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The Pledge: The nail-biting, escapist crime thriller from the half-million copy bestseller
DO YOU DARE MAKE THE PLEDGE?
The brand-new destination thriller from the half-a-million-copy bestseller.
_________________________
A MYSTERIOUS OFFER
When Thea deciphers a cryptic invitation, she can't believe it's real. Yet the next moment she's on a jet, being whisked off to a private Caribbean island.
BUT THIS IS NO ORDINARY HOLIDAY
Her fellow guests are richer than rich - billionaires, tech bros, even royalty; all in paradise to sign a global deal. So what is Thea doing here?
THERE IS NO ESCAPE
By the morning, their host is dead - and so is any hope of getting off the island.
NO GETAWAY
As guests are picked off one by one, the group's suspicions turn on Thea.
ONLY A FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
But the killer isn't the only threat on the island - and escape means facing her worst fears . . .
_________________________
READERS LOVE SARAH YARWOOD-LOVETT'S PAGE-TURNING
'I wanted to inhale in but also savour every word' 5 stars
'Gripped me from the first page and I couldn't stop reading' 5 stars
'Each one gets better and better' 5 stars
'Fantastic plot. A great read' 5 stars
The brand-new destination thriller from the half-a-million-copy bestseller.
_________________________
A MYSTERIOUS OFFER
When Thea deciphers a cryptic invitation, she can't believe it's real. Yet the next moment she's on a jet, being whisked off to a private Caribbean island.
BUT THIS IS NO ORDINARY HOLIDAY
Her fellow guests are richer than rich - billionaires, tech bros, even royalty; all in paradise to sign a global deal. So what is Thea doing here?
THERE IS NO ESCAPE
By the morning, their host is dead - and so is any hope of getting off the island.
NO GETAWAY
As guests are picked off one by one, the group's suspicions turn on Thea.
ONLY A FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
But the killer isn't the only threat on the island - and escape means facing her worst fears . . .
_________________________
READERS LOVE SARAH YARWOOD-LOVETT'S PAGE-TURNING
'I wanted to inhale in but also savour every word' 5 stars
'Gripped me from the first page and I couldn't stop reading' 5 stars
'Each one gets better and better' 5 stars
'Fantastic plot. A great read' 5 stars
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 26, 2026
10 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Yarwood-Lovett
14 books335 followersAfter spending sixteen years as an ecologist, crawling through undergrowth and studying nocturnal habits of animals (and people), Dr Sarah Yarwood-Lovett naturally turned her mind to murder. She may have swapped badgers for bears when she emigrated from a quaint village in the South Downs to the wild mountains of the Pacific Northwest, but her books remain firmly rooted in the rolling downland she grew up in.
Forensically studying clues for animal activity has seen Sarah surveying sites all over the UK and around the world. She’s re-discovered a British species thought to be extinct during her PhD, with her record held in London’s Natural History Museum; debated that important question – do bats wee on their faces? – at school workshops; survived a hurricane on a coral atoll whilst scuba diving to conduct marine surveys; and given evidence as an expert witness.
Along the way, she’s discovered a noose in an abandoned warehouse and had a survey de-railed by the bomb squad. Her unusual career has provided the perfect inspiration for a series of murder mysteries with an ecological twist – so, these days, Sarah’s research includes consulting detectives, lawyers, judges and attending murder trials.
Forensically studying clues for animal activity has seen Sarah surveying sites all over the UK and around the world. She’s re-discovered a British species thought to be extinct during her PhD, with her record held in London’s Natural History Museum; debated that important question – do bats wee on their faces? – at school workshops; survived a hurricane on a coral atoll whilst scuba diving to conduct marine surveys; and given evidence as an expert witness.
Along the way, she’s discovered a noose in an abandoned warehouse and had a survey de-railed by the bomb squad. Her unusual career has provided the perfect inspiration for a series of murder mysteries with an ecological twist – so, these days, Sarah’s research includes consulting detectives, lawyers, judges and attending murder trials.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 24, 2026
Thank you so much to Netgalley for giving me this free advance copy, and I’m writing this review honestly and without bias.
I really enjoyed this locked room mystery/destination thriller from a new author for me. The secret to this type of book is to do it well and have some originality and Sarah Yarwood- Lovett delivers on both. A nice array of characters some likeable some definitely not, adds dimension to the story. Thea as the protagonist was a sublime addition in this slick, well paced story. The suspense builds up nicely and with its twisty plot this really does become an addictive read and culminates to a good conclusion
March 9, 2026
4.5 stars
This is one tense and anticipatory thriller. I loved the idea of the locked-room style mystery on an idyllic island.
Each of the characters with secrets to hide, none of them were particularly likeable - but that made the story all the more gripping and captivating, who would survive and at what cost ?
The isolation and the fear were all too apparent and added to that claustrophobic element so cleverly written. Questionable morals and manipulation go hand in hand as we see each of the characters start to reveal their true colours as they realise the situation they’ve been placed in.
This is one tense and anticipatory thriller. I loved the idea of the locked-room style mystery on an idyllic island.
Each of the characters with secrets to hide, none of them were particularly likeable - but that made the story all the more gripping and captivating, who would survive and at what cost ?
The isolation and the fear were all too apparent and added to that claustrophobic element so cleverly written. Questionable morals and manipulation go hand in hand as we see each of the characters start to reveal their true colours as they realise the situation they’ve been placed in.
March 26, 2026
Having devoured the Nell Ward series, I was eager to find out what Sarah Yarwood-Lovett was going to write next, and this one, The Pledge, was another brilliant page-turning thriller!
Thea receives a mysterious invitation to somewhere, and when she arrives at an idyllic Caribbean island, with fellow guests being billionaires, famous folk, and her husband, she is confused and intrigued.
But as the group come to terms with why they have been gathered, a murder occurs, and sends them all into panic.
They all have secrets to hide, and motives... but Thea is determined to find out what went on. And more murders happen...
