Review: The Private Island by Ali Lowe

The Private Island was Global Girls Online Book Club book of the month for September 2025.

I thought I had read previous books by Ali Lowe but apparently, after looking through Goodreads, I haven't read any of her books. So now I have a wonderful backlist to explore and she also has a new thriller coming out in March 2026.

Ali Lowe really pulled me into a twisty mystery with The Private Island. The resort lifestyle was perfectly rendered however for these holidaymakers it wasn't the idyllic break they were expecting.

Told through multiple narratives the reader gets a broad picture of what each character sees and as the story evolves we realise there is a lot going on behind the scenes.

The prologue opens with a body washed up on the shore but it is not revealed exactly who it is.

Nuanced characters are perfectly written, almost all have secrets and plenty are after revenge.... but would they kill for it?

I loved the way Ali Lowe tells the story right up to the discovery of the body and then goes back four months to fill in details that haven't previously been revealed. Each character's point of view sheds a little more light on the mystery.

The Private Island is a compelling mystery that exposes the complexity of greed and the need for closure via revenge. I was constantly surprised as the connections between the characters were slowly disclosed throughout the story. Cliff hanger chapter endings keep the pages turning. There is never a dull moment in The Private Island.

I also loved the addition of a cocktail recipe at the start of each chapter because what's an island holiday without cocktails!

The Private Island is a twisty tale of love, betrayal, family and secrets powered by money.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Publication date: 25th February 2025

Genre: Crime / Mystery

Pages: 398

Source: Own Copy

#theprivateisland #alilowe #bookreview #australianauthor #ggobcbookofthemonth

#crimeread #mysteryread #ausbookbloggers