A Christie-esque mystery with intriguing characters and plot twists that will keep you guessing until the end!

Special thanks to NetGalley for my advanced audiobook! I liked it so well, I bought a hardback copy for myself.

Trouble Island by Sharon Short

Trouble island is just that, trouble. It’s a stop off point for gangsters between Canada and the USA and Rosita has been living there since the death of her child. Her maid Aurelia isn’t just a maid.. she is a mobsters wife… she murdered him and is now hiding. When a group of criminals and celebrities show up at the island all the secrets come brimming to the surface.

It has a really nice sinister vibe to it. It felt dark and ominous. I loved it. There was a heck of a lot going on and I wasn’t a massive fan of Aurelia’s. It was a super interesting concept and I love how it all played out but it felt a little monotonal for a thriller.

If you like locked-room mysteries this is a great one to sink your teeth into!

3.75 stars

I normally enjoy locked room mysteries, and I appreciated this spin on that genre by setting it on a remote island in Lake Erie, but this one just fell at bit flat for me.

The book is set in the 1920s and follows a cast of rather unlikable characters who are gathered in the only home (a mansion) on this island. Being the Prohibition Era, most of the MCs are gangsters who are liquor bootleggers, and we also have the lady of the manor (a gangster's wife), plus the narrator, who is a female domestic employee.

I think the issue was that the reader needed more understanding of the backstories of all the characters to be able to appreciate the mystery. As a result, the plot dragged a times and I found myself ambivalent about the characters' fates. Toward the end, however, I became engaged following the twist, which I did not predict early on in the book. Overall, my favorite thing about this novel was the island setting itself. Being in Texas, it put me in the mood for winter with its gloomy and turbulent weather.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A historical mystery that now I am dying to know more about! This novel had all the right elements and knew how to use them: the likable characters, the mysterious setting, class and race disparity, hidden secrets, hope for a better future, and a bird that you couldn't help but love immediately. I hope to read many more works by this author because she did a fantastic job. The closing of this story reminds me of the end of "The Great Gatsby"; full of promise and hope looking off toward the horizon.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Sharon Short, and Macmillan audio for my copy of this audiobook

I was interested to know that this mystery is half historical, half autobiography. I'd never read something like this before.
I liked the atmosphere, the eerieness of it all, the main character and, mostly, the matriarch character. To me, she was the most interesting and fascinating character in this book.
The writing was good, not overly descriptive, efficient. However, there was something lacking for me. Probably because I never felt engaged with the main character struggles and fears - and troublesome past.
I liked it all, but I didn't relate or connect with anyone.
I had a good time and that's it. Maybe...too many suspects? There were few moments when I failed to follow through so many suspects.
Yet, I had a good time.
Unfortunately, it won't be a very memorable book, but I had a good time, and I believe other readers might enjoy this one, too.
The audiobook was really good, though. I didn't know that narrator before and now I'll definitely keep my eye on her.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmilla Audio, for allowing me to listen to a free audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This to me was okay. I struggle with audiobooks sometimes, paying attention unless it really grabs my attention. It was good, but not great for me

Trouble Island was an interesting book--a historical novel that takes readers to an island in Lake Eerie in the 1930s. It's clear that things aren't right on the island--everyone seems to be hiding secrets--and it just gets worse when mobsters come to the island and threaten to upend the little peace they have.

I had a hard time believing the story--maybe because mob stories aren't usually my thing and I just don't know that world--so I didn't feel invested in the characters (also probably because they were all deeply flawed). And while there was a twist, I didn't really care about the story, so the twist wasn't particularly shocking.

The writing was fine and the narration was fine--it's just a book that isn't meant for me.

Book: Trouble Island
Author: Sharon Short
Format: Audiobook
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
Places Featured: Lake Eerie
Review Score: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This locked-room mystery set during Prohibition did not hold my interest. The dialog felt cartoonishly stereotypical of the roaring 20s gangster, and every time someone said, "Doll," I pictured Jimmy Cagney. That, combined with a "tell" vs. "show" writing style, left me cold.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did a great job with the many (MANY) different characters' voices.

Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the advanced review copy.

A nice twisty mystery based in the prohibition era. Our FMC is in service to a gangster and his wife after they help her dispose of her abusive husbands body. Now with a group of misfits trapped on an island and people dying…..who is to blame.
This was a good listen. It held my attention well and I definitely had to pay attention to keep up with the clues as to who was behind it all. The narrator did an excellent job.
Definitely worth a read if you like historical locked room mysteries.
I received an ALC of this title. All opinions are my own.

Macmillan Audio ALC
What a fresh take on a historical fiction novel. I loved the private island secluded atmosphere, the prohibition setting, and the shade characters. This was a locked room mystery, and the plot was so deep and intricate with how the people were connected and how the mystery played out. The author did a great job at hinting at the past of the characters. It kept me intrigued and wanting to keep listening to see just why everyone is on Trouble Island. I really liked the time period and how this played into the story. I don't read many historical fictions set during this time, and I immensely enjoyed it. The narrator did such a great job at capturing this cast of characters, and it was easy for me to keep everyone straight.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Trouble Island transported me to the middle of Lake Erie, during the winter, during 1932. This island is full of secrets and gangsters. You never know who to trust. This is a gripping story of a young lady trying to survive the gangsters and the weather. She is tough and resourceful. I was suspicious of everyone! This book kept me guessing and I wore my shocked face through out the story. If you like "locked" room murder mysteries give this one a chance. I enjoyed the audio version of this story.

