“Death on the Island” is a mystery/thriller by Eliza Reid set on a deserted island in Iceland. While I enjoyed the atmospheric setting, I felt like the characters were dull and it ended up being a bit derivative.

This Agatha Christie-style mystery definitely kept me guessing, but it wasn't so great at keeping me interested. I found myself not being drawn to any of the characters, perhaps because for so long they are all murder suspects. The writing felt a bit clunky, but the setting was illustrated well.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

The blurb claims this is a locked room mystery, but it really isn't. It is a mystery where one of a limited group of people must be the murderer, and they are stuck on an island populated by thousands of other people for a few hours until the ferry service resumes.

I thought the Icelandic setting was the strongest thing about this novel, which started strongly but then gradually petered out as months passed and momentum was lost. There are chapters from the perspective of various characters, but the principal viewpoint is that of Jane, the wife of the Canadian ambassador to Iceland. Jane is slightly dull and not particularly likeable. The characters, most of whom barely knew each other before the murder, were surprisingly keen to pitch in and try to either investigate themselves (Jane and Ben) or bare their souls and secrets to each other (especially Kristjan). There were a few twists and turns at the end, but I do prefer justice to be done myself.

the environment-setting was great and the characters (although less global then promised) were strong. definitely some weird conveniences and the ending was altogether a little bit predictable, but in general i really liked it. 3.5 stars, rounded up. tysm for the arc.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Death on the island is a 5 star read for this reviewer. When politicians and other important people gather , they begin dying one by one.

I was shocked to read that Death on the Island is Eliza Reid's first novel. I just finished it and I cannot wait to read more from this talented author.

This novel is full of intrigue, both domestic and mystery-related, with very clever twists and it made me very curious about visiting Iceland.

So many reviews and blurbs compare books or writers to the great mystery writers of our time, however when I read that this book is like an Icelandic Agatha Christie novel, I found I definitely agree; I LOVED this book!

Thank you, Eliza Reid, and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.

Death on the Island started out strong and fast paced and then unfortunately lost its momentum. I was hoping for more, but was just not drawn in. If you are into Agatha Christie like mysteries, this is the book for you. It was an ok read. I just prefer fast passed, psychological based books more. Happy reading!

If you enjoy mystery thrillers, this is another one. Set on an isolated small island off the coast of Iceland, and of course, with bad weather no one can get off the island. No one can come to help them when a woman is murdered in front of multiple witnesses.
This was a decent read. Nothing memorable, but it gave me a few hours of entertainment. It moved quickly and I wanted to keep turning pages.

When a group of high flyers gathers at an Icelandic coastal hamlet for discussions and negotiations, they have no idea that bad weather is not all they will have to contend with during their stay. Nor have they bargained with the kind of secrets that may lurk behind the facade of a tight-knit community.

All too soon, one of their number is found dead in an Agatha Christie-style mystery, and the wife of one of the dignitaries finds herself in the somewhat unexpected role of detective. Luckily, Jane is up to the task!

Atmospheric, gripping and very readable, this one is worth checking out for any thriller reader who is looking for a compelling story set in an exotic locale.

The description is much more exciting than the book itself.

I wanted so badly to love it, but found it dull and unlikeable, let alone lovable. And completely bogged down in politics, which did not grab my interest. The constantly-shifting character perspectives and confusing jumps backwards in the timeline of events added to my disinterest in anything more than a quick skim to finish it off.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Eliza Dean and Poisones Pen Press for my free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn’t in the right mind frame for this one I think. It took a bit to get into the story and keep the stories straight. It had a good premise with decent twists. Just wrong book at the wrong time. I would still recommend.

Death on the Island by Eliza Reid is a compelling mystery that blends atmospheric tension with a gripping plot. The story follows a protagonist who is caught up in a murder investigation after a local is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Reid does an excellent job of creating a haunting, isolated setting that adds to the mystery’s intensity.

