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The Island
On a weekend vacation with her brother and niece, Beth Anderson is unnerved when a stroll on the beach reveals what appears to be a skull, and instantly recalls the retired couple who disappeared off the island s coast a few months earlier. As a stranger approaches, Beth panics and covers the evidence. But when she later returns to the beach, the skull is gone.
With only her niece as a witness, there is no proof of foul play for Beth to bring to the authorities. To her brother, the missing skull is just a good story to tell at an island bonfire and campout that night. The tale is heard by an eager group of vacationers - including charismatic Keith Henson, the stranger from the beach. Everyone dismisses the events as the product of an overactive imagination, but when Beth hears someone outside her tent, she instinctively knows her fears are justified.
Determined to find solid evidence to bring to the police, Beth digs deeper into the mystery of the skull and everywhere she goes, Keith Henson seems to appear. He claims to be keeping an eye on her safety, but Beth senses other motives. Then a body washes ashore, and Beth begins to think she needs more help than she bargained for. Because investigating is a dangerous game, and someone wants to stop Beth from playing.
"
With only her niece as a witness, there is no proof of foul play for Beth to bring to the authorities. To her brother, the missing skull is just a good story to tell at an island bonfire and campout that night. The tale is heard by an eager group of vacationers - including charismatic Keith Henson, the stranger from the beach. Everyone dismisses the events as the product of an overactive imagination, but when Beth hears someone outside her tent, she instinctively knows her fears are justified.
Determined to find solid evidence to bring to the police, Beth digs deeper into the mystery of the skull and everywhere she goes, Keith Henson seems to appear. He claims to be keeping an eye on her safety, but Beth senses other motives. Then a body washes ashore, and Beth begins to think she needs more help than she bargained for. Because investigating is a dangerous game, and someone wants to stop Beth from playing.
"
9 pages, Audio CD
First published March 1, 2006
144 people are currently reading
1901 people want to read
About the author
Heather Graham
583 books6,907 followersAlso published as Heather Graham Pozzessere and Shannon Drake.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Heather Graham majored in theater arts at the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write, working on short horror stories and romances. After some trial and error, she sold her first book, WHEN NEXT WE LOVE, in 1982 and since then, she has written over one hundred novels and novellas including category, romantic suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas holiday fare. She wrote the launch books for the Dell's Ecstasy Supreme line, Silhouette's Shadows, and for Harlequin's mainstream fiction imprint, Mira Books.
Heather was a founding member of the Florida Romance Writers chapter of RWA and, since 1999, has hosted the Romantic Times Vampire Ball, with all revenues going directly to children's charity.
She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty languages, and to have been honored with awards frorn Waldenbooks. B. Dalton, Georgia Romance Writers, Affaire de Coeur, Romantic Times, and more. She has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including local television and Entertainment Tonight.
Heather loves travel and anything have to do with the water, and is a certitified scuba diver. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
April 21, 2023
Very enjoyable romantic suspense story. Although I thought it started a bit slow, the more I read, the more captivated I became. Great settings in the Florida Keys and Miami, and an entertaining cast of characters made this a most enjoyable read.
March 5, 2022
This is an all right light read if one can get past the fact that the "suspense" plot is predicated on almost all the characters being utter morons. The heroine, Beth, was okay, but everyone else seemed so dumb and one-dimensional I just couldn't believe they were real. The story opens with Beth and her brother Ben camping on a small island with his daughter Amber and her best friend Kim. Beth and the two girls are walking and stumble over a skull. Immediately a muscular stranger appears and starts chatting them up, pretty obviously digging for information about them: where do they live, how long are they camping, are they alone? When Beth tries to avoid giving Keith this information, the girls act like she's being weird. Okay, they are supposed to be fourteen and boy-crazy, and maybe yeah, they are from a very safe, nice suburb (of Miami, note), but this is exactly the stuff my parents drilled into to me never to tell strangers. "Are you alone?" is the only question I can recall being explicitly told I should lie about! When the three get back to camp Beth tells her brother about finding the skull. Their conversation goes pretty much like this:
The Keith comes back and invites them to eat with him and his two buddies. Also joining them are rich-bitch flirt Amanda who frequents the yacht club where Beth works, her father and two cousins, and another couple unknown to anyone else. Keith tries to find out more from Beth and her family about where they live and work, and also insists she did not see a skull. That night Beth wakes up and hears someone skulking around her tent and screams, and everyone acts likes she's crazy, including Ben even though he later admits that he also heard something. The next day everyone says they're going boating except Beth, who goes to search for the skull. Keith claimed to be boating but in fact hides in the bushes and grabs her from behind. She doesn't bother to tell anyone about the incident. Which, I guess all evidence suggests that her loved ones will just dismiss her story once again, so I understand why she (like many women who are assaulted in real life, sadly) has given up trying to get help.
After the weekend the family returns home. Someone breaks into Beth's office, searches her computer, and leaves a threatening message. She calls the police.
Note: Ben is present, and someone has broken into his locker earlier that day, but he does not mention this fact.
When Beth gets home that night someone is lurking in the bushes. She runs inside and locks the door. The person hurls a dead animal at her door. Almost immediately her brother comes to the door. She is upset and he yells at her.
I'll stop because I don't want to give any spoilers for the rest of the plot, such as it is. Pretty much goes on in this vein for 300+ pages, with a few really fake sex-scenes.
Beth: "I found a skull buried in the sand."
Ben: "You imagined it."
Beth: "No, really."
Ben: "It was a conch shell."
Beth: "It still had flesh on it!"
Ben: "Sigh. Women are so irrational."
