The Island: A completely gripping and pulse-pounding crime novel

by G.N. Smith

Her hands bang desperately on the window of Fiona’s car door as the wind flaps her pink hair sideways. Through the glass the distraught mother shrieks, ‘Please, you have to find her! You have to find my little girl.’

When eight-year-old Cait Yorke goes missing on a remote island off the coast of the wild Scottish Highlands, police officer Fiona MacLeish is quickly sent to investigate. But a gale is gathering force, and Fiona becomes increasingly concerned for a little girl braving the strong winds alone. As Fiona questions the locals, she soon realises that they are hiding many secrets. What is this island, and who really lives here?

Then a boat violently crashes off the coast of the island. On board, Fiona discovers the body of a man who has clearly been murdered. But the killer is nowhere to be found. The only place they can be is on the island with no way out.

Realising a killer is trapped on their island, tensions amongst the locals and Fiona begin to rise. As the gale rages on and the body count continues to rise, will Fiona find the young girl and the killer before they strike again?

The Island is the second book in the Fiona MacLeish series, set against the remote Scottish Highlands. Fans of J.M. Dalgliesh, J.D. Kirk and Simon McCleave will love this character-driven police procedural with a dark twisty plot.

Readers love G.N.

‘ I'm still shaking from this heart pounding thriller… Chilling! Riveting! Dark! Action-packed! Twisted! Everything a thriller should be! ’ The Secret Book Sleuth ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ Fasten your seat belts and hold on tight … grabs you and pulls you full throttle into his pulse-pounding, gripping and exciting thriller .’ NetGalley reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ I had to lie down in a dark room after that! Action, twists, turns and a bloody good story! What more can you ask for?’ Chapter in my Life ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ From the first page I was totally hooked , it's fast-paced, full of suspense and intrigue, it was like being on a rollercoaster that wouldn't stop. Brilliant story … An absolute gem of a book!!!! ’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ What a treasure this book is! I loved every minute of it and I was swept up by the fast paced story.’ B for Bookreview ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This is an edge of your seat thriller !’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘ Hooked from the beginning … great action … great flow … great characters . You are completely invested in the outcome.’ Goodreads reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

340 pages, Paperback

Published September 19, 2023

Reviews

[Carly Rushforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This another locked room style mystery but this time Fiona is sent to a remote Scottish Island alone to respond to missing child alert for a little girl called Cait when she arrives she soon discovered the missing girl is not the only crime that’s occurring.

This story is as also so rich in detail, which made the story even better in my opinion.

It was so gut wrenching how it went from a missing girl to something even more sinister, my heart was in my mouth during the “boat scene”.

I enjoyed how Fiona always thought of her beloved Aunt Mary and how’s she’s so special to her and thinks what would she do in this situation?.

I’m exited to see what’s next for Fiona.

[pastiesandpages - Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE ISLAND is the second book in the Fiona MacLeish crime thriller series.

This reads well as a standalone novel but there's extra enjoyment in following Fiona's story if you read THE FLOOD first.

As with the previous book the author cleverly uses a remote location in Scotland along with the elements to create a locked room mystery.

Police officer Fiona MacLeish travels across to the remote island of Luing to start an investigation into the disappearance of eight year old Cait Yorke.
Has she wandered off and got lost or lying injured somewhere in this rugged landscape or is there a more sinister reason for her disappearance?
Unfortunately an oncoming storm leaves Fiona stranded without backup. The team of detectives won't be getting there until the next day.

Before the search has barely begun Fiona becomes involved in rescuing passengers from a pleasure craft in trouble and makes the shocking discovery of a murder.

Fiona now has two major cases to handle all on her own. Find Cait & find the killer.

The rising winds and gales will make things as difficult as the growing agitation of the islanders, stranded holidaymakers and Cait's parents. Will Fiona succeed or will there be more death before the day is out?

Multiple plot strands, twists and turns and a whole lot of emergencies make this a fast paced crime thriller and Fiona MacLeish is really growing as the main character.

