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_thelitlibrarian's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75 stars
-
TW; Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug Abuse, Drug Use, Grief
-
For friends Riley, Sammy, Mia, and Scarlett a getaway is exactly what they need - the four of them will use this time to work on their artwork and rest and recharge. When the unexpected arrival of Sammy's brother Rob and his new girlfriend Opal the group starts to crumble. It isn't long before one of them is murdered, sending everyone into a panic. They're under the impression that they're alone on the island, or are they? At this point, no one can be trusted and tensions are high. Fingers get pointed as some dark and twisted secrets get revealed, although I had figured out who the killer was, it was really interesting getting to the why they did what they did.
Going into this I had really high hopes, and thought the book would give off 'And Then There Were None' vibes, but overall, the book fell a little flat to me. I didn't really connect with any of the characters and found most of them to be pretty annoying! This being said, since the cast of characters was so small I was able to figure out who the killer was pretty quickly. The author does a great job describing the atmosphere of the island, it really sets the eerie tone for this book. I couldn't help but think the entire time why someone would want to visit an isolated/creepy island as a vacation spot.
Overall, this was a good starter mystery but just wasn't what I was expecting!
-
TW; Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug Abuse, Drug Use, Grief
-
For friends Riley, Sammy, Mia, and Scarlett a getaway is exactly what they need - the four of them will use this time to work on their artwork and rest and recharge. When the unexpected arrival of Sammy's brother Rob and his new girlfriend Opal the group starts to crumble. It isn't long before one of them is murdered, sending everyone into a panic. They're under the impression that they're alone on the island, or are they? At this point, no one can be trusted and tensions are high. Fingers get pointed as some dark and twisted secrets get revealed, although I had figured out who the killer was, it was really interesting getting to the why they did what they did.
Going into this I had really high hopes, and thought the book would give off 'And Then There Were None' vibes, but overall, the book fell a little flat to me. I didn't really connect with any of the characters and found most of them to be pretty annoying! This being said, since the cast of characters was so small I was able to figure out who the killer was pretty quickly. The author does a great job describing the atmosphere of the island, it really sets the eerie tone for this book. I couldn't help but think the entire time why someone would want to visit an isolated/creepy island as a vacation spot.
Overall, this was a good starter mystery but just wasn't what I was expecting!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Grief
katiescott's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the e-ARC of Whisper Island in exchange for an honest review.
I could not put this book down until I had all of the answers, which means I read to the end in nearly one sitting. It is definitely a compulsive read. Four college girlfriends decide to go to a remote island in Alaska to work on their respective art projects...only one of them has a darker, more deadly goal in mind.
With a nod to stranded on an island books like And Then There Were None, the reader quickly learns that these ladies (and two additional mystery guests) have secrets that might all be worth killing for. The whole vibe of the book was creepy and dark and definitely leaned toward horror at times.
As entertaining as this novel was, it also felt a little shallow and unfinished in parts. There is next to no backstory and some inconsistencies/unanswered questions throughout (the island goes from being dreary and remote to an ideal getaway? The explanation for the inclusion of the additional guests. while somewhat explained at the end, just seemed odd and creepy throughout...) I will say I was surprised by the reveal and then was shocked by the events leading up to the ending!
I'd recommend this to readers looking for a quick & entertaining thriller, especially fans of stranded on an island settings and/or light horror.
I could not put this book down until I had all of the answers, which means I read to the end in nearly one sitting. It is definitely a compulsive read. Four college girlfriends decide to go to a remote island in Alaska to work on their respective art projects...only one of them has a darker, more deadly goal in mind.
With a nod to stranded on an island books like And Then There Were None, the reader quickly learns that these ladies (and two additional mystery guests) have secrets that might all be worth killing for. The whole vibe of the book was creepy and dark and definitely leaned toward horror at times.
As entertaining as this novel was, it also felt a little shallow and unfinished in parts. There is next to no backstory and some inconsistencies/unanswered questions throughout (the island goes from being dreary and remote to an ideal getaway? The explanation for the inclusion of the additional guests. while somewhat explained at the end, just seemed odd and creepy throughout...) I will say I was surprised by the reveal and then was shocked by the events leading up to the ending!
I'd recommend this to readers looking for a quick & entertaining thriller, especially fans of stranded on an island settings and/or light horror.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Bullying
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Grief
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