I have really enjoyed previous books by this author, so was looking forward to this one.

When a group of social media influencers and journalists are invited to try out a new luxury resort in the Maldives, they think they are in for an all-expenses-paid holiday. But when things start to go wrong, and the coincidences start to add up, it is soon clear that someone in the resort does not want everyone to get back home safely.

I really enjoy this kind of story, with the past and present stories weaving together really well and slowly unravelling the story, while still feeling relatively fast-paced. Perfect holiday read, as long as you aren't in a secluded resort in the Maldives!

4.5 stars rounded up

Malia is an Instagram influencer, still trying to build her brand. She’s invited to a brand new, luxurious resort in the Maldives as part of their promotional campaign.

There she meets not only the other influencers and journalists, but also the hotel owners’ Henry Cadwallader and his twin sister, Ophelia.

At the beginning, the trip seems like an absolute dream: visiting the turtle sanctuary, riding on the quad bikes, sea diving, eating brilliant dinners with all the drink and wine you could ever wish for.

But when one of the guests falls ill and dies, the trip turns into a nightmare. When the wild storm hits the island and the Wi-Fi goes down, the guests realise they are trapped.

With a killer in their midst.

Catherine Cooper is back with yet another tense and twisty psychological thriller.

I am such a big fan of her books (I’ve read them all), so I was looking forward to reading this one. I wasn’t disappointed!

I loved how it was written from different points of view, and the construction of the dual timeline. I was desperate to discover what happened in 1990 that I finished the book in two sittings.

As I was nearing the end, I still had no idea who was responsible for the murders.

Brilliant!

Thank you so much to Harper Collins for approving my NetGalley request in exchange for a fair review. The Island publishes on 12/10/23.

Love all of this authors books and this was no different.
Several social media influencers are flown to an amazing new hotel resort in the Maldives to review it for their followers.
As events take an unexpected turn the story of what happens on the island is told through several of the guests along with the owners Henry and Ophelia. This is interspersed with events from the 90’s involving Henry, Ophelia and their friend Xander.
I love how the timelines are linked and the story is slowly revealed. Really good and clever thriller.
Thanks to netgalley and HarperCollins for the advanced copy.

The Island

I was keen to read The Island after reading Catherine’s previous thrillers and enjoying them all. The setting for Catherine’s books are always luxurious. A chalet in a fancy ski resort, a posh cruise, a French Chateau and now for The Island we head off to a super exclusive resort in the Maldives. We join a bunch of people who have been invited along for the PR trip prior to the resort opening.
Among the first guests are journalists and influencers. In a secluded & private setting what could possibly go wrong? Well this is a Catherine Cooper novel so quite a lot.
Someone on the trip isn’t who they say they are…but who?
Loved the descriptions of the Maldives, the luxurious villas, the spa, the food and the adventures. I also loved going back to the 90s for this book’s split timeline. Another high class thriller & I can’t wait for the next.

I really enjoy Catherine Cooper’s books and this was another good read. Slight disappointment that it didn’t have a C in the title but the plot had everything we would expect of a simple whodunnit…a desert island, a vendetta from years before, bodies mysteriously turning up dead and a few possible culprits. Out of all of Catherine Cooper’s books this was the easiest so far to guess. Although there were a few nice little plot twists. I felt a bit bad at the end though for one of them (no spoilers). Definitely worth a read and even more so if sat on a beach with a nice cocktail at the same time.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and also Catherine Cooper for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchanges for an honest review.

Even despite of the dead bodies, I would love to visit The Maldives on the back of this book. The island, and more specifically the the resort that this group of journalists are on a press trip for, sounds divine.

Every need anticipated in advance, a range of amazing sounding activities and pure and utter indulgent luxury. I mean I knew I was reading something that looked and sounded like a psychological thriller, but honestly the first half of the book which was admittedly dealing with most of the set up, felt like it would have been at home in any of the other books I tend to read.

It travel fiction side of this was stunning.

The story being told in between the main story, of a big incident many years before hand, was fascinating, and before long you have worked out how they are connected. From that I kind of guessed who the killer might be - once things started going wrong, in one sense and a possible motive, but there was plenty that I hadn't figured out, and plenty of gaps in the jigsaw that the author did fill in as she was ready to.

I loved all of the various view points, all clearly labelled, as they gave a great insight into some of the characters perspectives.

Weirdly even at the height of the storm (that's mentioned in the blurb), I didn't feel overly tense, possibly due to the amazing location, but I was certainly intrigued and keen to read on and see what would happen next.