The characters are well-developed, and Reid’s writing keeps the reader engaged with clever twists and turns. The pacing is steady, with just the right amount of suspense to keep the tension high without feeling rushed. While the mystery itself is engaging, some readers might find the resolution slightly predictable, but it remains satisfying nonetheless.

Overall, Death on the Island is an intriguing, atmospheric thriller perfect for fans of cozy mysteries and suspenseful crime novels. Reid’s ability to build tension and create a memorable setting makes this a solid addition to the genre

A classic locked room scenario involving people trapped on a small Icelandic island by bad weather, this book is described as Agatha Christie meets Nordic Noir. When the lights go out at a restaurant gathering, a diplomat dies, ostensibly poisoned. There are so many people with secrets, and more than one person has a motive to murder. The pacing is slow, but the young policeman finally makes an arrest after a second death. But did he really catch the murderer? Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advance review copy!

I'm such a sucker for a locked-room thriller set on a remote island! I loved the details, the atmosphere, and the characters. It was a LITTLE slow for my taste, but it's worth it.

I really enjoyed this book, loved the writing, the characters were compelling and I adored the setting. I couldn't put it down and I didn't want to, I can't wait to read more by the author

There is something about a murder on a remote island that is absolute catnip for me. Add in some horrible storm? Chef's kiss!

I really enjoyed how the setting of this story a lot! A small cast of characters is gathered for a diplomatic dinner on a small, volcanic island in Iceland. Each of the guests has their own motives for being present at the dinner. The author also reveals some details carefully later in the story that change everything you have read up to that point! I really liked how the author included some local folklore about area as well. I like how the author highlighted the differences between the locals and the visitors to things like bad weather.

It is a slow burn mystery with great twists and turns. I'm really looking forward to the next installment in the series. I think this is one that could get better with each book.

I loved this atmospheric debut novel about a murder on a remote island off the mainland of Iceland. The author was born in Canada and is the former first lady of Iceland. She does a wonderful job bringing to life the characters and unique locale. It was easy to imagine being stranded by bad weather in this isolated area, in effect becoming a "locked island" mystery. There are also many political and diplomatic issues which add complexity to the novel. The main character, Jane, is the under-appreciated wife of the Canadian ambassador to Iceland, and the author is certainly well-qualified to write about diplomatic life. Her investigation is hampered by not being able to read Icelandic. A third of the way through the book, we know that someone else will be murdered, and it is very suspenseful trying to solve the first murder and knowing there is another to come. The author's note implies that there will likely be a sequel to this book, and I look forward to reading it. I think Reid is a very talented and creative writer, and I highly recommend this book.

This was a slow-paced Agatha Christie-style mystery in an isolated location. I loved the Iceland-specific details that really brought this tiny island off the coast of Iceland to life. However, the pace moved a little too slow for me, and I did not feel connected to any of the characters. Readers who love this type of slow-burn mystery will really enjoy it, but readers who enjoy more suspense-driven narratives will find this one falls short.

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advance review copy.

This was a twisty thriller with a great plot. I was engaged and hooked from the beginning. I read it over the course of two sittings in a day and a half !!!

A group of people get together on an Icelandic island for a VIP event but all is not well. Graeme, the Canadian Ambassador to Iceland, is hoping to make a big deal with the local fisheries magnate to boost his stalled career & control his ambitious deputy Kavita. Graeme's long-suffering wife Jane is accompanying him on another trip despite growing fractures in their marriage. Mayor Kristján is still reeling from the recent death of his journalist husband Ari. Canadian-Icelandic author Ben is working on his follow-up novel & local artist Hanna is preparing for her show's debut at the local museum.

But the dinner ends with one of the guests dying a suspicious death. With a major storm trapping them on the island, Jane is determined to find out the truth.
The story is told in two sets of tick-tock countdowns.

This is a satisfying debut mystery from the former First Lady of Iceland.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press. All opinions are my own.

This is a debut?! It's an incredible read and I felt like I was right there on the island with the characters. Yes the mystery part was a little predictable by the end but the author nailed a lot of things in this book. I will definitely be on the lookout for her future work.