The Island of Small Misfortunes

by Jackson Kuhl

In the summer of 1898, Sequoia Owen accepts an invitation from his estranged uncle to visit his family' s summer home on Todeket, a private island off the Connecticut coast. Yet the house, constructed by Sequoia's unstable grandfather and the site of his cousin's mysterious death, is a strange place. None of his odd relatives, who seem to have sinister agendas of their own, can agree upon the origin of the house, nor do they all believe the sightings of a ghost that haunts its halls, said to appear before tragedy strikes. Trapped on the island by a storm, Sequoia must unravel the enigma of Todeket before the next life lost is his own.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Gothic

186 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

JACKSON KUHL is the author of the Gothic mysteries The Island of Small Misfortunes and A Season of Whispers , as well as the Revolutionary War biography Samuel Smedley, Connecticut Privateer. He has worked as a journalist, ghostwriter, and freelance writer and editor. His short fiction has appeared in numerous anthologies. Kuhl lives in coastal Connecticut.

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Island Of Small Misfortunes is the second novel by American author, Jackson Kuhl. Taking up a decades-old invitation from his uncle, Preston Wescott, Sequoia Owen arrives at Todeket Island off the Maine coast in time to lean down over the ferry’s side and save the life of Preston’s young grandson, Eli. This is witnessed by the boy’s doting grandmother, who has been reclusive since the death of her younger son, Jacob.

Before he arrives at their home, he’s told a tale about Preston’s father that doesn’t put him in the best light; what he’s read about Preston’s business dealings paints him as ruthless and vindictive; and when he meets Preston’s older son, Andrew, he seems boastful and hostile.

Having managed to lose all his money in a stock market crash, Sequoia is actually hoping to get backing for his Mechanical Oracle. His uncle is quite taken by his invention, and suggests he demonstrate it for the family, but Geneve insists that he take part in her séance, convinced he will be able to contact her youngest son, Jacob.

While Geneve and Preston seem welcoming, some at the home are barely courteous. He is instructed by various family members on how to handle the séance. He stumbles across strange notes begging him not to get involved, and a notebook that seems to have belonged to a young woman Jacob hoped to marry.

He begins to regret coming to the island and decides that “either he would be embraced by the Wescotts and discover his future with them; or he would be cast out penniless, his last gambit misplayed, onto the streets without a single friend.”

While it is quite short, the plot is so convoluted, it is difficult to follow, and the twists will have the reader’s head spinning. Lies and deception abound. One character remarks that “the most convincing lie is the one that’s closest to the truth. We tell them to each other and we choose to believe them for our own reasons.” Some of the protagonist’s behaviour is quite puzzling. It is, at times, atmospheric, quite Gothic, but also, boring. The premise was interesting, the execution, lacking. Pass.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Regal House Publishing.

[Liisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little torn on how to rate “The Island of Small Misfortunes” by Jackson Kuhl. The premise absolutely hooked me – a Gothic tale of inheritance, war, memory, and ghosts set on a private island? Yes, please. It’s the kind of atmospheric, eerie read I can see becoming a seasonal favourite around Hallowe’en.

There’s so much to love – the characters are enigmatic and often unlikeable, and I appreciated not being able to clearly predict how things would unfold. Guilt lingers like a shadow, and I enjoyed the ambiguity around who carries the heaviest burden. However, I feel this had the potential to be excellent. Some plot points left me questioning Sequoia Owen’s choices, and at times the pacing felt both jumbled and rushed.

That said, I read it in one sitting – so clearly, something kept me gripped! I couldn’t predict the ending, which speaks volumes. Maybe I’m being overly critical, but I suspect this is a book I’ll revisit. With a second read, I might appreciate it more fully.

Set in the summer of 1898, the story follows Sequoia Owen as he visits his estranged uncle at the family’s summer home on Todeket, a private island off the coast of Connecticut. His ailing aunt Geneve believes he is accompanied by the ghost of her late son, Jacob. Over the course of a tense weekend, Sequoia faces hostile relatives, threats against his life, and conflicting stories about the house’s history as he unravels the dark secrets of Todeket.

