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The Pledge: The nail-biting, escapist crime thriller from the half-million copy bestseller
Not yet published
Expected 26 Mar 26DO YOU DARE MAKE THE PLEDGE?
The brand-new destination thriller from the half-a-million-copy bestseller.
_________________________
A MYSTERIOUS OFFER
When Thea deciphers a cryptic invitation, she can't believe it's real. Yet the next moment she's on a jet, being whisked off to a private Caribbean island.
BUT THIS IS NO ORDINARY HOLIDAY
Her fellow guests are richer than rich - billionaires, tech bros, even royalty; all in paradise to sign a global deal. So what is Thea doing here?
THERE IS NO ESCAPE
By the morning, their host is dead - and so is any hope of getting off the island.
NO GETAWAY
As guests are picked off one by one, the group's suspicions turn on Thea.
ONLY A FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
But the killer isn't the only threat on the island - and escape means facing her worst fears . . .
_________________________
READERS LOVE SARAH YARWOOD-LOVETT'S PAGE-TURNING
'I wanted to inhale in but also savour every word' 5 stars
'Gripped me from the first page and I couldn't stop reading' 5 stars
'Each one gets better and better' 5 stars
'Fantastic plot. A great read' 5 stars
The brand-new destination thriller from the half-a-million-copy bestseller.
_________________________
A MYSTERIOUS OFFER
When Thea deciphers a cryptic invitation, she can't believe it's real. Yet the next moment she's on a jet, being whisked off to a private Caribbean island.
BUT THIS IS NO ORDINARY HOLIDAY
Her fellow guests are richer than rich - billionaires, tech bros, even royalty; all in paradise to sign a global deal. So what is Thea doing here?
THERE IS NO ESCAPE
By the morning, their host is dead - and so is any hope of getting off the island.
NO GETAWAY
As guests are picked off one by one, the group's suspicions turn on Thea.
ONLY A FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
But the killer isn't the only threat on the island - and escape means facing her worst fears . . .
_________________________
READERS LOVE SARAH YARWOOD-LOVETT'S PAGE-TURNING
'I wanted to inhale in but also savour every word' 5 stars
'Gripped me from the first page and I couldn't stop reading' 5 stars
'Each one gets better and better' 5 stars
'Fantastic plot. A great read' 5 stars
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 26, 2026
3 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
14 books331 followersAfter spending sixteen years as an ecologist, crawling through undergrowth and studying nocturnal habits of animals (and people), Dr Sarah Yarwood-Lovett naturally turned her mind to murder. She may have swapped badgers for bears when she emigrated from a quaint village in the South Downs to the wild mountains of the Pacific Northwest, but her books remain firmly rooted in the rolling downland she grew up in.
Forensically studying clues for animal activity has seen Sarah surveying sites all over the UK and around the world. She’s re-discovered a British species thought to be extinct during her PhD, with her record held in London’s Natural History Museum; debated that important question – do bats wee on their faces? – at school workshops; survived a hurricane on a coral atoll whilst scuba diving to conduct marine surveys; and given evidence as an expert witness.
Along the way, she’s discovered a noose in an abandoned warehouse and had a survey de-railed by the bomb squad. Her unusual career has provided the perfect inspiration for a series of murder mysteries with an ecological twist – so, these days, Sarah’s research includes consulting detectives, lawyers, judges and attending murder trials.
Forensically studying clues for animal activity has seen Sarah surveying sites all over the UK and around the world. She’s re-discovered a British species thought to be extinct during her PhD, with her record held in London’s Natural History Museum; debated that important question – do bats wee on their faces? – at school workshops; survived a hurricane on a coral atoll whilst scuba diving to conduct marine surveys; and given evidence as an expert witness.
Along the way, she’s discovered a noose in an abandoned warehouse and had a survey de-railed by the bomb squad. Her unusual career has provided the perfect inspiration for a series of murder mysteries with an ecological twist – so, these days, Sarah’s research includes consulting detectives, lawyers, judges and attending murder trials.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 2.2/5
Having cut her crime writing teeth on the Nell Ward series, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett has decided to move away from the cosy mystery market and enter into the world of harder-edged thrillers instead. As the author did with her previous books, she draws on her background working in the field of ecology for the inspiration for this story.
A group of the world's wealthiest individuals are invited to a private Caribbean island by its owner - the equally wealthy and influential, Olga Helgesdotter. Olga wants each of the invitees to sign up to "The Pledge" and commit a significant portion of their wealth to support the fight against climate change. In addition to the super-rich attendees, there is also Thea Harrington KC, fresh from her victory in a high profile trial. Thea is at something of a loss as to why she has been brought to the island with her well-to-do companions, but events are about to become even more discombobulating!
I was attracted by the premise and the opening sections of the novel are engaging and intriguing, even if a little far-fetched. For example, the scene where Olga addresses the gathering of oligarchs reminded me of Auric Goldfinger seeking to gain the commitment of the assembled crime bosses to buy into his plan to steal the contents of Fort Knox, in the well-known James Bond movie. Sadly, after the encouraging start, the remainder of the novel does not live up to its early promise.
