16 February 2021

The Castaways

By Lucy Clarke
Psychological Thriller

My Review


A 2021 Top Rated Read

Sisters Lori and Erin are holidaying in Fiji and plan to take an inter-island flight the next day. But following a heated argument at dinner, Erin storms off in a huff. In the morning Lori arrives at the airport alone; thinking Erin will turn up under her own steam. Growing increasingly anxious as the minutes tick by and with no sign of Erin, Lori reluctantly boards the plane alone. It's a decision that changes both their lives forever.

The plane veers off course and crashes into a remote island. As the days pass, the survivors come to realise any hope of rescue is fading. With their plight now desperate, a fight for survival ensues — survival not only from the elements but from one another.

Fast forward two years and the plane wreckage still hasn't been located. Everyone on board is now presumed dead and the crash is no longer newsworthy. Unable to accept that her sister perished in the accident, Erin returns to Fiji in search of answers.

When I saw the book cover for The Castaways I knew I had to read it. It's exactly the kind of story I love — an exotic location, a terrifying accident, hidden secrets and a search for the truth. I really enjoyed it. The dual timelines of 'Then' — as told by Lori — and 'Now' — Erin's search for answers — work incredibly well. The plot is multifaceted, suspenseful and gripping.

The horrors of survival on an inhospitable island are excellently portrayed and I felt included in their struggles. Characters are fully developed; but be prepared for some nasty, self-centred dispositions. The plot is fabulously twisty but try as I might, I just couldn't figure out how it would end. It's pure escapism and I loved every moment.     
 
Book Source: Review copy from the publisher
My Rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins (22nd July 2021)
ISBN-13: 978-0008340919 

The Blurb


A SECRET BEACH.
A HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME.
WISH YOU WERE HERE?

THINK AGAIN…

It should be like any other holiday.

Beautiful beaches.
Golden sunsets.
Nothing for miles.

You’ll never want to leave.
Until you can’t…

The Author



Lucy Clarke is the bestselling author of five novels. Her debut, The Sea Sisters, was a Richard and Judy Book Club choice. She has since published A Single Breath, The Blue/No Escape, Last Seen, and her most recent psychological thriller, You Let Me In. Her novels have been translated into 12 languages.

Lucy is a passionate traveller, loves yoga and paddleboarding, and is happiest outdoors. She's married to a professional windsurfer and, together with their two young children, they spend their winters travelling and their summers at home on the south coast of England. Lucy writes from a beach hut.

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