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Devils Island
Six guests embark on a wilderness tour, but only two emerge
Devils Island is home to abundant wildlife, making it the ideal place to reintroduce endangered Tasmanian devils. Working to rescue, rehabilitate, and release devils has been Kerry' s job and passion for years, but a new opportunity to work as a naturalist guide for a tour company offers her a respite from the emotionally grueling task of trying to save an endangered species.
Her first tour group as lead guide includes American college friends Brooke and Jane, who are reconnecting after years of estrangement, and two Australian couples hoping to escape their big-city lives and enjoy the company of longtime friends.
When one of the guests disappears on the first night, the group assumes she has wandered too far in the stormy weather. Yet it turns out she has a secret connection to one of the other guests— and when another hiker is found dead in camp, the group finds itself isolated by the worsening storm and wondering who among them might be responsible.
Perfect for fans of Lisa Unger and Barbara Kingsolver
Devils Island is home to abundant wildlife, making it the ideal place to reintroduce endangered Tasmanian devils. Working to rescue, rehabilitate, and release devils has been Kerry' s job and passion for years, but a new opportunity to work as a naturalist guide for a tour company offers her a respite from the emotionally grueling task of trying to save an endangered species.
Her first tour group as lead guide includes American college friends Brooke and Jane, who are reconnecting after years of estrangement, and two Australian couples hoping to escape their big-city lives and enjoy the company of longtime friends.
When one of the guests disappears on the first night, the group assumes she has wandered too far in the stormy weather. Yet it turns out she has a secret connection to one of the other guests— and when another hiker is found dead in camp, the group finds itself isolated by the worsening storm and wondering who among them might be responsible.
Perfect for fans of Lisa Unger and Barbara Kingsolver
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 3, 2024
32 people are currently reading
7648 people want to read
About the author
Midge Raymond
17 books206 followersMidge Raymond is the author of the novels Floreana and My Last Continent and a short-story collection, Forgetting English, which received the Spokane Prize for Short Fiction. Her stories have appeared in TriQuarterly, American Literary Review, North American Review, Bellevue Literary Review, the Los Angeles Times magazine, Poets & Writers, and many other publications.
Midge is also the author of Devils Island, co-authored with John Yunker. She has taught writing at Boston University, Boston's Grub Street Writers, Seattle's Richard Hugo House, and San Diego Writers, Ink.
Midge lives and writes in the Pacific Northwest. Visit her online at www.MidgeRaymond.com and www.MidgeandJohn.com.
"FLOREANA is a beautiful, unexpected, and powerful novel about the fragility of life and love in its many forms — a book that is all at a once a riveting theory on an unsolved historical mystery, a close character exploration of love and loss [that] tackles the themes of motherhood and the innate desire to nurture and be nurtured, the pain of unfulfilled expectations, and the simple beauty and tenuousness of nature. A powerful and totally unique book. Not to be missed!” — Samantha Greene Woodruff, bestselling author of THE LOBOTOMIST’S WIFE and THE TRADE OFF
“In the 1930s, a set of murders straight out of Agatha Christie took place on Floreana Island. Raymond's novel toggles between this old story and a new one, proposing a plausible solution to this enduring mystery. Is this what really happened? Who cares! Raymond’s novel is riveting and revelatory, a murder mystery embedded in other mysteries — of love and regret, loss and redemption, and how we can manage to hold on to the parts of this beautiful world that were never ours in the first place.” — Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of BOOTH and WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY BESIDE OURSELVES
“FLOREANA is a stunning and deeply layered murder mystery, historical novel, and environmental love letter all in one. Midge Raymond beautifully and seamlessly weaves the hidden lives of two women, a century apart, as they negotiate the fragile terrain of the Galápagos Islands along with their own troubled psyches…A haunting tale for our times.” — JoeAnn Hart, author of ARROYO CIRCLE and HIGHWIRE ACT
“Who knows what happened on Floreana Island in the Galápagos in the 1930s? In this suspenseful and immersive novel, Midge Raymond offers a possible series of events leading up to infamous awful fates of a few of the settlers, as well as telling an equally compelling contemporary story. Come for the disastrous love affairs, stay for the careful depiction of efforts being made toward penguin conservation. Much like the fantasy of desert island life, FLOREANA offers a rich bounty of attractions.” — Alice Elliott Dark, author of FELLOWSHIP POINT and IN THE GLOAMING
“FLOREANA masterfully weaves together the tales of two women who escape to the same faraway island almost a century apart. Both storylines feature deeply buried secrets, yearning, questions about what people owe to those that surround them, and the profound need for connection and purpose. The echoes and reverberations in the two timelines—about new beginnings and love and families and conservation and hope—perfectly illustrate how human concerns are universal and timeless. Raymond’s beautiful and absorbing novel kept me turning the pages, eager to find out what and who would fail to thrive on Floreana Island and what might blossom there.” — Karin Lin-Greenburg, author of YOU ARE HERE
"Midge Raymond’s debut novel is a sensitive explora
Midge is also the author of Devils Island, co-authored with John Yunker. She has taught writing at Boston University, Boston's Grub Street Writers, Seattle's Richard Hugo House, and San Diego Writers, Ink.
Midge lives and writes in the Pacific Northwest. Visit her online at www.MidgeRaymond.com and www.MidgeandJohn.com.
"FLOREANA is a beautiful, unexpected, and powerful novel about the fragility of life and love in its many forms — a book that is all at a once a riveting theory on an unsolved historical mystery, a close character exploration of love and loss [that] tackles the themes of motherhood and the innate desire to nurture and be nurtured, the pain of unfulfilled expectations, and the simple beauty and tenuousness of nature. A powerful and totally unique book. Not to be missed!” — Samantha Greene Woodruff, bestselling author of THE LOBOTOMIST’S WIFE and THE TRADE OFF
“In the 1930s, a set of murders straight out of Agatha Christie took place on Floreana Island. Raymond's novel toggles between this old story and a new one, proposing a plausible solution to this enduring mystery. Is this what really happened? Who cares! Raymond’s novel is riveting and revelatory, a murder mystery embedded in other mysteries — of love and regret, loss and redemption, and how we can manage to hold on to the parts of this beautiful world that were never ours in the first place.” — Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author of BOOTH and WE ARE ALL COMPLETELY BESIDE OURSELVES
“FLOREANA is a stunning and deeply layered murder mystery, historical novel, and environmental love letter all in one. Midge Raymond beautifully and seamlessly weaves the hidden lives of two women, a century apart, as they negotiate the fragile terrain of the Galápagos Islands along with their own troubled psyches…A haunting tale for our times.” — JoeAnn Hart, author of ARROYO CIRCLE and HIGHWIRE ACT
“Who knows what happened on Floreana Island in the Galápagos in the 1930s? In this suspenseful and immersive novel, Midge Raymond offers a possible series of events leading up to infamous awful fates of a few of the settlers, as well as telling an equally compelling contemporary story. Come for the disastrous love affairs, stay for the careful depiction of efforts being made toward penguin conservation. Much like the fantasy of desert island life, FLOREANA offers a rich bounty of attractions.” — Alice Elliott Dark, author of FELLOWSHIP POINT and IN THE GLOAMING
“FLOREANA masterfully weaves together the tales of two women who escape to the same faraway island almost a century apart. Both storylines feature deeply buried secrets, yearning, questions about what people owe to those that surround them, and the profound need for connection and purpose. The echoes and reverberations in the two timelines—about new beginnings and love and families and conservation and hope—perfectly illustrate how human concerns are universal and timeless. Raymond’s beautiful and absorbing novel kept me turning the pages, eager to find out what and who would fail to thrive on Floreana Island and what might blossom there.” — Karin Lin-Greenburg, author of YOU ARE HERE
"Midge Raymond’s debut novel is a sensitive explora
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
January 8, 2024
If you’re interested in a mystery set in Marbury Island (fictional version of Maria Island) in Tasmania, Australia, then this may be the book for you. The island has abundant wildlife including reintroduced endangered species. Kerry has worked for years to rescue, rehabilitate and release species back into the wild. However, the job came with an emotional toil and she accepted a job as a naturalist guide for a tour company.
On her first tour group as a lead guide, she and the other guide, Bryan, have six people on the tour. The two Australian couples are friends. Malcolm and Charlotte have known Ian and Margaret for years. The other two tourists are American friends, Brooke and Jane, reconnecting after five years. Things are not going smoothly for Kerry. A severe storm is headed their way and on the first night one of the guests disappears. This is only the beginning of a harrowing trip.
The story alternates points of view between Kerry and Brooke for most of the book with a couple of chapters from another point of view. The characters were well-defined, but only a few of them are likeable. Additionally, there was a lot of tell versus show when it came to information about the characters. Some of the background information seemed unnecessary to the degree that was provided and this affected the pacing.
I loved the information about the island, its history, and the wildlife that is on it. The author did a great job of enabling this reader to envision the island and its plants and animals. The remoteness and isolation came through vividly. About 70 percent through the novel is a twist that I did not see coming. The novel is broken up into acts and acting is a theme in the story line. Other themes include relationships, mental health, disappearances, endangered species, loyalty, lies, secrets, manipulation of others, and much more.
Overall, this is an entertaining and informative mystery with a couple of surprising twists and turns. The authors’ note at the end gives some important information about Maria Island, its history, and its inhabitants. Book club discussion questions are also included at the end of the novel.
Oceanview Publishing, Midge Raymond, and John Yunker provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for September 3, 2024.
--------------------------------------
My 3.52 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
On her first tour group as a lead guide, she and the other guide, Bryan, have six people on the tour. The two Australian couples are friends. Malcolm and Charlotte have known Ian and Margaret for years. The other two tourists are American friends, Brooke and Jane, reconnecting after five years. Things are not going smoothly for Kerry. A severe storm is headed their way and on the first night one of the guests disappears. This is only the beginning of a harrowing trip.
The story alternates points of view between Kerry and Brooke for most of the book with a couple of chapters from another point of view. The characters were well-defined, but only a few of them are likeable. Additionally, there was a lot of tell versus show when it came to information about the characters. Some of the background information seemed unnecessary to the degree that was provided and this affected the pacing.
I loved the information about the island, its history, and the wildlife that is on it. The author did a great job of enabling this reader to envision the island and its plants and animals. The remoteness and isolation came through vividly. About 70 percent through the novel is a twist that I did not see coming. The novel is broken up into acts and acting is a theme in the story line. Other themes include relationships, mental health, disappearances, endangered species, loyalty, lies, secrets, manipulation of others, and much more.
Overall, this is an entertaining and informative mystery with a couple of surprising twists and turns. The authors’ note at the end gives some important information about Maria Island, its history, and its inhabitants. Book club discussion questions are also included at the end of the novel.
Oceanview Publishing, Midge Raymond, and John Yunker provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for September 3, 2024.
--------------------------------------
My 3.52 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
September 25, 2024
EXCERPT: Jane extended the invitation to Tasmania, via Facebook message, with a link to the Marbury Island track. Pack your bags, sweetheart, and book a flight to Hobart. I'm treating you to the trip of a lifetime. A luxurious, all-expenses paid hike across one of the most beautiful islands in the world. And sorry, but Billy Boy is not invited.
Well, that wouldn't be a problem.
Despite the invitation coming out of the blue, despite the now precarious nature of their longtime friendship, Brooke felt as though the timing was perfect. When she'd opened Facebook and seen Jane's message, she'd been alone in the apartment she was subletting, finishing a third glass of wine and trying to tell herself that, by being on Facebook, she wasn't really drinking alone. She was also wondering whether to change her relationship status, but she couldn't find an appropriate category. She wasn't actually 'single' - not yet, anyway - and the closest thing to 'separated' was, 'It's complicated'. If only, she thought as she poured herself another glass, there were a few more options, along the lines of, 'I wanted to try counseling,' or 'We married too young,' or 'He wasn't what I expected.'
Or, she thought as she took another long drink, 'What the hell have I done?'
ABOUT 'DEVILS ISLAND': Devils Island is home to abundant wildlife, making it the ideal place to reintroduce endangered Tasmanian devils. Working to rescue, rehabilitate, and release devils has been Kerry' s job and passion for years, but a new opportunity to work as a naturalist guide for a tour company offers her a respite from the emotionally grueling task of trying to save an endangered species.
Her first tour group as lead guide includes American college friends Brooke and Jane, who are reconnecting after years of estrangement, and two Australian couples hoping to escape their big-city lives and enjoy the company of longtime friends.
When one of the guests disappears on the first night, the group assumes she has wandered too far in the stormy weather. Yet it turns out she has a secret connection to one of the other guests— and when another hiker is found dead in camp, the group finds itself isolated by the worsening storm and wondering who among them might be responsible.
MY THOUGHTS: An entertaining and informative mystery incorporating ecological and environmental aspects.
Set on a fictional island, based on Maria Island, just off the Tasmanian coast, the authors do a wonderful job of conveying the isolation and flora and fauna on the island. The isolation and the extreme weather play a major part in the story.
I really couldn't connect with any of the characters, but this wasn't a problem as Devils Island is more plot than character driven. Having said that, there are some decidedly interesting characters and one or two who are more than a little creepy.
The story drags in a couple of places, but mostly it keeps a good pace and the authors have included a few surprises to keep the tension levels high.
I didn't pick the ending to this one at all. In fact, I was way off base - always a bonus!
⭐⭐⭐.6
#DevilsIsland #NetGalley
THE AUTHORS: When writers become obsessed with something, they write about it — which is how my husband, John Yunker, and I both ended up writing novels filled with penguins.
And this was, initially, why the two of us headed to Australia — to see the fairy penguins, a species we were eager to meet. These birds are at once ubiquitous and elusive: While walking around certain Sydney neighborhoods, we saw many penguin awareness signs, but these small, flightless birds are shy and don’t come ashore until after dark, which meant we had to make a real effort to see them.
And while we did manage to track down the penguins, it turned out that on this trip, it was the Tasmanian devil that would capture most of our attention — and our imagination. I recently learned a French term, dérive, which refers to a journey that takes an unexpected path — and realized that this is very much what happened to John and me when we decided to take a side trip to Australia’s island state of Tasmania.
It all began with a four-day hiking trip on Maria Island, which is even more remote than the remote island state. And, we soon learned, it’s this very isolation that allows for the conservation work that is reviving the Tasmanian devil population.
And the idea for Devils Island was born. (abridged from https://www.jungleredwriters.com/2024...)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Devils Island by Midge Raymond and John Yunker for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Well, that wouldn't be a problem.
Despite the invitation coming out of the blue, despite the now precarious nature of their longtime friendship, Brooke felt as though the timing was perfect. When she'd opened Facebook and seen Jane's message, she'd been alone in the apartment she was subletting, finishing a third glass of wine and trying to tell herself that, by being on Facebook, she wasn't really drinking alone. She was also wondering whether to change her relationship status, but she couldn't find an appropriate category. She wasn't actually 'single' - not yet, anyway - and the closest thing to 'separated' was, 'It's complicated'. If only, she thought as she poured herself another glass, there were a few more options, along the lines of, 'I wanted to try counseling,' or 'We married too young,' or 'He wasn't what I expected.'
Or, she thought as she took another long drink, 'What the hell have I done?'
ABOUT 'DEVILS ISLAND': Devils Island is home to abundant wildlife, making it the ideal place to reintroduce endangered Tasmanian devils. Working to rescue, rehabilitate, and release devils has been Kerry' s job and passion for years, but a new opportunity to work as a naturalist guide for a tour company offers her a respite from the emotionally grueling task of trying to save an endangered species.
