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Nantucket #4
Swan Song
ŷ Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Fiction (2024)In the grand finale of "queen of the beach read" Elin Hilderbrand's beloved Nantucket novels, there's a new couple in town... and they instantly shake things up. Amid the extravagant parties on land and sea, there's trouble on the island, forcing Chief of Police Ed Kapanesh to postpone his retirement and changing the fabric of life on the picturesque island forever...
After thirty-five years serving as the Chief of Police on the island of Nantucket, Ed Kapenash's heart can no longer take the stress. But his plans to retire are thwarted when, with only three days left to serve, he receives a phone call. A 22-million-dollar summer home, recently purchased by the flashy new couple in town, the Richardsons, has burned to the ground. The Richardsons are far from hurt—in fact, they're out on the water, throwing a lavish party on their yacht—but when news of the fire reaches them, they discover that their personal assistant has vanished. The Chief is well-acquainted with the Richardsons, and his daughter is best friends with the now-missing girl, leaving him no choice but to postpone his retirement and take on the double case.
On a small island like Nantucket, the Richardsons shook things up from the second they stepped on to the scene, throwing luxurious parties and doing whatever they could to gain admittance to the coveted lunches at the Field & Oar Club (with increasing desperation). They instantly captured the attention of local real estate agent Fast Eddie, and the town gossip Blond Sharon, both dealing with their own personal dramas. Blond Sharon is going through a divorce, and in order to avoid becoming a cliché, she's enrolled in a creative writing class, putting her natural affinity for scandal towards a more noble purpose. To solve the case of the fire and track down his daughter's best friend, the Chief will have to string together the pieces of the lives of all of these characters and more, rallying his strength for his final act of service to the tight-knit community he knows and loves.
The last of Elin Hilderbrand's bestselling Nantucket novels, Swan Song is a propulsive medley of glittering gatherings, sun-soaked drama, wisdom and heart, featuring the return of some of her most beloved characters, including, most importantly, the beautiful and timeless island of Nantucket itself.
After thirty-five years serving as the Chief of Police on the island of Nantucket, Ed Kapenash's heart can no longer take the stress. But his plans to retire are thwarted when, with only three days left to serve, he receives a phone call. A 22-million-dollar summer home, recently purchased by the flashy new couple in town, the Richardsons, has burned to the ground. The Richardsons are far from hurt—in fact, they're out on the water, throwing a lavish party on their yacht—but when news of the fire reaches them, they discover that their personal assistant has vanished. The Chief is well-acquainted with the Richardsons, and his daughter is best friends with the now-missing girl, leaving him no choice but to postpone his retirement and take on the double case.
On a small island like Nantucket, the Richardsons shook things up from the second they stepped on to the scene, throwing luxurious parties and doing whatever they could to gain admittance to the coveted lunches at the Field & Oar Club (with increasing desperation). They instantly captured the attention of local real estate agent Fast Eddie, and the town gossip Blond Sharon, both dealing with their own personal dramas. Blond Sharon is going through a divorce, and in order to avoid becoming a cliché, she's enrolled in a creative writing class, putting her natural affinity for scandal towards a more noble purpose. To solve the case of the fire and track down his daughter's best friend, the Chief will have to string together the pieces of the lives of all of these characters and more, rallying his strength for his final act of service to the tight-knit community he knows and loves.
The last of Elin Hilderbrand's bestselling Nantucket novels, Swan Song is a propulsive medley of glittering gatherings, sun-soaked drama, wisdom and heart, featuring the return of some of her most beloved characters, including, most importantly, the beautiful and timeless island of Nantucket itself.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 11, 2024
9,803 people are currently reading
95.3k people want to read
About the author
Elin Hilderbrand
80books55kfollowersElin Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her husband and their three young children. She grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and traveled extensively before settling on Nantucket, which has been the setting for her five previous novels. Hilderbrand is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the graduate fiction workshop at the University of Iowa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,881 reviews
August 8, 2024
Elin Hilderbrand's final Nantucket novel, Swan Song feels like both a fond farewell to her book franchise, as well as a love letter to the island that is her cherished home.
Chief of Police Ed Kapanesh is set to retire. But before he does, he has to get through one more summer in Nantucket. Of course there's no chance of smooth sailing. Trouble arrives soon in the form of a new couple who comes to town, and they immediately take the island by storm, stirring up all sorts of drama and intrigue.
What is it that makes Elin Hilderbrand's books so irresistible? Is it her plot or her characters? Or is it that Nantucket is an aspirational place for most of us, filled with seemingly wealthy and beautiful people with nothing better to do than soak up the sun and stir up drama? So to step into these stories feels like a break from normal life, a vacation of sorts. Or even better, a staycation without the hassle of having to leave the comfort of one's couch.
