AUDIO BOOK REVIEW: The Island by Adrian McKinty

 

Publication Date: May 17, 2022 Format: Audio Genre:  Suspense Thriller   Narrators: Mela Lee

Publisher: Little Brown & Co Length:  8 hours 56 min Buy: Kindle | Audio

Synopsis

After moving from a small country town to Seattle, Heather Baxter marries Tom, a widowed doctor with a young son and teenage daughter. A working vacation overseas seems like the perfect way to bring the new family together, but once they’re deep in the Australian outback, the jet-lagged and exhausted kids are so over their new mom.

When they discover remote Dutch Island, off-limits to outside visitors, the family talks their way onto the ferry, taking a chance on an adventure far from the reach of iPhones and Instagram.

But as soon as they set foot on the island, which is run by a tightly knit clan of locals, everything feels wrong. Then a shocking accident propels the Baxters from an unsettling situation into an absolute nightmare. 

When Heather and the kids are separated from Tom, they are forced to escape alone, seconds ahead of their pursuers.

Now it’s up to Heather to save herself and the kids, even though they don’t trust her, the harsh bushland is filled with danger, and the locals want her dead.

Heather has been underestimated her entire life, but she knows that only she can bring her family home again and become the mother the children desperately need, even if it means doing the unthinkable to keep them all alive.

Review: 

This was a great fast past thriller that delved into how obnoxious and entitled American tourists can be.  While traveling to Australia with her new husband and step-children Heather is trying to find a way to fit into this family unit.  However the kids aren't exactly thrilled to have a new "mother", especially one that didn't go to college and doesn't even have her GED. They think she is stupid, but Heather was home schooled and lived off grid where she learned how to use a rifle, identify plants and animals and survive. 

What started out as an okay vacation turns into a nightmare when the children learn about an island that has koala and they want to go despite it being a private island where tourists are forbidden. However with a little money exchanging hands they family get to explore this island for a short period of time and are told to stick close to the docks.  However being the arrogant self-possessed Americans they find themselves further than they should be.  Things spiral quickly out of control and the next thing you know Heather and the kids are running for their lives, trying to find a way off this island full of insane people. 

This is a very bubble gum thriller but it is a fun read, and holds your attention.  I can see why they are turning this into a Hulu show as it would translate to the screen well.  

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