If Gothic fiction with a twist of family drama and spectral mystery intrigues you, The Island of Small Misfortunes is well worth a look - out 25 March 2025.

Find more reviews at instagram.com/liisalovesreading.

#TheIslandOfSmallMisfortunes #JacksonKuhl #Netgalley #RegalHousePublishing

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storytelling that kept me engaged through the whole book. I enjoyed the character building and descriptive scene setting throughout. This was a perfect mix of historical fiction and suspense. Overall a great quick read.

[Jane Freiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this story's compelling imagery, unique and original metaphors, and, most importantly, the writer's voice. There is something very special about this story and its important message for readers today. The twisting turns of the plot reflect the story's natural surroundings and weave wonder and woe into a mythical adventure. I recommend this book to anyone fascinated by history and Connecticut's landscape. After all, "People enjoy history, especially if it happened nearby. It makes them feel part of an experience grander than themselves" (Kuhl, pg. 38).

[Amanda W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a unique read, atmospheric if a bit confusing at times. I enjoyed it so rounded up to 4 star.

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer]

The Island Of Small Misfortunes by Jackson Cool, sequoia Owens has lost everything in the stock market crash of 1898 and remembers his uncle Preston‘s kindness the one time they met and decides to accept his open invitation to visit Todiket Island an Island on the southern tip of The thumbnail islands off of Connecticut. he quietly hopes his uncle Preston will invest in an invention of his that he is very excited about. on his way to the island there’s a storm and right in front of the island they see a boy and a boat that flips over. Sequoia being a very skilled merchant semen decides with the captain of the ferry to save the boy. The young boy turns out to be his cousin. arriving at the house his aunt Jeanette wants to know his name and the name of the other man who helped save the 11-year-old when Sequoia says he doesn’t know the captains name. His aunt says no the other man who was standing next to you when you pulled him out of the water. This is sequoia’s introduction to the Todiket ghost. sequoia doesn’t believe in ghost later on his uncle and other family members beseech him to play along with Jeanette, who’s having a séance later that night but during the event things become all too real for sequoia and all the questions he’s accumulated until now of things he no longer thinks he wants answered, if only he lives long enough. I think those who are into jump scares will not like this book but those who like intelligent horror and well researched historical tales will definitely love this book. I know I absolutely did. The whole time I was thinking one thing and it turned out to be something totally different. I love a book that can surprise you in this book has more than one surprise in store for the reader. I know my review does not do this great book justice. Just know if you love well done and well thought out stories then you will definitely love this very accurate historical horror. saying I cannot wait to read more from this author is a very big understatement and I can’t express how much I totally enjoyed this book. #NetGalley, #TheIslandOfSmallMisfortune’s, #JacksonCool,

[Hannah Wilkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ohhh I so wanted to like this book! It is in a similar vein to Mexican Gothic, with a remote setting, an eccentric (to put it nicely) family, and secrets aplenty and I should have loved it.

In the summer of 1898, Sequoia Owen accepts an invitation from his estranged uncle to spend the weekend at the family’s isolated summer home on their private island off the Connecticut coast. Uhmmm, no alarm bells ringing Sequoia?! In classic gothic horror style there are warning signs on his way to the island so it is clear very early on that this is not set to be a fun-filled family reunion!

His visit quickly spirals into a nightmare when his ailing aunt, Geneve, insists that Sequoia is haunted by the spirit of her dead son Jacob. Trapped on the island, Sequoia must navigate a web of menacing relatives, shadowy threats, and unsettling tales of the house’s dark past to uncover the island's haunting secret.

The good bits first, this has all the classic elements of an atmospheric gothic horror, the setting is suitably gloomy but still tinged with wealth, the characters are ambiguous and secretive and the underlying theme of the moralities of war did pique my interest. Having said that, it's one of the things that also made me struggle a little, it felt like the author was trying to do much, in a short book, and ended up not doing it well in the end.

