see what the police missed” (regarding the mc) way too many times without being shown it’s actually true. After reading the book, I can only surmise that only reason that’s true is because cops generally aren’t extensively trained as forensic experts. So…🤷🏽♀️
The mc’s constant need to be the victim was so annoying like okay we get it…you were poor and you had it rough…you don’t need to one up everyone around you with your sad past. Everyone goes through things regardless of how much money their family has - that’s life.
*Random* but portraying a ‘bigger woman’ stuffing her face with cake was probably not the best writing choice. We all have our stuffing-face-with-cake moments (don’t get me wrong AND the character hadn’t eaten all day) but it just wasn’t in good taste imo 🤷🏽♀️
The book in general was entirely too long and could probably do with cutting a good 100+ pages. All the long detailed descriptions were not necessary. The short chapters were good but it felt like instead of building tension the pacing was thrown off chapter after chapter.
And finally…the ending. *clears throat* WDYM THE MC WANTED JUSTICE THEN SUDDENLY DECIDES ‘nah I’m gonna lie instead’?!?!?! AND THEN THE COP ALSO DECIDES NOT TO PURSUE JUSTICE?!??!? Absolutely not. ABSOLUTELY NOT‼️‼️‼️ I get it’s fiction but c’mon now, really???
*sigh* As I said at the beginning I do not recommend this book. I was really looking forward to it too and was gravely disappointed.
TW: language, child abuse, drug abuse, potentially implied assault
August 2, 2025
This one pulled me in from the start. A thriller that’s not just about action — it’s about what’s under the surface. Twists that hit hard, tension that keeps climbing, and mystery that makes your brain work.
The detective and forensic work felt real and sharp, not exaggerated. It gave weight to the story without slowing it down. Every clue mattered.
What really stuck with me was the emotional depth — the story looks at family, loyalty, and trust in a way that feels personal, not just part of the plot. It’s psychological, smart, and intense all at once.
Easily one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year. It didn’t just entertain — it stayed with me.
The detective and forensic work felt real and sharp, not exaggerated. It gave weight to the story without slowing it down. Every clue mattered.
What really stuck with me was the emotional depth — the story looks at family, loyalty, and trust in a way that feels personal, not just part of the plot. It’s psychological, smart, and intense all at once.
Easily one of the best thrillers I’ve read this year. It didn’t just entertain — it stayed with me.
September 26, 2025
What happens when the wedding of the century turns into a nightmare? That’s what nightclub heiress Adrianna Kensington is going through when one of her bridesmaids turns up a murdered right before her big day. Forensic investigator, Holly Stone, is called in to determine what is going on, especially since the murder is reminiscent of a brutal kidnapping that Adrianna escaped from three years prior. It’s Holly‘s job to determine whether someone is out to get Adrianna again, and who that person could be, since the kidnapper was never caught. And as it turns out, that person could be a lot closer than anyone ever expected.
This book is narrated from multiple points of view, but mainly Holly’s and Adrianna’s.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. The action begins on page one and doesn’t let up until the very last pages. The mystery involves not only a Paris Hilton-type socialite figure, but is set against the backdrop of the secretive boarding school and the elite world of the rich, and how their loyalties lie and what they will do to keep them.
The central mystery of the book was really amazing and I certainly did not guess how it was going to turn out until everything was revealed. I thought all the twists and turns were really clever and the author did a great job of really helping us get to know the characters really well, and getting to know their motivations. As mentioned before, the inclusion of the secretive boarding school that most of the characters attended was really great, because it added this really creepy layer to the story. I could never have dreamed up that storyline myself, so kudos to the author.
This is a great book if you’re looking for something to get you through spooky season and you love a book with tons of twists and turns. You won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for something to keep you up and reading all night!
This book is narrated from multiple points of view, but mainly Holly’s and Adrianna’s.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. The action begins on page one and doesn’t let up until the very last pages. The mystery involves not only a Paris Hilton-type socialite figure, but is set against the backdrop of the secretive boarding school and the elite world of the rich, and how their loyalties lie and what they will do to keep them.
The central mystery of the book was really amazing and I certainly did not guess how it was going to turn out until everything was revealed. I thought all the twists and turns were really clever and the author did a great job of really helping us get to know the characters really well, and getting to know their motivations. As mentioned before, the inclusion of the secretive boarding school that most of the characters attended was really great, because it added this really creepy layer to the story. I could never have dreamed up that storyline myself, so kudos to the author.
This is a great book if you’re looking for something to get you through spooky season and you love a book with tons of twists and turns. You won’t be disappointed if you’re looking for something to keep you up and reading all night!
