Deception Island

by R.S. Burnett

When a rescue team arrives at Deception Island to evacuate scientists from an erupting volcano, they discover everyone has vanished without a trace. Cut off from the outside world and trapped on an island with deadly secrets, Abbie must uncover the truth before the volcano – or something far more sinister – claims her life.

Deception Island, a sunken volcano, is about to blow – and the scientists studying it need evacuating. It’s a race against time, and nature.

But when they land on the island they find it completely deserted.

As they search for signs of life other strange things start to the radio is cut-off and then their boat disappears…

Deception Island holds many secrets, but Abbie is worried about just one

Will she make it off it alive?

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2026

About the author

Rob Burnett is a journalist/writer from Stanley, Falkland Islands.

Reviews

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Navy ship is sent to Deception Island to evacuate a small team of scientists from an erupting volcano. When the rescue team arrive the island seems deserted - or is it? Distinct signs of sabotage happen when the power is cut to the base, & the rescue boat disappears, so now the team are trapped with no way of signalling to their ship. Will they make it off alive?

I requested this one as I really enjoyed the previous book 'Whiteout' written by the author. Unfortunately, for me this one didn't live up to the initial promise. Whilst entertaining & fast-paced, it was OTT with highly trained Marines easily picked off whilst a lesser-trained sailor manages to fight back. Way too much 'suspend your disbelief' for me. Also one of the characters was like a Bond villain & spends too much time opining & giving the enemy time to outmanoeuvre them whilst the main antagonist is like a T-1000 getting back up after every attack. Overall entertaining & pacy but ultimately disappointing.

SUMMARY:
Plot: OTT, with highly trained Marines picked off easily whilst an ordinary sailor fights back.
Writing Style: Good - author can write well as previous book 'Whiteout' shows, but this is disappointing.
Enjoyment Level: Moderate - entertaining but a reader only has so much disbelief to suspend.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HarperCollins/ HarperFiction, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable read, which having thoroughly enjoyed this author's last (first) book, did not surprise me.
Definitely an action thriller, although with a lot of suspense. Some great action, and good research, which is always of benefit to novels!
The author obviously knows the area, and I did enjoy the short explanation at the end.
For me, the bit I liked least was the politics.
However, the bit I thought was great, was the heroine - a very believable character.
And the graveyard twist - excellent!
If the author carries on like this, I will definitely be looking out for further books.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting premise and parts of it were good but I don’t think the blurb accurately tells you what this book is.

I thought it was going to be more horror but was more action thriller.

Abbey was a good character who was well written I just found we had too much set up but the ending was satisfying

Overall not a bad book won’t be in my top books of the year but won’t be in my worst books of the year either

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh where to start with this one... Okay, it's a decent story, and I know I'm supposed to be talking about a book here but I'll say I think it would make for a great film or mini-series or something; I can imagine critics calling it a breakthrough role for an actress we know for something fluffier pivoting into a grittier role. And I say that because I can see a good director capturing the atmosphere and tension better than in a book. I'd never thought of it before but an erupting volcano is loud and visual and constant. And a book has to stop reminding you of that to tell a story. Film? You can have ash and smoke constantly, you can have rumbles and lava in the background and all that. And saying that stuff in a book would be repetitive and frankly annoying, so thankfully we're spared it and just get sporadic reminders when it's relevant, but that does mean I rarely, if ever, truly felt any tension from a volcano about to obliterate the island.

And that's my general conflict with the book; as enjoyable as it was, it wasn't the book I expected and hoped for. Look, this is the blurb I was attracted to:

"When a rescue team arrives at Deception Island to evacuate scientists from an erupting volcano, they discover everyone has vanished without a trace. Cut off from the outside world and trapped on an island with deadly secrets, Abbie must uncover the truth before the volcano – or something far more sinister – claims her life."