And Hilderbrand definitely understands and plays that up. Her stories always have that light, playful, conspiratorial tone, inviting the reader into the exclusive lives of these Nantucket elites. She never takes the stories and the characters too seriously, and the result is the perfect dose of fun and escapism.
Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket year round and knows the island inside and out. And you can feel that in her stories. All the local restaurants and beaches and gathering places she includes adds so much authenticity and charm to the whole thing, and it makes you want to visit Nantucket. In fact, now that Hildebrand is done writing Nantucket stories, maybe their tourism board can just scoop her up since she's pretty much already doing that job.
One thing to note is that the blurb makes this seem like a mystery, but it isn't really. Coco disappears off of a boat, and we alternate between the police trying to figure out what happened and the events leading up to it. But that's rather misleading because it implies there are suspects and motives and clues, not to mention a denouement that explains it all. But none of that really happened here. So just make sure you don't have the wrong expectations going in.
The other thing worth mentioning is that I didn't really like any of the main characters. Now that isn't necessarily a deal-breaker for me, but in this case, I feel like I could've connected with the story just a little bit more if I did. Initially, Coco and Kacy were both interesting, but then as the story went on, they started to annoy me a bit with their inability to communicate and make good decisions. In other words, they were both rather immature, and then you add in the Richardsons, and at times, this felt like a story about a bunch of teenagers rather than adults. But that is a small quibble since I obviously had a lot of fun with it.
Oh, one last thing. This is marked as part of a series, though I've only read one other book in it. I neither felt like I was missing out on the ones I haven't read, nor did I feel like the one I did read contributed anything substantial to this. The books in the series share some similar characters as they take place in the same Nantucket universe, but it isn't necessary to read all of them (or even one) prior in order to maximumly enjoy this one.
There's definitely a bittersweet feel to this final book. But fortunately for me, I am rather late to the Elin Hilderbrand party. I only discovered her a few years ago, though she has written 30 books. So even though she may be done with Nantucket, I still have many more of her books to go before I have to call it quits.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
The Perfect Couple
The Hotel Nantucket
The Five-Star Weekend
~~~~~~~~~~~~
� Connect with me � �
This was a pick for my Book of the Month box. Get your first book for $5 .
Chief of Police Ed Kapanesh is set to retire. But before he does, he has to get through one more summer in Nantucket. Of course there's no chance of smooth sailing. Trouble arrives soon in the form of a new couple who comes to town, and they immediately take the island by storm, stirring up all sorts of drama and intrigue.
What is it that makes Elin Hilderbrand's books so irresistible? Is it her plot or her characters? Or is it that Nantucket is an aspirational place for most of us, filled with seemingly wealthy and beautiful people with nothing better to do than soak up the sun and stir up drama? So to step into these stories feels like a break from normal life, a vacation of sorts. Or even better, a staycation without the hassle of having to leave the comfort of one's couch.
And Hilderbrand definitely understands and plays that up. Her stories always have that light, playful, conspiratorial tone, inviting the reader into the exclusive lives of these Nantucket elites. She never takes the stories and the characters too seriously, and the result is the perfect dose of fun and escapism.
Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket year round and knows the island inside and out. And you can feel that in her stories. All the local restaurants and beaches and gathering places she includes adds so much authenticity and charm to the whole thing, and it makes you want to visit Nantucket. In fact, now that Hildebrand is done writing Nantucket stories, maybe their tourism board can just scoop her up since she's pretty much already doing that job.
One thing to note is that the blurb makes this seem like a mystery, but it isn't really. Coco disappears off of a boat, and we alternate between the police trying to figure out what happened and the events leading up to it. But that's rather misleading because it implies there are suspects and motives and clues, not to mention a denouement that explains it all. But none of that really happened here. So just make sure you don't have the wrong expectations going in.
The other thing worth mentioning is that I didn't really like any of the main characters. Now that isn't necessarily a deal-breaker for me, but in this case, I feel like I could've connected with the story just a little bit more if I did. Initially, Coco and Kacy were both interesting, but then as the story went on, they started to annoy me a bit with their inability to communicate and make good decisions. In other words, they were both rather immature, and then you add in the Richardsons, and at times, this felt like a story about a bunch of teenagers rather than adults. But that is a small quibble since I obviously had a lot of fun with it.
Oh, one last thing. This is marked as part of a series, though I've only read one other book in it. I neither felt like I was missing out on the ones I haven't read, nor did I feel like the one I did read contributed anything substantial to this. The books in the series share some similar characters as they take place in the same Nantucket universe, but it isn't necessary to read all of them (or even one) prior in order to maximumly enjoy this one.