So many twists and turns kept me reading long into the night as I wanted to know who the murderer was, and why this was all happening! Fantastically done!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for an ARC.
Thea receives a mysterious invitation to somewhere, and when she arrives at an idyllic Caribbean island, with fellow guests being billionaires, famous folk, and her husband, she is confused and intrigued.
But as the group come to terms with why they have been gathered, a murder occurs, and sends them all into panic.
They all have secrets to hide, and motives... but Thea is determined to find out what went on. And more murders happen...
So many twists and turns kept me reading long into the night as I wanted to know who the murderer was, and why this was all happening! Fantastically done!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books for an ARC.
March 27, 2026
I do like the idea of being invited as a guest on a luxurious island paradise … but not so much without my phone and tech comforts close at hand, especially in the case of an emergency!
What's better than a locked-room thriller? A locked-room thriller set on a luxurious, completely isolated Caribbean island!
Thea Harrington KC is celebrating the biggest win of her career. She realises how life-changing this is for her as she arrives home, contemplating her options for the future, including the choices she needs to face regarding her increasingly distant husband, Charles. But when she discovers there is a cryptic gift waiting for her, all of her previous thoughts are quickly forgotten as she tries to decipher its clues.
Once she does, she finds herself quickly whisked away to a private island as the guest of the wealthy and influential Olga Helgesdotter. She is surprised to find that her fellow guests are some of the world's wealthiest and most prominent individuals, including a model, a singing sensation, an obnoxious royal and, most surprisingly, her husband! Thea finds herself at a loss as to why she's been included in this elite group. When their host enlightens them as to why they're all there, things get more than a little intense!! Even more surprising is their willingness to part with their smart phones as soon as they arrive!
Olga has invited this illustrious group together because she wants them to commit to a pledge: that they will contribute half of their collective, considerable wealth towards the fight for climate change. There's a journalist (conveniently) on standby to compile a press release of the momentous moment when they all reach an agreement ... and she's quite sure they will all agree because she makes it very clear that if they don't, she can make life rather uncomfortable for those who choose not to comply. But Olga, wanting to appear magnanimous, says she'll allow them to consider her 'offer' overnight before a 'sign or decline' event the following morning.
Thea is still trying to figure out why she's been summoned together with this group into which she surely doesn't fit. And when morning arrives and she discovers Olga's dead body - it quickly becomes apparent that she's the only one on the island with the ability for clear, level-headed thinking. And the body count starts to rise ... and the pressure mounts. Will Thea escape the island with her life?
This was slow to start with, but once it picked up, the pace just didn't stop. For me, this type of book is made all the better when none of the characters is particularly likeable, but the writing is so good that you still want to keep reading about them, just to see exactly how vile they can be and what's going to happen to them. And it's exactly that - their unlikability - that lends itself to the seam of disquiet that threads itself through the entire story. There's always someone lurking somewhere just out of your sightline, always some hint of a clue or a fact that you think you've missed and are trying to remember. This is a story that makes you think. It's a dark, tense, compelling study of how people in threatening situations react. Is 'fight or flight' different for the rich and famous or are we all just the same when put into a desperate situation?
There are jungle scenes that are so vivid that I could almost feel the leaves of the trees brushing against my arms, and the claustrophobic humidity closing in around me. The descriptions are lush, and incredibly detailed. It felt like the author had physically experienced what she was writing about.
If you're looking for an immersive thrilling read, then I highly recommend The Pledge.
What's better than a locked-room thriller? A locked-room thriller set on a luxurious, completely isolated Caribbean island!
Thea Harrington KC is celebrating the biggest win of her career. She realises how life-changing this is for her as she arrives home, contemplating her options for the future, including the choices she needs to face regarding her increasingly distant husband, Charles. But when she discovers there is a cryptic gift waiting for her, all of her previous thoughts are quickly forgotten as she tries to decipher its clues.
Once she does, she finds herself quickly whisked away to a private island as the guest of the wealthy and influential Olga Helgesdotter. She is surprised to find that her fellow guests are some of the world's wealthiest and most prominent individuals, including a model, a singing sensation, an obnoxious royal and, most surprisingly, her husband! Thea finds herself at a loss as to why she's been included in this elite group. When their host enlightens them as to why they're all there, things get more than a little intense!! Even more surprising is their willingness to part with their smart phones as soon as they arrive!
Olga has invited this illustrious group together because she wants them to commit to a pledge: that they will contribute half of their collective, considerable wealth towards the fight for climate change. There's a journalist (conveniently) on standby to compile a press release of the momentous moment when they all reach an agreement ... and she's quite sure they will all agree because she makes it very clear that if they don't, she can make life rather uncomfortable for those who choose not to comply. But Olga, wanting to appear magnanimous, says she'll allow them to consider her 'offer' overnight before a 'sign or decline' event the following morning.
Thea is still trying to figure out why she's been summoned together with this group into which she surely doesn't fit. And when morning arrives and she discovers Olga's dead body - it quickly becomes apparent that she's the only one on the island with the ability for clear, level-headed thinking. And the body count starts to rise ... and the pressure mounts. Will Thea escape the island with her life?
This was slow to start with, but once it picked up, the pace just didn't stop. For me, this type of book is made all the better when none of the characters is particularly likeable, but the writing is so good that you still want to keep reading about them, just to see exactly how vile they can be and what's going to happen to them. And it's exactly that - their unlikability - that lends itself to the seam of disquiet that threads itself through the entire story. There's always someone lurking somewhere just out of your sightline, always some hint of a clue or a fact that you think you've missed and are trying to remember. This is a story that makes you think. It's a dark, tense, compelling study of how people in threatening situations react. Is 'fight or flight' different for the rich and famous or are we all just the same when put into a desperate situation?
There are jungle scenes that are so vivid that I could almost feel the leaves of the trees brushing against my arms, and the claustrophobic humidity closing in around me. The descriptions are lush, and incredibly detailed. It felt like the author had physically experienced what she was writing about.
