This book was, well, ok. It felt quite predictable and took quite a while to move away from a standard script of a celebrity game show. The twists and turns were not to unexpected and without too much drama. Having said that, the scene and character descriptions kept the book interesting and despite a long wait for any real ‘action’ I still enjoyed it enough to finish. A good start start for Louise and hopefully some food for thought for another. I will look out for it. I’d give it 3.5 if I could.

Ten celebrities, including a Hollywood superstar, all on an isolated island- what could possibly go wrong? Louise Minchin’s debut thriller is rather good. What could have been a formulaic novel is actually a well thought out clever plot twister. Minchin has produced a gripping tale with a decent plot and a few dead bodies thrown in for good measure. The originality with the prize for the contestant who wins is also original and the main protagonist, an investigative journalist called Lauren is a great character. A thrilling read and I am sure we will see Louise Minchin as a regular writer in crime thrillers after this.

I for one would not want to be a contestant on one of these reality tv shows, no matter that it takes place on a cool isolated island with an abandoned monastery. It did make for a fun and thrilling story though. It is always interesting when you take a group of several wildly different people, with dreams and goals of their own for if they win the prize and then set them up for unfair challenges which further divide them (like the saints and sinners sleeping quarters) and also raise one person higher than the rest and you are sure to get drama, even if everything is being recorded. Though the bodies don't start showing up until the storms hits and knocks out all power. People sure behave differently when they think they aren't being watched so they can get away with much more!

Since the point of view is from Lauren's perspective and her being a journalist albeit one with a mission of her own for one of the other contestants, it is easy to root for her and hope she can find justice for her friend. There are lots of suspects for the murders and it was fun to try and figure out the who and why and how. I will say I did not feel bad for the ones who ended up dead, except for the last one. And I do like how Lauren chooses not to go the easy way but is willing to put everything on the line to discover the truth.

A thrilling read though I wouldn't mind going to see the island, as long as there was power and no big storm on the way!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book!

I would like to thank Headline Publishing for providing a readable version of this book after I initially said it was impossible to read due to the numbers merged within the text.

Unfortunately, I did not enjoy the book as much as I had hoped. Here, I will explain why...

I have a Masters in Creative Writing and Louise Minchin has done MANY of the things we were told not to do within the first months of the MA. I won't list all (I paid my £7000 etc fees myself so do not willingly share all info for free) but one MAJOR thing I will share is that there is far too much telling and not enough showing and I do not feel it has been closely edited enough. SHOW me the character is angry. Don't tell me and then follow it up with a sentence of the character shouting.... I know that there's a chance more changes will have been made to this proof, but I doubt it would be enough. I am strongly considering using this story as an editing resource as my pen would love to cross out lines, edit words/paragraphs etc!

Furthermore, something else I spotted is that, initially, there's an abundance of colons, then none! I also feel that - whilst the concept is clever - Minchin has relied too heavily upon her I'm A Celebrity... appearance and it would've been more impressive without this as she already got paid a fee to appear there and is now using that to help to create this (amongst other research) and earn from this! Talking of which - I preferred the note at the end that Minchin wrote t0 the actual novel itself.

There are also threads that are not tied up and I also spotted 'who' was going to be guilty a long way before they were revealed. It's such a slow start and I took much longer to read this than with most books I read. There's a flurry of activity at the end and it all felt a bit rushed.

The writing style is amateurish and, whilst she may be a journalist who has written non-fiction previously, this novel seems a step too far.

I pondered between one and two stars... I have gone with one star as I think I need to be honest. I would like to apologise for my honesty and I am not sharing this on my blog or on other review sites as I don't want to be negative in other places. I felt it important to leave a review here as I was given the chance to read the book a second time - as explained at the start of this.

I was a bit worried about this as I do love Louise presenting the news and I hoped this wasn’t just a new moneymaker for little work.

