Orkney Mysteries, Book 1
Daniel Aubrey
About the book:
Reporter Freya Sinclair has always known she was different. While waiting on the outcome of an autism assessment, Freya uproots her life in Glasgow, quitting her job at one of Scotland’s top broadsheets and taking a local beat in her childhood home of Orkney. But her plans for a quiet life are shattered when human remains are exhumed by a winter storm on Orkney’s wild Atlantic coast.
The identity of the bones opens old wounds in the islands, and sheds light on a darker truth nobody wants to accept. As the nights draw in, Freya’s obsessive hunt for answers turns into a cat-and-mouse game, with each secret she unearths threatening her job, compromising her family, and exposing new victims to a killer who’s watching from the shadows…
My Thoughts:
This is an impressive debut! This character-driven thriller centres on Freya Sinclair, a neurodivergent journalist who returns to her childhood home in Orkney seeking a quieter life. However, her plans are quickly upended when human remains are discovered, plunging her into a complex investigation of a 17-year-old mystery.
Freya’s neurodiversity is integral to her character, offering unique insights and challenges as she navigates the investigation. Her portrayal is nuanced and empathetic, steering clear of stereotypes and providing a refreshing perspective. The atmospheric setting of Orkney, with its vivid descriptions and changing weather, adds depth to the narrative. Aubrey’s familiarity and affection for the island are evident in his detailed and loving descriptions of its landscapes.
Aubrey’s writing is engaging, with well-developed characters and a gripping, twist-filled plot. The novel’s exploration of neurodiversity, combined with a beautifully described setting and a suspenseful mystery, makes it a standout read. It raises intriguing questions and sets the stage for future instalments. Fans of crime fiction and those interested in neurodiverse protagonists will find much to appreciate in “Dark Island.”
and more…
The Author, Daniel Aubrey can be found on Instagram, Threads and X
The Publisher, Harper North can be found online at harpernorth.co.uk and on Facebook and Instagram
This review is written after I read the paperback edition (published 25 April 2024) which I purchased immediately on sight – it was a combination of the name, location and cover image. I have a love of Orkney after the time spent there and tend to buy anything that catches my eye!
I lived in Orkney for a few years and have some wonderful memories of that time. The author has clearly spent time and done his research on the island as everything was so perfectly explained, I could follow the journeys as described. I also purchased the audiobook so I could enjoy it again.
All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts thereof, may also be published on my social medial channels – find me everywhere as momobookdiary – and book websites, such as Amazon, Goodreads, LoveReading, StoryGraph, and Waterstones. All links are correct at the time of publication.
Tags: #DanielAubrey #DarkIsland #HarperNorth #Orkney #fiction #paperback #audiobook
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