There's definitely a bittersweet feel to this final book. But fortunately for me, I am rather late to the Elin Hilderbrand party. I only discovered her a few years ago, though she has written 30 books. So even though she may be done with Nantucket, I still have many more of her books to go before I have to call it quits.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
See also, my thoughts on:
The Perfect Couple
The Hotel Nantucket
The Five-Star Weekend
~~~~~~~~~~~~
� Connect with me � �
This was a pick for my Book of the Month box. Get your first book for $5 .
June 29, 2024
i am an “elin is going to write more nantucket novels because she can’t do this to us and stop writing them� conspiracy theorist. anyone else? just me?
—�
loved. Entertaining as always and some of elin’s best books are the mystery types!! I loved hearing about previous characters resurfacing. I mourn the fact that there won’t be anymore nantucket novels 😔
—�
loved. Entertaining as always and some of elin’s best books are the mystery types!! I loved hearing about previous characters resurfacing. I mourn the fact that there won’t be anymore nantucket novels 😔
June 15, 2024
I am going to be in the minority here, but this book fell way short of my normal love for Hilderbrand. Way too much of everything - characters, storylines, gossip, and Easter eggs and not enough love for the solid characters she usually develops in one book. I feel like I could feel her voice being done with writing, with characters and with the constant pressure to write the next beach read. Such a bummer to end with this one.
June 15, 2024
I rarely find myself not liking a book series. There have been a few exceptions, and unfortunately, this one falls into that category, though it's a slight improvement over the three others I didn't enjoy much. The series had a promising start, and I genuinely liked the beginning, but it fizzled out midway through. I have enjoyed some of Elin's other books, so I think this series just wasn't meant for me.
June 14, 2024
The Grand Finale Elin Hilderbrand style!! With the beach scenes, the wealthy, the locals and last Chief Police Ed's finale before retirement. The Richardson's $22 million summer home is up in flames while the Richardsons were out on their yacht for a lavish celebration! A bigger mystery is their personal assistant CoCo is missing from the yacht.
The book was full of lavish parties and beach swims with the locals and the very wealthy. The book gives a sad nod at the end and I felt pain for some of the characters. I think this was a great book for the summer and final Nantucket series.
Shout out to Erin Bennett for her outstanding job on the audio! Well done, Elin!!!
The book was full of lavish parties and beach swims with the locals and the very wealthy. The book gives a sad nod at the end and I felt pain for some of the characters. I think this was a great book for the summer and final Nantucket series.
Shout out to Erin Bennett for her outstanding job on the audio! Well done, Elin!!!
June 26, 2024
Elin fell off when she tried to keep up with social media. Whoever taught her the phrase "sneaky link" needs to be fined.
June 13, 2024
Readers are in for SUCH a treat this June... Devoted Hilderbabes are going to obsess over all the Easter Eggs and nods to Elin's extraordinary career wrapped up in one heck of a mysterious beach book when her tour de force, SWAN SONG publishes June 11th.
I didn't think after reading THE WOMEN that I'd have another book leaving me with such a big book hangover anytime soon, but if there’s one thing that Elin and Kristin Hannah have deeply in common, it’s there character development- you find yourself so deeply invested in the lives of who you are reading about; and for Swan Song, Elin Hilderbrand has laid the groundwork for this novel for over a decade. Chief Ed Kapenash has been a focal point in many of her books {The Rumor, The Perfect Couple, etc} and in SWAN SONG it is time for the chief to retire, and he is at his retirement dinner with about 48 hours remaining on the clock when he gets the call that a young woman is missing from a boat, and the home of a newly notorious couple in the Nantucket society has burned to the ground� The Chief has been a personal favorite character of mine for so long, and this book gives him his due.
Told, brilliantly, between the beginning of the summer and back and forth the night of the fire, Elin lays out the plot and all of her red herrings; and the usual fun Elin novel unravels: the music, the food, the beaches- from the dancing at the Box to the dining at the Galley, she takes her readers on one final scenic tour of the island, 30 miles out to sea, that her fans have grown to know and love so dearly�!
Thanks to Hachette and NetGalley for providing a digital galley review copy in exchange for a review.
I didn't think after reading THE WOMEN that I'd have another book leaving me with such a big book hangover anytime soon, but if there’s one thing that Elin and Kristin Hannah have deeply in common, it’s there character development- you find yourself so deeply invested in the lives of who you are reading about; and for Swan Song, Elin Hilderbrand has laid the groundwork for this novel for over a decade. Chief Ed Kapenash has been a focal point in many of her books {The Rumor, The Perfect Couple, etc} and in SWAN SONG it is time for the chief to retire, and he is at his retirement dinner with about 48 hours remaining on the clock when he gets the call that a young woman is missing from a boat, and the home of a newly notorious couple in the Nantucket society has burned to the ground� The Chief has been a personal favorite character of mine for so long, and this book gives him his due.