The Scottish setting of the remote island is well portrayed. I really felt like I was there with Fiona cheering her on.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Island by G.N. Smith is a marvellous nail-bitingly good crime thriller and the second book in A Fiona MacLeish Crime Thriller series. It can be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading book one first in order to track character development.
The reader joins Fiona MacLeish on a remote Scottish island as the search for a young girl, also adds a rescue and the hunt for a double-killer to the leading lady’s workload. She is relentless in her pursuit of the truth. She will not rest until the girl is found and the killer apprehended.
Our childhoods shape the adults we become. Various characters have their behaviour’s motivated by a moment in time, long past. The reader’s heart breaks for a character who lost his sister and parents decades ago but still pursues behaviours that draw him close to their memories. He is a gentle giant with a good heart.
Alzheimer’s is a cruel master. A character who is locked in the past, causes chaos in the present.
Using the literary device of pathetic fallacy, the action mirrors the weather. Literal storms mirror the turmoil all around as events spin out of control.
The Island is a totally thrilling read that ramped up my pulse and heart rate. As the skies darkened and the chase was on, my palms grew sweaty as I clenched my teeth!
This is a brilliant read and would make a fabulous television series.
I received a free copy via the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Joanna Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This well written story has all the makings of a good crime thriller. First responder policewoman Fiona MacLeish arrives on the small Scottish island of Luing to take charge of the hunt for a missing child. The mother of all storms is about to hit the island, and immediately she is involved in the rescue of passengers from a pleasure boat, only to find a dead body on board.
With the storm ever increasing in its ferocity, Fiona, cut off from the mainland, has to deal with events on her own (regularly relaying updates to her boss, who is less than supportive). It’s a delicate balance between finding the child and a killer. She really does have a Herculean task in front of her.
Written from Fiona’s viewpoint, although I enjoyed the story, and found it gripping and suspenseful, I think I would have benefitted from reading book 1 – The Flood - first.
My thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and G N Smith for an ARC of The Island in exchange for an honest review.

[Miranda YEUNG · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Island (A Fiona MacLeish Crime Thriller Book 2) by G.N. Smith

The killer was trapped in the remote island…

8 year-old girl called Cait went missing on the island. PC Fiona McLeish was responsible for the case. During the investigation, Fiona noticed the people there were hiding secrets. Meanwhile a body was found. It was apparently a murder case.

Now Fiona needed to race with time because she knew that the killer was nearby.

Even though this is the second book in the series, still it can be read as a standalone. The richness of the story, the darkness of the story plot and the way that the author led us to solve the crime with PC Fiona McLeish which was a great book to read!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, G.N. Smith for my copy.

Pub date: Sep 22, 2023

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the approval to read and review this book. This is the second PC Fiona MacLeish book. Like the first, it is a fast paced story with plenty of twists and turns. The descriptions of the characters and the location was well written and I could see them in my mind. Fiona has been sent to the Island to find a lost child, but whilst there, she sees a pleasure boat starting to run aground. She goes on board to help rescue a lady, and discovers a dead body. No more will be said as you will need to read it for yourself.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Fiona MacLeish series and every bit as good a read as the first. Set on the island of Luing, Fiona becomes involved in the disappearance of an 8 year old girl, a shipwreck rescue and 2 murders. It's a character driven book and Fiona is one strong character! I love the setting, the characterisation and the plotting, a book I would recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Bella Cornell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Fiona is smart and capable. I would like her more if there wasn’t quite so much self doubt. It’s great to know what she’s thinking, but sometimes the internal thoughts go on for far too long when Fiona is speaking to someone. I had to go back and reread the rest of the previous speaker’s dialogue a couple times because Fiona’s internal voice went on a bit too long. Overall, a solid 4/5

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was good second book in this series. It has a lot of action and good mystery. I enjoyed the story. However I find it a little hard to believe that Fiona would be all alone again trying to figure out a murder.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy