Claire and Daniel need a break from London after Claire makes a critical error so why not go to Selkie Island, a dark and gloomy place where Daniel was raised. Well maybe because Daniel's parents disappeared there, there are lots of secrets and well just why would he want to return to a place of great pain (except for the plot). Things are creepy but then their baby daughter Kitty goes missing and everything amps up. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a page turner to be sure but I struggled a bit with the whole scenario.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another page turner from Caroline Mitchell. I loved all the characters and ooooo'ed out loud more than once when reading. She hit the nail on the head when it came to the small mindset some island people can have. And the split timeline was perfect.

One bit at the end referring to Mary annoyed me but it can easily be overlooked.

Caroline Mitchell's “The Islanders” offered an electrifying escape into the depths of mystery and suspense. This is the second book I've read on a remote island in the space of a few weeks, so I embarked on this one with a hint of trepidation. However, I quickly found myself ensnared by a narrative that was nothing short of exhilarating.
From the very first page, Mitchell's storytelling prowess is evident. Her prose is laden with suspense, and she masterfully weaves a web of intrigue that keeps you guessing. As I delved deeper into the story, I couldn't help but marvel at the author's ability to create an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty.
What truly sets “The Islanders” apart is its unexpected twists and turns. I pride myself on being a seasoned reader, often anticipating the plot's direction, but this book left me pleasantly confounded. The identity of 'The Islander' was a revelation that I never saw coming. Mitchell skilfully keeps you on your toes, and just when you think you have it all figured out, she throws in a curveball that leaves you reeling.
One of the aspects that I particularly admired was the way the story unfolded. Mitchell has a talent for providing just enough information to keep you intrigued but not overwhelmed. The gradual unravelling of the mystery is a testament to her skill as a writer. I had found myself suspecting every character, yet when the first significant twist occurred, a cascade of revelations suddenly fell into place. It was a moment of sheer brilliance, making all the earlier nuances in the story coalesce into a coherent whole.
“The Islanders” is a rollercoaster of suspense, taking you on a wild ride of emotions. It's a testament to Caroline Mitchell's ability to craft a story that keeps you glued to the page, eagerly turning to the next chapter to discover what lies ahead. It's the kind of book that has you reading late into the night, unable to put it down until you've uncovered all its secrets.
In every sense, “The Islanders” proved to be a captivating and edge-of-your-seat read, delivering an adrenaline rush of suspense that gripped me from start to finish. Caroline Mitchell has once again demonstrated her mettle as a master of the thriller genre, and this book is a shining example of her storytelling prowess.

This book completely hooked me in and I was in for a wild ride. I loved the descriptive writing style and the nuanced characters

This book brought me out of a slump and I was on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next. Definitely worth a read

This is the first book I have read from this author.I found this book confusing at times Good premise that just did not fully deliver for me. . Good twist at the end. Would definitely read the next offering.Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

Another of my go to author's has done it again. Atmospheric, intense and one of a heart pounding thrill ride. Another MUST READ and highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Arc in return for an honest review.

The Islanders by Caroline Mitchell
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This book definitely kept me interested! I definitely feel like some parts were drawn out but overall it was so good! Absolutely didn’t expect some of those twists and it was an absolute ride! Definitely read this if you like thrillers!

Claire her husband and their baby are taking a break on an Island where a family tragedy had occurred many years earlier.
A spooky tale told in two different timelines which some interesting characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

From the suspenseful prologue to the very last page Caroline Mitchell takes us on a journey in this great novel. Following a tragedy at work Claire's husband Daniel decides a temporary move is in order, intending to move to the remote Selkie Island where he grew up with his family. But the old house and island have secrets that they do not wish Claire to hear, and when everyone tells her the baby is not safe she worries for her daughter Kitty's well being.
The description of the house and Island is eerie and creepy, the remoteness gives a locked room feel. It's tense and dark and yes there's twists galore. A definite 5 star read
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read this advanced copy, with no obligation to leave my review

Claire seeks refuge on Selkie Island after the death of a child. The islanders seem very hostile to outsiders and Claire is desperate to find out why?

When her baby Kitty goes missing all the secrets are revealed and its not as it seems.

A really great book which I raced through, it captured me straight away, i love Caroline Mitchell's books and cant wait to see what she writes next.

Thanks to net galley for this arc

4 stars

Wow, Caroline Mitchell.. you got me good on this one!! I am a long time fan of this authors books and ai have to say I think The Islanders is one of her best. It is dark and creepy and very shocking. The ending smacked me in the face! I was not expecting that at all and it was brilliant.

Claire and Daniel are looking for a fresh start. They leave London after a traumatic event, and head for Daniel’s childhood home of Selkie an island in the Irish Sea. He hasn’t been back since leaving, and Claire does not know his family’s secrets. He didn’t have a normal childhood, growing up in a home for women with problems. His parents were killed by the sea and he has had no inclination to ever return. Claire cannot stop asking questions, and everyone on the island wants these secrets kept.

