Member Reviews
The best I can say about this book is that it is not for me. It is a bit like the Agatha Christie novel, where a group of people come together in some remote spot and then bad things start to happen. But it isn’t Agatha Christie. It was so predictable and just felt too easy, too formulaic. I found it boring.
I am so sorry Ms Lynch, but the writing style did not suit my taste but from the reviews I have already seen, it looks as though I am in the minority and you may well have a winner here.
Thank you to the author, publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
WHISPER ISLAND - Carissa Ann Lynch
Loved this fast-paced thriller! Although, let me start off by getting this off my chest...
* A quote from the beginning “six of us are going to the island. Only one of us will make it back.” It's not only one that makes it back so technically that’s wrong. It looks as though this was almost the case but it wasn’t in the end 🤷♀️
* Also, I noticed a few spelling mistakes and errors too but very few and they weren’t too off-putting.
* I did notice another mistake within the plot but I won’t mention this within the review without a spoiler alert.
That said, I did enjoy the book overall and it was a great read. I would recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley.
I think the hard thing about reading a bunch of "locked room" mysteries is that they start to blend together. I've read a lot most recently, which left me feeling that this book isn't as original as I thought it could have been. If you are new to these type of mysteries, then I think you will absolutely love this!
“six of us are going to the island. only one of us will make it back. that one of us will be me.”
thank you to one more chapter and netgalley for my gifted copy, and for sending me a request to read this one!
four college friends plan a getaway to whisper island to focus on their art, but things go awry when one’s drug addict brother and his girlfriend show up. as the girls’ secrets come to the surface, so do more bodies, and perhaps the killer is just a whisper away...
“whisper island” is my second carissa ann lynch, and it did not disappoint! it was a quick, fast-paced read without being bogged down by all of the typical thriller tropes involving people trapped on an island. the alternating viewpoints help you get to know each of the characters, and i definitely didn’t see that big twist at the end!
think “and then there were none” but make it more personal. is it the perfect thriller? no, but it is fast, fun, and worth reading while you’re stuck inside this weekend!
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!!
This reads a little bit like a 90s comedy/horror film. If you try to read it seriously, there are some gaping plot holes that will bother you, but as a light read it’s not bad at all. It reminded me of the Point Horror books I adored in my teens!
Sammy, Scarlett and Riley all go to Whisper Island for their own reasons. I guessed who the villain was quite quickly but I still rather enjoyed the ride.
I was satisfied with the ending and the book itself was well paced and written. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.
Hmmm I'm not too sure what I think of this book. It had a great creepy mystery vibe to it. The author took a chance by telling the story through the eyes of each character. I've seen other books do that and I hated it, but in this book, it worked and it worked well. My only issue with the book was how unlikable the girls truly were. It was easy to read, but hard when you really don't care about the characters, but just care about the story. (I hope that makes sense). Chances are I didn't like the characters because I couldn't relate to them anymore. They were all twenty something year old girls and 20 year olds now a days are much different than 20 year olds from 20 years ago (again I hope that makes sense). The story however, is what really kept me into this book.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, one more chapter for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
Riley, Scarlett, Sammy, and Mia all met in college in Tennessee where all 4 of them are talented artists. For their summer break, they get the chance to stay on an island in Alaska. It comes complete with a large home with 5 bedrooms, along with several outbuildings. They plan to spend the time working on their art.
As they prepare to fly out, Sammy tells Mia that her brother, Rob, will be coming as well which infuriates her. Mia and Rob had dated and their relationship ended badly. When they get to the island, they find that Rob has already arrived bringing his latest girlfriend, Opal, with him which serves to make Mia even angrier.
As they settle in and decide who will sleep where, they find the kitchen has nice dishes and a good stove. In checking the outbuildings, Scarlett discovers a journal left by someone years ago and as she reads it, tries to figure out why it sounds familiar.
One night, one of them is found viciously murdered and they all realize they are in danger. But why? Could the murderer be one of them or is there someone hiding on the island and could they be waiting to attack again? They need to get off the island but then find the rowboat left for their use is gone. Now, they are stuck and there is a killer loose.
I had no idea who could have been the killer. I did find myself shivering as I thought of what the characters were experiencing in their fear. There is no way I would have agreed to spend a summer on an island especially in Alaska. No way! This is one of those good murder mysteries that keeps you on your toes. Enjoy!
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Whisper Island by Carissa Ann Lynch is narrated from the POV of multiple characters which I enjoyed because it provided me with insight into what each character was thinking and feeling. The story follows four friends who decide to take trip to a remote Alaskan island. Sammy, Mia, Scarlett and Riley are looking forward to escaping the city in order to focus on nothing but their art. But the arrival of Sammy’s brother Rob and his new girlfriend friend Opal really puts a damper on the trip.
Everyone thinks that the trip couldn’t get any worse but then they start getting killed one by one. Will they escape the island or is this the end for them all?
I found this book to be a great whodunnit mystery that had me hooked from the very beginning. I like the narration from the POV of each character because it showed that they all had insecurities and shared the same thought of the other three girls being better than them. I can’t get over all of the secrets, twists and turns, each character had some hidden side to them that they didn’t want anyone to see. I figured out who the killer was just before it was revealed but I still enjoyed what happened after the reveal.
This book is filled with heartbreak, secrets, revenge, mystery and fear. I definitely can’t wait to see what this author does next.
