I have to admit, after reading, that I think this is going to be a ‘Marmite’ book for most people. Love it or hate it, I think it will be one to spark discussion and comment. However, that being said, I am 100% in the ‘love it’ camp and I really hope my review can do some justice in explaining why.

First of all, the set up, the title of the TV show and the use of the ‘Fire Pit’ is of course all reminiscent of the popular British TV show, Love Island. To me, this was a hook in, as I absolutely love that show (love a bit of trash TV) and I was eager to see how this book followed that structure, but also departed from it.

having said that, I think it does the book a great disservice in some ways to compare it to the set-up of Love Island. Yes, it is clearly a book about something that is rather far-fetched and staged, but it is also much more than that. Namely, I found this book to be original in style and structure, completely gripping and also cleverly incorporating and subverting some ‘traditional’ elements of the murder mystery genre.

Following the exciting but in some ways predicate Love Island-style opening to the novel, the book becomes increasingly dark and takes us on quite a rollercoaster of twists and turns, after the mysterious ‘Judge’ character appears. “One of them killed Jack Peaks, but who? And why?” Just when we think we are getting close to the ‘truth’ or ‘solving’ the puzzle, we are proved wrong.

I really enjoyed the way S V Leonard wrote the characters in this one. It has completely turned my ideas about what good character development is like, upside down. Traditionally, you expect a main character to be introduced and the back story explained, in order to build a relationship between reader and character, possibly build a sense of sympathy, etc. S V Leonard’s approach here is very different. We are given so little information about the characters, that it makes it difficult to trust anyone, and we are soon questioning everything and everyone.

This obviously clearly creates tension and suspense throughout the book. This is also done quite stylistically and sophisticatedly through the chapter structures, with many chapters ending in cliff-hangers, and through some of the memorable descriptions. “How can the sun continue to shine even over this?”

I also made links between this book and a book by one of the greatest crime writers of all time. I feel revealing the name of it may give away a couple of spoilers, so I won’t do that, but it is referenced in the book and I can really see the relevance of it.

I don’t think it is an exaggeration to say that in this sparkling and explosive debut, S V Leonard takes traditional tropes of the murder mystery genre and throws them wholeheartedly into the 21st century, with a confidence and originality that I have absolutely adored. If I could describe this book in three words I would say it is: gripping, ground-breaking and gritty.

Quick read. Was not a huge fan of the Love Island connection but the book kept me guessing and reading. Very twisting and ending was definitely shocking. I felt like none of the characters were really likeable so it was hard to route for anyone. Overall, I liked it but felt i could have used a bit more world building and maybe more time with the group at the house originally.

I loved this book. I finished it in a day as I just could not stop reading it. Brilliant concept and a perfect execution, I would highly recommend this to thriller fans.

The Islanders is a truly gripping read from the start!.
Kimberly King is a former police officer, but has recently been working in a bar, and also got herself known for being a bit of a party girl. When much loved show Lovewrecked is revived, Kim is approached by a scout to become one of the contestants. Struggling to keep her head above the water with the ever rising debts building up, the chance to win such a large amount of money looks to be the answer to all of her prayers.
However, nothing is as straight forward as it seems, and Kim soon finds herself questioning everything, and everyone.

This was an intriguing, unique story that really reels you in from the start. The characters are well fleshed out and have individual personalities and flaws, all of which adds to their realistic value. The storyline itself had so much drive and suspense throughout, I found it difficult to put this book down.
A brilliantly written, captivating read that has you on the edge of your seat. A must read for those who love a complex, well structured thriller!.

The Islanders is a contemporary homage to Agatha Christie’s classic mystery, “And Then There Were None”, updated to that most modern of settings - a prurient reality TV show. I requested it based on a glowing recommendation on the UKCBC Facebook page, then realised I’d be reading three Overseas Travel Noir type thrillers quite close together (having also received ARCS of The Castaways & Her Last Holiday) but fortunately the plots are all quite different.
This one was outrageously implausible, but still a fun easy read that kept me guessing all the way through. I wondered whether reading about people going to a Greek island when we’re trapped by the pandemic would be tough, but trust me - this holiday will make you glad to be at home!

Kimberley King is a former police officer, who left the force under a cloud after a mistake she has never forgiven herself for, and has been drowning her guilty sorrows in booze ever since. When she’s approached about an opportunity to appear on hit reality show LoveWrecked, where contestants must pair up with a member of the opposite sex & compete for a big cash prize on a remote island, she feels she can’t turn down the chance to start over. Arriving at a luxury villa with the first four other contestants, they are warned that every move will be filmed, but soon the wine is flowing, inhibitions are shed, and tensions between the competitors start to rise. When one of them is found dead in the pool, Kim is reluctant to disclose her previous occupation - but then a sinister figure on their TV reveals their predicament - if Kim doesn’t solve the murder, more of them will die. The gates are locked, the clock is ticking, the players don’t want to cooperate, and Kim has no faith in her own detective skills - are they all doomed?

