Mystery | Book Chatter

Devils Island
By Midge Raymond & John Yunker
Oceanview Publishing,9781608096145, September 3, 2024, 320pp.

The Short of It:

Adventurous and suspenseful.

The Rest of It:

*No Spoilers*

Six people depart for an island tour. The island in question happens to be the home to endangered Tasmanian Devils. Not typically known to be a threat to humans, but when one of the guests go missing, Kerry, the tour lead can’t help but think the worst.

If you enjoy locked door mysteries then you are in for a treat. Stuck on a remote island, bad weather forcing them to remain together, and then the unthinkable, a missing person. That’s enough to satisfy, but then add long-time friends reconnecting after a significant break, married couples that are not so happily married, a rather juvenile assistant tour lead, and the flora and fauna of this isolated island with no other human inhabitants, and you’ve got a VERY satisfying read!

While Kerry attempts to hold it all together, her job depends on it, she’s doing what she can to not lay blame where it doesn’t belong. Blaming an endangered species, can only hurt their chances of survival. From a naturalist’s perspective, we experience the beauty of the island even though there is death and danger at every turn.

If you think you know where the story is going, then you’d be wrong. There are a lot of plot twists that keep you guessing and not the kind just thrown out there to throw you off. Plausible twists that will have you flipping those pages. We get to know each character intimately as we spend time with them on that island. I really liked Kerry. Wouldn’t mind a sequel at ALL.

I love to read but some books you just want to spend time with and that is how I felt with Devils Island. Armchair travelers will rejoice. Mystery lovers will find themselves completely captivated. And you outdoor types, rock climbers, hikers and the like will find something to love here as well.

Devils Island will be on my fave list at the end of the year. You should know that it comes out September 3rd, but waste no time, pre-order now.

Source: Sent to me by the author.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

The Search Party
By Hannah Richell
Atria Books,9781668036068, January 2024, 352pp.

The Short of It:

So many secrets!!

The Rest of It:

A spellbinding locked-room mystery about a glamping trip gone horribly wrong when a powerful storm leaves the participants stranded and forced to confront long-held secrets and a shocking disappearance. ~ from the publisher

Right from the start, you are in for a wild ride! Max and Annie develop a glamping resort in the wilds of Cornwall. To test everything out, they invite a few of their college friends and their families to experience glamping (glamour camping) with great food, luxury tents and the like. But it’s been awhile since everyone has been together and some are now married with kids!

All of the couples are very different, as are the kids. Some young adults, teens and a few elementary aged kids. Kip, Max and Annie’s adopted son, is at the center of the tension as he’s very sensitive to things and will shut down when stressed or involved in a confrontation of any kind. Some of the parents don’t understand why Kip is given such a wide berth by his parents. Much of what he does, and his reaction to things set him apart from the other kids and make him an easy target.

Then, something goes horribly wrong. A storm moves in, a child goes missing and as the couples are held captive by the weather and the stress of a missing child, all the secrets pour out. Tempers flare. Hard feelings come out. Much more than a thin tent, luxury or not, can contain.

This was a super fun read with lots of twists and turns. The couples take turns being deplorable so loyalties jump around quite a bit. You really don’t know what’s next!

Highly recommend.

Source: Sent to me by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

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