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Whisper Island
Six of us are going to the island. Only one of us will make it back.
That one of us will be me.
For friends Riley, Sam, Mia and Scarlett, their trip to Whisper Island was meant to be a once in a lifetime adventure – just four young women, with everything to live for…
But as soon as they arrive things start to go wrong. First there is the unexpected arrival of Sammy’s drug addict brother and his girlfriend Opal – why are they here?
And then the deaths begin.
As the dream trip quickly turns into a nightmare, suspicion is high. Are they really alone on the island? Or is there a killer hiding in the shadows?
And as each of the girls reveals a dark secret of their own, perhaps the truth is the killer is closer than they think…just a whisper away…
That one of us will be me.
For friends Riley, Sam, Mia and Scarlett, their trip to Whisper Island was meant to be a once in a lifetime adventure – just four young women, with everything to live for…
But as soon as they arrive things start to go wrong. First there is the unexpected arrival of Sammy’s drug addict brother and his girlfriend Opal – why are they here?
And then the deaths begin.
As the dream trip quickly turns into a nightmare, suspicion is high. Are they really alone on the island? Or is there a killer hiding in the shadows?
And as each of the girls reveals a dark secret of their own, perhaps the truth is the killer is closer than they think…just a whisper away…
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2021
279 people are currently reading
6050 people want to read
About the author
Carissa Ann Lynch
32 books732 followersBesides my family, my greatest love in life is books. Reading them, writing them, holding them, smelling them…well, you get the idea. I’ve always loved to read, and some of my earliest childhood memories are me, tucked away in my room, lost in a good book. I received a five dollar allowance each week, and I always — always — spent it on books. My love affair with writing started early, but it mostly involved journaling and writing silly poems. Several years ago, I didn’t have a book to read so I decided on a whim to write my own story, something I’d like to read. It turned out to be harder than I thought, but from that point on I was hooked. My first and second books were released by Sarah Book Publishing: This Is Not About Love and Grayson’s Ridge. I’m a total genre-hopper. Basically, I like to write what I like to read: a little bit of everything! I reside in Floyds Knobs, Indiana with my husband, three children, and massive collection of books. I have a degree in psychology and worked as a counselor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
March 19, 2021
Great mash-up of popular teen horror series and movies including Harper’s Island, Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island meet Cabin in the woods and first movie of Friday 13th series without Jason Voorhees and its disturbing music at the scenes when he is about to attack.
What a delicious, wild, scream charmer, nail biter, blood freezer, jaw dropper combination ! I felt like I watched an action packed, fast pacing, thrilling , edgy, twisty movie which is rated on IMDb around 6.2 ( meta score might be around 47 , I cannot guess the exact Rotten Tomatoes point: they’re tougher grader so it would be between %40- %55)
Four art student friends decide to rent a house at the Alaska to get away from the stressful city life, their struggles and own problems to focus on their works. They want to collaborate for creating their masterpiece.
Riley can create the hell of complicated puzzles : new member of their group, shy, introvert, reminding you a sneaky mouse, observer, quite as Scarlett who befriended her at the first place is social butterfly who is living and breathing through her social media accounts, connecting with her fake friends. She has drug related problems.
Sammy is analytical , bossy, graphic genius, dealing with his drug addict Rob’s problems and Mia who dated with Rob, a privileged artsy family’s daughter who has unique, grotesque painting style.
As they planned their travel , they have no idea the place they will stay rent free( thanks to Sammy’s brother’s close connections) is dilapidated and strange place located at Whisper Island, creepy, spooky and in the middle of nowhere. And surprise, surprise : Rob also joined them with his new girlfriend Opal. ( I wish her name was Opel and last name is Vectra. Okay: worst joke alert! I already pinched myself as punishment) He not only broke Mia’s heart, shoving his new girlfriend to their face, he also starts flirting with one of them.
And as you imagine like Christie’s famous “And then there were none! “ they start to die one by one! One of them is the vicious killer who has a different agenda.
It was entertaining, easy to read, gripping novel ! Only negative thing about it: we can foresee the perpetrator from the beginning. It’s like he/ she wears a t-shirt printed: “ Watch me, I’m the bad guy”
The motive of the killer was understandable but there are still some plot holes about the reasons which turned him/ her in to a psycho killer Qu'est-ce que c'est!
So I cut some points but as like the author’s other works, this was quite heart pounding journey suits with lots of popcorn, great red wine and multiple chilling moments! I’m rounding up 3.5 stars to 4 I love thrillers which take at one location and I adore “And then there were none” / ten little Indians theme stars!
Let’s sing “Watch me nae nae” from Silento together after you finish the book! ( you may understand what I mean as soon as you devour the pages! )
Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Uk/ One more chapter for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
What a delicious, wild, scream charmer, nail biter, blood freezer, jaw dropper combination ! I felt like I watched an action packed, fast pacing, thrilling , edgy, twisty movie which is rated on IMDb around 6.2 ( meta score might be around 47 , I cannot guess the exact Rotten Tomatoes point: they’re tougher grader so it would be between %40- %55)
Four art student friends decide to rent a house at the Alaska to get away from the stressful city life, their struggles and own problems to focus on their works. They want to collaborate for creating their masterpiece.
Riley can create the hell of complicated puzzles : new member of their group, shy, introvert, reminding you a sneaky mouse, observer, quite as Scarlett who befriended her at the first place is social butterfly who is living and breathing through her social media accounts, connecting with her fake friends. She has drug related problems.
Sammy is analytical , bossy, graphic genius, dealing with his drug addict Rob’s problems and Mia who dated with Rob, a privileged artsy family’s daughter who has unique, grotesque painting style.
As they planned their travel , they have no idea the place they will stay rent free( thanks to Sammy’s brother’s close connections) is dilapidated and strange place located at Whisper Island, creepy, spooky and in the middle of nowhere. And surprise, surprise : Rob also joined them with his new girlfriend Opal. ( I wish her name was Opel and last name is Vectra. Okay: worst joke alert! I already pinched myself as punishment) He not only broke Mia’s heart, shoving his new girlfriend to their face, he also starts flirting with one of them.
And as you imagine like Christie’s famous “And then there were none! “ they start to die one by one! One of them is the vicious killer who has a different agenda.
It was entertaining, easy to read, gripping novel ! Only negative thing about it: we can foresee the perpetrator from the beginning. It’s like he/ she wears a t-shirt printed: “ Watch me, I’m the bad guy”
The motive of the killer was understandable but there are still some plot holes about the reasons which turned him/ her in to a psycho killer Qu'est-ce que c'est!
So I cut some points but as like the author’s other works, this was quite heart pounding journey suits with lots of popcorn, great red wine and multiple chilling moments! I’m rounding up 3.5 stars to 4 I love thrillers which take at one location and I adore “And then there were none” / ten little Indians theme stars!
Let’s sing “Watch me nae nae” from Silento together after you finish the book! ( you may understand what I mean as soon as you devour the pages! )
Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Uk/ One more chapter for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
December 24, 2024
**3.5-stars **
Riley doesn't have any close friends at college until she meets Scarlett. The fellow art student is vibrant and immediately takes Riley under her wing.
Riley really isn't sure why, but she's not going to protest. She's now part of a group. The rest of Scarlett's inner circle includes the most talented girl at school, Mia, and her long-time best friend, Sammy.
