Island Justice

by Elizabeth Winthrop

A beautifully observed novel in the tradition of Anne Tyler and Alice Hoffman, "Island Justice" sets an independent woman's struggle to trust the pull of her heart against the backdrop of a community that must come to terms with its own conscience and the true meaning of justice.

Genres: Fiction

356 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

ELIZABETH WINTHROP ALSOP (www.elizabethwinthropalsop.com), is the author of over sixty works of fiction for all ages, including ISLAND JUSTICE and IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE, both available as e-books.

DAUGHTER OF SPIES: Wartime Secrets, Family Lies, her memoir about her parents' love affair during World War II and her own childhood in 1950s Washington as the daughter of a famous journalist, will be published October 25, 2022 by Regal House.

Her short story, The Golden Darters, was selected by Best American Short Stories by Robert Stone and was recently read on SELECTED SHORTS by the renowned actress, Ann Dowd. She is the author of the memoir piece, Don't Knock Unless You're Bleeding; Growing Up in Cold War Washington.The daughter of Stewart Alsop, the political journalist, she divides her time between New York City and the Berkshires.

Her historical novel, COUNTING ON GRACE was chosen as a Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association, the National Council of Social Studies, the International Reading Association and the Children’s Book Council among others. The novel has also been nominated for state book awards in Vermont, Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri,Indiana, Hawaii and Arizona.

THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC and its sequel, THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE, were nominated for twenty-three state book awards and are considered children’s fantasy classics.

Her popular picture books include DUMPY LA RUE, SHOES,DOG SHOW, SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE and most recently, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING and THE BIGGEST PARADE. Two of her recent books for older children are THE RED-HOT RATTOONS, a comic fantasy novel and DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, Letters from a Milltown Girl, a work of historical fiction set in western Massachusetts.

For more information, www.elizabethwinthrop.com

Reviews

[Lobstergirl · Rating 2 out of 5]

On an island off the coast of New England live a bunch of white people, and one black person.

What is this black woman's name?

A) Erin
B) Maggie
C) Lauren
D) Miss Yola

Yes, you're absolutely right! Let's see how much else you know about this novel without having read it.

The protagonist is a 30-something woman named Maggie. What does she do for a living?

A) designs nuclear warheads
B) applies the polypropylene adhesive to panty liners at the Kimberly-Clark factory
C) quarry superintendent
D) restores antique furniture

Correct!

The sheriff is a domineering, controlling, abusive husband who likes to sleep in the same bed as his 13-year-old daughter. What is his name?

A) Milo Carleton
B) Caspian Reed
C) Sebastian des Eaux-Usées
D) Al Craven

Good job. You definitely don't need to read this.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I read this because I know the author does a wide variety of work and that kind of talent intrigues me. Otherwise, I'd not even consider it, as title, cover, and blurb all imply thriller (and I do not read thrillers). Well, this is kinda sorta a thriller. I mean, there's definitely a bad guy, and it's no secret who it is. There's also a bunch of romances, quirky characters, vulnerable children.... Also not nearly enough humor (as in, I can't recollect *any*).

But it's still interesting watch it all unfold, watching the people learn things about themselves and about each other. And the island itself is an amazing character.

I'm glad I'm done, and I hope I don't have nightmares, and I'll not read anything resembling a thriller for quite some time... but I'm also glad I read it.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was on ok read, but it took me longer than normal to get through; didn't capture my interest enough to try to read it in 2 or 3 readings ........ didn't think it tied up the loose ends as to how Anna's dad's died (we know he drowned, but was it accident, suicide, or murder? ...... with a son-in-law like the sheriff, could easily understand him murdering the father-in-law) ........ didn't think the "Justice" in "Island Justice" was really done ........ thought the sheriff should have gotten more justice for his misdeeds than he actually did ............ would have liked to see more stories developed around the dogs and the dog training ..........

[Juneus · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a wonderfully written book, but troubling. The disappointment I have is the grammar errors and the misspellings and the mistakes in the book. This does not really distract from the creativity of the book because they are not numerous, but reflects to me something I have noticed in the publishing industry. The people who control what gets published do not seem to read very much. It takes work and dedication to ferret out all the little errors and it seems that editors are not willing to exert that effort. This may seem like nit-picking, but this is obviously a well researched, creative novel that deserves to have correct spelling and grammar not most of the time but all the time.

[Ariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book thinking it would be a small town “whodunit” since the back cover blurb says the main character “makes a gruesome discovery.” While it is true she does...that part of the plot ends within the chapter. After that, I had a hard time trying to figure out what story the author was trying to tell us. My biggest frustration was the author repeatedly brought up domestic violence as a fact of life on the island, and at one point a female character said that another female character should get knocked around by her husband to “put her back in line.” There’s no resolution to the possible child abuse, either. I would have to recommend a pass on this book!