It sounded intense and spooky. Right up my street. I was looking forward to a dark thriller, maybe even a touch of horror as the evil volcano and a sinister surprise stalked Abbie. So I was already wondering where the tension was given they didn't land on the island until 20% into the book. Before that? It was mostly a military book. And it seemed good at that, but it's not really my thing. I can do a bit of action, I can enjoy warships and helicopters and such, but I don't really want to read about military protocol. I know you need that as there are many fans of the genre and a large and vocal enough group within that who will happily point out that a character used an incorrect screwdriver size on something deep in the lower reaches of the engine room and such, but for a thriller I don't find it very thrilling. And no, it doesn't get that dry a read, but it leans far enough that way it might as well for me. Even once on the island it felt like the story still hadn't found its pace. I had bumbled along content for half the book before it really clicked for me and I actually felt engaged. The thing is, even when I was enjoying it more, I kept coming back to it not being what I had hoped for. That slow build up just gave me too much time to pine for more, so even when I got it I felt something was missing. This is why I say it's a better foundation for a screenplay. That first 20%? You can get that in 5-10 minutes on screen. t would be high octane stuff and you'd be engaged.

There are many positives here. There's an interesting political twist which is astute and slightly scathing . There are multiple sections that really click and bring the story to life. But there were also times it felt like it couldn't quite find itself. Like I say, looking back I get why a volcano is a tough thing to capture on every page, but it does mean I just couldn't feel the peril even when I really should. There's a story here, and if you like a good military political thriller I think this is the book for you. If you're more of a mystery thriller reader though? You'll enjoy it well enough, but you'd probably be happier with something else. You'll be better waiting for the movie, 'cause that would be more for everyone.

[Lavender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deception Island is a sunken volcano. The island is located somewhere in the Antarctic Circle and is a real place. Abby and her crew receive information that the volcano is about to erupt and that a team of scientists are to be rescued. However, when she and a colleague arrive, there are no scientists to be found. But something else is going on on this creepy island. Abby soon finds herself in an extremely dangerous situation and is confronted with a tragedy from her past.

I read this book because I enjoyed the author's previous book, Whiteout. Deception Island starts quite strongly. The island itself is a character and is rather eerie. However, the book soon turns out to be more of a military action thriller. It's an engaging read, despite its verbose nature. Abby often has to make split-second decisions, but there are pages and pages about her thoughts on said decisions. This slows down the pace. There are also a lot of flashbacks at random moments. Abby herself is a likeable character, but I don't think she would make a good Marine. She has experienced personal trauma, she is claustrophobic and she takes a long time to make decisions.

Overall, it's a good story with a fantastic location, but the flow and pace could be better. It's still a solid action thriller though.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of this book from HarperFiction and NetGalley.

I read White Out by this author last year and really enjoyed it. This novel is set on Deception Island, which I did not realise was a real location until I started reading! It is a perfect setting for a claustrophobic story, with the added pressure of hot lava flying down the mountain at any moment.

Our main character Abbie has had a tough few years after losing her husband at the hands of a man with a messiah complex. Abbie and her crewmates are told they are needed to assist evacuation for the volcanology team stationed on the island ahead of the imminent eruption but when Abbie and Brewster arrive, the island is seemingly empty.

What follows is a cat and mouse chase around debris and derelict buildings and mountainsides to try and outwit those with the intention to kill. I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen. There were some real moments when all seems to be lost, but I found myself fascinated by the armed forces training to always be assessing the situation and finding solutions. No, I could not be one of the 0.01%!

I'm already looking forward to the next novel by this author. Same time next year?

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

No way off. No one to trust. No time left.

I was minding my own business last week when Harper Fiction slid into my emails with a link to R.S. Burnett’s new book, Deception Island, via NetGalley. I had never read anything by him before, but as soon as I read the synopsis, I couldn’t resist.

Deception Island is absolutely incredible. It’s fast-paced, no-holds-barred, claustrophobic, race-against-time brilliance. I read it in two sittings. I simply couldn’t stop. The stakes are sky-high and Rob sets the scenes with effortless precision. I was on the edge of my seat throughout; I could feel the claustrophobia and fear creeping in from the very first page and never letting up.

There’s so much I want to say, but I fear that revealing too much would give away key plot points — and this is a book that deserves to be experienced for the first time with fresh eyes. What I will say is that the potential foreshadowing is chilling. Possibly even more chilling than discovering that Deception Island is a real location with an active volcano rumbling beneath it.

Huge thanks to Harper Fiction for the early read. Deception Island is out today and I highly recommend adding it to your baskets immediately. Thank me later.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deception Island completely pulled me in from the start. The concept of a rescue mission turning into a chilling mystery on a remote volcanic island is just brilliant—and it delivers. From the moment the team arrives to find the island deserted, I was hooked. The sense of isolation and creeping dread is so vivid that I felt like I was right there with Abbie, wondering what on earth happened and if she’d make it out alive.

The pacing is spot-on: tense, urgent, and full of twists that kept me guessing. I loved how the setting almost becomes a character in itself—harsh, beautiful, and terrifying. Abbie is such a strong and relatable lead; I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

I couldn’t put this book down. If you enjoy thrillers with survival stakes, eerie atmospheres, and secrets that unravel in the most unexpected ways, this one is for you. It’s the perfect mix of suspense and adventure, and it left me thinking about it long after I finished.

With thanks to RS Burnett, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher. This was a fast-paced and intense thriller. It had a fantastic setting to bring a bit of adventure and a sense of racing against the clock. A volcano is about to blow on Deception Island and our main character is on a ship nearby that’s going to rescue the researchers stationed there. However things don’t go at all to plan and she finds herself in a deadly situation. The volcano added something so fascinating to the story, it ramped up the sense of jeopardy.

The isolation of the island was also incredibly effective. Our main character has limited assistance, they are in an extremely remote place and there’s very few avenues to ask for help.

I don’t want to say too much to avoid spoilers because the reveals were a big part of the fun in this book. But the plot was exciting, full of action and intrigue.

I enjoyed this thriller. I enjoyed that it was a female led story. The way everything was brought together, the unexpected surprises, the great setting.

[rina dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a thriller but I was unsure what to expect as it's not very often I read survival thrillers, if at all but Deception Island pulled me in from the very beginning and kept me hooked the whole way through.
Set on a volcanic island, Abbie and her partner are instructed to rescue a group of scientists before the volcano erupts, still grieving her husband, she vows that the mission will be successful but when they arrive, the island is desolate, or so she thinks. Before long, she realises that she's cut off from the outside and trapped in a place where deadly secrets will unfold.

Prepare to stay up very late reading this heart-pounding, fast-paced thriller. I genuinely couldn't put it down. There's so much action, and it's so tense I was on the edge of my seat.
I loved Abbie so much. Her courage and resilience really made this story, and I was so invested in her as a character. I'd definitely recommend Deception Island, especially if you're looking for something unique. I really need to read more by this author and can't wait for what he does next.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up Deception Island because I'd enjoyed RS Burnett's previous thriller, Whiteout, but this was a disappointment. It's misleadingly marketed as the story of a rescue team who arrives on a deserted island in the South Shetlands to save a team of scientists from an erupting volcano, but it's actually a military thriller about tracking down an escaped fugitive, which is so much less interesting to me. Even on its own terms, the pace is very slow for this kind of novel; we're about a quarter of the way in before anything happens at all, and about a third before the real stakes of the book are revealed. Burnett tries hard this time to give Abbie internal motivations while avoiding the flashbacks that broke the pace of Whiteout, but they're super clunky (we're told over and over again that she's mourning her husband and wants to apply for the Marines). Not one for me.

I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher for review.

[Sudhagar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book as i loved the author's previous thriller. The premise of this one was equally interesting and the setting also was at a remote and mysterious location.

I am sorry to report that the author's 2nd book fails to live up to its predecessor.

For one, the plot is not plausible and gets it wrong on so many occasions. Even he gets it wrong for factual reasons. The Royal Marine Commandos are not used for high-risk anti-terrorist or even anti-drug missions (SAS/SBS are instead). The way the mission to Deception Island is handled is not how it works in real life, instead of a one-man team, the authorities would have sent a SAS squad.

In this age of GPS, the team would have used a satellite phone for communication rather than an ordinary comm. kit.

The Abbie's constants flashbacks and thinking about her ex-husband gets irritating after a while and certainly not in character with someone wanting to join the commandos.

What happens at the island itself is something out of a James Bond movie rather than a plausible chains of events.

[Nerys Roberts]

During a nightime operation to capture the UK's most wanted man, Marine Commando Drew is shot and killed by the terrorist he was arresting. Four years later, his widow Abbie, is on board HMS Northumberland which is taking part in exercises in the Atlantic. The ship is told to leave the exercise and head for Deception Island in the South Atlantic to evacuate the Marines and research scientists based there due to an imminent volcanic eruption.

However, Deception Island is well named as it's not a research facility at all but an isolated prison for the man who was believed to have been captured and killed four years ago. He's now escaped and is planning to return to the UK and cause death and destruction in a wave of attacks.