The Keith comes back and invites them to eat with him and his two buddies. Also joining them are rich-bitch flirt Amanda who frequents the yacht club where Beth works, her father and two cousins, and another couple unknown to anyone else. Keith tries to find out more from Beth and her family about where they live and work, and also insists she did not see a skull. That night Beth wakes up and hears someone skulking around her tent and screams, and everyone acts likes she's crazy, including Ben even though he later admits that he also heard something. The next day everyone says they're going boating except Beth, who goes to search for the skull. Keith claimed to be boating but in fact hides in the bushes and grabs her from behind. She doesn't bother to tell anyone about the incident. Which, I guess all evidence suggests that her loved ones will just dismiss her story once again, so I understand why she (like many women who are assaulted in real life, sadly) has given up trying to get help.
After the weekend the family returns home. Someone breaks into Beth's office, searches her computer, and leaves a threatening message. She calls the police.
Cop: "It was a prank."
Beth: "But someone broke into my office! And left a skull on my desk!"
Cop: "Just a prank."
Beth: "I want you to take a report!"
Cop: "Don't wanna."
Beth: "I insist."
Cop: "Sigh. All riiiight. Geez, women are so irrational!"
Note: Ben is present, and someone has broken into his locker earlier that day, but he does not mention this fact.
When Beth gets home that night someone is lurking in the bushes. She runs inside and locks the door. The person hurls a dead animal at her door. Almost immediately her brother comes to the door. She is upset and he yells at her.
I'll stop because I don't want to give any spoilers for the rest of the plot, such as it is. Pretty much goes on in this vein for 300+ pages, with a few really fake sex-scenes.
March 14, 2017
This is the first book in a long time that I've started and not finished. I found it extremely boring. So as I always do with books I don't finish I've given it one star.
September 2, 2011
The Island>/i> opens with a mystery: did Beth and her niece stumble upon a human skull while camping on a remote island? But it rapidly becomes just another typical romance novel. Beautiful Beth meets hunky Keith, and immediately feels that there's something suspicious about him. He can't say or do anything right in her eyes. No one believes her tale about the skull, but when she returns home and resumes her job as social director at the yacht club, Beth is compelled to discover whether the skull might be that of a member who disappeared months before. Soon some frightening, even threatening, incidents have her fearing for her own safety. When Keith shows up at the yacht club, she still can't trust him but is irresistibly drawn to him. It soon becomes apparent that pirates are hijacking yachts for resale.
Beth may win a prize for dumbest heroine ever written into a romance novel. She's furious that no one will take her concerns seriously, then goes blithely on with her "investigation", heedless of danger, real or imagined. She jumps into bed with Keith at every opportunity, only to regret it in the AM, and reverts to treating him badly. If the situation were reversed, it would be called sexual exploitation. At any rate, once the mystery is resolved, she jumps into marriage with Keith. There's a surprise....
If you like your skulduggery fluffy and fatuous, interspersed with steamy love scenes, you might enjoy The Island more than I did.
Beth may win a prize for dumbest heroine ever written into a romance novel. She's furious that no one will take her concerns seriously, then goes blithely on with her "investigation", heedless of danger, real or imagined. She jumps into bed with Keith at every opportunity, only to regret it in the AM, and reverts to treating him badly. If the situation were reversed, it would be called sexual exploitation. At any rate, once the mystery is resolved, she jumps into marriage with Keith. There's a surprise....
If you like your skulduggery fluffy and fatuous, interspersed with steamy love scenes, you might enjoy The Island more than I did.
December 16, 2017
The lead female character aggravated the crap out of me. She was an idiot! Not my favorite Heather Graham book.
May 24, 2020
Wow...I actually read this entire book inside of a single day and it seems to be awhile since I've done that for such a thick book. Many of the plot elements just came together perfectly and that kept me turning the pages. This is the second book I read by this author and I must say I prefer it without a doubt to the other one. It was far more interesting.
Danger in sunny Florida, a skull on a tropical island buried in the sand...you find the skull and now someone is stalking you. Or is it your imagination? Mysterious figures in the shadows, threats, someone messing with your stuff, your nerves are jumping...and way too many suspects! I really loved how the book painted the main character Beth as such an uncertain person. She couldn't make up her mind if the danger was actually real or if it was all in her head. Somehow that made the plot even better! And truthfully I had no idea who the actual villian was. I was too busy flipping the pages and enjoying the story to really contemplate it.
A really fun read!
Danger in sunny Florida, a skull on a tropical island buried in the sand...you find the skull and now someone is stalking you. Or is it your imagination? Mysterious figures in the shadows, threats, someone messing with your stuff, your nerves are jumping...and way too many suspects! I really loved how the book painted the main character Beth as such an uncertain person. She couldn't make up her mind if the danger was actually real or if it was all in her head. Somehow that made the plot even better! And truthfully I had no idea who the actual villian was. I was too busy flipping the pages and enjoying the story to really contemplate it.
A really fun read!
July 17, 2018
You can read more of my reviews at my blog The Book Chick.
If one can get past the fact that the suspense plot is predictable and the characters are morons, it is an okay, light read. Nothing overly exciting but a good, fluffy book who got the job done. I wanted something like it and i'm happy that I did get just that. Even though I can't call it a literary wonder-work.
I do like mystery/suspense romances and the idea of the book was good and believable. There is some strong parts and in the beginning I did really like Beth and disliked Amber. But later on in the book I really started to dislike Beth and like Amber instead. Then I did really hate/love the character Amanda and she surprised me through out the book. I had not expected it but I did predict the ending. And I did miss some more depth between Beth and Keith. There was certainly a lot more to build on in my opinion and the last 10% pages was boring and nothing new.
I like the book as one of those fussy, easy time passers with light plots and characters. Do not often find them great but they get the work done. Which is keeping my mind occupied, be interesting enough to feed me another book in the line of many and keep me company when i need it. Sometimes my brain just need something easy and predictable. Something warm and easy to connect to.
If one can get past the fact that the suspense plot is predictable and the characters are morons, it is an okay, light read. Nothing overly exciting but a good, fluffy book who got the job done. I wanted something like it and i'm happy that I did get just that. Even though I can't call it a literary wonder-work.
I do like mystery/suspense romances and the idea of the book was good and believable. There is some strong parts and in the beginning I did really like Beth and disliked Amber. But later on in the book I really started to dislike Beth and like Amber instead. Then I did really hate/love the character Amanda and she surprised me through out the book. I had not expected it but I did predict the ending. And I did miss some more depth between Beth and Keith. There was certainly a lot more to build on in my opinion and the last 10% pages was boring and nothing new.
I like the book as one of those fussy, easy time passers with light plots and characters. Do not often find them great but they get the work done. Which is keeping my mind occupied, be interesting enough to feed me another book in the line of many and keep me company when i need it. Sometimes my brain just need something easy and predictable. Something warm and easy to connect to.
December 29, 2020
The sex scenes are extremely detailed.... the murders and crimes are an after thought. I'm no prude but I'm disappointed with how boring the not sex stuff is. It was easy to figure out the bad guys and the main character does some serious air head stuff. It wasn't an awful book but it definitely was a fluff book. Didn't hate it just kinda disappointed since I've read better books of hers.
October 21, 2024
Heather Graham knyga „Sala“ yra įtampos kupinas trileris, kuriame dera paslaptis ir romantika.
Veiksmas vyksta mažoje atokioje saloje Floridos pakrantėje. Pagrindinė siužeto linija prasideda tada, kai po ramios ir atpalaiduojančios dienos Betė aptinka žmogaus kaukolę. Ji akimirksniu prisimena pagyvenusią porą, neseniai pradingusią šiuose vandenyse. Netikėtai pasirodžius nepažįstamam vyrui, Betė išsigąsta ir paslepia radinį. O vėliau, grįžusi iš paplūdimio, kaukolės neberanda. Betė ne tik siekia išsiaiškinti, kas dedasi, bet ir įtraukia skaitytojus į sudėtingą asmeninių santykių bei nepasitikėjimo audinį.
Knygoje išryškėja keli pagrindiniai elementai:
1. Įtempta atmosfera ir paslaptys: Knyga sukuria jaudinantį ir niūrų foną, naudodama izoliuotos salos motyvą, kuris sustiprina grėsmės jausmą. Paslaptingi įvykiai, kurie iš pradžių atrodo atsitiktiniai, pamažu atskleidžia platesnę ir pavojingesnę tiesą.
2. Personažai ir jų santykiai: Heather Graham sukuria stiprius veikėjus, ypač Betę, kuri, nors iš pradžių atrodo išsigandusi ir kiek per daug įsijautusi į kaukolės paieškas, turi daug vidinės stiprybės. Knygos veikėjų asmenybės ir santykiai sukuria papildomą emocinį sluoksnį.
3. Romantikos ir įtampos mišinys: Nors siužeto centre yra paslaptys ir trilerio elementai, knygoje taip pat yra ir romantikos siužetų. Tai suteikia balansą tarp įtampos ir švelnesnių momentų.
„Sala“ yra intriguojantis pasakojimas tiems, kurie mėgsta įtampą, daug veiksmo su romantikos prieskoniu. Heather Graham geba meistriškai suderinti įtampą su romantika ir išlaiko skaitytojus įtrauktus iki pat netikėtos pabaigos.
Puikus meilės trileris. Labai patiko! Puikus savaitgalio skaitinys!
Veiksmas vyksta mažoje atokioje saloje Floridos pakrantėje. Pagrindinė siužeto linija prasideda tada, kai po ramios ir atpalaiduojančios dienos Betė aptinka žmogaus kaukolę. Ji akimirksniu prisimena pagyvenusią porą, neseniai pradingusią šiuose vandenyse. Netikėtai pasirodžius nepažįstamam vyrui, Betė išsigąsta ir paslepia radinį. O vėliau, grįžusi iš paplūdimio, kaukolės neberanda. Betė ne tik siekia išsiaiškinti, kas dedasi, bet ir įtraukia skaitytojus į sudėtingą asmeninių santykių bei nepasitikėjimo audinį.
Knygoje išryškėja keli pagrindiniai elementai:
1. Įtempta atmosfera ir paslaptys: Knyga sukuria jaudinantį ir niūrų foną, naudodama izoliuotos salos motyvą, kuris sustiprina grėsmės jausmą. Paslaptingi įvykiai, kurie iš pradžių atrodo atsitiktiniai, pamažu atskleidžia platesnę ir pavojingesnę tiesą.
2. Personažai ir jų santykiai: Heather Graham sukuria stiprius veikėjus, ypač Betę, kuri, nors iš pradžių atrodo išsigandusi ir kiek per daug įsijautusi į kaukolės paieškas, turi daug vidinės stiprybės. Knygos veikėjų asmenybės ir santykiai sukuria papildomą emocinį sluoksnį.
3. Romantikos ir įtampos mišinys: Nors siužeto centre yra paslaptys ir trilerio elementai, knygoje taip pat yra ir romantikos siužetų. Tai suteikia balansą tarp įtampos ir švelnesnių momentų.
„Sala“ yra intriguojantis pasakojimas tiems, kurie mėgsta įtampą, daug veiksmo su romantikos prieskoniu. Heather Graham geba meistriškai suderinti įtampą su romantika ir išlaiko skaitytojus įtrauktus iki pat netikėtos pabaigos.
