Het huisje bij de zee

by Keri Beevis

Hoe goed ken jij je man echt?
Twee jaar geleden werd mijn leven volledig op zijn kop gezet toen mijn man en beste vriendin omkwamen bij een auto-ongeluk in Norfolk. Sindsdien worstel ik met mijn verdriet en vraag ik me constant af waarom ze samen in Charlie's auto zaten die noodlottige dag.
Ik weet dat ik mijn eenzame bestaan moet doorbreken en een manier moet vinden om weer te leven. Op aanraden van een vriendin meld ik me aan bij een datingsite, IntoYou. Tot mijn verrassing krijg ik al snel een match, en alles lijkt veelbelovend.
Maar achter het scherm kan iedereen zich verschuilen. Al snel beginnen er vreemde dingen te gebeuren en kom ik schokkende geheimen over mijn verleden tegen. Het lijkt alsof het kwaad dichterbij komt en mij in de gaten houdt. Kan ik het gevaar op tijd herkennen, of is het al te laat?
Lof voor Keri
'Dit is hoe je een pageturner schrijft.' - Valerie Keogh

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, British Literature

331 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2025

About the author

Hi, I'm Keri Beevis, and I'm the author of the bestselling psychological suspense thrillers, Deep Dark Secrets, Dying To Tell, The Sleepover, and The Summer House.

Other titles I've written include Trust No One, Every Little Breath, The People Next Door, and The House in the Woods (previously released as The Boat House).

I am signed with Boldwood Books and my twelfth thriller, Nowhere To Hide is out 2nd April.

You can find out more about me on my website.

https://keribeevis.com/

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ October 14, 2024
Publisher ~ Boldwood
Est Page Count ~ 354 (43 chapters)
Audio length ~ 9 hours 46 minutes
Narrator ~ Shakira Shute
POV ~ multiple 3rd and single 1st
Featuring ~ dark secrets, torture

Harper is kinda sorta ready to get back in the dating game since it’s been 2 years since her husband, Charlie, was killed in a car accident. She meets a few men giving us some likely suspects when someone starts harassing her.

This was really slow moving for quite a while. It was date after date after date at the same place over and over and over again. Then she starts finding out secrets about her husband and the harassment went into full force and that’s when the pace really picked up. I couldn’t figure out who the culprit was, so woo hoo for that.

Overall, I love when secrets are revealed after a spouse dies, and this secret is a dark doozie. I can see this one being a big hit.

Side note ~ her dog Bailey plays a big role in the story, so I just wanted to let you know that no harm ever comes to him.

Narration notes:
I did not listen to this one, but am just giving the info above for reference.

Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ X

[Ceecee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 to round up or down that is the question?? On reflection going down, down deeper and down.

[Jayne · Rating 1 out of 5]

My first 1-star Keri Beevis book.
😭😭😭😭😭

WHY ONE STAR?
* Not a fan of thrillers with dark, sadistic villains who sexually exploit women
* Very, very slow with repetitive text
* Waaaay too many eye-rolling moments

Although I was intrigued by the book's "A widow discovers her dead husband's true colors" compelling premise, this book was a struggle to complete.

I listened to the 10-hour audiobook read by Shakira Shute, who did an outstanding job with the narration.

The 10-hour book easily could have been a 7-hour book.

Nobody bats 1000%.

Hopefully, talented Keri Beevis' next release will be a 5-star winner!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating is 4.5
Another fantastic read from this author,Harper, lost her husband in a car accident with her friend. She wants to look to the future and join a dating app and meets a few guys. Some are creeps, but are they all genuine..she finds out her husband has hidden secrets...did she really know him? Another brilliant read.she writes intense reads..looking forward to reading more of her books.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keri Beevis is one of my favorite authors. I will read anything and everything she writes!! So when I saw she had a new ARC available on NetGalley, one with an incredibly intriguing premise, I didn’t waste a minute before requesting it.

THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats with its suspenseful plot, multiple potential baddies, and compelling mystery. The story centers on Harper, who after two years, is still trying to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding her husband’s death. She decides to finally move on, using a dating site to meet potential partners. It is here the real nightmare begins, becoming acquainted with some real losers as well as dangerous fellows. As the mystery unfolds, her inner turmoil becomes palpable, allowing readers to empathize with her journey, even if some of her decisions are quite questionable. The supporting characters, from loyal friends (my absolute favorite being Bailey, her adorable and loving rescues dog) to creepy dates to enigmatic strangers, add layers of intrigue to the narrative.

The POV chapters from our antagonist were so creepy and had my mind working overtime, trying to figure out who it might be. And although I thought I figured it out early on (turns out I was right), I was never 100% sure, which only added to the fun. And the novel could have gone off in so many different directions, so I was never sure where Keri’s story may end up bringing us. Her writing is always taut and engaging, with a pace that steadily accelerates, pulling the reader deeper into the mystery with each chapter.

