Jack and Claudia are two coppers that were thrown off the force for withholding drugs, and then selling them back to the dealers at a reduced price. When another disgraced officer offers them the opportunity to go on holiday to a distant island, and basically get new lives, thanks to an unknown benefactor? Claudia convinces Jack to go. But something is off. All the guests are police officers who were on the take. And when one of their bodies rolls into the harbor, it's obvious that the death was not accidental. Will they be able to get off this island alive?
I really enjoyed this book. The writing flowed smoothly, and I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. I did figure out a major plot point but it in no way interfered with my enjoyment of this book. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

Paul Finch’s The Island is the kind of thriller that lures you in with the promise of paradise—and then gleefully pulls the rug out from under you. What starts as a dream getaway to a remote, idyllic island quickly turns into a pulse-pounding descent into secrets, suspicion, and survival.

The setup is deliciously eerie: no phone signal, no internet, and no way to call for help. Just a group of strangers, each carrying their own baggage, and a storm rolling in fast. When one of them turns up dead, it’s clear this isn’t just a holiday gone wrong—it’s a deadly game, and no one’s playing fair.

Finch’s writing is taut and atmospheric, with just the right amount of grit. He builds tension like a pro, layering psychological unease with bursts of action that keep the pages flying. The characters are flawed and fascinating, and the island itself becomes a character—beautiful, isolating, and quietly menacing.

If you’re a fan of Lucy Foley or Ruth Ware, this one’s right up your alley. The Island is escapism with an edge: unsettling, addictive, and impossible to put down.

With thanks to Paul Finch, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a very good read it’s has plenty of twists and throughout that make you not want to put the book down.
The story itself was suspenseful and enjoyable, The characters were great and the style of writing was perfect.
Paul Finch masterfully creates an atmosphere of tension and unease.

DNF

When you’ve got a corker of a story it is glaringly obvious… you can’t put it down, you’re giving yourself motion sickness to finish and life basically gets put on pause.

Equally when you’ve got a book that you struggle to pick up and engage with - it’s SO hard to give up! You’re annoyed with the book for promising but not delivering and with yourself for not seeing it through.

But here’s the thing… there are a lot of brilliant books out there waiting to be read. Life’s too short to read something that you aren’t enjoying or even wanting to read.

So all in all I gave up at nearly half way. I tried my hardest but ultimately it needed a lot more than my willpower.

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc. I love the premise of this book, but did have a hard time getting into it. I didn't really get to know the characters well enough to like them. I think this one was just not for me.

I really enjoyed reading this dark and gritty Thriller.

This was a new to me author so I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised at how easily I became immersed in the storyline. I ended up binging this books in under 24 hours, the writing was very intriguing. There was plenty of action, twists and suspense.

I'd recommend this one and will be checking out more of his prior releases.

Thank you Paul Finch , Net Galley and Amazon Publishing UK | Thomas and Mercer for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

A really good idea for a book, ex ‘dirty’ cops from a variety of forces and caught doing various unPolice like things are invited ( via a mysterious sounding group, headed by a Billionaire who wants to ‘help’ them once again lead their best lives ) to the Scilly Isles for a holiday and to find out more about the organisation

Pretty soon it is obvious they have been misled and are there for an entirely different reason and the book takes a sharp turn into a full on thriller as the ex cops suddenly again become cops and try and discover who/what/why before it is too late

As say a great concept for a book and was interesting to read about the ex Police and what they had done and why they had done it and the action part of the book was fast and a lot packed in

First time read this author and enjoyed the writing and adventure….

Exciting read

When some disgraced ex-cops are told there is a rich benefactor giving them a second chance with an all expenses paid trip to an island off the coast of Cornwall.
Jack is unsure, thinks if its too good to be true then its a trap. Hes convinced by friend and ex colleague Claudia.
What follows is a very Agatha Christie esq Then There were None story, but far more brutal and id argue more clever and twisty.
The setting is perfect and used perfectly to add tension to the story. The characters, despite being criminals themselves aren't allowed dislaikeable. In fact I liked the vast majority.
The death toll is high and some are brutal. One took me totally by surprise.
The island, and isolated place, a bunch of people trapped, a storm, no phones or Internet, and some of their number start disappearing. What more could you ask for?
Its a gripping read and I read it over 2 days.