Let me transport you by helicopter or boat, your choice, to the beautiful island of Tresco in the Isles of Scilly. Here the wealthy stay in stunning timeshares whilst the estate staff strive to keep them happy and to continue coming. Three such regular visitors are Beatrice, her son Kit and goddaughter Charlotte. Island staff who cater to their exacting requirements include Hannah, a barmaid and Bobby the island manager. Tresco seems a peaceful paradise but as we all know, appearances can be deceptive. As the storm clouds pile in one day in May and the seas roughen as the storm hits, two women are attacked and another is missing. Can the small community and its many secrets survive as the islanders are questioned about what they did in the storm? The story is told via multiple points of view.

This setting for this latest novel by this talented author is truly wonderful and definitely makes me want to visit as soon as possible! She creates a fantastic atmosphere using the island in every possible way to create a fascinating character driven slow burner of a psychological thriller. The tone at the start is bright, breezy, optimistic and happy at a summer wedding, though, there are little hints of things to come. As the storyline progresses, these undercurrents become more and more ominous and dark in tone. It seems all glossy and idyllic on the surface and yet the more you learn you see potential scandals in the offing. There’s toxicity on several fronts and some very sinister characters hiding behind their true selves, the proverbial wolves in sheep’s clothing. Tensions rise the storm waters and they keep on rising and you know it will overflow at some point. However, the author, so cleverly almost calmly lulls you, and then when the big start to trickle in, it seems to sock you between the eyes! Some things you can kind of predict, but others you definitely can’t.

Initially, I’m somewhat bamboozled by the number of characters points of view and I’m not sure of the point of some of them. I’m wrong. You soon settle into the rhythm of the changing perspectives and you do need them all as I don’t think the plot would’ve worked so well without them. Although there are a lot of characters, all are deftly portrayed in a few strokes, each having their own recognisable personality traits as the world of the incomers and the residents collide and there’s never a dull moment. I love hearing the Cornish accents in the voices of the locals as they regard the emmets! The dialogue is clever and often humorous or ironic.

Overall, this is another entertaining and clever novel from Tina Baker.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Serpents Tail/Viper/Profile Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

* The Isles of Scilly are 24 n.miles off the Cornish coast. There are 5 inhabited islands including Tresco and oodles of smaller ones. Most of the land is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall with the current Duke of Cornwall being Prince William, the Prince of Wales 35 s9 comments Jo_Scho_Reads785 55

Welcome to the idyllic isle of Tresco. Where the wealthy come to relax and recuperate and the workers tirelessly flog themselves to keep everything perfect. But it soon becomes apparent that there is no divide between the secrets and lies of the rich and poor of Tresco, they are all equal in that respect, with their angry thoughts and deep longings.

And a storm is coming, to pull apart this community and throw the islanders into a whirling maelstrom of suspicion and paranoia as women are attacked and go missing. What happened that night in the storm? Who will ever tell?

This is such an incredibly evocative read, a little bit of a slow burn at first, as the islanders are revealed and their characters explored. There are quite a few of them to get to know, but stick with it as this really builds and enhances the sense of belonging on the island. Before long you’ll feel part of this community; you’ll warm to some, you definitely won’t warm to others!

And then there’s the increasing sense of tension which is imminent from the start. You’ll find yourself questioning everyone’s motives, wondering if they are genuine or not. I spent my time second guessing everything and everyone - and still didn’t get it right!

Oh and as is the way with Tina’s style of writing, there are plenty of laugh out loud moments to lighten the mood. She intersperses humour and sarcasm within drama and intrigue and she does it so brilliantly. It’s such an immersive book; loved stepping onto this island and getting to know it so well.

Compelling, captivating and hugely entertaining, it’s another page turner from Tina Baker.proof-arc7 s bee 🍉351 76

This was fun!

I absolutely loved the setting of this book. I feel you can never go wrong with a thriller that is set on an island.

This book had me on the edge of my seat. I felt I could trust none of the characters and I will always say that’s one of my favourite tropes when it comes to this genre. I love feeling every single character that we come across could be the culprit and that’s exactly what I got from this.

What I will say is that I found it a bit difficult at the beginning to keep track of the characters. I feel a lot was introduced at once and I felt overwhelmed with the multiple character point of view that were thrown my way from the beginning. Though, that might just be a “me” thing and might work for others who won’t have a problem keeping track!

Overall, this was a fun read and I can’t wait to check out more works by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Serpent's Tail / Viper / Profile Books for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.2024 arcs-netgalley murder-mystery ...more5 s Gem ~ZeroShelfControl~269 220

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 4*
Writing skill : 4*
Plot: 4*
Pace: 5*
Characters: 4*
Setting: 4*

This felt one of those Christmas specials of EastEnders way, way back in the day, when there was an accumulation of plots and storylines that build up to a huge crescendo, mostly involving a death of a major character, and has people talking for weeks.
There were a multitude of main characters, all interconnected in some way. Some you d, some you loathed. But all had your full attention. They convened in a pub, of course, on an island off the south coast of England. It sounds idealic and I’m sure at times it is, but what’s a good thriller without some inaccessibility and some bad weather.
I’m not saying too much of the plot, you’ll have to find out for yourselves, but if you’ve read any of Tina’s other novels (I fully suggest nasty little cuts) you can never quite know where your being led.
Another fabulous, unputdownable, multi-POV read from this go-to author of mine. Excellent work.

Fans of Lucy Foley, Lisa Jewell and Lucy Clarke will love this.netgalley-arcs-read uno-20245 s Fay Flude711 38

Set in the Scilly Isles, the reader is treated to some perfect scene setting, of island life and how a small community operates. Everyone who works there seems unhappy with their lot and then you have the visitors, the guests who come regularly, with their money, their privilege and their timeshare demands and expectations.
Practically every character is dysfunctional, hiding dark secrets, some darker than others, which is trademark Tina Baker. She does a great job of fleshing out very unable characters, many of whom become suspects in this tale of revenge at North End.
Partying, endless drinking, unrequited love, lust, violence, intimidation, carelessness, immaturity, a mother's love, a brother's love and a job lot of pink waterproof coats, surround the mystery of what happened to the barmaid!
Tension runs almost all the way through, with some secrets slowly revealed until the last person is standing, which keeps the pages turning, the heart hammering and the desire to discover who committed the deadly deed.
Highly recommended,, as are all Tina Baker books. Can't wait for the next one. Carry on writing (but faster, please) Tina!3 s Linda (Lily) Raiti428 63

Set on the beautiful Isles of Tresco we follow the wealthy visitors there to holiday and the tireless working staff there to cater to their every whim. Throw in a raging storm, attacks and missing visitors, lies and secrets aplenty and we have the perfect recipe for drama and mayhem.

I love Tinas writing style, her characters are well developed, she cleverly creates an atmospheric sense of tension peppered with her signature dark humour with a few laugh out loud moments. Highly entertaining and another total page turner!

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