The Island Escape by Jess Ryder is a gripping and atmospheric mystery that takes readers on a suspense-filled journey to the beautiful, yet haunting, Greek island of Inios. The story follows Juno, who arrives on the island with one clear goal: to find her estranged father, whom she has never met. What she doesn't expect, however, is the eerie, unsettling atmosphere that clings to the island, and the growing sense that something terrible happened there decades ago, when her parents fell in love.

The island, once a paradise, is now plagued by shadows of the past, and Juno’s quest to uncover her family’s hidden secret quickly becomes more complex than she ever anticipated. As whispers follow her every step, Juno is drawn deeper into the island’s history, where long-buried truths threaten to come to light. But someone is determined to keep those secrets hidden, no matter the cost.

Ryder does a fantastic job of building tension throughout the book. The stunning, yet oppressive, setting of the island enhances the atmosphere, making it feel like a character in itself—one that holds its secrets tightly and refuses to let go. The suspense builds gradually, with each new clue Juno uncovers leading her closer to the truth, and just when you think you have it all figured out, Ryder throws in a twist that will leave you hooked until the final page.

The characters are well-crafted, and Juno, in particular, is relatable and determined, making her search for answers both compelling and personal. The dynamic between her and the island’s residents adds to the intrigue, as they are not all as welcoming as they first appear.

The Island Escape is a captivating read that blends suspense, mystery, and the allure of a beautiful but haunting location. It’s a perfect pick for fans of atmospheric thrillers, and with its unforgettable setting and well-paced plot, this book will leave you eagerly turning pages to uncover the dark secrets lurking in the shadows.

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ooh this was good! Greece here I come! And what a visit. Juno goes there to find the father she's never met and well, she finds a lot more than she bargained for. Great to have it set on an island in the middle of nowhere as it added to the overall helplessness and will she be able to escape kind of feeling. Gripping but fun in equal measure. With the blurb involving the line ; Mamma mia with murder; I was singing the songs as I was reading this....

This book was fantastic the more I read, the more shocked I became! I was instantly fascinated by the plot. I loved the writing style and I honestly could not untangle the web of lies.

This book was so good I ended up reading it all day. Just excellent! It was gripping, chilling and clever!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars!

This is a truly fantastic thriller that comes packed with twists and turns. I loved the atmospheric Greek setting and intriguing characters. The writing style is quick and engaging.

A really gripping thriller set on the picturesque Greek island of Inios. The story follows Juno, who arrives on the island to uncover family secrets and find the father she has never met. As she delves deeper, she discovers that the island holds dark secrets from the past. Ryder's writing is engaging and suspenseful, making this a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers

Secrets..
Juno has travelled to the paradise Greek island of Inios - to find a father she has never met. She couldn’t have anticipated the feelings that she encounters once there. Not only is her father not there but the island, although idyllic, seems seeped in secrets of their familial past - what secrets have been kept from her? As she searches for answers, unbeknownst to her, someone is desperate to keep them hidden. A pacy and immersive suspense with a nicely drawn cast and a well imagined and luscious backdrop.

A good read, I do like Jess Ryder. I prefer her earlier work generally, but still enjoyed this. Twists, uncertainty and complex relationships. All make for a decent thriller read

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Juno takes a break from her life and her husband in the UK to search for the father she never knew existed on an island in Greece. Her mother, who she has mostly been estranged from pleads with her not to go, but Juno is determined. Once she is there, she isn't able to find her father and later starts to realize there are some things in play that she didn't expect.

I usually really like this author and I was really excited about this setting in Greece, but the one fell a little flat for me. The story unfolded in a not terribly interesting way and the ultimate reveal wasn't very shocking or exciting. This was a bit of a miss, but I do like this author a lot and I look forward to her next novel.

Juno needs a break from her husband as they continue to struggle to conceive. She decides to head to Greece with some letters from her mother, to try to find her daughter. Her mother warns her to come home; she is in danger. Juno ends up with a job at the hotel of her birth family, trying to discover their secrets about her father. She meets people from her mother's past that also tell her she needs to leave. Juno's roommate is convinced this family had the last wedding planner killed and thinks they are in danger. Juno finally decides to leave when she finds herself in big trouble. Will she survive? The ending was not what I expected. I want to say that Juno is a little naive in a lot of ways, to the point where one wants to shake their head. But this book was good. Lots of twists and suspense. Def recommended!