If you're looking for an immersive thrilling read, then I highly recommend The Pledge.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rating: 2.2/5
Having cut her crime writing teeth on the Nell Ward series, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett has decided to move away from the cosy mystery market and enter into the world of harder-edged thrillers instead. As the author did with her previous books, she draws on her background working in the field of ecology for the inspiration for this story.
A group of the world's wealthiest individuals are invited to a private Caribbean island by its owner - the equally wealthy and influential, Olga Helgesdotter. Olga wants each of the invitees to sign up to "The Pledge" and commit a significant portion of their wealth to support the fight against climate change. In addition to the super-rich attendees, there is also Thea Harrington KC, fresh from her victory in a high profile trial. Thea is at something of a loss as to why she has been brought to the island with her well-to-do companions, but events are about to become even more discombobulating!
I was attracted by the premise and the opening sections of the novel are engaging and intriguing, even if a little far-fetched. For example, the scene where Olga addresses the gathering of oligarchs reminded me of Auric Goldfinger seeking to gain the commitment of the assembled crime bosses to buy into his plan to steal the contents of Fort Knox, in the well-known James Bond movie. Sadly, after the encouraging start, the remainder of the novel does not live up to its early promise.
The main body of the story really does drag and I had to fight the temptation to call time on it. I hate not finishing a book, but this was a struggle at times. Eventually the pace does pick up, but not until the final third of the story. Sarah Yarwood-Lovett is clearly an intelligent person and that generally comes through in her writing, but it also lacks the polished execution of more accomplished writers of crime fiction. The components are all there, but the assembly doesn't deliver the desired result. The plot developments stretch credulity too far and the characterisation is too often superficial. The lack of depth makes the protagonists not only unrelatable and unbelievable, but also unappealing. Consequently, the overall impact is disappointing and make this no more than a passable read in a crowded marketplace.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Having cut her crime writing teeth on the Nell Ward series, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett has decided to move away from the cosy mystery market and enter into the world of harder-edged thrillers instead. As the author did with her previous books, she draws on her background working in the field of ecology for the inspiration for this story.
A group of the world's wealthiest individuals are invited to a private Caribbean island by its owner - the equally wealthy and influential, Olga Helgesdotter. Olga wants each of the invitees to sign up to "The Pledge" and commit a significant portion of their wealth to support the fight against climate change. In addition to the super-rich attendees, there is also Thea Harrington KC, fresh from her victory in a high profile trial. Thea is at something of a loss as to why she has been brought to the island with her well-to-do companions, but events are about to become even more discombobulating!
I was attracted by the premise and the opening sections of the novel are engaging and intriguing, even if a little far-fetched. For example, the scene where Olga addresses the gathering of oligarchs reminded me of Auric Goldfinger seeking to gain the commitment of the assembled crime bosses to buy into his plan to steal the contents of Fort Knox, in the well-known James Bond movie. Sadly, after the encouraging start, the remainder of the novel does not live up to its early promise.
The main body of the story really does drag and I had to fight the temptation to call time on it. I hate not finishing a book, but this was a struggle at times. Eventually the pace does pick up, but not until the final third of the story. Sarah Yarwood-Lovett is clearly an intelligent person and that generally comes through in her writing, but it also lacks the polished execution of more accomplished writers of crime fiction. The components are all there, but the assembly doesn't deliver the desired result. The plot developments stretch credulity too far and the characterisation is too often superficial. The lack of depth makes the protagonists not only unrelatable and unbelievable, but also unappealing. Consequently, the overall impact is disappointing and make this no more than a passable read in a crowded marketplace.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Equal parts glamour, tension, and deliciously twisty mystery—The Pledge is a sun‑drenched thriller that goes down like a cocktail with a razor blade hidden inside.
Thea, a brilliant lawyer riding high after a career‑defining win, is swept away to an exclusive Caribbean island with zero warning. What looks at first like the ultimate luxury getaway quickly reveals itself to be something far stranger: a gathering of the ultra‑rich, each pressured to make “The Pledge”—to give away half their vast fortunes in the name of saving the planet.
The setup gives perfect White Lotus meets Glass Onion energy: glossy surfaces, oversized egos, hidden grudges, and a hostess with motives far murkier than her sales pitch. The tension builds beautifully as the cracks show within this powerful guest list—and when their host ends up dead, those cracks become fractures.
I loved Thea as a protagonist. She’s sharp, grounded, and a little out of her depth among billionaires, but her quick thinking and lawyer’s intuition make her such an engaging lens to watch the chaos unfold. As more secrets spill and the suspicions turn toward her, the island starts to feel wonderfully claustrophobic—a paradise turned pressure cooker.
The pacing is slick and addictive, with just the right mix of humour, interpersonal drama, and escalating danger. And when another body drops, the stakes leap from uncomfortable to genuinely pulse‑pounding. Sarah Yarwood‑Lovett balances social commentary, luxury escapism, and classic whodunnit beats in a way that feels effortless and hugely entertaining.
If you enjoy destination thrillers with a sharp edge, morally messy characters, and twists that keep you on your toes, The Pledge is an absolute treat. Warm, witty, tense, and wonderfully bingeable.
with thanks to Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Thea, a brilliant lawyer riding high after a career‑defining win, is swept away to an exclusive Caribbean island with zero warning. What looks at first like the ultimate luxury getaway quickly reveals itself to be something far stranger: a gathering of the ultra‑rich, each pressured to make “The Pledge”—to give away half their vast fortunes in the name of saving the planet.
The setup gives perfect White Lotus meets Glass Onion energy: glossy surfaces, oversized egos, hidden grudges, and a hostess with motives far murkier than her sales pitch. The tension builds beautifully as the cracks show within this powerful guest list—and when their host ends up dead, those cracks become fractures.