I am pleased to say that I did really enjoy this - Louise is excellent at setting a scene and building up tension. It does get off to a slow start with nothing happening really until halfway through but I didn’t mind this at all as I was just enjoying myself.

I read this really quickly, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I did feel the ending was a bit flat but it’s not hampered my enjoyment to be honest. An excellent debut!

My thanks to Netgalley and Headline for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This thriller is the debut work by British television presenter Louise Minchin and has already attracted a slew of favourable reviews from fellow media personalities, so I approached it with some excitement, grateful for the free e-ARC that the publishers and NetGalley had gifted me. The book is a good blend of tried-and tested gothic elements (such as the remote island setting involving a sombre graveyard and howling winter winds) and new spins on the genre (such as reality TV show plot). I thought the two main characters – investigative journalist Lauren and her nemesis in the shape of Hollywood star Nate – were perhaps a little ‘overdone’ when it comes to characterisation, but the ancillary cast was entirely believable and the storyline, following the ruthlessly ambitious contestants whose quest for the top prize is only interrupted by murder – was well-constructed. What made the thriller even more readable were the insights, along the way, of how the UK T.V. industry works. Overall, an enjoyable read!

Eventually I did enjoy this book. A bit of a slow burner but after a while I couldn't put it down. Lots of plot twists. One of which I had worked out but the one at the end, wouldn't have guessed that in a million years.

Well worth a read if you like a bit of a thriller. At some points I couldn't read at night if I was on my own as my imagination runs riot.

Can't wait to read what Louise Minchin comes up with next!!

This is another gameshow thriller where 10 celebrities are on a Scottish Island with their dream prize up for grabs.

The author was on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here so her experience of being on a show like that really helped to make this stand out from all the other game show thrillers out there!

It was maybe a little too descriptive at times and the ending was rushed. However, it was an enjoyable and easy read and a fantastic debut.

I've eaten breakfast for many years watching Louise on the BBC Breakfast sofa, and she was always one of my favourite presenters: genuine, sincere, unconfrontational and just jolly nice. It was sad to see her go, but she's obviously been using her time well to have a successful stab at writing a novel.

Although I enjoyed it, I can't quite give it five stars. I'm present-tense-narrative's biggest hater. I don't like it one little bit, so my heart did sink when I started reading. It wasn't necessary and didn’t work.

Despite the fact that you have to suspend your disbelief a little, and just a couple of other things you found yourself raising your eyebrows at, it's compelling and enjoyable.

Whether or not Lauren (main character) has a sequel or two in her, I do hope Minchin continues after this very worthy debut, as I'd love to read more of her (fiction) writing. And any author who remembers to thank her readers (without whom a book wouldn't even get off the starting blocks), has a special place in my author list.

My thanks to Headline and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Isolation Island’ written by Louise Minchin in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Investigative Journalist Lauren Brooks is invited to join nine celebrities to appear on reality TV show ‘Isolation Island’ taking place in a monastery on Eilean Manach, an isolated island in Scotland. She only agrees when she learns that famous Hollywood movie star Nate Stirling is also taking part and Lauren will be able to use it as an opportunity to get information to write an expose on him. But from day one she realises the production company are putting their lives at risk, especially when one of the contestants winds up dead.

‘Isolation Island’ has been written by an author that I know of from television programmes but this is the first book I’ve read by her. She’s written a thriller that’s quite good but I found the plot contrived and so far-fetched that although based on ‘I’m A Celebrity…’ I doubt it would have been allowed to happen, although it would definitely make the show more interesting. The plot was slow to get going and it wasn’t until mid-way that it started to get interesting and I was disappointed that the revealing of the killer’s identity was so rushed. But despite this, and it is solely by own opinion, it’s a good sound novel that a lot of readers will enjoy especially fans of reality television.

Good, current setting for a twisty thriller with celebrities arriving on an isolated island to compete in a reality TV series. Readable and lots of energy.