With the school year coming to an end, the girls discuss possibly traveling together over the summer. They want to get out of Tennessee and focus on their art; a real adventure.
When Sammy presents them with the opportunity to stay on a private island on the Alaskan coast, how can they say no?
They would get to stay for three months and it won't cost them a thing. The island belongs to the family of one of Sammy's brother's close friends. His family isn't using it, so it is open for the taking.
Some of the girls require more convincing than others, but ultimately they decide to do it. To live in the moment and go on the ultimate adventure.
Upon arrival on Whisper Island, the girls are in for a surprise. Sammy's unreliable brother, Rob, and his new girlfriend, Opal, are already there, when they weren't suppose to arrive for another day.
Let the uncomfortable games begin. Rob and Mia used to be in a relationship and it did not end well. Mia was beyond miffed when she learned, at the airport, that Sammy had invited her brother along.
But none of them had any clue Opal would be there. Who even is she?
As they start to explore the island and settle in, they make a haunting discovery. After that a lot of disturbing events take place, leaving the group wondering if they are actually alone on the island.
Once the bodies start dropping, they know they need to get to the bottom of the mystery of Whisper Island, or risk never leaving at all.
This was a fun little book. It reads just like a campy Slasher film; something I personally really enjoy.
It's not perfect. Some of the interactions are cheesy and I definitely had some eye roll moments, but overall it's a fun escape from the world.
It kept me entertained. I had some theories and one of them definitely panned out, but that didn't deplete my enjoyment level at all.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes Teen Slashers, remote locations, locked-room mysteries and/or toxic friend groups.
Thank you so much to the publisher, One More Chapter, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. I definitely had fun with it!
Riley doesn't have any close friends at college until she meets Scarlett. The fellow art student is vibrant and immediately takes Riley under her wing.
Riley really isn't sure why, but she's not going to protest. She's now part of a group. The rest of Scarlett's inner circle includes the most talented girl at school, Mia, and her long-time best friend, Sammy.
With the school year coming to an end, the girls discuss possibly traveling together over the summer. They want to get out of Tennessee and focus on their art; a real adventure.
When Sammy presents them with the opportunity to stay on a private island on the Alaskan coast, how can they say no?
They would get to stay for three months and it won't cost them a thing. The island belongs to the family of one of Sammy's brother's close friends. His family isn't using it, so it is open for the taking.
Some of the girls require more convincing than others, but ultimately they decide to do it. To live in the moment and go on the ultimate adventure.
Upon arrival on Whisper Island, the girls are in for a surprise. Sammy's unreliable brother, Rob, and his new girlfriend, Opal, are already there, when they weren't suppose to arrive for another day.
Let the uncomfortable games begin. Rob and Mia used to be in a relationship and it did not end well. Mia was beyond miffed when she learned, at the airport, that Sammy had invited her brother along.
But none of them had any clue Opal would be there. Who even is she?
As they start to explore the island and settle in, they make a haunting discovery. After that a lot of disturbing events take place, leaving the group wondering if they are actually alone on the island.
Once the bodies start dropping, they know they need to get to the bottom of the mystery of Whisper Island, or risk never leaving at all.
This was a fun little book. It reads just like a campy Slasher film; something I personally really enjoy.
It's not perfect. Some of the interactions are cheesy and I definitely had some eye roll moments, but overall it's a fun escape from the world.
It kept me entertained. I had some theories and one of them definitely panned out, but that didn't deplete my enjoyment level at all.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes Teen Slashers, remote locations, locked-room mysteries and/or toxic friend groups.
Thank you so much to the publisher, One More Chapter, for providing me with a copy of this to read and review. I definitely had fun with it!
January 8, 2021
3.5 stars
"We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep." -William James.
Watch Me.
Friends, Mia, Scarlett, Sammy, and Riley are off to Whisper Island where they will concentrate on their artwork and enjoy some time away from it all. But they are not alone, Sammy's brother Rob and his new girlfriend, Opal are there. Which makes things uncomfortable for some. So much for a girl's time away.
Then one of them is found dead. But that is only the beginning. They are alone on the island, aren't they? Is someone else there? Who would want to hurt them? What secrets do some of them have? Apparently, they have a few, causing them to wonder who can be trusted.
This is pure escapism reading. The characters are trapped on an island. Soon there are more deaths and suspicion. It has the how-well-do-you-know-your-friends- vibe. This book is a quick fun read which does not take much thought. That is not a bad thing at all. I loved that I could just sit back and enjoy the book. Each of the characters have their own POV. This is where we learn more about each and gain some insight.
Will you see the ending coming? Will you be shocked? I enjoyed how the reveal came about. Nothing was rushed or dragged out. It had the perfect aha moment. If you are looking for a fun fast read this might fit the bill for you. Yes, there are deaths but there is nothing graphic and we are told about them rather than reading every detail of them.
There was one thing that annoyed me about how they were invited to the island, but overall, I enjoyed this fast read.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
"We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep." -William James.
Watch Me.
Friends, Mia, Scarlett, Sammy, and Riley are off to Whisper Island where they will concentrate on their artwork and enjoy some time away from it all. But they are not alone, Sammy's brother Rob and his new girlfriend, Opal are there. Which makes things uncomfortable for some. So much for a girl's time away.
Then one of them is found dead. But that is only the beginning. They are alone on the island, aren't they? Is someone else there? Who would want to hurt them? What secrets do some of them have? Apparently, they have a few, causing them to wonder who can be trusted.
This is pure escapism reading. The characters are trapped on an island. Soon there are more deaths and suspicion. It has the how-well-do-you-know-your-friends- vibe. This book is a quick fun read which does not take much thought. That is not a bad thing at all. I loved that I could just sit back and enjoy the book. Each of the characters have their own POV. This is where we learn more about each and gain some insight.
Will you see the ending coming? Will you be shocked? I enjoyed how the reveal came about. Nothing was rushed or dragged out. It had the perfect aha moment. If you are looking for a fun fast read this might fit the bill for you. Yes, there are deaths but there is nothing graphic and we are told about them rather than reading every detail of them.
There was one thing that annoyed me about how they were invited to the island, but overall, I enjoyed this fast read.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 3, 2021
It was the perfect escape….. Until one by one they vanished.
For friends Riley, Sam, Mia and Scarlett, their trip to Whisper Island, Alaska, was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure – just four young women, with everything to live for. But as soon as they arrive things start to go wrong. As their dream trip quickly turns into a nightmare and as each of the girls reveals a dark secret of their own, everyone becomes a suspect.
Reading Whisper Island is like watching a horror movie. You are already familiar with the basic premise but it’s still fun to watch it all over again. And this was indeed an exciting little thriller. It reads just like a whodunit film; An Agatha Christie mystery, something I have always enjoyed.
The premise was similar to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None and there are already many other mysteries with the same premise i.e Characters are trapped on an island. What sets this book apart is that this one reads more like a YA mystery with the story alternating between the perspectives of the 4 girls. Each girl has a dark secret which is revealed gradually bit by bit keeping the readers guessing till the end. The book managed to capture the creepy atmosphere of the island. The story was fast-paced and gripping. The small chapters and the smallish cast of characters with different POVs kept the story incredibly tight. There were plenty of twists and turns that will make you change your mind on who the killer could be.
