Katherine Wood’s sophomore thriller, Sunburned, takes readers on a sun-drenched yet sinister journey to the exclusive Caribbean island of St. Barth’s, where secrets run deeper than the crystal-clear waters and revenge burns hotter than the tropical sun. Following her debut novel Ladykiller, Wood proves she has mastered the art of weaving complex psychological mysteries with exotic settings that feel both luxurious and claustrophobic.
The story centers on Audrey Collet, a savvy information recovery specialist (read: skilled hacker with a moral compass) who finds herself reluctantly drawn back into the orbit of her toxic ex-boyfriend, Tyson Dale. Now a tech billionaire with more paranoia than sense, Tyson summons Audrey to his lavish St. Barth’s compound under the pretense of helping him identify a blackmailer among his inner circle. What begins as a straightforward case of corporate espionage quickly transforms into something far more deadly when Tyson’s birthday diving expedition ends in murder.
The Art of Atmospheric Storytelling
Wood’s greatest strength lies in her ability to create atmosphere that practically radiates heat off the page. The author’s personal experience visiting St. Barth’s (acknowledged in her notes) permeates every description, from the way sunlight refracts through infinity pools to the oppressive weight of secrets in air-conditioned mansions. The island setting becomes a character itself – beautiful yet isolating, exclusive yet suffocating. This isn’t merely a tropical backdrop but a perfectly constructed pressure cooker where wealth and privilege can’t insulate the characters from their past crimes.
The dual timeline structure, alternating between present-day St. Barth’s and events from eleven years prior, allows Wood to slowly unveil the intricate web of deception that connects all the players. The flashbacks to Audrey’s desperate attempts to fund her mother’s experimental cancer treatment provide emotional depth that grounds the high-stakes thriller elements in genuine human need and moral compromise.
Complex Characters in a Web of Deceit
Audrey emerges as a compelling protagonist – morally gray enough to be interesting, yet sympathetic enough to root for. Her expertise in digital investigation feels authentic, and her relationship with her twin sons adds stakes beyond mere survival. Wood avoids the trap of making her female lead flawless; Audrey makes questionable decisions, lies when necessary, and carries genuine guilt over past actions.
The supporting cast reads like a master class in suspect development:
- Tyson Dale – The billionaire antagonist who evolves from merely unlikable to genuinely menacing
- Samira – Tyson’s mysterious Belgian wife with a suspiciously clean online presence
- Cody – Tyson’s brother, carrying years of resentment and hidden knowledge
- Jennifer – The girlfriend whose true identity becomes the story’s shocking revelation
- Laurent – The French butler who may be more than he appears
Each character harbors secrets that could serve as motive for murder, creating a genuine puzzle for both Audrey and readers to solve.
The Blackmail That Binds
Wood excels at layering revelations without making the plot feel convoluted. The central blackmail scheme serves multiple narrative functions – it brings Audrey to the island, provides motive for murder, and gradually exposes the toxic relationship between the Dale brothers. The environmental report controversy surrounding Tyson’s De-Sal desalination company adds contemporary relevance while demonstrating how corporate malfeasance can destroy both ecosystems and relationships.
The revelation that Jennifer is actually Andie, Ian Kelley’s girlfriend from the flashback timeline, represents one of the novel’s strongest twists. Wood plants this revelation carefully, providing enough clues for astute readers to piece together while maintaining the shock value. The connection between Ian’s death eleven years ago and Tyson’s murder creates a satisfying circular narrative structure.
Technical Mastery Meets Emotional Depth
Wood’s background shines through in the technical aspects of the mystery. The details about information recovery, environmental reporting fraud, and digital manipulation feel researched and authentic without becoming overly technical for general readers. The author strikes an excellent balance between the procedural elements of Audrey’s investigation and the emotional weight of confronting past traumas.
The romantic subplot with Laurent provides a counterbalance to the tension without feeling forced or distracting from the main plot. Their relationship develops naturally amidst the chaos, offering moments of genuine warmth in an otherwise cold-blooded narrative.
Where the Sun Sets on Perfection
While Sunburned by Katherine Wood largely succeeds as a psychological thriller, certain elements feel slightly underdeveloped. The resolution of Tyson’s murder, while logical, happens somewhat abruptly after such careful pacing throughout most of the novel. Some readers might find themselves wanting more exploration of the psychological motivations behind the killer’s elaborate revenge plot.
Additionally, while Wood’s writing style generally flows smoothly, occasional passages feel slightly overwritten, particularly in the descriptive sequences. The author’s admitted love of puns (noted in her acknowledgments) sometimes surfaces in ways that feel slightly forced within the serious tone of the thriller.
The flashback sequences, while necessary for plot development, occasionally disrupt the mounting tension of the present-day investigation. A few of these could have been condensed or integrated more seamlessly into the main narrative flow.
A Scorching Success in the Thriller Genre
Despite minor structural quibbles, Sunburned by Katherine Wood succeeds admirably as both a puzzle-box mystery and a psychological character study. Wood demonstrates significant growth from her debut, crafting a more sophisticated plot while maintaining the propulsive pacing that keeps readers turning pages well past bedtime.
The novel’s exploration of themes like toxic masculinity, environmental responsibility, and the corrupting nature of wealth feel relevant without becoming preachy. Wood understands that the best thrillers use their high-concept plots to examine deeper human truths about guilt, revenge, and the prices we pay for our choices.
The ending, set six months later in Sonoma, provides satisfying closure while maintaining the slightly melancholic tone that elevates this above standard beach read thrillers. Audrey’s new life with Laurent and her sons feels earned rather than simply happy-ever-after convenient.
Final Verdict: A Burning Page-Turner
Sunburned confirms Katherine Wood as a thriller writer worth watching. While not quite reaching the heights of genre masters like Tana French or Ruth Ware, Wood demonstrates clear skill in plotting, character development, and atmospheric writing that places her firmly in the upper tier of contemporary mystery authors.
Readers who enjoyed Lisa Jewell’s psychological suspense or Riley Sager’s twist-heavy thrillers will find much to appreciate here. The exotic setting and complex revenge plot make this an ideal choice for readers seeking something more sophisticated than typical summer beach reads while remaining accessible and entertaining.
Recommended for Fans Of:
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley
- Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn
Wood has crafted a sun-soaked thriller that burns slow but bright, building to a conflagration that consumes the lies and secrets of its morally compromised characters. Sunburned by Katherine Wood proves that sometimes the most dangerous heat comes not from the tropical sun, but from the fire of long-suppressed truths finally breaking free.
