Michael Barnes
A solid entertaining contemporary horror that I have come to expect and can rely on to deliver from Darcy Coates after reading a number of her novels. In this story the ground work is laid early on with the introduction of the various parties and groups to a private and secluded tropical island by Eton, a “Mr. Beast”-esque online influencer who has become a billionaire and has monetary prizes in store for his guests.
The central protagonist is Ruth who was the a survivor of a cult called Petition which she begins to realise committed the Jones style massacre on this island 20 years earlier. Ruth was a child how had survived a awful experience so its believable she hadn't recognised where she was until she arrived.
That's another aspect of Coates writing of horror, she always includes suspense and twists but she never relies on an unbelievable coincidence to progress her plot. Its in the last third of the novel where the horror and butchery begins to unfold with well developed reveals to explain all that had happened up until then.
A satisfying and well crafted conclusion though when I thought the smart and competent character deserved to make it - that one hurt.
A solid entertaining contemporary horror that I have come to expect and can rely on to deliver from Darcy Coates after reading a number of her novels. In this story the ground work is laid early on with the introduction of the various parties and groups to a private and secluded tropical island by Eton, a “Mr. Beast”-esque online influencer who has become a billionaire and has monetary prizes in store for his guests.
The central protagonist is Ruth who was the a survivor of a cult called Petition which she begins to realise committed the Jones style massacre on this island 20 years earlier. Ruth was a child how had survived a awful experience so its believable she hadn't recognised where she was until she arrived.
That's another aspect of Coates writing of horror, she always includes suspense and twists but she never relies on an unbelievable coincidence to progress her plot. Its in the last third of the novel where the horror and butchery begins to unfold with well developed reveals to explain all that had happened up until then.
A satisfying and well crafted conclusion though when I thought the smart and competent character deserved to make it - that one hurt.