I loved Thea as a protagonist. She’s sharp, grounded, and a little out of her depth among billionaires, but her quick thinking and lawyer’s intuition make her such an engaging lens to watch the chaos unfold. As more secrets spill and the suspicions turn toward her, the island starts to feel wonderfully claustrophobic—a paradise turned pressure cooker.
The pacing is slick and addictive, with just the right mix of humour, interpersonal drama, and escalating danger. And when another body drops, the stakes leap from uncomfortable to genuinely pulse‑pounding. Sarah Yarwood‑Lovett balances social commentary, luxury escapism, and classic whodunnit beats in a way that feels effortless and hugely entertaining.
If you enjoy destination thrillers with a sharp edge, morally messy characters, and twists that keep you on your toes, The Pledge is an absolute treat. Warm, witty, tense, and wonderfully bingeable.
with thanks to Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a gripping thriller that had me on the edge of my seat at times and anxious to come to the conclusion.
Thea is celebrating a huge career win when she receives a coded invitation to a private island. Intrigued, she hops on a private jet to find herself surrounded by the rich and famous - a pop singer, a model, 4 of the richest people in the world, a journalist, a prince and...her husband. The owner of the island, Olga not-so-subtly threatens them into taking "the pledge" - an agreement to invest half their amassed fortunes for the good of the planet, but at the sake of their own companies. Then the next morning she turns up dead. With all the staff on the island sent away, their phones sealed away, and the harbour gates shut, they have no way off the island. And which one of them is the killer?
The characters are brilliantly written, especially the most despicable ones - my skin was crawling at the descriptions of the prince, he's such an unredeemable character!
The little cliques that develop are so interesting. It's something of a study into human nature - who will side with whom and why?
The book was well-paced. As Thea investigates, just when things start to slow down, something new drops - such as a chandelier...on a person. The only thing that bothered me a little about the book was that there were parts that you had to suspend your disbelief for - such as why no one ever really seems to catch Thea for her snooping, despite being on a tiny private island, and why the characters' entourages agree to let them go alone, and let them be left alone. It seems unlikely, but it makes the book even more isolating.
In the end, it was a good conclusion and a story I really enjoyed.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for an ARC of this book.
Thea is celebrating a huge career win when she receives a coded invitation to a private island. Intrigued, she hops on a private jet to find herself surrounded by the rich and famous - a pop singer, a model, 4 of the richest people in the world, a journalist, a prince and...her husband. The owner of the island, Olga not-so-subtly threatens them into taking "the pledge" - an agreement to invest half their amassed fortunes for the good of the planet, but at the sake of their own companies. Then the next morning she turns up dead. With all the staff on the island sent away, their phones sealed away, and the harbour gates shut, they have no way off the island. And which one of them is the killer?
The characters are brilliantly written, especially the most despicable ones - my skin was crawling at the descriptions of the prince, he's such an unredeemable character!
The little cliques that develop are so interesting. It's something of a study into human nature - who will side with whom and why?
The book was well-paced. As Thea investigates, just when things start to slow down, something new drops - such as a chandelier...on a person. The only thing that bothered me a little about the book was that there were parts that you had to suspend your disbelief for - such as why no one ever really seems to catch Thea for her snooping, despite being on a tiny private island, and why the characters' entourages agree to let them go alone, and let them be left alone. It seems unlikely, but it makes the book even more isolating.
In the end, it was a good conclusion and a story I really enjoyed.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for an ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a story about power, deceit, and murder. Obviously, Thea didn't know this when she unravelled the cryptic invite that led her to an airport. Then whisked away to a luxury retreat island by Olga, a mega-rich woman who wants to change the world. Olga has gathered a group together that consists of a Prince, a tech mogul, a pop singer, billionaires, and Thea, a lawyer and also the surprise is that her husband is also invited.
This is the crème de la crème of society, those with power, influence and plenty of money. That doesn't mean they are squeaky clean and without faults. This becomes obvious after Olga is murdered. The group are alone on an island, no way out, no way of getting in touch with others, and they all have a motive!
This is such an interesting book about people, their part in the societies that they inhabit, and the fact that they all have something to hide makes this very addictive reading. Pitting guest against guest, and with Thea as the one with a legal background, the story is from her perspective. That doesn't mean she is innocent, though. There is plenty of tension, red herrings, and animosity among the guests, and the fact that this is all set on an island means the killer is amongst them.
I really enjoyed this one, lots of intrigue, with dark undertones, and if I am honest, not very likeable characters. This works well as it makes you think the worst of each character, which works well within this style and genre.
If you are a fan of murder, mystery thrillers, then this is one you may well enjoy as I did. I would be very happy to recommend it.
This is the crème de la crème of society, those with power, influence and plenty of money. That doesn't mean they are squeaky clean and without faults. This becomes obvious after Olga is murdered. The group are alone on an island, no way out, no way of getting in touch with others, and they all have a motive!
This is such an interesting book about people, their part in the societies that they inhabit, and the fact that they all have something to hide makes this very addictive reading. Pitting guest against guest, and with Thea as the one with a legal background, the story is from her perspective. That doesn't mean she is innocent, though. There is plenty of tension, red herrings, and animosity among the guests, and the fact that this is all set on an island means the killer is amongst them.
I really enjoyed this one, lots of intrigue, with dark undertones, and if I am honest, not very likeable characters. This works well as it makes you think the worst of each character, which works well within this style and genre.
If you are a fan of murder, mystery thrillers, then this is one you may well enjoy as I did. I would be very happy to recommend it.
March 18, 2026
This started off a little slow for me, but once it picked up pace, it really didn’t let go. From that point on, it was completely gripping, I found myself holding my breath more than once (and the snakes… absolutely not 😳).
The premise is brilliant: a group of ultra-wealthy individuals are invited to a private Caribbean island by the mysterious Olga Helgesdotter, under the guise of committing their fortunes to tackling climate change. Among them is Thea Harrington KC, who arrives following a cryptic puzzle invitation, already setting the tone for something far more sinister.
