Read these captivating books set on islands
Islands, with their inherent isolation, have long been a fertile ground for mystery and intrigue in literature. The combination of separation from the mainland and the close-knit nature of island communities provides a perfect backdrop for tales that delve into human secrets and enigmatic events. Here are some captivating reads set on islands where the secluded setting amplifies the suspense.
'And Then There Were None'
And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie is a masterclass in suspense. Ten strangers are lured to an isolated island mansion where they are accused of past crimes. One by one, they meet their demise in ways mirroring a dark nursery rhyme. Christie's ingenious plot twists make this novel a timeless thriller that epitomizes the locked-room mystery genre.
'Shutter Island'
In Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels arrives at Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane to probe a disappearance. Stranded by a hurricane severing mainland contact, he delves into a labyrinth of deceit. Confronted with bewildering truths, Daniels grapples with his grasp on reality, sanity, and self, as the storm rages both outside and within.
'The Thirteenth Tale'
In The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, gothic mystery intertwines with modern narrative. The protagonist, biographer Margaret Lea, is called to a haunting Yorkshire estate. Her task: document the life of enigmatic author Vida Winter. As tales of Winter's troubled history on Angelfield Island unfold, Lea faces both actual and metaphorical specters in this richly atmospheric novel.
'The Man from Beijing'
In Henning Mankell's The Man from Beijing, a remote Swedish village in Harjedalen becomes the scene of a horrific crime, cut off by relentless snowstorms. The story follows Judge Birgitta Roslin as she uncovers a complex web of history and personal vendettas that stretches all the way to China's past, revealing deep-seated motives behind the massacre.
'The Guest List'
In The Guest List by Lucy Foley, an offshore Irish island sets the stage for a wedding meant to be picture-perfect. However, the festivities take a dark turn when a body is discovered. Foley weaves a complex tapestry of shifting perspectives, revealing tangled relationships and hidden grudges, ensnaring readers in a web of suspense that persists until the very last page.
