This novel picks up the trend of reality shows featuring young people sequestered on a remote island and runs with it. Six people are transported to an island off Portugal to compete for the main prize in “Iconic”. The group includes a celebrity chef, an actor, a frontman for a band, an activist/social justice warrior, a tech bro, and a socialite famous for doing nothing – sounds about right! And just like those reality shows, the contestants all have secrets they would prefer not to discuss. All the key elements of a good reality show exist on the island…sexual tension, jealousy, greed, deception, mistrust and anger. It is a toxic mix which results in a sudden death which Portuguese investigators consider suspicious. But can they figure out which one is the killer before the network airs the finale?

This novel sounds like a guilty pleasure and it is! Humans are voyeurs and we love to observe others behaving badly, which this book delivers. Sex? Check. Manipulation and betrayal? Check. Greed and sabotage? Check. The plot is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel. Can you guess which one? No spoilers so I cannot give it away. I quite enjoyed this novel and I cannot think of a better one to take on beach vacation. So if you are planning a fall beach getaway, pick this one up when it comes out in August 2024. Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the copy to read.