The Island by Adrian McKinty
May 17, 2022
384 pages



This book started off strong — Heather, her new husband Tom and Tom’s two kids Owen and Olivia are in Australia so that Tom, a surgeon, can attend a conference. I loved the descriptions of the Uluru and the outback. It reminded me of the time I spent in my 20’s exploring Australia. That’s about as good as it got. I only finished this one because I was getting my hair colored and couldn’t move.

The four Americans, plus a random Dutch couple, end up on Dutch Island (an Island in Australia that used to be a prison) after they convince the family that inhabits the Island to take hundreds of dollars to allow them to check out the island. Tom accidentally kills a member of the family when he hits her with his car. The family seeks revenge as they chase the visitors around the island. People are killed, animals killed, chaos ensures and it was all very forgettable.

Honestly, I zibby’d the last 25 percent.

Hard pass.

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Gritty and fast paced, Adrian McKintys, The Island was a gripping survival story.

A family trip to Australia, bonding between stepmother and kids, beautiful sights, beautiful weather, in an amazing backdrop. It should have been perfect for everyone involved.

A ferry trip to a small private island to see koalas, sharks, and more sounds like an amazing adventure, and a chance to do something unexpected. A quick spin around the island, a few photos, an accidental death. The horror which brings the terrifying family who have taken over this island into focus, a focus which settles on Tom, Heather, Olivia, and Owen.

The name of the game now is survival. What do you know that can save you and those you love, and how far will you go?

Solid five star book, immensely fun and left me wanting more from him!

Note for anyone reading the e-book edition: there’s an error in the duplication of chapter 49. Nothing else major, but it did catch me off guard and pull me out of the story a little.

After reading The Chain and The Island, I am officially an Adrian McKinley fan! He writes the most unique thrillers and completely avoids all the common tropes that are everywhere today (especially the dead wife mysteries and unreliable narrators). This was a fast-paced story and I cannot wait to watch the Hulu series, this will be the perfect miniseries. Overall, a quick read that keeps you guessing how it will end right up until the last chapter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review!

What can I say about this book other than that it left me breathless. In his latest high concept thriller, Adrian McKinty takes a tried and true horror plot—a family trapped in the wilderness and chased by depraved killers, and twists it to his own unique style.

When Heather Baxter convinces her new husband Tom to take her and his kids from his first marriage all the way to Australia with him for a medical conference, they have no idea what trouble they are getting themselves into. On a day trip before the conference starts, Tom agrees to take his family on a boat trip to a small island. But the island is not what it seems… obviously. After a horrendous accident enrages the locals, Tom, Heather, and the kids find themselves on the wrong end of a very angry clan of psychopaths with one thing on their minds. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what that thing is!

What follows is a heart-pounding thriller that gets creative in the way it deals with its victims. Warning, there is a scene with a colony of ants that will leave you itching for weeks, and maybe having nightmares… I will say no more.

Cleverly crafted, well written, and fast-paced, if you are looking for a summer read that will keep you up at night, this is it.

I overall really enjoyed this book. I had an extremely hard time putting it down and it definitely sucked me in from start to finish. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book and that is by far my favorite kind of thriller. I will be recommending this to anyone I know who likes thrillers.

This is my first book from this author and Omg it won’t be my last! Talk about twists! It was fast paced thriller that kept me at the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put it down because I had to know what happened next. The character development was excellent and I truly felt like I was on the island with them. Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this in advance!

DNF - within the first couple lines of the book I knew that this would not be something I would find enjoyable. It's laughable to read about someone feeling 'at ease' with a shadowed figure on the side of a roadway in the middle of the night, in a part of a country in which you are unfamiliar - to boot. The writing style felt very choppy & drawn-out but, then again, I didn't make it very far. I'm sure others will enjoy this book but this is a case wherein I am not the target audience so I am removing myself from the race, so to speak.

**Huge thanks to Netgalley, Adrian McKinty and Little, Brown & Company for approving me for an ARC of this one!**

This book wasn’t on my radar until recently when a fellow reviewer posted about it. I figured I’d give it a shot, see if I would get approved for it, and to my utter surprise – I WAS! Now, I’ve never read anything from McKinty before, but have had his novel ‘The Chain’ on my ‘To Buy List’ since it came out. Not sure why I’ve not gotten around to both buying it and reading it, life I guess, but I was intrigued to see what he’d unleash on us with this one, ‘The Island.’

Now, the description itself doesn’t give us anything you’d consider groundbreaking or differentiating between a lot of the dark fiction books I read. Family goes on a vacation, things take a turn, those that live need to find a way to survive at all cost.

That’s fine, I’m ok with a common horror trope set up – BUT – this isn’t a horror novel. This is marketed as an action/adventure/thriller story, one that is already in development for HULU and because of that, I went in with my “gore-meter” already dimmed and my “extreme events” mindset dampened.

What I liked: I think the shining light in this story is the main character, Heather. Heather grew up on a small island near Seattle, living in an art commune. Eventually, she moves to the big city and while there, falls in love with Tom. Tom is a recently widowed doctor, now a single father of two teenaged kids. Doesn’t matter, they love each other and get married. That is all backstory, stuff we learn about, but it is key to why Heather’s story arc is the highlight. She transforms from a meek, worried, secondary spouse, to a take charge, survive at all costs provider and it was great to read.

The story itself follows the family as they head to Australia for a conference that Tom is speaking at. While there, they do some sightseeing and it’s on one of these excursions where they bribe their way onto a private island to try and see some wildlife. Something happens, they try to flee, but are stopped and from there, the story morphs into “we need to get off this island” territory.

McKinty does a great job of creating tension between the two kids and Heather throughout the first quarter, but there is a subtle shift when the trio is separated from Tom and the two kids understand Heather is their only hope to survive.

I thought the ending was good, if abrupt, and the pseudo-epilogue after was a touching closure to the story.

What I didn’t like: No matter how many times I reminded myself that this was a mass-market thriller, it still became a bit underwhelming at times with how dampened and polished some events felt. Some of the characters were too one dimensional (I hated Tom from the start, and the entire scene of him having a toddler meltdown over the rental company not having the specific Porsche SUV for him pushed me close into DNF territory he was such a knob) and stereotypical.

Why you should buy this: Don’t get me wrong, McKinty serves this up really nicely and the writing is a ton of fun. He has one of those writing voices where you don’t realize you’ve read as much as you have, because it flows so well.

I think for those who’ll see this on the bookstore shelves or grocery store lanes, this will be an exhilarating ride, but for those who enjoy a bit more of a visceral, descriptive island survival story, you’ll be underwhelmed.

Overall, a solid adventure story, if not a bit too commercial in spots.

Heather Baxter married Tom, a widowed doctor with young kids after moving from a small community to Seattle. Tom is supposed to be going to a work conference in Australia and the kids manage to guilt-trip him into taking everyone with him. After all, who doesn’t want to see Koalas and Kangaroos, right?

While on this failure of a vacation trip, some locals listen to their complaints of not seeing a single cool animal since they landed. They offer to take them to their strictly no-visitors and very private island, where apparently they are plagued by Koalas, for the fine price of $900.

Everything looks sketchy but the kids want to see the koalas, and as soon as they set foot on the island, a nightmare begins. The kids hate Heather, no matter how hard she tries to please them, and when the Baxters are forced to separate, Heather is stuck with the kids, which seems like a recipe for disaster.

Heather must save herself and the kids. Between the Australian heat and the persecution of the locals, the chances of survival are starting to look grim. Heather knows that she has been underestimated her whole life. Now she must prove everyone wrong if she wants to see the light of another day. She must step up and be the mom the kids clearly need, even when that means doing the unthinkable to keep them all alive.

The book is action-packed from beginning to end. It had me with white knuckles while holding my iPad. The tension is palpable and you want to scream “LOOK OUT” because of course we can see the danger from a mile ahead and the characters seem oblivious to everything. I seriously enjoyed this book. I was going to rate it 3.5 stars but as I was thinking back to how much I enjoyed reading it, I'm bumping it to 4 stars. My only issue is the ending… After having about 6 mini heart attacks, the ending was too abrupt for my liking. I wanted to see more. Yay for a happy ending but come on!!! After having us be part of the chase, you’re just going to cut it short right on the best part? UGH!!!!