Given that it was so short, there was not much room for character development, which is fine on it's own, we don't need to know EVERYTHING about a person, but I do need to understand their motivations and Sequoia as a protagonist felt very flat and boring to me. Also... I was thrown off by his name, it didn't strike me as a name that I would have expected in the time period, but then we hear that his sisters are called Mary and Patty and it made even less sense that his parents would have given him such an unusual name! Literally every time I saw it on the page I got annoyed, it seemed very pretentious. Despite it's short length I found the story itself to be very longwinded, it was downright slow and boring at times, at others, the pacing felt jumbled and rushed.

Could have been great but this book just wasn't sure what it was in the end.

[Samantha van Buuren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to start by saying a massive thank you to @booksforwardpr and @jacksonkuhl for my advanced copy of The Island of Small Misfortunes. I read the blurb and knew I had to read the book, so I'm very grateful!

This book is a gothic ghost story set on a private island off the coast of Conneticut, US. The main character, Sequoia, accepts an invitation from his uncle to travel to the island, owned by his estranged family. What he finds there is a household still grieving the sudden death of his cousin and haunted by more than just superstition.

The island is a creepy pleace. With no way to leave during a storm, it makes for a very claustrophobic atmosphere, especially being trapped with supernatural occurrences and people who can not be trusted.

I really enjoyed learning about Sequoia's family and the history of the island. Kuhl weaves a wonderfully creepy ghost story that had me struggling to turn out the light at night. And I loved the way it ends, at chapter 13 and leving me wanting more.

I would definitely recommend this one to those who love a ghost story, mediums, seances and the drama! I'll definitely be looking our for more by the author!

[nic mistry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short suspenseful historical fiction thriller, I was hooked by the premise. The book was super short and easy to read in one sitting. There were a lot of beautiful quotes that I loved and it had some great discourse on wealth, war, secrets, spirituality, and family. I also really loved the somewhat dark atmosphere/gloomy setting, and it felt super appropriate/authentic to the story. That being said, I did find it to be a little bit boring and may need to go back for a reread to fully appreciate the story. I did like the ending, however, I didn't predict it and felt like all the loose ends tied up and questions were answered.
Sincere thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

[The Book Nerd's Corner · Rating 2 out of 5]

A suspenseful historical fiction read set on a remote island that seems to be haunted.

Sequoia Owen is finally accepting his estranged uncle's offer to visit their family's summer home on Todeket Island. It's 1898 and the stakes for Sequoia have never been higher. Upon arriving on the island, Sequoia meets his mentally unwell aunt Geneve who is convinced that her son's ghost is following Sequoia's every movement. In the span of one weekend, Sequoia has found himself confronted with much more than he has bargained for. He must try to unravel Todeket's mysterious secret before it is too late.

Honestly, I found this book to be quite boring. I signed up to read this book due to the fact that it is pitched as a short historical suspense novel, so I figured I'd fly through it. Yes, I may have finished it in a matter of days, but not because it was exciting or thrilling. I found that I had little interest in Sequoia, Todeket Island, or the mysterious ghosts that were supposedly haunting the island.

The only thing this book really had going for it was that the writing was quite eloquent at times; there are certain passages contained within that I found to be quite poetic and astute. After Sequoia wakes up on the boat, the story picks up a little bit, but not enough to truly redeem the story after the lackluster beginning.

After thinking about this book for a little bit, the biggest theme seems to be the discussion on the morality of war and whether or not it is necessary. Many of the characters seem convinced that war is the only way to truly build a man's character and death is the only way to really appreciate life. Sequoia on the other hand, is quite opposed to war and violence. This is one of the only overarching things that I noticed about this novel, so I figure I would touch on it briefly.

Overall, "The Island of Small Misfortunes" was not my cup of tea. I found it to be quite boring and a tad longwinded despite its small page count. I think if one enjoys reading slower moving historical novels and looking at war with your philosophy cap on, one may find this read quite interesting. I on the other hand, just found myself bored and waiting for the book to come to a close.