I didn’t really feel connected to any of the characters. The characters of all 4 girls felt really similar so it was difficult to differentiate between the different voices of the narratives. The ending felt a bit anticlimactic after all the buildup which was a bit disappointing.
Overall, the book was a quick and fun read. If you love a nice whodunit mystery novel, you will enjoy this book.
Many thanks to the publishers HarperCollins and Edelweiss for the ARC.
For friends Riley, Sam, Mia and Scarlett, their trip to Whisper Island, Alaska, was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure – just four young women, with everything to live for. But as soon as they arrive things start to go wrong. As their dream trip quickly turns into a nightmare and as each of the girls reveals a dark secret of their own, everyone becomes a suspect.
Reading Whisper Island is like watching a horror movie. You are already familiar with the basic premise but it’s still fun to watch it all over again. And this was indeed an exciting little thriller. It reads just like a whodunit film; An Agatha Christie mystery, something I have always enjoyed.
The premise was similar to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None and there are already many other mysteries with the same premise i.e Characters are trapped on an island. What sets this book apart is that this one reads more like a YA mystery with the story alternating between the perspectives of the 4 girls. Each girl has a dark secret which is revealed gradually bit by bit keeping the readers guessing till the end. The book managed to capture the creepy atmosphere of the island. The story was fast-paced and gripping. The small chapters and the smallish cast of characters with different POVs kept the story incredibly tight. There were plenty of twists and turns that will make you change your mind on who the killer could be.
I didn’t really feel connected to any of the characters. The characters of all 4 girls felt really similar so it was difficult to differentiate between the different voices of the narratives. The ending felt a bit anticlimactic after all the buildup which was a bit disappointing.
Overall, the book was a quick and fun read. If you love a nice whodunit mystery novel, you will enjoy this book.
Many thanks to the publishers HarperCollins and Edelweiss for the ARC.
May 14, 2022
The story takes place on an isolated private island called "Whisper Island" in Alaska where four twenty-something college friends and art students plan to spend their summer working on their crafts before venturing out into the real world. They will also be joined by two others. Unbeknownst to all of them, each person is harboring a very dangerous secret from their past that has followed them into the present situations and each individual needed to a safe place to hide away where no one would be able to find them and the island is perfect since there will be no wifi, cell phone or even a landline service available. Secrets and lies always leave a trail behind somehow and soon the group will come to the harsh realization that a killer has followed them to the secluded hideaway or maybe the murderer just might be one of them!
What a fun and fast paced book with a beautiful and eerie cover. This story was told by each person's pov and almost every chapter was left on a cliff hangar and I just couldn't out the book down. There was plenty of tantalizing mystery, thrills and chills especially from the first evening on the island. I found the story very well-written and also not revealing who the killer was until the very end (loved that part) was very clever. There were plenty of twists and turns where I kept changing my mind on who I thought the killer was and that doesn't happen too often. I highly recommend to all mystery and suspense lovers and I have now, picked up a couple other books by Carissa Ann Lynch for future reading.
I want to thank the publisher "Harper's Collins UK One More Chapter" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this twisted book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 Twisted And Terrific 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
What a fun and fast paced book with a beautiful and eerie cover. This story was told by each person's pov and almost every chapter was left on a cliff hangar and I just couldn't out the book down. There was plenty of tantalizing mystery, thrills and chills especially from the first evening on the island. I found the story very well-written and also not revealing who the killer was until the very end (loved that part) was very clever. There were plenty of twists and turns where I kept changing my mind on who I thought the killer was and that doesn't happen too often. I highly recommend to all mystery and suspense lovers and I have now, picked up a couple other books by Carissa Ann Lynch for future reading.
I want to thank the publisher "Harper's Collins UK One More Chapter" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this twisted book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 4 Twisted And Terrific 🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!
April 7, 2021
“Watch me.”
“Killing you softly and slowly, one day at a time…”
This was a fast and gripping who-done-it kind of thriller. It took me a bit to really get into the story, but by the time they started planning their summer retreat on a remote Alaskan island, I was in. And when the first body showed up, I couldn’t put it down!
I loved the island setting, the short chapters and Ms. Lynch’s writing style! I was going to add her last book—She Lied She Died—to my TBR list, then I saw the cover and couldn’t help myself. I had to buy it! Now I just need to fit it into my reading schedule, 😂.
Not sure why, but I pictured Riley as a guy in the beginning, 😝. Anyway...Riley was a quiet outsider that was welcomed into a small group of art students by Scarlett. She didn’t really relate to the other girls, who were all beautiful and outgoing, but she fit in, in her own quirky way.
Each of the four girls have their own reasons for agreeing to the shady summer adventure on Whisper Island, which was offered by Rob—the drug-addict brother of one of the girls. Rob ends up joining the girls on the island, with his new fling, and things really heat up. 🔥
Thank you to NetGalley, Carissa Ann Lynch and One More Chapter, for this free digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: February 5th 2021
Pages: 308
Recommend: Yes
@carissaannlynch @0neMoreChapter @NetGalley
#NoRulesJustThrills #InExchangeForReview
#WhisperIsland #AlaskaThriller #BookReview #JustFinished
“Killing you softly and slowly, one day at a time…”
This was a fast and gripping who-done-it kind of thriller. It took me a bit to really get into the story, but by the time they started planning their summer retreat on a remote Alaskan island, I was in. And when the first body showed up, I couldn’t put it down!
I loved the island setting, the short chapters and Ms. Lynch’s writing style! I was going to add her last book—She Lied She Died—to my TBR list, then I saw the cover and couldn’t help myself. I had to buy it! Now I just need to fit it into my reading schedule, 😂.
Not sure why, but I pictured Riley as a guy in the beginning, 😝. Anyway...Riley was a quiet outsider that was welcomed into a small group of art students by Scarlett. She didn’t really relate to the other girls, who were all beautiful and outgoing, but she fit in, in her own quirky way.
Each of the four girls have their own reasons for agreeing to the shady summer adventure on Whisper Island, which was offered by Rob—the drug-addict brother of one of the girls. Rob ends up joining the girls on the island, with his new fling, and things really heat up. 🔥
Thank you to NetGalley, Carissa Ann Lynch and One More Chapter, for this free digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!
My Rating: 4 ⭐️’s
Published: February 5th 2021
Pages: 308
Recommend: Yes
@carissaannlynch @0neMoreChapter @NetGalley
#NoRulesJustThrills #InExchangeForReview
#WhisperIsland #AlaskaThriller #BookReview #JustFinished
September 19, 2021
Well this wasn't the book i thought it would be it wasn't a thriller like the book said it was , it was more like a cosy mystery that was very slow up until about 50% in, then something happened YAY!!
The second half was more intense & i kept wondering which person committed murder. It did keep my interest which is why i chose 3 ***.
For friends set off on a holiday they had been looking forward too being Art students they thought it would be a good opportunity to catch up on their art studies, Alaska was the perfect destination they stayed at a house which was isolated & held many secrets.
