Documentary filmmaker Tess Macfarlane is tasked with bringing the wildness of a tiny island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to life. Uninhabited, it hasn’t been touched by human hand in half a century, and for Tess, this job is a chance to also come out of the wilderness. This bright young thing burned out quickly and she needs this job to get things back on track. However, there’s only four people on the island, and a whole load of seals, but there feels like more humans are about. If you can imagine spooky goings-on, things going missing and a sense of being watched, you’re on the right track. Then Tess finds a body and everything is thrown awry…

Having read a previous novel by this author, I was looking forward to reading this book. I was hooked from page one. The novel was well paced and absorbing. The writing style was enjoyable with short chapters. Slick and modern vocabulary keeps the reader engrossed. The characters were well developed and compelling. The writing is atmospheric and the description of the isolation of the location is superb.

Tess Macfarlane is a documentary filmmaker. She has been tasked with capturing the wild beauty of Navigaceo, a group of small islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Tess is accompanied by a small team of researchers led by Dr Alex Dahlberg of Seawild, Mike Woods-Hughs and Vincento Perriera. Their research should take 5 days. Then a body is found.

I give a 4 star rating and I would recommend the novel.

I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY AND LITTLE BROWN BOOK GROUP FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED READING COPY OF THIS BOOK

The Last Visitor by Martin Griffin
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 1 August 2024

In the heart of the Atlantic Ocean lies Navigaceo, a remote island abandoned fifty years ago, now slated for documentation by Tess Macfarlane, a documentary filmmaker.

Tasked with capturing the island's untamed beauty, Tess and her team stumble upon a recent corpse, clad in their expedition attire. Suspicion runs rampant among the group as it becomes clear that someone has been on the island before them, and any one of them could be a murderer. With only five days until their return to the mainland, Tess must tread carefully, lest she becomes the next victim washed ashore.

This gripping novel offers suspense and intrigue, making it a compelling crime story. The setting of Navigaceo, with its isolation and desolation, adds a rich atmospheric layer to the narrative, skilfully utilised by the author to enhance the storytelling.

Griffin demonstrates a talent for captivating readers and holding their attention with compelling characters and a well-crafted plot.

I'm eagerly anticipating what this talented author has in store for us next.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Little Brown Book group UK | Sphere, and the author, Martin Griffin, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

I really enjoyed Griffin's first novel The Second Stranger after being intrigued by the synopsis and this was no different. Griffin clearly has knack for being able to draw the reader in and then keeps them hooked with brilliant characters and an excellent plot. Really looking forward to what comes next from this author

Navigaceo is a tiny island in the middle of nowhere - in fact the Atlantic Ocean, to be precise - and was abandoned abruptly half a century ago. No-one has been there for decades, so how does a very recently dead body suddenly appear on the island?

Documentary film maker Tess is only there to make a nature documentary showcasing the beauty of the place. The last thing she wants or needs is to stumble upon a suspicious death!

The fact that the corpse is wearing a uniform similar to the researchers who are there alongside Tess means that someone must know something. But what Tess really needs to know is whether keeping a low profile and maintaining a vigilant approach will enable her to survive several days at close quarters with a potential murderer or murderers...

This is a suspenseful read and a good crime novel. The setting and the sense of isolation on Navigaceo provides an atmospheric element to the storytelling that is well utilised by the writer. The book gets 3.5 stars.