What do you think?
Rate this book
Bill Kemp #1
Domino Island
Discovered after more than 40 years, a vintage action-adventure novel set on Domino Island – a Caribbean paradise toppling under murder, corruption and organised crime…
‘Like a dream come true – an undiscovered Desmond Bagley novel … and it’s a great one!’ LEE CHILD
Bill Kemp, an ex-serviceman working in London as an insurance investigator, is sent to the Caribbean to verify a life insurance claim that will make property magnate David Salton’s young widow a very rich lady.
As Kemp begins to discover that Salton’s political ambitions had made him a lot of enemies, and that his friends are reluctant to reveal themselves, local tensions around the forthcoming elections spill over into protest and violence on the streets – and murder.
Is this all a deliberate smokescreen for an altogether more ambitious plot? And who is the enemy in their midst? As events begin to spiral out of Kemp’s control, even his army training seems feeble in the face of such a determined foe.
Discovered after more than forty years, Domino Island is a vintage tour de force by one of the world’s most successful thriller writers.
‘Like a dream come true – an undiscovered Desmond Bagley novel … and it’s a great one!’ LEE CHILD
Bill Kemp, an ex-serviceman working in London as an insurance investigator, is sent to the Caribbean to verify a life insurance claim that will make property magnate David Salton’s young widow a very rich lady.
As Kemp begins to discover that Salton’s political ambitions had made him a lot of enemies, and that his friends are reluctant to reveal themselves, local tensions around the forthcoming elections spill over into protest and violence on the streets – and murder.
Is this all a deliberate smokescreen for an altogether more ambitious plot? And who is the enemy in their midst? As events begin to spiral out of Kemp’s control, even his army training seems feeble in the face of such a determined foe.
Discovered after more than forty years, Domino Island is a vintage tour de force by one of the world’s most successful thriller writers.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2019
133 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Desmond Bagley
131 books165 followersDesmond Bagley was a British journalist and novelist principally known for a series of best-selling thrillers. Along with fellow British writers such as Hammond Innes and Alistair MacLean, Bagley established the basic conventions of the genre: a tough, resourceful, but essentially ordinary hero pitted against villains determined to sow destruction and chaos in order to advance their agenda.
Bagley was born at Kendal, Cumbria (then Westmorland), England, the son of John and Hannah Bagley. His family moved to the resort town of Blackpool in the summer of 1935, when Bagley was twelve. Leaving school not long after the relocation, Bagley worked as a printer's assistant and factory worker, and during World War II he worked in the aircraft industry. Bagley suffered from a speech impediment (stuttering) all of his life, which initially exempted him from military conscription.
He left England in 1947 for Africa and worked his way overland, crossing the Sahara Desert and briefly settling in Kampala, Uganda, where he contracted malaria. By 1951, he had settled in South Africa, working in the gold mining industry and asbestos industry in Durban, Natal, before becoming a freelance writer for local newspapers and magazines.
His first published short story appeared in the English magazine Argosy in 1957, and his first novel, The Golden Keel in 1962. In the interval, he was a film critic for Rand Daily Mail in Johannesburg from 1958–1962. Also during this period, he met local bookstore owner Joan Margaret Brown and they were married in 1960.
The success of The Golden Keel led Bagley to turn full time to novel writing by the mid-1960s. He published a total of sixteen thrillers, all craftsmanlike and nearly all best-sellers. Typical of British thriller writers of the era, he rarely used recurring characters whose adventures unfolded over multiple books. Max Stafford, the security consultant featured in Flyaway and Windfall, is a notable exception. Also typically, his work has received little attention from filmmakers, yielding only a few, unremarkable adaptations. Exceptions were The Freedom Trap (1971), released in 1973 as The Mackintosh Man by Warner Brothers, starring Paul Newman and Dominique Sanda; and Running Blind which was adapted for television by the BBC in 1979.
Bagley and his wife left South Africa for Italy in 1960, and then England in 1965. They settled in Totnes, Devon from 1965–1976, then lived in Guernsey in the Channel Islands from 1976-1983.
Bagley also published short stories. When not traveling to research the exotic backgrounds for his novels, Bagley spent his time sailing and motor-boating. He loved classical music and films, military history, and played war games.
Desmond Bagley died of complications resulting from a stroke at a hospital in Southampton. He was fifty-nine. His last two novels Night of Error and Juggernaut were published posthumously after completion by his wife. His works have been translated into over 20 languages.
Bagley was born at Kendal, Cumbria (then Westmorland), England, the son of John and Hannah Bagley. His family moved to the resort town of Blackpool in the summer of 1935, when Bagley was twelve. Leaving school not long after the relocation, Bagley worked as a printer's assistant and factory worker, and during World War II he worked in the aircraft industry. Bagley suffered from a speech impediment (stuttering) all of his life, which initially exempted him from military conscription.
He left England in 1947 for Africa and worked his way overland, crossing the Sahara Desert and briefly settling in Kampala, Uganda, where he contracted malaria. By 1951, he had settled in South Africa, working in the gold mining industry and asbestos industry in Durban, Natal, before becoming a freelance writer for local newspapers and magazines.
His first published short story appeared in the English magazine Argosy in 1957, and his first novel, The Golden Keel in 1962. In the interval, he was a film critic for Rand Daily Mail in Johannesburg from 1958–1962. Also during this period, he met local bookstore owner Joan Margaret Brown and they were married in 1960.
The success of The Golden Keel led Bagley to turn full time to novel writing by the mid-1960s. He published a total of sixteen thrillers, all craftsmanlike and nearly all best-sellers. Typical of British thriller writers of the era, he rarely used recurring characters whose adventures unfolded over multiple books. Max Stafford, the security consultant featured in Flyaway and Windfall, is a notable exception. Also typically, his work has received little attention from filmmakers, yielding only a few, unremarkable adaptations. Exceptions were The Freedom Trap (1971), released in 1973 as The Mackintosh Man by Warner Brothers, starring Paul Newman and Dominique Sanda; and Running Blind which was adapted for television by the BBC in 1979.
Bagley and his wife left South Africa for Italy in 1960, and then England in 1965. They settled in Totnes, Devon from 1965–1976, then lived in Guernsey in the Channel Islands from 1976-1983.
Bagley also published short stories. When not traveling to research the exotic backgrounds for his novels, Bagley spent his time sailing and motor-boating. He loved classical music and films, military history, and played war games.
Desmond Bagley died of complications resulting from a stroke at a hospital in Southampton. He was fifty-nine. His last two novels Night of Error and Juggernaut were published posthumously after completion by his wife. His works have been translated into over 20 languages.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
December 25, 2019
I was quite excited when I found this book, a previously unpublished Desmond Bagley. Having read all his works when I was younger I had to put this one on the reading list. It turns out it's not one of his best, but still enjoyable enough.
Bill Kemp is an insurance investigator in London, and he is sent to a Caribbean island when a claim is made after the death of wealthy businessman David Salten. Salten seemed to have quite a few enemies on the island, so is one of them responsible for his death? Or was it his lovely young widow, who is due to inherit his millions? Or was it natural causes like the coroner says? As Kemp investigates he unearths all sorts of secrets and betrayals, yet even he isn't prepared for what he finds, and it all comes together in a finale worthy of Bagley's best.
The main problem I had with this book is that it was too slow in parts, with Kemp interviewing too many people. I realise that as an investigator he would have to do this, but in this case it doesn't make good reading. The action scenes are good, and Kemp is a worthwhile character, I just found the dialogue bogged the book down at times. All in all though I'm glad I have read it.
Bill Kemp is an insurance investigator in London, and he is sent to a Caribbean island when a claim is made after the death of wealthy businessman David Salten. Salten seemed to have quite a few enemies on the island, so is one of them responsible for his death? Or was it his lovely young widow, who is due to inherit his millions? Or was it natural causes like the coroner says? As Kemp investigates he unearths all sorts of secrets and betrayals, yet even he isn't prepared for what he finds, and it all comes together in a finale worthy of Bagley's best.
The main problem I had with this book is that it was too slow in parts, with Kemp interviewing too many people. I realise that as an investigator he would have to do this, but in this case it doesn't make good reading. The action scenes are good, and Kemp is a worthwhile character, I just found the dialogue bogged the book down at times. All in all though I'm glad I have read it.