Riley, Sammy, Mia & Scarlett arrived on the island only to find That Rob a drug addicted & alcoholic was there with his girlfriend Opal which Mia was furious about as she had a history with Rob Mia's brother anyway as they were looking at the sheds around the island Mia finds a journal & in it there were two sentences
ELENA BLACKWATER WAS THE FIRST TOO DIEMANY MORE WILL FOLLOW!!
Both Mia & Riley were frightened for their lives, so all went in pairs everywhere they went, But Mia is hiding a secret why did she come here & what is she running from?
There was something about the island that was eerie, something looming & predatory. As they walk around the island a skull is found for all to see like i said its a slow burn but i went on as i wanted to know who did it, the prose was told by four points of view Riley Sammi Scarlett & Mia. I will read more by this author but it would have to move a lot earlier than this one did.
The second half was more intense & i kept wondering which person committed murder. It did keep my interest which is why i chose 3 ***.
For friends set off on a holiday they had been looking forward too being Art students they thought it would be a good opportunity to catch up on their art studies, Alaska was the perfect destination they stayed at a house which was isolated & held many secrets.
Riley, Sammy, Mia & Scarlett arrived on the island only to find That Rob a drug addicted & alcoholic was there with his girlfriend Opal which Mia was furious about as she had a history with Rob Mia's brother anyway as they were looking at the sheds around the island Mia finds a journal & in it there were two sentences
ELENA BLACKWATER WAS THE FIRST TOO DIEMANY MORE WILL FOLLOW!!
Both Mia & Riley were frightened for their lives, so all went in pairs everywhere they went, But Mia is hiding a secret why did she come here & what is she running from?
There was something about the island that was eerie, something looming & predatory. As they walk around the island a skull is found for all to see like i said its a slow burn but i went on as i wanted to know who did it, the prose was told by four points of view Riley Sammi Scarlett & Mia. I will read more by this author but it would have to move a lot earlier than this one did.
December 27, 2021
I seem to always find myself attracted to books set in cold climates. This book was set in Alaska, on an island no less with an intriguing name, Whisper Island. I love the book cover but despite these draws the book turned out to be just an okay read for me. Four friends, art students decide to take time off to immerse themselves in their chosen field of art. Arriving on the island, which had been provided to them free if charge, they find one of the girls brother and his newest girlfriend already present. All have secret reasons for being on this island, secrets that didn't include their art.
A little and Then there were none, vibe as bodies start dropping. With the limited cast of characters, unless of course someone else of which they were unaware was already hiding there, it wasn't too difficult of a guess. I did, relatively early in the book, but it was still interesting to find out the reason behind the murders. A quick read, with a unique setting, that proved mildly entertaining.
A little and Then there were none, vibe as bodies start dropping. With the limited cast of characters, unless of course someone else of which they were unaware was already hiding there, it wasn't too difficult of a guess. I did, relatively early in the book, but it was still interesting to find out the reason behind the murders. A quick read, with a unique setting, that proved mildly entertaining.
January 25, 2021
This is one of those ‘locked room’ mysteries that have become so popular lately. You know the deal - a bunch of people gather in some remote location and events conspire to cut them off from civilisation and then the games begin. So there was nothing unique or different about this plot. Nevertheless this story line can be presented in a very gripping and dynamic way. This particular book didn’t quite get there.
Four friends from art school decide to spend the summer on a remote Alaskan island (Whisper Island) to focus on their art in a sort of retreat before they begin their ‘grown-up’ lives. Of course it helps that each of them has a reason to make themselves scarce for a while. Scarlett, Riley, Sammy and Mia are all quite different and have different artistic expression but they all talk themselves into looking forward to the trip, after all, it’s free! Sammy’s brother Rob teed it up for them, an old friend of his, whose family own the island, said they were welcome to use it.
It isn’t until they reach Alaska that Sammy owns up and tells them Rob is coming too and will join them a day later. Nobody is happy about this, especially Mia who had her heart broken by Rob. But it’s too late to call it off. The next morning they are ferried the 10 miles to the island. Their first glimpse is not promising, unlike the glowing pictures they saw on the internet, the structures on the island look very rundown. When they get inside though they see that, apart from dust and a bit of mould it’s not too bad. What is bad, however, is that Rob is already there and he has brought his latest girlfriend, Opal.
They try to make the best of it but the next morning they find the boat, which, they are to use getting supplies from the mainland, has a hole in it. Surprise - no! And then the killing starts. In the course of the book you learn all their secrets. Unfortunately the author herself kind of gave the game away early in the book. I don’t know if it was intentional but I had an idea who was behind it all from very early on. The first half of the book was a bit slow and repetitive. It got a lot better in the second half but the suspense was somewhat lost on me. While this book didn’t hit it out if the park for me, I am still keen to try another book from this author and I’m giving it three stars. Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK and Carissa Ann Lynch for providing me with a copy to review. My opinions are my own.
Four friends from art school decide to spend the summer on a remote Alaskan island (Whisper Island) to focus on their art in a sort of retreat before they begin their ‘grown-up’ lives. Of course it helps that each of them has a reason to make themselves scarce for a while. Scarlett, Riley, Sammy and Mia are all quite different and have different artistic expression but they all talk themselves into looking forward to the trip, after all, it’s free! Sammy’s brother Rob teed it up for them, an old friend of his, whose family own the island, said they were welcome to use it.
It isn’t until they reach Alaska that Sammy owns up and tells them Rob is coming too and will join them a day later. Nobody is happy about this, especially Mia who had her heart broken by Rob. But it’s too late to call it off. The next morning they are ferried the 10 miles to the island. Their first glimpse is not promising, unlike the glowing pictures they saw on the internet, the structures on the island look very rundown. When they get inside though they see that, apart from dust and a bit of mould it’s not too bad. What is bad, however, is that Rob is already there and he has brought his latest girlfriend, Opal.
They try to make the best of it but the next morning they find the boat, which, they are to use getting supplies from the mainland, has a hole in it. Surprise - no! And then the killing starts. In the course of the book you learn all their secrets. Unfortunately the author herself kind of gave the game away early in the book. I don’t know if it was intentional but I had an idea who was behind it all from very early on. The first half of the book was a bit slow and repetitive. It got a lot better in the second half but the suspense was somewhat lost on me. While this book didn’t hit it out if the park for me, I am still keen to try another book from this author and I’m giving it three stars. Thanks to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK and Carissa Ann Lynch for providing me with a copy to review. My opinions are my own.
January 31, 2021
Whisper Island, a mystery thriller, was a solid 4 star read.
The book centers around a group of artist friends that attend the same college-Mia, Sammy, Riley, and Scarlett. These four friends (along with Sammy’s brother Rob and his girlfriend) decide that they needed some rest and relaxation so they head to Whisper Island, a private island located in Alaska. Once they arrive at the island, things really take off-they find a dilapidated house, human remains and a creepy diary among other things.
Whisper Island was a fun but creepy read. Well-developed characters, a spooky desolate island and personality conflicts, definitely make this a page turner. Recommended to fans of mystery, thriller and horror books. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
The book centers around a group of artist friends that attend the same college-Mia, Sammy, Riley, and Scarlett. These four friends (along with Sammy’s brother Rob and his girlfriend) decide that they needed some rest and relaxation so they head to Whisper Island, a private island located in Alaska. Once they arrive at the island, things really take off-they find a dilapidated house, human remains and a creepy diary among other things.