Puikus meilės trileris. Labai patiko! Puikus savaitgalio skaitinys!
June 30, 2021
Excellent group of characters and storyline!
September 27, 2017
There was so many different people that were undistinguished from each other. When it ended and was told who did what, I didn't know who they were talking about.
December 22, 2013
Thought : mmm...entah karena terjemahan atau memang ceritanya rada mbulet (berputar-putar kyk gasing)
Books “PEMBUNUHAN DI CALLIOPE KEY”
Judul Asli : THE ISLAND
Copyright © 2006 Heather Graham
Penerbit VioletBooks
Alih Bahasa : Theresia Arie P.
Editor : Mira Raimayati, Anna Erwina Dewi
Lay-out : Budi Triyanto
Cetakan I : 2010 ; ISBN 978-979-0813-526
Rate : 2.5 of 5
Setelah menyelesaikan ‘The Last Noel’ diriku langsung berlanjut dengan ‘The Island’ yang premisnya menjanjikan petualangan menegangkan serta misteri terselubung di sebuah pulau terpencil. Bayang-bayang akan adegan serial ‘The Lost’ hingga ‘Treasure Island’ mewarnai benakku, dan apa daya satu demi satu imajinasi tersebut harus lenyap seiring dengan perjalanan menelusuri halaman demi halaman kisah ini ...
Dibuka dengan adegan hilangnya pemilik kapal pesiar mewah dalam suatu adegan ‘menegangkan’, disusul dengan penemuan sebuah tengkorak manusia oleh seorang wanita kala sedang berjalan-jalan di sepanjang pantai kepulauan Caliope yang terpencil namun mengundang minat para pengunjung akan pemandangan alam liar nan indah. Anehnya, ketika penemuan tak disengaja itu dilacak, sosok tengkorak maupun jejaknya tak ditemukan.
Adegan bergulir ketika sebagian dari pengunjung akhir pekan di kepulauan itu kembali ke peradaban, pemukiman di wilayah perairan. Sang wanita yang juga anggota pengurus klub di perairan tersebut, meyakini temuannya, meski pihak berwenang tak mampu menemukan sedikit pun bukti untuk membenarkan temuan tersebut. Ketidak-puasan berujung pada usaha untuk ‘mengorek’ keterangan dari berbagai pihak. Hingga suatu hari, ia mendapati sebuah ‘ancaman’ berupa gambar tengkorak muncul di komputer kantornya.
more of this book, just check my review at here :
[ http://my-mystery-readings.blogspot.c... ]
October 30, 2010
I will warn you ahead of time. This wasn't Graham's strongest book, not by a long shot. In fact, I would say that it is one of the weakest books she's put out so far. Even so, it's not bad for a fluff read.
The story begins with Beth & her family going to nearby Calliope Island for a weekend camping trip. From there she finds a skull, meets a hottie, loses a skull & gains a huge mystery. Unfortunately for the hottie, Beth is uber-suspicious of him from the start- something that puts a crimp in his secretive plans for the island.
(sigh) This book had a lot of potential but got bogged down by a shallow plot and characters. Rather than give Beth a good reason to be suspect of Keith (the hottie), Beth is irrationally suspicious of him. We're told that they're hot for each other, but it's just not believable. Then there's the background lusting of Ben & Amber, but that's practically non-existent & unbelievable.
If you want a brainless beach read then read this. If you want something with substance & written by Graham, look elsewhere. Whatever you do, I recommend checking this out from the library instead.
The story begins with Beth & her family going to nearby Calliope Island for a weekend camping trip. From there she finds a skull, meets a hottie, loses a skull & gains a huge mystery. Unfortunately for the hottie, Beth is uber-suspicious of him from the start- something that puts a crimp in his secretive plans for the island.
(sigh) This book had a lot of potential but got bogged down by a shallow plot and characters. Rather than give Beth a good reason to be suspect of Keith (the hottie), Beth is irrationally suspicious of him. We're told that they're hot for each other, but it's just not believable. Then there's the background lusting of Ben & Amber, but that's practically non-existent & unbelievable.
If you want a brainless beach read then read this. If you want something with substance & written by Graham, look elsewhere. Whatever you do, I recommend checking this out from the library instead.
January 24, 2013
In The Island Beth Anderson goes on a trip to a remote island near Florida with her brother and her nephew. She finds a skull there and gets all freaked out, recalling a story about a missing couple. This leads her to investigate the situation in what turns out to be a convoluted mystery.
The Island is a very flawed novel. For one thing, none of the characters are all that interesting, and it's hard to care about them, in particular the love interest that Beth develops with the mysterious manly man Keith. The plot holes in the story are too numerous to mention. The tension never fully develops, or perhaps it didn't matter because I could not get myself to root for or against any of the characters. In the end, this is a very forgettable novel. I've read better from Heather Graham, and I would suggest skipping this one.
Carl Alves - author of Blood Street
The Island is a very flawed novel. For one thing, none of the characters are all that interesting, and it's hard to care about them, in particular the love interest that Beth develops with the mysterious manly man Keith. The plot holes in the story are too numerous to mention. The tension never fully develops, or perhaps it didn't matter because I could not get myself to root for or against any of the characters. In the end, this is a very forgettable novel. I've read better from Heather Graham, and I would suggest skipping this one.
Carl Alves - author of Blood Street
November 3, 2018
I picked up this book because I was intrigued by the plot summary, had just been to Cuba and was heading to Hawaii - needed a good beach read. This was not it. As my daughter tells me, life is too short to read a bad book. This is a bad book. Poorly developed characters, poorly developed plot, and poorly written. Heather Graham is not an author I would pick up again. Too many other good others in this genre to waste time on.
June 25, 2024
Action, adventure and romance
When I started reading this book I thought I had read it several years ago but the book took a turn that unfamiliar and so I’ve decided this is a new read to me. I liked how the characters developed and this was a story where the people who I thought were the “bad guys” weren’t. I mostly figured out the story at about 80%. Good to read and I plan to look into more of these.
When I started reading this book I thought I had read it several years ago but the book took a turn that unfamiliar and so I’ve decided this is a new read to me. I liked how the characters developed and this was a story where the people who I thought were the “bad guys” weren’t. I mostly figured out the story at about 80%. Good to read and I plan to look into more of these.
November 26, 2024
Stars: 2 / 5
Recommendation: Despite the characters being moron and the plot predictable, there was one scene that did give me a few tears. So I guess this is not that bad a novel then. I am just going to shut up because never ever have I read such moronic characters, stupid heroine, her selfish family. The protagonist was the only saving grace.
The Island is the first book in the anthology book Still Water published in October of 2016 written by Heather Graham. The stand-alone book by itself was first published in March of 2006. This is also the first book in The Island Series, second book being The Face in the Window, published in 2017; although I couldn’t find anything mentioning it except on one site.
Beth Anderson is on a weekend vacation in Calliope Key Island in Florida and finds a skull while walking the beach. But when it later disappears she is determined to find it and who it belongs to. She meets Keith Henson, a handsome stranger, that she has yet to decide if he is working with her or against her; a friend? or a killer?
The author takes us into the world of sea diving, treasure hunting under water, sea pirates and the perils surrounding it. It starts really slow and long winded in every scene to get to the point.
A few things that irritated me a lot while reading. First up, our heroine Beth Anderson, OMG she is mostly idiot and stupid, all the time worrying too much about her niece than for her safety no matter who tries to convince her. I understand her apprehensions but to what extent.
Also she constantly bickers and pesters our protagonist, Keith Henson about who he is and why he doesn’t give straight answers. She is attracted to him yet she has so many doubts, questions and suspicions. Still she sleeps with him, everytime they meet. It looked more obsession than chemistry. Bue there is obvious chemistry but love is something is not seen; or even if seen looked like fake.
Then the so called niece, Amber, that she is so much worried about has no concern for privacy of her Aunt and plays matchmaker. What does a 14 year old know about matchmaking? This is something out of a Hallmark movie, that always bugged me. I abhor when someone tries to meddle with my personal life. May be its just my personality but not when a 14 yr old meddles. I also felt her selfish and not doing what she was told to do. Why don’t kids understand that when parents say something its for their best.
And for God's sake, if you are sleeping with someone and if you are over 21 yrs old, what does it matter if people know it. She panics ridiculously that her niece will know she had sex with Keith. But does it matter, its her life. I didn’t get that whole scene in Chapter 6 where she panics. And of course the sex scene was very elaborate but still read fake.
Although Heather was pushing us towards the obvious people as criminals, I figured it our somewhere around 11th or 12th chapter the real culprits. Very predictable. I also felt that most of the cast where acting moron-ish. Why wouldn’t they believe what Beth was saying? It's like collectively they were making her look stupid and crazy.
I don’t understand Beth's brother Ben. First he doesn’t believe her, then when finally he gets to know at least part of the danger he feels betrayed by Beth. How would she have betrayed when he didn’t believe in her to begin with. He had actually mocked her and had felt disgusted at times with her. And why would he accept Amanda after she almost acted like a prostitute and knowing that neither his daughter nor his sister liked her much
Beth was kind when she said that Amanda acted as if the world was her toy and men were created for her amusement, whether they were married, engaged or taken. Made no sense at all. In real world no one would associate with Amanda after knowing the truth about her family.
Despite the characters being moron and the plot predictable, there was one scene that did give me a few tears. So I guess this is not that bad a novel then. I am just going to shut up because never ever have I read such moronic characters, stupid heroine, her selfish family. The protagonist was the only saving grace. This is not traditional Heather Graham novel for sure.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Book Trivia and Plot Reveals:
a. Beth Anderson's family: brother Ben, his daughter Amber and her best friend Kimberly "Kim" Smith
b. Other characters: Keith's friends - Lee Gomez owns the boat Sea Serpent, Matt Albright; Amanda Manson & her family - father Roger, Hank, a cousin owns the boat Southern Light and Gerald, a cousin; Brad Shaw and his partner Sandy Allison; Barney, a fisherman, owns the boat Sheba; Patrolman Garth; Robert Gray, works with Coast Guard; Mike Burlington, Keith's boss (??); James Fleming, Medical Examiner; Laurie Green, whom Keith rescued a long time ago; Lieutenant Gorsky; John Elmer; Joe; Jose; Melanie; Officer Greg Masters;
c. Ashley Dilessio, works for the Forensic Department, runs her uncle's restaurant Nick's; Husband Jake, a Homicide Detective, have two kids
d. Folks at the Yacht Club: Commodore George Berry; Chef Margolin; Manny Ortega, a member; Mark Grimshaw, a member; Tanya Whirlque, a member; Henry, a waiter; Belinda, breakfast server;
e. Salsa Studio folks: Eduardo Shea, owner of dance studios; Maria Lopez, Aging Salsa Queen; Mauricio, Maria's dance partner
Recommendation: Despite the characters being moron and the plot predictable, there was one scene that did give me a few tears. So I guess this is not that bad a novel then. I am just going to shut up because never ever have I read such moronic characters, stupid heroine, her selfish family. The protagonist was the only saving grace.
The Island is the first book in the anthology book Still Water published in October of 2016 written by Heather Graham. The stand-alone book by itself was first published in March of 2006. This is also the first book in The Island Series, second book being The Face in the Window, published in 2017; although I couldn’t find anything mentioning it except on one site.
Beth Anderson is on a weekend vacation in Calliope Key Island in Florida and finds a skull while walking the beach. But when it later disappears she is determined to find it and who it belongs to. She meets Keith Henson, a handsome stranger, that she has yet to decide if he is working with her or against her; a friend? or a killer?
The author takes us into the world of sea diving, treasure hunting under water, sea pirates and the perils surrounding it. It starts really slow and long winded in every scene to get to the point.
A few things that irritated me a lot while reading. First up, our heroine Beth Anderson, OMG she is mostly idiot and stupid, all the time worrying too much about her niece than for her safety no matter who tries to convince her. I understand her apprehensions but to what extent.
Also she constantly bickers and pesters our protagonist, Keith Henson about who he is and why he doesn’t give straight answers. She is attracted to him yet she has so many doubts, questions and suspicions. Still she sleeps with him, everytime they meet. It looked more obsession than chemistry. Bue there is obvious chemistry but love is something is not seen; or even if seen looked like fake.
Then the so called niece, Amber, that she is so much worried about has no concern for privacy of her Aunt and plays matchmaker. What does a 14 year old know about matchmaking? This is something out of a Hallmark movie, that always bugged me. I abhor when someone tries to meddle with my personal life. May be its just my personality but not when a 14 yr old meddles. I also felt her selfish and not doing what she was told to do. Why don’t kids understand that when parents say something its for their best.
And for God's sake, if you are sleeping with someone and if you are over 21 yrs old, what does it matter if people know it. She panics ridiculously that her niece will know she had sex with Keith. But does it matter, its her life. I didn’t get that whole scene in Chapter 6 where she panics. And of course the sex scene was very elaborate but still read fake.
Although Heather was pushing us towards the obvious people as criminals, I figured it our somewhere around 11th or 12th chapter the real culprits. Very predictable. I also felt that most of the cast where acting moron-ish. Why wouldn’t they believe what Beth was saying? It's like collectively they were making her look stupid and crazy.
I don’t understand Beth's brother Ben. First he doesn’t believe her, then when finally he gets to know at least part of the danger he feels betrayed by Beth. How would she have betrayed when he didn’t believe in her to begin with. He had actually mocked her and had felt disgusted at times with her. And why would he accept Amanda after she almost acted like a prostitute and knowing that neither his daughter nor his sister liked her much
Beth was kind when she said that Amanda acted as if the world was her toy and men were created for her amusement, whether they were married, engaged or taken. Made no sense at all. In real world no one would associate with Amanda after knowing the truth about her family.
Despite the characters being moron and the plot predictable, there was one scene that did give me a few tears. So I guess this is not that bad a novel then. I am just going to shut up because never ever have I read such moronic characters, stupid heroine, her selfish family. The protagonist was the only saving grace. This is not traditional Heather Graham novel for sure.
Spoiler Alerts:
1. Book Trivia and Plot Reveals:
a. Beth Anderson's family: brother Ben, his daughter Amber and her best friend Kimberly "Kim" Smith
b. Other characters: Keith's friends - Lee Gomez owns the boat Sea Serpent, Matt Albright; Amanda Manson & her family - father Roger, Hank, a cousin owns the boat Southern Light and Gerald, a cousin; Brad Shaw and his partner Sandy Allison; Barney, a fisherman, owns the boat Sheba; Patrolman Garth; Robert Gray, works with Coast Guard; Mike Burlington, Keith's boss (??); James Fleming, Medical Examiner; Laurie Green, whom Keith rescued a long time ago; Lieutenant Gorsky; John Elmer; Joe; Jose; Melanie; Officer Greg Masters;
c. Ashley Dilessio, works for the Forensic Department, runs her uncle's restaurant Nick's; Husband Jake, a Homicide Detective, have two kids
d. Folks at the Yacht Club: Commodore George Berry; Chef Margolin; Manny Ortega, a member; Mark Grimshaw, a member; Tanya Whirlque, a member; Henry, a waiter; Belinda, breakfast server;
e. Salsa Studio folks: Eduardo Shea, owner of dance studios; Maria Lopez, Aging Salsa Queen; Mauricio, Maria's dance partner
June 27, 2013
I didn't identify with the protagonists and finished it out of boredom, not because it held my attention. The beginning, the part where they are on the actual island is the best part.
July 25, 2021
The mystery is the most interesting thing about this book, The middle school girls are the more likeable characters in this book.
A lot of my problem with this book is too much stuff not relevant to the story thrown in to do nothing at all. I mean zilch, nada…. Which means you are left wondering why was that even there.
There was nothing between the two lead characters other than they don’t do this, he warns her not to get involved with him then pretty much is in her. Okay and then nothing as her brother, niece and niece’s friend comes on board. Beth seemed okay but really not all the smart trying to investigate something she has already been warned not to do. Keith seems okay, not exactly putting his job first, you know national security could be at stake here.
Beth’s brother is somehow mad at her that someone seems to be threatening his sister’s life and that of his own daughter. So, it is his sister’s fault.
Amanda is a complete witch, but it is made out nearer to the end that Beth might have misjudged her. Then someone after drugging one of the guys and sleeping with him? She is in love with Ben. So now she is not a witch and stuck-up rich snob putting any of those who work beneath her?