When I started this, my heart sank with the discovery that it’s mostly First person present narration, which I loathe - if only NetGalley had a “look inside” feature, but I need a better reason than that to abandon an ARC, and pushed through it. There’s a deliciously awful cast of characters - I haven’t watched any of these reality TV programmes since the earliest days of Survivor & Big Brother, soon realising they’re not for me, but still recognised the typical contestant types, so when they start being bumped off in various inventive ways, you don’t feel too sorry for them. I’m very bored with self-pitying alcoholic protagonists but actually quite liked that Kim’s isn’t false modesty -she really is as useless as she thinks she is. Given that there can’t be a mystery reader alive who hasn’t read ATTWN, and the book is referenced several times, so I’m not imagining the link, I wondered how the author could possibly hide the perpetrator and still avoid us feeling cheated, but she manages this very successfully. The ending is wrapped up very satisfactorily, even when it all seems preposterous.
Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review.
The Islanders is published on March 11th.

This was a fast-paced absorbing read that I had a hard time putting down. So much so that I read it in one day. It was a nice blend of Big Brother meets Survivor.

LoveWrecked is back after a hiatus! Contestants are randomly selected to live on a villa on a Greek Island. Each must pair up with another contestant and the two member teams must pass challenges while viewers watch and vote on who they enjoy watching the most. Whoever wins gets a monetary prize. Kimberly King could use the money just as much as she could use a fresh start. She is a former police officer who, for the last five years, has been attempting to dull out the reasons she left the police force.

But soon she and the other contestants will learn that not everything is as it seems. After enjoying a meal together, things go downhill - FAST. In the morning they will wake up to find one of the contestants DEAD! It is just them and the small filming crew, so it's safe to assume that one of them is a killer!

Things go from bad to worse fast. As they scramble to stay alive, they must also rely on Kimberly to solve the mystery while their viewers watch on live television. The plot, as they say, thickens.

This was a fun mystery and like Kimberly, I was trying to solve the case! Who would want to kill this group of people? To what gain? How can all of this unravel on live television? Who will you suspect? It is easy to be skeptical of all the contestants. They are quick to fight, argue, scream, rant and there was obviously a cat on the island as it certainly had a few of their tongues.

You will instantly feel the And Then There Were None vibe in this book. It was highly entertaining to watch the characters unravel and begin to show their true selves as the book progressed. Reading this was fun and the plot was addictive. There are some twists and turns which moved the book along at a quick speed.

If you are looking for a book to escape with, this is a good choice.

Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have just finished reading The Islanders, by Author S. V. Leonard.

Kimberley King who was previously in the police force, has a current life that is in turmoil. She was stopped while out walking and recruited to be a contestant in a reality show, on a secluded island in Greece. A chance of a lifetime, or not?

This book has an interesting concept and was an enjoyable read with lots of twists and turns.

I have read other books by this author, and enjoy the easy style of writing, with stories that develop well.

Thanks, you to Netgalley, Author S. V. Leonard, and Canelo for my advanced copy to read and review

#TheIslanders #NetGalley

The Islanders by S.V Leonard is a crime thriller that drew me in immediately from the cover and synopsis. I knew I needed to read this book. A story that gives us a reality television premise with a terrible twist in the tale.
We meet Kimberley King, a woman who has been spending her life trying to get away from the reason she left the police force. She is selected to take part in a reality T.V show LoveWrecked and the prize is enough for her to say yes. All she needs to do is couple up with another contestant and win the infamous Love Wrecked challenges that they have and she can pocket enough cash to begin again. When they all arrive on the Island nothing goes to plan and within the first few hours one contestant is dead. Then an announcement is made that one of the contestants is the murderer. Kimberley finds herself in a cat and mouse game attempting to discover who the murderer is. Every hour she takes one more person will die. Will Kimberley be able to win this horrific game before anyone else dies?
A book that had my heart in my throat and my adrenaline racing. It definitely gave me a Love Island feel, well until the killing begins anyway. The author has taken that Love Island premise and definitely ran with it. We have the sun-soaked exotic location, a group of strangers chosen at random and then, the greed. In this story the author goes further and shows us the depth of the emotions and greed that come with a story like this. I was really invested in this book.
The characters, including Kimberley are not perfect or even likeable at times but I liked how real they were. I so enjoyed the images that the author conjured in my head of the Island, somewhere in Greece. I could almost feel the sun beating on my skin and the sea lapping over my toes.
This book is one heck of an addictive, compelling and intriguing read, it definitely lived up to the cover and the synopsis anyway!
Thanks to Damp Pebbles Blog Tours, Canelo Crime and NetGalley for the copy of the book for this review today.

A quick read that didn’t have much interest for me. The start seemed to drag and then when the drama came it was rather too implausible to hold my curiosity as to “ who dun it”.

