Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

Really enjoyed this book. It was a little slow paced to begin with but once it gets going, it's difficult to put down.

The late great Desmond Bagley introduced me to adult thrillers in my teens, I read and totally enjoyed everyone of his books. He was a master storyteller of action and adventure thrillers. So imagine my excitement when a previously unpublished novel turned up after forty years.
My thanks to the Author's family publishers and NetGalley for providing a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review. All the old memories of previous classic thrillers came to mind, atmospheric authentic gripping from first to last page intelligent with superb characters, and clever twists a complete and utter treat.
Thanks for memories.

This is apparently a previously lost manuscript from Desmond Bagley, a great thriller writer who died in the 1980s.

Bill Kemp, an insurance investigator is sent to a Caribbean island following the unexpected death of one of their claimants - did he die naturally, or was it murder or suicide? However, Salton's death has far more implications for the island, where he was a principal investor and benefactor. Hair-trigger politics and serious crime begin to arise as Kemp appears to be a target for many different groups, trying to prevent him finding out the truth.

As gripping as any of Bagley's works, this one has been very competently completed after his death, and makes for an exciting read. A real treat for Bagley fans, and for those who have not yet discovered this master writer.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I used to enjoy Desmond Bagley novels from the early 80's when I first discovered his writing. The fact that this book started back in 1972 is now being published some forty odd years later is a bit of a treat. Reading a Bagley novel again you can see where authors like Lee Child got some of their ideas from, as the main caharcter Bill Kemp, is a no nonsense insurance investigator.

Set in a fictional Carribean island, you are never sure which character is out to help or out to get Bill Kemp. It has a decent enough plot, throwing in political intrigue and set in the early 1970s at a time when many British colonies were or had gained independence.

A real treat for his fans and those who enjoy thrillers set in the 1970s.

Domino Island is Desmond’s Bagley’s previously undiscovered novel believed to be written in the early 1970’s and not published until 2019.

The story is set in a Caribbean island nation in the midst of political upheaval as it comes to terms with its postcolonial identity. The main character Bill Kemp has been sent by the head office of an insurance company in London to investigate a claim following the disappearance and death of a key business and political figure.

The author beautifully transports the reader to another era and to the exotic island paradise where we encounter the key figures behind the major businesses and political parties. Kemp's investigation develops into much more than initially expected and he finds himself in quite a few very tight spots. The characters in the book are never what they seem which keeps the mystery going to the very end.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the arc of Domino Island by Desmond Bagley.

This is a book which has been unseen for 40 whole years!! As it was thought to have been lost but it hasnt...
This taunting and very twisting and gripping thriller. This follows Bill Kemp, who is an ex-serviceman in the forces and now he is working within London working as an insurance investigator. He is then sent to the Caribbean in which to investigate and to determine the legitimacy of an very pricey life insurance claim from the death of a businessman whom is named David Salton, His quickly ended up inflated and adding the premiums to his life insurance promptly before his death in which this was to make his young widow very rich... Once he is there in the Caribbean he ends up discovers facts about David in which political ambitions and views had made him a lot of enemies with the public, there are high tension around the locals and there is a election round the corner which prove to start violence and and protests.....

this was such a gripping page turner of a book in which had me gripped start to finish, i read this within 1 day and recommend to anyone who likes thrillers/mysteries!!

4 Stars⭐⭐⭐⭐
Definitely recommend

Desmond Bagley, like his contemporary Hammond Innes, was one of the great writers of the last century. His books sold millions of copies.
This is a real treat. A novel written in the first three months of 1972 then 'lost' for forty-five years.
Bagley populated his novels with ordinary people suddenly finding themselves in extraordinary circumstances. His characters were sympathetic & believable. His plots full of action & excitement.
Set on a Caribbean island paradise 'Domino Island' is no exception. It has the stamp of a master storyteller. Like good wine, this novel has matured to a perfect vintage.