I was addicted and I couldn't get enough of this story. It is another triumph from Catherine Cooper, who is fast becoming an auto read thriller author for me.

Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

After coming back from holiday a few weeks back I decided it was time to go back to sunnier climes albeit in book form! And what better place than the Maldives with Catherine Cooper’s latest title ‘The Island’.

When a select group of influencers and journalists receive an exclusive invitation to a luxury resort in the Maldives, it seems like the ultimate press trip. Needless to say no one turns it down and all of them enjoy living in the lap of luxury with the five star service throughout their stay. When a storm hits the island and suddenly cuts them off from everywhere things start to take a sinister turn when one of the guests turn up dead. When the body count starts rising it’s clear that someone has murder in mind and won’t stop until secrets from the past are put to rest.

After having read most of the previous books by this author (have just realised The Chateau is still on my TBR list somehow so that will need to be rectified soon!) I know her writing style and the enchanting way that the main story unfolds with the background story slotting in seamlessly, heightening those suspicions each chapter just can’t fail to draw you in. I had figured out the connection just over halfway through but you are still kept guessing as to just how everything is relevant right to the very end, the final twist being a very nice and unexpected way to tie things up.

As with all of Catherine’s books it is a fast paced thriller that keeps you enthralled and interested as you turn the pages. Never disappointed by this author’s books and already wondering where the next adventure will take me! Thoroughly recommended.

I would compare this mystery/thriller to And Then Were None by Agatha Christie. A terrific yet frightening storyline, with multiple rather unlikable characters, make a fascinating read!

Another good book by Catherine. This one of the locked room variety and who did it. A good read. Thoroughly enjoyable. Set time aside because it's easy to loose track of time with this one.

Oooo I do love Catherine's books!! They are such an escapism from reality! Loved loved loved it!

Set on a remote island in the Maldives this is a classic locked room thriller that I devoured in a few days...life really does get in the way!

Loved all the secrets of the guests on the island and trying to guess the killer.

A great read as always!

This was an enjoyable book that took me on a journey to a remote and mysterious island. The story is filled with adventure and intrigue, making it a great choice for those who love a good mystery. The characters are interesting, and the island setting adds a sense of wonder to the story. If you're looking for aneasy-to-read novel, "The Island" is a solid pick that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

I have loved all of this authors other books so was very excited to read this one. It was written in dual timelines which I did not find at all confusing and it tied together very well. Very enjoyable read.

Catherine Cooper's 'The Island' was an incredibly captivating read. The story follows a group of influencers and journalists who are invited on a press trip to a luxurious resort in the Maldives. However, things turn sinister when they become stranded on the island with a possible murderer among them. Using dual timelines and multiple perspectives adds more depth to the story and makes for a truly fascinating read.

Cooper's descriptive writing is exceptional; the Maldives is depicted with rich detail, making it an alluring yet dangerous place. The resort is vividly described, igniting a desire to visit (minus the danger).

The characters in 'The Island' are relatable and sympathetic, especially Malia, an endearing narrator. While I had suspicions, the plot twists kept me guessing until the end. I was pleasantly surprised by the resolution.

Overall, 'The Island' is a gripping thriller that will keep readers on their toes. It's perfect for anyone looking to escape into a suspenseful setting with complex characters and a well-crafted plot.

Carrying on with destination books I this time find myself in a 6 star sumptuous resort in The Maldives
It is a brand new hotel, pre opening that has gathered journalist’s and influencer’s to give them the full exquisite experience so they can take photo’s, post online and basically rave about the place
Which is all great…until things start to go wrong, badly wrong and suddenly guests and staff alike start to wonder just why they have all been assembled here and what their fate will be
Very immersive, beautiful in its descriptional writing of The Maldives and the resort ( and mouth watering food ) and more than intriguing enough to get this old ‘seen it all’ in books puzzled, involved and excited
Thoroughly enjoyable in every way a book can be

This was a great holiday read with lots of twists. A group of influencers are invited to a luxury resort in the Maldives. In the luxury of the resort something dark is coming into the light. It starts with a storm and a murder.
The story is told in two timelines and gradually all the secrets are revealed. Can’t wait for the authors next book.
Thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When a select group of influencers are offered a trip to a new luxury Maldivian island resort it seems like the ultimate press trip. But as a storm rages and the island becomes cut off, it appears someone has murder on their mind. Although I predicted the outcome early on in the book, I really enjoyed how the plot unfolded. It’s a tale of deceit and secrets and I can highly recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK Harper Fiction and the author for the chance to review.