When Olga is murdered and all communication with the outside world is cut off, the tension ramps up instantly. With no way to leave the island and secrets lurking beneath the surface, suspicion falls on everyone, including Thea herself.
I’ll be honest, this isn’t a book where you warm to many characters. Most of them are deeply unlikeable (Hugh especially!), which actually adds to the unease. You’re constantly questioning motives, and even wondering if Thea can be trusted.
The atmosphere becomes incredibly claustrophobic as the story unfolds, particularly during the scenes in the jungle. The final stretch of the book had me completely hooked, I just wanted to shout at Thea to hurry up!
This is a definite shift away from cosy crime for the author, and it works brilliantly. If you enjoy locked-room mysteries, or “trapped on an island with no escape” thrillers, this is absolutely one to pick up.
The premise is brilliant: a group of ultra-wealthy individuals are invited to a private Caribbean island by the mysterious Olga Helgesdotter, under the guise of committing their fortunes to tackling climate change. Among them is Thea Harrington KC, who arrives following a cryptic puzzle invitation, already setting the tone for something far more sinister.
When Olga is murdered and all communication with the outside world is cut off, the tension ramps up instantly. With no way to leave the island and secrets lurking beneath the surface, suspicion falls on everyone, including Thea herself.
I’ll be honest, this isn’t a book where you warm to many characters. Most of them are deeply unlikeable (Hugh especially!), which actually adds to the unease. You’re constantly questioning motives, and even wondering if Thea can be trusted.
The atmosphere becomes incredibly claustrophobic as the story unfolds, particularly during the scenes in the jungle. The final stretch of the book had me completely hooked, I just wanted to shout at Thea to hurry up!
This is a definite shift away from cosy crime for the author, and it works brilliantly. If you enjoy locked-room mysteries, or “trapped on an island with no escape” thrillers, this is absolutely one to pick up.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thea Harrington is a barrister who has just won a huge environmental case in favour of the Government. Her personal life is a mess as her husband Charles, the current energy minister, is a serial philanderer and not very discreet about it.
There is public uproar at this victory and when she gets home she finds an invite in the form of a puzzle to a mysterious island in the Caribbean. Her assistant then calls and tells her that all of her addresses have been released publicly. She decides to do the trip. When she gets on the plane, she discovers not only her husband on there, but also Prince Hubert, a close friend of Charles and basically a terrible person because he knows he is never called to task for the thing he does.
On the island there are some Americans including a model, a singer and people who top the forbes list.
Olga, their host, tells them they are there because she has a vision about making the world a better place and that she expects their decision the next morning. It will mean committing them to something that is horrendously wrong.
The next morning Thea is woken by screams and on investigation, someone has found Olga dead in her pool.
They can't raise help as Olga sent the staff away, confiscated their phones and locked the harbour gate.
Under pressure to find out who the murderer is, no one can trust another person.
A real page turner.
There is public uproar at this victory and when she gets home she finds an invite in the form of a puzzle to a mysterious island in the Caribbean. Her assistant then calls and tells her that all of her addresses have been released publicly. She decides to do the trip. When she gets on the plane, she discovers not only her husband on there, but also Prince Hubert, a close friend of Charles and basically a terrible person because he knows he is never called to task for the thing he does.
On the island there are some Americans including a model, a singer and people who top the forbes list.
Olga, their host, tells them they are there because she has a vision about making the world a better place and that she expects their decision the next morning. It will mean committing them to something that is horrendously wrong.
The next morning Thea is woken by screams and on investigation, someone has found Olga dead in her pool.
They can't raise help as Olga sent the staff away, confiscated their phones and locked the harbour gate.
Under pressure to find out who the murderer is, no one can trust another person.
A real page turner.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thea, a barrister, receives a cryptic invitation after winning a trial and is soon jetting off to the private island of St. Innocent. This ends up no normal holiday when she finds the other guests are all billionaires, so why is Thea there? Soon the host is dead and so is the chance of getting off the island. As guests are picked off one by one it becomes clear that this is a fight for survival.
This was my first book by this author but I enjoy a survival thriller, especially when set in an exotic setting. This ended up an entertaining read and the author did a good job at creating a dark, suspenseful atmosphere. Straight away I was drawn into the storyline and intrigued at some of the situations faced, as well as the characters themselves. Although many were unlikeable, it was fascinating discovering their personalities and the power play within the group.
As the story continued I found that it began to lose a bit of momentum and having read quite a few similar storylines in other books, it didn’t fully stand out. Saying that, there were some original elements and entertaining moments, as previously mentioned. Even though this ended up slow in places, overall it was an enjoyable thriller and I would be interested to see what else the author writes. 3.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
This was my first book by this author but I enjoy a survival thriller, especially when set in an exotic setting. This ended up an entertaining read and the author did a good job at creating a dark, suspenseful atmosphere. Straight away I was drawn into the storyline and intrigued at some of the situations faced, as well as the characters themselves. Although many were unlikeable, it was fascinating discovering their personalities and the power play within the group.
As the story continued I found that it began to lose a bit of momentum and having read quite a few similar storylines in other books, it didn’t fully stand out. Saying that, there were some original elements and entertaining moments, as previously mentioned. Even though this ended up slow in places, overall it was an enjoyable thriller and I would be interested to see what else the author writes. 3.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I hadn’t read any books by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett and was excited to read The Pledge.
Olga, a billionaire, invites Thea, a successful London Lawyer, to St Innocents in the Caribbean for legal counsel. Thea flies out to St Innocents on a private jet with business leaders, social media and pop-stars and also a sleazy British royal prince. The premise is that this group of the 1%, will make The Pledge to give a portion of their fortunes to fight climate change and Thea will advise.
Olga announces that they will be left on their own to work on The Pledge and she sends all her staff off the island and closes the harbour. She also confiscates all mobile devices making the isolation complete. The tension really builds as does the paranoia and the bodycount.
Thea and the others try to find an escape off the island, figure out who they can trust and survive.
