Themes

• Family dynamics and blended family challenges
• Survival against extreme odds
• Maternal strength and determination
• Isolation and vulnerability in unfamiliar territory
• Trust and mistrust within family relationships
• Clash between outsiders and insular communities
• Overcoming others’ underestimation and self-doubt

Setting

Set in the present day, The Island primarily takes place in the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the Australian outback. The story begins in Seattle but quickly transitions to the remote wilderness of Australia, where the Baxter family embarks on what was meant to be a bonding vacation.

At the heart of the novel's setting is the fictional Dutch Island, an isolated and restricted location off the Australian coast. This island, run by a close-knit community of locals, becomes the central backdrop for the family's harrowing ordeal. The contrast between the island's perceived tranquility and its hidden dangers creates a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere.

McKinty vividly portrays the rugged Australian bushland, emphasizing its beauty and inherent perils. The unforgiving terrain, with its unique flora and fauna, plays a crucial role in the story, serving as both a threat and a potential ally to the protagonists as they fight for survival. The remoteness of the setting, far from the reach of modern technology, amplifies the family's isolation and vulnerability.

Characters

• Heather Baxter: The main protagonist, a newly married stepmother. A former teacher from a small town, Heather is surprisingly resourceful. She must find inner strength to protect her stepchildren and survive the deadly pursuit on Dutch Island. Despite the children's initial distrust, Heather proves her devotion and capability in the face of extreme danger.
• Tom Baxter: Heather's new husband and a widowed doctor. Tom is separated from his family during the crisis on Dutch Island. His absence forces Heather to step up as the children's protector.
• Olivia Baxter: Tom's teenage daughter from his first marriage. Initially resistant to her new stepmother, Olivia must learn to trust and work with Heather to survive.
• Owen Baxter: Tom's young son from his first marriage. Owen is caught in the dangerous situation on Dutch Island along with his sister and stepmother.
• Ma Dutch: The matriarch of the Dutch clan that controls the island. She is a formidable and ruthless antagonist pursuing Heather and the children.
• Rodney Dutch: One of the Dutch clan members involved in hunting down the Baxter family. He is aggressive and dangerous.

Quick facts

• The Island is set in the remote Australian outback on a fictional island called Dutch Island.
• It is McKinty's second standalone thriller after his breakout hit, The Chain.
• The story follows a blended family on vacation who find themselves in a nightmarish situation.
• McKinty was inspired by real-life cases of tourists encountering danger in isolated locations.
• McKinty wrote the novel while living in Australia, which helped inform the setting’s details.
• Along with themes of survival and family dynamics, The Island explores a mother's fierce determination.
• The protagonist Heather was partially inspired by McKinty's own experiences as a stepparent.
• The Island received praise from fellow authors like Don Winslow and Karin Slaughter.
• Hulu is adapting The Island into an original series.

About the author

Adrian McKinty is an acclaimed Irish novelist known for his gripping crime fiction. Along with the acclaimed Sean Duffy series, his works include two internationally bestselling standalone novels, The Chain (2019) and The Island (2022). He has won the Edgar Award, the Ned Kelly Award three times, the Anthony Award, Barry Award, Macavity Award, and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. His works have been translated into more than 40 languages.

Born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, McKinty pursued his education at prestigious institutions, studying law at the University of Warwick and philosophy at Oxford University. After completing his studies, he embarked on a journey that took him across continents. He lived in Harlem, New York, in the early 1990s before settling in Denver, Colorado, where he taught high school English and began his writing career. This diverse life experience has contributed to the rich tapestry of settings and characters in his novels. Currently, McKinty resides in Melbourne, Australia, with his family.