Overall, THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA is a thrilling novel that combines mystery, suspense, and psychological drama, a perfect read for those who enjoy a good page-turner with a dark, twisty edge.

I want to thank NetGalley, Keri Beevis, and Boldwood Books for gifting me the ARC of THE COTTAGE BY THE SEA! It was such a privilege to read this before publication. And I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!

[Renata Annese · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow start made it hard to get into at first, and I wasn’t a fan of the creepy stalker voice; it felt more distracting than suspenseful. However, once the secrets about the husband began to surface, the pace finally picked up, and the tension built much stronger. Lots of twists and turns that kept me guessing, and the final reveal was satisfying. Despite a rough start, it was a solid, entertaining read.

[The Anxious Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Keri Beevis, NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this before its release date.

Note to self: if it comes down to me being single or opening a dating app this book has solidified my decision on embracing living alone with the curtains drawn and sharing space with 20 cats.

The female MC in this story went through it and my god she drug me along with her for the ride. This will be a hit for fans of psychological thrillers that get a little (ahem) dark.

Pairs well with popcorn and anxiety medication.

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cottage by the Sea
By: Keri Beevis
Pub date: October 14, 2024
Publisher: Boldwood Books



A nail-bitter into the world of online dating. Harper’s husband was killed in a car crash a couple of years ago with her best friend. She suspected them of an affair. She has been unable to move on and is going through the motions of daily life.
A friend convinces her to give on-line dating a try. She picks a local pub to meet dates. Let’s just say not all her dates are successful. As with online profiles, the details are not always 100% and can be deceiving. After one particular date goes bad, she starts to feel like she is being watched…

[kayleigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars ↠ so much wasted potential in this one. this had some of the worst pacing i’ve seen in a thriller book and it kind of ruined the whole thing for me. nothing happened until the end of part two and in part three, which was about 70% into the book. the beginning was essentially just the bachelorette ft. harper and the some of the worst written characters ever. and by the point that anything ended up happening, i no longer cared. i knew what was going to happen and unfortunately it wasn’t a satisfying ending.

[Jeanette DeSantis · Rating 1 out of 5]

ANOTHER book where the female protagonist is a clueless, mindless, helpless, scared, moronic fool who second guesses every single decision she is about to make and gaslights herself at every turn. Who needs a man to gaslight you when you can do it yourself? “I won’t call the police because I don’t want to bother them even though I’m being stalked and tormented!” “I know many items have suddenly disappeared from my home but, silly me, I must have just misplaced them!” “I’m hearing loud, scary crashing noises coming from my backyard, but I’m sure it’s just some animal!” Ugh! Give me a break! Will this pathetic portrayal of women ever end??? The plot was so bizarre and ghoulish. I found the first two thirds of the book EXTREMELY boring with all her indistinguishable online dates (couldn’t keep track of who was who and didn’t care honestly) and the last part so horribly disgusting I nearly put it down. I really should have! I would have if I had another book on hand. The chapters in italics were so disturbing and tortuous (no pun intended, lol) that I skipped most of the pages. Just a terrible book from start to finish. Four and five stars for this truly awful book? WHAT??? You’ve got to be kidding! P.S. My heart goes out to poor Bailey, the dog. He deserved so much better than to be stuck in such a horrendous book!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two years ago, Harper’s husband Charlie was killed in a car accident with her best friend Alicia also in the car. She believes that they were having an affair. Since then, she has been living like a recluse for the last two years. But now it’s time to move on. Her friend Megan has persuaded her to go on dating app. But the first few dates are a disaster, until she meets Luke. But not on a dating app. She meets him when he had a fall whilst taking her dog Bailey for a walk.
Whilst getting rid of her husbands’ things, she founds out a lot of things about her husband that she didn’t know. Asking herself, did she really know him at all?
I have read a few of the authors books and I have really enjoyed them, and I really like how the premise of this story sounded. So, I couldn’t wait to get stuck in. But for the first half of this book, I found to be really slow, and I struggled to connect with the characters. There was no tension in the story for me personally and only got interesting in the last few chapters of the story, 3 stars from me.

[Curt Dunnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Cottage by the Sea" by Keri Beevis is a quick and captivating 5-star read! Harper, still mourning the loss of her husband two years ago, is finally convinced by her friend to reenter the dating scene. She creates a profile on an online dating site, where she meets some... interesting men, to say the least. However, Harper soon realizes that online dating may not be for her—or that she might not be ready for dating at all. Unfortunately, she may have made that decision too late.