Whisper Island was a fun but creepy read. Well-developed characters, a spooky desolate island and personality conflicts, definitely make this a page turner. Recommended to fans of mystery, thriller and horror books. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 24, 2021
A group is going to a secluded location and there are secrets and some ill feelings too? Murder to ensue? I am always here for those stories. Christie's And Then There Were None, Harper's Island (hell yes, I still love it!) and lots of books my lists are rife with are testament to my love of this setup, so I was excited to get into this one.
Alas, this was a slow read. I read a fair number of mysteries (psychological thriller, domestic, noir, cozy, classic, detective) and I have a peeve about having the initial murder or crime take place late in the book. Here, it's at the 50% mark! Not to belabour the point but, everything preceding that, didn't make for a whip-cracking page turner. After the initial murder the pace and body count tick up fairly quickly and I'd say this was the better part of the book. The ending was a slight disappointment for me as I just didn't care about any of the characters by that point. Still, there is a door open for another book in the future given the ending here.
I'd read another by Lynch as I liked her deftness with setting a scene and her descriptions of the environs of Whisper Island. That said, I probably won't rush to read a sequel to this book.
Alas, this was a slow read. I read a fair number of mysteries (psychological thriller, domestic, noir, cozy, classic, detective) and I have a peeve about having the initial murder or crime take place late in the book. Here, it's at the 50% mark! Not to belabour the point but, everything preceding that, didn't make for a whip-cracking page turner. After the initial murder the pace and body count tick up fairly quickly and I'd say this was the better part of the book. The ending was a slight disappointment for me as I just didn't care about any of the characters by that point. Still, there is a door open for another book in the future given the ending here.
I'd read another by Lynch as I liked her deftness with setting a scene and her descriptions of the environs of Whisper Island. That said, I probably won't rush to read a sequel to this book.
December 29, 2020
This was a quick and fun read- I finished it over a period of a few hours. It centers on 4 friends who take a trip to a remote island in Alaska together in order to take a break from stuff going on in their respective lives as well as concentrate on their art. Riley, Scarlett, Sammy, and Mia are all in art college together and jump at the opportunity to get away on a free trip. Things almost immediately go astray, with Sammy's brother Rob and his girlfriend Opal showing up, and something happening to the boat that was their only connection to the mainland. Things get creepy and then people start dying- is the murderer one of them or an unknown assailant o n the island?
The book alternates between the perspective of the 4 girls, all in the first person. I admit that I occasionally forgot whose chapter I was on, as all of them had similar thoughts. I couldn't get a grasp on how old they were supposed to be- they were all in college but at least one of them had a late start, and we know Sammy's brother Rob was "almost 30" and was 3 years older than she was; I am guessing they were in their mid 20s but wish some attention would have been paid to the fact that they weren't traditional college-aged students, if only to avoid the distraction of trying to figure it out. I also wish there was a little more backstory to develop the characterization that would have differentiated them from each other a bit more.
The mystery of the story was well done and I thought that the villain's intentions made sense Looking back, I am surprised I didn't figure out what was going on, but I didn't and was surprised when it was revealed, and I thought it tied everything together successfully.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a quick and fun read. It read a little bit like a young adult novel to me, maybe due to the age and lack of differentiation between characters, but the mystery and reveal was sound, and the story was creepy and kept me guessing. I actually bought another Carissa Ann Lynch book right after I finished it. Overall, I'd recommend the book who like "locked room" type mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book alternates between the perspective of the 4 girls, all in the first person. I admit that I occasionally forgot whose chapter I was on, as all of them had similar thoughts. I couldn't get a grasp on how old they were supposed to be- they were all in college but at least one of them had a late start, and we know Sammy's brother Rob was "almost 30" and was 3 years older than she was; I am guessing they were in their mid 20s but wish some attention would have been paid to the fact that they weren't traditional college-aged students, if only to avoid the distraction of trying to figure it out. I also wish there was a little more backstory to develop the characterization that would have differentiated them from each other a bit more.
The mystery of the story was well done and I thought that the villain's intentions made sense Looking back, I am surprised I didn't figure out what was going on, but I didn't and was surprised when it was revealed, and I thought it tied everything together successfully.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a quick and fun read. It read a little bit like a young adult novel to me, maybe due to the age and lack of differentiation between characters, but the mystery and reveal was sound, and the story was creepy and kept me guessing. I actually bought another Carissa Ann Lynch book right after I finished it. Overall, I'd recommend the book who like "locked room" type mysteries. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2021
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
3,5 ⭐️
”Watch me"
Riley, Mia, Sammy and Scarlett are four art students and best friends, who decide to take one last trip together before the beginning of their adult lives, to concentrate on their art and create something great together. But there destination is anything but idyllic. A small Islam’s off the Alaskan coast will be their home for the next three months, but soon after their arrival strange things start to happen and when one of them is found dead the real nightmare begins. Is someone else on the island going after them? After all, all of them are hiding some secrets they'd prefer to keep buried.
This was PURE ENTERTAINMENT! An isolated island? A group of people getting killed one by one? Ring any bells? As you might well know (cause I've repeated it thousands of times) my favorite book ever is "And then there were none", so this book had all the elements needed for me to love it.
With super short chapters and six different POVs, the action keeps moving forward at a nice pace and the "one more chapter and I go to sleep" proves very difficult to achieve. While this structure helped the plot, it also made a bit difficult to get any real development in any of the characters.
While I was expecting some kind of crazy twist towards the end, there was not, and although I bet on one of them as the villain from the start, the motivation was not revealed almost till the end, so it was enjoyable all the same.
Quick and super fun read that will make you feel as in the middle of a slasher movie.
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3,5 ⭐️
”Watch me"
Riley, Mia, Sammy and Scarlett are four art students and best friends, who decide to take one last trip together before the beginning of their adult lives, to concentrate on their art and create something great together. But there destination is anything but idyllic. A small Islam’s off the Alaskan coast will be their home for the next three months, but soon after their arrival strange things start to happen and when one of them is found dead the real nightmare begins. Is someone else on the island going after them? After all, all of them are hiding some secrets they'd prefer to keep buried.
This was PURE ENTERTAINMENT! An isolated island? A group of people getting killed one by one? Ring any bells? As you might well know (cause I've repeated it thousands of times) my favorite book ever is "And then there were none", so this book had all the elements needed for me to love it.
With super short chapters and six different POVs, the action keeps moving forward at a nice pace and the "one more chapter and I go to sleep" proves very difficult to achieve. While this structure helped the plot, it also made a bit difficult to get any real development in any of the characters.
While I was expecting some kind of crazy twist towards the end, there was not, and although I bet on one of them as the villain from the start, the motivation was not revealed almost till the end, so it was enjoyable all the same.
Quick and super fun read that will make you feel as in the middle of a slasher movie.
Thanks to NetGalley and One More Chapter for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2021
Whisper Island has my favorite type of trope: a locked room mystery. If anyone has ever met me they'd probably know that an instant selling point for basically any novel would be a set of characters in an abandoned location trying to figure out who the killer is before they all get picked off. It's a scenario so perfect for great plotting and having a great atmosphere, and Whisper Island has just that.
