Wow, where has this author been hiding and why haven’t I read more of their books!
Sandrine is asked to empty her late grandmother’s house on a small island near the Normandy coast. She soon discovers that its elderly inhabitants haven’t left the island since their arrival as children during World War II. Sandrine can tell they are terrified of someone, or something. Yet, they refuse to leave the island. What happened to the children from the holiday camp which was suddenly shut down in 1949? And who was Sandrine’s grandmother, really? Lots of questions needed answers and I’m afraid it was an extra late night reading until I got them all. A page turner and definitely my type of book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the English translation of a book that was originally published in French in 2019. I’ve noticed that sometimes when books are translated into other languages, it can seem like something quite literally got lost in translation, but the translator for this book (Maren Baudet-Lackner) did an absolutely phenomenal job. This is a true fast-paced, page-turning, I-think-I-need-to-keep-this-book-in-the-freezer horror/thriller novel.

The creepy atmosphere of the setting and the sense of foreboding that’s woven through the narration of both timelines easily transports the reader right to the island, as if you’re the one who’s there and experiencing these events yourself. It’s a story within a story and the type of book that wracks your nerves and makes the hair on the back of your neck prickle even in the middle of the day.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book, by a quarter of the way through it picks and by halfway, you won't want to put it down. It is like 4 books in one, and just when you think you have an idea of what is going on, boom! another plot twist and you are starting all over again. I had to stay up late to finish it because it sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading more by this author.

#TheRefuge #NetGalley
An excellent quick read.
Sandrine is asked to empty her late grandmother's house on a small island near the Normandy coast. She soon discovers that its elderly inhabitants haven't left the island since their arrival as children during World War II. Sandrine can tell they are terrified of someone, or something. Yet, they refuse to leave the island. What happened to the children from the holiday camp which was suddenly shut down in 1949? And who was Sandrine's grandmother, really?
I loved it. Please read this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder Straighten for giving me an advanced copy.

What a wild ride! This book was crazy but in a good way!
I honestly can't await now to read the other book The Final Chapter!.
Like wow is all I can say!.