February 19, 2024
When Insurance Investigator Bill Kemp was sent from London to the small Caribbean island of Campanilla, he knew the size of the insurance claim was large. The man who had died - David Salton - was a millionaire, working to remove corruption from the island. His death had been said to be from natural causes, but Bill's bosses wanted the truth. Little did they know they would set a powder keg of problems up in smoke...
Bill met the dead man's widow, the wealthy Jill Salton, and liked her. She was genuine and Bill believed she had nothing to do with her husband's death. But when a friend and colleague from London was killed in a brutal attack, then Bill was shot at, as well as received many threats, the only person he could trust was the local policeman, Superintendent Hanna. With the police force corrupt, and the local government ruled by corruption, Hanna needed Kemp's help. But much was happening and Hanna didn't have a handle on what was going on. But something was going to blow...
Desmond Bagley was one of my favourite authors many years ago, and when I learned of a manuscript discovered in archives, and that it was to be subsequently released in 2019, I vowed to search for Domino Island And it's just as good as the high octane thrillers that Mr Bagley published back before he died at only 60 years of age. A fabulous, fast paced, action packed thriller, Domino Island is one I highly recommend.
Bill met the dead man's widow, the wealthy Jill Salton, and liked her. She was genuine and Bill believed she had nothing to do with her husband's death. But when a friend and colleague from London was killed in a brutal attack, then Bill was shot at, as well as received many threats, the only person he could trust was the local policeman, Superintendent Hanna. With the police force corrupt, and the local government ruled by corruption, Hanna needed Kemp's help. But much was happening and Hanna didn't have a handle on what was going on. But something was going to blow...
Desmond Bagley was one of my favourite authors many years ago, and when I learned of a manuscript discovered in archives, and that it was to be subsequently released in 2019, I vowed to search for Domino Island And it's just as good as the high octane thrillers that Mr Bagley published back before he died at only 60 years of age. A fabulous, fast paced, action packed thriller, Domino Island is one I highly recommend.
February 5, 2022
This "lost" Desmond Bagley novel, originally written in 1972, is a little different (but not too different) from Bagley's other novels, but at heart it's still a straight-up adventure novel. Fast action, smooth writing, and a good story.
March 6, 2021
They don’t write them like that anymore…
When rich businessman David Salton dies, it looks like the Western and Continental Insurance company are in for a big hit – he was insured for half a million pounds. Although the inquest found he had died of natural causes, the circumstances of his death were a little odd, so before they agree to pay out the company sends their best investigator to take a look. Bill Kemp had a career in military intelligence before he went into the insurance industry, and when the investigation becomes the catalyst for all sorts of shenanigans on the Caribbean island of Campanilla he’ll need all of his skills just to survive…
(It occurs to me on writing that blurb that I don’t know why the book is called Domino Island, since the island is called Campanilla – maybe I missed the explanation! Anyway, it doesn’t really matter.)
Desmond Bagley was a hugely popular British thriller writer back in the ‘60s-‘80s, and the fact that most of his books are still readily available suggests he’s still got a pretty solid fan base nearly forty years after his death. So when this previously unpublished novel was found in his archives in 2017, more or less complete and with his own notes of the changes he intended to make, the idea of publishing it would have been irresistible. Michael Davies, a lifelong Bagley fan, took on the task of tidying it up and this is the result – and an excellent result it is, too! My inner cynic feared that Bagley or his publishers must have felt it wasn’t good enough to be published, but the editor of this volume explains that in fact it was well on the way to publication when Bagley withdrew it because he’d signed a deal that required him to produce a different novel tied into a movie he had scripted, and he didn’t want the two publications to clash. I don’t know why he never returned to this one, though.
The fictional island of Campanilla was part of the British Empire, but has recently gained independence and is now operating partly as a tourist destination and partly as an offshore tax haven, where the wealthy are extremely wealthy and the poor find it extremely difficult to survive because of the inflated prices and property values that wealthy people bring along with them. So there’s political tension between the governing party who see their job as keeping life sweet for the rich, and the opposition, divided between a moderately left party and an extreme left-wing, veering towards communism. David Salton was the leader of the soft-left party, so Kemp wonders if his political opponents may have had something to do with his death.
