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johnlynchbooks's review
4.0
3.5 rounded to 4 for good reads
The Isle, By John C. Foster, is a novel of isolation, dread, and small town terror. Part horror and part murder mystery, Foster has crafted a novel in which its greatest strengths are the immersion and atmosphere the reader will experience.
U.S. Marshall Virgil Bone is a man with a haunted past. Seemingly at the end of his career, he is assigned the menial task of retrieving the corpse of a fugitive from a small island town off the coast of Maine, but as can be expected, the Isle isn’t what it appears to be. Despite being close proximity to the state, The Isle is actually its own jurisdiction, and the residents live isolated from the mainland aside from a few fishermen who peddle their catch and return with supplies. From the start, Foster sets the tone with incredibly well written descriptions that continue throughout the novel. They’re detailed enough to establish a sense of isolation and dread while keeping a sense of foreboding just under the surface. You feel as if danger could lurk around any corner, even before anything happens. The richly built atmosphere, along with the history of The Isle itself really makes it feel as if it’s a character rather than a setting. This goes a long way to keeping the book interesting even as it slows down.
For as much fun as I had with The Isle, I do have a few complaints. Chief among them is that the story bogs down in the middle, something made more noticeable because it’s bookended by such a strong start and finish. My second complaint would be with the main protagonist, Virgil Bone. While Foster does make an effort to develop his backstory, it never really pays off. I found Bone to be lackluster. He’s a character you neither love nor hate, which for me is an issue. I’d rather hate the main character than not care about them at all. My last complaint is a minor one, but it’s one that I noticed early on and continued to bug me as new residents would be introduced. Many of the townspeople had really odd names. I tried writing it off to being isolated from civilization, but then how do you Explain “Virgil Bone”
By the time I had reached the end, and despite a few things that bugged me, I felt satisfied with what Foster had written. Overall, I enjoyed my stay on The Isle.
With the Isle, Foster has crafted an atmospheric murder mystery. It’s a well written novel that despite flashes of greatness, doesn’t quite achieve it. I didn’t love The Isle, but I did like it. I had fun, and if the synopsis sounds interesting to you, I think you might like it too
The Isle, By John C. Foster, is a novel of isolation, dread, and small town terror. Part horror and part murder mystery, Foster has crafted a novel in which its greatest strengths are the immersion and atmosphere the reader will experience.
U.S. Marshall Virgil Bone is a man with a haunted past. Seemingly at the end of his career, he is assigned the menial task of retrieving the corpse of a fugitive from a small island town off the coast of Maine, but as can be expected, the Isle isn’t what it appears to be. Despite being close proximity to the state, The Isle is actually its own jurisdiction, and the residents live isolated from the mainland aside from a few fishermen who peddle their catch and return with supplies. From the start, Foster sets the tone with incredibly well written descriptions that continue throughout the novel. They’re detailed enough to establish a sense of isolation and dread while keeping a sense of foreboding just under the surface. You feel as if danger could lurk around any corner, even before anything happens. The richly built atmosphere, along with the history of The Isle itself really makes it feel as if it’s a character rather than a setting. This goes a long way to keeping the book interesting even as it slows down.
For as much fun as I had with The Isle, I do have a few complaints. Chief among them is that the story bogs down in the middle, something made more noticeable because it’s bookended by such a strong start and finish. My second complaint would be with the main protagonist, Virgil Bone. While Foster does make an effort to develop his backstory, it never really pays off. I found Bone to be lackluster. He’s a character you neither love nor hate, which for me is an issue. I’d rather hate the main character than not care about them at all. My last complaint is a minor one, but it’s one that I noticed early on and continued to bug me as new residents would be introduced. Many of the townspeople had really odd names. I tried writing it off to being isolated from civilization, but then how do you Explain “Virgil Bone”
By the time I had reached the end, and despite a few things that bugged me, I felt satisfied with what Foster had written. Overall, I enjoyed my stay on The Isle.
With the Isle, Foster has crafted an atmospheric murder mystery. It’s a well written novel that despite flashes of greatness, doesn’t quite achieve it. I didn’t love The Isle, but I did like it. I had fun, and if the synopsis sounds interesting to you, I think you might like it too
thomaswjoyce's review against another edition
5.0
The idea of an isolated island community existing in our modern world, inhabited by people ruled by traditional religious beliefs is a little hard to take at first. A small population who all seem to know each other, and who all turn their back on modern technology in favour of the "old ways".But, thanks to the power of Foster's storytelling, The Isle comes to life in the mind of the reader. From the rolling ocean waves to the eerie burned out buildings of the waterfront village, from the cottages with their thatched roofs to the mysterious lighthouse and it's equally mysterious inhabitant, every setting and every character adds to the all-encompassing sense of dread. Seeing the world through the eyes of US Marshal Virgil Bone - himself a troubled character - allows us to become immersed in the role of an outsider on the island. This is further enhanced by a wonderful narration by Linda Jones, who gives each character their own voices.