In this reiteration, we get a group of friends heading off to an island for an isolated retreat with a few uninvited guests. We are introduced to most of the characters before they visit the island, so it's nice not to be overwhelmed by names or things you'll have to remember before the action starts.
It's a little bit more slow paced than I was expecting, but it was nice to see the author easing off the gas when tensions were high. It was key to make you feel as unsettled as the characters, but the wait and the suspicion in the end is worth it in an abrupt and almost startling reveal.
Definitely worth check out Whisper Island if you are also a fan of these "last man standing" type of murder mysteries, and maybe this one might catch you off guard.
In this reiteration, we get a group of friends heading off to an island for an isolated retreat with a few uninvited guests. We are introduced to most of the characters before they visit the island, so it's nice not to be overwhelmed by names or things you'll have to remember before the action starts.
It's a little bit more slow paced than I was expecting, but it was nice to see the author easing off the gas when tensions were high. It was key to make you feel as unsettled as the characters, but the wait and the suspicion in the end is worth it in an abrupt and almost startling reveal.
Definitely worth check out Whisper Island if you are also a fan of these "last man standing" type of murder mysteries, and maybe this one might catch you off guard.
January 30, 2021
A deliciously fast paced page turner. A thriller that you cannot figure out what is going on and whodunit till it snaps you at the end. The characters aren't deep but why when almost all of them end up killed off? Enjoyable fun weekend read.
January 26, 2021
I liked the book, so many secrets , so much pain. Riley wants to to revenge her sister's death, and her plan is interesting.
Thank you Netgalley for this nice story.
Thank you Netgalley for this nice story.
February 20, 2021
A group of collage friends decide to take a trip away to Whisper Island, Alaska. The four girls Riley, Scarlett, Mia and Sammy embark on their 3 month trip to the remote island to have the peace and quiet to create pieces of art that they can make into puzzles. But of course things do not go as plan and when people start dying the girls are left asking is their someone else on the island or is the killer amongst them? They all have a secret so whose being targeted?
I wanted to love this book it's so up my alley but I must say I didn't love it. I guessed who it was and why quite early on. It is very simplistic the writing style and I think that is why I couldn't get fully on board with the story. Though I must say I enjoyed the short chapters from each girls point of view.
I also felt that Sammy s brother and girlfriend didn't add much to the story with them being there, I could of lived without them. Out of all the girls I liked Scarlett and Mia the best. But to be honest the girls didn't have much depth to them. I tried to connect to them all but it was quite hard to be honest.
The island is meant to be paradise but it clearly is more like hell. From when they get off the boat and it looks nothing like the photos that was sign one they should of left. Then the other things that happen before people start dying well they should of left with them also. But it is a work of fiction so I'm on board with why they stayed. I wish we got a bit more description though.
Would I recommend this book not to hardcore psychological thriller readers, but if you are new to the genre then yeah definately. It's an easy read and has a great concept. It's just a bit underwhelming if this is your genre of choice. I did like the show down at the end I enjoyed that the most actually and it was worth reading to get to that point. Happy to rate 2 stars.
Thank you to netgalley, Avon publishers and the author for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinions
I wanted to love this book it's so up my alley but I must say I didn't love it. I guessed who it was and why quite early on. It is very simplistic the writing style and I think that is why I couldn't get fully on board with the story. Though I must say I enjoyed the short chapters from each girls point of view.
I also felt that Sammy s brother and girlfriend didn't add much to the story with them being there, I could of lived without them. Out of all the girls I liked Scarlett and Mia the best. But to be honest the girls didn't have much depth to them. I tried to connect to them all but it was quite hard to be honest.
The island is meant to be paradise but it clearly is more like hell. From when they get off the boat and it looks nothing like the photos that was sign one they should of left. Then the other things that happen before people start dying well they should of left with them also. But it is a work of fiction so I'm on board with why they stayed. I wish we got a bit more description though.
Would I recommend this book not to hardcore psychological thriller readers, but if you are new to the genre then yeah definately. It's an easy read and has a great concept. It's just a bit underwhelming if this is your genre of choice. I did like the show down at the end I enjoyed that the most actually and it was worth reading to get to that point. Happy to rate 2 stars.
Thank you to netgalley, Avon publishers and the author for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my fair and honest opinions
January 26, 2021
WOW what an intriguing opener,
“ Six of us are going to the island. Only one of us will make it back’
Well that had me 100% hooked!!
Four art student friends Mia, Scarlet, Samantha and Riley go to Whisper Island. They are going away to concentrate on their art along with Samantha’s brother Rob and his new girlfriend Opal.
Rob has booked for them to have the use of the island for free which he arranged with a friend. The house is a bit run down but seems ideal for them to use as a base, away from the. crowd to concentrate on collaborating their art together.
When someone is murdered their dream breakaway turns into a nightmare!! Are they alone on the island or is someone out there watching them?
The story is told from the girls point of view, as they individually reveal their own secrets.
I loved this book. A great murder mystery with the added twist of being trapped on an island , made this a creepy read that I could not put down.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
“ Six of us are going to the island. Only one of us will make it back’
Well that had me 100% hooked!!
Four art student friends Mia, Scarlet, Samantha and Riley go to Whisper Island. They are going away to concentrate on their art along with Samantha’s brother Rob and his new girlfriend Opal.
Rob has booked for them to have the use of the island for free which he arranged with a friend. The house is a bit run down but seems ideal for them to use as a base, away from the. crowd to concentrate on collaborating their art together.
When someone is murdered their dream breakaway turns into a nightmare!! Are they alone on the island or is someone out there watching them?
The story is told from the girls point of view, as they individually reveal their own secrets.
I loved this book. A great murder mystery with the added twist of being trapped on an island , made this a creepy read that I could not put down.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
February 4, 2021
Four friends studying art at college bond over a weekly pub lunch, leading to weekend sleepovers and finally a summer get away. Travelling to an isolated island in Alaska to concentrate on their creativity, they are joined by a brother and his girlfriend. Left alone, things start to go wrong and a skull is discovered. The tension mounts as the number of dead bodies and the secrets of the past come hauntingly into the present. A first-rate psychological thriller which pays homage with a Christie-like storyline reminiscent of the last person standing motif. A page turner of a suspenseful character driven story with a four-star rating. As an independent reviewer, my thanks to the author for a copy gratis prior to publication. All opinions expressed herein are freely given and totally my own.
January 24, 2022
With a group of recent college graduates, best friends. They decide to make the best of the last time when it will be just them before the real world joins their group. They rent a house for the entire summer. Which is located on an isolated unoccupied island.
Of course, all is not as simple and happy as it seems between the girls. As is revealed through multiple POVs. When things start to go awry on the island. Those underlying relationship fissures, fracture and rise to the surface. Combined with the unnerving occurrences on the island, tension and panic escalates.
Then a death. A friend dies. A friend was murdered. Is there someone else on the island. Is it a random psycho. Or does one of the group harbor dark secrets that are finally catching up with them. Why is this happening to them? Stay safe by staying together. Or will fear make them paranoid and point fingers.
This was described as a suspenseful plot. Overall, it had moments of suspense. It read more as a drama/mystery with a slow build, to and in-between, the excitable parts. The first 2-3 chapters read very young, slightly immature. I put the book down for a few days. Then I resigned myself to push through.
