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readwkatie's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Carissa Ann Lynch for an advanced copy in return for my honest review. Whisper Island is available for purchase on February 5, 2021!
Scarlett, Sammy, and Mia have been friends for years and one day Scarlett invites Riley to join their group. All four girls have graduated from art school and are dealing with their own internal struggles, from drug addiction to trying to get out from under their famous parents shadow. The girls decide to spend the summer on a private island in Alaska in hopes of buckling down and working on their art. While on the island, strange things start happening and slowly people start going missing or wind up dead. Will the girls be able to figure out who is harming them before they are all victims?
This book had strong “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie vibes. Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t a fan of that classic – but Lynch does a good job of making it more modern and a bit more interesting. I will say that the ending threw me for a loop as I wasn’t expecting the culprit to be who they turned out to be but I also felt like it wasn’t a clean ending. Why the culprit did what they did was understandable but I wish I had more background on the reasoning. Overall, it was a fast read and a decent mystery.
Scarlett, Sammy, and Mia have been friends for years and one day Scarlett invites Riley to join their group. All four girls have graduated from art school and are dealing with their own internal struggles, from drug addiction to trying to get out from under their famous parents shadow. The girls decide to spend the summer on a private island in Alaska in hopes of buckling down and working on their art. While on the island, strange things start happening and slowly people start going missing or wind up dead. Will the girls be able to figure out who is harming them before they are all victims?
This book had strong “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie vibes. Unfortunately for me, I wasn’t a fan of that classic – but Lynch does a good job of making it more modern and a bit more interesting. I will say that the ending threw me for a loop as I wasn’t expecting the culprit to be who they turned out to be but I also felt like it wasn’t a clean ending. Why the culprit did what they did was understandable but I wish I had more background on the reasoning. Overall, it was a fast read and a decent mystery.
kyleesapp's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
pewterwolf's review against another edition
2.0
RTC but, oh boy, bland and flat. Just meh, truth be told. It’s the final 20% that made me give this a two star, not one.
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf Reads
***eProof given by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction, though listened via audiobook from local library's BorrowBox app***
We all know the plot. I mean, Agatha Christie was the first to do it with [b:And Then There Were None|6251563|And Then There Were None|Agatha Christie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1310669942l/6251563._SY75_.jpg|3038872], but we’ve seen this done in murder mystery and thrillers since then. Four US college art students – Riley, Mia, Sammy and Scarlett – decide to go to an island in Alaska to work on their art and their friendship. But when they arrive on Whisper Island, they realise that something is very wrong. The island is nothing like the photos Sammy’s brother sent. Then Sammy’s brother, Rob, and his new girlfriend, Opal, arrive unexpectedly, throwing the group through a loop as Rob is Mia’s ex, and Scarlett and Rob seem to have a sudden connection. Then the murders starts...
So... my thoughts on this book. Well... they aren’t good nor kind. I am actually in two minds over writing this write-up for Whisper Island as it’s might come across salty. Now, before I go any further, I do want to say that, while I do have the eProof from the publisher, I listened to the audiobook via my local library and this does pay a factor in my opinions as, I do think that if I had read it, I might have been a tad kinder as the audiobook narrator was very robotic, flat and had it almost impossible to tell each character apart as all their voices were the same. So, not recommending the audiobook.. Sorry on that front.
But the book itself. It’s... well... if I had to sum this up using a gif, it would be the gif was RuPaul going “Meh”. This was just meh and bland.
Now, I gave this book a lot of leeway. I audiobooked the whole story and I knew, going into this, that it wasn’t going to be a five star read, but I was expecting something fun, edge of your seat gripping, with twists and turns that I wouldn’t see coming. I got none of them.
The story, the writing, the characters, the twists all felt flat and really bland. I didn’t care for any of the characters (who were in their early/mid 20s and yet, would speak like they were much, much older but make dumb decisions of teenagers), and seeing as the first murder didn’t happen till around the 55% mark, that’s plenty of them to make me like them. But nope. I found them bland and interchangeable (even though they all had their own secrets, none of which catch and held my attention) and, even though each chapter was told from one of the main four (with Sammy’s brother and his girlfriend talking one or two chapters), their voices were exactly the same, all irritating and all using the same turn of phrases. If it wasn’t for them saying each other’s characters name EVERY TIME THEY SPOKE, I would have got completely lost.
The killer was an easy guess (there was only one real suspect, in my opinion) and their motives might have been easy to figure for some readers. And it was the last 20% that I began to like the book. Things began to fall into place and one or two (easy to spot) twists and then, of course, we have the showdown. Still not written great, but the showdown held me.
