The Island Of Small Misfortunes by Jackson Cool, sequoia Owens has lost everything in the stock market crash of 1898 and remembers his uncle Preston‘s kindness the one time they met and decides to accept his open invitation to visit Todiket Island an Island on the southern tip of The thumbnail islands off of Connecticut. he quietly hopes his uncle Preston will invest in an invention of his that he is very excited about. on his way to the island there’s a storm and right in front of the island they see a boy and a boat that flips over. Sequoia being a very skilled merchant semen decides with the captain of the ferry to save the boy. The young boy turns out to be his cousin. arriving at the house his aunt Jeanette wants to know his name and the name of the other man who helped save the 11-year-old when Sequoia says he doesn’t know the captains name. His aunt says no the other man who was standing next to you when you pulled him out of the water. This is sequoia’s introduction to the Todiket ghost. sequoia doesn’t believe in ghost later on his uncle and other family members beseech him to play along with Jeanette, who’s having a séance later that night but during the event things become all too real for sequoia and all the questions he’s accumulated until now of things he no longer thinks he wants answered, if only he lives long enough. I think those who are into jump scares will not like this book but those who like intelligent horror and well researched historical tales will definitely love this book. I know I absolutely did. The whole time I was thinking one thing and it turned out to be something totally different. I love a book that can surprise you in this book has more than one surprise in store for the reader. I know my review does not do this great book justice. Just know if you love well done and well thought out stories then you will definitely love this very accurate historical horror. saying I cannot wait to read more from this author is a very big understatement and I can’t express how much I totally enjoyed this book. #NetGalley, #TheIslandOfSmallMisfortune’s, #JacksonCool,

A suspenseful historical fiction read set on a remote island that seems to be haunted.

Sequoia Owen is finally accepting his estranged uncle's offer to visit their family's summer home on Todeket Island. It's 1898 and the stakes for Sequoia have never been higher. Upon arriving on the island, Sequoia meets his mentally unwell aunt Geneve who is convinced that her son's ghost is following Sequoia's every movement. In the span of one weekend, Sequoia has found himself confronted with much more than he has bargained for. He must try to unravel Todeket's mysterious secret before it is too late.

Honestly, I found this book to be quite boring. I signed up to read this book due to the fact that it is pitched as a short historical suspense novel, so I figured I'd fly through it. Yes, I may have finished it in a matter of days, but not because it was exciting or thrilling. I found that I had little interest in Sequoia, Todeket Island, or the mysterious ghosts that were supposedly haunting the island.

The only thing this book really had going for it was that the writing was quite eloquent at times; there are certain passages contained within that I found to be quite poetic and astute. After Sequoia wakes up on the boat, the story picks up a little bit, but not enough to truly redeem the story after the lackluster beginning.

After thinking about this book for a little bit, the biggest theme seems to be the discussion on the morality of war and whether or not it is necessary. Many of the characters seem convinced that war is the only way to truly build a man's character and death is the only way to really appreciate life. Sequoia on the other hand, is quite opposed to war and violence. This is one of the only overarching things that I noticed about this novel, so I figure I would touch on it briefly.

Overall, "The Island of Small Misfortunes" was not my cup of tea. I found it to be quite boring and a tad longwinded despite its small page count. I think if one enjoys reading slower moving historical novels and looking at war with your philosophy cap on, one may find this read quite interesting. I on the other hand, just found myself bored and waiting for the book to come to a close.

(Very grateful to NetGalley $ Regal Publishing House for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!)

This is a short, gothic inspired novel, that tells the, often twisted, tale of one family’s summer home on a private island. This was a very atmospheric read for me, and had me wishing I was reading it in October instead of January!

I love literature that explores complicated family dynamics, so this was an automatic grab for me! I feel like, on that front, Kuhn definitely delivered. The characters in this book are jussstttt unlikeable enough without crossing the line, in my opinion.

There were a few times while reading that I found myself disappointed with either the storyline or the pace. This seems to be a usual feeling for me when reading shorter novels and novellas as I’m always left wanting just a little bit more. More information, more plot, etc.

Overall, I enjoyed this read! I would recommend it to gothic mystery lovers and my fellow dysfunctional family lit lovers.

ackson Kuhl's gothic mystery delivers an atmospheric tale that captures the essence of historical ghost stories. While the narrative has intriguing elements, it doesn't quite reach full potential. The setting of the isolated island and the complex family dynamics create a compelling backdrop, but the pacing occasionally feels uneven.
The book successfully blends historical fiction with supernatural undertones, offering just enough mystery to keep readers engaged. Kuhl's background in historical writing shines through in the period details, which add depth to the story. However, some plot points feel predictable, preventing the novel from being truly exceptional.
For fans of gothic mysteries and historical fiction with a ghostly twist, this is definitely worth picking up. It's a solid read that showcases Kuhl's skill at creating an eerie, immersive atmosphere.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little torn on how to rate “The Island of Small Misfortunes” by Jackson Kuhl. The premise absolutely hooked me – a Gothic tale of inheritance, war, memory, and ghosts set on a private island? Yes, please. It’s the kind of atmospheric, eerie read I can see becoming a seasonal favourite around Hallowe’en.

There’s so much to love – the characters are enigmatic and often unlikeable, and I appreciated not being able to clearly predict how things would unfold. Guilt lingers like a shadow, and I enjoyed the ambiguity around who carries the heaviest burden. However, I feel this had the potential to be excellent. Some plot points left me questioning Sequoia Owen’s choices, and at times the pacing felt both jumbled and rushed.

That said, I read it in one sitting – so clearly, something kept me gripped! I couldn’t predict the ending, which speaks volumes. Maybe I’m being overly critical, but I suspect this is a book I’ll revisit. With a second read, I might appreciate it more fully.

Set in the summer of 1898, the story follows Sequoia Owen as he visits his estranged uncle at the family’s summer home on Todeket, a private island off the coast of Connecticut. His ailing aunt Geneve believes he is accompanied by the ghost of her late son, Jacob. Over the course of a tense weekend, Sequoia faces hostile relatives, threats against his life, and conflicting stories about the house’s history as he unravels the dark secrets of Todeket.

If Gothic fiction with a twist of family drama and spectral mystery intrigues you, The Island of Small Misfortunes is well worth a look - out 25 March 2025.

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