When the movie opportunity came along, they said yes. Taylor, Stella, and Felicity all said yes, and that’s how they ended up on a lush Caribbean island together, with legendary movie star Cole Power.

Stella is his Cole’s ex-wife, but she’s been through some tough years, so when this script came to her, and she had a chance to star in a major motion picture again, she grabbed it. It meant working with Cole again, which she wasn’t looking forward to. But he was producing and starring in The Siren, and Stella really needed the work, so she had to say yes.

Taylor is a producer, the daughter of a studio executive. and trying to prove herself as a professional despite the rumors and gossip following her around. She’s not a fan of Cole Powers, but she needs this job to clear the slate and start to build her reputation back.

Felicity is Stella’s assistant. She’s only known Stella for a couple of months, but she was available to dog sit Stella’s Mary Elizabeth, and she did such a good job that Stella hired her as her assistant for the movie. The insurance would only sign on if Stella promised to stay sober the entire shoot, so it’s part of Stella’s job to hold her prescription medicines and to make sure that she doesn’t drink alcohol (or at least, not in front of anyone who might turn her in).

Now, they’re all on a small island together, with the rest of the cast and crew, which includes young actress Madison, who will play the nanny for Cole and Stella’s baby, and the director, Jackson, who is Cole’s son from his first marriage (Stella was his second wife).

Shooting for the movie starts out well, despite the assorted group on the island. But the more time goes by, the more challenging shooting becomes. Problems with the equipment and the choice to film during hurricane season aside, each of these individuals have a secret that they’ve been carrying around for a long time. Once those secrets start coming out, the storms building inside match the hurricane building outside, and then no one is safe from the damage.

The Siren is Katherine St. John’s latest blockbuster summer novel. Even better than last year’s The Lion’s Den (which I loved), The Siren takes the drama to its heights by bringing it all together on one small island. Told in alternative chapters by the three women, this story unfolds at the perfect pace, ratcheting up the tension on the set and behind the scenes while dropping back into the past here and there to let us in on all the secrets that brought everyone here.

The Siren is perfect summer reading. The plotting is flawless, the characters surprising, and the setting is sublime. All you need is some sunscreen, a soft beach towel or comfy backyard hammock, and a fruity drink, and you’ve got a mini-vacation right here with this book. No passport necessary.

Galleys for The Siren were provided by Grand Central Publishing, with many thanks.