Review: Mateguas Island

Mateguas Island: A novel of terror and suspense by Linda Watkins is a fun novel full of mystery and Native American folklore. You add in some love, betrayal, secrets and sex makes it a must read that will keep the reader glued to every page.

The book starts out normal enough following a young couple, Bill and Karen Anderson and their twin girls, Sophie and Terri, as they make a cross country trek after Bill loses his job. It is after they settle in their new house on the tiny island off the coast of Maine that that the thrill ride begins. The ride starts slow as Bill finds some mysterious carvings. Then the roller-coaster gains speed as an old box is discovered with the same carvings. Our ride picks up more when an old legend is told about the land where the family now live. Now, the roller-coaster at full speed you are taken on a wild ride with Bill and Karen as bizarre occurrences, changes in their personalities and secret rendezvous stretch them to their limits and threatens to unravel an already fragile household.

Ms. Watkins gives us a magnificent collection of character that you might run into in everyday life. There is Pete and Louise McKinney, the friendly and helpful couple always will to lend a hand and become so much a part of your family the children start referring to them as aunt and uncle. Maggie Maguire the smart, beautiful, young woman that has a roving eye. Then there is Dex the highly intelligent, hansom and friendly guy that gets along with everyone but the men an eye on their wives and girlfriends when he is around.

Ms. Watkins does a great job of teasing us with the part that each character will play later in the story by letting us in their very thoughts. One example is when we read Maggie's thoughts reveal a desire not only for Bill but the house as well. The revelation makes you wonder if there is more to her than just the man-chaser she appears to be on the surface.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys suspense, small town life or just a fun enjoyable read that they can get so absorb in they lose track of their own surroundings.