Book Review: ‘The Burning Island: A Novel’ By Hester Young

by | Jan 31, 2019 | Books | 0 comments

Charlie Cates is a journalist and a mom. She also is a woman that has visions about tell her about kids in trouble. They may be before or after something has happened. She has tried to keep this a secret until one time she and her husband find a boy and have to come clean about them (they were suspects). This has Charlie and her family at the mercy of the press.

To escape for a while Charlie and her friend Rae go to Hawaii where she is going to write a piece on a volcanologist David Nakagawa and to get some rest and relaxation. Easier said than done. She has a vision about a girl named Lise, who happens to be one of David’s twin 16 year old daughters. She has been missing for some time now. David believes she just ran away after a fight with her boyfriend while her mother thinks she is dead.

Charlie starts to investigate and finds some really odd people that live where she’s staying. The more questions she asked the odder this gets. Odd things start to happen and she feels someone is watching her and when she finally figures things out it may be to late for her.

A fun mystery set on a small island in Hawaii sets the story (and makes you want to go there). The character of Charlie is well-written and I wouldn’t mind more adventures with her. The twists and turns add to the story with a shocking reveal of what happened and how.

You can pick up the book in stores on Tuesday, February 12th from Putnam.