I recieved an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.
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.
For friends Riley, Sam, Mis snd Scarlette, their tr to Whisper Island was meant to be a once in a lifetime adventure - just the four women with everything to live for. But as soon as they arrive, things start to go wrong. First there is the unexpected arrival od 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 easy to follow. Each chapter is told by a fifferent character. I liked the authors writing style, it's creepy and atmospheric. A crumbling Victorian house on a remote Alaska island was the perfect setting for this 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, #HarperCollinsUK and the author #ClarisssaAnnLynch for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Six people arrive on Whisper Island, an isolated island in Alaska. Riley, Sam, Mia, and Scarlett are there for 3 months to work on their art projects, but they are joined by Sam's brother, Rob and his latest girlfriend, Opal. Tensions are already running high as Mia is one of Rob's ex-girlfriends and he seems about to put the moves on Scarlett even though Opal is around, but when the boat and their only means of getting off the island is sabotaged, it looks as if there may be someone else there after all. Then the murders start.
I was quickly drawn in by the synopsis and the first two-thirds of the book lived up to expectations. I enjoyed reading it as the author cleverly ensures that all parties have secrets they would rather keep hidden, and fractures soon appear within the group. Unfortunately if you are a frequent reader of these type of mystery thrillers, it was easy to spot the killer, and I thought that the ending didn't really do justice to the rest of the book. I still flew through it.
Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, HarperCollins UK / One More Chapter, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
This is a great read.
Six friends decide to take a once in a lifetime trip to a secluded island in Alaska. Their excitement is short lived as bad things start happening on the first day.
Then a gruesome discovery makes them all question if they are alone on the island after all.
Everyone on the island is hiding something and everything is gradually revealed as the body count rises.
This is a great mystery thriller that definitely had me hooked.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Four good friends and one one ex-boyfriend/brother and his new girlfriend go to a remote island in the far not-so-warm reaches of Alaska. There is no internet, no cell service, and no way off the island. What could go wrong?
The prose was so descriptive, I could almost see the abandoned out buildings as each character takes a discovery excursion. I wanted to shout "LOOK OUT!" because you just know someone is going to be lurking and/or something bad is going to happen. You've all read Agatha Christie, right? I know some will say that's an unfair comparison, but one of my favorite books was And Then There Were None and I'm a sucker for any kind of locked room mystery.
I thought the story moved quickly, with lots happening at every turn. The only things I couldn't reconcile were how the island had electricity and water, but no cell service, and why the group didn't arrange for someone from the mainland to check in on them once in a while. However, that didn't detract from the pleasure I got reading until the very (satisfying) ending!
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins UK and One More Chapter for an advance reader's copy for review. I'm becoming a fast fan of this publisher/imprint!
I couldn’t put this down! Such a satisfying read from beginning to end!
Six friends plan an off-the-grid artists retreat on Whisper Island. The owners of the island are a mystery, but a note found inside a journal, “Elena Blackwater was the first to die...” might indicate something more than fate brought the friends to Whisper Island.
Carissa Ann Lynch has produced a thrilling adventure filled with puzzles (both literal and figurative), and it was a fun nod to Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None. I can definitely see this appealing to Young Adults/Teens just as much as not-so-young Adults because of how easily digestible the content is in conjunction with Lynch’s skillful writing. I will definitely be reading more of Lynch’s work in the future.
A huge thank you to Harper Collins UK and NetGallery for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
An inexpensive summer holiday on a privately owned island is the destination for four friends and two uninvited others. Each have problems, all have secrets, some have more than one person who wants them to come to harm. This multiple character viewpoint novel is fast paced and a disturbing exploration of grudges and the damage they do. If it was a movie I would have had to watch it under a blanket and behind a pillow, shouting periodically at the screen.
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.
Four friends finishing their schooling take a break to work on their art on a remote Alaskan island. At the last moment, one of the friend’s brother and his girlfriend join them. They are able to stay on the island rent free due to a friend of a friend. Things go awry when they realize the rowboat they must use to go to the mainland for supplies is damaged. And then the killings begin.
I like the homage the book pays to Agatha Christie. Ten Little Indians is one of my all time favorite books. The author sets a great atmosphere on the island and everyone has a secret. The age of the characters could have had the book seem more young adult than adult, but it really doesn’t.
It was a great distraction from life. I really enjoyed it.
I've seen others describe this book as a YA version of And Then There Were None, but I'm afraid although this is a rough description, this is not a book that stands up to that I'm afraid. It was on the younger side of YA and because I wasn't expecting that, it threw me and felt very juvenile. Characters didnt really have much sense and I couldn't like them or care to be honest.
A YA version of And then there were none, Whisper Island tells the story of a group of friends who travel to a lonely spot in Alaska to run away from their problems and hide from the world. Things don’t work out too well for them. Most of the plot was great and kept me turning the pages but the resolution let me down. It’s hard to explain my problem with the twist without spoilers but let’s say that characters lying in flashbacks seems like cheating. Maybe it’s the first-person narrative, since you see events from one character’s point of view and then find out that it was all a lie seems like the author didn’t know where the story was going. The ending also felt rushed. The characters are well drawn and they have distinctive voices that made clear who was telling which part of the plot. The story held my attention, but I wish that the last part would have been different.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/ HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter!