“St.John wraps a fun yarn around a sinister mystery.” – The New York Times
I wish I could give a complete review of this book, but to do so would spoil the best parts. Don’t let the cover fool you. While the setting of this psychological thriller is bright and warm, the undercurrents of this book are anything but. Katherine St.John writes about more than just sex and betrayal. She illustrates a mystery that unravels in a beautiful and totally unexpected way. I will note a trigger warning for rape and suicide, neither topic is a focal point, but both are mentioned.
The Lion’s Den follows Belle, a struggling actress in LA who views herself as immune from the dizzying effects of wealth. Her friend, Summer, just started dating a billionaire who is “not a day over 63”. For her birthday her billionaire boyfriend gifts Summer a gal pal vacation along the Mediterranean. Summer and Belle go way back to high school days, and while Summer’s self-centered and freeloading ways have always been a problem, Belle can’t pass this up. The only sensible answer Belle can come up with is ‘yes.’ She’ll do anything to take a break from her humiliating waitressing job, especially if it’s free. As soon as they start the trip on John’s private jet, they realize such luxury comes with strings attached. She boards the yacht with her LA friend Wendy, Wendy’s roommate Claire, Summer’s loudmouth mother Rhonda and sister Brittani and Brittani’s rebellious sexpot best friend Amethyst. On the yacht, it becomes apparent that her glamorous getaway is not as advertised. Said billionaire John makes her dream a nightmare with his ever-controlling tactics. There’s no Wi-Fi aboard, doors locked from the outside at night, security cameras everywhere, and the most troubling, Summer’s subtle manipulations and lies. Belle realizes if she wants to make it off the yacht alive, she’ll have to keep her wits about and her own secrets closely hidden.
The Lion’s Den is a perfect book club or beach read. And if you love it, St.John has a similar book you can follow up with: The Siren.