Told, brilliantly, between the beginning of the summer and back and forth the night of the fire, Elin lays out the plot and all of her red herrings; and the usual fun Elin novel unravels: the music, the food, the beaches- from the dancing at the Box to the dining at the Galley, she takes her readers on one final scenic tour of the island, 30 miles out to sea, that her fans have grown to know and love so dearly�!
Thanks to Hachette and NetGalley for providing a digital galley review copy in exchange for a review.
March 13, 2025
Is this the author’s swan song? There have been so many rumors that she was planning to retire from writing novels, that many wonder, if this is her last book. Or is it just the last book in her Nantucket series? Answer to this last question is contained within this review.
For those who love Hilderbrand, you will find her typical romance, mystery and drama style throughout this story. And, of course, who can’t fault the beautiful scenic ambience of Nantucket.
I have mixed feelings about this author, having rated her anywhere from 1-4 stars for previous books I have read by her. And, it appears I am not far off again, here. Because there were just some things that proved a bit annoying for this reader.
As an example, did she go too far this time with her desire to create multiple storylines? And, with characters that have silly names? Okay, maybe I am being petty about the names, but they were strange.
This apparent final book in her Nantucket series is about the arrival of the Richardson couple and the social upheaval that follows.
Of course, we get the love and betrayal and eventual self-discovery, that her characters will experience. Yes, been-here-before. Which, for those who are fans, it will be a familiar trope that makes it a satisfying, page-turning, perfect beach read, if the weather suits you. Because, the other thing she does well for her fans, is tie up any loose ends that anyone has about any of her characters. In that way, maybe this one can work for most readers. If nothing else, for those of us who aren’t doing long distance traveling, it was nice visiting Nantucket here.
3.5 stars
For those who love Hilderbrand, you will find her typical romance, mystery and drama style throughout this story. And, of course, who can’t fault the beautiful scenic ambience of Nantucket.
I have mixed feelings about this author, having rated her anywhere from 1-4 stars for previous books I have read by her. And, it appears I am not far off again, here. Because there were just some things that proved a bit annoying for this reader.
As an example, did she go too far this time with her desire to create multiple storylines? And, with characters that have silly names? Okay, maybe I am being petty about the names, but they were strange.
This apparent final book in her Nantucket series is about the arrival of the Richardson couple and the social upheaval that follows.
Of course, we get the love and betrayal and eventual self-discovery, that her characters will experience. Yes, been-here-before. Which, for those who are fans, it will be a familiar trope that makes it a satisfying, page-turning, perfect beach read, if the weather suits you. Because, the other thing she does well for her fans, is tie up any loose ends that anyone has about any of her characters. In that way, maybe this one can work for most readers. If nothing else, for those of us who aren’t doing long distance traveling, it was nice visiting Nantucket here.
3.5 stars
August 5, 2024
I love going back to Nantucket for the summer and immersing myself in the characters Elin comes up with.
Two young women meet on the ferry going to Nantucket.
Casey is the daughter of the chief of police. She is an ICU nurse and after losing a newborn in the NICU and realizing the woman she loves is marrying someone else, she decides to leave LA and go back home.
Coco is the other woman on the boat. She is new to the area. She was working in the Virgin Islands where she met the Richardsons. On the spot, Mr Richardson offers her the position as their personal assistant. Coco has a dual reason for accepting. First, she needs the money and second, Bo Richardson is a movie producer and Coco has just finished her first screenplay and she believes this could be the perfect opportunity for her to get it made into a movie.
At the beginning of the summer, The Richardsons buy a large home in Nantucket and pretty soon they make friends all over. Inviting them to the most coveted parties in town. However, by the end of the summer, their house has burned to the ground and Coco is missing.
The Chief of police who is ready to retire after being on the force for over 3 decades, is informed of the fire and Coco's disappearance. He knows that he needs to help with the investigation and find Coco. So many questions are going through his head. Who burned the house? Was it an accident or arson? Was Coco the one who set it up? Did Coco swim away or did someone push her off the boat?
I enjoyed this one a lot. I decided to do the audio and Bennett was fantastic. The characters were all interesting. Some are new, some are old. I was rooting for blonde Sharon to have a happy ending too.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
| | |
Two young women meet on the ferry going to Nantucket.
Casey is the daughter of the chief of police. She is an ICU nurse and after losing a newborn in the NICU and realizing the woman she loves is marrying someone else, she decides to leave LA and go back home.
