Read time – 2 minutes
Book Blurb:
Trapped on a remote island by a howling storm, nine people sit down to dinner. One of them is about to die.
With secrets around every corner and violent weather trapping the finite list of suspects together on the island, this locked-room mystery by internationally bestselling author Eliza Reid brings Agatha Christie and Nordic noir together in a brand-new twist.
Let’s talk about the book:
Death on the Island has an intriguing premise, a murder among diplomats on a remote Icelandic island, with the ambassador’s wife drawn into the investigation.
There are strengths here. The setting is beautifully atmospheric, and Eliza Reid clearly knows and loves Iceland. The potential for a layered mystery is definitely present.
However, the story’s structure didn’t work for me. The timeline jumps back and forth repeatedly: before the first murder, after it, then before the next, and so on. While this nonlinear format can build suspense, in this case, it felt disorienting and stopped the momentum rather than enhancing it.
Character development was another area that left me wanting. With so many POVs, the voices often blurred together, making it hard to really connect. The ambassador’s wife, who seemed like a central figure at first, gradually faded into the background as the focus shifted around.
In a talk I recently attended, Eliza Reid mentioned this book is part of a planned series, with more installments expected. However, I didn’t get a strong sense of where the story or characters might go next, or a clear hook that made me eager for a follow-up.
I really wanted to like this more. The concept is compelling and the ingredients for a solid mystery are there, but they just didn’t quite come together for me.
Would I recommend it?
Honestly, this wasn’t for me. It felt scattered and unsatisfying. But if you’re into atmospheric fiction with shifting timelines and a slow-burn mystery, you might find something to appreciate here.
Where to find this book?
Purchase Death on the Island by Eliza Reid on Amazon CA
View Death on the Island on Goodreads
Follow Eliza Reid on her author page for more information on her books and upcoming series
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def a skip then
I have met the author during a book festival and really liked the way she communicated. Unfortunately, the book didn’t work for me. But that could just be me. Maybe it’ll work for you? :)
Let me know if you do end up trying, and what you thought of it.