This fast-paced story kept me on the edge of my seat. Much of it is told from Harper’s perspective as she navigates the unpredictable world of online dating while finally clearing out her dead husband’s belongings. Interspersed are chapters narrated by her anonymous stalker (though "stalker" might be too mild a term), offering chilling insights into his disturbing childhood and sinister plans involving Harper.

It’s important to note that this book contains potentially triggering content, so I recommend checking trigger warnings beforehand. While it may not be for everyone, it’s a thrilling read for those who enjoy darker psychological suspense. This was my first book by Keri Beevis, but it certainly won’t be my last!

Thanks to Boldwood Books, Keri Beevis, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this dark thriller! Romance writer, Harper is mourning the untimely death of husband, Charlie, She buys a dog and goes on a dating site called IntoYou but has a series of dates that look appealing on the website but we all know it's easy to make yourself into anyone you choose when you are online, She frequents the local bar where she knows the bartender so she often brings the men she meets online as she feels safe and it's close to her home, But when she begins cleaning out her husband's cottage by the sea, she realizes things are not always what they seem to be and things get crazy!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Rachel the Page-Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper is a romance novelist who is struggling with writing her newest book. It’s hard to feel romance when your husband is dead, and hers has been dead for two years now. Charlie was killed in a car accident, along with Harper’s best friend, Alicia. Apparently, they’d been having an affair, so her grief is twofold: her husband is dead, and he was also unfaithful to her.

After two years, her friend Megan convinces her to join a dating app, “IntoYou”. She met her husband there, and after watching her friend become a recluse, she pushes her to get out of her comfort zone and start dating. Harper gets a dog, which forces her out of the house, and reluctantly joins the dating app. She meets several men, but they are either lying about who they are or just not her type.

Harper’s dating life isn’t the main thrill in this book though - she has a stalker, and the book has chapters written from his perspective that grow increasingly unhinged. There are so many men in this book that it could have been just about anyone, so the ending of this book was quite shocking…literally.

This was definitely a suspenseful read, and while Harper annoyed me in the beginning (how many red flags do you need before realizing a guy is trash, girl?!) I started to like her more towards the end. She’s just a lonely woman who was given a rough patch in life, and watching her try to claw herself back to being a strong woman was really good. This book has action, suspense, mystery, and horror, and it also has great writing, along with a fantastic plot and ending. 4.5 stars!

(Thank you to Boldwood Books, Keri Beevis and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on October 14, 2024.)

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow this woman is dark hahahahah. One of these stars is for Bailey 😭😭

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harper lost her husband a few years ago. She’s a reclusive author that stays to herself. She decides to sign up on dating site to move on with her life.

I hesitate to say much more or I will spoil this excellent story. Suffice it to say you will never guess what happens to Harper but you will love the ride.

[Emily B.🐝 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️. Entertaining and easy breezy thriller.

I like this author’s style of writing, I would try more of her books. . This book was interesting and the plot was something of a Lifetime movie- typical but who cares if it’s entertaining. Had me guessing until the end. I recommend.

[Rach Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite depraved… which does seem to be this authors thing but I felt it was maybe a little too much so even for my horror brain 🧠🤣🌚 Took a bit too long to get to the climax & I knew who the mystery man was going to be all alonggggg! 👀🕵🏻

[Silvie Klokgieter · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Twee jaar geleden werd mijn leven volledig op zijn kop gezet toen mijn man en beste vriendin omkwamen bij een auto-ongeluk in Norfolk. Sindsdien worstel ik met mijn verdriet en vraag ik me constant af waarom ze samen in Charlie's auto zaten die noodlottige dag.

Ik weet dat ik mijn eenzame bestaan moet doorbreken en een manier moet vinden om weer te leven. Op aanraden van een vriendin meld ik me aan bij een datingsite, IntoYou. Tot mijn verrassing krijg ik al snel een match, en alles lijkt veelbelovend.

Maar achter het scherm kan iedereen zich verschuilen. Al snel beginnen er vreemde dingen te gebeuren en kom ik schokkende geheimen over mijn verleden tegen. Het lijkt alsof het kwaad dichterbij komt en mij in de gaten houdt. Kan ik het gevaar op tijd herkennen, of is het al te laat?"

'Het huisje bij de zee' is opgedeeld in delen. Het eerste deel gaat voornamelijk over Harper. Haar man Charlie is omgekomen tijdens een ongeluk en hij was niet alleen. Ook de beste vriendin van Charlie zat op dat moment in de auto. Speelde er meer tussen dit tweetal?

Harper vindt de situatie erg lastig, maar ze probeert na twee jaar weer verder te gaan met haar leven en ze begint weer met mannen te daten. De ene na de andere date volgt... met weinig succes. Er zitten hele vreemde en zelfs enge mannen tussen en Harper vraagt zich af of ze het daten wel moet voortzetten.