November 20, 2025
When a bridesmaid is found dead days before one of the most wealthy and talked-about weddings of the year, forensic scientist Holly is called in to help find the answers to who committed the crime. But when she reaches the scene, she realizes the dead woman is someone close to her and quickly learns that clues have been left to help guide her to the truth about everything.
If you enjoy quirky, over-the-top, yet addicting thrillers, I would highly recommend this one! At the beginning of this book, I was honestly a little skeptical and confused about what was going on, but I quickly got hooked on the storyline and couldn't help but fly through each chapter. There are almost 100 chapters in this book, and each one made me feel like I had to keep flipping to find out what was going to happen next. The descriptions and setting were very grand and centered around major wealth, which made the plot all the more dramatic and exciting. However, one of the main reasons my rating of this one dropped below 4 stars is the thread regarding Trinity. It was such a fascinating, creepy entity that plays a part throughout the entire plot until it simply drops off at the end, not to be mentioned again. There were a few moments when the mention of Trinity felt eerie, especially in the descriptions of it, and I was almost disappointed to not get any conclusions. Regardless of this, I still had a great time with The Bridesmaid!
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
CW for torture, forced institutionalization, murder, blood, addiction, physical abuse, gun violence, abandonment.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of The Bridesmaid by Cate Quinn.
If you enjoy quirky, over-the-top, yet addicting thrillers, I would highly recommend this one! At the beginning of this book, I was honestly a little skeptical and confused about what was going on, but I quickly got hooked on the storyline and couldn't help but fly through each chapter. There are almost 100 chapters in this book, and each one made me feel like I had to keep flipping to find out what was going to happen next. The descriptions and setting were very grand and centered around major wealth, which made the plot all the more dramatic and exciting. However, one of the main reasons my rating of this one dropped below 4 stars is the thread regarding Trinity. It was such a fascinating, creepy entity that plays a part throughout the entire plot until it simply drops off at the end, not to be mentioned again. There were a few moments when the mention of Trinity felt eerie, especially in the descriptions of it, and I was almost disappointed to not get any conclusions. Regardless of this, I still had a great time with The Bridesmaid!
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
CW for torture, forced institutionalization, murder, blood, addiction, physical abuse, gun violence, abandonment.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC of The Bridesmaid by Cate Quinn.
November 23, 2025
This story took off like a shot and really hooked me from the very beginning. A huge celebrity wedding is about to happen and the bride has publicity contracts pertaining to every stage of the celebration, which will result in huge sums for the family business. The elaborate invitations, gorgeous cakes, designer gowns (five wedding gowns for the bride alone!) and the production quality of the affair is astounding. This family has loads of secrets, and I can’t think of any good ones. When the bridesmaids are scheduled for one of their photo shoots, the murdered body of one of them is found on display. From there the chase begins to try to solve the case. The chief person working on it is Holly Stone, who has had extensive forensic training. Her sidekick/working partner is a NYPD detective.
These two eventually settle into a good working rhythm, and thank goodness, because this is a messy and dangerous situation for them.
There are other mysterious threads for them to untangle as well. I thought the book needed some help in the middle and after that it really didn’t recover well. I also would have liked more depth to the characters.
The mysteries are eventually solved, but a scorecard to keep track of things might be helpful.
I’m rating this as three stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received a copy of the digital ARC via the publisher and NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
These two eventually settle into a good working rhythm, and thank goodness, because this is a messy and dangerous situation for them.
There are other mysterious threads for them to untangle as well. I thought the book needed some help in the middle and after that it really didn’t recover well. I also would have liked more depth to the characters.
The mysteries are eventually solved, but a scorecard to keep track of things might be helpful.
I’m rating this as three stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received a copy of the digital ARC via the publisher and NetGalley. My review is voluntary.
December 16, 2025
The cover and synopsis really drew me to this book!
I mean we have a socialite wedding and leading up to the wedding one of the bridesmaids is murdered. A forensic attorney is hired by the soon to be groom and given 24 hours to solve the murder.
This was my first book by Quinn and I have some mixed feelings on it. It starts out strong for me with a dead body being found in a gruesome manner. But while it had a good start it really slowed down for me and I felt that I was never on the edge of my seat about what was going to happen next. I also know that when you have a lot of rich socialites that you will not like some of the characters but I found that I didn’t care for ANY of the characters (even the forensic attorney). This also just seemed to have plot points that tried too hard to connect them all and the ending was just sort of dull to me. I will definitely try another book from this author, but this one was just ok to me.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an ALC in exchange for my honest review.
I mean we have a socialite wedding and leading up to the wedding one of the bridesmaids is murdered. A forensic attorney is hired by the soon to be groom and given 24 hours to solve the murder.