Imagine being cut off on this island, surrounded by rough seas and folklore. The weather was mostly bad which just added to the misery and the fear. I don’t want to say too much but this is a book you just have to read.

Thanks so much to Thomas and Mercer for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on November 16th.

Good haunting and chilling thriller. It will definitely keep you guessing all the way to the end. It does have a bit of a slow start, then picks up in the middle and then slows back down which kind of threw me off. I struggled to finish this one, I didn't have the urge to pick it up and read.

The characters were unlikeable, in an annoying way. I didn't find them relatable at all. Some decisions and actions they did just didn't seem believable. It was hard to root for any of the characters in this book.

The horrors that happened in that house and the lies to cover it up just didn't do it for me. The premise was definitely intriguing, but it just fell flat for me. There was something missing for me.

I do see why a lot of people have reviewed this one highly, it just wasn't the one for me. It could be the one for you !

✨️Thank you to @netgalley & Thomas&Mercer for my free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Caroline Mitchell is one of my favourite authors and I really enjoy the DI Amy Winter series but this novel didn’t quite do it for me. “The Islanders” is a haunting thriller that while I enjoyed it it didn’t in my opinion hit the high level of many other of Caroline’s novels.

Dr. Claire is a top London paediatrician and has sought refuge on Selkie Island with her husband Daniel and their baby daughter Kitty. Her past trauma haunts her and she now seeks the isolation that the island offers her but as she attempts to escape her guilt, she finds herself ensnared in a different kind of mystery.

The novel is told over two timelines, the present and twenty years earlier when Daniel’s parents mysteriously disappeared while trying to leave the island. As the novel develops the dark past of the island is uncovered.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very engaging book with a completely shocking twist that I bet most if not all readers will not see coming. I read the book in a couple of days, pulled in by the storyline and wanting to know what happens next.

We meet one of the main characters, Claire, as she's on a ledge threatening to jump and resisting attempts by her husband, Daniel, to stop her. Claire is a top paediatrician, and is traumatised after failing to correctly diagnose her sister's child's illness, and blames herself for the child's death.

Daniel takes Claire and their baby daughter, Kitty, to the remote Irish island where he grew up in an attempt to help her to recover. But it's clear from the start that the island holds horrible secrets for Daniel and he's struggling to be there.

We find out as the story develops that Daniel's parents ran a sort of "home" on the island. The true nature of this, a place where "disgraced" women were sent, sounds more and more sinister as we read on.

Daniel and his family members, plus a couple who used to work for his parents, are all apparently trying to hide the full truth from Claire and discuss at various points how to talk about their secret with her. But the secret isn't the one we are led to believe.

The author is great at creating a real air of distrust and paranoia as Claire tries to navigate life in a new place where everyone seems to be keeping something from her. We don't quite know who to trust or believe.

It's a fast-paced novel with complex characters - definitely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Daniel and Claire return to Daniel’s childhood home in Ireland with their daughter, Kitty. Claire was a paediatrician and tragedy struck. Claire became unhappy and really needed a break after being pushed to the edge. The island Daniel was raised on also served as a kind of institution for young women. Claire also decides to try and investigate the drowning of both Daniel’s parents. But not everyone wants Claire to do this.

Caroline Mitchell never fails to write an excellent story with pure tension bubbling away with it. There was much emotion in the writing, but as always with this author, she ensures there is room for a chink of hope in the darkness. The author books are always character driven and the characters were well written, and I really liked Claire, and feel she could be relatable. Another great read from this author.

Claire, Daniel, and their baby Kitty are going to Ard Na Mara, Daniel’s childhood home. Claire has not been herself since the death of a child, and Daniel feels that getting away to this isolated place will help her heal. But Daniel hasn’t shared the extent of his upbringing, and soon all Claire has are more questions with very few answers. She knew his parents died in a tragic accident, but she had no idea that his upbringing was anything but ordinary.
Told from several points of view, we spend time in the present, and in the past, including Daniel’s parent's early marriage, and his terrible upbringing. There is a fantastic twist which made me throw out all of my guesses regarding what was going on. A page turner, and I really enjoyed all the reveals, and how everything came together in the end.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Thomas and Mercer and the fantastic author Caroline Mitchell for an early copy of her book to read.

I've read a few books from this author,and writes great series. This one was a slow start for me.Claire was troubled and seeked a quiet place and her husband and child go to selkie island a place where her husband parents lived and they have a hidden past.Claire wants to find out the secrets of her husband past,the hidden secrets,.the closer she gets the more danger shes in..This book was an okay read think I didnt enjoy the storyline as much as her other books..looking forward to reading more of her books.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon uk.

I absolutely loved this! It has everything you'd want from a mystery/ thriller but without going into the relms of absolutely is acting overly suspicious and everyone has a dark secret. It's well written and the writing style paints such a vivid picture of the island and the tension uncertain atmosphere. I liked the characters, they were well wounded and complete and the twists and turns were just awesome! Highly recommend

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

This was great!!! Lots of twists and turns throughout. I love a good family secret story and this did not disappoint. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.