"Thrilling and creepy, super sexy, and so very hilarious." --Lisa McMann, bestselling author of the Wake trilogy
Isobel’s life is falling ... read full description
reviews
Jan 04, 2012
Giselle
rated it: 
Humoristic and creepy - what a great mix! Unraveling Isobel takes an eerie plot with a sarcastic protagonist and balances it all together for an overall enjoyable read.
She's sarcastic and she's feisty. Isobel is a fun protagonist who easily made me laugh with her quirky personality, but she's also smart. Finally a character who has guts to face things head on. Her interactions with Nathaniel were a joy to read as well. It was a situation that both had me cringing and longing. It's de More...
She's sarcastic and she's feisty. Isobel is a fun protagonist who easily made me laugh with her quirky personality, but she's also smart. Finally a character who has guts to face things head on. Her interactions with Nathaniel were a joy to read as well. It was a situation that both had me cringing and longing. It's de More...
6 comments
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(8 people liked it)
Nov 28, 2011
oliviasbooks
rated it:
If I were a fan of young adult psycho-thrillers "Unraveling Isobel" would surely represent a jackpot:
High School Senior Isobel, who has just moved with her girly and gullible mom from Seattle to a small island, because her mother decided to marry recently widowed mansion owner Dick, pardon Richard, after a mere three months long internet-based aquaintance, narrates the Northanger-Abbey-touched story with much spunk and verve and an altogether cheeky, slightly angry (underst More...
High School Senior Isobel, who has just moved with her girly and gullible mom from Seattle to a small island, because her mother decided to marry recently widowed mansion owner Dick, pardon Richard, after a mere three months long internet-based aquaintance, narrates the Northanger-Abbey-touched story with much spunk and verve and an altogether cheeky, slightly angry (underst More...
3 comments
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(9 people liked it)
Jan 16, 2012
Jasprit
rated it: 
Unraveling Isobel was a surprisingly good read, this book had received quite a lot of mixed reviews so I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into, but I ended up thoroughly enjoying it.
Isobel is forced to move during her senior year to Nairne Island because of her mum marrying Dick, a guy who she met over the internet and had been dating for only three months. Isobel’s not too wrapped with her mum’s decision, she has to leave her best friend Anita behind, move into a spooki More...
Isobel is forced to move during her senior year to Nairne Island because of her mum marrying Dick, a guy who she met over the internet and had been dating for only three months. Isobel’s not too wrapped with her mum’s decision, she has to leave her best friend Anita behind, move into a spooki More...
26 comments
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(17 people liked it)
Jan 07, 2012
Judith
rated it:
Isobel's life starts to unravel after her Mom marries a man she met Online....and continues after "the family" moves to Step Dad's "estate" on some godforskaen island off the coast of Washington state. Add a hunky, but Untouchable step brother..and you have the makings for some serious Teen Angst (with a side of Paranormal, after the dead step sister begins visiting, and raising questions about the deaths of her and her mother)
All of which would be unbearable, and More...
All of which would be unbearable, and More...
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 17, 2012
Paradoxical
rated it: 
I just couldn't get into this book. There's nothing different about Unraveling Isobel. That's okay, I don't need different. I do need a compelling story (or at least one that doesn't make me skim over pages in boredom) and characters that don't aggravate me. Unfortunately that didn't happen here, where I pretty much just read the book and paused every few pages to say, "Yeah, yeah, your life is unfair and you're upset. Boo hoo."
I just can't commiserate with the main charact More...
I just can't commiserate with the main charact More...
Feb 08, 2012
Willa
rated it:
When I first saw Unraveling Isobel, I fell in love with the cover, because you understand that Isobel is an artist, but nothing more, yet you are immediately drawn it. I wanted to know what the vines were representing, and why they were wrapping around her limbs, which was answered in the novel.
The storyline was never boring, and I was constantly on the edge on my seat, waiting for the next clue towards the mystery of what happened to Nathaniel’s mother and sister. The mystery of tha More...