Her first tour group as lead guide includes American college friends Brooke and Jane, who are reconnecting after years of estrangement, and two Australian couples hoping to escape their big-city lives and enjoy the company of longtime friends.
When one of the guests disappears on the first night, the group assumes she has wandered too far in the stormy weather. Yet it turns out she has a secret connection to one of the other guests— and when another hiker is found dead in camp, the group finds itself isolated by the worsening storm and wondering who among them might be responsible.
MY THOUGHTS: An entertaining and informative mystery incorporating ecological and environmental aspects.
Set on a fictional island, based on Maria Island, just off the Tasmanian coast, the authors do a wonderful job of conveying the isolation and flora and fauna on the island. The isolation and the extreme weather play a major part in the story.
I really couldn't connect with any of the characters, but this wasn't a problem as Devils Island is more plot than character driven. Having said that, there are some decidedly interesting characters and one or two who are more than a little creepy.
The story drags in a couple of places, but mostly it keeps a good pace and the authors have included a few surprises to keep the tension levels high.
I didn't pick the ending to this one at all. In fact, I was way off base - always a bonus!
⭐⭐⭐.6
#DevilsIsland #NetGalley
THE AUTHORS: When writers become obsessed with something, they write about it — which is how my husband, John Yunker, and I both ended up writing novels filled with penguins.
And this was, initially, why the two of us headed to Australia — to see the fairy penguins, a species we were eager to meet. These birds are at once ubiquitous and elusive: While walking around certain Sydney neighborhoods, we saw many penguin awareness signs, but these small, flightless birds are shy and don’t come ashore until after dark, which meant we had to make a real effort to see them.
And while we did manage to track down the penguins, it turned out that on this trip, it was the Tasmanian devil that would capture most of our attention — and our imagination. I recently learned a French term, dérive, which refers to a journey that takes an unexpected path — and realized that this is very much what happened to John and me when we decided to take a side trip to Australia’s island state of Tasmania.
It all began with a four-day hiking trip on Maria Island, which is even more remote than the remote island state. And, we soon learned, it’s this very isolation that allows for the conservation work that is reviving the Tasmanian devil population.
And the idea for Devils Island was born. (abridged from https://www.jungleredwriters.com/2024...)
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Devils Island by Midge Raymond and John Yunker for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
September 16, 2024
After an emotional experience while working with Tasmanian devils at a rescue and rehabilitation center, Kerry decided a change was in order, and she became a naturalist guide on Marbury Island, also known as Devil's Island, because of the number of Tasmanian devils residing there. Her first group as lead guide includes American college friends Brooke and Jane and two Australian couples.
I really enjoyed this book, much more than I thought I would, and I learned a lot about Tasmanian devils as well as other wildlife on the island. The story is told from a few different viewpoints and there are some interesting twists. There are some parts that slowed the story down, mostly to do with flashbacks which I could've done without. The characters aren't very likeable but I don't think we're meant to like most of them. For some reason I kept getting Kerry and Brooke (one of the Americans) mixed up. Silly as it is, I felt like they were both, but Kerry especially, misnamed. The location and the weather play important roles in this novel. Some reviewers think that the story was more tell than show but it didn't really bother me that much and I'd recommend it to a friend. I haven't read anything by either of these authors before but the collaboration seems smooth to me. 3.5 Stars rounded up.
The Authors' Note at the end contains interesting information on Maria Island, the real island on which Devils Island is based, and there's also a section covering Book Club discussion questions.
My thanks to Oceanview Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: September 3, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, much more than I thought I would, and I learned a lot about Tasmanian devils as well as other wildlife on the island. The story is told from a few different viewpoints and there are some interesting twists. There are some parts that slowed the story down, mostly to do with flashbacks which I could've done without. The characters aren't very likeable but I don't think we're meant to like most of them. For some reason I kept getting Kerry and Brooke (one of the Americans) mixed up. Silly as it is, I felt like they were both, but Kerry especially, misnamed. The location and the weather play important roles in this novel. Some reviewers think that the story was more tell than show but it didn't really bother me that much and I'd recommend it to a friend. I haven't read anything by either of these authors before but the collaboration seems smooth to me. 3.5 Stars rounded up.
The Authors' Note at the end contains interesting information on Maria Island, the real island on which Devils Island is based, and there's also a section covering Book Club discussion questions.
My thanks to Oceanview Publishing via Netgalley for the opportunity to read a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: September 3, 2024
February 3, 2024
"whatever modicum of optimism she still had for this trip ending less than disastrously, vanishes in almost a physical rush, like a soul leaving a body. All she can hope for now is that things don't go from worse to dystopian."
3.5 ✨
Target audience:
🤸♀️ mystery and thriller fans
🤸♀️ People with interest in travel and ecotourism/nature
🤸♀️ Those who care about animal and women's rights 🐾💚💪
If you like...
🤸♀️ Multiple POVs
🤸♀️ A bit of 'And then there were none' meets 'Gone Girl' on a remote island setting 🏝️
🤸♀️ Mentions of theater acting and roles... Shakespeare and plays e.g. Lady Macbeth 🎭
🤸♀️ A glimpse into wildlife and a little bit of background info, conservation works and fun facts about Tasmanian Devils.
E-📖
netgalley arc 📚
3.5 ✨
Target audience:
🤸♀️ mystery and thriller fans
🤸♀️ People with interest in travel and ecotourism/nature
🤸♀️ Those who care about animal and women's rights 🐾💚💪
If you like...
🤸♀️ Multiple POVs
🤸♀️ A bit of 'And then there were none' meets 'Gone Girl' on a remote island setting 🏝️
🤸♀️ Mentions of theater acting and roles... Shakespeare and plays e.g. Lady Macbeth 🎭
🤸♀️ A glimpse into wildlife and a little bit of background info, conservation works and fun facts about Tasmanian Devils.
E-📖
netgalley arc 📚
November 4, 2024
I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing, Midge Raymond and John Yunker for granting me a digital copy of this book.
3,75 rounded up to 4⭐ - this book follows 6 individuals on a remote island near Tasmania. One day, one of them goes missing and another person turns up dead - is there a killer on the loose? Is the missing person also dead? Will there be another murder? Is the murderer amongst the 4 remaining individuals?
This story, based in Maria Island (Marbury island in the book) is a fast-paced mystery with a bit of history of the Tasmanian devils as well as the wild life over there. Expect a lot of twists (especially the last one 😵💫)
3,75 rounded up to 4⭐ - this book follows 6 individuals on a remote island near Tasmania. One day, one of them goes missing and another person turns up dead - is there a killer on the loose? Is the missing person also dead? Will there be another murder? Is the murderer amongst the 4 remaining individuals?
This story, based in Maria Island (Marbury island in the book) is a fast-paced mystery with a bit of history of the Tasmanian devils as well as the wild life over there. Expect a lot of twists (especially the last one 😵💫)
October 2, 2024
Once upon a time, Devils Island—off the coast of Tasmania-- was a penal colony for the worst of Britain’s criminals. Today, only the crumbled ruins remain; a quiet place for an animal to nap. It is now a wildlife sanctuary attracting campers and hikers, all with hopes of seeing a wombat. The endangered animals (much like the prisoners) are not indigenous to the island, but sent there to be rehabilitated in an isolated and secure environment. To keep the human footprint low, visitors are accompanied by trained guides. However, this doesn’t stop poachers looking for rare bird eggs and feathers; for the same isolation gives the thieves cover as well. Today, the only predators on the island are the poachers, until six hikers turn into five hikers when one of them goes missing. Have they wandered away? Are they the bloody mess near the campsite? If so, whom should we fear: an animal, a poacher, the guides? Or could it be one of the other hikers?
