Lila Carmichael, world famous comedienne invites to her private island a small group of 'friends' from fifteen years ago.
Where she forces them to play a game - who will survive to win the prize.
None of these characters had an redeeming features - can you wish for everyone to die? ( )

This book's description got me at "Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None" and lost me close to the end when I realized that my expectations will not be fulfilled and the book is kinda similar to The Lord Of The Flies. Through the main character, Lila, we're faced with the reality of bullied kids or teens that are haunted their whole life by the things they have been through...and if they're a bit crazy who knows what might happen. ( )

I enjoyed this story. I felt the control Lila exerted over the lives of her former classmates was a bit far fetched, even though she was rich. However, I veered between thinking she was psychologically disturbed and pitying her. The fact they all thought she owed them something after having treated her badly was not. I liked the follow up at the end. ( )

'Despite her great success, Lila had become bitter and cruel.' This is the essence of this book which the author refers to as a psychological thriller. She states her aim as wanting to look at the motives and motivation of her characters and in this writer's humble opinion she achieves this.

At first I wondered about the significance of the prologue, but by the end of the novel I understood. The structure of the book is not linear, and as such it may take a little more careful reading. The characters are introduced through their own chapters. Lila Carmichael, overweight, rich comedian with her assistant Peter. Della Roman is a tortured soul heavily reliant on medication such as valium. Jonathan Levin is a dubious film director with expensive tastes. Dick Ferrol is married to Millie and is in trouble with the law having been issued with a supeona. Davis Gregory is the charmer who bends the rules when it comes to financial deals and is recently engaged to Cynthia.

They are all invited to a college reunion on Lila's remote private island. The thunderstorm prefigures the clash which will happen later that weekend. The game of volley ball on the beach highlights the competitive nature between Jonathan and Davis. The centrepiece of the novel is the 'destructive game' hosted by Lila exposing all their guilty secrets. Lila also reveals how she has been the destructive force undermining their lives, exacting her revenge.

The book then goes back in time to explain about Lila's childhood and her dominating father and acquiescent mother. The way she escaped to college, her talent for learning lines by rote and her role in the play, orchestrated by her guests. After her discovery of their treachery she works in bars and is given her start in comedy. Interspersed with this story is the guests pursuit of Davis on the island. He is to be Lila's prize and the forfeit for putting all their lives back on track.

The book ends with what happens to each of the characters after the devastating weekend. Finally ending with Lila's final TV appearance. There is a suggestion that even though she had her revenge it has not made her happy.

I have not read enough psychological thrillers to determine if this book suffers from not having a linear structure - Ian McEwans Enduring Love certainly did. However it is well put together and the conclusion is logical and satisfying. There is sufficient detail to make it believable, but not overly technical. This is obviously a writer who is good at what she does and I find her blogs very interesting and useful as well. ( )

The story line of this book was interesting. It sort of reminded me of a reality tv show that you would watch if nothing else was on television. It did have a few typos but they did not take away from the book/story. Not sure if I would recommend this book to other readers, but it was an easy read. The author did do a good job of developing the characters, however, I found that I could not relate to any of them and that is a deal breaker for me. Overall, the book wasn't bad but it wasn't all that great either! ( )