Maybe I was expecting a bit more like The Chain, but I am pleased with the outcome of the book.

Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for the opportunity to read the very new and upcoming book of one of my favorites.

The Baxter's are looking forward to relaxing time in Australia. Dr Tom Baxter is going to be key note speaker at an event so he takes his wife-Heather and his kids-Olivia and Owen. Then they get a chance to go to a private island . They pay to take the ferry and will have 45 minutes on the island.

This is where family fun takes a turn as in 45 minutes time their lives will be forever changed. This adventure has turned into a game of cat and mouse fighting for survival. There is one crazy pyscho family who lives on the island and they live by their own rules. Don't mess with Ma! Not everyone will make it back to the mainland.

I loved how Heather changed to become one fierce mama bear and fight for the kids. I liked seeing her devise a plan and learn to adapt to the island.

A year ago, Heather married a surgeon named Tom. He was recently widowed, and his two tween kids—Olivia and Owen—are not happy about their new stepmother. Attempting to try to bond with them, Heather suggests they accompany Tom on a business trip to Australia. One thing leads to another and soon the four of them and a Dutch couple are trapped on a small, deserted island with a murderous family determined to kill them.

Suffice to say that The Island is kinda absurd. The characters are all fairly simple. Heather has a unique backstory that gives her the uncommon survivalist skills to perhaps survive. The evolution of the relationship between Heather and the kids was predictable. Tom’s backstory was mildly surprising but only just. And every time the story dropped a clue about how the book would end it landed like a neon anvil screaming “this is a clue that will be very important for the ending!”

But lots of absurd things are fun, and The Island is certainly fun. The plot kicks off with a dramatic flash forward and rarely takes its foot off the gas. The Dutch couple added an interesting dynamic, and what happens to Hans was creepy cool. There’s death and mayhem, who’s the cat and who’s the mouse flips more than once, and loads of adrenaline. The Island is in development to be a series on Hulu and I would totally watch it. Recommended. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

3.5/5 stars

An American family on vacation in Australia come across locals that live on a small private island. The American kids want to see koalas. They want the full experience and all of the pictures for proof. They are promised just that of course, if they pay.. but are told to visit quickly as it is normally off limits to outsiders. Get in and get out. An accident happens as soon as they arrive and it’s pretty much just straight up page to page chaos from then on out. They’re fighting for their lives and a way out.

This book is CRAZY. A high intensity, fast paced read. If you like survival in the wild type plots, I’d recommend it. I would have loved a little bit more character development and backstory on the weirdo family living on the island.There were points when I was reading and I was asking myself is this really happening or is this a fever dream? I think that’s the point because everyone becomes exhausted, starved and dehydrated due to the heat. Definitely check this one out if you’re down for an absolutely wild ride. I think this will make a really incredible series so I’m excited that Hulu picked it up!

Content warning: Some animals die and it hurts my heart.

Thank you NetGalley, Adrian McKinty and Little, Brown and Company for this eARC

This book is A FANTASTIC, NONSTOP THRILL RIDE. I could not put it down and had to keep turning pages. Expected publication is May 17th and if you are looking for an action packed thriller set on a remote island of the coast of Australia where there are no rules and survival means doing whatever it takes... READ THIS BOOK

This book is WILD!

What is supposed to a fun Australian vacation quickly turns into a nightmare when Heather Baxter, along with her new husband Tom and his kids Olivia and Owen, trek to a secluded island to see some exotic animals. The island is owned and operated by a tight knit family and when there is an accidental, Heather must do anything to survive.

I am always partial to thrillers that can give me an intense feeling of anxiety, and this was one of those books. Since there isn't an inherent mystery like in so many thrillers, it was really difficult to figure out where the story was going to one moment or the next. Heather's internal struggles about becoming a new step-mom along with her will to survive is a really great juxtaposition within the narrative as a whole. It's really easy to connect with Heather and root for her as the story continues.

There were a few additional perspectives that I could have done without as they were short interludes that I didn't feel added much to the story and one of the gave away what I'm sure could have been a really interesting twist. Overall, thought, this is a great thriller worth checking out.

I was excited to see another McKinty book on its way into the world! The Island is about a young woman who has married an older man with two teenage children. The family has taken advantage of a medical conference in Australia and turned it into a family vacation. The children refuse to miss out on a chance to see some of the local wildlife up close and beg their father. for the opportunity. Unfortunately that wildlife isn't the only living thing on the Island.

This is a fast-paced read. You think you know what is around the corner, but you will be wrong. It's all part of Adrian McKinty's charm. He delicately weaves action and dialogue together to keep you reading from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reading copy.

I wasn't sure how a book this long could take place in one tiny location, but there was enough drama and suspense to sweep me away! Another great Adrian McKinty novel. He definitely knows how to build the suspense. This book was very "Deliverance" like - I could picture these characters very well. A great read!

What begins as a family day trip quickly spirals into a fight to survive after a car accident leaves a young stepmother to fight for her and her teens' lives against the inhabitants of a remote island.

Gilligan's Island, but make it darker.

Um... I don't know about this one guys. The beginning of the book really captured my interest. Newlyweds on a vacation with their teen children in Australia decide on a whim to day trip to an isolated island accessible only by ferry after their paths cross with some rough looking dudes (but why tho? They wanted to see some koalas ::shrug::) Their tour guides weren't exactly welcoming and warned them they could only stay for a short time because "Ma" wouldn't like them being there.

Well, dude accidentally hits and kills a woman with his car and things spiral from there.

I don't know, after a really compelling beginning this book kind of unraveled for me. Things started out propulsive, but lost momentum in a big way and the motivation behind a lot of things got kind of muddled for me. I really wanted to know more about the island's inhabitants, like, for example, what is their favorite movie and why is it Deliverance?

Thank you to the publishers at Little, Brown and Company and Netgalley for this e-ARC of The Island.

This was my first Adrian McKinty novel, but it won’t be my last by a long shot. I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller with a great female protagonist!

The Island revolves around a family of four; Heather, her husband, Tom, and Tom’s children from a previous marriage, Olivia and Owen. Traveling to Australia for a medical conference that Tom is involved in, the family tags along to explore the Outback and local culture. Visiting from the Seattle area, Australia is new to all of them. The kids are desperate to see some koalas and kangaroos, so one day they head to the outback but find nothing but birds. As they rest at a small food stop, they come across some men who tell them about a local island full of creatures. And thus begins the endless trouble the family will encounter.

I really loved this fast paced read. I was instantly pulled into the plot, and the short chapters and different POVs made for an amazing read. Told mainly from Heather’s perspective, we learn that Heather is not who she first appears to be on the outside. I loved her grim determination throughout out the story, and the twists were ones that I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait to see what McKinty comes up with next!

The Island releases May 17th in bookstores everywhere and will be made into an original series on Hulu!

The Island is the second book I’ve read by Adrian McKinty. I really admire the unique storylines this author utilizes in a genre that is often full of twists on similar ideas. The Island involves a lot of action/chase sequences. I personally would have liked this book better if there had been less of these elements, but if that’s something you enjoy, this book will likely be right up your alley. At times, it was hard to follow who was narrating the book, and I had a hard time keeping track of some of the characters. Overall, The Island kept my attention and was an entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

What a great read! Excellent thriller! I’ve read The Chain by Adrain McKinty and thought it was an unbelievably great thriller- The Island is as good, possibly better.

First of all, the setting, a remote island in Victoria, Australia habited by a group of crazed isolationists. I’m not sure you could have found a locale more ripe for murder and mayhem.

Then the players, Tom and Heather, neither quite what they seem, take their children to this island to spot some native wildlife. Contrary to all good sense! When you have to bribe the ferry operator that’s probably not a sign that this is a welcoming place. When Tom kills an island “clan” member in a vehicle accident they make another mistake and try to hide the body. Once they are found out and held captive, Heather realizes desperate measure are necessary if they are to survive. She and the kids go on the run trying to stay alive and find a way off the island. Surprisingly, Heather is better equipped to fight than she appears. Tom may be different than he appears also.

Heather, Olivia and Owen forge a strong alliance, but will it be strong enough to survive being hunted by the islanders? You really have to read The Island.

Thank you #NetGalley and #AdrianMcKinty for this great ARC.