Fortunately, the story improved quickly and I was intrigued. Although it was an unnecessarily anticlimactic finish. With a drawn out conclusion that was not as impactful as it could have been. I was glad I finished. I would consider reading a second book by this author.
*Thank you to Harper 360 - One More Copy via NetGalley for the digital reader copy.
Of course, all is not as simple and happy as it seems between the girls. As is revealed through multiple POVs. When things start to go awry on the island. Those underlying relationship fissures, fracture and rise to the surface. Combined with the unnerving occurrences on the island, tension and panic escalates.
Then a death. A friend dies. A friend was murdered. Is there someone else on the island. Is it a random psycho. Or does one of the group harbor dark secrets that are finally catching up with them. Why is this happening to them? Stay safe by staying together. Or will fear make them paranoid and point fingers.
This was described as a suspenseful plot. Overall, it had moments of suspense. It read more as a drama/mystery with a slow build, to and in-between, the excitable parts. The first 2-3 chapters read very young, slightly immature. I put the book down for a few days. Then I resigned myself to push through.
Fortunately, the story improved quickly and I was intrigued. Although it was an unnecessarily anticlimactic finish. With a drawn out conclusion that was not as impactful as it could have been. I was glad I finished. I would consider reading a second book by this author.
*Thank you to Harper 360 - One More Copy via NetGalley for the digital reader copy.
February 4, 2021
For friends Riley, Sam, Mia and Scarlette, their trip to Whisper Island was meant to be a once in a lifetime adventure - just the four young women with everthing to live for. But as soon as they arrive, things start to go wrong. First there is the unexpected arrival of Sam's drug addict brother and his girlfriend Opal - why are they there? And then the deaths begin.
The story is told from multiple points of view and it's eady to follow. Each chapter is told by a different character. I liked the authors writing style, it's creepy and atmospheric. A crummbling Victorian house on a remote Alaska island was the perfect setting for his story. There's plenty of twists to keep you guessing and reading. It's a tense and compelling read with a cleverly crafted plotline. The first half of the books pace is quite slow. This intriguing read kept my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AmazonPublishinUK aand the author #CarissaAnnLynch #WhisperIsland for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story is told from multiple points of view and it's eady to follow. Each chapter is told by a different character. I liked the authors writing style, it's creepy and atmospheric. A crummbling Victorian house on a remote Alaska island was the perfect setting for his story. There's plenty of twists to keep you guessing and reading. It's a tense and compelling read with a cleverly crafted plotline. The first half of the books pace is quite slow. This intriguing read kept my attention throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley, #AmazonPublishinUK aand the author #CarissaAnnLynch #WhisperIsland for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2021
The chapters of this fast paced, captivating thriller were voiced from the perspectives of each member of the stories diverse cast of main characters. Scarlett,Mia,Riley,Sammy, her brother Rob and his girlfriend Opal,each individual had their own unique personality and character traits and five of them were harbouring secrets and hiding various emotions,thoughts and feelings behind masks of trustworthiness and camaraderie. There was individuals I liked,some I changed my opinions on as the story unfolded and some who I thought were unlikable for various reasons. Even before the girl's arrived on mysterious Whisper Island, a sense of foreboding permeated the pages, the reader couldn't escape the feeling that the girl's friendships were not as close or as strong as they appeared to be on the surface. That the undercurrents of mistrust and tension were likely to build and explode like lightening bolts across the sky once the girl's were isolated on the island. add Rob,his girlfriend and a mysterious,vicious killer into the mix and you have all the ingredients for a not so enjoyable stay in paradise. But who is the killer? What is the motive behind their crimes and will any of the group survive and find a way to escape the island?
I love a thriller that has a sinister,isolated setting and a classic murder mystery vibe permeating the story. I loved Whisper Island with it's mysterious past,gothic mansion built within the trees, eerie atmosphere and strange noises in the night. Were the sounds just the wind blowing through the trees or was it the killer coming to claim their latest victim?
This is a extremely well written,fast paced,unputdownable, thrill ride which is written in short,snappy chapters that give the reader a very bad case of just one more chapter syndrome. The twists and turns of the plot keep you guessing and glued to your kindle. I would love to watch a film or tv mini series adaptation of this intense thriller. Worth all the stars and more and very very highly recommended.
I love a thriller that has a sinister,isolated setting and a classic murder mystery vibe permeating the story. I loved Whisper Island with it's mysterious past,gothic mansion built within the trees, eerie atmosphere and strange noises in the night. Were the sounds just the wind blowing through the trees or was it the killer coming to claim their latest victim?
This is a extremely well written,fast paced,unputdownable, thrill ride which is written in short,snappy chapters that give the reader a very bad case of just one more chapter syndrome. The twists and turns of the plot keep you guessing and glued to your kindle. I would love to watch a film or tv mini series adaptation of this intense thriller. Worth all the stars and more and very very highly recommended.
July 9, 2023
It's a well written mystery told in multiple points of view that will keep you guessing until the very end. It's also a sinister story about a group of college students wanting to get away and have an opportunity to spend three months on a secluded island in Alaska for free. The suspense starts from the beginning and continues to the end. There are thrills and chills throughout with lots of twist and turns. Each character will keep you reading until the end. I appreciated that the characters weren't carbon copies of one another...but how the author created an entirely different persona for each character. How the chapters were presented, made the story even more immersive. It was so easy to tell what each character was thinking without giving away the murderer until that perfect moment. It would make a very creepy movie.
February 3, 2021
Whisper Island by Carissa Ann Lynch is a psychological thriller.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Random House Publishing, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The four friends are all artists, each in their own way. Riley has a massive steel dye-cutting machine in the bedroom of her tiny apartment to make puzzles. Mia paints. Sammy does digital and graphic design. Scarlet is the star of social media, an influencer, and a leader.
They decide to use one of Mia's paintings as the basis for a puzzle. Once it is done, Scarlet took pictures and presented it to the world, and bam - it went viral.
They decide to take a trip to celebrate their success, and to plan for future projects, away from it all. Sammy's brother Rob finds them Whisper Island, on the tip of Alaska, where they will have nothing but privacy. Although none are really keen on the location, they all have a reason to get away.
Things start to go wrong when they find out Rob and his girlfriend will be joining them. Suddenly there are six. Then they start dying.
My Opinions:
The chapters alternate between the four girls telling their story of the events as they occur. Eventually we hear from Rob and Opal. This method worked very well for the author.
I admit to not really liking any of the characters. The girls acted more like teenagers than young women in their 20's. They were catty and self-centered. Rob was no better. However, their secrets and deceptions all played major parts in the story. If every one had died, I would have been okay with that, but as it turned out, I actually liked the ending.
The plot and pace was great. This was an entertaining, quick read. My suspicions were right from the start, but guessing motive at that point was beyond me.
Although the premise was similar to Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None....they really can't be compared, as Christie's will always win out. This read more like a YA mystery. However, this was still a really good book.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reasons why I chose to read/review this book, author information and a favorite quotation or two from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
February 28, 2021
These types of books are like crack to me. A group of people brought together, usually in some remote place, and they get picked off one by one! They are just so much fun to read. And this book was no different. I read it straight through from cover to cover. It was entertaining. Well paced. Each character had their own POV, which I always enjoy in these types of books. I will admit that I guessed who the killer was right from the start, but that didn't take away any of my enjoyment. A thoroughly delightful way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
**ARC Via NetGalley**
**ARC Via NetGalley**
November 7, 2021
I can read the most graphic, disturbing horror novels and laugh through it all, but thrillers about people in the middle of nowhere are the real stories that freak me out. When I started this, I was like ugh, I stumbled into YA. I guess you could put it in the Young Adult category because the characters were college students, but overall I’d just call this a good thriller.
