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Islands
Islands is an emotion charged story of love, secrets and regrets, set against the real-life events of 2008 that shocked the beautiful island of Jersey.
Jersey born, Katherine, is a successful business woman living and working in London. She’s estranged from her husband and family and hiding from the pain of failed motherhood.
When a major murder and child abuse investigation launches in Jersey, the news shocks the island and brings the world’s media to its idyllic shores.
As the island of Jersey faces up to its hidden past, Katherine is forced to face up to hers. A letter arrives from the dying mother of her teenage friend – the friend whose death Katherine caused 32 years before.
She knows she must return home and tell the truth; but Katherine isn’t the only one with secrets…
Will the truth heal or destroy her? Will she ever come to terms with what drove her away from the man she loved and the sister that needs her?
Jersey born, Katherine, is a successful business woman living and working in London. She’s estranged from her husband and family and hiding from the pain of failed motherhood.
When a major murder and child abuse investigation launches in Jersey, the news shocks the island and brings the world’s media to its idyllic shores.
As the island of Jersey faces up to its hidden past, Katherine is forced to face up to hers. A letter arrives from the dying mother of her teenage friend – the friend whose death Katherine caused 32 years before.
She knows she must return home and tell the truth; but Katherine isn’t the only one with secrets…
Will the truth heal or destroy her? Will she ever come to terms with what drove her away from the man she loved and the sister that needs her?
388 pages, ebook
First published July 5, 2016
42 people are currently reading
790 people want to read
About the author
Gwyn G.B.
13 books54 followersGwyn GB is a writer living in Jersey, Channel Islands. A native of the UK she moved to the island with her Jersey-born husband and family.
Gwyn is a former national and international newsreader for BBC TV and ITN in London and Jersey. She's also freelanced for national newspapers and magazines in the UK, once had her own magazine publishing business and has a PR diploma. She is currently working as a freelance writer and author, and is one of the co-founders of MyVLF, the world's first virtual book festival site.
Gwyn is a former national and international newsreader for BBC TV and ITN in London and Jersey. She's also freelanced for national newspapers and magazines in the UK, once had her own magazine publishing business and has a PR diploma. She is currently working as a freelance writer and author, and is one of the co-founders of MyVLF, the world's first virtual book festival site.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 25, 2017
This is a powerful, well-told story that made me cry, a couple of times. It's also the story of secrets, misunderstandings and heartbreak. The different timelines slowly peel away Katherine's story to reveal what really happened to her friend Anne when they were sixteen-years-old and the reasons other's decisions were made. Reading this book reminded me of so many of my own hopes, dreams and plans when I was that age, especially when I think of some of the well-loved places so cleverly interwoven into this story.
I've lived in Jersey most of my life and recall only too well how horrible it felt for the world's media to print dreadful inaccuracies brought about by the Haut de la Garenne investigation, as they described an island I didn't recognize. This book has been incredibly well researched and told from the perspective of two women who were brought up on the island and it felt like they gave a voice to those of us who watched with disbelief and shock as the news reports unfolded at that time.
A brilliant debut with many shocks and twists that I didn't see coming. I can't wait to read this author's next book.
I've lived in Jersey most of my life and recall only too well how horrible it felt for the world's media to print dreadful inaccuracies brought about by the Haut de la Garenne investigation, as they described an island I didn't recognize. This book has been incredibly well researched and told from the perspective of two women who were brought up on the island and it felt like they gave a voice to those of us who watched with disbelief and shock as the news reports unfolded at that time.
A brilliant debut with many shocks and twists that I didn't see coming. I can't wait to read this author's next book.
July 25, 2016
Debut novel so I was not sure what to expect. It just built and built until I could not put it down. A really powerful insight into a family split by secrets and personal pain. A woman's story based around the relationship between two sisters and the growth of their individual families. The problems that occur when the siblings take two different paths. The rest would spoil it but for anyone interested in family dynamics and the problems of unspoken truths this is a great read. Jersey makes an elegant backdrop and the author's metaphors are wonderful when describing the setting for this story.
I loved it and can't wait for the next one.
I loved it and can't wait for the next one.
August 9, 2016
A lovely powerful book. Extremely moving and very sensitively written. Clearly the author has experienced some of the events laid out in the plot herself at close hand. Some sections were quite emotionally affecting and I was a bit watery-eyed at times (..a bit embarrassing whilst reading on the train!!). Maybe some of the descriptive passages are a bit over-long and at times I was itching for the plot to move on a bit quicker. But I really really liked it and can't wait to read the next one.
January 6, 2020
Engaging story that kept my interest. A few plot strands that made this a great book. It’s a story of individuals spanning 2 significant time periods. The main protagonists were easy to empathise with and I was engaged throughout with their story. Wasn’t a page turner, but I looked forward to reading it.
May 18, 2017
I really enjoyed this book, it makes me want to visit Jersey. The characters were all well defined and by the end of the book I felt as if I knew them all. Look forward to reading another by the author.
December 1, 2017
Good read but kind off left wondering
Enjoyed this book. First book I've read by this author. Only thing was that Katherine seemed to be the main focus though it bought closure to all events in her life just not the one with her husband John.
Is this for book two or do we just use our own imagination for the ending of them?
Enjoyed this book. First book I've read by this author. Only thing was that Katherine seemed to be the main focus though it bought closure to all events in her life just not the one with her husband John.
Is this for book two or do we just use our own imagination for the ending of them?
August 12, 2018
This is the first book I have read by Gwyn GB, I was going to read one of her others first, but it was pointed out this was set in Jersey so I decided to read this instead, really glad I did, I knew a lot of the places mentioned in the book so could visualise a lot. Very enjoyable read and would read more by this author.