Everything that can go wrong does go wrong on the three day trek across the island. This is Kerry’s first time leading a group. She is paired with Bryan, who is young and ready to party. Beyond commenting on the flora and fauna, their main job is to set up the camp sites which are already stocked with food and tents. Their six guests come in pairs. Brooke (docile) and Jane (rebellious) are friends who haven’t seen each other for years. Malcolm (outgoing) and Charlotte (introverted) are a married couple in their forties. Ian (birdwatcher) and Margaret (mountain climber)—also married—are friends of Malcolm and Charlotte. It doesn’t take long for the ladies to be attracted to Jane, and for the men to want Jane. Could this be the reason one of them goes missing? Jealousy? Passion? Revenge?
This mystery is a quick read that is character driven. The story is told by alternating points-of-view (Kerry and Brooke). They are both out of their element and are forced to go beyond their comfort zone. It is through their eyes that we learn there is more going on than it appears. It is a mystery with an environmental conscience. We learn about the plight of Tasmanian devils. In the book, they have been introduced into the animal population to rehabilitate the breed. In real life, Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) has put the species on the endangered list.
I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing and LibraryThing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Everything that can go wrong does go wrong on the three day trek across the island. This is Kerry’s first time leading a group. She is paired with Bryan, who is young and ready to party. Beyond commenting on the flora and fauna, their main job is to set up the camp sites which are already stocked with food and tents. Their six guests come in pairs. Brooke (docile) and Jane (rebellious) are friends who haven’t seen each other for years. Malcolm (outgoing) and Charlotte (introverted) are a married couple in their forties. Ian (birdwatcher) and Margaret (mountain climber)—also married—are friends of Malcolm and Charlotte. It doesn’t take long for the ladies to be attracted to Jane, and for the men to want Jane. Could this be the reason one of them goes missing? Jealousy? Passion? Revenge?
This mystery is a quick read that is character driven. The story is told by alternating points-of-view (Kerry and Brooke). They are both out of their element and are forced to go beyond their comfort zone. It is through their eyes that we learn there is more going on than it appears. It is a mystery with an environmental conscience. We learn about the plight of Tasmanian devils. In the book, they have been introduced into the animal population to rehabilitate the breed. In real life, Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) has put the species on the endangered list.
I would like to thank Oceanview Publishing and LibraryThing for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 27, 2025
2/5
this story had an interesting concept with a promising premise; the cover really drew me in. i previously didn’t know anything about tasmanian devils, so it was interesting to learn a bit more about them. i also liked the theme of theater/acting and the sections of the books being separated into acts. unfortunately, i found it difficult to get invested in this book for several reasons.
my main issue was being told every piece of information rather than being shown through characters’ actions and dialogues. for me, this writing style became monotonous and took away the majority of the mystery. instead of there being a sense of mystique to what’s happening, everything is just flat out told to the reader. this combined with the lengthy—and largely unnecessary—info dumps about the characters and their pasts (i.e. brooke's ex, brooke and jane's extensive acting histories, etc.) littered throughout kept pulling me out of the story, so there was never a true sense of fear or anxiety for the characters and what they were going through.
brooke and kerry were pretty uninteresting characters overall; the only one who had a distinctive personality was jane. besides her and maybe bryan, i kept having to pause and remember which side character was which, something that also made it hard to immerse in the story.
and this is just a small thing i noticed, but i honestly feel like the animosity all of the australian characters showed towards americans may have beeen a tad overkill. please don't misunderstand, i'm all for some america-bashing—and it was funny initially—but it just kept happening over and over to the point where i was left wondering... what does this add to the story?
like, they're not wrong, and i'm not actually offended or anything. the sheer amount of comments like this was just a bit off-putting. maybe bloody americans weren't the authors' target audience?
while the story had potential, i feel the execution would've been better had the writing been more show instead of all tell, had the characters been given unique quirks/qualities that made them more distinctive from one another, and had their backstories only been included to provide relevant and interesting information about them.
thank you to netgalley and oceanview publishing for generously providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.
side note after revisiting this review in 2025: the america-bashing in this book actually wasn't enough. should have added LOTS more.
this story had an interesting concept with a promising premise; the cover really drew me in. i previously didn’t know anything about tasmanian devils, so it was interesting to learn a bit more about them. i also liked the theme of theater/acting and the sections of the books being separated into acts. unfortunately, i found it difficult to get invested in this book for several reasons.
my main issue was being told every piece of information rather than being shown through characters’ actions and dialogues. for me, this writing style became monotonous and took away the majority of the mystery. instead of there being a sense of mystique to what’s happening, everything is just flat out told to the reader. this combined with the lengthy—and largely unnecessary—info dumps about the characters and their pasts (i.e. brooke's ex, brooke and jane's extensive acting histories, etc.) littered throughout kept pulling me out of the story, so there was never a true sense of fear or anxiety for the characters and what they were going through.
brooke and kerry were pretty uninteresting characters overall; the only one who had a distinctive personality was jane. besides her and maybe bryan, i kept having to pause and remember which side character was which, something that also made it hard to immerse in the story.
and this is just a small thing i noticed, but i honestly feel like the animosity all of the australian characters showed towards americans may have beeen a tad overkill. please don't misunderstand, i'm all for some america-bashing—and it was funny initially—but it just kept happening over and over to the point where i was left wondering... what does this add to the story?
She only hopes they are not as loud as the Americans on the last trip...
She turns around when she hears one of the Americans making a fuss about something...
Brooke opens her mouth again, as if to argue the point—Americans always have to be right about everything, don't they?—and Kerry cuts her off.
"Is American television really this absurd?"
Americans live on their phones, and she remembers that one of the first things Jane asked in Triabunna was whether she'd get any cell coverage...
"Americans. They always talk twice too fast and listen half too slow." (ok yeah, keep this one)
"You bloody Americans," Margaret says at last. "You really do think the world revolves around you."
like, they're not wrong, and i'm not actually offended or anything. the sheer amount of comments like this was just a bit off-putting. maybe bloody americans weren't the authors' target audience?
while the story had potential, i feel the execution would've been better had the writing been more show instead of all tell, had the characters been given unique quirks/qualities that made them more distinctive from one another, and had their backstories only been included to provide relevant and interesting information about them.
thank you to netgalley and oceanview publishing for generously providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.
side note after revisiting this review in 2025: the america-bashing in this book actually wasn't enough. should have added LOTS more.
February 5, 2024
Okay, I liked this much better than I thought I would.
I mean, I didn’t like most of the characters. They were pretty universally awful. The best of them were our guide who was the most Eeyore of characters and a himbo with ‘almost’ a heart of gold.
But despite my character dislike, I was really interested in what was happening on this island. I wanted to know the who and the how of it and I wasn’t disappointed. I also loved learning more about the Tasmanian Devils.
I ended up really enjoying this one!
• ARC via Publisher
I mean, I didn’t like most of the characters. They were pretty universally awful. The best of them were our guide who was the most Eeyore of characters and a himbo with ‘almost’ a heart of gold.
But despite my character dislike, I was really interested in what was happening on this island. I wanted to know the who and the how of it and I wasn’t disappointed. I also loved learning more about the Tasmanian Devils.
I ended up really enjoying this one!
