Islanders

by Brandon Enns

Two young couples escape their high-paced New York lifestyles for a quick getaway to an island off of Belize. Upon arriving they learn that their vacation will involve more than wasting the days away on the beach. The owner, Stefan, is a wealthy son of a financial guru, and a cousin to one of the guests. As part of his entertainment, he informs the group that they will be attempting to discover the identities of mercenaries from the 1800s that stormed the island and killed “The Royal Family” who had been abolished from Mainland by the Crown.

When one of the four vacationers goes missing, they realize that the island may have more to offer than a cute mystery and tropical fun. Is the game only a game?

Can they leave the island?

Genres: Fiction

365 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2018

About the author

Brandon grew up in Carrot River, Saskatchewan. He received his Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan in 2014 and worked in sales for the next four years. During that time he wrote several screenplays and storytelling soon became his greatest passion. He left his job as a financial advisor to pursue writing novels full time.
Brandon enjoys writing thrillers, mysteries, and dramas. Though they aren't all set in Saskatchewan, many of his novels are inspired by the small-town, prairie landscape (and miserably cold winters). When he isn't writing, he is playing sports, watching movies, or daydreaming about the next story to write. Brandon now lives in Melfort, Saskatchewan where he also works for his family business, A & K Enns Trucking.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was possibly the weirdest most insane thing I’ve ever read. I thought I’d got it, then I’d second guess myself, then nope I was right, then nope again! It was really an exciting gripping read, if a little mad.

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately this is one of the worst books I've read. Very, very disjointed. Very poor editing; at times it's impossible to know who is saying what. Random details that are so not needed, ie, Stephan needing a "dump" and it going nowhere, just a random inclusion for goodness what reason and what spoilt the tone of the story. The book is simply all over the place. Terrible characters too. Not quite sure what the author was trying to achieve with this book, but for me he failed drastically.

[Tanya R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was quite the thrill ride!

A murder mystery game set on a private island. What a great concept!

As some of the characters developed through the story, I found myself not liking most of them. I think this was intentional. It’s a very interesting way to write a book when, as the reader, you aren’t really rooting for many of the characters in the story.

There were so many twists and turns. Just when I thought I’d figured something out, the story would twist sideways and in some cases, by 180 degrees! What fun! I love when I’m reading a story and don’t see the plot change coming.

There were a few parts in the story where I had to read between the lines a bit to pick up on what happened from scene to scene. Mostly during action scenes I think. Not a big deal because I could follow along but I did find myself going back to see if I missed something.

Overall, a great mystery/adventure/something else (no spoilers) to wake you up and get your blood flowing again!

[Sandra Hooke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Please don’t waste your time reading this book - it was truly awful. The premise was quite good but the execution was dire and not helped by the fact that a lot of the book read like a screenplay but without knowing which person was speaking. Worst spelling error was dungy for dingy but at least it made me laugh.

Please once again don’t bother I am quite cross with myself for persevering in the face of awfulness to finish this book.

[Jimmi-Lee Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns! I thought I had it figured out and then the story changed and I didn’t but if I would’ve stuck with my first guess at what was happening I would’ve been correct. Cool story with lots going on that holds your attention. Characters are typical horror stereotypes at first glance but have some development throughout that you don’t expect.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this thrill ride of a book, Islanders by Brandon Enns. This book has more twists and turns than a water slide. It kept me guessing right up until the end. This was definitely a different and strange story, but in a good way!

[Mary Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the strangest books I have read. I was never sure what was going on and still not sure after finishing. But I enjoyed it and read it quickly.

[Ashley Deveneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept my attention the whole way through. Every time I thought I had it figured out it changed.

[Louise]

DNF @ 22%

The story is slightly intriguing but the writing is so hard to follow. It’s so unclear who is talking!