The mystery surrounding Bone's mission to the island, and the murky history of the inhabitants, is played out wonderfully. Foster never gives the reader too much information at once, instead eking it out in such a way that keeps us hooked right to the horrifying climax. It is a perfect gothic horror story for those readers (or audiobook listeners) who not only want to read and listen, but want to be engulfed by the darkness. Certain aspects reminded me of the movie The Wicker Man, which I did enjoy. But I found the experience of reading and listening to The Isle even more enjoyable.
The mystery surrounding Bone's mission to the island, and the murky history of the inhabitants, is played out wonderfully. Foster never gives the reader too much information at once, instead eking it out in such a way that keeps us hooked right to the horrifying climax. It is a perfect gothic horror story for those readers (or audiobook listeners) who not only want to read and listen, but want to be engulfed by the darkness. Certain aspects reminded me of the movie The Wicker Man, which I did enjoy. But I found the experience of reading and listening to The Isle even more enjoyable.
laurenbdavis's review against another edition
4.0
If you're a fan of gothic(ish), horror thrillers, you'll be delighted with this, his latest novel.
I Love John C. Foster's voice. It is SO dark and filled with portent! He has a wonderful way of increasing the tension with every page, and yet also infusing his characters with a bit of sly humor. His choice of names, for example -- Bones, and Honor and Increase and Burden. Then there are the crabs, clanking out of everything, and the lobster down in the deep dark depths, and the murders, and the folklore and the wild North Atlantic... well, it's all good. You've been warned.
I Love John C. Foster's voice. It is SO dark and filled with portent! He has a wonderful way of increasing the tension with every page, and yet also infusing his characters with a bit of sly humor. His choice of names, for example -- Bones, and Honor and Increase and Burden. Then there are the crabs, clanking out of everything, and the lobster down in the deep dark depths, and the murders, and the folklore and the wild North Atlantic... well, it's all good. You've been warned.
thomaswjoyce's review against another edition
5.0
The idea of an isolated island community existing in our modern world, inhabited by people ruled by traditional religious beliefs is a little hard to take at first. A small population who all seem to know each other, and who all turn their back on modern technology in favour of the "old ways".But, thanks to the power of Foster's storytelling, The Isle comes to life in the mind of the reader. From the rolling ocean waves to the eerie burned out buildings of the waterfront village, from the cottages with their thatched roofs to the mysterious lighthouse and it's equally mysterious inhabitant, every setting and every character adds to the all-encompassing sense of dread. Seeing the world through the eyes of US Marshal Virgil Bone - himself a troubled character - allows us to become immersed in the role of an outsider on the island. This is further enhanced by a wonderful narration by Linda Jones, who gives each character their own voices.
The mystery surrounding Bone's mission to the island, and the murky history of the inhabitants, is played out wonderfully. Foster never gives the reader too much information at once, instead eking it out in such a way that keeps us hooked right to the horrifying climax. It is a perfect gothic horror story for those readers (or audiobook listeners) who not only want to read and listen, but want to be engulfed by the darkness. Certain aspects reminded me of the movie The Wicker Man, which I did enjoy. But I found the experience of reading and listening to The Isle even more enjoyable.
The mystery surrounding Bone's mission to the island, and the murky history of the inhabitants, is played out wonderfully. Foster never gives the reader too much information at once, instead eking it out in such a way that keeps us hooked right to the horrifying climax. It is a perfect gothic horror story for those readers (or audiobook listeners) who not only want to read and listen, but want to be engulfed by the darkness. Certain aspects reminded me of the movie The Wicker Man, which I did enjoy. But I found the experience of reading and listening to The Isle even more enjoyable.
armand_rosamilia's review
4.0
I'm a big fan of this author's work because he has such an ominous tone and voice in his work. He grips you from the opening page and you know you're in for a great dark ride.
My only (small) complaint was wanting more of this story! Otherwise, the characters are so well-developed and unique you feel like you're reading a history of the isle. Can't wait to read more of his work!
My only (small) complaint was wanting more of this story! Otherwise, the characters are so well-developed and unique you feel like you're reading a history of the isle. Can't wait to read more of his work!
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