Coco is the other woman on the boat. She is new to the area. She was working in the Virgin Islands where she met the Richardsons. On the spot, Mr Richardson offers her the position as their personal assistant. Coco has a dual reason for accepting. First, she needs the money and second, Bo Richardson is a movie producer and Coco has just finished her first screenplay and she believes this could be the perfect opportunity for her to get it made into a movie.
At the beginning of the summer, The Richardsons buy a large home in Nantucket and pretty soon they make friends all over. Inviting them to the most coveted parties in town. However, by the end of the summer, their house has burned to the ground and Coco is missing.
The Chief of police who is ready to retire after being on the force for over 3 decades, is informed of the fire and Coco's disappearance. He knows that he needs to help with the investigation and find Coco. So many questions are going through his head. Who burned the house? Was it an accident or arson? Was Coco the one who set it up? Did Coco swim away or did someone push her off the boat?
I enjoyed this one a lot. I decided to do the audio and Bennett was fantastic. The characters were all interesting. Some are new, some are old. I was rooting for blonde Sharon to have a happy ending too.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
| | |
June 21, 2024
Really disappointing end to the Nantucket summer series. Far and away the worst Elin book yet. The “mystery� was “solved� in about 2 pages. A lot of attempts to be woke and “with it� (e.g., using popular tik-tok/instagram slang). Felt really careless. However I still ripped through it in a matter of days so giving 2 ⭐️ instead of 1…or none.
May 27, 2024
3.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for access to this title. I am auto-approved by this publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
Nothing signals the arrival of summer quite like adding the latest Elin Hilderbrand novel to your beach bag. The thirtieth novel and the declared last of her Nantucket novels, Swan Song is full of romance, drama, secrets, backstabbing and lots of parties to attend. Not only does Hilderbrand introduce a brazen rich couple and a young woman with dreams to the mix, but we also get to catch up with all our favourite Nantucket characters. Never has a novel held a title in so many ways significant to both its characters and the author herself. Although I am going to discuss my mixed feelings, the author brought me to tears by the end of the novel.
Usually, once I crack the spine of an EH novel, I cannot put it down. But there was understandably a whole number of reasons that it took me a little longer to read this one. First, I will nod toward "reader denial"- I only became a fan of the author a few years ago BUT I fell fast and hard for EH's plots and I simply cannot accept that she's retiring. Second, a lot was going on in terms of storylines and I craved something a little bit more focussed. Third, I felt like I knew where most of the central plot was going surrounding Leslee and Bull. Also, Coco wasn't very likable.
This is getting 3.5 stars for Blond Sharon and Chief Ed. They had the narratives that kept me reading. It is in their stories that I found Elin Hilderbrand's magic that I am going to miss.
Expected Publication 11/06/24
ŷ Review 26/05/24
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for access to this title. I am auto-approved by this publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
Nothing signals the arrival of summer quite like adding the latest Elin Hilderbrand novel to your beach bag. The thirtieth novel and the declared last of her Nantucket novels, Swan Song is full of romance, drama, secrets, backstabbing and lots of parties to attend. Not only does Hilderbrand introduce a brazen rich couple and a young woman with dreams to the mix, but we also get to catch up with all our favourite Nantucket characters. Never has a novel held a title in so many ways significant to both its characters and the author herself. Although I am going to discuss my mixed feelings, the author brought me to tears by the end of the novel.
Usually, once I crack the spine of an EH novel, I cannot put it down. But there was understandably a whole number of reasons that it took me a little longer to read this one. First, I will nod toward "reader denial"- I only became a fan of the author a few years ago BUT I fell fast and hard for EH's plots and I simply cannot accept that she's retiring. Second, a lot was going on in terms of storylines and I craved something a little bit more focussed. Third, I felt like I knew where most of the central plot was going surrounding Leslee and Bull. Also, Coco wasn't very likable.
This is getting 3.5 stars for Blond Sharon and Chief Ed. They had the narratives that kept me reading. It is in their stories that I found Elin Hilderbrand's magic that I am going to miss.
Expected Publication 11/06/24
ŷ Review 26/05/24
June 20, 2024
Elin Hilderbrand’s Last Hurrah was Pure Escapism!
It’s the start of the summer and the arrival of the elite, cultured, seductive Richardsons � husband and wife Bull and Leslee � has Nantucket locals in an excited frenzy.
Everybody who is anybody is dying to be invited to one of the extravagant, exclusive parties at their newly-purchased, twenty-two-million-dollar, seaside mansion � 888 Pocomo Road � but only a select few will be deemed worthy to glide its halls.
