A page turning mystery that I couldn’t step away from for long. Twelve-year-old Faye Fitzgerald narrates the story set in 1932 on a distant Scottish Island.

Her life has been happy living with her botonist father, but then she is sent off to Auk Island School. It’s a terrible place, more like the worst prison than the welcoming environment a school should provide.

There are just a few other children in attendance. Each one seems to have done something horrible to be sent here. All that Faye remembers is a dark night where her aunt was injured by an axe, supposedly used as a weapon by little Faye.

She despises being locked up and is closely supervised by Nurse Violet and husband Dr. Lighter, the two running this awful place. Faye pretends to take the pill they give her each day, which turns out to be the right decision. She soon meets a young boy who has been in hiding. He’s a prince that everyone thinks is dead. They work together to try and get everyone off the island and solve the mystery of this place. Faye also discovers the truth about her family and the lies she will not accept.

The 58 chapters provide the perfect fast paced mystery readers will love. No spoilers here, but the plot wraps up every loose end in a satisfying way. THE ISLAND AT THE EDGE OF THE NIGHT is a gripping, delightful tale where nature takes the center stage. Highly recommended.

HARDBACK EDITION BIRTHDAY: June 2, 2026 PAGES: 320

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE ISLAND AT THE EDGE OF THE NIGHT by Lucy Strange

1. Faye is a marvelous main character. Her bravery and resilience to help others will have you in her corner the entire way.
2. The supporting cast is just as strong especially new friend Boudicca. She’s a no-nonsense girl who will speak up and defy those in charge, refusing to do anything unpleasant. It does get her in locked up in a secret room which Faye and the Prince eventually find.
3. Auk Island is the perfect place to set this story. With a giant mountain know as The Knife in the center, it too has a lot to offer in the understanding of the mystery. A great new world for your imagination.
4. Boarding school stories always seem to be popular with middle school readers and this one should be at the top of their list.
5. You might be one that can predict what will happen but the road to getting there is still a memorable one in this engaging mystery.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lucy Strange worked as an actor, singer and storyteller before becoming a secondary school English teacher. She now lives and writes in the heart of the Kent countryside with her partner James, their baby boy and a tortoiseshell cat known as Moo. (Author Website)

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