Amber’s (Ben’s daughter) best friend breaks up with her? No they aren’t dating. The end of a night the best friend just ends the friendship. So Ashley a seasoned cop that is besties with Beth is her protector. Somehow this is such an important thing they risk it all to call Beth to come talk to Amber. Then of course everything gets missed up. Ashley is not there with Beth and Amber when they are taken hostage by a pair of criminals but not the criminals that they are looking for that killed people while taking their boats.
So yes this is about boat piracy but then it isn’t. It is something that could do with national security, but it wasn’t that important to have more people than three divers with a company that contracts out.
You would think that by the end of this it would be cleared up. Only it seemed like it was rushed, and the ending was a let-down. You would like it to be cleared up but you only get that Keith and Beth are getting married after banging a few times and each time they banged she did not trust him at all.
This doesn’t even seem like Heather Graham’s work. I wondered if it was a reprint from some book from years ago. I had to finish the book but I still didn’t find myself caring for the characters nor their relationships. Poor Amber if Amanda does become her step-mother.
A lot of my problem with this book is too much stuff not relevant to the story thrown in to do nothing at all. I mean zilch, nada…. Which means you are left wondering why was that even there.
There was nothing between the two lead characters other than they don’t do this, he warns her not to get involved with him then pretty much is in her. Okay and then nothing as her brother, niece and niece’s friend comes on board. Beth seemed okay but really not all the smart trying to investigate something she has already been warned not to do. Keith seems okay, not exactly putting his job first, you know national security could be at stake here.
Beth’s brother is somehow mad at her that someone seems to be threatening his sister’s life and that of his own daughter. So, it is his sister’s fault.
Amanda is a complete witch, but it is made out nearer to the end that Beth might have misjudged her. Then someone after drugging one of the guys and sleeping with him? She is in love with Ben. So now she is not a witch and stuck-up rich snob putting any of those who work beneath her?
Amber’s (Ben’s daughter) best friend breaks up with her? No they aren’t dating. The end of a night the best friend just ends the friendship. So Ashley a seasoned cop that is besties with Beth is her protector. Somehow this is such an important thing they risk it all to call Beth to come talk to Amber. Then of course everything gets missed up. Ashley is not there with Beth and Amber when they are taken hostage by a pair of criminals but not the criminals that they are looking for that killed people while taking their boats.
So yes this is about boat piracy but then it isn’t. It is something that could do with national security, but it wasn’t that important to have more people than three divers with a company that contracts out.
You would think that by the end of this it would be cleared up. Only it seemed like it was rushed, and the ending was a let-down. You would like it to be cleared up but you only get that Keith and Beth are getting married after banging a few times and each time they banged she did not trust him at all.
This doesn’t even seem like Heather Graham’s work. I wondered if it was a reprint from some book from years ago. I had to finish the book but I still didn’t find myself caring for the characters nor their relationships. Poor Amber if Amanda does become her step-mother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2020
The Island by Heather Graham is just the perfect read for October. I felt chills going down my back. The suspense on every page had me on the edge of my chair. I kept waiting for a murderer to jump out and attack the female protagonist so many times. There were plenty of opportunities. The suspects I thought were the killers were not the murderers but greedy thieves. Still I felt the fear that they could step up to the role of murdering.
Frightening, intense, and engaging there was enough of a spooky factor to keep me going. I found myself transported inside the book. I could sympathize with the anger and fear the main character had. Do not trust strangers. One particular hot stranger is always near her. She can't seem to figure him out but she does suspect him of something. Was he a criminal or just hiding all the facts from her. He could easily take prisoner and nobody would know.
I loved how Beth kept mistrusting him throughout most of the book. She didn't really know him or what he does. Her reactions were realistic and believable. Plus, she has a young niece to protect and a brother who doesn't believe she's seeing what she does. Ben thought his sister was just too worried and intense enough to even relax. But her fears soon zap into him and he's starting to think something is off. Neither of them knew what danger has followed them back home. Then, there's the hot stranger, Keith, who is always around for everything. Overall, I enjoyed the characters, the story, and the way the book was written. It is no wonder that Heather Graham is deemed Queen of Suspense.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
Frightening, intense, and engaging there was enough of a spooky factor to keep me going. I found myself transported inside the book. I could sympathize with the anger and fear the main character had. Do not trust strangers. One particular hot stranger is always near her. She can't seem to figure him out but she does suspect him of something. Was he a criminal or just hiding all the facts from her. He could easily take prisoner and nobody would know.
I loved how Beth kept mistrusting him throughout most of the book. She didn't really know him or what he does. Her reactions were realistic and believable. Plus, she has a young niece to protect and a brother who doesn't believe she's seeing what she does. Ben thought his sister was just too worried and intense enough to even relax. But her fears soon zap into him and he's starting to think something is off. Neither of them knew what danger has followed them back home. Then, there's the hot stranger, Keith, who is always around for everything. Overall, I enjoyed the characters, the story, and the way the book was written. It is no wonder that Heather Graham is deemed Queen of Suspense.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
June 14, 2021
My least favorite non-paranormal Heather Graham book so far. I didn't have that high of hopes to begin with because the plot was just eh to me but I wasn't expecting to dislike it. The only thing I really liked was Jake and Ashley Dilessio being in it (their HG book is my favorite).
I hated Beth Anderson. Hated. Why IN THE WORLD would she expect a complete stranger (Keith) to share all his secrets immediately? Why would she expect her cop friends, Jake and Ashley, to keep her in the loop on a police matter? She expected everyone to trust, confide, and listen to her but then goes and resents her friends and Keith for doing their jobs. I just thought she was petty and pathetic.
In a lot of these books, people comment something like, "No chemistry with the main characters," " The romance happened so fast," etc... If I see a review with something along those lines, I try to breeze over it. I don't want it influencing my opinion. A lot of times, I disagree with it. This book - RIDICULOUS. Happened out of nowhere and Keith had to go and say the stupidest stuff.