[Shireen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

When Sequoia Owens accepts his estranged uncle's invitation to spend a summer on Todeket, the family's private island off the coast of Connecticut, he's not quite sure what to expect. Sequoia is completely unfamiliar with his mother's side of the family and doesn't have a lot personal history to pull from. But he does know the family is wealthy and he's in rather dire straits financially, so what's the harm in getting closer to them, perhaps even interesting his uncle in bankrolling his most recent invention? By preventing the accidental drowning of one of his young relatives on his way to Todeket, the Owens' family matriarch sees him as the answer to her Spiritualist prayers, but most of the rest of his relatives are rather more jaded and see his arrival as an unforgivable intrusion into the family's inner sanctum.

There's a lot of exposition regarding the philosophy and morality of war; the Owens family is definitely of the opinion that 'war maketh the man' but Sequoia, clearly drawing from his personal experiences with war and death, is most assuredly a pacifist, which makes for uncomfortable family discussions on the topic. There's also a lot of emphasis on the Spiritualist movement and the nature of ghosts and death; it's a darkly atmospheric read as Sequoia - who is clearly not a 'true believer' but is willing to make money off his recent invention's capacity to 'invoke the spirits' - soon becomes convinced that island, and his family, may truly be haunted.

The story was a bit of a slow burn to start, and I honestly had to push myself through the beginning a bit. But it was easier to get lost in it once the narrative was situated in Todeket and the family dramas really emerged. Overall, I found it a satisfying Gothic-style read, moody and nebulous, just like the weather off the islands.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Jackson Kuhl, and Regal House Publishing for giving me access to a free digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Island of Small Misfortunes" presents Sequoia Owens's summer 1898 visit to his grandfather's home on Todeket Island, a private island among Connecticut's Thimbles. This island, usually a summer retreat, has become his aunt's permanent residence following her son's death. Sequoia's arrival on a stormy night is timely, as he may be able to prevent another tragedy. He then tries to connect with his distant family, exploring the island's history, its peculiar home, and local ghost stories. Amidst family tensions, Sequoia attends a séance led by his aunt, hoping to contact his cousin. When the séance takes an unexpected turn, Sequoia must piece together the island's secrets and his family's past to save himself.

This historic, gothic mystery immediately captivated me with its atmospheric and lyrical writing. Todeket and its inhabitants are enshrouded in mystery. The stories surrounding the island's origins and Sequoia's family are intriguing, blurring the line between fact and fiction. The characters are complex and deceptive, making it hard to discern who to trust. As each character’s story intertwines with Todeket’s legends and the ghost, I was drawn into the island’s intricate puzzles. Sequoia discovers that Todeket itself is a puzzle, and he is a missing piece. Overall, "The Island of Small Misfortunes" is a multi-layered, fast-paced, analytical mystery that gradually unfolds, leading to a surprising conclusion.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Fictionophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always entranced by novels set on islands, this time I learned of the Thimble Islands. The Thimble Islands is an archipelago consisting of small islands in Long Island Sound, located near the southeast corner of Branford, Connecticut. Many of these tiny islands are home to only one dwelling, most of which are owned by wealthy Americans as summer homes.

The novel is set in 1898, and the tone and language used to tell the story are reminiscent of that time. Even the name of the protagonist, Sequoia, is not a name that is heard much anymore.

The family were an eccentric lot, and seemed to have little regard for one other. There was a discernible feeling of unease once Sequoia arrives on the island. Even though he should have been warmly welcomed due to the fact that he helped rescue a young boy from the stormy waters of the Sound, they seemed to regard him with distrust and coldness. The matriarch of the island was a medium who conducted seances. They enlist Sequoia to take part in a seance which culminates in a threat to his very life!

This was an eerie, atmospheric read with gothic overtones. A ghost story, an anti-war novel, and a historical mystery rife with family secrets, antiquated language, and an overall feeling of menace. That being said, I found the novel less engaging as I had hoped. I felt the novel didn't quite live up to its potential.

Though I'm grateful to have read it, and to have learned about the Thimble Islands, my personal reaction to this short novel was one of ambivalence.