The storyline was never boring, and I was constantly on the edge on my seat, waiting for the next clue towards the mystery of what happened to Nathaniel’s mother and sister. The mystery of tha More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 06, 2012
Cathe
rated it: 
Teen novel about a girl Isobel who's mother suddenly marries and the move to a creepy mansion on an island. Isobel starts getting ghostly visitations and has to find out what the ghost is trying to tell her before her new stepfather has her committed to a mental institution.
The main character was just a little too snarky and vulgar for me, though she did make me laugh a few times. But my real problem with the book was the many problems with the story. Like I had trouble believing Isob More...
The main character was just a little too snarky and vulgar for me, though she did make me laugh a few times. But my real problem with the book was the many problems with the story. Like I had trouble believing Isob More...
Jan 27, 2012
Kelly
rated it: 
I am quickly running out of Eileen Cook books. This cannot be allowed to stand. (Note: I do still have Unpredictable and Do or Di, plus she's apparently written three middle grade books that I can turn to when the withdrawal really hits.)
Isobel's mom has just remarried, meaning that they are moving to this giant estate in an island on the middle of nowhere. That would suck enough, but it's just before her senior year, which obviously makes it even worse. (Who wants to start over More...
Isobel's mom has just remarried, meaning that they are moving to this giant estate in an island on the middle of nowhere. That would suck enough, but it's just before her senior year, which obviously makes it even worse. (Who wants to start over More...
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 16, 2012
Angie
rated it:
First, I don't think that the cover matches the feel of the book. The cover, to me, says "Hi! I'm a happy and quirky book!" No, Unraveling Isobel, you are not a happy, quirky book. You are a psychological thriller (of sorts) meets contemporary meets mystery meets horror with a slightly depressing story line. I mean, Isobel, the main character is pretty darn snarky and pretty darn hilarious, but I don't think this should encompass the whole book. Anyway...
From the first page, More...
From the first page, More...
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 09, 2012
Jessica
rated it:
Review via Cracking the Cover
“Unraveling Isobel” is dark but never heavy-handed. Author Eileen Cook‘s prose has a sardonic tone to it that works well with Isobel’s character and her fears of losing her mind. Paranormal elements flow smoothly throughout, organically intertwining with Isobel’s life and mind.
Pacing has a lot to do with “Unraveling Isobel.” Eileen allows readers to just get to know Isobel before bringing in paranormal elements. It’s enough to keep readers guessing alo More...
“Unraveling Isobel” is dark but never heavy-handed. Author Eileen Cook‘s prose has a sardonic tone to it that works well with Isobel’s character and her fears of losing her mind. Paranormal elements flow smoothly throughout, organically intertwining with Isobel’s life and mind.
Pacing has a lot to do with “Unraveling Isobel.” Eileen allows readers to just get to know Isobel before bringing in paranormal elements. It’s enough to keep readers guessing alo More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 02, 2012
Kelly
rated it:
More like a 2.5.
This was a fun thriller, and Isobel had a great voice -- I thought, too, Cook may have had one of the most effective uses of profanity to develop Isobel's character.
The mystery/ghost aspect itself was okay. It was really a long story of mental illness and derangement all over, and the conclusion came together fine (I didn't figure it out right away).
That said, the characters were kind of thin, especially Dick. I didn't much care for the romance More...
This was a fun thriller, and Isobel had a great voice -- I thought, too, Cook may have had one of the most effective uses of profanity to develop Isobel's character.
The mystery/ghost aspect itself was okay. It was really a long story of mental illness and derangement all over, and the conclusion came together fine (I didn't figure it out right away).
That said, the characters were kind of thin, especially Dick. I didn't much care for the romance More...
Dec 13, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
See My Full Review Here: http://www.hippiesbeautyandbooksohmy.com...
First Impressions: I had been looking for a good stand-alone novel to read. Lately, it seems like all I have been reading are books that have sequels and I really needed something with a closed ending I could sink my teeth into. Unraveling Isobel has been sitting in my To-Review pile for a little while and I decided finally to give it a go. I love the cover art on the book since purple is my favorite color, but after More...
First Impressions: I had been looking for a good stand-alone novel to read. Lately, it seems like all I have been reading are books that have sequels and I really needed something with a closed ending I could sink my teeth into. Unraveling Isobel has been sitting in my To-Review pile for a little while and I decided finally to give it a go. I love the cover art on the book since purple is my favorite color, but after More...
Dec 02, 2011
Nancy
rated it:
This is a simply fun book that contains all the elements of an enjoyable read. Let's go through them:
Likeable protagonist. She could be anybody. She isn't any "type" of person. She also isn't a blank slate. She has a personality but can't be pigeon-holed.
Possible love interest: Three dimensional. Not Mr. Popular. Not Mr. I'm-So-Bad. His name is Nathanial because it sounds so proper. So Isobel calls him "Nate." Just to be contrary.
Dialogue: Told f More...
Likeable protagonist. She could be anybody. She isn't any "type" of person. She also isn't a blank slate. She has a personality but can't be pigeon-holed.
Possible love interest: Three dimensional. Not Mr. Popular. Not Mr. I'm-So-Bad. His name is Nathanial because it sounds so proper. So Isobel calls him "Nate." Just to be contrary.
Dialogue: Told f More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Oct 13, 2011
Bailey (IB Book Blogging)
rated it:
Ever since I first laid eyes on this book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! The cover is adorable and the title fits perfectly. The synopsis grabbed me from the start! Hunky new step-brother and ghosts? I'm in! I am happy to say that after completing the novel, I was pleased. It has just the right amount of drama, romance, and mystery to keep the reader engaged but not overwhelmed. And the best part is that it is a stand alone! Yay for a nicely wrapped up ending!
Isobel ha More...
Isobel ha More...
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(2 people liked it)
Oct 20, 2011
Amber
rated it:
Rating: 4.5
What a fantastic story. Unraveling Isobel was so much different than I had expected. Sure, the blurb was interesting enough, but the story and dialect was so much more.
Isobel is moving with her mother, her new step-father and step-brother to Naime, an island off the coast. She has very few nice things to say since her mother dragged her away to some desolate island her senior year with a hot step-brother and a new step-father her mother has only known for 3 months. More...
What a fantastic story. Unraveling Isobel was so much different than I had expected. Sure, the blurb was interesting enough, but the story and dialect was so much more.
Isobel is moving with her mother, her new step-father and step-brother to Naime, an island off the coast. She has very few nice things to say since her mother dragged her away to some desolate island her senior year with a hot step-brother and a new step-father her mother has only known for 3 months. More...
18 comments
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(11 people liked it)
Dec 16, 2011
Vivian
rated it:
It often isn't fair that the feelings of children aren't taken into consideration when massive family changes are about to take place. Isobel knows that her mother is making a big mistake when she marries a guy she's only known for a few months. If that isn’t bad enough, they have to leave the city and move to a small island. Isobel is sure her life will never be the same in Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook.
There's nothing quite worse than having to move to a new town, leaving behind More...
There's nothing quite worse than having to move to a new town, leaving behind More...
Nov 30, 2011
Laci
rated it:
A couple weeks ago I had the honor to go to NCTE in Chicago. I was so happy that I was able to attend the conference. Some great authors were speaking there, and they were also having signings at the publisher booths. While I was there I was able to meet some great people and they will always have a special place in my heart. During this time I remember going and meeting some people at the Simon and Schuster booth. While I was in their booth, I saw this book and I picked it up and read the
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(1 person liked it)
Dec 02, 2011
Emma
rated it:
Moving to an isolated island to live with her new stepfather was not what Isobel expected for her senior year of high school. Nor did she ever imagine that her mother would remarry, especially to someone she met on the Internet only three months ago! Instead of being in Seattle with her friends, Isobel finds herself living in a creepy old mansion and going to a school where she knows no one. Well, next to no one. There’s always Isobel’s crush-worthy stepbrother, Nathanial. While Isobel is frustr
More...
Nov 17, 2011
Jackie
rated it:
I hadn't heard anything about this book going into it. I loved the cover and that is initially what drew me to it (yes, I sometimes judge books by their covers).
The story is told from Isobel's perspective, and her narration throughout the book is laugh-out-loud hilarious at some points. She is very easy to relate to as a character. Then there's Nathaniel. He's her new stepbrother, and they don't get along at first mainly because of misunderstanding each other and miscellaneous ot More...
The story is told from Isobel's perspective, and her narration throughout the book is laugh-out-loud hilarious at some points. She is very easy to relate to as a character. Then there's Nathaniel. He's her new stepbrother, and they don't get along at first mainly because of misunderstanding each other and miscellaneous ot More...
Feb 03, 2012
Violet90
rated it:
It was a good mystery. I liked it but I just wish there was more romance. I mean you see Izzy's and Nick's relationship becoming something but it just stopped there. I mean they got together and thats it nothing romantic or anything. This book would have been more interesting if we learn more about what happens to the characters. It feels incomplete to me because there are so many things that are not answered. Like why did Evie's ghost only came to Izzy and not Nick? Or what happens with her mot
More...
Dec 08, 2011
Lesley (My keeper shelf)
rated it:
What a fantastic read Unraveling Isobel is, the serious topic of mental illness is addressed but there is also a spooky ghostly mystery and it has great snarky humour all rolled into one delicious package.
Isobel's mum marries Richard after only dating him for a matter of weeks, Richard's wife and seriously disabled daughter died in suspicious circumstances only a few short months ago leaving Richard, or Dick as Isobel enjoys calling him, and his teenage son Nate living in their spraw More...
Isobel's mum marries Richard after only dating him for a matter of weeks, Richard's wife and seriously disabled daughter died in suspicious circumstances only a few short months ago leaving Richard, or Dick as Isobel enjoys calling him, and his teenage son Nate living in their spraw More...
3 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Nov 20, 2011
Annabell
rated it:
I was really shocked with how good this book was. I had seen it around, but hadn't really thought anything of it until I got it in the mail from Simon Pulse.
Isobel is a teenager whose mother just married some guy she met on the internet three months ago. Isobel and her mother pack up and move to this guy's old mansion on some island. Isobel is told she can pick any bedroom she wants. And she happens to pick the bedroom of her dead step-sister. The first night she is there, she see More...
Isobel is a teenager whose mother just married some guy she met on the internet three months ago. Isobel and her mother pack up and move to this guy's old mansion on some island. Isobel is told she can pick any bedroom she wants. And she happens to pick the bedroom of her dead step-sister. The first night she is there, she see More...
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(1 person liked it)
Jan 04, 2012
Reut (reutreads)
rated it:
So I'm trying a new reviewing method today and telling you what I think while reading the book. Of course I'll update, but to be honest I'm having trouble persuading myself to read it, so maybe taking some stress of myself by writing part of this review it'll give me initiative to read more.
Right now, I'm about 56 pages in, and erm... I have to say I like Eileen's other contemporary novels better. I've read three of her previous novels and this one is kind of slow going for me. I'm t More...
Right now, I'm about 56 pages in, and erm... I have to say I like Eileen's other contemporary novels better. I've read three of her previous novels and this one is kind of slow going for me. I'm t More...
Nov 29, 2011
Aparajitabasu
rated it:
You are looking to read a light paranormal psycho-thriller....read-on read-on.....and on that thought I present before you all my views of Unraveling Isobel by Eileen Cook.
Here is the summary of the book:
Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy gr More...
Here is the summary of the book:
Isobel’s life is falling apart. Her mom just married some guy she met on the internet only three months before, and is moving them to his sprawling, gothic mansion off the coast of nowhere. Goodbye, best friend. Goodbye, social life. Hello, icky new stepfather, crunchy gr More...
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 01, 2011
Kelley
rated it:
This actually lingers around a 3.5, but I'd rather round up than down because it's closer to 'really like' than just 'liked.'
First, the cover doesn't do justice. It's a pretty cover, but I really think it gave me the impression this was a light contemporary read rather than what it is. Instead of the purple-blue background, they should've used something darker, maybe to mimic one of the tattered walls of the house that plays such a big role in the novel.
UNRAVELING ISOBEL is More...
First, the cover doesn't do justice. It's a pretty cover, but I really think it gave me the impression this was a light contemporary read rather than what it is. Instead of the purple-blue background, they should've used something darker, maybe to mimic one of the tattered walls of the house that plays such a big role in the novel.
UNRAVELING ISOBEL is More...
Jan 17, 2012
Book Sp(l)ot
rated it:
Unraveling Isobel is the first book by Eileen Cook I've read - I have others on my TBR list and have meant to read them but this is the first one I've read. It is a great one to start with. It leaves me wanting to know about all of the other books she's read. Unraveling Isobel is creepy and different.
Just months after meeting him on the internet, Isobel's mother has moved them to some tiny island to live with her new husband. It's Isobel's senior year and she has to leave Seattle behi More...
Just months after meeting him on the internet, Isobel's mother has moved them to some tiny island to live with her new husband. It's Isobel's senior year and she has to leave Seattle behi More...
Jan 08, 2012
Julie
rated it:
This review first appeared on my blog:
http://www.knittingandsundries.com/2012/...
A fun, witty, sometimes creepy tale of a girl whose mother marries a man she met on the Internet and marries 12 weeks later, her move to her new stepfather's "estate" on isolated Nairne Island from Seattle, and the ghosts she meets there.
Richard (Dick, as Isobel calls him) Wickham's wife Sylvia and daughter Evelyn died in a boating accident seven months ago, and Isobel no More...
http://www.knittingandsundries.com/2012/...
A fun, witty, sometimes creepy tale of a girl whose mother marries a man she met on the Internet and marries 12 weeks later, her move to her new stepfather's "estate" on isolated Nairne Island from Seattle, and the ghosts she meets there.
Richard (Dick, as Isobel calls him) Wickham's wife Sylvia and daughter Evelyn died in a boating accident seven months ago, and Isobel no More...
Jan 04, 2012
Sarah (saz101)
rated it:
I knew almost nothing about Unravelling Isobel going into it. I’m not sure I’d even read the blurb... and I really enjoyed it. As the story unfolded, and Isobel, well, unravelled, the book got creepier and creepier, I was sucked into its pages, jumping when Isobel did, and nearly screaming out loud along with her. Turn on the lights, and settle in for the ride...
After her mum meets a guy (online), accepts a proposal and decides to move to an island—all within the space of seven month More...
After her mum meets a guy (online), accepts a proposal and decides to move to an island—all within the space of seven month More...
Feb 08, 2012
A few months ago I tweeted that I was looking for some book recommendations. The ever fabulous Lisa McMann responded saying that I should read Eileen Cook's books. A couple weeks later an ARC of Unraveling Isobel showed up from the publisher. Obviously the universe was saying I had to read this book!
Unraveling Isobel captured my interest from page one. Eileen Cook does a wonderful job of creating the atmosphere for the story. I'm not sure how she worked the creepy factor and t More...
Unraveling Isobel captured my interest from page one. Eileen Cook does a wonderful job of creating the atmosphere for the story. I'm not sure how she worked the creepy factor and t More...
Jan 13, 2012
Sonny
rated it:
My Thoughts
Creeptastic. Humorous. Unraveling Isobel was thrilling and well-paced. And the characters Isobel and Nathaniel were real and likeable.
I immediately fell in love with Isobel. She is her own person. She is also a snarky and slightly crazy. I. Loved. Her. There was a punch to the story, and Isobel was the one with the fist.
Nathaniel made me swoon. With his good looks and intelligent depth, my knees weakened the moment he apologized to Isobel for bein More...
Creeptastic. Humorous. Unraveling Isobel was thrilling and well-paced. And the characters Isobel and Nathaniel were real and likeable.
I immediately fell in love with Isobel. She is her own person. She is also a snarky and slightly crazy. I. Loved. Her. There was a punch to the story, and Isobel was the one with the fist.
Nathaniel made me swoon. With his good looks and intelligent depth, my knees weakened the moment he apologized to Isobel for bein More...