I think I get what the author was trying to do with Whisper Island, but it doesn’t work. It comes across flat, bland and forgettable
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf Reads
***eProof given by UK publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review/reaction, though listened via audiobook from local library's BorrowBox app***
We all know the plot. I mean, Agatha Christie was the first to do it with [b:And Then There Were None|6251563|And Then There Were None|Agatha Christie|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1310669942l/6251563._SY75_.jpg|3038872], but we’ve seen this done in murder mystery and thrillers since then. Four US college art students – Riley, Mia, Sammy and Scarlett – decide to go to an island in Alaska to work on their art and their friendship. But when they arrive on Whisper Island, they realise that something is very wrong. The island is nothing like the photos Sammy’s brother sent. Then Sammy’s brother, Rob, and his new girlfriend, Opal, arrive unexpectedly, throwing the group through a loop as Rob is Mia’s ex, and Scarlett and Rob seem to have a sudden connection. Then the murders starts...
So... my thoughts on this book. Well... they aren’t good nor kind. I am actually in two minds over writing this write-up for Whisper Island as it’s might come across salty. Now, before I go any further, I do want to say that, while I do have the eProof from the publisher, I listened to the audiobook via my local library and this does pay a factor in my opinions as, I do think that if I had read it, I might have been a tad kinder as the audiobook narrator was very robotic, flat and had it almost impossible to tell each character apart as all their voices were the same. So, not recommending the audiobook.. Sorry on that front.
But the book itself. It’s... well... if I had to sum this up using a gif, it would be the gif was RuPaul going “Meh”. This was just meh and bland.
Now, I gave this book a lot of leeway. I audiobooked the whole story and I knew, going into this, that it wasn’t going to be a five star read, but I was expecting something fun, edge of your seat gripping, with twists and turns that I wouldn’t see coming. I got none of them.
The story, the writing, the characters, the twists all felt flat and really bland. I didn’t care for any of the characters (who were in their early/mid 20s and yet, would speak like they were much, much older but make dumb decisions of teenagers), and seeing as the first murder didn’t happen till around the 55% mark, that’s plenty of them to make me like them. But nope. I found them bland and interchangeable (even though they all had their own secrets, none of which catch and held my attention) and, even though each chapter was told from one of the main four (with Sammy’s brother and his girlfriend talking one or two chapters), their voices were exactly the same, all irritating and all using the same turn of phrases. If it wasn’t for them saying each other’s characters name EVERY TIME THEY SPOKE, I would have got completely lost.
The killer was an easy guess (there was only one real suspect, in my opinion) and their motives might have been easy to figure for some readers. And it was the last 20% that I began to like the book. Things began to fall into place and one or two (easy to spot) twists and then, of course, we have the showdown. Still not written great, but the showdown held me.
I think I get what the author was trying to do with Whisper Island, but it doesn’t work. It comes across flat, bland and forgettable
syingg19's review against another edition
3.0
Wee bit bothered by the typo on the very first page.
Alaska is 3 or 4 hours behind Tennessee, not ahead.
This was a quick read, but I felt like it was missing something. Didn't really feel attached to the characters, but it was interesting how the changing POVs made me see the other characters in a new light. Didn't seem friendly, and I was slightly annoyed by the beating around the bush at the mention of their secrets they were trying to hide.
Alaska is 3 or 4 hours behind Tennessee, not ahead.
This was a quick read, but I felt like it was missing something. Didn't really feel attached to the characters, but it was interesting how the changing POVs made me see the other characters in a new light. Didn't seem friendly, and I was slightly annoyed by the beating around the bush at the mention of their secrets they were trying to hide.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Whisper Island is very easy to devour in one sitting. In it, you will meet a group of people who get the opportunity to stay at a house in Alaska on an island for 3 months. Also, the entire stay is for free? So that being said, it was pretty hard to let this wonderful opportunity to pass by.
The group of people? Well, they are Riley, Sam, Mia, Scarlet, Rob, and Opal. Each person has a past and some dark secrets. With each twist and turn, I just wanted to know who the main suspect was. It's a murder mystery after all.
So, yes, I was on the edge of my seat - devouring the crap out of this book - trying to figure out who was killing who. Long story short, I'm a horrible detective and should stick with my day job. I had no idea that the one person was behind it all until it was too late. Each piece of information started to make sense after the big reveal.. but I'll admit, the ending confused the crap out of me.
I feel like I'm going to forever think about this as well. Everyone has dark secrets.. and I'm sure there's going to be more unleashed after that cliffhanger.
Whisper Island is very easy to devour in one sitting. In it, you will meet a group of people who get the opportunity to stay at a house in Alaska on an island for 3 months. Also, the entire stay is for free? So that being said, it was pretty hard to let this wonderful opportunity to pass by.
The group of people? Well, they are Riley, Sam, Mia, Scarlet, Rob, and Opal. Each person has a past and some dark secrets. With each twist and turn, I just wanted to know who the main suspect was. It's a murder mystery after all.
So, yes, I was on the edge of my seat - devouring the crap out of this book - trying to figure out who was killing who. Long story short, I'm a horrible detective and should stick with my day job. I had no idea that the one person was behind it all until it was too late. Each piece of information started to make sense after the big reveal.. but I'll admit, the ending confused the crap out of me.