Aurelia Escalante is a maid hired to serve Rosita McGee on Trouble Island. Rosita and her ex-husband, Eddie, own the small isolated “Trouble Island.” Rosita desperately wants a divorce from Eddie. When Eddie shows up unannounced to Trouble Island with the goal of convincing Rosita to sell the island over to him, secrets begin to be revealed and dark plots begin to unravel. Aurelia only hopes to survive the whole ordeal.

This is an exciting historical fiction novel set on a small island on Lake Erie. It’s a wonderful setting, especially since Lake Erie is full of rich history, both good and bad. I love reading books that are set near where I live because it makes them extra thrilling! I think a locked-in mystery was the perfect choice for such an isolated and unique setting. The characters are well-written with good backstories and interesting development and dialogue. The book is complex, though, not in a bad way. It did lose me in a few places when I didn’t pay close enough attention to details. If you’re wanting a super easy relaxing cozy mystery, this may not be for you. But if you enjoy action-packed stories with lots of details and some interesting history, you will enjoy this.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I had higher hopes for this one. Aurelia is a maid to Rosita on Trouble Island. Rosita is married to gangster, Eddie McGee who wants complete control of the island and cannot get that unless Rosita is gone. When Rosita disappears, Aurelia tries to escape the island and instead finds secrets upon secrets. This is a suspenseful story that was well written although the story took a lot of brain power to keep track of what was happening. I did enjoy the setting of 1932 with bootleggers and gangsters. This is different from what I normally read. The characters were hard to connect to. Perhaps if I connected more, it would have made the story more enjoyable. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator.

A historical Mystery based off of a true story and real people.

I’ll be honest this is my first historical mystery so I wasn’t sure what to expect but I loved it from the very beginning.

The book immediately hooked its claws into me and made me want to keep reading more to know what would happen next, so much so that I finished the book in one sitting.

I loved that this book wasn’t predictable , sometimes I have a hard time with thrillers because I can immediately figure out what is going to happen but it wasn’t like that with this one, it kept me guessing until the very end.

I highly recommend this book and suggest picking it up for an enjoyable read.

One last thing I want to add was the narrator Jill Araya was very slow at reading so I had to up the speed so it wouldn’t be agonizingly slow.

Thank you Netgalley , Macmillan Audio and Minotaur books

This felt like the movie Clue. A historical who dun it in a closed setting. There were a lot of great twists. Multiple characters but on POV. The ending was a little unsatisfying but an overall good read.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free audio ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Jennifer Jill Araya does a fantastic job narrating this story!

This is a historical novel based in Ohio during the 1932 Prohibition. Lots of gangsters are running bootlegging business on both sides of the border. Aurelia is Rosita's maid in the mansion on the island. At least that's her cover story. Years before, Aurelia had committed a crime which left her sad, depressed and full of feeling undeserving of good things. Rosita is beside herself with grief over the loss of her tiny son. Now, the past unexpectedly comes knocking in the form of a gangster and his motley crew. The two women have different reasons to feel uneasy. The entire household is on edge.

I really enjoyed this tale and found the premise to work really well. This is a well written mystery based upon true events. While its not a nail biter, its a great read!!

I liked the way this one started a lot, but it lost my attention about 20% in and never really regained it... It's fine but there's not a lot of character development and the pacing was uneven - it started with a lot of action and intriguing teasers, but then felt like it dragged in a lot of places. It was fine but not really a great fit for me...

This is my first novel by this author and it was a fast paced read. A look into the lives of gangsters and their wives and the community they live in. Off the coast of Lake Erie, this island is a place for people to go when things do not go as planned. You can feel the "locked in" feeling of all of the participants as they go to this island. Rosita and Eddie have a harmful marriage and Eddie wants to sell the island to pay for things he needs. Rosita lives on the island and does not want to sell. At first it seems like there are too many characters to keep up with but as it unfolds, you become aware of their parts. It is told from the perspective of Aurelia, the maid, but you know there is a story for that one as well. I loved the way it ended and was happy to see the outcome of the story. Great book. Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC of the audiobook. The narrator did a great job as well.

Trouble Island
by Sharon Short
Narrated by Jennifer Jill Araya
3.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley, Sharon Short and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of “Trouble Island”

A wonderful read. Jennifer Jill Araya did a very good job with the narration. Good storyline, character development done well. Only thing was Aurelia secrets took to long to reveal. The twist was really good and was written well.

This book was enjoyable and entertaining, but I never connected with it. I found that the thriller aspect to this book was very predictable and repetitive. Making it almost seem like it dragged on at times. I did like that historical fiction aspect and wish there was more to that story. I do not read a ton about gangsters, especially how the women were impacted by this lifestyle in the 1930's. I wish there was more to that storyline. Most of the characters were ehh - i either disliked them completely or did not have any feelings about them. But I loved the setting - I thought the Island on l:ke Erie was the perfect setting for a thriller. Overall, I liked this book but no parts of it were standout to me. Just an entertaining read.

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.