D.L. Marshall – Anthrax Island

‘Anthrax Island’ by D.L. Marshall is the start of a new, fresh thriller series. I have not previously read anything from this author so with the blurb tempting me in I embarked on a trip to Anthrax Island with the main character John Tyler.

FACT: In 1942, in growing desperation at the progress of the war and fearing invasion by the Nazis, the UK government approved biological weapons tests on British soil. Their aim: to perfect an anthrax weapon destined for Germany. They succeeded.

FACT: Though the attack was never launched, the testing ground, Gruinard Island, was left lethally contaminated. It became known as Anthrax Island.

Now there are government scientists back working on the Island and stranded due to equipment failure. John Tyler is given the task of fixing their problem and is flown onto Anthrax Island. When he arrives he realises there is much more than research happening. When a scientist is discovered impossibly murdered inside a sealed room, John knows he is trapped on this island with a murderer.

The author has managed to weave fact and fiction together perfectly to create a perfectly taut thriller. I found it gave me the vibe of a locked room mystery. Being trapped on the island with nowhere to go made this a very atmospheric read. I was transported straight away to Anthrax Island with not just a murderer around but the actual threat of Anthrax too! I was very jumpy reading this.

A very intelligent story that has been researched meticulously and you can tell. The thought of Gruinard Island being real and its usage gave me goosebumps. For me a very realistic read with a very clever main character in John, I loved his sarcasm which actually I feel makes him a rather funny (at times) person. He is definitely someone you need when in trouble. The other characters are all as good as I was suspicious of every single one at a different time, but as always I was wrong!

A brilliant start with the series. An exhilarating ride of a story that had me immerses from beginning to end!

Thanks to Emma at Damp Pebbles Blog Tours and Canelo Action for the copy of the book.