A Review of Trouble Island by Sharon Short
Set against the backdrop of Prohibition-era intrigue, Trouble Island by Sharon Short is a gripping mystery of secrets, survival, and suspense. Aurelia, a young woman with a troubled past, finds herself isolated on a remote island in Lake Erie, serving as a maid to Rosita McGee, the reclusive wife of a notorious gangster. When a winter gathering of criminals and outsiders turns deadly, Aurelia must navigate a web of danger and deception to uncover the truth and perhaps find her own path to freedom.
The story is told from Aurelia’s perspective, and in a refreshing change from many first-person narrative mysteries, she is not an unreliable narrator. Instead, she is burdened by a past filled with terrible mistakes, which have led her into a real lion’s den of criminals. Her choices have placed her in the employ of Eddie McGee, a whisky smuggler and gangster, and his wife, Rosita.
After a family tragedy, Rosita lives in seclusion in the mansion on Trouble Island with Aurelia tending to her every need. The story begins in the winter of 1932, when Eddie arrives on the island with a strange entourage that includes a famous actor, several henchmen, a doctor, a cousin, and a rival gangster with an unexpected connection to the McGees.
Aurelia longs for nothing more than to escape her employers and start a new life, but she is trapped on the island. Inevitably, a body is discovered, and she quickly realizes that someone on the island is a murderer.
Trouble Island reminded me of an Agatha Christie whodunnit in all the best ways: a colourful cast of characters trapped in a mansion, with murder afoot. But it’s not just the mystery that’s entertaining. The plotting is exceptional, with details and clues unfolding at just the right moments—not too fast, not too slow. The characters each have their unique charms and secrets. It’s not only the murder mystery that intrigues but also the friendship between Rosita and Aurelia and the intricate connections between the supporting cast and Eddie. These elements kept me guessing throughout.
Sharon Short shares that the book was inspired in part by the life of her great-aunt and the bootlegging history of Ohio. Her love of the natural world and the history of Lake Erie shine through on the page. I also felt a great deal of sympathy for Aurelia and rooted for her throughout the story. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting traditional mystery set in a unique locale, enriched with fascinating tidbits of history.
Many thanks to our friends at Raincoast Books for the advanced copy.
Listen to an interview with Sharon Short on the Top Shelf at Merrick Library with Carol Ann Tack. Sharon talks about her great-aunt and how her life inspired parts of Trouble Island. This is a great interview!
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Sounds like this has been the best of your holiday review reads maybe?
Yes, Susan, absolutely! Of all the new books I’ve read over the holidays, Trouble Island was my favorite, followed by Beautiful Ugly. I usually prefer whodunits over psychological thrillers, but this book had great suspense and twists that I really enjoyed. I’d say Trouble Island and The Grey Wolf are at the top of my recent recommendations.