I read Emily Barr's novel Stranded while on holiday this July, it's a really brilliant choice for a holiday read, it certainly features a holiday within its plot - probably not the kind of holiday any of us should wish to experience however. The novel effectively captures the sinister thrill of a 'stranded in a desert island tale' however, it steers from the typical stranded experience. Barr's original and terrifyingly suspenseful novel really attached me to the book, I found it difficult to leave it just for a few moment's to jump into the sea and even when the sun was scorching my skin!

The choice of deserted characters is always an important decision for these kinds of stories - there should always be a hysterical one, an angry one, a leader, the hunter/gatherer and the downright stupid jerk character. Stranded effectively pulled off all these characters. This book, well-written, a soft thriller and addictive to boot is an easy holiday read (or lying in your bed at home read)!

I haven't at yet read any others of Emily Barr's novels but if they're anything like this novel, I certainly intend to. A recommended read! ( )

I probably quit to early with this, but I didn't like the way this was unfolding. It seemed to be going down very quickly, and I decided this wasn't for me. ( )

This was an absorbing read. I thought it was going to be the 'same old, same old', but in fact Barr gave a fresh look to the stranded theme. I was gripped from the very first pages and every time I thought I'd figured out the twists they took another turn. Emily Barr has a fabulous writing style and doesn't waste any words. I loved the characters and was fascinated by all their lives. There are times in the book that you may have to suspend disbelief but hey, that's what fiction is for! ( )