It should be the adventure of a lifetime with the overall winner securing a gift that only they could dream of. Ten celebrities from public life, sport, the arts and popular culture are participating in a survival reality show: living like the monks who used to inhabit a remote Scottish island – in the middle of winter. It’s gruelling stuff, but for one contestant – an investigative reporter – her reasons for being there aren’t just for the one-off prize… It’s not long before issues flare up, not just between contestants about their treatments or some of the tasks (daunting to say the least), but also as the weather increasingly makes it difficult for production to keep track of the participants, they’re realising what life is like on their own. And then secrets are revealed and not everyone will get out of it alive. A clever take on the survival show with well built characters on whom you’ll definitely have opinions.

There was just something about this debut that made it impossible to resist. Then again, I do have a weak spot for a thriller with a remote setting... Also, while it's true I don't like watching this type of reality TV, they are somehow always surprisingly fun to read about. Isolation Island is all about a celebrity survival show set on a remote Scottish island, and this alone has SO much potential. And I have to say that the plot definitely delivered for me!

Isolation Island takes place on a remote Scottish island, and when I say remote I mean completely abandoned and no soul in sight. This means that the ten contestants are 100% on their own once the show starts, because there will be no crew on the island. And before I forget: it is also the middle of winter, so not exactly the most comfortable place to be basically trapped on. Oh yes, the setting was without doubt the perfect backdrop for this story, and I loved the role its surroundings played in the plot. The island definitely added the perfect ominous vibe to it all!

This plot can actually roughly be divided into two halves. The first part is 100% reality TV focused, where we get to meet the ten celebrities that are part of the show as they arrive on the island. The introductions of so many characters slowed down the pace a little, and I admit it took me a little while to warm up to the story. Once the show started and the characters faced their first tasks, the pace improved and I started to enjoy myself. Like the contestants, you start wondering about the conditions of the island and if something more sinister might be going on... But the main focus is still on the TV show and the contestants.

The second part reads mostly like a murder mystery. As the premise of Isolation Island already reveals, someone ends up dead along the way... An accident or in fact a murder? This is the question the remaining contestants are all asking themselves, and our main character Lauren decides to investigate. She is an investigative journalist after all... As for the characters in general: I do think most of them were a bit underdeveloped and too much built on cliches, although I guess it was fun to see them pitted against each other. The story is told through Lauren's POV, who I had mixed thoughts about as she could be quite frustrating at times.

The story can get quite dark and tense at times, and there is for example focus on abuse, toxic relationships/friendships and addiction along with the already mentioned violence and murder. Not something I expected in Isolation Island, but it was interesting to see how everything was incorporated into the plot. The twists were effective, and I wasn't able to guess who was behind it all... The writing style took some time to used to though, but once I did it was really easy to keep turning the pages. Especially once things starting going south and the winter storm arrived!

If you like a good reality TV thriller with a remote setting and bad weather trope, I can definitely recommend picking up Isolation Island. True, the story feels slightly disjointed with the first half being mostly reality TV focused and the second mainly a murder mystery, but if you enjoy both subgenres this shouldn't be too much of a problem.

Isolation Island is a gripping page turner. I thoroughly enjoyed it. More from Louise Minchin please!

My thanks to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the danced copy to read and review.

Rating: 3.0/5

Louise Minchin becomes one of the latest television celebrities to try her hand at writing mystery fiction. Although probably best known for co-presenting BBC Breakfast for many years, her background in journalism should at least leave her better placed than many to have a decent stab at making the transition. As the inspiration for her first novel, the author has clearly drawn on her own experience of appearing on the reality show, "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here" in 2021, when it was held in a castle in North Wales, rather than its more usual Australian setting. The central protagonist, Lauren, an investigative journalist, gives the impression of being, at least in part, based on the author herself. The supporting cast has the familiar mix of "wannabes", "has-beens" and "never-weres" that tend to make up the dramatis personae of these kind of celebrity reality shows. As you will have noted from the official synopsis, it isn't long before the show goes off-script, when one of the participants winds up dead - but was it an accident, or is one of their number to blame?

