Emma Rosenblum’s debut novel “Bad Summer People” drops us into the exclusive beachside community of Salcombe on Fire Island, where the wealthy elite of Manhattan spend their summers playing tennis, drinking too much, and destroying each other’s lives. It’s a deliciously wicked tale that exposes the rotting core beneath the polished veneer of privilege—though it sometimes gets caught in the shallows rather than diving into deeper waters.
The Setting: A Claustrophobic Paradise
Rosenblum skillfully establishes Salcombe as a character in itself—a tiny, car-free village where everyone knows everyone’s business, where children roam freely on bicycles, and where social hierarchies are as firmly established as the boardwalks that connect the community. The author’s intimate familiarity with this setting (likely drawn from personal experience) brings an authenticity that grounds the novel:
“Fire Island was just a sliver of land off the south shore of Long Island. A barrier island, flanked by the Great South Bay on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, it was approximately thirty miles long—its widest point, which happened to be in Salcombe, was only about half a mile.”
The claustrophobic nature of this summer paradise becomes the perfect pressure cooker for the story’s events. When Susan Steinhagen, the formidable older woman who runs the tennis program, is found dead after a storm, the community’s carefully maintained facade begins to crack.
The Characters: Delightfully Terrible People
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its ensemble cast of privileged, entitled characters who are all, as the title suggests, bad people. Rosenblum gives us a rotating first-person perspective that shifts between eight main characters:
- Lauren Parker – The queen bee of Salcombe, beautiful and status-obsessed
- Jason Parker – Lauren’s husband, who harbors a lifelong resentment toward his best friend
- Jen Weinstein – A psychologist and serial cheater with a talent for manipulation
- Sam Weinstein – Jason’s best friend who finally discovers his wife’s infidelity
- Rachel Woolf – The single friend, desperate for love and acceptance
- Robert Heyworth – The attractive tennis pro who has more ambition than morals
- Micah Holt – A college student who observes the adults’ behavior with growing disillusionment
- Susan Steinhagen – The elderly tennis director whose death catalyzes the plot
None of these characters are likable in the traditional sense, but that’s precisely the point. They’re fascinating in their awfulness, like watching a slow-motion car crash you can’t look away from. The author excels at revealing their inner thoughts:
“Jen Weinstein was a cheat. She’d cheated on tests in school, writing the answers on her hands; she cheated in tennis, calling shots out that were in; she cheated at cards, glancing at opponents’ hands when they weren’t looking. And she cheated on men, every single one she’d ever dated, including her husband, Sam, who wouldn’t in a million years have suspected her of doing any of it.”
Plot: A Slow-Burning Tangled Web
The novel begins with the discovery of a body by an eight-year-old boy, then jumps back in time to show us the events leading up to this moment. It’s a structure that promises a suspenseful build, as we follow the intertwining relationships and secrets of the Salcombe summer residents.
The central mystery—who killed Susan Steinhagen?—propels the story forward, but it’s the interpersonal dramas that really drive the narrative. Affairs are discovered, rivalries play out on the tennis court, and long-simmering resentments finally boil over. The gradual unraveling of the truth behind Susan’s death reveals just how far these privileged people will go to protect their way of life.
Strengths: Sharp Social Commentary with a Bite
When Rosenblum hits her stride, the novel delivers:
- Pitch-perfect dialogue that captures the passive-aggressive interactions of the wealthy elite
- Keen observations about class, privilege, and the performative nature of these summer communities
- Dark humor that makes even the most terrible moments strangely enjoyable
- Tennis as metaphor for the competitive social dynamics of the community
The author’s background as a content officer at Bustle Digital Group serves her well in creating a world that feels simultaneously authentic and satirical. Her eye for social detail—from the designer clothes to the petty competitions over who has the best sunset view—creates a vivid backdrop for the murder mystery.
Weaknesses: Stylistic Inconsistencies and Pacing Issues
Despite its strengths, “Bad Summer People” struggles with several issues:
- Too many viewpoints – While the multiple perspectives offer insight into different characters, they sometimes dilute the narrative focus and emotional impact
- Uneven pacing – The middle section sags noticeably as we wait for the central mystery to progress
- Underdeveloped themes – The novel raises interesting questions about class and privilege but doesn’t fully explore them
- Some flat characters – Several of the secondary characters never evolve beyond caricatures of rich, entitled people
Writing Style: Breezy but Biting
Rosenblum’s writing style is accessible and conversational, perfect for a beach read but sometimes lacking the depth that would elevate the novel to something more substantial. Her prose is at its best when delivering razor-sharp observations:
“All the women out here were insane, thought Jen as she nodded through Jessica’s story about Danny’s school. ‘He tested into the Gifted and Talented Program when he was younger, but the school closest to us was in Harlem, so that was a no-go. It’s way too far to travel every day, and also’—here she whispered—’not a great neighborhood.'”
These moments of social satire provide the book’s most enjoyable passages, exposing the hypocrisy and casual prejudice of the privileged class.
The Final Act: A Somewhat Rushed Resolution
Without spoiling the ending, it’s fair to say that the novel’s resolution comes together rather abruptly after the leisurely pace of the middle sections. While some readers will find satisfaction in learning the truth behind Susan’s death, others may feel that certain character arcs are left unresolved or hastily concluded.
The epilogue attempts to tie up loose ends while leaving just enough ambiguity to make us question whether justice has truly been served, but it doesn’t quite deliver the emotional punch that would make the story linger.
Comparison to Similar Works
“Bad Summer People” sits comfortably alongside other novels about wealthy people behaving badly, such as:
- Liane Moriarty’s “Big Little Lies” – Similar in its use of multiple perspectives and a death that brings secrets to light
- Elin Hilderbrand’s Nantucket novels – Shares the exclusive beach setting and focus on relationship dynamics
- Emily Henry’s “Beach Read” – Though more romantic, it has a similar summer setting and witty tone
As a debut novel, Rosenblum’s work shows promise, though it doesn’t quite reach the heights of these more established authors. Her background in media gives her an insider’s perspective on status and social dynamics that serves the story well.
Final Verdict: A Flawed but Enjoyable Summer Read
“Bad Summer People” is like the expensive, slightly too-sweet cocktail served at the Salcombe Yacht Club—enjoyable while it lasts but not necessarily memorable in the long term. For readers seeking an escapist murder mystery with a side of social satire, Rosenblum delivers a beach read that balances entertainment with just enough substance to keep you engaged.
Strengths:
- Vivid, authentic setting
- Deliciously awful characters
- Sharp social observations
- Engaging premise
Weaknesses:
- Too many perspectives
- Uneven pacing
- Some underdeveloped themes
- Rushed resolution
If you’re looking for a summer read that combines the gossipy pleasure of reality TV with the structural satisfaction of a murder mystery, “Bad Summer People” is worth tossing in your beach bag. Just don’t expect it to change your life—unless, perhaps, it makes you reconsider that summer house purchase in a small, insular community where everyone knows your business.
For a debut novelist, Rosenblum shows considerable promise, and I’ll be curious to see what she writes next. Perhaps with her next book, she’ll take the incisive social commentary and sharp character work displayed here and push it to even greater depths.
