A review by bookswithlydscl
The Private Island by Ali Lowe

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.0

One of my guiltiest reading pleasures is the ritzy, glitzy vacation thriller genre. I love seeing the twisted, corrupt and ever so glamourous lives of the characters who, after arriving in isolated, paradise settings end up getting their comeuppance in a series of fun and inventive ways. 

The Private Island by Ali Lowe ticks every one of those boxes and was a really fun read (highly reminiscent of elements of one of my favourite films of all time - the 1982 Peter Ustinov adaptation of Evil Under The Sun). There is no subtlety on offer, the key characters you hope will end up victims do and they do feel like exaggerations of the worst tropes found in this style of books but it does make the victim reveals all that much sweeter when it happens!

Pick this up ready for your poolside holiday read and I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this digital review copy of "The Private Island" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.