Thank you for this ARC!

This book didn’t grasp me the way I had hoped it would. It’s a good political thriller but the writing was a bit slow. I read this at night before I went to bed and I found myself feeling more obligated than excited to continue reading it.

well too much political language for me so i wasnr able to understand it very well but still i love its a good thriller book

This book was really good didn’t see the ending definitely worth reading if you enjoy a good book you will enjoy this

This is definitely not the sort of book I would usually choose as I am not a fan of politics. However, the premise intrigued me and I’m glad I decided to give it a shot.

Congressman Harry Leonard is moving up in the world thanks in part to his chief of staff, Krista. When a couple of postcards arrive that contain subtle threats, Krista is determined to figure out what they mean and who sent them. Little does she know, she’s about to uncover things about her boss that could throw the future of both of their careers into major jeopardy.

Told in alternating chapters of present day and 20 years ago from a summer trip, the story unfolds very well and lines up to make sense. The twist at the end didn’t shock me that much but it was still good.

Definitely looking forward to more books from this author.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

I am unsure of the specific reason why I struggled to connect with this story. It could be the political themes, the frequent flashbacks, or the writing style.
However, I did find enjoyment in the suspense, plot, and unexpected twists.
I may consider reading more from this author in the future, depending on the subject matter of the book.

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this advance reader copy in exchange for my unbiased review.

The style of writing was good and it was a very good read! I didn’t love the political aspect but that’s on me for not realizing that would be a big part of the story! Overall I would recommend it!

Pike Island is a political thriller that’ll have you racing through the pages long past your bedtime. We meet Harry Leonard, a rising political star on the cusp of a potential VP run. But his ambition takes a chilling turn when a cryptic postcard arrives, hinting at a buried secret with the power to detonate his career.

Krista Walsh, Harry’s Chief of Staff, is on the case and determined to unearth the truth behind the postcard. The author does a sensational job of juggling two timelines, keeping the reader hooked with a constant flow of new information and revelations. We witness Krista’s relentless pursuit in the present, each chapter peeling back another layer of the mystery. Meanwhile, flashbacks illuminate Harry’s past, providing a glimpse into the events that could unravel everything.

Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the rug gets yanked. Prepare to have your jaw on the floor by the time the final twist explodes in the last chapter. This book left me wanting more, particularly about Krista’s role as a political fixer. (Is there a sequel in the works, Mr. Wirt? Please say yes!) While Krista’s motivations remain a bit shrouded, it only adds to the novel’s intrigue, hinting at a potentially darker world beneath the polished surface of politics.

Pike Island is a must-read. It’s a whirlwind of ambition, secrets, and shocks that will leave you breathless. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the ARC!

Congressman Harrison Leonard is just what the world of politics needs. He's young, he's determined, and he's looking to make changes (changes that are drastically needed). His goal? The Oval Office, of course.

Krista, the chief of staff full of drive and grit, is committed to seeing her boss become President. She's always a step of ahead everyone and has all the right connections to make sure nothing stops them from their goal.

But their solid plan slowly starts to unravel as mysterious postcards arrive in the mail addressed to the Congressman, but using his high school nickname. Needing to make sure her boss has an air tight, foolproof background Krista gets to work digging into the people and places from Harrison's past.

Is someone jealous of the Congressman and all he has achieved OR did the Congressman do something horrific that will blow their chances at the Oval Office?

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Given the corruption in politics today, it wasn't too hard to buy into this story. I loved the characters and the flashbacks to the past.

The ending of the book was such a crazy, but totally believable and reasonable twist. I couldn't imagine it going any other way. Looking forward to diving into more of Wirt's works in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the arc in exchange for a review.

My second Arc book! Thank you NetGalley for being so awesome!
This book is for anyone who was a fan of seeing behind the curtain of politics and just what lengths people can go to achieve what they want. Pretty much no one is who they seem to be in this book.
I really enjoyed how the story unfolded by going back and forth between the past and present. The pace was perfect and the story keeps you guessing till the last minute.
The ending was what truly sold the book to me as a solid four star read.

Great read, I'm not usually into anything political but this one surprised me. Well written and loved the storyline. Cant wait for another

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of Pike Island by Tony Wirt. It was a great story but for some reason the writing never really engaged me. The dynamite reveal made it all worthwhile though. Could there be a sequel in the works?

Tony Wirt writes such incredible characters. Excellent use of flashbacks, story flows well. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

I'm not a huge fan of books with political settings but it mostly worked with this one. I enjoyed it overall as it was a fast paced thriller.

I finished this book in a day and a half, then I about ran here to write a review. I think this was written specifically for my tastes. It has it all; backwoods setting, teenage trouble-making, ominous abandoned house, shady backstory, political drama, morally ambiguous and powerful women…

I loved it all. I couldn’t put it down. I could see how some people wouldn’t love this story, but it hit all the right notes for me. There was even a little twist at the end just for a cherry on top of the sundae.

I don’t know what else to add without giving anything away, except that I would welcome a sequel. I want to know more about rising political star, Harry Leonard, and his chief of staff, Krista Walsh. There are so many other side stories and back stories that I will be thinking about for a while.

This is a smart, fast-paced, drama-filled thriller about a young congressman poised to be vetted for the role of vice president when secrets from his past arise. Harry Leonard seems destined for greatness. His chief of staff, Krista, is concerned when threatening letters begin arriving alluding to past deeds being exposed and justice being done. This story is told in alternating past and present chapters with great detail about the summer after high school graduation. This book goes there. Teenagers doing dumb stuff. Adults trying to stay ahead of bad press. This will all work out fine. I read this knowing what was coming. I mean, I thought I knew. I was so wrong. And I got two twists! What a bargain!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

From the bestselling author of Just Stay Away comes a haunting thriller about a rising politician whose shadowy past threatens to end his career—and his future shot at the presidency.

This was a fun and very fast paced horror-thriller which gave me James Patterson vibe with a bit of Nick Cutter thrown in for good measure. An interesting plot with lots of twists and turns, this one will keep you guessing right up until the end. I enjoyed this so much as I think most fans of the genre will too!

I have received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for providing an honest and unbiased review.

Pike Island! WOW! 5 ⭐️. It’s very House of Cards. This book was a fast paced, have you on the edge of your seat, unputdownable, thriller. Squeaky clean politician. Blackmail. Murder. Conspiracy. Definitely recommend! Great read!

This is a really interesting political thriller set in the modern day interspersed with flashbacks from the past. The characters are vivid and really drew me in. However, the past events that are revealed throughout the course of the book are not as exciting as the narrative leads you to believe they are. I did enjoy the ending of the book, though, which had a very satisfying twist. I recommend this if you enjoy political thrillers.

Review of “Pike Island” by Tony Wirt

Disclaimer: I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for providing an honest and unbiased review.
"Pike Island" by Tony Wirt is scheduled to be released on September 10th, 2024.

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Tony Wirt’s “Pike Island” took me on a thrilling journey, blending the complexities of politics with a gripping mystery that kept me turning pages late into the night. From the get-go, I was drawn into the world of Harrison “Harry” Leonard, a rising political star whose past comes back to haunt him in the most unexpected of ways.

As Harry’s chief of staff, Krista Walsh, delves into the secrets of a mysterious postcard, the tension ramps up, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Wirt’s storytelling, with its alternating chapters between present-day political maneuvering and revealing flashbacks, kept me on the edge of my seat. Each chapter revealed new layers to the characters and their motivations, making me feel like I was uncovering the truth alongside Krista.

While the majority of the story is told from Krista’s perspective as she makes her discoveries, I appreciated the occasional shift in point of view, which added depth and complexity to the narrative. However, I found myself yearning for even more diverse perspectives to keep me guessing until the very end.

What truly gripped me was the exploration of political intrigue intertwined with personal secrets. Yet, I couldn’t help but wish for a deeper dive into the political landscape to feel a bit more of the real work risk to Harrison’s career. Also, more insight into Krista’s backstory to truly understand her motives and actions would have helped to connect more with her character.

Despite these minor qualms, “Pike Island” delivered on its promises of suspense and excitement. With its blend of political drama, mystery, and pulse-pounding suspense, it’s a book I won’t soon forget. I found myself immersed in the world of “Pike Island” from start to finish.

In my eyes, “Pike Island” deserves a solid four stars. It’s a thrilling ride that kept me hooked from beginning to end, making it a must-read for anyone craving a thought-provoking thriller with a political twist.

Thank you Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC.

3.5 stars.

4 best friends go stay at a cabin before they all go off to college. Pike’s Island is a supposed mystery where a family disappeared from. The boys go digging in the wrong places and end up finding themselves in trouble after what they discover in a locked cabinet.

Fast forward, Andy, who now goes by Harry Leonard, is a politician who is trying to make it big by running for VP. Ryan died from an overdose. Seth has an office job with a beautiful family. Jake is off kilter and lives like a hermit.

Krista, Harry’s chief of staff, is digging into his past after receiving anonymous letters and to make sure nothing stands in the way of the campaign or Harry becoming VP. She discovers much more about the man she is working for than she ever knew and uncovers the truth about what happened at the cabin.

I liked the concept of the story, but thought it could’ve been better. Politics are dirty and people will pay any price to keep secrets covered. The plot twist at the end caught me off guard, so I appreciated one last thrill. A very quick read with a suspense component.