Book Review: Stranded by Emily Barr

It was meant to be a trip to Paradise...
Bruised from the breakdown of her marriage, Esther Lomax needs to get away and hopes Malaysia's unspoilt shores will provide the space and time alone she seeks.
But a day's boat trip takes a desperate turn when Esther, along with six other holiday makers, is deposited on an uninhabited island, their guide promising to pick them up in an hour's time.
Only, he doesn't come back: not an hour later, not two, not even the next day. Before long, the dreadful reality of the situation hits the group: they have no way of getting back to the mainland and they know nothing about each other. As tensions erupt, secrets emerge and time begins to run out, Esther must ask herself the ultimate question, will she leave the island alive?

I love Emily Barr's last novel, The First Wife so I had high expectations of Stranded. I am pleased to report that my expectations were met, I couldn't put Stranded down and my romantic notion of a deserted island has been blown apart!
In Emily Barr's books, nothing is ever as it seems, characters are often hiding something and the plot has you guessing what will happen next.
Esther Lomax goes to Malaysia to get her head together after her divorce. She leaves her daughter Daisy at home and she is the sole reason that she wants to return in one piece; she wants to be able to prove to Daisy that she can be the mother that she deserves. A day trip to a deserted island turns into Esther's worst nightmare when the guide does not return to pick up her and the other travellers. However idyllic looking the island is, the reality is horrendous, they have to pull together in order to survive, their hope of being rescued, fading every day.
I don't want to give the story away but Emily Barr delivers a beautifully sinister plot, the ending took me completely by surprise, I loved that it wasn't predictable in any way.
Stranded is an excellent read, Emily Barr has a writing style that draws you in, her characters are flawed and believable and you quickly become engrossed in the story she is telling. Highly recommended.

Dot Scribbles Rating: 5/5

Many thanks to the lovely people at Headline for sending me a copy of the book to review, Stranded is out now.

Book Review: The First Wife by Emily Barr

After the death of her grandparents, Lily Button is left without a home or family in the quiet corner of Cornwall where she grew up. When she's offered some cleaning work for local celebrity couple the Summers she is thrilled when the glamorous pair take her under their wing.
With her stunning house and dazzling husband Harry, Sarah Summers appears to have the perfect life. So why, on holiday in Barcelona, does she slip away from her husband and throw herself into the sea?
After Sarah's death, Lily finds herself inextricably drawn to the grieving Harry. But as she falls deeper under his spell, she realises that nothing is really as it seems...

I have looked at Emily Barr's books in the past but for some reason I have always put them back. However, after reading The First Wife, it is clear to see that I have been missing out.
The cover for The First Wife is very striking and I think that is how I would describe the book as a whole. I felt as though Emily Barr lures you into the book with the character of Lily Button and once you have got to know her then the author introduces a really gripping plot that holds your attention to the very last page.
Lily is such an innocent character, you can see why she is lured in by the Summers but I was not prepared for the devastating consequences that she has to face.
The First Wife has drawn comparisons with Daphne Du Maurier and I think it is deserved. The writing is very subtle and you find yourselves in the thick of a psychological thriller that perhaps you didn't expect.
I haven't discussed the plot too much  as it would be too easy to spoil it but I'm very excited about how much I enjoyed this book. In the future I won't think twice about buying an Emily Barr novel and I am looking forward to catching up with her first two.

Many thanks to Headline for sending me a copy of the book to review, it is out on September 15th!

Dot Scribbles Rating 5/5