A game show thriller of a novel, 10 contestants set on a remote Island, predictably bad weather (or is it?!) causes a power cut and a battle of wills and survival starts…
Good solid first novel, kept me reading late into the night. I actually would have liked it to be a bit longer as there were many characters who I would have happily read more about.

Ten celebrities are taking part in a new reality TV show - Isolation Island. Some are minor celebrities, but then Hollywood megastar Nate Stirling arrives.
The group of 10 have been taken to a remote monastic island, and left to fend for themselves.
The production team leave them all alone on the island, and the only communication is from 'The Voice', which periodically gives tasks or instructions that they must follow to the letter. Their reward or punishment depends on if they all complete the tasks within the allotted time.
Meanwhile, the unmanned cameras are following their every move.
Then, one of their number is found dead, and there is a storm brewing in more ways than one.
Litlle by little, the group lose their ' celebrity shine' and become scared for their safety, and wellbeing.
I absolutely loved this book! I found it to be a real page turner, and I was eager to get to the end to finally find some answers.
I wasn't disappointed!
I hope that Louise decides to write more, as I will be reading it for sure!!

ISOLATION ISLAND

Isolation Island was a fun read and a great premise; with it being very much like reality television shows, such as “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here” and even “The Traitors”. Being a lover of these shows myself I certainly couldn’t wait do dive into Louise Minchin’s debut novel.

With a vast amount of characters you’re really left guessing on his murder mystery.
Constantly changing allegiances and trusting your own judgement on who to trust.

Choosing an ambiguous ending; leaving you, the reader to draw your own conclusions it’s up the readers interpretation, was this clever writing or just a lazy way out of not knowing how to end the story. You decide.

Thank you #NetGalley for my eArc copy of #IsolationIsland in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed then overall story and the pacing was really good but for me personally, I could have done with this being a bit longer so I could really get to know and love the characters as this for me provides a bit more of a connection so the twists hit harder.

That said, if you’re looking for a fast paced thriller which will give a quick easy read but still keep you on your toes and guessing then this is the book for you.

This is also a perfect autumnal read, something about it screams to be read when it’s raining outside.

When I read the synopsis for Isolation Island I was instantly lured into this story, I am one who likes the odd reality tv show and with a dark twist I thought it may be a similar vibe to The Last Passenger by Will Dean so I couldn't wait to get started.

Our main character is journalist Lauren and she along with 9 other celebrities are left on a remote island but from the start of their journey things begin to go wrong with things that are unexplained and danger seems to lurk around every corner. Lauren has her own agenda for entering the show and that is to get close to Nate Stirling so she can expose him for who he really is. What no-one expected on this Island was there to be dangerous risks and deaths laying ahead of them.

This was quite a hard book to review because I think this book had so much potential but it just fell flat and didn't hit the mark for me and I think the biggest issue was the lack of character building, there were ten celebrities and yet they were not well developed leaving me open to continually forgetting who was who and because we don't really get any connections built with any of the characters I found I didn't really care for them so although I was surprised when the first death was discovered it didn't trigger a reaction in me.

The author was good at keeping me in suspense because I didn't have a clue who was behind the suspicious deaths or their motive. The secluded Island was described really well and it really did feel like a mix between I'm a Celebrity and Traitors!

Although this isn't a book that wowed me it did show signs of promise so I would read another book by Louise Minchin in the future but I really hope she develops on her character building.

A great first novel that 8 enjoyed a lot. A reality game is set on a remote island with different types of celebrity. Bad weather ensures and the island is totally cut off. I’m a celebrity becomes survivor as the characters struggle to deal with the surroundings and each other.
A good thriller that keeps you hooked.

An engaging book that flowed well.
If you like murder mysteries, gritty reality shows or locked room scenarios you should enjoy this.
I hadn’t realised that it was a debut novel and that bodes well for the author’s future.
The characterisation was spot on and the atmospheric descriptions really hit the mark.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Isolation Island - Louise Minchin

‘And Then There Were None’ meets ‘I’m A Celebrity’- a great premise of a story line - and certainly one to hook the reality TV lovers in.

I was intrigued to read this debut thriller - and it was a largely enjoyable read. It did have some slower passages in there which I felt could have been a little quicker to return to the action.

At first I thought I would struggle with the sheer number of characters, but they soon get whittled down to concentrate on less of them!

Will be interesting to see what form Louise’s next novel takes.

Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC.

Surprisingly good. I know that sounds like a bad review but it honestly isn't. I'm not really sure what I was expecting but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of interesting characters and plentiful suspense and drama with a build up to a hypnotic ending.

Twists and turns a plenty, great plot line, easy to follow and captivating to the end.

Highly recommended, 5 stars from me.

In Isolation Island, investigative journalist Lauren agrees to participate in a new reality game show set on the eerie, abandoned Eilean Manach. The contestants, a diverse group of celebrities, from influencers and athletes to investors and actors, must survive in a derelict monastery cut off from the outside world by severe weather. The stakes quickly escalate as the show transforms from a lighthearted competition into a life-or-death struggle when one contestant is found dead after a heated confrontation.

This fast-paced novel is a thrilling, modern twist on the classic “whodunnit,” reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s *And Then There Were None*. The well-drawn characters and tense atmosphere make it a captivating read, with each twist pulling you deeper into the mystery. The isolated, storm-battered island serves as the perfect backdrop for the mounting paranoia and suspense.

It’s clear that author Louise Minchin, a journalist herself who has appeared on *I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here*, drew inspiration from her own experiences, infusing the novel with authenticity. I could vividly picture her in the role of Lauren, navigating the treacherous dynamics of the game show, and the vivid setting felt almost cinematic, perfect for a TV adaptation.