I feel like I'm going to forever think about this as well. Everyone has dark secrets.. and I'm sure there's going to be more unleashed after that cliffhanger.
slavicsongbird's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a fun quick read, even if it is pretty obvious from the beginning that only one person can be the killer. The writing is easy and flows pretty well. Like I said, fast and pretty enjoyable.
anna93_'s review against another edition
1.0
I'm very sorry to say that I didn't like this book at all.
Although it was easy to guess what was coming next, it was also so far fetched that it became totally unbelievable.
The characters were shallow and irritating.
I was optimistic to start with but that faded away as I got further through the book. Such a shame.
Although it was easy to guess what was coming next, it was also so far fetched that it became totally unbelievable.
The characters were shallow and irritating.
I was optimistic to start with but that faded away as I got further through the book. Such a shame.
bergamotandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 STARS rounded up
Six of us are going to the island. Only one of us will make it back.
That one of us will be me.
.
.
.
Oh, WHISPER ISLAND. I had so many hopes and dreams for you. You had everything I ever wanted in a thriller: a gorgeous cover, a mysterious premise and an Agatha Christie style locked-door mystery. Unfortunately, this book still fell flat.
I can see how WHISPER ISLAND would appeal to a YA audience, however, as an avid adult and YA thriller reader, I was able to suss out the culprit - and the reason - fairly quickly. The characters had little to no depth and I kept on having to go back to the beginning of the chapter to double check who was "speaking." I also felt the whole premise of going to a remote island to work on their art a bit flimsy...especially with the social media buzz that initially led them to the idea of working together...but maybe that's just me.
I think I just struggled to suspend my disbelief with this one - there were far too many eye rolling moments for me to be fully immersed in it. That said, I think that younger readers who are unfamiliar with locked door mysteries/thrillers would enjoy this.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my ARC!
Six of us are going to the island. Only one of us will make it back.
That one of us will be me.
.
.
.
Oh, WHISPER ISLAND. I had so many hopes and dreams for you. You had everything I ever wanted in a thriller: a gorgeous cover, a mysterious premise and an Agatha Christie style locked-door mystery. Unfortunately, this book still fell flat.
I can see how WHISPER ISLAND would appeal to a YA audience, however, as an avid adult and YA thriller reader, I was able to suss out the culprit - and the reason - fairly quickly. The characters had little to no depth and I kept on having to go back to the beginning of the chapter to double check who was "speaking." I also felt the whole premise of going to a remote island to work on their art a bit flimsy...especially with the social media buzz that initially led them to the idea of working together...but maybe that's just me.
I think I just struggled to suspend my disbelief with this one - there were far too many eye rolling moments for me to be fully immersed in it. That said, I think that younger readers who are unfamiliar with locked door mysteries/thrillers would enjoy this.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my ARC!
kgnade's review against another edition
4.0
I received an advanced reader copy of Whisper Island from HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter via NetGalley, in return for my honest opinion.
Whisper Island by Carissa Ann Lynch is a story about secrets, regrets and revenge. Four newish college friends- Riley, Scarlett, Mia and Sammy- have decided to spend the next three months on a deserted Alaskan island, to work on various art projects. Riley’s the shy, awkward one trying to fit in. Scarlett is the one always posting on social media and letting the others know the latest news- especially art related. Mia is the daughter of a famous artist, trying to prove herself. Sammy is the organized one and is trying to hold what’s left of her family together.
All four girls have different motives for getting away and how much they would like to accomplish while on Whisper Island. This getaway quickly turns into a murder filled nightmare, testing these friendships until the very end.
This was a fast moving book that will keep you on your toes. Whisper Island is available today, February 5, 2021.
#carissaannlynch #whisperisland #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #thriller #thrillerbooks #mysterythriller #mystery #mysterybooks #readin2021 #harpercollinsuk #onemorechapter #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.
Whisper Island by Carissa Ann Lynch is a story about secrets, regrets and revenge. Four newish college friends- Riley, Scarlett, Mia and Sammy- have decided to spend the next three months on a deserted Alaskan island, to work on various art projects. Riley’s the shy, awkward one trying to fit in. Scarlett is the one always posting on social media and letting the others know the latest news- especially art related. Mia is the daughter of a famous artist, trying to prove herself. Sammy is the organized one and is trying to hold what’s left of her family together.
All four girls have different motives for getting away and how much they would like to accomplish while on Whisper Island. This getaway quickly turns into a murder filled nightmare, testing these friendships until the very end.
This was a fast moving book that will keep you on your toes. Whisper Island is available today, February 5, 2021.
#carissaannlynch #whisperisland #netgalley #arcs #advancedreadercopy #thriller #thrillerbooks #mysterythriller #mystery #mysterybooks #readin2021 #harpercollinsuk #onemorechapter #whatthebook #bookreviews #readersofinstagram #bookaholic
For more of my reviews visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/WhattheBook/ or http://whatthebook-reviews.tumblr.com/ or follow me on Instagram @whatthebook__.