The main body of the story really does drag and I had to fight the temptation to call time on it. I hate not finishing a book, but this was a struggle at times. Eventually the pace does pick up, but not until the final third of the story. Sarah Yarwood-Lovett is clearly an intelligent person and that generally comes through in her writing, but it also lacks the polished execution of more accomplished writers of crime fiction. The components are all there, but the assembly doesn't deliver the desired result. The plot developments stretch credulity too far and the characterisation is too often superficial. The lack of depth makes the protagonists not only unrelatable and unbelievable, but also unappealing. Consequently, the overall impact is disappointing and make this no more than a passable read in a crowded marketplace.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Having cut her crime writing teeth on the Nell Ward series, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett has decided to move away from the cosy mystery market and enter into the world of harder-edged thrillers instead. As the author did with her previous books, she draws on her background working in the field of ecology for the inspiration for this story.
A group of the world's wealthiest individuals are invited to a private Caribbean island by its owner - the equally wealthy and influential, Olga Helgesdotter. Olga wants each of the invitees to sign up to "The Pledge" and commit a significant portion of their wealth to support the fight against climate change. In addition to the super-rich attendees, there is also Thea Harrington KC, fresh from her victory in a high profile trial. Thea is at something of a loss as to why she has been brought to the island with her well-to-do companions, but events are about to become even more discombobulating!
I was attracted by the premise and the opening sections of the novel are engaging and intriguing, even if a little far-fetched. For example, the scene where Olga addresses the gathering of oligarchs reminded me of Auric Goldfinger seeking to gain the commitment of the assembled crime bosses to buy into his plan to steal the contents of Fort Knox, in the well-known James Bond movie. Sadly, after the encouraging start, the remainder of the novel does not live up to its early promise.
The main body of the story really does drag and I had to fight the temptation to call time on it. I hate not finishing a book, but this was a struggle at times. Eventually the pace does pick up, but not until the final third of the story. Sarah Yarwood-Lovett is clearly an intelligent person and that generally comes through in her writing, but it also lacks the polished execution of more accomplished writers of crime fiction. The components are all there, but the assembly doesn't deliver the desired result. The plot developments stretch credulity too far and the characterisation is too often superficial. The lack of depth makes the protagonists not only unrelatable and unbelievable, but also unappealing. Consequently, the overall impact is disappointing and make this no more than a passable read in a crowded marketplace.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Equal parts glamour, tension, and deliciously twisty mystery—The Pledge is a sun‑drenched thriller that goes down like a cocktail with a razor blade hidden inside.
Thea, a brilliant lawyer riding high after a career‑defining win, is swept away to an exclusive Caribbean island with zero warning. What looks at first like the ultimate luxury getaway quickly reveals itself to be something far stranger: a gathering of the ultra‑rich, each pressured to make “The Pledge”—to give away half their vast fortunes in the name of saving the planet.
The setup gives perfect White Lotus meets Glass Onion energy: glossy surfaces, oversized egos, hidden grudges, and a hostess with motives far murkier than her sales pitch. The tension builds beautifully as the cracks show within this powerful guest list—and when their host ends up dead, those cracks become fractures.
I loved Thea as a protagonist. She’s sharp, grounded, and a little out of her depth among billionaires, but her quick thinking and lawyer’s intuition make her such an engaging lens to watch the chaos unfold. As more secrets spill and the suspicions turn toward her, the island starts to feel wonderfully claustrophobic—a paradise turned pressure cooker.
The pacing is slick and addictive, with just the right mix of humour, interpersonal drama, and escalating danger. And when another body drops, the stakes leap from uncomfortable to genuinely pulse‑pounding. Sarah Yarwood‑Lovett balances social commentary, luxury escapism, and classic whodunnit beats in a way that feels effortless and hugely entertaining.
If you enjoy destination thrillers with a sharp edge, morally messy characters, and twists that keep you on your toes, The Pledge is an absolute treat. Warm, witty, tense, and wonderfully bingeable.
with thanks to Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Thea, a brilliant lawyer riding high after a career‑defining win, is swept away to an exclusive Caribbean island with zero warning. What looks at first like the ultimate luxury getaway quickly reveals itself to be something far stranger: a gathering of the ultra‑rich, each pressured to make “The Pledge”—to give away half their vast fortunes in the name of saving the planet.
The setup gives perfect White Lotus meets Glass Onion energy: glossy surfaces, oversized egos, hidden grudges, and a hostess with motives far murkier than her sales pitch. The tension builds beautifully as the cracks show within this powerful guest list—and when their host ends up dead, those cracks become fractures.
I loved Thea as a protagonist. She’s sharp, grounded, and a little out of her depth among billionaires, but her quick thinking and lawyer’s intuition make her such an engaging lens to watch the chaos unfold. As more secrets spill and the suspicions turn toward her, the island starts to feel wonderfully claustrophobic—a paradise turned pressure cooker.
The pacing is slick and addictive, with just the right mix of humour, interpersonal drama, and escalating danger. And when another body drops, the stakes leap from uncomfortable to genuinely pulse‑pounding. Sarah Yarwood‑Lovett balances social commentary, luxury escapism, and classic whodunnit beats in a way that feels effortless and hugely entertaining.
