A completely unforgettable story from the No.1 bestselling author of The Last List of Mabel Beaumont – perfect for fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Colleen Hoover, and Gabrielle Zevin.

You think you know what happened that day… But what if you’re wrong?

Everyone who was around in the 1990s remembers where they were when they heard that AJ Silver had died. In the summer of ’96, there was no avoiding the story that America's biggest teen pop sensation had plunged to his death on a rollercoaster at a family-run amusement park in rural England.

Now, 27 years have passed, and – even if you’re too young to recall the event – you’ve probably heard AJ Silver's songs topping the charts again. So what better time to take a forensic look at what happened that summer?

I’ve spent hundreds of hours interviewing everyone who was there that fateful day: workers, friends, family… the people who gained from his death, and the people who lost everything.

But you’re going to want to pay attention. Because I’ve found out a secret. One you’re all going to want to know… Perhaps it wasn’t such an accident after all?

A truly unique and unforgettable story, set in 1990s Los Angeles and rural England, with more twists and turns than a rollercoaster. You’ll be gripped! Order now!

‘I loved this! Fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid will devour it, then want to start it all over again, just like I did. Laura Pearson’s best one yet, and that’s saying something!’ Kate Storey, author

‘A masterclass in storytelling. The mystery is utterly addictive, the love story so tender and exquisitely drawn it makes your heart ache, and all set against a glorious backdrop of 90s nostalgia. I ADORED it. Laura Pearson is a must-read author for me and this is her best book yet.’ Clare Leslie Hall, author

‘I devoured What Happened That Summer. It’s a gripping, heartfelt read with compelling characters and a story full of emotional depth and nostalgic charm. I was genuinely sad to turn the last page!’ Emily Freud, author

‘Wow, what a read this was!… It’s so gripping that I’ve got bags under my eyes from one-more-chaptering into the night. But it’s more than just a gripping story – it’s full of heart too, with beautifully drawn, totally relatable characters. I absolutely loved it.’ Fran Quinn, author