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Adrian McKinty
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The Island Kindle Edition

by Adrian McKinty (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 6,331 ratings
Editors' pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
See all formats and editions

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Chain comes a pulse-pounding thriller about a family that must face their darkest fears--and deepest secrets--when they go on the run for their lives.

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER · A NEW YORK TIMES "BEST THRILLER OF 2022"

"Unrelenting suspense." —Stephen King

“Extraordinary.” —T. J. Newman, New York Times bestselling author of Falling

"You'll never go on vacation the same way again." —Don Winslow, New York Times bestselling author of City On Fire

IT WAS JUST SUPPOSED TO BE A FAMILY VACATION.
A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT CHANGED EVERYTHING.
YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE CAPABLE OF UNTIL THEY COME FOR YOUR FAMILY.

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.

SOON TO BE A HULU ORIGINAL SERIES

“Gripping and unpredictable. No one does high-stakes tension like McKinty . . . Prepare to be hooked.” —Sarah Pearse
 
“A haunting masterpiece.” —Steve Cavanagh
 
“McKinty has written another irresistible and pulse-pounding thriller about the surprising places evil hides and just how far we’ll go for those we love.” —Karin Slaughter

 
Previous page
  1. Print length
    385 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Little, Brown and Company
  5. Publication date
    May 17, 2022
  6. File size
    821 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
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  9. Enhanced typesetting
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  10. See all details
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  1. No one confiscated the penknife. Which was lucky for Heather. Because two days later it would save her life.
    Highlighted by 88 Kindle readers
  2. She was her mother’s favorite saying come to life. The cure for everything is salt water: tears, sweat, or the sea.
    Highlighted by 86 Kindle readers
  3. Life, she supposed, was like that—a fleeting impression by a little stream in a big wood that was soon gone.
    Highlighted by 82 Kindle readers
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From the Publisher

The Island by Adrian McKinty - They wanted a nice family vacation
The Island by Adrian McKinty - now they are running for their lives

Don Winslow quote on The Island by Adrian McKinty

Steve Cavanagh quote on The Island by Adrian McKinty

T.J. Newman quote on The Island by Adrian McKinty

The Chain by Adrian McKinty The Island by Adrian McKinty
The Chain The Island
See Details
See Details
Customer Reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
16,291
4.2 out of 5 stars
6,331
Price $9.99 $11.99

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Deliverance meets The Road Warrior in this harrowing survival thriller . . . McKinty is a master of suspense."―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Expertly choreographed and breathlessly exciting . . . both the peril and the family are like no other. The Chain was McKinty’s breakthrough novel and this one could be every bit as big.”―Booklist (starred review)

“Wow, this book left me breathless and on the edge of my seat from the very first page—this is thriller writing of a high order. Gripping and unpredictable, prepare to be hooked and pumped full of adrenaline as McKinty deftly weaves a compulsively readable plot with characters that you are rooting for. No one does high- stakes tension like McKinty. Put The Island at the top of your TBR—you won’t regret it.”
 ―Sarah Pearse, New York Times bestselling author of The Sanatorium

“Heart-stoppingly tense and unpredictable, The Island twists a family vacation to a nightmarish breaking point. Adrian McKinty has written another irresistible and pulse-pounding thriller about the surprising places evil hides and just how far we’ll go for those we love.” 
 ―Karin Slaughter, New York Times bestselling author of Pieces of Her

"An exciting thriller that... pulls readers compulsively onward."―Kirkus Reviews

"McKinty delivers another skillful, blade-sharp page-turner."
 ―James Swallow, bestselling author of Nomad

"A pulsating, nerve-shredding thriller. I loved it!"
 ―M. J. Arlidge, bestselling author of Eeny Meeny

Praise for the instant New York Times bestseller The Chain

"McKinty hangs on to his wit and literacy even under duress...Beneath its surface of high-speed thrills, The Chain is clearly the work of the philosophical thinker McKinty has always been."―Janet Maslin, New York Times

"The pace quickens and the tension builds whenever the mother and daughter appear in a scene. In the end, what makes The Chain so frightening - and why it works so well as a thriller - is that all of Rachel's actions remain completely relatable, even as she whipsaws between terror and determination, morphing from victim to perpetrator."―Tina Jordan, The New York Times