[nickiknackinoo · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Island Of Small Misfortunes by Jackson Kuhl, was a story about Sequoia Owen, nephew of Preston Wescott.. He owned his own island and had invited Sequoia when he was a child. There was a lot of history surrounding this island. After contacting his Uncle, Preston invited him to join the family on their island in August. So there he goes, to a very odd place, and a very odd group of people…
I really struggled to get into this story and stay with it. It was ok. There is a ghostly atmosphere, created by the author, but I didn’t connect with the characters. I did read to the end but was very disappointed that it wasn’t something I had enjoyed.
Many thanks to Regal House Publishing for the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley,#Regal_House_Publishing, #JacksonKuhl.

[Read.with.lo · Rating 2 out of 5]

As someone who’s in love with the north eastern seaboard I had to pick up this book when I saw it was set on an island off of Connecticut.

I was largely frustrated by the MCs inability to grasp the obvious clues laid out before him that something dark is happening. As readers we don’t really ever get to know him very well, let alone the other characters. He’s a very flat character so I don’t understand his motives. What about him and his outlook on life caused him to ignore the red flags every step of the way.

Additionally it felt that the author was trying to check all the boxes instead of giving the story having a natural flow.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about Sequoia Owen who is visiting his family’s island for the first time. There is a large cast of characters many of whom are morally grey. There is a lot of stories about the family on the island and Sequoia finds mysterious circumstances when he arrives. The book is very short, but very difficult to follow the plot. It felt like the author was trying to put too much into such a short book making it hard for me to completely understand what was going on. I really liked the idea of the book, but it was lacking something while I was reading.

[Siobhán♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

review to come**

[Joanna C · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read filled with mysterious happenings at the family home on a secluded island. What does this ghost signify? Why is everyone so secretive about the home's history? It is a perfect read for kids who are into mysteries.


Thanks Books Forward Pr and NetGalley for the e-arc.

[thenovelqueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐬
𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐊𝐮𝐡𝐥
𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰
𝟓⭐️

Thank you @booksforwardpr for the gifted copy of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐬 by @jacksonkuhl.

There’s so much to love about this tiny little book! Not only is the cover gorgeous but the story is written so beautifully as well. This is a story that is meticulously written, we are given a lot of details about everything and everyone. The best part of this whole story was the dark, gothic, atmospheric vibes the setting portrayed and the eerie storyline.

The plot is filled with secrets, family drama, and a touch of a creepy historical fiction. The author did a great job keeping the twists unpredictable and the ending was perfect!

This was my first book by this author and I can’t read to more by him! This is the perfect book to cozy up with on a rainy day, it is super short so it can be read in one setting. Thank you SO much @booksforwardpr for the gifted bookmail containing matching bookish merch🤍.

𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒: “ In the summer of 1898, Sequoia Owen accepts an invitation from his estranged uncle to visit his family’ s summer home on Todeket, a private island off the Connecticut coast. Yet the house, constructed by Sequoia’s unstable grandfather and the site of his cousin’s mysterious death, is a strange place. None of his odd relatives, who seem to have sinister agendas of their own, can agree upon the origin of the house, nor do they all believe the sightings of a ghost that haunts its halls, said to appear before tragedy strikes. Trapped on the island by a storm, Sequoia must unravel the enigma of Todeket before the next life lost is his own.“
•
•
•
#booksforwardpr#bookreveiw
#theislandofsmallmisfortunes
#jacksonkuhl#bookstagram
#bookstagrammer#bookish
#bookcommunity#5starread

[cad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A crumbling island estate off the Connecticut coast, a family full of bad vibes, and a ghost that shows up right before somebody dies. The 1898 setting does exactly what it should here, waterlogged and atmospheric, like the whole island is hiding something just beneath the surface. It wraps up tidier than expected and actually answers its own questions, which I appreciated. Moves slowly in the middle, but if moody historical settings and old money rot are your thing, this one delivers.

Vibes we are tracking
🏚️ haunted estate energy
🌊 trapped on an island with people you do not trust
👻 ghost who gives warnings nobody listens to
🏛️ old money rot
🌫️ gloomy atmospheric setting that earns its keep
📖 one sitting read