• ARC via Publisher
December 28, 2023
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Oceanview publishing for allowing me to read the Arc. I really liked the information about Tasmanian devils and the surrounding environment. I felt the plot had promise, and I always enjoy an “isolated” mystery/thriller. The story is told by 3 different viewpoints and I enjoyed these perspectives. However, I felt that there was repetitive backstories given by each of these characters, and it dragged and took away from the pacing of the story. There was also a second plot thrown in, and seemed rushed in the end. I liked the character of Kelly. But found Jane and Brook to be a little over the top. They seemed to play off each other in an unhealthy way, and I felt the ending was unrealistic, contrived, and unsatisfactory with no consequences or growth in Brook’s character. I feel if the book was tightened up, and the resolution examined and readdressed, it would be a five star read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2024
I am so glad I decided to pick this book up on a whim because it was so good! The cover and the font didn't really appeal to me but I'm so glad I didn't let that stop me from reading this. One of my favorite settings in thrillers is always going to be the wilderness and this one packed a punch. It was eerie, spine-tingling, and even gave me goosebumps a couple of times. The twists were great, even though I hate to say I only saw one of them coming. I thought the characters were well fleshed out and I enjoyed that the story didn't flash to the past tense, you learned about it from the character's stories instead. This author duo wrote a fantastic, twisty thriller, and I'm excited to see what they write next.
Many thanks to Oceanview Publishing for the gifted copy for my honest review!
Many thanks to Oceanview Publishing for the gifted copy for my honest review!
December 28, 2023
The book is set in Australia. Six tourists go on an isolated Devil’s island. It is known for its wildlife and Tasmanian Devil. The blurb intrigued me. Brooke has separated from her husband William so she shares her story and she meets her friend Jane after years of estrangement. The strange things begins to happens on the island and the more shocking thing is that one of the guest disappears and one of the guest is found dead. Brooke is trying to get to the bottom of the mystery but it all seems to be messed up and terrifying. Will she get to the bottom of the mystery? Or she will get tangled in it? Will she be able to find her way back?
Thanks to the Author, Publisher and Netgalley
Thanks to the Author, Publisher and Netgalley
February 16, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview for the ARC.
Two friends go on a camping trip with a tour group on an island that is a refuge for Tasmanian Devils as well as other wildlife. During this trip, a member of the group goes missing. As the search progresses, secrets are revealed. Not everyone is as they seem.
The descriptive narrative of the island was educational, as it set the scene for this thriller.
Two friends go on a camping trip with a tour group on an island that is a refuge for Tasmanian Devils as well as other wildlife. During this trip, a member of the group goes missing. As the search progresses, secrets are revealed. Not everyone is as they seem.
The descriptive narrative of the island was educational, as it set the scene for this thriller.
June 24, 2024
I received an advance copy of this book, and though the premise didn't immediately grab me, I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would. It's mystery and suspense with some conservationism thrown into the mix. I enjoyed learning about the Tasmanian devils and other wildlife native to the remote island depicted in the novel, and there was just enough suspense to keep me engaged.
December 9, 2024
This novel is more than just a mystery/thriller; it is also educational. I learned quite a bit about Tasmanian Devils and various birds native to that area. I never expected to learn about these creatures, but it helps round out the story when they are pulled into play.
There are several main characters, but Brooke and Kerry stand out as the novel's main focus. Brooke is trying to figure out her life after leaving her husband and is on this trip due to her friend Jane's generosity. Kerry is the tour guide after a snake bit the last one and is out of commission. Jane is also a major character, but I feel like her story takes a back seat to Brooke and Kerry for most of the novel. Along with these women, there are two couples and one other guide working with Kerry. I enjoyed watching the story unfold and how interconnected the lives were because, at first glance, you wouldn't think there was a connection.
I was pulled into this story with all the possibilities and outcomes rolling around in my head. Jane and Brooke are repairing their friendship until Jane goes missing. Is she dead? Is she alive? What happened to her? It doesn't help that there is a massive storm, which makes visibility and the search harder for the group. Kerry is dealing with her own struggles and whether she is meant to be a guide and interacting with people. She is so used to research and a focus on the Tasmanian Devil, that her interpersonal skills are a bit rusty.
I enjoyed the different twists revealed throughout the book. While there were times I shook my head at Brooke when she acted irresponsibly, there were other times when I was surprised at the devious nature of other characters. Was anyone safe or honest? Needless to say, the ending was not what I expected, but, looking back, it was the logical outcome for this group of travelers.
I enjoyed reading the author's notes at the end about the real island this is based upon and the plight of the Tasmanian Devil.
We give this book 4 paws up.
There are several main characters, but Brooke and Kerry stand out as the novel's main focus. Brooke is trying to figure out her life after leaving her husband and is on this trip due to her friend Jane's generosity. Kerry is the tour guide after a snake bit the last one and is out of commission. Jane is also a major character, but I feel like her story takes a back seat to Brooke and Kerry for most of the novel. Along with these women, there are two couples and one other guide working with Kerry. I enjoyed watching the story unfold and how interconnected the lives were because, at first glance, you wouldn't think there was a connection.
I was pulled into this story with all the possibilities and outcomes rolling around in my head. Jane and Brooke are repairing their friendship until Jane goes missing. Is she dead? Is she alive? What happened to her? It doesn't help that there is a massive storm, which makes visibility and the search harder for the group. Kerry is dealing with her own struggles and whether she is meant to be a guide and interacting with people. She is so used to research and a focus on the Tasmanian Devil, that her interpersonal skills are a bit rusty.
I enjoyed the different twists revealed throughout the book. While there were times I shook my head at Brooke when she acted irresponsibly, there were other times when I was surprised at the devious nature of other characters. Was anyone safe or honest? Needless to say, the ending was not what I expected, but, looking back, it was the logical outcome for this group of travelers.
I enjoyed reading the author's notes at the end about the real island this is based upon and the plight of the Tasmanian Devil.
We give this book 4 paws up.
January 1, 2024
3 and 1 / 2 stars
Jane and Brooke meet up to participate in a tour of Devil's Island off the coast of Tasmania. They are both Americans, Jane is an actress and Brooke is a ‘retired” actress. She married and moved to Seattle, far away from Jane. Jane is loud, brassy and opinionated. Brooke is unsure of herself and somewhat timid. Why are these two such close friends?
I had a hard time getting a grasp on Brooke at first. While she seemed timid, she was sure forward when it came to some situations.
Kerry is the (very) reluctant tour guide for the six people in the group. For several years, she has been obsessed with saving the Tasmanian Devil. Disease has devastated the population and Kerry is taking it very hard. She loves her Tassies. Her partner tour guide Bryan appears to be practically useless. Kerry is feeling stressed out.
In addition to the two Americans, there are four Australians who all know one another. They are a somewhat motley group. A bird watcher and his wife seem pretty self-important. A reality show executive and his wife are odd.
Jane fails to tell Brooke that she knows the reality show mogul. She knows him very well and has a plan.
The murders begin….and a bad storm is on its way.
I’m a sucker for locked room-type mysteries. A small group of people, no way to escape and a killer is in their midst. I really enjoy putting my mind to solving the mystery before the end of the book. This book fulfills my recent addiction to this type of story. I also liked the inclusion of the Tasmanian Devils in the story. I am aware of their endangered status and the disease that threatens to decimate them.
However, some of the characters were not very well developed. The main protagonists seemed inconsistent in their actions according to the information given about their personalities. I can’t imagine how Kerry got a position as a tour guide. She had so many personal problems. I had no idea how Brooke and Jane became friends. Jane needed someone to abuse? The rest of the members of the party were superficial and seemed superfluous to the story itself.
There are more than a few twists in this book. I enjoyed being surprised.
I want to thank NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
Jane and Brooke meet up to participate in a tour of Devil's Island off the coast of Tasmania. They are both Americans, Jane is an actress and Brooke is a ‘retired” actress. She married and moved to Seattle, far away from Jane. Jane is loud, brassy and opinionated. Brooke is unsure of herself and somewhat timid. Why are these two such close friends?
I had a hard time getting a grasp on Brooke at first. While she seemed timid, she was sure forward when it came to some situations.
Kerry is the (very) reluctant tour guide for the six people in the group. For several years, she has been obsessed with saving the Tasmanian Devil. Disease has devastated the population and Kerry is taking it very hard. She loves her Tassies. Her partner tour guide Bryan appears to be practically useless. Kerry is feeling stressed out.
