📖 Overview
Seven strangers receive invitations for an all-expenses-paid trip to a private island off the coast of Mexico. Among them is Miriam Macy, a newly divorced mother who believes she's been selected to participate in a reality show competition.
Upon arrival at the remote island, the guests discover their luxurious retreat is not what it seems. Strange events begin to occur, and the visitors realize they are trapped with no way to contact the outside world.
As tensions rise and guests start dying, Miriam must determine who she can trust and why they were all brought to the island. The truth connects to each visitor's past and a shared history none of them could have anticipated.
The novel examines themes of guilt, justice, and moral accountability while challenging assumptions about who has the right to pass judgment on others' actions. This contemporary take on a classic mystery setup poses questions about redemption and whether anyone can truly escape their past.
👀 Reviews
Readers compare this mystery to Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" but note it offers a fresh, modern take. Many reviewers appreciated the diverse cast of characters and the contemporary Los Angeles setting.
Readers liked:
- Fast-paced plotting with unexpected twists
- Complex female protagonist Miriam Macy
- Sharp dialogue and dark humor
- Vivid descriptions of the island location
Readers disliked:
- Some found Miriam too unlikeable as a narrator
- Several noted the ending felt rushed
- A few readers wanted more development of secondary characters
- Some found the violence excessive
Ratings:
Goodreads: 3.6/5 (3,800+ ratings)
Amazon: 4/5 (1,200+ ratings)
Barnes & Noble: 3.8/5 (200+ ratings)
"The unreliable narrator kept me guessing" - Goodreads reviewer
"Great tension but I struggled to connect with any characters" - Amazon reviewer
"A solid thriller that loses steam in the final chapters" - Barnes & Noble reviewer
📚 Similar books
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
A group of wedding guests become trapped on a remote island where secrets and lies lead to murder.
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena Guests at a secluded luxury inn face death one by one during a snowstorm that cuts them off from the outside world.
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty Nine people gather at a remote wellness resort where their retreat transforms into a fight for survival.
No Exit by Taylor Adams A woman stranded at a rest stop during a blizzard discovers evidence of a crime and must determine which of the other stranded travelers is responsible.
The Last Resort by Susi Holliday Seven strangers accept an invitation to test a new digital detox program at an exclusive resort, where they become pawns in a deadly game.
An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena Guests at a secluded luxury inn face death one by one during a snowstorm that cuts them off from the outside world.
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty Nine people gather at a remote wellness resort where their retreat transforms into a fight for survival.
No Exit by Taylor Adams A woman stranded at a rest stop during a blizzard discovers evidence of a crime and must determine which of the other stranded travelers is responsible.
The Last Resort by Susi Holliday Seven strangers accept an invitation to test a new digital detox program at an exclusive resort, where they become pawns in a deadly game.
🤔 Interesting facts
🔍 Author Rachel Howzell Hall worked as a development writer at City of Hope, a cancer research hospital, which influenced some of her writing about medical themes.
🏝️ The book's plot draws inspiration from Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None," but reimagines it with a contemporary, diverse cast in a tropical setting.
📱 The protagonist, Miriam Macy, is selected for what she believes is a reality show competition, reflecting modern society's obsession with reality TV and social media fame.
🌴 The story takes place on the fictional Mictlan Island near Mexico's Baja Peninsula. Mictlan is the name of the Aztec underworld, foreshadowing the dark events to come.
✍️ Hall wrote this standalone thriller as a departure from her popular Detective Elouise Norton series, allowing her to explore different themes and character dynamics.