July 3, 2022
A gentle start but this book slowly erupts to a become a fast moving unearthing of many well hidden family secrets. Wonderful writing, beautiful descriptions, set alongside a real life news storyline and this author now on my top 5 list. I'm already on 404 now even more fabulous writing and will be devouring everything Gwyn writes from now on!
June 10, 2017
Nice to read a book and to actually live in the area. When you read it it feels so real. It has a different feel to just normal fiction. I felt as if I was actually part of it looking in.
Quite emotional in parts. Recommend you read this, will be buying Gwyn's crime story now.
Fantastic book!!
Quite emotional in parts. Recommend you read this, will be buying Gwyn's crime story now.
Fantastic book!!
June 1, 2017
Excellent story.
September 23, 2017
This is an emotionally charged book. It is filled with ups and downs. A great read.
August 26, 2016
This book captivated me from the start with the vivid descriptions of my island both now (well 2008) and back in the days of my teenage years. The use of all the very Jersey names made me smile and although at one time it felt a bit like a travel guide, that it is probably no bad thing as Jersey sounds wonderful!
This is the second book recently that has transported me back to the steamy summer of 1976 which was the year I got married and had my daughter, the first being The Night Book, but due to the setting, this one reminded me of places and experiences I had totally forgotten
I have no idea whether the author experienced the traumas she describes so well, but it certainly was written convincingly. Some passages had a bit too much description for my taste, but as I have lived here for all my nearly 59 years, I could picture every place that was mentioned from Havre des Pas where we pushed our baby’s pram every hot evening that summer to the Fort Regent ramparts, and many more. All in all, I loved this book and could not put it down as I needed to get to the bottom of the mystery mentioned right at the beginning.
This is the second book recently that has transported me back to the steamy summer of 1976 which was the year I got married and had my daughter, the first being The Night Book, but due to the setting, this one reminded me of places and experiences I had totally forgotten
I have no idea whether the author experienced the traumas she describes so well, but it certainly was written convincingly. Some passages had a bit too much description for my taste, but as I have lived here for all my nearly 59 years, I could picture every place that was mentioned from Havre des Pas where we pushed our baby’s pram every hot evening that summer to the Fort Regent ramparts, and many more. All in all, I loved this book and could not put it down as I needed to get to the bottom of the mystery mentioned right at the beginning.
April 12, 2017
This is a beautifully written story by a writer with a powerful and individual voice. The story twists and turns, from the present to the past, and is a journey in more ways than one. Difficult subjects are handled incredibly sensitively and the research is impeccable.
I found myself re-reading passages and just letting the words roll over me, as they pulled me right into the heart of the scenes. I could almost see, touch and feel the settings and raw emotions. Highly recommended.
I found myself re-reading passages and just letting the words roll over me, as they pulled me right into the heart of the scenes. I could almost see, touch and feel the settings and raw emotions. Highly recommended.
December 28, 2016
I loved reading this book, a page turner from beginning to end.
It is set on the island of Jersey & is set in the years from 1976 to 2008.
It is about the lives of two sisters Margaret & Katherine & their families & the history of them. the stories are believable & well expressed.
I look forward to reading the next book.
It is set on the island of Jersey & is set in the years from 1976 to 2008.
It is about the lives of two sisters Margaret & Katherine & their families & the history of them. the stories are believable & well expressed.
I look forward to reading the next book.
January 6, 2017
Interesting story, exploring how we live our lives on assumptions, based on lack of communication and misunderstandings. Everyone has a hidden story, I guess, and this book plays with that nicely. Everything was tied up a little too neatly (unrealistically) for me by the end, but I enjoyed the book.
September 23, 2016
Couldn't put it down!!!
Had me hooked from the first page. Highly recommended! It goes back in time then brings you back up to the present ( 2008) and I really became absorbed into the two sisters lives.
Had me hooked from the first page. Highly recommended! It goes back in time then brings you back up to the present ( 2008) and I really became absorbed into the two sisters lives.
September 21, 2016
Loved this book couldn't put it down, best I've read in a long time
September 22, 2016
Really enjoyed this book - could empathise with both the claustrophobia of a small community and also with its security, and never saw the 'big secret' at the heart of the story until the very end.
October 20, 2016
This story talks about secrets and the damage they can cause in relationships. Truly one of the best books I've read this year, I couldn't put it down!
October 22, 2016
Beautifully written, this story draws you in right until the very end and after you have read it stays in you're mind!!
April 2, 2017
This is a powerful, well-told story that made me cry, a couple of times. It's also the story of secrets, misunderstandings and heartbreak. The different timelines slowly peel away Katherine's story to reveal what really happened to her friend Anne when they were sixteen-years-old and the reasons other's decisions were made. Reading this book reminded me of so many of my own hopes, dreams and plans when I was that age, especially when I think of some of the well-loved places so cleverly interwoven into this story.
I've lived in Jersey most of my life and recall only too well how horrible it felt for the world's media to print dreadful inaccuracies brought about by the Haut de la Garenne investigation, as they described an island I didn't recognize. This book has been incredibly well researched and told from the perspective of two women who were brought up on the island and it felt like they gave a voice to those of us who watched with disbelief and shock as the news reports unfolded at that time.
A brilliant debut with many shocks and twists that I didn't see coming. I can't wait to read this author's next book.
I've lived in Jersey most of my life and recall only too well how horrible it felt for the world's media to print dreadful inaccuracies brought about by the Haut de la Garenne investigation, as they described an island I didn't recognize. This book has been incredibly well researched and told from the perspective of two women who were brought up on the island and it felt like they gave a voice to those of us who watched with disbelief and shock as the news reports unfolded at that time.
A brilliant debut with many shocks and twists that I didn't see coming. I can't wait to read this author's next book.
July 13, 2017
Nice little read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews