The Beauty Queen by Sally-Anne Martyn review

About The Book

Book: The Beauty Queen
Author: Sally-Anne Martyn 
Standalone or Series: Standalone
Publisher: Joffe Books
Publication Date (UK): 11th December 2024

🔍Standout Read. Awarded to books I highly recommend.

My Review

Today is my stop on the Insta Book Tours for The Beauty Queen!

I’ll admit, the cover initially made me hesitate as I wasn’t sure if it would be for me. But then I thought of the crown and sash more in the vein of Hole’s Live Through This album cover. A glowing review from Chris Bridges, convinced me to give it a try and I’m so glad I did. This is easily one of the best books I read last year.

The story begins in 1982 with a chilling newspaper report: a girl has gone missing on the night she was crowned the winner of a beauty pageant. Fast forward to 2022 and journalist Zoe arrives in Sunshine Sands to cover the very same competition. But Zoe isn’t just reporting – she’s investigating. Jane, the missing girl from 40 years ago, was her older sister.

Through dual timelines, we uncover Jane’s story. At 17, she entered the pageant with her mother Marion and little sister Zoe in tow. Marion, an unlikable character, is more interested in mingling with the celebrity judges and indulging in drink than in her daughters’ wellbeing. She’s desperate for Jane to win so she can have the £1,000 prize money for her own means and constantly puts Jane in situations she isn’t comfortable with. Meanwhile we see what an adoring sister she is to Zoe, more like a mother than Marion and ensuring she has some fun whilst dragged along with it all.

The book explores misconduct and abuse of power with nuance and relevance. I couldn’t help but think of The Reckoning TV series whilst reading, especially with the seaside setting and famous people/men in power parallels.

The story stays with you – heartbreaking, atmospheric and layered with nostalgia for those seaside holidays of the past. I highly recommend it, particularly to readers in their 30s who will appreciate the contrast between the 80s and now.

Thank you again to Insta Book Tours and Joffe Books for the free eBook in order to participate on the tour.