It was intended to be the perfect escape. Two English couples living in Singapore, each with two children, go on a short holiday together to a remote Malaysian island. The beach is beautiful. There are carers for the children. There is fine food in the restaurant. They swim, read, kayak… and they drink… to excess. One of the women pops pills and drinks alcohol even though she is breastfeeding. They are not likeable characters. In fact, they are horrid. But as each one’s backstory is slowly revealed, you feel a tinge of pity for them. But just a tinge. Then, half way through, the-plot-thickening book suddenly changes the tone. A new character appears, a handsome man from the other side of the island. He is a researcher saving baby turtles. Why has he come to visit the resort? Suddenly you know something dreadful is going to happen. Whatever that is, will it cause the Westerners to grow up? Will they be shocked out of their drunken stupors? Will the volcano erupt? Will the monsoon arrive early? Will the crafty locals take advantage of the horrid Westerners? Will the handsome man save them?
It would be a spoiler to reveal much more, but be assured THE COVE is a thriller with bite. A slow build up jumps to an intriguing and complex plot. They are utterly alone, isolated on the island. There is no internet. The rest of the world doesn’t exist. It is frightening. Then another new character enters, a Malay. He is an intelligent humanist, a caring fellow who gives them succour in midst of all the chaos.
Sorry, you’ll have to read The Cove to find out what the Malay does and what the chaos is. Oh, and there’s a wonderful twist at the end. You have to get to the wonderful very last sentence. It will be worth the time to read this 250 page thriller as you lull on the beach or sit by your fire.
Author Alice Clark-Platts knows the tropical island culture well – the intense humidity, the flora and fauna and the complicated local animosities. Alice is a former human rights lawyer now writing crime thrillers and short stories.
THE COVE by Alice Clark-Platts is out on 14 APRIL 2022 published by Raven, in imprint of Bloomsbury.
ISBN Hardback: 978 1 5266 0427 9 $28.50
Also available in paperback and as an eBook.
Featured image : Alice Clark-Platts. Pic Laura Bell
Review by Carol Dance