I loved this book! Made me simultaneously wish I was on a glorious desert island while also never wanting to step foot on one again. Such a clever concept that hooks you in as soon as you hear about it - and this is from someone who has never even watched Love Island! Fantastically paced and plotted to give an all-round super fun and thrilling read. Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley and Liane Moriarty.

Kimberly King, a former police officer now working in a bar, is randomly picked to be a contestant on the revival of the reality tv show Lovewrecked- or is she? She can really use the prize money and the island, off the coast of Greece seems nice enough, as do the other contestants (sort of). Sure everyone had to give up their cell phones but that's understandable. And then the murders start. This is a classic locked island mystery with a cop in the middle of things. Everyone's got a secret, most of them are either vapid or loathsome. their way, and she's got to figure out who the murderer is- fast. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. This would be a perfect travel book (if we were doing that). It's entertaining and would make a good movie.

This was so cool!! It totally sucked me in and I could not stop reading! Will definitely be buying this book for a particular friend I'm trying to get into reading. I think she'll love this

The Islanders is such a great, unputdownable, amazing thriller! I loved it and I highly recommend it.

I even started to watch "Love island", just to hear those words ... Dear islanders ... After reading this book, these words will never be the same again. 

Kimberley King is selected for the reality tv show LoveWrecked, which takes place on an island. What sounds like a dream come true, becomes a creepy nightmare. Within hours, one of her fellow contestants is found dead. Is he really dead, was he murdered, was it just part of the show? Kim gets her answer soon enough and she's not pleased. She is the key to unravel the secret behind the crazy plot twist ... and she's the only one, who can save them. Will she?  

I loved the TV series Lost (2004 - 2010) and I liked the movie Fantasy island (2020). Basically I love thrillers that happen on islands. This one is no exception. But it's also a really amazing read, the characters are believable, the plot is excellent, the twists are unpredictable and the ending fits perfectly.

I would definitely want to read more by this author!

I really enjoyed The Islanders. I wasn't sure if I would like it as I am not a fan of reality TV and wasn't sure how this book would develop but I really loved it. It had twists and turns throughout the book and even as the book got to its climax I still hadn't worked out who did it. I thought the ending was fantastic and I would highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for my ARC.

This book was very fast paced and a fun no commitment read. It’s like a cross between love island and one of those Agatha Christie or Lucy Foley mysteries. I identified with Kimberly’s struggles after losing her job and the desperation she felt which made her jump for the chance to compete for the $100k. The book kept my interest mostly but as it progressed it just became so crazy and completely unbelievable that I kinda zoned out. But if you like mystery thrillers set on an island, this is the book for you! Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to provide an honest review of this book.

I enjoyed this book and found it quite a quick read. I can see why people would love it but for me personally it didn’t have the added wow factor that had me gripped. It was just a well written average story for me.

I really enjoyed this book, from start to finish . Lots of action and interesting premise for a plot with a couple of twists along the way. It was at times a bit gory, but as a reader you feel the menace, the fear and emotions felt by the Islanders. It is written from the point of view of Kimberley, an ex police officer who is sacked from her job in a bar in the first chapter. She is invited to take part in a game show where she can win 100000 pounds, and feels because of the financial problems she is having that she has little option but to do it. The reasoning behind the decision and why she is in the position she finds herself in is not really explained at this stage but once the action begins, it became irrelevant.
I liked the descriptions very much, I felt I got enough information to be able to form a picture whilst reading without having too much. Towards the end I would have appreciated a little more explanation, but all in all a good read.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a book I would love to see made into a movie. The twists and turns the author brings us kept me guessing so much, and the action is almost non stop. The setting is one which will be familiar to fans of certain reality tv shows. The characters are all well written and believable.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.

Think Love island meets Agatha Christie! As a fan of reality tv programmes I was intrigued by this one when I spotted it on netgalley!
It was really enjoyable , its a fast paced thriller , and an exciting read !

Thank you to @netgalley and Canelo for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Islanders by S V Leonard is one read I absolutely enjoyed. Wow.

Kimberly King has been randomly chosen to appear on a TV show called LoveWrecked or so we are lead to believe for a once in a lifetime opportunity to win $100,000. Kim meets up with her fellow islanders at an unknown location in Greece. Things start going south when a contestant - Jack is found murderered. We meet the "Judge" who puts Kim in charge of investigating who killed Jack live on TV. She is against the ticking countdown clock as every hour Kim doesn't solve the mystery another contestant dies.

The book was fast paced and had all the right amounts of suspense. I did not want to stop turning the Kindle pages to find out who is behind the mastermind of LoveWrecked. I love how the book was written and especially enjoyed the insightful spyland.uk media posts and reading the comments section from fans of the show and getting the different perspectives.

Thank you to Netgalley and Canelo for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.