This was a bit of a slow burner but all in all an enjoyable read.

Thanks to Netgalley, Harper Collins and R S Burnett for an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.

[Claire - TheBookendReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deception Island had me hooked from the very first pages. What starts as a straightforward rescue mission quickly turns into something far more sinister when the team arrives on a remote volcanic island… and finds it completely deserted. From that moment on, the sense of unease never lets up.

The setting is such a standout. The isolation, the brutal beauty, the looming threat of a volcano about to erupt - it all adds a constant, nerve-shredding sense of danger. I loved how the island feels almost alive, working against Abbie at every turn. She’s a strong, capable lead, and I found myself rooting for her the whole way through.

Fast-paced, tense, and packed with twists, this is one of those thrillers that’s impossible to put down. I won’t say too much because the reveals are half the fun, but if you enjoy survival stakes, eerie atmospheres, and stories where everything can unravel in seconds, this one is well worth the ride.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deception Island, a sunken volcano, is about to blow - and the scientists studying it need evacuating. It's a race against time and nature. But when they land on the island they find it completely deserted. As they search for signs of life, other strange things start - the radio is cut off and their boat disappears. Deception Island holds many secrets, but Abbie is worried about just one - will she make it off alive?

This was another page turner that I could not put down. What we get is a chilling mystery that's set on a remote volcanic island. Filled with twists, this is a tense read that has been well-developed characters. The pace is perfectly set with a great mix of eerie atmosphere and mystery.

Published 12th February 2026

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #HarperFiction and the author #RSBurnett for my ARC of #DeceptionIsland in exchange for an honest review.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A definite page turner set on an atmospheric island where a volcano is set to blow. Time is of the essence. Abbie is a well-developed character who is still mourning the death of her husband, her soulmate. She is interesting but I felt her feelings and trauma were rather over-egged and repetitive. As she and her superior officer, Brewster, land on this remote island to rescue scientists they find everyone has disappeared and all is not as it seems. When joined by a London spook, Ridley, far too much time is wasted talking - Ridley demanding obedience, Abbie demanding information. The actual situation comes to light and then there is a cat and mouse game all over the island.
Would make a good film with all the action. Three and a half stars for me.
Many thanks to Netgalley/R.S. Burnett/HarperCollins UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Big Bertha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deception island - a volcanic island off Antarctica
"Alert state: RED. Major explosive eruption is expected within twenty-four hours. Large ash plumes expected to exceed ten thousand metres above sea level."

Naval ship Northumberland heading for a military training exercise is diverted to evacuate a team of researchers that needed to be pulled off the island fast. Initial Radio communication with the island advises that the first tremors have been noted and then the next radio contact is met with silence. When they arrive they are met with a situation far from what they were expecting.

I'll be honest, based on the blurb this wasn't quite what I was expecting either but it was a good read nonetheless. A fast paced action thriller that once started was very difficult to put down.

[Simone Frost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly set on Deception Island, a sunken volcano, Abbie and her fellow navy man Brewster are tasked with a rescue mission to save researchers before the volcano erupts. When they get to the island no one is there, their RIB disappears, the power is cut and the radios don’t work. What is really going on?

I liked the setting of this book and thought it was atmospheric. I was interested to find out that Deception Island is a real place.

The book was easy to read with quite short chapters. It held my interest but did get a bit far fetched at times and the ending was a bit of an anti-climax.

Overall I did like the book and I would read more from this author.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for my copy.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first chapter sets the scene, at this point I really wasn’t sure, it took me a few pick ups to get into it then…boom
I was hooked. The combination of a female military lead, geology (yup I’m a geo), a broken heart and a little politics thrown in made for a very fast paced book.

It’s not a slow burn, quite the opposite, the suspense and drama was brilliant and carried really well throughout the book.

I really enjoyed this and would love a sequel with Abbie as the lead.

Burnett didn’t give much away about the description of Abbie, she was a bit of a mystery in the looks department and left her appearance to the imagination whereas some of the others were described but not in much detail.

Burnett, if you read this, I can’t wait for your next book and I’m seeking out ‘whiteout’!

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .75

This was a bit of a slow burn but I didn’t really mind because the character building was so good. I felt so sad for Abbie, you could really feel her loneliness and it made me connect with her a lot more.

