Daisy Darker
Alice Feeney
Macmillan
ISBN:9781529089813
Description:
The New York Times bestselling Queen of Twists returns…with a family reunion that leads to murder.
After years of avoiding each other, Daisy Darker’s entire family is assembling for Nana’s 80th birthday party in Nana’s crumbling gothic house on a tiny tidal island. Finally back together one last time, when the tide comes in, they will be cut off from the rest of the world for eight hours.
The family arrives, each of them harboring secrets. Then at the stroke of midnight, as a storm rages, Nana is found dead. And an hour later, the next family member follows…
Trapped on an island where someone is killing them one by one, the Darkers must reckon with their present mystery as well as their past secrets, before the tide comes in and all is revealed.
My View:
Love the cover art. Love the writing; evocative, some really beautiful prose, full of surprising revelations.
This is a very cleverly plotted and written book; there are plenty of surprises, some reflections on the meaning of “family” and lots of exploration of family dynamics in general.
Daisy Darker pays homage to 2 well known narratives ( no spoilers see if you can pick them) this was a clever device, but for me it took a little of the gloss of the reveal away. If you like a “locked in” mystery, like a twisty plot, then this book is for you.
If you have read this what did you think?
I think its time I read her previous acclaimed book, Rock Paper Scissors.
Reading, Writing and Riesling 
That ‘trapped on an island’ trope can work well, Carol; at any rate, it adds to the suspense and claustrophobia. Family dynamics can also add to a story, too. Hmm… Yes, I can see how using something that’s already been done can take a little of the gloss off, but it’s an interesting context for a crime novel.
I think its one for you to read and analyse Margot.
…and available in the US, too, Carol. It’s now on the list.