In addition to the two Americans, there are four Australians who all know one another. They are a somewhat motley group. A bird watcher and his wife seem pretty self-important. A reality show executive and his wife are odd.
Jane fails to tell Brooke that she knows the reality show mogul. She knows him very well and has a plan.
The murders begin….and a bad storm is on its way.
I’m a sucker for locked room-type mysteries. A small group of people, no way to escape and a killer is in their midst. I really enjoy putting my mind to solving the mystery before the end of the book. This book fulfills my recent addiction to this type of story. I also liked the inclusion of the Tasmanian Devils in the story. I am aware of their endangered status and the disease that threatens to decimate them.
However, some of the characters were not very well developed. The main protagonists seemed inconsistent in their actions according to the information given about their personalities. I can’t imagine how Kerry got a position as a tour guide. She had so many personal problems. I had no idea how Brooke and Jane became friends. Jane needed someone to abuse? The rest of the members of the party were superficial and seemed superfluous to the story itself.
There are more than a few twists in this book. I enjoyed being surprised.
I want to thank NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
August 3, 2024
Devils Island by mitch Raymond and John Yonker, in the book we follow Brooke who got a surprise invitation to reunite with her friend Jane who she hasn’t seen in five years and Jane wants to do it while visiting devils island. It’s actually an island where they re-introduced healthy Tasmanian devils so as not to allow them around the devils on the main island who are suffering from some sort of tumor disfiguring disease (that just broke my heart.) they also have wombats and other animals on the island but twice a year allow visitors to have a Glamping trip in the jungle amongst the wildlife. Carrie is the head guide on the trip despite the fact it is only her second time in the jungle on the island and the first time ended the day before in a tragedy. Carrie has dedicated her life to helping animals but since working at the local clinic she really has a special affinity for Tasmanian devils almost too much of an affinity. There’s two Australian couples Jane and Brooke all going on the trip with the emergency tour guide or Brian who usually just drive the van for the Safari before Australians have known each other forever but the two Americans Jane and Brooke are strangers or at least they are supposed to be. At first Brooke was happy to be there but once she remembered what her friend Jane was like she knew the trip wasn’t going to end well but would it in with all of them alive? This book was pretty good I mean if you like isolated location stories even though they did have contact with the outside world because a park ranger lived on the other side of the island but I digress this is a better story than most although some of the writing was a little wonky and I do think there was too much over describing but having said that if you’re in it for the entertainment you’ll definitely be entertained I really liked the story and could’ve done without all the backstory but as I said it’s still entertaining and I wasn’t mad I read it I actually liked it more than I didn’t nt. It’s a book I definitely recommend to those who like isolated location horror stories. I can’t believe I’m forgetting about the big twist that was absolutely shocking to me… So yeah read it you’ll probably like it as well.#NetGalley, #OceanviewPublishing, #MitchRaymond, #JohnYonker, #DevilsIsland,
September 1, 2024
4.5 stars.
Maria Island by Midge Raymond & John Yunker is an atmospheric mystery set on an isolated island off the coast of Tasmania.
Kerry is leading a tour with six tourists on the fictional Marbury Island. She is new to the job and in charge during this second trip. Americans Brooke and Jane are friends who are reconnecting after five years apart. The other couples, Malcolm and Charlotte and Margaret and Ian, long-time friends. A severe storm begins their first night on the island and in the morning, one of the guests disappears. Kerry struggles to keep everyone calm as they await assistance from Mark, the park ranger who is several hours away.
The island is rife with wildlife, including Tasmania Devils, kangaroos, wallabies and more. Kerry and her group are surrounded by thick foliage which provides a bit of a claustrophobic vibe as she and Brooke search for the missing person. The heavy rain and dark, overcast sky add to the overall closed in feeling for the group. Some of the tourists are shockingly unconcerned with the missing person which increases tension to the unfolding situation.
Maria Island is a suspenseful mystery with a vibrant setting. The characters are, for the most part, well-developed but not all are likable. Marbury Island springs vividly to life and is easy to visualize. The storyline is compelling and keeps the story moving at a brisk pace. Midge Raymond & John Yunker bring this captivating mystery to a twist-filled conclusion.
Maria Island by Midge Raymond & John Yunker is an atmospheric mystery set on an isolated island off the coast of Tasmania.
Kerry is leading a tour with six tourists on the fictional Marbury Island. She is new to the job and in charge during this second trip. Americans Brooke and Jane are friends who are reconnecting after five years apart. The other couples, Malcolm and Charlotte and Margaret and Ian, long-time friends. A severe storm begins their first night on the island and in the morning, one of the guests disappears. Kerry struggles to keep everyone calm as they await assistance from Mark, the park ranger who is several hours away.
The island is rife with wildlife, including Tasmania Devils, kangaroos, wallabies and more. Kerry and her group are surrounded by thick foliage which provides a bit of a claustrophobic vibe as she and Brooke search for the missing person. The heavy rain and dark, overcast sky add to the overall closed in feeling for the group. Some of the tourists are shockingly unconcerned with the missing person which increases tension to the unfolding situation.
Maria Island is a suspenseful mystery with a vibrant setting. The characters are, for the most part, well-developed but not all are likable. Marbury Island springs vividly to life and is easy to visualize. The storyline is compelling and keeps the story moving at a brisk pace. Midge Raymond & John Yunker bring this captivating mystery to a twist-filled conclusion.
February 1, 2024
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review*
3,25 Stars
What first pulled me in when I requested this book was the cover, for some reason I really like an island setting, even better if its super remote.
Then from the description it seemed like it would be a plot similar to 'And then there were none' by Agatha Christie, which is the only kind of mystery I like.
The story revolves around a group of people who tour the island: led by guides Kerry and Bryan there are two australian couples who have known each other for a long time and americans Brooke and Jane, who haven't been in contact in years. On the very first night someone disappears and that's all I'll say about the plot to avoid spoilers.
Theres secrets, lies and plot twists that are not predictable, at least to me, someone who is relatively new to the genre. There's extensive description of the islands flora and fauna, sometimes even a bit too much.
What was a bit unusual to me is that the characters and their interactions aren't too deep? I get that it might not be the purpose of this genre, but thats usually something I am looking for. Nevertheless, I'd say it was an interesting read.
3,25 Stars
What first pulled me in when I requested this book was the cover, for some reason I really like an island setting, even better if its super remote.
Then from the description it seemed like it would be a plot similar to 'And then there were none' by Agatha Christie, which is the only kind of mystery I like.
The story revolves around a group of people who tour the island: led by guides Kerry and Bryan there are two australian couples who have known each other for a long time and americans Brooke and Jane, who haven't been in contact in years. On the very first night someone disappears and that's all I'll say about the plot to avoid spoilers.
Theres secrets, lies and plot twists that are not predictable, at least to me, someone who is relatively new to the genre. There's extensive description of the islands flora and fauna, sometimes even a bit too much.
What was a bit unusual to me is that the characters and their interactions aren't too deep? I get that it might not be the purpose of this genre, but thats usually something I am looking for. Nevertheless, I'd say it was an interesting read.
August 26, 2024
“Maybe loyalty between friends is easier than loyalty between lovers.”
Isolated island, raging storm, and secrets amongst a group of “strangers”? YES, PLEASE! This book had all the ingredients to my idea of the best kind of thriller recipe 🤌🏻
Two old friends and two pairs of couples join tour guides on a remote island for what was supposed to be an exciting weekend of hiking, yummy food and drinks, and exotic animal sightings. But, when one guest goes missing, cell service is already practically nonexistent, and a massive storm kills any chance of help arriving from the mainland, secrets arise and all hell breaks loose.