This was my first book by Quinn and I have some mixed feelings on it. It starts out strong for me with a dead body being found in a gruesome manner. But while it had a good start it really slowed down for me and I felt that I was never on the edge of my seat about what was going to happen next. I also know that when you have a lot of rich socialites that you will not like some of the characters but I found that I didn’t care for ANY of the characters (even the forensic attorney). This also just seemed to have plot points that tried too hard to connect them all and the ending was just sort of dull to me. I will definitely try another book from this author, but this one was just ok to me.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an ALC in exchange for my honest review.
October 9, 2025
I love a wedding mystery drama, and this book delivered! Fast paced, multiple POV, unique plot, overall a great read. I would read more books centered around these characters, I thought there was a lot to explore here. I hope we get some more stories with Holly specifically! I see her very much as a series main character I could follow for awhile.
For this book though, the vibes are all there for a wedding weekend murder mystery if that’s what you’re looking for in your next read. Definitely recommend!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
For this book though, the vibes are all there for a wedding weekend murder mystery if that’s what you’re looking for in your next read. Definitely recommend!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
July 9, 2025
This was a fast paced thriller with multiple POVs set in a wealthy world. Adrianna is a heiress/influencer and everything about her wedding is for the cameras and sponsors. Once murder comes into the picture she must scramble to save her wedding day. Holly is a forensic scientist who gets pulled into the case by the murder of her mentor. These two women couldn't be more different. The third point of view was of another bridesmaid and I think that should have been completely cut out. This book was good as a quick read that keeps your attention but the twists were not very twisty.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book which has not affected my review.
I was provided an advanced copy of this book which has not affected my review.
August 19, 2025
3.5 Stars for me - I enjoyed the beginning and the end of The Bridesmaid - but I struggled to get through the middle. It felt like it dragged on a bit and could have been more concise. Overall though, it was an enjoyable thriller with multiple POVs and a tough whodunnit to figure out! The main investigator/forensics person (Holly) was my favourite.
Thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC for my honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC for my honest opinion.
January 16, 2025
All my reviews can be found at damppebbles.com
Cate Quinn has, in a fairly short space of time, become a favourite author of mine. It all started with the incredible Black Widows. Closely followed by the The Clinic. Confession time: I haven’t read Blood Sisters yet but it will happen very soon (this is the whole ‘books I purchased versus books I have for review’ thing – review books take priority above everything else which is why I still haven’t read a book published in 2023 but I’m about to share my review of a book published this very day!). I saw Cate Quinn’s new release – The Bridesmaid – on NetGalley and it would have been impossible for me to ignore. Why? Because I love the way the author tells a story. Cate Quinn’s thrillers are engrossing, unexpected and always full of twists. The Bridesmaid was no different.
Adrianna Kensington, heiress to the Kensington Nightclub empire, is set to marry her tech billionaire fiancé, Mark Li, within a matter of days on her family’s private island. The night before the dress fitting a shocking discovery is made. One of the bridesmaids’ has been slaughtered. Her bloody corpse suspended from the ceiling in one of Adriana’s exclusive, designer wedding dresses. The wedding must go on though and so, with a healthy mistrust of the police, Mark asks forensic specialist Holly Stone for help. Everything needs to run to schedule with as little disruption as possible, otherwise the Kensington brand could be tarnished forever. Can Holly, completely out of her depth with the privileged Kensingtons, discover the reasons behind the bridesmaid’s brutal death and ensure, with the help of New York detective Fitzwilliam, the safety of those attending the three day long ceremony on the private island? Or will Adriana’s long-held family secrets finally come to light, destroying her picture perfect life once and for all…?
The Bridesmaid is a book with a heck of a lot going on within the pages. Sitting here now, writing (as I always do) my own brief synopsis of the book (⬆️), looking back at what I’ve written, I don’t feel I’ve really done the book justice. If you compare the official blurb to what I’ve written in the paragraph above, you *could* think they were two similar but different books. There are two main threads in this story. One I’ve covered, the other I’ve barely touched on, but it all comes together perfectly in the end. The part I haven’t really mentioned is Elysium, the private island. Whilst staying on the island for her 21st birthday celebrations three years previously, Adriana was kidnapped. Unaware she was still on the island and at the family home, she was taken to the panic room and kept hostage for three days before finally escaping. Her kidnapper was never caught and Adriana only managed to get away after dislocating her wrist and escaping the handcuffs. This is the bit that ties it all together. Could the kidnapper have returned? And, in the three years since Adriana went missing, has kidnap escalated to murder? So yes, there is a lot going on in this book but I do feel, now I’ve added a little about the island and Adriana’s traumatic experience whilst there, that you’re getting a much clearer idea of what the book is about. Holly Stone, master of forensics, is the main character in The Bridesmaid. She is a wonderful lead and I would love to see more of her in the future (her own series perhaps?). Holly is thrown head first into the circus that is the Kensington family, secretly acting on behalf of Mark Li, whilst also, somehow, now acting as replacement bridesmaid. She is so out of her depth she is drowning!
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Bridesmaid is a thoroughly entertaining, twisty read from a favourite author of mine. It’s a little bit bonkers in places and, as I’ve already mentioned, quite busy at times but I enjoyed the time I spent in Holly’s company. The story is told from three points of view; Holly, Adriana and one of the bridesmaids, Petra. I did enjoy seeing how the story was unfolding from the different perspectives but I always looked forward to hearing from Holly the most. Although the simmering chemistry between Holly and Detective Fitzwilliam didn’t really add anything to the story for me. I’m not one for romance in a crime thriller. However, I know others feel differently. The ending was explosive and fast paced. I was able to predict a couple of things which happened but I still enjoyed the book and look forward to more from this author in the future (I’ll hopefully get Blood Sisters read and reviewed before Quinn’s next book comes out!). Recommended.
Cate Quinn has, in a fairly short space of time, become a favourite author of mine. It all started with the incredible Black Widows. Closely followed by the The Clinic. Confession time: I haven’t read Blood Sisters yet but it will happen very soon (this is the whole ‘books I purchased versus books I have for review’ thing – review books take priority above everything else which is why I still haven’t read a book published in 2023 but I’m about to share my review of a book published this very day!). I saw Cate Quinn’s new release – The Bridesmaid – on NetGalley and it would have been impossible for me to ignore. Why? Because I love the way the author tells a story. Cate Quinn’s thrillers are engrossing, unexpected and always full of twists. The Bridesmaid was no different.
Adrianna Kensington, heiress to the Kensington Nightclub empire, is set to marry her tech billionaire fiancé, Mark Li, within a matter of days on her family’s private island. The night before the dress fitting a shocking discovery is made. One of the bridesmaids’ has been slaughtered. Her bloody corpse suspended from the ceiling in one of Adriana’s exclusive, designer wedding dresses. The wedding must go on though and so, with a healthy mistrust of the police, Mark asks forensic specialist Holly Stone for help. Everything needs to run to schedule with as little disruption as possible, otherwise the Kensington brand could be tarnished forever. Can Holly, completely out of her depth with the privileged Kensingtons, discover the reasons behind the bridesmaid’s brutal death and ensure, with the help of New York detective Fitzwilliam, the safety of those attending the three day long ceremony on the private island? Or will Adriana’s long-held family secrets finally come to light, destroying her picture perfect life once and for all…?
The Bridesmaid is a book with a heck of a lot going on within the pages. Sitting here now, writing (as I always do) my own brief synopsis of the book (⬆️), looking back at what I’ve written, I don’t feel I’ve really done the book justice. If you compare the official blurb to what I’ve written in the paragraph above, you *could* think they were two similar but different books. There are two main threads in this story. One I’ve covered, the other I’ve barely touched on, but it all comes together perfectly in the end. The part I haven’t really mentioned is Elysium, the private island. Whilst staying on the island for her 21st birthday celebrations three years previously, Adriana was kidnapped. Unaware she was still on the island and at the family home, she was taken to the panic room and kept hostage for three days before finally escaping. Her kidnapper was never caught and Adriana only managed to get away after dislocating her wrist and escaping the handcuffs. This is the bit that ties it all together. Could the kidnapper have returned? And, in the three years since Adriana went missing, has kidnap escalated to murder? So yes, there is a lot going on in this book but I do feel, now I’ve added a little about the island and Adriana’s traumatic experience whilst there, that you’re getting a much clearer idea of what the book is about. Holly Stone, master of forensics, is the main character in The Bridesmaid. She is a wonderful lead and I would love to see more of her in the future (her own series perhaps?). Holly is thrown head first into the circus that is the Kensington family, secretly acting on behalf of Mark Li, whilst also, somehow, now acting as replacement bridesmaid. She is so out of her depth she is drowning!
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Bridesmaid is a thoroughly entertaining, twisty read from a favourite author of mine. It’s a little bit bonkers in places and, as I’ve already mentioned, quite busy at times but I enjoyed the time I spent in Holly’s company. The story is told from three points of view; Holly, Adriana and one of the bridesmaids, Petra. I did enjoy seeing how the story was unfolding from the different perspectives but I always looked forward to hearing from Holly the most. Although the simmering chemistry between Holly and Detective Fitzwilliam didn’t really add anything to the story for me. I’m not one for romance in a crime thriller. However, I know others feel differently. The ending was explosive and fast paced. I was able to predict a couple of things which happened but I still enjoyed the book and look forward to more from this author in the future (I’ll hopefully get Blood Sisters read and reviewed before Quinn’s next book comes out!). Recommended.
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