ARC Review: “Whisper Island” by Carissa Ann Lynch

The backbone of every triumph is built on two simple words: Watch me.

Whisper Island, Chapter 1 opening

Author: Carissa Ann Lynch
Publication Date: February 5th 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Format: eBook
Find it on: Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley

Many thanks to the author, Carissa Ann Lynch, and publisher HarperCollins for providing a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis

For friends Riley, Sam, Mia and Scarlett, their trip to Whisper Island was meant to be a once in a lifetime adventure – just four young women, with everything to live for…

But as soon as they arrive things start to go wrong. First there is the unexpected arrival of Sammy’s drug addict brother and his girlfriend Opal – why are they here?

And then the deaths begin.

As the dream trip quickly turns into a nightmare, suspicion is high. Are they really alone on the island? Or is there a killer hiding in the shadows?

And as each of the girls reveals a dark secret of their own, perhaps the truth is the killer is closer than they think…just a whisper away…

From Goodreads

Review

Carissa Ann Lynch’s latest release, Whisper Island, is an absorbing thriller on shelves near you this February 5th. Written in a casual, friendly style dangerously conducive to binge reading, it hits all the right mystery/thriller notes before a sudden reveal and shocking resolution. Anticipation and tension mount throughout the book for a high-impact thriller that leaves you craving more.

The book opens with a brief teaser from the unknown presumed killer-in-waiting, repeating affirmations to themselves that they’ll be the only one to return from the remote island. Right away there’s an intriguing force scheming in the shadows, but it’s unclear who and why. We then flash to the meat of the story starting at Monroe Institute where bonds between main characters Riley, Scarlett, Sammy, and Mia formed. They’re an eclectic bunch mortared at the seams by extroverted Scarlett. Sammy strikes a cool figure who maintains books for a smoke shop, and Mia is a notorious artist with renowned artist parents. Riley, the most introverted, is newest to the group but she’s lonely and eager to form connections.

Their Alaskan trip to Whisper Island is spur of the moment – a wild adventure each women looks forward to for private reasons. But the island is not quite as advertised, and they’re joined unexpectedly by Sammy’s troubled brother Rob and his girlfriend Opal (which, beautiful name by the way!). Trouble escalates over the course of the book. On their reflection, did they ever really know much about the island, its history, or even one another? Buried pasts and devastating secrets collapse in around them as the group dissolves in on itself one by one at the hands of a killer.

This was an incredibly fun read! I found it well balanced in plot and pacing, with a setting that wasn’t necessarily unique but certainly engaging and one of my favorites. The reveal of the killer wasn’t surprising to me but what happened after was delightfully unexpected. I’d recommend this highly to anyone who enjoys remote isolated killer-on-the-loose style mystery/thrillers!

TW: substance abuse, infidelity, murder, hazing

Background cover image photo by Etienne Desclides on Unsplash