I had so much fun reading this book. I really didn’t want to put it down and every twist had me gasping and muttering to myself (which would make my husband ask “what??” and I would reply simply “book” 😂). I had guesses here and there about what the outcome would be. In some ways I was right, but I also was very surprised and wrong in others. Not only was it exciting, but there was also the subplot that spoke of the Tasmanian Devils species that was heartbreaking and fascinating. I loved the inclusion of this to raise awareness of their suffering and near extinction.
If you enjoy a thriller with an Australian setting, dual POV, isolation, a group of strangers with secrets, plot twists, whodunnit, deception, and overcoming emotional trauma for the FMC’s, then I highly recommend Devils Island!
Thank you to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. ✍🏻
Isolated island, raging storm, and secrets amongst a group of “strangers”? YES, PLEASE! This book had all the ingredients to my idea of the best kind of thriller recipe 🤌🏻
Two old friends and two pairs of couples join tour guides on a remote island for what was supposed to be an exciting weekend of hiking, yummy food and drinks, and exotic animal sightings. But, when one guest goes missing, cell service is already practically nonexistent, and a massive storm kills any chance of help arriving from the mainland, secrets arise and all hell breaks loose.
I had so much fun reading this book. I really didn’t want to put it down and every twist had me gasping and muttering to myself (which would make my husband ask “what??” and I would reply simply “book” 😂). I had guesses here and there about what the outcome would be. In some ways I was right, but I also was very surprised and wrong in others. Not only was it exciting, but there was also the subplot that spoke of the Tasmanian Devils species that was heartbreaking and fascinating. I loved the inclusion of this to raise awareness of their suffering and near extinction.
If you enjoy a thriller with an Australian setting, dual POV, isolation, a group of strangers with secrets, plot twists, whodunnit, deception, and overcoming emotional trauma for the FMC’s, then I highly recommend Devils Island!
Thank you to Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. ✍🏻
October 4, 2024
A Devil’s Tale
The setting of the story engaged me from the beginning. To be enveloped in a story that had me diving into the natural beauty of an island, the forest, the rocks and cliffs with their ocean views and the deep forest with their secrets held by so many animals at play in the story, but nothing as exciting as the renowned “Tasmanian Devils”.
The characters each had their own secrets, secrets that would inevitably cause the death of 2 people. In a sense that had trust being constantly questioned, I enjoyed how trust began to grow between the group on the island.
It was a book I did not want to put down and neither will you!
The setting of the story engaged me from the beginning. To be enveloped in a story that had me diving into the natural beauty of an island, the forest, the rocks and cliffs with their ocean views and the deep forest with their secrets held by so many animals at play in the story, but nothing as exciting as the renowned “Tasmanian Devils”.
The characters each had their own secrets, secrets that would inevitably cause the death of 2 people. In a sense that had trust being constantly questioned, I enjoyed how trust began to grow between the group on the island.
It was a book I did not want to put down and neither will you!
August 9, 2024
Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐
Devils Island follows a group of tourists and their guides to Marbury Island, where after one guest disappears and another turns up dead in the midst of a big storm, the rest have to figure out who is responsible and how to survive through the end of the trip...
First off - I loved the setting of Marbury Island (a fictional version of Maria Island) and the history we're taught of the Tasmanian Devils. This book touches a lot on the complexities of wildlife conservation and I found myself googling a lot about the devils and already extinct tigers.
But the twists - they definitely kept coming and a couple felt like they came way out of left field and weren't completely necessary, almost a bit of a "this again?". The alternating POV in the book gives a lot of information that we would have been missing if it was just from one character, and some of the revelations at the end of the book from a surprise new POV show that while the characters are well defined, very few of them are even likeable!
This was a good suspenseful read that kept me intrigued until the end - Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Devils Island follows a group of tourists and their guides to Marbury Island, where after one guest disappears and another turns up dead in the midst of a big storm, the rest have to figure out who is responsible and how to survive through the end of the trip...
First off - I loved the setting of Marbury Island (a fictional version of Maria Island) and the history we're taught of the Tasmanian Devils. This book touches a lot on the complexities of wildlife conservation and I found myself googling a lot about the devils and already extinct tigers.
But the twists - they definitely kept coming and a couple felt like they came way out of left field and weren't completely necessary, almost a bit of a "this again?". The alternating POV in the book gives a lot of information that we would have been missing if it was just from one character, and some of the revelations at the end of the book from a surprise new POV show that while the characters are well defined, very few of them are even likeable!
This was a good suspenseful read that kept me intrigued until the end - Thank you to NetGalley and Oceanview Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 9, 2024
The factors that carried this novel for me are two: 1) Wildlife and 2) one particular character, not the up-front MC but a character who is too important to term secondary: Kerry, a longtime naturalist working, perhaps temporarily, as a tour guide. Set on "Marbury Island," a fictionalized version of Tasmania's Maria Island, an isolated area essential to preserving the endangered species of Tasmanian Devils, animals which after a few centuries of human depredation are now in fatal danger of an out-of-control circumstance not due [to the best of current knowledge] to human intervention. Tasmanian Devils are predated by an incurable facial tumour which invariably and without exception results in disfigurement and death. On "Marbury Island," healthy individuals are kept secluded to prevent transmission of this disease.
Second focus for me is the guide Kerry, whose unfolding backstory and continuing attempts to come to terms with her literal existential crisis of despair are extraordinarily vivid and inspiring of empathy. Although Kerry is probably not most Reader's identification of "Main Character" [most would probably choose Brooke, also an individual plagued with uncertainty, or possibly even the often manic risk-taking hothead Jane], Kerry is my nominee for Protagonist, "Hero's Journey," and Character Arc.
Second focus for me is the guide Kerry, whose unfolding backstory and continuing attempts to come to terms with her literal existential crisis of despair are extraordinarily vivid and inspiring of empathy. Although Kerry is probably not most Reader's identification of "Main Character" [most would probably choose Brooke, also an individual plagued with uncertainty, or possibly even the often manic risk-taking hothead Jane], Kerry is my nominee for Protagonist, "Hero's Journey," and Character Arc.
February 8, 2025
It was a good book. I liked that the issues of science were accuratly related as part of the story. The setting was an islad with the Tazmanian Devils, and their health issues were an undercurrent of the storyline. The people storyline was very interesting and good.
August 29, 2024
This read was intense, suspenseful and impossible to put down. The detailed descriptions of the island really helped to set the tone. I loved the unexpected twists towards the end.
February 3, 2025
I used to want to be a biologist and a forensic scientist so this was up my alley with learning about the nature with a mystery!
At Marbury Island Kerry is working on reintroducing endangered species to the Tasmania island. She has worked hard, but it has taken a toll on her. She takes a job as a naturalist guide for a tour company. That is where we Brooke, one of the tourists in the group.
The POV (mainly) switches between Brooke and Kerry, I particularly like this style of writing so it was perfect for me.
I enjoyed this book!
At Marbury Island Kerry is working on reintroducing endangered species to the Tasmania island. She has worked hard, but it has taken a toll on her. She takes a job as a naturalist guide for a tour company. That is where we Brooke, one of the tourists in the group.
The POV (mainly) switches between Brooke and Kerry, I particularly like this style of writing so it was perfect for me.
I enjoyed this book!
October 23, 2024
Fun, easy read with twists and turns.
March 7, 2024
Setting the Scene: 🇦🇺 Set in the Tasmania wilderness at luxury camping sites with hikes in between.
POV: We are following two main characters. One is a guest invited to this vacation with their old friend from college days. The other is a guide on the tour who used to work in animal conservation. We also get glimpses from one of the friends.
Mood Reading Match-Up:
-Touches of domestic suspense dropped in the Tasmanian wilderness
-Psychological suspense with juicy secrets, spilled tea, and speculative gossip
-Small hits of high-stakes action and saving the day scrambles
-Themes and metaphors around acting, humanity, wildlife and nature, complicated friendships, the masks we wear, finding oneself, and the roles we take on.