If you enjoy destination thrillers with a sharp edge, morally messy characters, and twists that keep you on your toes, The Pledge is an absolute treat. Warm, witty, tense, and wonderfully bingeable.
with thanks to Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a gripping thriller that had me on the edge of my seat at times and anxious to come to the conclusion.
Thea is celebrating a huge career win when she receives a coded invitation to a private island. Intrigued, she hops on a private jet to find herself surrounded by the rich and famous - a pop singer, a model, 4 of the richest people in the world, a journalist, a prince and...her husband. The owner of the island, Olga not-so-subtly threatens them into taking "the pledge" - an agreement to invest half their amassed fortunes for the good of the planet, but at the sake of their own companies. Then the next morning she turns up dead. With all the staff on the island sent away, their phones sealed away, and the harbour gates shut, they have no way off the island. And which one of them is the killer?
The characters are brilliantly written, especially the most despicable ones - my skin was crawling at the descriptions of the prince, he's such an unredeemable character!
The little cliques that develop are so interesting. It's something of a study into human nature - who will side with whom and why?
The book was well-paced. As Thea investigates, just when things start to slow down, something new drops - such as a chandelier...on a person. The only thing that bothered me a little about the book was that there were parts that you had to suspend your disbelief for - such as why no one ever really seems to catch Thea for her snooping, despite being on a tiny private island, and why the characters' entourages agree to let them go alone, and let them be left alone. It seems unlikely, but it makes the book even more isolating.
In the end, it was a good conclusion and a story I really enjoyed.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for an ARC of this book.
Thea is celebrating a huge career win when she receives a coded invitation to a private island. Intrigued, she hops on a private jet to find herself surrounded by the rich and famous - a pop singer, a model, 4 of the richest people in the world, a journalist, a prince and...her husband. The owner of the island, Olga not-so-subtly threatens them into taking "the pledge" - an agreement to invest half their amassed fortunes for the good of the planet, but at the sake of their own companies. Then the next morning she turns up dead. With all the staff on the island sent away, their phones sealed away, and the harbour gates shut, they have no way off the island. And which one of them is the killer?
The characters are brilliantly written, especially the most despicable ones - my skin was crawling at the descriptions of the prince, he's such an unredeemable character!
The little cliques that develop are so interesting. It's something of a study into human nature - who will side with whom and why?
The book was well-paced. As Thea investigates, just when things start to slow down, something new drops - such as a chandelier...on a person. The only thing that bothered me a little about the book was that there were parts that you had to suspend your disbelief for - such as why no one ever really seems to catch Thea for her snooping, despite being on a tiny private island, and why the characters' entourages agree to let them go alone, and let them be left alone. It seems unlikely, but it makes the book even more isolating.
In the end, it was a good conclusion and a story I really enjoyed.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for an ARC of this book.
February 17, 2026
Although I read this through netgalley, I have also read the majority of the authors series of books on my own so was quite pleased when I was offered this to read. That may have been my downfall because this is an entirely different story and not the same!
It's the story of Thea, a barrister who at the start of the book, isn't actually very likeable. She and a group of selected elite are chosen to go to this island by another incredibly rich person and then murders ensue!
It's essentially a locked room mystery with a lot of whole unlikable people (hence the 4 stars). But character development for Thea is great. I knocked off a star because I got a bit lost with who the women were. They didn't really have very distinct personalities with the exception of olga and later Asha.
It's a good story though and fun to read if you want something fairly easy and engaging to read! Would definitely recommend and will continue to look out for books by the author.
It's the story of Thea, a barrister who at the start of the book, isn't actually very likeable. She and a group of selected elite are chosen to go to this island by another incredibly rich person and then murders ensue!
It's essentially a locked room mystery with a lot of whole unlikable people (hence the 4 stars). But character development for Thea is great. I knocked off a star because I got a bit lost with who the women were. They didn't really have very distinct personalities with the exception of olga and later Asha.
It's a good story though and fun to read if you want something fairly easy and engaging to read! Would definitely recommend and will continue to look out for books by the author.
Read
February 20, 2026Dnf'd at 56 pages.
Unfortunately, I struggled to get sucked into this one.
We had a rather unlikeable main character and a plot that didn't get me hooked. I could feel the tempo picking up as we got to some of the earlier reveals, but it wasn't enough to keep my engaged.
Within the characters, the were some nods to real life public figures, that I felt were inspired by, which was interesting.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
Unfortunately, I struggled to get sucked into this one.
We had a rather unlikeable main character and a plot that didn't get me hooked. I could feel the tempo picking up as we got to some of the earlier reveals, but it wasn't enough to keep my engaged.
Within the characters, the were some nods to real life public figures, that I felt were inspired by, which was interesting.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
February 8, 2026
The pledge by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett.
Clever and intuitive thriller. Drew me in straight away and had me flipping pages quickly. A superb and perfectly written psychological thriller. I’ll definitely find more books by this author.
Clever and intuitive thriller. Drew me in straight away and had me flipping pages quickly. A superb and perfectly written psychological thriller. I’ll definitely find more books by this author.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews