There's no such thing as a free lunch!

There definitely seems to be trends in writing and publishing. Remember recently when a lot of book covers featured a girl in a red coat. Now it seems there's a flurry of books set on islands. And I'm not unhappy about it. After all, what a perfect opportunity for murder and mayhem when you're trapped somewhere unable to escape and having to deal with all that island life throws at you. This usually includes no mobile signal, harsh weather conditions, the sea battering the cliffs below you and then someone out there who's up to no good and wants to do you harm. It's a winning combination, in my opinion.

This time, I'm reading The Last Resort, Susi Holliday's spin on Island life. I enjoyed this one. 

It moved along at a real pace and had an Agatha Christie-style to it. A group of strangers thrown together visiting a so-called luxury resort. Naturally, all does not turn out as they expect and we're not sure who's going to be picked off next and why. To be honest, they all seemed insufferable and the sort of people you definitely don't want to be trapped on a small plane and island with. Holliday does play with our emotions though, using stereotypes to bring out our judgemental side (or mine at least) and then she adds in some backstory that makes us feel a little more sympathetic or for a while at least. 

When the characters arrive on the island, all seems well. However, part of their experience involves being fitted with a tracker which it transpires can read prior memories. These memories are then projected and can be viewed by others and let's just say they're not happy ones of wedding days and puppies. 

I really enjoyed the near future elements that run through the novel, and it has a Big Brother/Black Mirror feel to it. It also reminded me of some of the Bond films. You know the sort of thing - a wealthy villain, living in a remote place messing about with science and technology but for their own gains.

There's a lot to enjoy about this book, although the end felt a little rushed to me. The history that led to the ending is intriguing in its own right and I'd actually like to read this book too. So if you're reading this Susi any chance of that novel on Father Island being written too. Even writing down the name of it sends shivers up my spine given what you've told me about the place.

Thanks to Susi Holliday, NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for sharing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And if you fancy reading this one you can pre-order it on Amazon now. 

The Last Resort