When they got to the island though it completely changed the vibe. Finding the bodies and the dug graves was actually quite scary and really caught me off guard.

The part where Abbie relives being trapped under the sand genuinely made my heart race. It felt so claustrophobic and intense, I was stressing for her the whole time.

The only part I didn’t love was the heavier political side of the story, I definitely preferred the action and creepy elements that’s where it really gripped me.

[❄ Nina ❄ · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I enjoyed this author's debut Whiteout, I decided to check out this follow up as well.

I liked the remote setting of the novel, set on a real island in the Southern Ocean. It was interesting to be able to look up the history as well as the main topography and thus enhance the reading experience. The book presented itself as a fast-paced action novel and the sense of creeping dread and isolation was expertly delivered.

Avoid thinking too critical and set logic aside - in some places and instances, a certain level of suspension of disbelief is definitely needed to enjoy this book.

[Jo-anne Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a report comes in of an imminent volcanic eruption on a remote antarctic island, Abbie finds herself leading an evacuation team, however things are not as they seem. The island appears deserted and then a Government bigwig arrives and explains that the island is a prison for a terrorist, presumed killed. this is the same terrorist who killed Abbie's husband four years earlier. Now Abbie has to find a way to escape Deception Island and stop a major terrorist plot.
As thrillers go, this is quite a good one. It moves along at a pace, there's a decent enough plot and the action never really lets up. I wouldn't say that it's excellent literature but it really entertains!

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Widely believed to be a volcano research facility, Deception Island lives up to its name, and hides its secrets well. As a volcanic eruption threatens, the rescue mission sent discovers that there is no one there. So where have all the scientists gone?

The answers to that question will reveal the exact nature of the facility on Deception Island, which is not what it seems to be.

This is a fast paced and action packed survival story. Likely to be enjoyed by most thriller readers, it gets 3.5 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first, thank you Netgalley and also HarperCollins for this ARC!

The blurb did sound really good - an island with an erupting volcano, all the people there vanished, and a race against time. I do really love myself a good survival thriller from time to time, and this one did deliver what it promised. The claustrophobic feeling did send shivers down my spine, and the fast pace the story was moving forward in made it impossible for me to put the book down. I simpy had to know what was going on, or what I should believe, or whom I should trust. Very much recommended!

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I requested this book because I’d previously enjoyed Whiteout by the same author. I was intrigued by the premise, so was a little disappointed that it focused so heavily on marines and not the scientists mentioned in the synopsis, but I did enjoy it. It was fast paced in places and slower in others. Whilst I liked the main character, I’m not sure she’s marine material. I would’ve liked more of a focus on the island and the volcano but, as I said, it was an enjoyable read. I would’ve liked definitely read more by this author. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy.

[Jacki van de Schoor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Deception Island. It was an adrenaline packed thriller, full of action and suspense.
I was drawn in quickly, and I read it in one sitting.

I really liked Abbie, she was strong, determined, loyal, smart, and relatable.
The storyline was clever, and unique.

This is the second book I've read from R.S. Burnett, the first being his debut novel Whiteout, which I loved.
While I still enjoyed reading Deception Island, I enjoyed Whiteout a lot more.

3 stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, and R.S. Burnett.

[The Endless Unread · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what it describes to be and needs some serious editing work. Same point made multiple times during a sentence was a fast track to me falling asleep while reading this. I enjoyed the premise of it and the character development, though overdone, was well thought out. Unfortunately I don't think I'll be carrying on with this author's work unless some serious changes are made in the editing process.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deception Island is a volcano, the group of scientists who are studying it need to be evacuated quickly before it erupts. When the boat arrives, there is no-one there, the island is deserted. What has happened to the scientists?
A race against time, and you can feel the tension as Abbie try’s to work out what is happening, this was a good read and my thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Action packed to set the adrenaline pumping. The drama builds from the very first page and you’re caught up in a world of danger; miles away from help. That’s not all; you’re not just fighting a dangerous human enemy, the very ground you’re walking on is about to be swallowed up in fire and flood of biblical proportions. So there’s not a lot of time.
This is a punchy psychological thriller and one not to be missed.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the premise of this novel. A heart pounding survival thriller with deadly secrets - what’s not to love. I found myself engrossed pretty quickly and the book is quite hard to put down. Short, punchy chapters that leave you wanting more. Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction and the author for the chance to review.