Fast forward to August and the Richardsons are persona non grata. What happened?
Then on the evening of August 22nd a double tragedy strikes the Richardsons. While partying out to sea aboard their yacht (with some non-locals) they receive a call from the Fire Chief to say their house is ablaze. And when their boat docks, they are one person short � a young woman is missing presumed to have gone overboard. Did she fall? Did she purposefully jump? Or was she pushed?
It’s time for the Richardsons to face the music.
Swan Song was an indulgence. I relished all the juicy interpersonal melodrama, scandalous behaviour, betrayals, sweet romances, emotional highs and lows, side of mystery, and immense wealth and privilege. It was hard for me not to daydream over what it would be like to be one of these characters living the dream in a lap of luxury on Nantucket (lobster rolls, yes please). The descriptions of 888 Pocomo Road and everything within its walls (clothes, food, etc) were hilariously insane � fascinating yes, but such an over-the-top waste of money. There were a good mix of spoilt unlikeable characters coupled with more down-to-earth ones to keep me happy and entertained.
It’s the fourth in a series but can be enjoyed by itself. I’ve only read #3 The Perfect Couple (5 stars), meaning some of the characters were familiar to me, but most were new to Swan Song and specific to this story. And any that were regulars were introduced with all the relevant information from the previous instalments.
I’m sorry to report that after thirty fictional books set on Nantucket, Elin Hilderbrand is retiring so sadly Swan Song is her last release. I wish her the best, and luckily for me I still have a lot of her backlist to read including the first two in this series.
I devoured the audiobook, and Laurence Bouvard was sensational. I see she has also narrated some of this author’s previous books which makes me so happy. Elin Hilderbrand read the final chapter which left me misty-eyed.
A poignant and touching send off!
It’s the start of the summer and the arrival of the elite, cultured, seductive Richardsons � husband and wife Bull and Leslee � has Nantucket locals in an excited frenzy.
Everybody who is anybody is dying to be invited to one of the extravagant, exclusive parties at their newly-purchased, twenty-two-million-dollar, seaside mansion � 888 Pocomo Road � but only a select few will be deemed worthy to glide its halls.
Fast forward to August and the Richardsons are persona non grata. What happened?
Then on the evening of August 22nd a double tragedy strikes the Richardsons. While partying out to sea aboard their yacht (with some non-locals) they receive a call from the Fire Chief to say their house is ablaze. And when their boat docks, they are one person short � a young woman is missing presumed to have gone overboard. Did she fall? Did she purposefully jump? Or was she pushed?
It’s time for the Richardsons to face the music.
Swan Song was an indulgence. I relished all the juicy interpersonal melodrama, scandalous behaviour, betrayals, sweet romances, emotional highs and lows, side of mystery, and immense wealth and privilege. It was hard for me not to daydream over what it would be like to be one of these characters living the dream in a lap of luxury on Nantucket (lobster rolls, yes please). The descriptions of 888 Pocomo Road and everything within its walls (clothes, food, etc) were hilariously insane � fascinating yes, but such an over-the-top waste of money. There were a good mix of spoilt unlikeable characters coupled with more down-to-earth ones to keep me happy and entertained.
It’s the fourth in a series but can be enjoyed by itself. I’ve only read #3 The Perfect Couple (5 stars), meaning some of the characters were familiar to me, but most were new to Swan Song and specific to this story. And any that were regulars were introduced with all the relevant information from the previous instalments.
I’m sorry to report that after thirty fictional books set on Nantucket, Elin Hilderbrand is retiring so sadly Swan Song is her last release. I wish her the best, and luckily for me I still have a lot of her backlist to read including the first two in this series.
I devoured the audiobook, and Laurence Bouvard was sensational. I see she has also narrated some of this author’s previous books which makes me so happy. Elin Hilderbrand read the final chapter which left me misty-eyed.
A poignant and touching send off!
June 16, 2024
❤️
Um dos melhores do ano
Um dos melhores do ano
June 23, 2024
Readers can always count on elements of beach life, decadent food and party descriptions, and a dose of drama in Hilderbrand’s Nantucket novels, and Swan Song was no exception.
Police Chief Ed Kapenash is retiring after 30 years with the Nantucket PD and on the final weekend before his retirement, there is an unexpected house fire, decimating a mansion, and a young woman is missing. This story alternates between the night of the fire and previous events throughout the summer leading up to it. I enjoyed this story and was curious to learn everything that transpired. Though it isn’t quite the same, I couldn’t help but be reminded of The Perfect Couple by Hilderbrand as there are some “whodunnit� elements in Swan Song too.
I have liked or loved so many of Hilderbrand’s stories, with 28 Summers remaining my favorite. Swan Song is a fitting ending to her Nantucket books.
