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renee_rain's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.0
This book is a sequel to The Sanotorium. Though I have read it, I didn't realize it was a continuation until after I finished this book. I guess Elim was not memorable for me.
This is a solid mystery/thriller. That being said, there is a lot of information to keep track of. There are three periods of time that occur on the island: a school with traumatic history, an Outward Bound center with a series of murders, and the present at a retreat center. The Leger family has past events that become relevant to the plot. There is a continuation of threats to Elim.
I thoroughly enjoyed the chaos of the book. I had no trouble keeping up with the characters, their relations, and backstories. The explanations of why people did what they did felt believable to me. Except Jo. I know she was having an affair with Hana's boyfriend, but how can someone callously leave him at an accident like that? What if he could have been saved? Could it have been explained that they had become friends? Though this does provide Maya some clarity.
I plan to read the next book in the series though I really do need closure on some things. What is going on with the Hayler case? What actually happened to Elim's brother, Sam? Who is threatening Elim? What will happen with Elim's relationship with Will? I wouldn't be sad if it ended. She appears to have a stronger connection with his sister.
This is a solid mystery/thriller. That being said, there is a lot of information to keep track of. There are three periods of time that occur on the island: a school with traumatic history, an Outward Bound center with a series of murders, and the present at a retreat center. The Leger family has past events that become relevant to the plot. There is a continuation of threats to Elim.
I thoroughly enjoyed the chaos of the book. I had no trouble keeping up with the characters, their relations, and backstories. The explanations of why people did what they did felt believable to me.
I plan to read the next book in the series though I really do need closure on some things.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent and Death
alisonannk's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Infidelity, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, and Confinement
typedtruths's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Abandonment, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
➸ Trigger warnings for parental abandonment recounted, infidelity mentioned, panic attacks (on-page), alcohol consumption, depiction of dead bodies, grief and loss depiction, death of a brother from drowning mentioned, murder and attempted murder, death of a boyfriend recounted, death from a fall, physical assault, kidnapping, incarceration mentioned, and housefire recounted in which the protagonist's cousin sustained severe burns which caused a stroke and permanent brain damage.paronomaniac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Really, this book is wash-rinse-repeat of her first book, The Sanatorium, and not much better. And you could skip the whole climax because the killer is revealed bright before the big ending and it’s not like anything too terrible will happen to the protagonist.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Infidelity
_terah_hansen_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Grief, Murder, and Toxic relationship
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Despite her earlier dismissal, for a moment she can't help imagining that the rock was responsible; as if it had thrown a piece of itself down in anger. Once again, the Island is letting her know, loud and clear. 'We don't want you here.'"
Cary Island, off the coast of Devon has a dark past. It has previously housed Rock House, a school for troubled children and played host to an outward bound course where a serial killer, the Island caretaker, murdered a group of teenagers. The island's reputation is helped by a rocky outcrop that looks like the Grim Reaper, causing the locals to call it Reaper's Rock. But LUMEN, a luxurious, retreat for those seeking peace and wellness , designed by architect Will Riley and managed by his sister, Farrah, hopes to change that and start afresh with its clean and modern design and ethos.
The Leger family, sisters studious Hana, outgoing Jo (and boyfriend Seth) and capable Bea (and boyfriend Caleb) and cousin, bohemian Maya, are staying at the retreat; Jo booked for them to spend time together and 'mend some fences' in their strained relationships. Hana is still grieving the loss of boyfriend Lucas in a biking accident and Maya is still grieving the loss of sister Sofia when they were young, in a house fire.
When a body is found, seemingly from a balcony fall, police DS Elin Warner and her colleague DC Steed arrive that the island to investigate. A further body tells them all is not well on Cary Island again, but is it anything to do with the island's tragic past? With outside help delayed and a storm coming, will Elin and Steed uncover the truth in time?
This is the second in the Detective Elin Warner series, following The Sanitorium, her as she regains her confidence. The reader gets Elin's and Hana's perspectives as the bodies pile up in this isolated and atmospheric setting. Everyone is keeping secrets and theor relationships are complex and dysfunctional. Pacy and involving, the action doesn't let up as Elin's confidence in her abilities rises or falls with each incident (making me wish she would seek some progressional help, bearing in mind the trauma she's experienced), but her character has developed from some of her previous vulnerabilities, which IMHO are not helped by her manipulative boyfriend. Seriously creepy and tense, there are plenty of cliffhangers and red herrings before the conclusion of this great, locked room thriller.
Thank you to Holly at Penguin Random House for access to an advanced copy.
Cary Island, off the coast of Devon has a dark past. It has previously housed Rock House, a school for troubled children and played host to an outward bound course where a serial killer, the Island caretaker, murdered a group of teenagers. The island's reputation is helped by a rocky outcrop that looks like the Grim Reaper, causing the locals to call it Reaper's Rock. But LUMEN, a luxurious, retreat for those seeking peace and wellness , designed by architect Will Riley and managed by his sister, Farrah, hopes to change that and start afresh with its clean and modern design and ethos.
The Leger family, sisters studious Hana, outgoing Jo (and boyfriend Seth) and capable Bea (and boyfriend Caleb) and cousin, bohemian Maya, are staying at the retreat; Jo booked for them to spend time together and 'mend some fences' in their strained relationships. Hana is still grieving the loss of boyfriend Lucas in a biking accident and Maya is still grieving the loss of sister Sofia when they were young, in a house fire.
When a body is found, seemingly from a balcony fall, police DS Elin Warner and her colleague DC Steed arrive that the island to investigate. A further body tells them all is not well on Cary Island again, but is it anything to do with the island's tragic past? With outside help delayed and a storm coming, will Elin and Steed uncover the truth in time?
This is the second in the Detective Elin Warner series, following The Sanitorium, her as she regains her confidence. The reader gets Elin's and Hana's perspectives as the bodies pile up in this isolated and atmospheric setting. Everyone is keeping secrets and theor relationships are complex and dysfunctional. Pacy and involving, the action doesn't let up as Elin's confidence in her abilities rises or falls with each incident (making me wish she would seek some progressional help, bearing in mind the trauma she's experienced), but her character has developed from some of her previous vulnerabilities, which IMHO are not helped by her manipulative boyfriend. Seriously creepy and tense, there are plenty of cliffhangers and red herrings before the conclusion of this great, locked room thriller.
Thank you to Holly at Penguin Random House for access to an advanced copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Violence, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Child death
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved THE SANATORIUM so this one was an automatic must read. And wow, what a book it was!
It follows 2 narratives - Detective Elin Warner and the group of friends staying at the retreat. I liked the mix of POVs, it really helped to tell the story. Especially as they weren’t all together at the same time so you got to see what was happening at various areas of the island.
I literally couldn’t put it down, it was so gripping. Every chapter was full of drama, ending on cliffhangers making you want to continue reading. The descriptions of the island were so chilling, it felt like you were there.
I did not see that ending coming - what a plot twist!
If you enjoyed THE SANATORIUM, you’ll like this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Grief, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Vomit
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