24 February 2026

Heidi Perks was one of the authors on my 2025 backlist challenge, and I managed to read all but one of her books. This was a gripping, atmospheric thriller that really leans into its setting — and I loved that about it. The isolated island backdrop creates an immediate sense of unease, with its tight-knit community, lingering secrets, and the feeling that outsiders (even former residents) are never fully welcome. That tension runs through the entire story and kept me turning the pages.

The mystery itself unfolds through both past and present timelines, gradually revealing what happened twenty-five years earlier when Stella’s family abruptly fled the island. I found this structure very effective because it builds emotional depth alongside the suspense. Stella is a sympathetic protagonist — driven by unanswered questions, family loyalty, and a need for closure — and her determination to uncover the truth felt believable and compelling.

One of the strongest elements for me was the atmosphere. There’s a constant sense that everyone knows more than they’re saying, and that danger isn’t far beneath the surface. The author does a great job of creating suspicion around multiple characters, which kept me guessing about who could be trusted.

The pacing is more slow-burn than high-octane, but the tension steadily builds toward some satisfying reveals. While I did suspect certain aspects before they were confirmed, the emotional impact and motivations behind the secrets still landed well, which made the ending feel earned rather than predictable.

This is an engaging, character-driven mystery with a strong sense of place and plenty of buried secrets to uncover. If you enjoy suspense novels about returning to a troubled past and communities hiding dark truths, this is definitely worth the read.