Police Chief Ed Kapenash is retiring after 30 years with the Nantucket PD and on the final weekend before his retirement, there is an unexpected house fire, decimating a mansion, and a young woman is missing. This story alternates between the night of the fire and previous events throughout the summer leading up to it. I enjoyed this story and was curious to learn everything that transpired. Though it isn’t quite the same, I couldn’t help but be reminded of The Perfect Couple by Hilderbrand as there are some “whodunnit� elements in Swan Song too.
I have liked or loved so many of Hilderbrand’s stories, with 28 Summers remaining my favorite. Swan Song is a fitting ending to her Nantucket books.
June 9, 2024
I love Elin, BUT -1 star for the lazy Arkansas stereotypes. Highfalutin? Gussied up? Please. And -1 star for the ending.
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July 24, 2024I'm always surprised by how sucked in to her books I get - this one was a perfect read to finish on the beach!
June 21, 2024
3.75 stars rounded up
If this is Elin Hildebrand's final book, I wouldn't say it ended with a bang, but more of a loud whimper.
Another ultimate beach read, again in Nantucket, where there's a possible murder mystery, drama around new islanders, friendships, forbidden romances, and the ultimate retirement of Ed Kapenash, Nantucket's everlasting chief of police.
Swan Song is a fun, however not as impactful as some of her other (Golden Girl, Hotel Nantucket) beach reads.
There were times were I cringed at Hildebrand's decision to pull in some of her younger readers with her choice of words:
"Kacy feels embarrassed that she’s never read Moby-Dick. Like all the other nurses on her unit, she reads Colleen Hoover."
"Then Coco heads into town—where finding parking is like an episode of Dude, You’re Screwed" (I have no idea what that means)
"Her sister is the biggest gossip on the island and anything Heather tells Sharon about Bull’s business will be all over Nantucket quicker than you can say Vanderpump Rules."
"I know this is the most overused phrase of our generation but� let’s do this.�"
And then there are of course the names of the characters: Celadon Morse (?!), Gryphon Dreck, Addison (who is a man), you get the idea.
Of course, we get to know Nantucket like we've never left, with the Chicken Box taking center stage:
"Back when Kacy and Isla used to talk about coming to Nantucket on vacation, Kacy imagined a weekend trip to the Vineyard—staying at the Charlotte Inn, hanging out at clothing-optional, Lucy Vincent Beach, drinks at Nancy’s, dinner at the Red Cat, dancing at the Ritz, breakfast at Morning Glory Farm."
There are plenty of eggs thrown in from her past books, names, faces, storylines that you will remember. It's like we've been taken on a 20 year ride to Nantucket, and I one, despite all of its flaws, hope the ferry keeps going.
"But she would have made Charles Darwin proud, the way she adapted to Nantucket life."
If this is Elin Hildebrand's final book, I wouldn't say it ended with a bang, but more of a loud whimper.
Another ultimate beach read, again in Nantucket, where there's a possible murder mystery, drama around new islanders, friendships, forbidden romances, and the ultimate retirement of Ed Kapenash, Nantucket's everlasting chief of police.
Swan Song is a fun, however not as impactful as some of her other (Golden Girl, Hotel Nantucket) beach reads.
There were times were I cringed at Hildebrand's decision to pull in some of her younger readers with her choice of words:
"Kacy feels embarrassed that she’s never read Moby-Dick. Like all the other nurses on her unit, she reads Colleen Hoover."
"Then Coco heads into town—where finding parking is like an episode of Dude, You’re Screwed" (I have no idea what that means)
"Her sister is the biggest gossip on the island and anything Heather tells Sharon about Bull’s business will be all over Nantucket quicker than you can say Vanderpump Rules."
"I know this is the most overused phrase of our generation but� let’s do this.�"
And then there are of course the names of the characters: Celadon Morse (?!), Gryphon Dreck, Addison (who is a man), you get the idea.
Of course, we get to know Nantucket like we've never left, with the Chicken Box taking center stage:
"Back when Kacy and Isla used to talk about coming to Nantucket on vacation, Kacy imagined a weekend trip to the Vineyard—staying at the Charlotte Inn, hanging out at clothing-optional, Lucy Vincent Beach, drinks at Nancy’s, dinner at the Red Cat, dancing at the Ritz, breakfast at Morning Glory Farm."
There are plenty of eggs thrown in from her past books, names, faces, storylines that you will remember. It's like we've been taken on a 20 year ride to Nantucket, and I one, despite all of its flaws, hope the ferry keeps going.
"But she would have made Charles Darwin proud, the way she adapted to Nantucket life."