Uiteindelijk komen er dan toch wat ontwikkelingen op het gebied van de liefde, maar hoe dit uiteindelijk zal verlopen is nog allemaal een beetje onduidelijk.

Dan begin je aan het volgende gedeelte en wordt de titel van het boek wat duidelijker. Ik kan hier niet teveel over verraden, maar Harper doet een grote ontdekking en hierdoor staat haar hele wereld op zijn kop. Niets is wat het lijkt en de situatie is enorm heftig.

Het verhaal las fijn, alhoewel ik sommige dingen een beetje ongeloofwaardig en too much vond. Je werkt naar een bepaald punt toe en dan gaat het einde opeens erg snel. Jammer. Wel lees ik volgens mij echt teveel thrillers, want ik had het in de juiste hoek gezocht. Het plot was voor mij dan ook niet heel erg verrassend.

Leuk om te lezen, maar ik ken betere verhalen.

Beoordeling: 3,0 ⭐️

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to a date from hell!

A woman's world is shattered when her husband and best friend die in a car accident. Struggling with grief, she decides to start living again by joining a dating site. However, she soon realizes that not everything is as it seems as strange and dangerous things start happening in her life. She must uncover shocking secrets from her past before it's too late.

This is definitely my favorite book by Keri! The plot is so engaging that you won't be able to put it down. The unexpected twists and turns, along with a shocking reveal, kept me on the edge of my seat. This book is must-read, it delves into women's fears surrounding online dating and relationships, prompting us to question how well we really know the people in our lives...

If you're a fan of dark mystery thrillers, this book is perfect for you! Make sure to put this book on your TBR.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shauntelle (shauntellereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is content that might be triggering for some, so please read the trigger warnings!

While the beginning was slow, the book picked up and I was fully invested. Harper is the main character as she ventures into the crazy world of online dating after losing her husband in a car accident. Harper discovers secrets her husband was keeping as she clears his things out of their house.
There are also chapters throughout narrated by Harper's stalker. There are so many twists, turns and secrets in this book. The pages had me enthralled as the plot developed. I just had to know what was going to happen at the end and who the culprit was. I enjoyed this gripping thriller from Beevis!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Tina Plintz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kerri does it again!! She keeps you wanting more. This one does not disappoint.

Harper a widowed woman who decided it was finally time to try dating again after her husband and best friend died in a car accident. Trying to get past thinking her husband was having an affair with her best friend and moving on. She tries searching for love on the internet and finding the opposite! Eventually finding out more then she bargained for. The story gives you almost a John Marrs feel to the twisted nature of the story. If you a fan of psychological thrillers this is definitely a book you want to read!

[Tara Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harper Reed takes to a dating site to ignite her love life. Oh Nelly, does she get more than she bargained for.

Caution: Contains suspense that is off the charts. May need resuscitation and/or reminders to breathe.

Never in a million years could I have predicted where this story would lead. Wow. WOW. KB never disappoints, in fact, she just gets better and better.

I need to rest and recover while I wait for what Keri has in store for us next.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging mystery that followed a pattern that I have come to think of as the author's style, with multiple suspects/possibilities introduced and written in a way that keeps the reader guessing.
Harper is grieving the death of her husband and best friend in a car crash and reeling under the weight of unanswered questions about why they were together on the day they died. Trying to move on, she signs up on a dating app on the advice of her best friend, only to have some very unexpected and not altogether pleasant experiences with the men she meets. When she discovers that her late husband had bought a cottage she knew nothing about, she decides to investigate further as part of getting closure and gets more than she bargains for.
The plot moves at a good pace and the author doesn't make it easy to figure out exactly what is happening. This, and the regular twists, kept me hooked to the book until the very end.

[LaceyBanana Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dating app gone wrong after a widow decides to get back out into the dating world. This was plenty entertaining while listening but didn’t stick with me unfortunately!

[Josephine Jarman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The burb sets the scene on this perfectly. It is a fast paced mystery dull of red herrings. You feel the emotion through the characters . The plot reads like a hollywood moviecand I was quickly invested and gripped by it. The characters were well written and the hint of mystery remained through. I really enjoyed this but was a bit disappointed by the final action scene as it seemed very convenient. Thank you for this highly recommended 5 star read perfect for all mystery lovers. Thanks netgallery and publisher and author.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! An addictive page-turner!

[Madison Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! A little twisted but honestly compare this author even with Freida. Did not expect the twist and couldn’t put it down!

[Jen Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first Keri Beevis book and I enjoyed it! This is a good thriller with many twists, and you are wondering who the killer is for most of it!

[Amber Baudoux · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book- this twist totally got me! Totally would give it 8 stars!