I initially found it quite hard to get into the book, but when as the group find themselves just trying to survive the pace picked up. I really felt the sense of peril and just didn’t know how it would end and whether anyone would survive.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Bonnier Books for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Olga, a billionaire, invites Thea, a successful London Lawyer, to St Innocents in the Caribbean for legal counsel. Thea flies out to St Innocents on a private jet with business leaders, social media and pop-stars and also a sleazy British royal prince. The premise is that this group of the 1%, will make The Pledge to give a portion of their fortunes to fight climate change and Thea will advise.
Olga announces that they will be left on their own to work on The Pledge and she sends all her staff off the island and closes the harbour. She also confiscates all mobile devices making the isolation complete. The tension really builds as does the paranoia and the bodycount.
Thea and the others try to find an escape off the island, figure out who they can trust and survive.
I initially found it quite hard to get into the book, but when as the group find themselves just trying to survive the pace picked up. I really felt the sense of peril and just didn’t know how it would end and whether anyone would survive.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Bonnier Books for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.
March 26, 2026
My first book by this author. The early chapters that introduce us to Thea, who has just won a case for the government brought against them for violating their agreement with the Climate Change Commission, finds Thea threatened by demonstrators and at a loose end because her husband plans to be away. So when she manages to solve a riddle that invites her to the island of a millionaire she decides to go! The journey by yacht to the island shows the millionaires in a very poor light and leaves me with no sympathy for them.
The next few chapters I found a little difficult to follow - not really quite appreciating the host's, Olga's, intentions in inviting such rich and influential characters to collect on her island. That such millionaires would allow themselves to be isolated was somewhat surprising and a little far-fetched. That Olga isolates them to force a Sign or Decline agreement is interesting but confusing - or perhaps just a control attempt - after all it appears Olga knows all their secrets!!
The pace picks up as the bodies collect and everyone suspects everyone else.
Well developed characters, though most are very unlikeable.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Sarah Yarwood-Lovett/Bonnier Books for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
The next few chapters I found a little difficult to follow - not really quite appreciating the host's, Olga's, intentions in inviting such rich and influential characters to collect on her island. That such millionaires would allow themselves to be isolated was somewhat surprising and a little far-fetched. That Olga isolates them to force a Sign or Decline agreement is interesting but confusing - or perhaps just a control attempt - after all it appears Olga knows all their secrets!!
The pace picks up as the bodies collect and everyone suspects everyone else.
Well developed characters, though most are very unlikeable.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Sarah Yarwood-Lovett/Bonnier Books for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Books for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Several insufferable rich people are summoned to the private Caribbean island of another rich woman Olga. They all arrive only to be met almost immediatelywith a demand from Olga that they pledge their money to fight climate change. Then very quickly Olga is found dead and none of the visitors to the island can be sure who the culprit is.
DNF at 50%.
I don’t think this is a bad book. It just wasn’t a good match for me. I was sucked in by the Caribbean location and I should have realized based on the synopsis I would struggle with this one. The issue for me is that I need to recognize that I do not like a closed door mystery. They introduce too many characters at once and then they drag for me because essentially everyone is an hostage. I also hate hostage books. .And after an interesting start to this book I just could not muster up the interest in picking it up. I didn’t like the characters, I had a hard time keeping some of them straight and ultimately I just didn’t care what happened to any of them.
Several insufferable rich people are summoned to the private Caribbean island of another rich woman Olga. They all arrive only to be met almost immediatelywith a demand from Olga that they pledge their money to fight climate change. Then very quickly Olga is found dead and none of the visitors to the island can be sure who the culprit is.
DNF at 50%.
I don’t think this is a bad book. It just wasn’t a good match for me. I was sucked in by the Caribbean location and I should have realized based on the synopsis I would struggle with this one. The issue for me is that I need to recognize that I do not like a closed door mystery. They introduce too many characters at once and then they drag for me because essentially everyone is an hostage. I also hate hostage books. .And after an interesting start to this book I just could not muster up the interest in picking it up. I didn’t like the characters, I had a hard time keeping some of them straight and ultimately I just didn’t care what happened to any of them.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really wanted to love The Pledge, and there’s a lot here that did work for me.
The premise is so strong. A remote island, a group of ultra wealthy guests, and a high stakes “pledge” tied to climate change…it pulled me in straight away. I flew through the start. It has that glossy, slightly escapist thriller feel, but with something darker running underneath.
There’s also an interesting power play at the centre, and I liked the focus on the ultra rich and the uncomfortable reality of the damage they cause. Some of the more “technical” environmental side felt a bit much.
But I did struggle with the characters. They’re all varying degrees of unpleasant, which I know is the point, but it meant I didn’t really have anyone to root for. After a while I felt a bit detached from it.
It also felt quite suffocating, almost like a locked room thriller with no real sense of relief. The middle dragged for me, and it seemed to lose its direction a bit.
That said, it’s dark, tense, and I can see it really working for readers who like their thrillers atmospheric and a bit claustrophobic.
Just not quite a standout for me
The premise is so strong. A remote island, a group of ultra wealthy guests, and a high stakes “pledge” tied to climate change…it pulled me in straight away. I flew through the start. It has that glossy, slightly escapist thriller feel, but with something darker running underneath.
There’s also an interesting power play at the centre, and I liked the focus on the ultra rich and the uncomfortable reality of the damage they cause. Some of the more “technical” environmental side felt a bit much.
But I did struggle with the characters. They’re all varying degrees of unpleasant, which I know is the point, but it meant I didn’t really have anyone to root for. After a while I felt a bit detached from it.
It also felt quite suffocating, almost like a locked room thriller with no real sense of relief. The middle dragged for me, and it seemed to lose its direction a bit.
That said, it’s dark, tense, and I can see it really working for readers who like their thrillers atmospheric and a bit claustrophobic.
