My passion for small islands began as a child. I spent my summer holidays on the Isles of Scilly, where everyone knew each other, and the sea wiped the landscape clean, leaving it pristine each morning. Since then, I’ve visited dozens of islands, keen to understand the islanders’ survivalist mindset. I worked as an English teacher before becoming a writer. It allowed me to share my love of storytelling, but the tales that linger with me still take place on small islands where the consequences of our actions are never forgotten. I hope you enjoy exploring the ones on my list as much as I did!
I loved this book because it was so gripping. It made me long to be a writer. Although it was written over a hundred years ago, the dark story spoke directly to me.
I read it at the darkest time in my life. I was fourteen, and my alcoholic father had become a terrifying force in our home, just like Dr. Moreau, who rules his island with vicious power. I had never dreamed that a crazed leader could break an entire population, but the idea seems shockingly prescient now.
The book made me realize that I, too, could escape from the trap around me, just like the book’s hero, and learn to use my imagination to tell stories.
I loved this book because it transported me to a sleepy Mediterranean island. The writing is so atmospheric that I felt like I was walking across the beach, gazing up at a slumbering volcano, with the sun scorching the back of my neck.
The story proved that buried secrets can rise up from a community’s collective memory and break it apart. It resonated with my personal experience at the time. My partner turned out to be a man with buried secrets, including a child he had kept secret. The novel’s shattering revelations echoed powerfully with the drama I was facing. It encouraged me to move out and find myself a home where people told the truth instead of lies, and I’ve never looked back.
From the author of Grey Souls and Brodeck's Report: a chilling island fable of murder, exploitation and complicity
"A parable about modern migration that is also the kind of detective story Mikhail Bulgakov might have written: visionary and darkly humourous" Lucy Hughes-Hallet, New Statesman BOOKS OF THE YEAR
"A timely and elegant examination of the migrant situation in the Mediterranean from the point of view of a remote, volcanic island" The New European BOOKS OF THE YEAR
The Dog Islands are a small, isolated cluster of islands in the Mediterranean - so called because together, when viewed from above, they…
I found this book's terrifying claustrophobia unforgettable. I love stories that transport me somewhere I would be too scared to enter in real life, so this book ticked all my boxes.
I've always been fascinated by criminal insanity in women, too. I think female murderers are often demonized because society prefers women to be nurturing instead of vengeful. Troubled minds have always fascinated me, perhaps because both my parents suffered from mental illnesses and its devastating consequences.
I would have loved to be a psychologist in a parallel life, and this book addresses the damage mental illness inflicts if left untreated. This book's dark world lingered with me for days after reading its startling final chapter.
The basis for the blockbuster motion picture directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Shutter Island by New York Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane is a gripping and atmospheric psychological thriller where nothing is quite what it seems. The New York Times calls Shutter Island, “Startlingly original.” The Washington Post raves, “Brilliantly conceived and executed.” A masterwork of suspense and surprise from the author of Mystic River and Gone, Baby, Gone, Shutter Island carries the reader into a nightmare world of madness, mind control, and CIA Cold War paranoia andis unlike anything you’ve ever read before.
This mesmerizing book started my love affair with Sweden. The story was spellbinding, and the chilly Nordic winter crept into my bones. It made me book a long holiday to explore the Swedish archipelago, a landscape that has inspired so many brilliant Scandinavian authors.
I found the plot riveting. I used to dream of starting a new life in a country idyll with my husband and kids, but the reality of such a huge life change can be much more challenging. This book explores the impact of losing a child, which has always been my biggest nightmare.
The combination of exquisite landscapes, believable characters, and a horrifying dilemma make this bookone of my all-time favorites.
Legend has it that the ocean can lure children and make them fall into the depths to never return . . .
Martin, who has always been drawn to the ocean, moves his wife Alexandra and their two young children move to his family's idyllic summer cottage in the picturesque island village of Orust, on the west coast of Sweden. Martin begins to cultivate a mussel farm, where he soon runs into trouble with the locals.
One January weekend, when Martin is distracted by a ringing phone, he discovers that in those few moments, his young son has gone missing…
I love this book for its clever psychological games. I’ve always adored books that convincingly juggle good and evil, and this book achieves the perfect balance.
Amnesia has always fascinated me, and this story left me wondering how I would cope if the only thing I could remember were my own name. It struck a personal note because my much-loved grandmother lived with devastating Alzheimer’s for the last ten years of her life. But I’ve often wondered if amnesia carries a positive element, too. It may rob us of cherished parts of our history, but it also wipes away shame and regret.
The ethical questions raised in this book fascinated me.
'Atmospheric, mysterious and intense ... It's a stunning psychological thriller' C. L. Taylor, bestselling author of THE MISSING
Kommeno Island, Greece: I don't know where I am, who I am. Help me.
A woman is washed up on a remote Greek island with no recollection of who she is or how she got there.
Potter's Lane, Twickenham, London: Eloise Shelley is officially missing.
Lochlan's wife has vanished into thin air, leaving their toddler and twelve-week-old baby alone. Her money, car and passport are all in the house, with no signs of foul play. Every clue the police turn up means…
DI Ben Kitto has returned to Bryher, the mile-long Cornish island where he was born. Grief has brought him home, hoping to recover from the loss of his work partner while they were working on a murder investigation in London. The peace and quiet help at first, but soon, a teenage girl goes missing.
When her body washes up on the beach near his cottage, it’s clear that she was killed by one of the island’s eighty inhabitants during a brutal storm. Kitto is drawn into the investigation, but he has few remaining allies on Bryher, and even his dog, Shadow, has a wayward streak. Everyone seems to be harboring a secret while the killer hides in plain sight.
This book tells the inspiring story of Norvel Lee, an Olympic gold medalist who overcame tremendous adversity. Born in segregated Virginia, Lee faced racial discrimination, limited education, and a speech impediment. Despite these challenges, he became a Tuskegee Airman, educator, and mentor. The book chronicles Lee's journey from the mountains of Virginia to Olympic glory, showcasing his unwavering determination and resilience.
Readers will be captivated by Lee's courageous fight against Jim Crow laws and his groundbreaking civil rights case. This powerful narrative not only highlights Lee's remarkable achievements but also serves as a testament to the human spirit's capacity to…
NORVEL: An American Hero tells the incredible story of Norvel Lee, a man whose unwavering determination and courage allowed him to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. Born in a time of racial discrimination. Norvel faced numerous challenges early in life. However, he refused to be defeated and used his intelligence and athletic abilities to propel himself towards success. As he grew into a young man, Norvel continued to face adversity but his commitment to his community, country, and family never waivered. His unprecedented achievements in business, sports, and military service makes him a true representation of the American dream. This…