The Siren by Katherine St. John: Book Review

The Siren is Katherine St. John’s sophomore novel. Released in May 2021 by Grand Central Publishing, it takes readers into the glamorous world of movies. It’s June in the Caribbean, and a movie is being made. There’s drama among the male leading actor and several people on and off the set. What will happen when a tropical storm arrives unexpectedly?

CW/TW: drug use, rape, murder, kidnapping

Synopsis from Goodreads

In the midst of a sizzling hot summer, some of Hollywood’s most notorious faces are assembled on the idyllic Caribbean island of St. Genesius to film The Siren, starring dangerously handsome megastar Cole Power playing opposite his ex-wife, Stella Rivers. The surefire blockbuster promises to entice audiences with its sultry storyline and intimately connected cast.

Three very different women arrive on set, each with her own motive. Stella, an infamously unstable actress, is struggling to reclaim the career she lost in the wake of multiple, very public breakdowns. Taylor, a fledgling producer, is anxious to work on a film she hopes will turn her career around after her last job ended in scandal. And Felicity, Stella’s mysterious new assistant, harbors designs of her own that threaten to upend everyone’s plans.

With a hurricane brewing offshore, each woman finds herself trapped on the island, united against a common enemy. But as deceptions come to light, misplaced trust may prove more perilous than the storm itself.

My Opinions

The Siren is the perfect beach read. Of course, it helps that it’s set in June in a tropical location. If reading at the beach isn’t your thing, that’s ok. You can read it whenever you want to visit the Caribbean without leaving home.

The story is told through multiple POVs. You know who’s POV you have at the start of the chapter because each is labeled with the character’s name. Newspaper clippings and social media posts are sprinkled between chapters to help you understand how those impact the characters.

Each woman has an axe to grind with Cole. Stella’s is easy to see as you know they are ex’s before the book starts. But it takes some time to discover Taylor’s and Felicity’s reasons. Taylor feels let down by the entertainment industry as a whole, and her role on The Siren (the name of the movie they are filming) is her last chance to save her career.

The pacing of the story leaves you wanting more. It’s hard to put the book down; you have to know what will happen next. While the characters may be a bit over the top, looking at you, Cole, it is easy to see them as real people.

Some of the events may feel a bit over the top, but it’s easy to chalk it up to Hollywood being Hollywood. Does that make any sense?

Are you looking for a book you won’t be able to put down? One filled with drama, a touch of mystery, and a sprinkle of romance? What if I said there’s some revenge as well? Interested in something with all of that? Then you should check out The Siren by Katherine St. John.

Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.