A group of social media influencers and journalists have been invited to stay a new luxury resort to sample its offerings before it opens to the public. But when a storm hits, the internet goes down and one of the guests is found dead, it causes questions amongst the group.

The story runs on two timelines. In 1990 we meet brother & sister Henry and Ophelia, and Xander who come together to host a party that doesn’t end well. Then we have present day where the hosts of the resort are Henry & Ophelia. As the narrative runs we begin to understand that the betrayal and lies of the past are what brings them to the island in the present where someone is out to seek revenge.

The author did a grand job of transporting the reader to the Maldives where the resort was described in vivid detail. I loved the dual timeline and the depth of the characters. It was a pacy read with an unexpected villain and for my first Catherine Cooper read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thank you to @netgalley and @harpercollinsuk for providing me with an arc in return for my honest Review

I've loved Catherine Cooper's previous novels - tight and twisty psychological thrillers set in such great locations as a French chateau, a fancy ski resort or on board a luxury cruise ship. With that in mind, I was very keen to visit (from my armchair, obviously!) the latest high-end setting, a sumptuous and exclusive Maldives resort in 'The Island'.

This is a dual timeline novel told from multiple perspectives - we spend the majority of the novel on a press junket to the posh resort set up by high-society twins Henry and Ophelia. A range of journalists and influencers have been invited to enjoy the resort before the main launch - but bad luck seems to plague the party from the start. When the island is cut off due to a storm and a little internet outage, the danger levels rise as the group realise that there could be a killer among them.

The second timeline takes us back to Henry and Ophelia's earlier entrepreneurial endeavours when they were at school, running debauched parties for teens. As with Cooper's other novels, the seeds of present-day disasters lie in the past, but (as usual) I totally failed to pick up many of the clues and the denouement was a surprise to me - just as it should be!

I thought that the characters were more sympathetic in this novel than in some of the previous ones. There are always going to be some horrors, but I found a few of the main characters to be genuinely likeable. I especially liked Malia, the least experienced of the influencer/journalist group and one of the main narrators - her awe at the luxury of the resort but determination to play it cool was just how I imagine I'd feel!

The setting is beautifully written - the resort sounds like an absolute dream, even if the itinerary would strike fear into my heart - scuba diving, quad biking, eating risky fugu sushi...I think I'd be passing up opportunities, although hopefully with more grace than some of the less polite journalists in the book!

If you've enjoyed Cooper's previous novels, there's lots more to enjoy here. If you're a keen armchair traveller, ditto. This is a page-turner that will keep you reading right until the end - the twists come thick and fast and there are some real surprises along the way.

4⭐️

“The perfect escape, or the perfect trap?
When a select group of influencers and journalists receive an exclusive invitation to a luxury resort in the Maldives, it seems like the ultimate press trip.
But when the island is cut off during a storm and people start dying, it looks like someone has murder in mind.
Are the guests really who they seem to be, or do each of them have a secret to hide?
Something they would kill for?”

The dual timelines allowed for the reader to see how friendships had changed over the years and the injustice/secrets that led to where they are now. The story was brought to life by the descriptions as Catherine always does well and you felt transported to the Maldives. This was a great popcorn thriller, with plenty of lies, revenge and hidden agendas that will have you flying through the pages.

Thank you to @netgalley @harpercollinsuk and @catherinecooperjournalist for the opportunity to read this ebook, all opinions are my own.

A group of journalists and influencers get a dream invitation to a luxury resort. At first everything seems perfect. But soon it becomes clear that it was all too perfect, when a storm arrives and possible murders occur.

This story is told in two timelines. One that focuses on the present in the secluded resort and the second in the 1990’s at an affluent student ball. Here we slowly get a glimpse of the main characters, while learning their back stories. The characters are well written, although not entirely likeable and I enjoyed finding out how they were connected. I think it all came together well.

I enjoyed the luxury, atmospheric setting and although this has been done plenty of times I found this had a unique spin on the idea. Personally I preferred the first half of the story and was really interested in seeing the unique experiences at the resort. I also found I learnt a few things! The story seemed to slow down a bit from the half way point and I did predict some of the main twists. As an overall story, however, I did generally enjoy it and found it quite engaging. I look forward to seeing what the author writes next. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy in return for an honest review.