Just not quite a standout for me
February 17, 2026
Although I read this through netgalley, I have also read the majority of the authors series of books on my own so was quite pleased when I was offered this to read. That may have been my downfall because this is an entirely different story and not the same!
It's the story of Thea, a barrister who at the start of the book, isn't actually very likeable. She and a group of selected elite are chosen to go to this island by another incredibly rich person and then murders ensue!
It's essentially a locked room mystery with a lot of whole unlikable people (hence the 4 stars). But character development for Thea is great. I knocked off a star because I got a bit lost with who the women were. They didn't really have very distinct personalities with the exception of olga and later Asha.
It's a good story though and fun to read if you want something fairly easy and engaging to read! Would definitely recommend and will continue to look out for books by the author.
It's the story of Thea, a barrister who at the start of the book, isn't actually very likeable. She and a group of selected elite are chosen to go to this island by another incredibly rich person and then murders ensue!
It's essentially a locked room mystery with a lot of whole unlikable people (hence the 4 stars). But character development for Thea is great. I knocked off a star because I got a bit lost with who the women were. They didn't really have very distinct personalities with the exception of olga and later Asha.
It's a good story though and fun to read if you want something fairly easy and engaging to read! Would definitely recommend and will continue to look out for books by the author.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An all expenses spared trip to paradise island yet not one of the elite guests thought to question this, was it greed that made them accept the invitation or something more sinister...
You need to read this nail biting thriller to find out. The plot is fairly unique which I loved as a lot of thrillers I've read recently kinda follow the same kinda narrative.
The twists & turns in this come thick & fast, I was here for it. Especially as I was gripped to my seat never knowing what was going to happen next.
Thea was a superb protagonist, her sharp mindset & out of the box thinking made reading through her eyes a great read. She may not have been one of the top 5 richest in money but she makes up for that with her knowledge & ability to turn the odd blind eye.
If you enjoy destination thrillers or psychological thrillers then this is definitely worth a read.
Thank you to the author & zaffre books for a copy of the book.
You need to read this nail biting thriller to find out. The plot is fairly unique which I loved as a lot of thrillers I've read recently kinda follow the same kinda narrative.
The twists & turns in this come thick & fast, I was here for it. Especially as I was gripped to my seat never knowing what was going to happen next.
Thea was a superb protagonist, her sharp mindset & out of the box thinking made reading through her eyes a great read. She may not have been one of the top 5 richest in money but she makes up for that with her knowledge & ability to turn the odd blind eye.
If you enjoy destination thrillers or psychological thrillers then this is definitely worth a read.
Thank you to the author & zaffre books for a copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An exciting locked room thriller based on the exotic island of St Innocent in the Carribean.
Whisked away into the sunshine, four of the top five richest names in the world, along with a group of influential people including a Prince, a popstar, a model, and a lawyer, are promised four days of luxury in return for their agreement to The Pledge to help tackle climate change .
When the host is found dead in her private swimming pool, everyone on the island becomes a suspect as it becomes apparent that everyone has a motive. With no way of calling for help after their devices were locked away for privacy, the isolation hits home and no-one trusts anyone. Then another body is found. Who is behind these deaths and will anyone get off the island alive?
A tense, atmospheric read that starts off slow but grabs hold while it continues to build to a heart racing finale. Most of the characters are intentionally unlikeable and you will end up rooting for the right people by the end!
Whisked away into the sunshine, four of the top five richest names in the world, along with a group of influential people including a Prince, a popstar, a model, and a lawyer, are promised four days of luxury in return for their agreement to The Pledge to help tackle climate change .
When the host is found dead in her private swimming pool, everyone on the island becomes a suspect as it becomes apparent that everyone has a motive. With no way of calling for help after their devices were locked away for privacy, the isolation hits home and no-one trusts anyone. Then another body is found. Who is behind these deaths and will anyone get off the island alive?
A tense, atmospheric read that starts off slow but grabs hold while it continues to build to a heart racing finale. Most of the characters are intentionally unlikeable and you will end up rooting for the right people by the end!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed this “closed room” mystery which I received from NetGalley.
Thea receives a mysterious invitation to join a mysterious trip after winning an environmental legal, case. When she turns up at the airport she finds she’s part of a group of super-famous, super-rich people, including a suspiciously familiar creepy member of a Royal Family (very topical), stranded on an island by their host, who wants them all to pledge half of their fortunes to save the planet. Then the host is murdered.
Thea must use all her skills to try to work out who the murderer is, in case she’s next.
This was a good read, I read it fast, and it unfolded in a way which left ke guessing. I have a couple of tiny gripes with the resolution , but nothing which spoilt my reading pleasure. Good fun.
Thea receives a mysterious invitation to join a mysterious trip after winning an environmental legal, case. When she turns up at the airport she finds she’s part of a group of super-famous, super-rich people, including a suspiciously familiar creepy member of a Royal Family (very topical), stranded on an island by their host, who wants them all to pledge half of their fortunes to save the planet. Then the host is murdered.
Thea must use all her skills to try to work out who the murderer is, in case she’s next.
This was a good read, I read it fast, and it unfolded in a way which left ke guessing. I have a couple of tiny gripes with the resolution , but nothing which spoilt my reading pleasure. Good fun.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
💭 The premise of this book was fantastic and instantly caught my attention, but unfortunately it didn’t live up to my expectations.
💭 It started off really suspenseful, which I enjoyed, but I figured out who the murderer was fairly early on. Once I’d worked it out, I found myself just waiting for the reveal. To be fair, I didn’t predict their motive — but the culprit felt far too obvious.
💭 I struggled to like most of the characters, and it was pretty clear who they were inspired by in real life. Being able to connect them to actual people somehow made them even more unappealing.
💭 I’m all for fiction being a little over-the-top, but this felt extremely far-fetched. The panther? That was a bit much 🙄.
💭 Overall, this one just wasn’t for me.
💭 It started off really suspenseful, which I enjoyed, but I figured out who the murderer was fairly early on. Once I’d worked it out, I found myself just waiting for the reveal. To be fair, I didn’t predict their motive — but the culprit felt far too obvious.