----
🐺 Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags 🐕
🎬 Tale-Telling: The switch between POVs means we know more than any one character so we can start putting together the puzzle pieces about what is happening and why. If you like character driven narratives, there are elements of this alongside the puzzle and plot developments. I’m glad we didn’t the perspectives of all the guests, the ones we got were good choices. The story is divided in to five acts and each has a slightly different purpose and tone.
🤓 Reader’s Role: Ghostly onlooker. We float along in the camp, privy to the inner workings of our characters’ minds, and we trek along with the characters through the mystery and suspense, getting just enough info to keep guessing without spoiling everything all at once.
👥 Characters: Brooke and Kerry came across as the flawed heroes. Jane is annoyingly self-centred, slightly unhinged but I sometimes felt sympathetic and sad for her. They were all grappling with their demons and handling eerie situations while navigating personal and interpersonal battles. I don’t know that everyone would find our MCs likeable or relatable, but for me it wasn’t essential since there is a lot of plot happening around them and I wanted to know what would happen and how they’ll navigate it (and for some of it, I needed them to be unlikeable or cringey!).
🗺️ Ambiance: I felt like I was there. I listened with thunder and rain ambiance tracks and it made it all the more immersive. The story is written like it needs to take place in Tasmania and doesn’t forget it’s there. We learn about the unique setting without suffering through info-dumping of facts.
🔥 Fuel: The drive to keep reading is a bit different between the five acts. We start with wondering why each character is there, to how they’ll get out alive (well paced low-key, eerie stuff). Then there’s a psychological deep-dive in to the characters. Act four was my least favourite because it switches to high stakes action and thriller style cat-and-mouse surivival and escapes, and had me face-palming everyone's decisions.
🚙 Journey: From setting the stage to the character backstories each act had its own flavour, but overall they flow well together and end with a final twist that I hadn’t completely predicted. Near the end we go from cruising to hitting a bit of speed bump, but even when it briefly veered into slightly campy territory, it still felt plausible and had me wondering what I would do in those situations.
Random Thoughts
🤓 What worked: The setting, the build-up of mysteries, and gradual unveiling of character dynamics.
🫠 What didn’t: The handling of anti-depressants felt a bit off (don’t mess with your meds without consulting a trusted medical professional, especially cold turkey - there are serious side effects that were left out of this story!). The ending was too much too fast and relied too heavily on rushed resolutions and questionable decisions for my taste.
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Content Heads-Up: Infidelity. Divorce/break-ups. Unrequited love. Animal death and struggle (wildlife rehabilitation, natural and manmade causes). Depression, anxiety. Animal cruelty (poaching). Murder, attempted murder, violence. Sexual assault, attempted rape and PTSD (recalled, aftereffects discussed). Mental illness prejudice (terminology, character opinions/discussion; brief mention). Loss of a spouse.
Rep: Cisgender. Heterosexual. White Americans and Australians.
👀 Format: Digital review copy from Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley
“Reviews are my musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶 refined by my AI bookworm bestie ✨”
POV: We are following two main characters. One is a guest invited to this vacation with their old friend from college days. The other is a guide on the tour who used to work in animal conservation. We also get glimpses from one of the friends.
Mood Reading Match-Up:
-Touches of domestic suspense dropped in the Tasmanian wilderness
-Psychological suspense with juicy secrets, spilled tea, and speculative gossip
-Small hits of high-stakes action and saving the day scrambles
-Themes and metaphors around acting, humanity, wildlife and nature, complicated friendships, the masks we wear, finding oneself, and the roles we take on.
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🐺 Growls, Howls, and Tail Wags 🐕
🎬 Tale-Telling: The switch between POVs means we know more than any one character so we can start putting together the puzzle pieces about what is happening and why. If you like character driven narratives, there are elements of this alongside the puzzle and plot developments. I’m glad we didn’t the perspectives of all the guests, the ones we got were good choices. The story is divided in to five acts and each has a slightly different purpose and tone.
🤓 Reader’s Role: Ghostly onlooker. We float along in the camp, privy to the inner workings of our characters’ minds, and we trek along with the characters through the mystery and suspense, getting just enough info to keep guessing without spoiling everything all at once.
👥 Characters: Brooke and Kerry came across as the flawed heroes. Jane is annoyingly self-centred, slightly unhinged but I sometimes felt sympathetic and sad for her. They were all grappling with their demons and handling eerie situations while navigating personal and interpersonal battles. I don’t know that everyone would find our MCs likeable or relatable, but for me it wasn’t essential since there is a lot of plot happening around them and I wanted to know what would happen and how they’ll navigate it (and for some of it, I needed them to be unlikeable or cringey!).
🗺️ Ambiance: I felt like I was there. I listened with thunder and rain ambiance tracks and it made it all the more immersive. The story is written like it needs to take place in Tasmania and doesn’t forget it’s there. We learn about the unique setting without suffering through info-dumping of facts.
🔥 Fuel: The drive to keep reading is a bit different between the five acts. We start with wondering why each character is there, to how they’ll get out alive (well paced low-key, eerie stuff). Then there’s a psychological deep-dive in to the characters. Act four was my least favourite because it switches to high stakes action and thriller style cat-and-mouse surivival and escapes, and had me face-palming everyone's decisions.
🚙 Journey: From setting the stage to the character backstories each act had its own flavour, but overall they flow well together and end with a final twist that I hadn’t completely predicted. Near the end we go from cruising to hitting a bit of speed bump, but even when it briefly veered into slightly campy territory, it still felt plausible and had me wondering what I would do in those situations.
Random Thoughts
🤓 What worked: The setting, the build-up of mysteries, and gradual unveiling of character dynamics.
🫠 What didn’t: The handling of anti-depressants felt a bit off (don’t mess with your meds without consulting a trusted medical professional, especially cold turkey - there are serious side effects that were left out of this story!). The ending was too much too fast and relied too heavily on rushed resolutions and questionable decisions for my taste.
----
Content Heads-Up: Infidelity. Divorce/break-ups. Unrequited love. Animal death and struggle (wildlife rehabilitation, natural and manmade causes). Depression, anxiety. Animal cruelty (poaching). Murder, attempted murder, violence. Sexual assault, attempted rape and PTSD (recalled, aftereffects discussed). Mental illness prejudice (terminology, character opinions/discussion; brief mention). Loss of a spouse.
Rep: Cisgender. Heterosexual. White Americans and Australians.
👀 Format: Digital review copy from Oceanview Publishing and NetGalley
“Reviews are my musings 💖 powered by puppy snuggles 🐶 refined by my AI bookworm bestie ✨”
October 20, 2024
This book is a page turner full of interesting characters and plot twists. Reminiscent of books like gone girl.
December 1, 2024
I received a free Kindle copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway win and would like to thank anyone who had a hand in making that happen!
This was a fun and interesting mystery/thriller with some unexpected twists and red herrings! I loved the setting and enjoyed learning a bit about Tasmanian wildlife and the challenges they are facing. I also liked how everything came together and the hopeful yet sinister note the book ended on!
This was a fun and interesting mystery/thriller with some unexpected twists and red herrings! I loved the setting and enjoyed learning a bit about Tasmanian wildlife and the challenges they are facing. I also liked how everything came together and the hopeful yet sinister note the book ended on!
Read
September 8, 2024Thrilling, exciting, and revealing
Great setting, great cast of characters, and a plot that never stopped surprising me. Set in Tasmania where endangered species find protection from humans, but not all the people on this group tour can hide from each other. You'll be caught up in the plot to the final page.
Great setting, great cast of characters, and a plot that never stopped surprising me. Set in Tasmania where endangered species find protection from humans, but not all the people on this group tour can hide from each other. You'll be caught up in the plot to the final page.
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