"This is more than nail-biting; think cuticle-shredding."―Bethanne Patrick, The Washington Post

"A chilling, diabolical page-turner you'll want to savor."―People Magazine, Book of the Week

"Thrillers... don't get much more psychologically rich than The Chain." ―David Canfield, Entertainment Weekly

"This nightmarish story is incredibly propulsive and original. You won't shake it for a long time."―Stephen King

"You have never read anything quite like The Chain and you will never be able to forget it. Brilliant. Beautifully written. A masterpiece of tension. The Chain scared the hell out of me but I could not put it down! I raced to the end of the book and then went back to see how Adrian McKinty pulled it all off. The Chain belongs in the elite company of world-class thrillers like Gone Girl and The Silence of the Lambs. This is nothing short of JAWS for parents."―Don Winslow, New York Times bestselling author of The Cartel and The Force

About the Author

Adrian McKinty was born and grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He studied philosophy at Oxford University before moving to Australia and to New York. He is the author of more than a dozen crime novels, including the Dagger and Edgar-award nominated debut Dead I Well May Be, the critically acclaimed Sean Duffy series, and the award-winning standalone thriller The Chain, which was a New York Times and #1 international bestseller. McKinty’s books have been translated into over 30 languages and he has won the Edgar Award, the International Thriller Writers Award, the Ned Kelly Award (3 times), the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Macavity Award, and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B096RSC6X1
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company (May 17, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 17, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 821 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 385 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 6,331 ratings

About the author

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Adrian McKinty

Adrian McKinty

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Adrian McKinty was born and grew up in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He studied philosophy

at Oxford University before moving to Australia and then New York City. In 2019 Adrian had a global hit

with his standalone novel The Chain. Adrian's novels have won the Edgar Award, the Ned Kelly Award (3 times),

The Anthony Award, Barry Award, Macavity Award and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award.

His books have been translated into over 40 languages.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
6,331 global ratings
So exciting and loving the way it is written! Fast, easy, entertaining read!!!
5 Stars
So exciting and loving the way it is written! Fast, easy, entertaining read!!!
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Top reviews from the United States

