A Haunting Florida Island Thriller
Painter’s Beach is a haunting Florida island thriller where an oncoming hurricane washes up dark secrets in more ways than one. This dual timeline novel weaves together the lives of a tortured artist and an aspiring writer, each navigating the island’s small-town drama and their own unraveling hearts. The approaching storm pulls you deep into their minds in this emotional literary thriller, as the town becomes consumed by a beach town murder mystery. Past and present collide, revealing a haunted maritime mystery that lingers long after the final page.
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PAINTER'S BEACH IS...
Dual Timelines & Parallel Stories
Experience the mystery through the perspectives of two women whose lives are more intertwined than they realize. Elizabeth, Painter’s Beach’s newest resident artist, is grieving the loss of her partner at sea while struggling to find her place in the island’s tight-knit art community. Aimsley, a bartender with bigger dreams, finds herself drawn to Elizabeth while navigating a complicated relationship of her own. This dual timeline novel draws you into both of their minds long before they understand each other.
Storms, Secrets & Suspense
A hurricane looms over Painter’s Beach, threatening to unravel more than just the shoreline. As small-town tensions rise, Elizabeth’s reputation begins to fracture. She can’t remember what happened the night of the murder, but she feels the truth slipping just out of reach. Desperate for answers, she turns to Aimsley, but can she trust her own memories? This emotional literary thriller dives deep into the psyche, perfect for readers who crave unreliable narrators, intensity, and slow-burning suspense.
Haunted Maritime Mystery Meets Beach Town Murder
From coastal history to island legends, this haunted maritime mystery weaves an eerie undercurrent through every page. The line between reality and the spiritual world blur. Atmospheric tension, haunting imagery, and rising tension define this beach town murder mystery.
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
MATT
BETA READER
FELICIA
BETA READER
RACHEL
BETA READER
A masterfully written murder mystery that grips from start to finish with its clever twists and compelling suspense.
An emotional rollercoaster...
I loved the way you set a scene, I felt I was truly there!
BIO
Jessica Ryan is a writer and an artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Art History. Fascinated by human nature, she writes thrillers inspired by what horrifying things could occur to anyone at any time. Her background in visual arts share similar themes in her writing such as setting scenes and exploring the emotional imagery behind them. She lives in Florida where nature and personal experiences continue to inspire her work. Painter’s Beach is her debut novel.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sat, May 30Mocama Beer CompanyCome celebrate with authors and friends Jessica Ryan and R. D. G. Lover before the official sale date for their new novels "Painter's Beach" and "Rose Tide & Rust".
Sat, Jun 06Black Rose BookshopMeet Jessica Ryan with her debut novel Painter's Beach. Author signed copies and Painter's Beach merchandise, including art prints and more. Support your local indie bookstore!
ARC READER COPIES
Painter's Beach is available for readers interested in recieving an free advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for a book review/s on Amazon and Goodreads.
200 readers will be hand-selected by the author through a vetting process.
Painter's Beach ARC reader copies will only be available until 5/17/26. Please factor in before applying, if you are able to make this deadline.
If you are interested in becoming an ARC reader for Painter's Beach, please fill out the form below and you should be recieving an email link within 24 hours to access the eBook that can be read on your mobile device or eReader.