FACT: In 1942, in growing desperation at the progress of the war and fearing invasion by the Nazis, the UK government approved biological weapons tests on British soil. Their aim: to perfect an anthrax weapon destined for Germany. They succeeded.
FACT: Though the attack was never launched, the testing ground, Gruinard Island, was left lethally contaminated. It became known as Anthrax Island.
Now government scientists have returned to the island. They become stranded by an equipment failure and so John Tyler is flown in to fix the problem. He quickly discovers there's more than research going on. When one of the scientists is found impossibly murdered inside a sealed room, Tyler realises he's trapped with a killer...
A huge thank you to the Canelo team for an advance copy of
Anthrax Island by D. L. Marshall. This
gripping,
intelligent locked-room mystery reminded me of Agatha Christie's
And Then There Were None, but with a
contemporary twist: the added terrifying threat of death by anthrax.
I have to start by saying this thoroughly-researched thriller is one of the best examples of setting I have read in a long time. I was completely transported to this unique setting - a dark and stormy island, brimming with atmosphere, helped along by the brilliant lines of descriptive prose. I highly recommend listening to storm sounds while you're reading this, for a fully immersive experience! The fact that Gruinard Island is a real place, and the story is inspired by real events, only adds to the chill (and thrill!) factor.
The other element that struck me was the characterisation. John Tyler is a character I want to read more about. He's smart, sarcastic and really quite funny: someone you would definitely want on your side. So I was so excited to find out that a sequel is coming! It's got a great cast of characters for you to be suspicious of. And once you think you've solved the mystery, the illusion is shattered and you realise you were wrong all along. It's impossible to predict!
It's got a great structure - this masterfully plotted story takes place over the course of 24 hours, with each chapter ending in a mini cliffhanger that'll have you struggling to put it down. This fast-paced, tense and exhilarating thriller is packed full of twisty action from the first page to the last.
Available to pre-order in paperback and ebook, but if you want to get your hands on a signed copy, check out Forum Books, a fantastic independent bookshop.
Roxie
@RoxieAdelleKey
About the author
D. L. Marshall was born and raised in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Influenced by the dark industrial architecture, steep wooded valleys, and bleak Pennine moors, he writes thrillers tinged with horror, exploring the impact of geography and isolation. In 2016 he pitched at Bloody Scotland. In 2018 he won a Northern Writers’ Award for his thriller novel Anthrax Island.
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