If Agatha Christie had ever been a contestant on *I’m a Celebrity*, this might be the kind of gripping, clever story she would have written. A must-read for fans of mystery and reality show intrigue!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Psychological drama about some B list celebrities trying to boost their careers y doing a reality TV programme set on a deserted Scottish island. Whilst told in 3rd person, we see it through the eyes of Lauren, an investigative journalist/TV presenter, who is there to uncover Hollywood film star, Nate's past regarding how he treats women.
But then a storm hits and filming has to stop as communication is lost with the film crew stranding the celebs on the island.
Well thought out story with unexpected twist. Louise Minchin has researched well, characters portrayed well.

If you think this is 10 celebrities on an island blah blah boring story heard it before!! Think AGAIN
This is so not that sort of story yes 10 celebrities get dumped on an island but that’s were the similarities end!
There are no production teams with them, no medics, no helicopters to fly them out absolutely nothing they even have to wear monks robes with horrible slippers
They are followed by small drone cameras buzzing around their heads and there are cameras set up in each of the monastery rooms
All tasks are set by a loud booming voice that drones out to them
If they fail they lose food which can be sparse
In the first two days two people are almost killed and it leads to a great feeling of unrest amongst the celebrities they become uneasy around each other
Then a different voice warning them to all get into the car great hall with as much of the provisions and bedding and stuff as they can carry as the worst storm in a hundred years is heading there way and no one can get to them at all
Suddenly it hits them they really are ALONE

Ten celebrities are castaway on a Scottish island as part of a reality show. The main voice we hear is Lauren who is a journalist and determined to reveal the truth about a Hollywood star who is also on the island with them
Thought it was a fast paced thriller set in an eerie setting

The premise of 10 celebrities alone on an island for a reality TV show, competing for "a prize anyone would kill to win" was already enough to pique my interest, but combined with the fact that the author has been part of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here? I was sold.

With supposed health and safety issues plaguing the show from the beginning, and several contestants having something to hide, what could have been a slow start is given enough tension and surprises to keep the interest going. And things soon pick up when a storm hits, causing them to become more isolated than ever. There are some beautiful moments of camaraderie, definitely reminding me of moments that have been aired on such shows over the years, but of course that doesn't last and it's not long before someone turns up dead.

Minchin has a great style of writing, and combined with short chapters full of twists and turns that will have you guessing and second guessing, it's a definite page turner. Had time allowed, I would have happily devoured this in one sitting.

For me there were a few unanswered questions at the end, but overall a gripping story and a wonderful debut.

A brilliant debut read. Exciting, creepy and full of “celebrities “ a page turner . Excellent, would recommend. Thank you

An Enjoyable locked room thriller

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.


Isolation Island is a locked room thriller set around the world of celebrity reality shows, where a number of random so-called famous people filmed why they are stuck in a location being filmed 24 hours a day.

In the Debut novel by louise Minchin 10 celebrities are placed on an island in Scotland that used to be a monastery however shortly after the show starts a once in a hundred year storm comes and contact is lost with the outside world.

Shortly after this one of the celebrities is found dead, the one question is did they fall or were they pushed?

With Isolation Island being set on an island that is cut off for the vast majority of the novel is not an unusual plot line for a thriller, and so may be a simple idea for the debut novel by Louise Minchin.

However it also means there are plenty other books to compare it to while it may not leave up to the best of these it was still an enjoyable read. That made me want to turn the page.

The story is told through the perspective of one of the contestants Lauren an investigative journalist who is on the show to see if she can get close to one of the other contestants,

Which she has been investigating due to a number of stories she has heard about them and has been thwarted at every turn.

While having ten characters in the show may have been an ideal thing for the contest, it may be a bit too much for a thriller as characters seemed to fade into the background, despite people leaving because of the style of show.

This did mean that while the mystery part was there in the plot line a number of characters seemed to be ruled out due to their being less memorable or not enough page time.

Having said that, there were a number of clues throughout the novel that did lead to the solution, as well as enough red herrings to throw readers off the scent.

All this makes Isolation Island by Louise Minchin the ideal thriller for readers who enjoy a mystery thriller set in a contained isolated aread.

WOW - great concept, celebrity reality TV, remote island setting, so topical and so many crazy twists and turns! Couldn't put it down and the end blew me away! Would be a great TV series.

Isolation Island is a TV show where ten celebrities have agreed to spend time in a monastery on a remote, deserted Scottish island. The premise is "I'm a Celebrity" with challenges, or "penances" but the trials and problems become all too real. Each contestant has been offered a prize tailored to them - for Investigative journalist Lauren it's her own primetime TV show. But things start to go wrong. Lauren's instincts save a couple of lives along the way. And then a storm blows in, cutting them off from the mainland, and taking down the Comms. What could possibly go wrong? A dead body or two? Accident or murder? Very creepy and a real page turner. #netgalley #IsolationIsland

Ten people on a deserted Island, think of Agatha Christie! I had high hope for this book as it sounded interesting. A unique start to get the celebrates to the Island was interesting. I managed the first few chapters and thought that there was a rather far fetched mystery, how were they allowed to treat these people as they were? I felt it was rather sadistic and unnatural. What finally stopped me reading was all the numbers appearing in almost every line of the text and lead in to each chapter ?????????Where they there for a reason I'd missed, very annoying!

A thoroughly enjoyable and twisty thriller you can really sink your teeth into. The author did such a good job at building suspense and eeriness, that came with the setting. A really unique plot that I had never seen before in a thriller book. Definitely one to recommend.