Not a fan, I'm glad it wasn't my first Heather Graham book.
I hated Beth Anderson. Hated. Why IN THE WORLD would she expect a complete stranger (Keith) to share all his secrets immediately? Why would she expect her cop friends, Jake and Ashley, to keep her in the loop on a police matter? She expected everyone to trust, confide, and listen to her but then goes and resents her friends and Keith for doing their jobs. I just thought she was petty and pathetic.
In a lot of these books, people comment something like, "No chemistry with the main characters," " The romance happened so fast," etc... If I see a review with something along those lines, I try to breeze over it. I don't want it influencing my opinion. A lot of times, I disagree with it. This book - RIDICULOUS. Happened out of nowhere and Keith had to go and say the stupidest stuff.
Not a fan, I'm glad it wasn't my first Heather Graham book.
December 7, 2023
Typical romance/suspense but this fails in the suspense and I normally skip over the romance parts anyway, as probably most readers do, who is interested in imaginary scenario sex scenes that bore you to sleep.
The first third of the novel is a day at the beach set on Calliope Island and lets talk about our boats.
The tension Graham tries to obtain is through the main character, but she is witless, and the frustration you experience over-rides any enjoyment you may have reading the novel. The other characters are always shifting, so you start to lose track of who is who. This is probably a miss for most, and I'll just read her Krewe of Hunters series which are good.
The first third of the novel is a day at the beach set on Calliope Island and lets talk about our boats.
The tension Graham tries to obtain is through the main character, but she is witless, and the frustration you experience over-rides any enjoyment you may have reading the novel. The other characters are always shifting, so you start to lose track of who is who. This is probably a miss for most, and I'll just read her Krewe of Hunters series which are good.
April 13, 2024
This is perhaps the most difficult situation that a relationship can begin in. Beth doesn’t trust Keith and for good reason. Turns out he is keeping secrets it’s just that he’s not on the wrong side of the law. However, it’s never good to keep secrets when you start a relationship. Keith is looking for answers and starting a relationship with Beth wasn’t part of the plan. He’s hunting for answers to the mysterious deaths and disappearances surrounding an island.
The reveal of the masterminds behind the deaths and disappearances was surprising but more so to discover that Amanda wasn’t a part of it at all. She was in fact the biggest pawn in her fathers game, just a tool for him to use. Hopefully this realization will help her to change her ways especially if she wants a chance at a life with Ben.
Thank goodness Beth and Keith cold get past all of the secrets and get married in the end. Not the most romantic book by Heather Graham but very entertaining.
The reveal of the masterminds behind the deaths and disappearances was surprising but more so to discover that Amanda wasn’t a part of it at all. She was in fact the biggest pawn in her fathers game, just a tool for him to use. Hopefully this realization will help her to change her ways especially if she wants a chance at a life with Ben.
Thank goodness Beth and Keith cold get past all of the secrets and get married in the end. Not the most romantic book by Heather Graham but very entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2019
This book was so convoluted in its plot and subplots. It started off intriguing and then just went to high hell on characters and povs. Suddenly halfway through the book it was like reading a completely different story since a whole crop of new characters had been introduced as though the reader was supposed to know them. It was ridiculous. I spent more time trying to remember who the hell any of these people were or what the hell was going on until I just stopped caring and pushed through to the end no longer invested in anything in this story. This book also suffered from way too much dialogue and way to much jumping around.
October 13, 2025
Amazing read!! Played out like a good lifetime movie about a modern day island weekend trip, girl finds hot guy who happens to be a diver cue in a find something she wasn’t supposed to find on the island, then the suspense and chase begins. But what we’ve got a historical Spanish gold star crossed lovers /pirates wrapped into the background story as well. It’s a page turner for sure. Light read, light romantic thrill, big on the whodunit and suspense. The end seemed very rushed and honestly the last four pages left a sour after taste and a curveball out of no where. No spoilers though.
Over all great read. Give it a shot!
Over all great read. Give it a shot!
August 6, 2017
This book has an interesting plot, but there are flaws. Characters start out strong and turn into wimps and stupid on top of it. A teenager isn't protected by keeping them in the dark and her Dad too? Not at all realistic. There's a lot of suspense, but the climax is a dud. There are things I like, but the writing falls short of the mark. I've read a lot of Graham books and never been this disappointed.
March 5, 2022
When Beth Anderson and her brother takes his daughter and a friend out on the water and decides to sleep one of the little islands, Beth stumbles upon a human skull, which then disappears, and it is only when a body washes up on shore and she becomes the target of a dangerous killer,w and when Keith Henson keeps showing up wherever she is she gets nervous. And knows the only one who she can trust is her brother even if he don't believe she found a skull.
March 22, 2023
Lintrigue est incroyable , le suspens nous donne juste envie de toujours en savoir plus ( c'est un peu le but mais voilà quoi ) et la fin est juste génial. Je n'ai que de bonnes choses à dire sur ce livre et c'était le premier thriller que j'ai lu et ça m'a mise sur une lancée franchement maintenant je my intéresse de fou. Il m'a fait aimer les thrillers , en plus ya un peu de romance dedans tout ce que j'aime quoi. A lire vraiment
July 23, 2018
It started out great. It grabbed me and peaked my interest while they were on the island. After they left, the story just completely fell off the cliff. I was hoping it would get better, but it just didn't happen.
May 21, 2019
Didn't really like any of the characters; and some of the situations they found themselves in were just stupid. The aunt came across as a neurotic flake, and the secondary characters were basically bullies in bathing suits.
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