The Unwedding : A Novel BY Ally Condie

The Unwedding by Ally Condie, Reese Witherspoon’s June Book Club pick, is a riveting summer read that blends the luxurious setting of The White Lotus with the suspenseful twists of Agatha Christie. The novel opens with Ellery Wainwright arriving at the stunning Resort at Broken Point in Big Sur, California, alone. Originally planned as a celebration for her twentieth wedding anniversary with her husband Luke, the trip is now a poignant reminder of what once was.

The resort, with its breathtaking views, is the perfect backdrop for Ellery’s retreat, yet it feels unsettlingly beautiful. Her stay is further disrupted by a high-profile wedding taking place at the resort. As Ellery reflects on the past, she is haunted by memories of a future she thought was secure. Her solitary escape turns into a nightmare when she discovers the body of the groom floating in the pool during a rainstorm.

With the police unable to reach the resort due to a mudslide blocking the road, guests find themselves stranded. As tension mounts, another guest is found dead, and it becomes clear that something sinister is unfolding. The guests, each harboring their own secrets, become increasingly suspicious. Amidst the unraveling mystery, Ellery must confront her own shadowy past and the unsettling realization that her future, like everyone else’s at Broken Point, is far from guaranteed.

The Unwedding is a knife’s-edge whodunit that intertwines thriller elements with a poignant exploration of grief and loss, offering a gripping narrative filled with secrets and suspense.