Eilean Eadar is a remote Scottish island, and there is a storm raging - in more ways than one.

When a young lad is found dead, it is believed he has committed suicide.

DI Georgina Lennox (known as George) and DI Richard Stewart are sent over to investigate, where they end up stuck on the island due to the weather.

They soon realise that the islanders hold many secrets.

I found this story slow to start with, but it did pick up eventually.

I wasn’t keen on George’s character, I found her hard to take to, although I felt that Richard’s character was better.

This is a well-written story and I loved the descriptive writing, it gave me a real sense of the island and the people who inhabited it.

My thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Oh wow! This book had me from the beginning and really kept me guessing throughout. Detective 'George' Lennox and her sidekick Richie are sent from Glasgow to the rocky and remote island of Eader to determine whether the death of a young man really is suicide or something more sinister. George is recovering from a vicious attack from her last case and feels she has to prove that she is capable of getting back to normal duties. As soon as they arrive, the police officers are made to feel unwelcome and their presence unwarranted. This whole books just reeks of suspicion, long buried secrets and strange insular relationships on the island. There is an underlying current that everyone is hiding something and it all seems to link to the past when three lighthouse keepers went missing. The book has very Gothic vibes and in places is quite scary! I thoroughly enjoyed it and it really does keep you guessing as to the past history of the island, the islanders and the intentions of everyone that George and Richie meet. A fabulous, gripping read. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this great book.

Set on an isolated Scottish island that is a law unto itself, Laura McCluskey's descriptions of the island are very atmospheric giving an interesting backdrop to start. Add to that the autonomy of the minister and the fear and or dislike of 2 detectives sent to the island to look into a reported suicide there are tensions galore. The landing on the island during a storm is a tense beginning to the story.
DI George (Georgina) Lennox has just returned to work after suffering severe injuries in her line of work some months before and DI Richie Stewart is watching her closely, unsure she is fit for her return to work.
Added to this is legend and a mystery from many years ago of 3 missing lighthouse men.
Tense and compelling read.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Laura McCluskey/HarperCollins UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

On a small island off the coast of Scotland, an isolated community is grieving. Eighteen-year-old Alan Ferguson was found at the foot of the lighthouse – an apparent suicide.
DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart are sent to investigate. A raging storm keeps them trapped on the island for four days. And the locals don’t take kindly to mainlanders.

This is a brilliant read. Well paced, with great three-dimensional characters and a different police procedural story. The descriptions of the island pull you right in to the gloom and, at times, it’s claustrophobic. Great twist at the end too.

Oh what a delightful and original book this is. Set in such a remote island off the coast of Scotland that it made me feel isolated.

Plot was simple but, of course, the reality was most certainly not.

A boy of 18 is found dead and because of his age the police need to make sure it was accidental. The two police inspectors who are sent to check things out are at odds with each other, the islanders vary from welcoming to Very Hostile, the weather is worse than awful and those are just the simple bits. There is even a timescale to the tale as the police have been given just five days on the island to make sure all is as it seems, which of course it is not.

It is a great story and I suggest you treat yourself.

This book was not what I was expecting but it held me enthralled from the very first page.
What starts off as two detectives being despatched to a remote Scottish island to investigate the alleged suicide of a local man soon morphs into something more sinister.

Reviled by some of the locals who resent the intrusion , the detectives find their job harder than anticipated. In addition, they begin to wonder - if it is a simple suicide why is there so much simmering resentment to them.

The book is so description that I felt like I was actually there. Hope to have the chance to read more from this talented author in the future.

DI George Lennox and her partner DI Richie Stewart are sent to a remote Scottish island to finalise a report on the suicide of a young man. The locals are suspicious and generally unwelcoming, and it seems that things are not as straightforward as expected. A thrilling and original novel.

Full of suspense and atmosphere; this is a book to read with the light on. I’ve read a few books recently where the characters are stranded on an island with no immediate way to get off. I liked the two main police protagonists and the characters felt like fleshed out people, but I didn’t really enjoy the ending.

DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart are sent to investigate a possible suicide on a small island off Scotland. Alan was only 18 so why would he kill himself? The weather is awful and the locals do not want anything to do with the mainlanders. What is really going on and will anyone talk.

Very well written novel that is well paced with great characters. Can they discover the truth on an island where everyone knows everyone’s business. Will anyone open up and talk to them and will others be put in danger if they do? Enjoy reading to find out what really happened to Alan.

When DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart are sent to the remote Scottish island of Eilean Eadar, they think its just a box ticking exercise. Teenager Alan Ferguson’s death has been ruled a suicide, they just need to ask a few questions, confirm the details and go back home. But when a storm strands them on the island they find their visit may be unwelcome.
It quickly becomes clear that the islanders have their own set of rules that they live by, and they are not happy about “mainlanders” interfering.
As the two inspectors delve into Alan’s life they discover that the island is ruled by fear and superstition. Can they get to the bottom of what happened to Alan or are they putting themselves in danger just being on the island.
Lennox and Stewart are good characters, and this is a really enjoyable debut. It is original, atmospheric, and will keep you guessing right up until the end. I am looking forward to seeing what comes next for this duo.

I loved this book! Lots of intrigue, suspense and mystery. I couldn’t wait to read it and raced through it. I highly recommend this if you like a thriller!

What a fantastic and eerie debut for Detective Inspectors George (Georgina) Lennox and Richard (Ritchie) Stewart as they are sent from the Glasgow force to investigate the apparent suicide of a young man on the Hebridean island of Eilein Eador.

The strangely hostile atmosphere and lack of cooperation from the islanders soon suggests that there is more to the 18 year old’s death than was previously believed, especially when they learn that his is not the first death at the lighthouse.

The slow building of tension, the use of meteorology and place to increase the brooding atmosphere, and the strangeness of a small community left to self-govern, are all skilfully handled.

Without any direct parallels, I felt similar overtones to The Wicker Man and Midsommer and found it a command compulsive read.

With thanks to NetGalley, Laura McCluskey and Harper Collins UK for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What an amazing location for a book. A remote Scottish island, that has its own unique justice system meets the rest of the world when two police inspectors are sent to look into a death of a teenager. At first they seem to run into a dead end, but gradually things come to light that reveal what has been going on. The relationship between George and Richie is good, even when he chastises her for her impetuosity. Her backstory is interesting too. Although George can be a bit tedious, it would be good to see what happens to her next, as her heart is in the right place and she has the potential to be a good inspector. If you enjoy books about isolation and its impacts, this would be a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

I enjoyed most of this book but found the ending quite exasperating - it stretched credulity for me. I thought George and Richie were a great pair of inspectors though and would definitely pick up another book if they were the main characters. The descriptions of the weather, food, local cottages and the island in general were excellent.

Gripping story of DIs Georgina Lennox and Richard Stewart are sent to investigate the death concerning eighteen-year-old Alan Ferguson who was found at the foot of the lighthouse in an apparent suicide on a small island off the coast of Scotland. The DIs are trapped on the island for four days after a raging storm so start to investigate Alan's death but the locals will not talk to them and are hostile and have to deal with superstition and secrets.
A well written story that is creepy and keeps you on edge until the very end.
Would highly recommend for a thrilling read.

This story will not disappoint. It feels like a slow burner and you think that the answer is boringly obvious and what was the point. Then, things start moving and suddenly you’re not so sure it’s as obvious as you thought.
At this point the pace picks up and you realize that even though you don’t know why, you do know that George & Richie are in real danger but you’re still not sure what exactly the threat is.
What a macabre revelation is in store for the reader. It will make you shiver at the horror of it all.
This is one to read with the door locked and the log fire burning.

DI’s Georgina Lennox (George) and Richard Stewart are sent to a remote Hebridian island to investigate a suspected suicide. George is recovering from a severe head injury and her boss believes it is an easy job for her gradual return to work. Upon arrival they have a very mixed reception. Some are kind and welcoming but many are wary and some downright rude. There are only some two hundred people living on the Island and they have to fend for themselves with little outside help. With so few people on the island their lives are all intertwined and they are used to dealing with problems themselves and don’t take kindly to outsiders. With no emergency services and only one satellite phone, it really is a world away from what we perceive as normality. The victim, Alan is reported to have committed suicide by jumping from the desolate lighthouse on the far side of the island. As their investigation begins they are met with distrust and hostility but nothing that really points to foul play. However, as frightening and unexplained events begin to happen George won’t let things lie and her determination to find answers puts her in extreme danger. An original story that had many different characters, all in same way affected by their solitary existence. A well written story that immerses the reader into this isolated and bleak place with its strange folklore and traditions.

Really enjoyed this gritty thriller, with a well written and atmospheric plot, very creepy and believable.
The Scottish isle set the best scene for eerie and suspicious behaviour.
The characters were described perfectly and I was interested in both George and Ritchie, and to be honest some of the others aswell.
A good solid twist at the end made for a very satisfactory finale.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Bit of a slow burn to start with, the second half picks up more. Although I did enjoy this, I wasn't a fan of the ending.

3.5 stars

A splendid debut from Laura McCluskey. Set on a remote Scottish island, it is atmospheric and intriguing. Two DIs from the mainland arrive to investigate the mysterious death of the teenager Alan. However the small and tight knit community clam up and progress is slow. Until....! Gripping and surprising from the start.