Plus get our latest book recommendations, author news, and competitions right to your inbox.
Table of Contents
Listen To An Excerpt
About The Book
Max and Annie Kingsley have left the London rat race with their twelve-year-old son to set up a glamping site in the wilds of Cornwall. Eager for a dry run ahead of their opening, they invite three old university friends and their families for a long-needed reunion and a relaxing weekend.
But the festivities soon go awry as tensions arise between the children (and subsequently their parents), explosive secrets come to light, and a sudden storm moves in, cutting them off from help as one in the group disappears.
Moving between a police investigation, a hospital room and the catastrophic weekend, The Search Party is a propulsive destination thriller about the tenuous bonds of friendship and the lengths parents will go to protect their children.
Praise for The Search Party
‘If you read just one thriller this year, make it The Search Party. I couldn’t put it down.’ Mark Brandi
‘Richell has written a standout page-turner, thoroughly gripping from start to finish.’ Anna Downes
About The Readers
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia (January 2, 2024)
- Runtime: 10 hours and 12 minutes
- ISBN13: 9781761421754
Raves and Reviews
‘Every page of this gripping and atmospheric crime novel crackles with tension ... I devoured every word of this brilliant, emotionally-charged story. A rock solid five star read!’
– Rae Cairns, author of Dying To Know
‘You expect drama when old friends get together, but this is next level! The Search Party layers sharp observations of friendship and family dynamics over ever-increasing tension and danger. Richell adeptly delivers multiple points of view and timelines, propelling the reader through the pages, screaming the questions: who died? And who did it?'
– Michelle Prak, author of The Rush
‘Hannah Richell was born to write thrillers. Twisty and adrenaline fuelled, I devoured this whip-smart novel set against a backdrop of remote Cornish cliffs. All the ingredients I love in a thriller – jealousy, revenge, lust and anger – simmer ominously beneath the surface before coming explosively to the fore. I was in equal parts agonised and satisfied when I turned the final page. Trust me, you will not be able to put this book down!’
– Ali Lowe, author of The Running Club
‘The Search Party pitches you forward from the first page, sending you rushing headlong towards its thrilling conclusion. I loved this novel for its multifaceted, multi-voiced take on a single weekend, and a satisfying and emotionally honest portrayal of what we see in others, and ourselves. Hannah Richell’s first foray into the thriller genre is simply not to be missed!’
– Hayley Scrivenor, bestselling author of Dirt Town
‘The Search Party is a dexterous blend of best and worst case scenarios, a chillingly relatable journey into the unexpected. With her cast of expertly crafted characters, evocative setting and taut prose, Richell has written a standout page-turner, thoroughly gripping from start to finish. Fans of Lucy Foley and Sarah Pearse will not want to miss this.’
– Anna Downes, bestselling author of The Safe Place
‘If you read just one thriller this year, make it The Search Party. I couldn’t put it down.’
– Mark Brandi, bestselling author of Wimmera
‘A glamping weekend for old friends on the rugged Cornish coast devolves into mayhem and murder in this deliciously sinuous thriller brimming with atmosphere. Hannah Richell is masterful, deploying white-knuckle pacing, pitch-perfect prose, and characters whose emotional depth is fully mined, making the twists feel maximally earned and resonant. Gripping, clever, and as enjoyable to curl up with as a Christie – I inhaled it in a day!’
– Jaclyn Goldis, author of The Chateau
'It’s darkly atmospheric and so clever, with complex characters and a building sense of dread that makes this a deliciously enticing, one-sitting read.'
– Cressida McLaughlin
‘An unputdownable thriller with a cracking cast of characters that will have you gripped until the very last page. Engrossing and compelling, I will be recommending The Search Party to everyone!’
– Kate Gray, author of The Honeymoon
'Haunting and atmospheric from the very first page, The Search Party is an irresistible read. Simmering tensions, family drama, and high-stakes mysteries combine to create the perfect storm of bingeworthy suspense.'
– Megan Collins, author of Thicker Than Water and The Family Plot
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): The Search Party Unabridged Audio Download 9781761421754
- Author Photo (jpg): Hannah Richell Photograph by Lucy Williams(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit