On an Island: A Novel

by Kevin Monnin

A filmmaker with nothing to lose. A politician with everything at stake. A journalist chasing the truth. And one deadly night no one will forget.

Twenty years ago, Daniel Sutherland found his parents dead in what was ruled a murder-suicide. Today, he’s a charming politician, just days away from being elected the island of Simmons, North Carolina’s next congressman. With wealth, power, and a beautiful wife, he’s the envy of the island. But when a former friend returns, the past resurfaces and threatens to destroy everything he’s built.

Once an acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker, Colby Grant is now disgraced and desperate for a second act. Triggered by a glowing profile of Daniel in the local paper, he returns to his hometown of Simmons to write his next blockbuster. Haunted by old memories and a complicated history with Daniel, Colby becomes obsessed with exposing the truth behind the island’s last known murder.

Emma Gray is a small-town reporter chasing a real story for the first time in her career. Tired of fluff pieces and feel-good headlines, she’s determined to break something big. But when she teams up with Colby to uncover what really happened to the Sutherlands, the truth turns darker, more twisted, and far more dangerous than she ever imagined.

One seeks power. One seeks redemption. One seeks the truth. But the truth is buried deep, on an island.

“Smart, chilling, and impossible to put down—perfect for readers of Gillian Flynn, Lucy Foley, and Riley Sager.”

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 15, 2025

Reviews

[Caitlyn]

Kevin Monnin needs a new editor. Fuck, I’ll do it for $10 and a stick of gum. The grammar was abysmal.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Colby used to be a big-time screen writer but hasn't written a good story in a long time. He sees something on his old hometown and decides to go there. The book uses his new screen story to show flashbacks from his teen years. An old "friend" is running for congress. It seems there is a mystery here but Colby's motivation to come back now is never very clear. The story jumps back and forth between teenage years and now with multiple character views.

Who really killed his friend's parents long ago?

If you can follow the jumps and figure out the motivation of Colby, you might enjoy it more than I did.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this great summer read. It kept my interest, the flow and multi-perspective character writing kept the book moving. The twists were unexpected and finding out that there were a few very likeable antagonists made me not want to put the book down.
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[Jake Ramey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride! I tore through this novel, completely hooked from the first page. If you're looking for a gripping, unputdownable read that will keep you guessing until the very end, this is it.

[Cheryl Tabor · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ARC recieved Book Siren. Enjoyed this book. What a twister. If you are ever running for public office, make sure your back ground is squeaky clean as well as your present.