June 28, 2024
Im less then 50 pages in and this book has been woke since the first few pages. Steak causes heart attacks but alcohol is perfectly fine, lesbian cheaters and climate change.
I don’t remember her other books being like this, really disappointed, thought about returning it.
I don’t remember her other books being like this, really disappointed, thought about returning it.
June 13, 2024
My least favorite of the Nantucket series. Very disappointed with it
August 1, 2024
4.5⭐️!!! Loved it sm except the last 3 pages 🥲
June 15, 2024
I have enjoyed other books by this author and I was very excited to start this one, her last one based in Nantucket. I settled myself in a comfy chaise in the backyard with a glass of lemonade and started reading. Ten chapters in and I was done. Didn’t like any of the new characters (or some of the repeat ones) and the plot just didn’t grab me. A total DNF. I debated about pushing through but decided not to. It’s a beautiful day and too nice to be struggling with something that is not bringing me joy.
June 15, 2024
This started out fun, then it went downhill from there. I’m starting to think I read the two best Elin books there are(Golden Girl & The Five-Star Weekend) as my very first intro to her stuff & her others are just not on the same level🙁 I am NOT someone who can easily predict where a book is going, like ever. So if I predicted almost everything about this one, then it’s pretty safe to say it is extremely predictable.. & the characters just weren’t likable or interesting after the first little bit.
September 6, 2024
ms Elin is a hit or miss author for me (i dnf’ed her last 2 books) but i finally found another winner! i think i’ve found i only really like her mystery-leaning books, the fun Nantucket atmosphere makes for the perfect summer read and i always love small town drama stories. finished it just in time to start the new netflix adaptation of perfect couple!
July 28, 2024
The end of the Elin Hilderbrand era! First off, let me say I am a HUGE fan of this author and my fave books of hers were Hotel Nantucket, Golden Girl and 28 Summers. I so wanted to love this book but I found myself 1)starting it a few weeks ago but I just couldn’t get into it so I put it aside and came back to it 2) I found myself bored in the middle of the book. I just wanted it to pick up speed or something and it never happened. I hate she’s retiring and it’s the last book! I will miss her!
July 27, 2024
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand is in my opinion her best yet. I really enjoyed it. Includes romance, drama and mystery. A nice who dun-it. Takes place on Nantucket with references such as the movie Oppenheimer. Which indicates 2023/24.
June 13, 2024
Probably 3.5. My least favorite of her books, but I’m so sad that’s the end.
May 13, 2024
The end of an era! I think this veered a little too much into "crime novel" territory for me, and there were a few too many unlikable characters, but it nonetheless checks all the most important boxes for an Elin Hilderbrand book: endless food descriptions and brand names, at least one Peloton mention, constant references to "sneaky linking" (the zoomer who taught EH that phrase deserves jail time), and low-stakes drama that feels like hearing gossip on the boardwalk in July.
My one specific note was that Coco, the "punk" character, has the whackest musical taste I've ever heard in my life (Grouplove is literally no one's favorite band), but those choices make total sense after reading the acknowledgements and finding out that Madison from SiriusXM was her music advisor. It's common knowledge that Madison is the worst.
If you like EH, you'll like this! It's just like all the others, which I mean in a complimentary way.
(Netgalley)
My one specific note was that Coco, the "punk" character, has the whackest musical taste I've ever heard in my life (Grouplove is literally no one's favorite band), but those choices make total sense after reading the acknowledgements and finding out that Madison from SiriusXM was her music advisor. It's common knowledge that Madison is the worst.
If you like EH, you'll like this! It's just like all the others, which I mean in a complimentary way.
(Netgalley)
July 4, 2024
Chapter 9: DONE! “Climate change�, same sex relationship, pronouns and I had only just begun. Elin isn’t even subtle anymore. It used to take several chapters until
She virtue signaled. Everyone is entitled to their opinion BUT when I take the time to enjoy a good novel, I would like to escape from all things currently dividing our society. Good riddance.
She virtue signaled. Everyone is entitled to their opinion BUT when I take the time to enjoy a good novel, I would like to escape from all things currently dividing our society. Good riddance.
July 10, 2024
This book is so boring that I deigned to pick it up again.
I can’t believe how popular she is with a book this unengaging. Maybe it’s a good thing she’s retiring.
I can’t believe how popular she is with a book this unengaging. Maybe it’s a good thing she’s retiring.
June 18, 2024
This felt rushed and like it was trying too hard to tie off elements from other stories, while being just too outlandish within this one. Not my favorite EH novel, but I would still read it if you feel loyal to the author. It contains her typical charms, character complexity. This one has a lot of 2024 vernacular references and I don’t think that will age well.
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