[Tamara Caldwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

was fully invested in this till about chapter 11 and realized I had no idea what the plot was. made it to chapter 17. still no idea. felt like I could picture the town, it's people but wasn't sure what I was reading for.
got to chapter 20 and then skimmed the rest of the book
would agree with other reviews, multiple topics touched on but never really handled.
seemed like it was going to be murder mystery and just was a story about a bunch of people on an island.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about winter on an island where summer would be preferable. I can understand people going batty in the cold, bleakness if a New England winter on an island. My one hope is that this wasn't based on true events as I found disturbing the way the islanders looked away at abuse going on in their neighbors households. I would've shot the bastard long before!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT! Engaging, suspenseful, and lighthearted visit to island life with it's share of believable characters. Modern-day secrets are managed by the locals. Terrific read - I will be reading her other books!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and engaging novel about life on a east coast island. All the conflict wrapped up a little too neatly but satisfying nonetheless.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the small town setting. The story was interesting. I felt like the story lines could have been developed more to add depth.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dialogue not great - cringeworthy at times. Descriptions excellent. Plot ok. Enjoyed.

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a very long time to get to the plot.

[Stacy K B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was easy to become protective of the main character, as she goes from being widely independent to becoming lonely and questionable as she starts a new 'life' on an island; her god-mother left her a house on an island off the coast. It was easy to fall into the scenery. It was easy to feel you were waving, as Island neighbors do but....

I would have liked Ms. Winthrop to delve deeper into the art of "maggie" refinishing her furniture as a spiritual guide for 'refinishing her life', but this did not occur. I felt that this story could have spun off is so many positive direction, but Ms. Winthrop chose instead to spin it into 'dark secrets' of wife beating and child abuse.

The story was entertaining and filled a weekend with pages, to which that can never be a bad-thing. I am just not sure how deep I feel about this book, beyond a simple-entertainment factor. It left me feeling rather blah and "what??".

3 stars. An easy read. A nice story idea, but not a great book.

[Nikki Gourneau · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lead character- Meggie Hammond returns to the island where she would spend summers with her god mother.
She returns to the island, because Nan (her God Mother) has died and left her home to Meggie.

Living on the island full time, is not the life Meggie wants,
however while spending time on the island (getting the house ready)..she gets close to several full time island residents and soon finds out that it's hard being an outsider in a small knit community. She also finds love..although that scares her..because it would mean staying on the island.

The book and characters are pretty starightforward..I enjoyed the book..but I thought the ending could have been better.

[Lynne Brookfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Elizabeth Winthrop is a distant cousin, my praise of ISLAND JUSTICE stands without the connection. I read this book when it was first published in 1998 and appreciated it more the second time around. How is justice wrought on an island that lives by its own code of ethics after the summer tourists have gone? How can the surprising crime and cruelty that arise over the winter be stopped?
Where are the cops? The beauty and atmosphere of the island shines, as strong a character as any of the others. The ending is a winner, so original, and a hopeful metaphor for our times.

Downloads are readily available.

[Kwoomac]

Story takes place on a fictional island (similar to Martha's Vineyard), following the year-round community and their struggle to survive February and the isolation. Everyone expects someone to flip out and no one worries too much about the consequences. there is a strong commitment to "island justice" to deal with any problems as opposed to bringing in the law or socail services.

[Lake County Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Island Justice is an interesting study of people who live in close connection with their neighbors. It is also an independent woman's struggle to trust her heart against the backdrop of a community that must come to terms with its own conscience and the true meaning of justice. Highly recommended. – Mary, Reference

[Kendra Chubbuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I live on an Island I could really relate to this book. Even though the Island in the book was quite a bit larger than the one I live there is still quite a few similarities. I really enjoyed the book. I could relate to the personalities of all the characters and I could see all story lines coming to life. A must read if you ever think about living on an Island.

[Britt, Book Habitue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange book. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't really impressed. Couldn't decide who the main character was... random details that didn't seem relevant... and I couldn't figure out when it took place for the life of me, which drove me nuts.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up randomly at the library. I enjoyed it. I suspect it's what people call a good summer read. I cared about the characters and enjoyed the plot. Somewhat predictable at times. Not great literature, but again, a good story.

[Anicca Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

God, this filled me with New England nostalgia and did a really interesting job unpacking abuse and trauma and grounding in community, the natural world and the isolation that happens in secluded communities. I really enjoyed it.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting fictional perspective on island life/closed communities. I'd like to read more by this author, but it looks like most of her writing is children's books.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

unsettling tale of modern day island life - extremely intimate and stagnate. - isolated, alienated.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice read. Just what I needed, good story, a few surprises, enjoyable writing. I will read more of her books.