💭 I struggled to like most of the characters, and it was pretty clear who they were inspired by in real life. Being able to connect them to actual people somehow made them even more unappealing.
💭 I’m all for fiction being a little over-the-top, but this felt extremely far-fetched. The panther? That was a bit much 🙄.
💭 Overall, this one just wasn’t for me.
March 26, 2026
Intelligently and intuitively written!
A rollercoaster of a read !
Thea is a successful lawyer and she’s just won the biggest case of her professional life .
On returning home she receives an unexpected and intriguing invitation to an exclusive Carribean island .
The invitation is full of mystery and Thea doesn't know who has sent the invitation.
Whilst waiting for the private jet , she mingles with the other guests and realises her husband has also been invited on the trip .
Once on the island what follows can only be described as a nightmare , murder , isolation and wild animals are abound .
A fantastic read and it left me guessing right until the end .
Thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK.
A rollercoaster of a read !
Thea is a successful lawyer and she’s just won the biggest case of her professional life .
On returning home she receives an unexpected and intriguing invitation to an exclusive Carribean island .
The invitation is full of mystery and Thea doesn't know who has sent the invitation.
Whilst waiting for the private jet , she mingles with the other guests and realises her husband has also been invited on the trip .
Once on the island what follows can only be described as a nightmare , murder , isolation and wild animals are abound .
A fantastic read and it left me guessing right until the end .
Thanks to NetGalley and Bonnier Books UK.
March 26, 2026
First things first, I would like to thank Netgalley and also Bonnier Books UK for this ARC!
A story playing on a private Caribbean island while the weather here is shitty and feels like winter all over again? Yes, count me in! I am always up to read a good destination thriller after all.
Overall, I have to say it was a solid book. I did like Thea, but the other characters.... not so much. Also, I have to admit all the political and climate activist talk did bore me. Other than that, it was a claustrophobic read full of tension, and while some parts did slow the story down - in my opinion - I can still recommend this one.
A story playing on a private Caribbean island while the weather here is shitty and feels like winter all over again? Yes, count me in! I am always up to read a good destination thriller after all.
Overall, I have to say it was a solid book. I did like Thea, but the other characters.... not so much. Also, I have to admit all the political and climate activist talk did bore me. Other than that, it was a claustrophobic read full of tension, and while some parts did slow the story down - in my opinion - I can still recommend this one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m exhausted reading this incredible book. Twists, turns, some truly nasty characters and Thea trying to get to the truth of who is the killer or killers and why?
Include a hungry panther, a jungle full of nasty bitey, stingy creatures and you’ve got a real edge of your seat thriller which is difficult to put down.
5*s and a fully recommended read, it’s a tad gory in places so not for the squeamish if you’re about to eat.
Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review
Include a hungry panther, a jungle full of nasty bitey, stingy creatures and you’ve got a real edge of your seat thriller which is difficult to put down.
5*s and a fully recommended read, it’s a tad gory in places so not for the squeamish if you’re about to eat.
Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review
Read
February 20, 2026Dnf'd at 56 pages.
Unfortunately, I struggled to get sucked into this one.
We had a rather unlikeable main character and a plot that didn't get me hooked. I could feel the tempo picking up as we got to some of the earlier reveals, but it wasn't enough to keep my engaged.
Within the characters, the were some nods to real life public figures, that I felt were inspired by, which was interesting.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
Unfortunately, I struggled to get sucked into this one.
We had a rather unlikeable main character and a plot that didn't get me hooked. I could feel the tempo picking up as we got to some of the earlier reveals, but it wasn't enough to keep my engaged.
Within the characters, the were some nods to real life public figures, that I felt were inspired by, which was interesting.
Pick it up, give it a go & enjoy!
March 27, 2026
This was such a great twisty read, set in a beautiful setting with murder and mystery all around.
The characters in this were a real mix of likeable and horrid but all with suspicious motives, which made for a suspense filled thriller full of tense and kept me guessing as to what was going to happen.
There was such a clever plot in this book it kept me gripped from start to finish, it’s a page turner for sure!
@sarahyarwoodlovett @thebookdealer @zaffrebooks #thepledge #adpr
The characters in this were a real mix of likeable and horrid but all with suspicious motives, which made for a suspense filled thriller full of tense and kept me guessing as to what was going to happen.
There was such a clever plot in this book it kept me gripped from start to finish, it’s a page turner for sure!
@sarahyarwoodlovett @thebookdealer @zaffrebooks #thepledge #adpr
March 19, 2026
What a fantastic read.
I had no idea what was going to happen next. It was such a thrilling and intense ride.
Even the narrator was suspicious.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and found myself thinking about what would happen next even when I wasn’t reading!
Very twisty and definitely worth a read if you like a decent thriller.
I had no idea what was going to happen next. It was such a thrilling and intense ride.
Even the narrator was suspicious.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and found myself thinking about what would happen next even when I wasn’t reading!
Very twisty and definitely worth a read if you like a decent thriller.
February 8, 2026
The pledge by Sarah Yarwood-Lovett.
Clever and intuitive thriller. Drew me in straight away and had me flipping pages quickly. A superb and perfectly written psychological thriller. I’ll definitely find more books by this author.
Clever and intuitive thriller. Drew me in straight away and had me flipping pages quickly. A superb and perfectly written psychological thriller. I’ll definitely find more books by this author.
February 27, 2026
This is a murder mystery set on a private island, with a small pool of characters and no way for anybody else to get on the island it acts as a ‘locked room’ style mystery. The pacing is good and manages to keep you interested and the storyline is interesting.
March 9, 2026
Enjoyed this one with a few twists I didn’t guess
Did not finish
March 14, 2026Thank you to the publisher for my advanced proof copy of this. Unfortunately I really struggled to get into this & found the characters incredibly unlikeable, so had to dnf at 45%.
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