On the whole, the story is quite engaging. The pace is generally good and the author mostly manages to avoid being unnecessarily melodramatic. Against that, it does feel a little clumsy at times and lacks the polished storytelling that the best fictional writers are able to produce. There are plot developments that seem a touch too convenient and the behaviour of some of the protagonists stretches credulity at times, which gives the impression that their dubious actions or reactions are merely an ungainly means of moving the storyline in the desired direction.

Overall, this is a decent enough read, but there have been recent offerings from other writers (Ruth Ware and Ruth Kelly, to name just two) who have presented similar subject matter in a more compelling fashion.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

I was totally immersed in this story. I really felt as though I was in the monastery on the island. A realistic and up-to-date storyline,believable characters,an ending which had me on the edge of my seat. I loved reading this

Wow, for her first mystery novel Lousie Minchen has done the job well. While I'm not a fan of reality type shows, the prologue to Isolation Island had me hooked. It’s a creepy, chilling start, and the book is quite visceral at times as the novel gains momentum.

Lauren Brooks, investigative journalist, throws herself into the deep end by joining a group of celebrities on a remote Scottish Island for a reality game show. Think - I’m a Celebrity get me out of here, but dark, very dark.

Then? Wild weather ensues, cutting off all power and one by one celebrities turn up dead. Throw in a few red herring along with the dead bodies piling up, wrap it up in a twisted ending. It’s a nice, quick bring along on holiday type of read. Unless maybe your holiday is to a remote Scottish Island. I hope Louise continues to write atmospheric thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As a big fan of the author from her time on BBC Breakfast, and as a fan of some reality TV shows, I was really excited to read this debut novel. The author is involved in lots of activity projects etc so I thought it would make a good read, but well done to her for actually having a go and creating the book.
When you watch reality TV you can tell that the storylines are very much edited and clipped for a TV audience and that is part of what makes that genre work and does not transfer as well to a novel.
I found it very slow paced and a struggle to get through. Although the initial idea was good I found some of the scenarios and character connections to be unbelievable which was a shame when you can tell the author has put a lot of thought into the storyline. The ending was also a disappointment. and didn't really have a good structure.
I know some people love this book so maybe it was just not for me.
Many thanks to Headline, NetGalley, and the author, for providing me with an advanced copy in electronic format in return for an honest and unbiased review.
The book is published on 12th September 2024

Ten celebs are brought to a very remote Scottish island in the middle of winter, to stay in an abandon monastery to set number of tasks and if they passed someone will win a substantial amount of money. The celebrities will be filmed 24/7 and it will be showed on Tv. They will also be stripped of their personal possessions including their mobiles phones. The only way to communicate of the island. There is also no production company on the island everything is done by remote control.
From the get-go things seemed to go wrong. The celebs are left without food when they fail to do a task, and they find that one of the harnesses are not attached properly. That person could have fell to their deaths.
When a severe storm rages and there is no way off the island the celebrities all huddle together and hope the storm passes through so they can be rescued. But tragedy strikes when the next morning they find one of them dead.
Isolation nation is a fabulous debut from TV news broadcaster and presenter Louise Minchin.
I am not really a fan of reality Tv except for I am a celebrity which this story vaguely reminds me off it. But I was so drawn in by the blurb that I and to read it. This is intense read that had me an the edge of my seat trying to find out if the celebs where ever going to get off the island and who is the killer. This is a great debut and a great read. I can’t wait to see what the author has next instore. 5 stars from me.

An enjoyable book. I had feared it would be another celebrity book but Minchin writes a good tale. It was very visual so can imagine it being turned into a miniseries. I did find it hard to believe that the production company organising the challenge would ignore two major breaches of health and safety and not know a storm was approaching. Never the less, it's a good read.