Friday, March 21, 2025

Displeasure Island by Alice Bell

 



Reviewed by Kristin

Sometimes Claire Hendricks would really just like a moment to herself, but unfortunately that rarely happens. Since her BFF died when they were seventeen, Claire always has Sophie tagging along. Ghost Sophie, that is. They are tethered together with some invisible force, and that can get a little weird when others see her talking to . . . air. And it’s not just Sophie who Claire can see, she can see other ghosts too, including long dead pirates and the like.

Claire and her friends Basher and Alex have a chance to vacation at a new resort on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. They were to be the only guests, but unfortunately the owner was unaware of their booking and brought out a group of her own friends for a reunion. At least Basher and Alex do know about Sophie, but not so the other guests. Everyone tries to get along though.

Until the first dead body drops.

This is a classic locked room murder mystery with all players being fair suspects, but with a wicked edge of modern humor. With possible romance(s) brewing and everyone questioning who they can trust, it’s a fun romp across the desolate shorelines racing to beat incoming tides. With bands of ghost pirates looking to control a secret buried treasure, it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye. Or a limb. Or a life.

Laugh out loud funny (as long as you don’t take your mysteries too seriously) this was an enjoyable read. The cover has a bit of a Scooby Doo vibe for me, with four figures (including one partially transparent) staring across a cove at ghostly figures approaching a crumbling castle. Definitely fluff, but I’d give it four sparkling stars.

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