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.

This was a fun dual timeline thriller that kept you needing to know more! The last half of the book didn't have as much intensity as I wanted, although the ending was a good twist!
I would have liked to have gotten to know Katie more outside of hunting down Andy's secrets.
I really liked the political aspect of this book and that it wasn't the sole focus or only important character trait. Overall I thought this was a good thriller with traits I enjoyed!!

The book reminded me a lot of the show Scandal in terms of the political aspects of it and it definitely kept me on my toes. Some parts especially the flashback chapters were a little too descriptive at times. Overall was a great thrilling read.

I enjoyed reading Just Stay Away by Tony Wirt so I knew I was in for a treat with Pike Island and it did not disappoint, great build up of tension throughout.

Overall, this was a good read. I liked the premise of the story, but it felt like it lost steam for me toward the end. I would have enjoyed getting to know some of the flashback characters more- even hearing multiple points of view would have been intriguing.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

An intriguing and twisty read that combines a quasi political thriller with this perfectly executed dredged up past filled with secrets!

Mixing a compelling plot and unique characters, I was instantly hooked on this one. And that ending?!? Perfection!