Angel
5.0 out of 5 stars Page turner
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2024
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I’m such a thriller girl! This book does not disappoint!! It’s one of those books that leave you at the edge of your seat at the end of each chapter. If you enjoy this book, I’d recommend checking out another one of this authors book called The Chain.
One person found this helpful
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David Morgan
4.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling and Suspenseful
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2022
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Buckle-up Buttercup!
Tom and new bride Heather decide to take his two children along to Australia where he's attending a conference. The children resent their new mom and treat her accordingly. While seeing the sights the children whine that they want to see Koalas and are offered a chance to go to a private island to see them. The only way on or off the island is by ferry though and the island's single family runs it. Another couple overhears the offer and asks if they could go as well. They'll only have a short time to spend on the island before the ferry leaves again so they'll have to make it quick. While racing back to the docks something tragic happens that causes the story to go into overdrive. This fun vacation turns into a 'locked room' thriller that grabs you early and doesn't let go until the satisfying end. Think Deliverance meets Die Hard. (Dating myself?)
I really enjoyed this wild ride of a novel. My feelings for Tom and Heather was a kind of love/hate relationship and they changed as the story progressed. The O'Neill klan, led by 'Ma' were straight out of hell. The island itself was a formidable presence. The tension and suspense are palpable and this all made for a winner of a book, one that I highly recommend to thriller lovers everywhere.
12 people found this helpful
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S. Olsen
5.0 out of 5 stars Where there 's a will.....
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
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The heroine discovers a strong will and skills to back it up. This is quite a thrilling survival story. The only drawback, I discovered it was too exciting to read before a night's rest.
One person found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 Good read about a cult family living off the grid on an Island near Australia
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
I wish I had Hulu so I could watch this book come to life. There is so much going on on each page. The author increases the pace of the book further creating a real prey & predator chase. How likely is the turn of events to favor the prey? Well this is a book worth reading to find out how the twisted frayed the threads. I knew early on that the events were preposterous, except to the people in the story. The opening chapters revealed the end of the story, giving the author a clean sheet to write a brilliant Chase Story.
I highly recommend to a wide audience who like to read a book cover to cover.
I have to compliment the author for being aware and responsible to victims and trauma. I hope the author has say in the Series production.
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars What a good book!
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024
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Not usually the kind of book I look for so the star taken off is completely based off personal preference, but it was so well written I didn’t want to stop reading! Very engaging writing!
3 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars a real nail biter
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2024
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This is a sit-on-the-edge of your seat thriller. A young woman and stow step children are thrown into a life or death nightmare. Satiation on an off the chart island off the coast of Australia. The island is inhabited by a family who have no morals or compassion. Her will to survive and save her step children is a masterpiece in deceptiveness and cunning. It’s one of those books you just can’t put down
One person found this helpful
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RTM
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Thriller Makes a Great Summer Read
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
As someone who enjoys travel, and likes to "get off the beaten path," I shouldn't read books like this. Veteran crime writer Adrian McKinty gives readers an exciting, scary adventure turned nightmare for an American family on vacation in Australia. The first few chapters introduce the family: a fortyish surgeon (Tom), his younger, second wife (Heather), and Tom's two children from his first marriage. It becomes clear early on that Heather works hard to hold this fragile family together, although she at first seems to be the weak link. On a spur of the moment decision, they take a ferry ride to a private island run by a mysterious family to see wildlife. From there, things go very, very wrong. Most of the book describes the family's fight for survival. McKinty puts readers in the shoes of Heather, as she desperately tries to find innovative ways to seek escape from the dangerous locals. The author excels at creating and maintaining a high level of suspense, and writes with a cinematic style that I found compelling. Readers will be kept guessing what happens to the family. My only criticism is that reading the book sometimes seemed like watching an extended episode of the "Walking Dead" (without the zombies, unless sharks count). But it is undeniable that this book is difficult to put down, once started. 370 pages later, I think that you will find the experience stressful, but worthwhile. However, you may rethink your next "adventure travel" vacation.
32 people found this helpful
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Ncs84str
4.0 out of 5 stars good book
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2023
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Fast paced with a cool and engaging story. Some parts seem a little implausible but what is fiction for. I’ll be reading more from this author
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars What a ride!
Reviewed in Canada on December 24, 2022
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I bought this book as it was listed in our local newspaper as one of the best books from 2022. I wasn’t disappointed! I read it into the early hours of the morning. Fast moving and entertaining.
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xim
5.0 out of 5 stars good read
Reviewed in the Netherlands on March 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
The Island by Adrian McKinty is a thrilling and thought-provoking novel that takes readers on a journey to a remote island where nothing is as it seems. The story follows the main character, Danny, as he is sent to the island as a punishment for a crime he didn't commit. As he tries to survive and uncover the truth about the island, he uncovers a sinister plot and must fight for his life.

One of the things that I enjoyed most about The Island is the way McKinty creates a sense of mystery and suspense. From the very beginning, there are hints that something is not right on the island, and as the story unfolds, the tension only grows. The author does a fantastic job of keeping readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning the pages to uncover the truth. Really good book
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A.S.
4.0 out of 5 stars Not his best book, but still very good.
Reviewed in Germany on March 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
I liked the Australien setting, the complex characters of the couple and the teenagers.

Definitely not the final car chase. But this would work in a film, and maybe the little bugger had this in mind from the beginning? Because there will be a movie, this is just the perfect material.
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Christopher H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
Reviewed in Spain on May 17, 2023
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So good that I couldn't put it down until I reached the end. It was different from my normal reading material and my heart was in my mouth the whole time.
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Voracious Reader
3.0 out of 5 stars Good idea, not well executed
Reviewed in India on August 4, 2022
Verified Purchase
I thought from the blurbs that some innocent Americans visiting Australia, stumble onto an island where some feral inhabitants threaten their lives, and the young American second wife and stepmother of two kids, demonstrates mad skills, as she takes on the entire rogue clan. But not 50 pages in, it turns out very differently. The Americans are the perpetrators of a cruel crime and it’s hard to feel anything but revulsion. The rest of the book is a bit boring, I read every other chapter (my version of “fast-forwarding”), so I kind of skipped how Heather acquired her skills, yes her father was a sniper, yes her mother was of native American blood, yes they lived in a cultish group in her childhood but the narrative was disjointed and didn’t add up. The Ma Barker look-alike ruling the island was unconvincing, and she cheats native Australians out of their land, so you hate her more since you are “woke”. Could have been a hundred pages shorter.
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