The synopsis says about all that can be said: a group of four art students decide to take a trip to collaborate, cut off ties to the outer world and get in tune with their passions. They stumble upon Whisper Island, a tiny island about ten miles off mainland Alaska. They can stay there rent-free for three months, so even though they’re nervous, they leave Tennessee and head west.
All four girls have very different reasons and motives for agreeing to go on this trip, and those reasons are slowly revealed as the book goes on. There are also two other characters, the drug-addicted brother of one of the art students, and the random girl he is sleeping with at the moment, and the reader will learn a bit about them, too.
This was a super quick read, and also a very entertaining one. There was no brilliance to this, but it was great the way it was. I can easily see this being made into a movie (parts of this remind me of the horror movie “Jawbreaker”) but it would have to be tongue-in-cheek. I know there’s a serious undertone to this, but I’m thinking campy like “Heathers”, “Scream” or yes, “Jawbreaker” - I’d definitely watch it! This is a really fun read and I’m happy to give it four stars.
(Thank you to Harper 360, Carissa Ann Lynch, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
The synopsis says about all that can be said: a group of four art students decide to take a trip to collaborate, cut off ties to the outer world and get in tune with their passions. They stumble upon Whisper Island, a tiny island about ten miles off mainland Alaska. They can stay there rent-free for three months, so even though they’re nervous, they leave Tennessee and head west.
All four girls have very different reasons and motives for agreeing to go on this trip, and those reasons are slowly revealed as the book goes on. There are also two other characters, the drug-addicted brother of one of the art students, and the random girl he is sleeping with at the moment, and the reader will learn a bit about them, too.
This was a super quick read, and also a very entertaining one. There was no brilliance to this, but it was great the way it was. I can easily see this being made into a movie (parts of this remind me of the horror movie “Jawbreaker”) but it would have to be tongue-in-cheek. I know there’s a serious undertone to this, but I’m thinking campy like “Heathers”, “Scream” or yes, “Jawbreaker” - I’d definitely watch it! This is a really fun read and I’m happy to give it four stars.
(Thank you to Harper 360, Carissa Ann Lynch, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.)
January 24, 2022
With a group of recent college graduates, best friends. They decide to make the best of the last time when it will be just them before the real world joins their group. They rent a house for the entire summer. Which is located on an isolated unoccupied island.
Of course, all is not as simple and happy as it seems between the girls. As is revealed through multiple POVs. When things start to go awry on the island. Those underlying relationship fissures, fracture and rise to the surface. Combined with the unnerving occurrences on the island, tension and panic escalates.
Then a death. A friend dies. A friend was murdered. Is there someone else on the island. Is it a random psycho. Or does one of the group harbor dark secrets that are finally catching up with them. Why is this happening to them? Stay safe by staying together. Or will fear make them paranoid and point fingers.
This was described as a suspenseful plot. Overall, it had moments of suspense. It read more as a drama/mystery with a slow build, to and in-between, the excitable parts. The first 2-3 chapters read very young, slightly immature. I put the book down for a few days. Then I resigned myself to push through.
Fortunately, the story improved quickly and I was intrigued. Although it was an unnecessarily anticlimactic finish. With a drawn out conclusion that was not as impactful as it could have been. I was glad I finished. I would consider reading a second book by this author.
*Thank you to Harper 360 - One More Copy via NetGalley for the digital reader copy.
Of course, all is not as simple and happy as it seems between the girls. As is revealed through multiple POVs. When things start to go awry on the island. Those underlying relationship fissures, fracture and rise to the surface. Combined with the unnerving occurrences on the island, tension and panic escalates.
Then a death. A friend dies. A friend was murdered. Is there someone else on the island. Is it a random psycho. Or does one of the group harbor dark secrets that are finally catching up with them. Why is this happening to them? Stay safe by staying together. Or will fear make them paranoid and point fingers.
This was described as a suspenseful plot. Overall, it had moments of suspense. It read more as a drama/mystery with a slow build, to and in-between, the excitable parts. The first 2-3 chapters read very young, slightly immature. I put the book down for a few days. Then I resigned myself to push through.
Fortunately, the story improved quickly and I was intrigued. Although it was an unnecessarily anticlimactic finish. With a drawn out conclusion that was not as impactful as it could have been. I was glad I finished. I would consider reading a second book by this author.
*Thank you to Harper 360 - One More Copy via NetGalley for the digital reader copy.
May 31, 2021
After 2 great books by Carissa A Lynch I settled in for a third book I was sure would be as good. Alas that wasn't meant to be. Whisper Island has good moments but felt very predictable at all times. The characters were all edgy & I felt very ambivalent about them. With skeletons in everyone's closets, uncovering each of them made it slightly interesting for me. This is one of those plots where characters do exactly what they're not supposed to do but do it anyway. There was a lot of malice & viciousness that just didn't sit right with me. One of the thing's I also liked was the eerie atmosphere whisper Island had to it. With a few things I liked & a lot that didn't leave me guessing this wasn't the book for me. I think closed room thrillers may just not be the right sub-genre for me. That being said my faith in the author still stands & I will be on the lookout for her next book.
Thank you NetGalley, OMC books & Carissa Ann Lynch for an arc!
Thank you NetGalley, OMC books & Carissa Ann Lynch for an arc!
January 18, 2021
A very addicting read about 4 friends who go to Whisper Island for an adventure getaway and one by one are being killed off. The author does an excellent job with the anxiety filled atmosphere of being stranded in the middle of nowhere. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 19, 2023
I haven't read anything so stupid in quite some time. I've been rolling my eyes so hard that they actually hurt. As I often repeat, I'm never tired of the "And Then There Were None" trope and that's exactly what we have here: a remote island, four friends plus the troublesome brother of one of them and his girlfriend and of course they all start to die one by one.
Oh-my-Gods. All the characters somehow manage to be unlikeable and one-dimensional at the same time. The plot holes are gigantic and the final reveal both predictable and laughable.
Enter a possible albeit very minor spoiler here:
I just hate, hate, hate with all my heart when the author is trying so hard to hide a twist that the final culprit turns out to be a completely different person, like a polar opposite of the character they presented til this point. Come on, even a game of pretend should be at least a bit psychologically credible.
I really need to read something clever now to compensate for all the brain cells lost because of this atrocity of a book.
Oh-my-Gods. All the characters somehow manage to be unlikeable and one-dimensional at the same time. The plot holes are gigantic and the final reveal both predictable and laughable.
Enter a possible albeit very minor spoiler here:
I just hate, hate, hate with all my heart when the author is trying so hard to hide a twist that the final culprit turns out to be a completely different person, like a polar opposite of the character they presented til this point. Come on, even a game of pretend should be at least a bit psychologically credible.
I really need to read something clever now to compensate for all the brain cells lost because of this atrocity of a book.
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