It’s been a while since I’ve read a good whodunnit, and this was a great book to reignite an interest in the genre. With a setting similar to And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (a fantastic read), six authors arrive on a private island ready to compete for the prize of a lifetime, unless it claims theirs first.
The world waits anxiously for the last installment in Arthur Fletch’s series, the only problem is that he’s dead and the book is unfinished (ok fine, two problems). Invited to the island under the guise of spending time with the renowned author, six writers are tasked with finishing the novel, thus saving the series, and their careers. But as strange things begin occurring on the island and speculations of ghosts are bandied about, the competition turns into one of survival.
I thought this was a really fun book. It was written by a writing team (“Evelyn Clarke” being comprised of V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke), who have had several years of experience being authors and editors in the publishing world, and I enjoyed the rather tongue-in-cheek, almost sardonic, references to the caprices of the industry. Regardless of your background, I think anyone can enjoy this book, but I found those moments to be particularly funny in a rueful sort of way.
The book had me guessing the whole time, as any whodunnit should, and, after reading the last page, I was ready to give it two stars and rip apart all of the loose ends – but then I read the epilogue. All of sudden it’s four stars, and I couldn’t wait to write my review. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t read the epilogue, but if this is you, don’t skip this one (also call me and tell me why you don’t usually read them).
Opinions online seem to be a bit mixed so far, but I hope you pick this up and give it a shot, and let me know what you think.
2% Rating: 7.5/10
Recommend? Yes
Re-Read? Probably not
Time: 1:46