But there are other possibilities too. It transpires that Salton may have been a good man in the world of politics, but he was a philanderer in his spare time, keeping his mistress in a luxury flat while his wife lived in their secluded home in a different part of the island. Then there’s Negrini – owner of a local casino and reputed to have ties to the US Mafia. Salton has promised that if he gets into power he’ll crack down on the gambling industry. The status of the island as a tax haven means that there’s lots of financial skulduggery bubbling beneath the surface, so there are plenty of other people with a vested interest in making sure that a politician who intends to tackle corruption shouldn’t get into power.
All these various people and factions don’t want Kemp investigating and stirring around in the murky dealings of the island, and soon he finds that he’s in personal danger at the same time as political tensions on the island are reaching boiling point. It all comes to a climax in a traditional thriller ending, with goodies pitted against baddies, corpses aplenty and an entirely unexpected (by me) but satisfying solution to the mystery of Salton’s death.
The writing is very good, and not nearly as dated in attitudes to women as thrillers of this era usually are. It’s years since I read any Bagley and I can’t remember if his females were always treated this well or whether perhaps part of Davies’ tidying-up was to make the tone more acceptable to modern readers. Whatever, the women are pretty good characters, and one of them is even kinda kickass, which I found unexpectedly refreshing. They’ve certainly not been modernised to the extent of not feeling true to the time, however.
There are parts where I felt it could have been tighter and a bit faster paced, and maybe Bagley’s final edit would have seen to this, but it never drags. Kemp, who tells the story in the first person, is a likeable and believable protagonist – he’s resourceful but not a superhero. He soon teams up with the forces of law and order in the person of Superintendent Hanna of the island police, another likeable character, and they work well together. The story is both interesting and well told, and although the island is fictional, it feels entirely authentic both politically and culturally. I enjoyed this one very much, and now want to go back and investigate some of his other books – it is sadly true to say that they don’t write them like that anymore, and they really should…
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, HarperCollins.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
When rich businessman David Salton dies, it looks like the Western and Continental Insurance company are in for a big hit – he was insured for half a million pounds. Although the inquest found he had died of natural causes, the circumstances of his death were a little odd, so before they agree to pay out the company sends their best investigator to take a look. Bill Kemp had a career in military intelligence before he went into the insurance industry, and when the investigation becomes the catalyst for all sorts of shenanigans on the Caribbean island of Campanilla he’ll need all of his skills just to survive…
(It occurs to me on writing that blurb that I don’t know why the book is called Domino Island, since the island is called Campanilla – maybe I missed the explanation! Anyway, it doesn’t really matter.)
Desmond Bagley was a hugely popular British thriller writer back in the ‘60s-‘80s, and the fact that most of his books are still readily available suggests he’s still got a pretty solid fan base nearly forty years after his death. So when this previously unpublished novel was found in his archives in 2017, more or less complete and with his own notes of the changes he intended to make, the idea of publishing it would have been irresistible. Michael Davies, a lifelong Bagley fan, took on the task of tidying it up and this is the result – and an excellent result it is, too! My inner cynic feared that Bagley or his publishers must have felt it wasn’t good enough to be published, but the editor of this volume explains that in fact it was well on the way to publication when Bagley withdrew it because he’d signed a deal that required him to produce a different novel tied into a movie he had scripted, and he didn’t want the two publications to clash. I don’t know why he never returned to this one, though.
The fictional island of Campanilla was part of the British Empire, but has recently gained independence and is now operating partly as a tourist destination and partly as an offshore tax haven, where the wealthy are extremely wealthy and the poor find it extremely difficult to survive because of the inflated prices and property values that wealthy people bring along with them. So there’s political tension between the governing party who see their job as keeping life sweet for the rich, and the opposition, divided between a moderately left party and an extreme left-wing, veering towards communism. David Salton was the leader of the soft-left party, so Kemp wonders if his political opponents may have had something to do with his death.
But there are other possibilities too. It transpires that Salton may have been a good man in the world of politics, but he was a philanderer in his spare time, keeping his mistress in a luxury flat while his wife lived in their secluded home in a different part of the island. Then there’s Negrini – owner of a local casino and reputed to have ties to the US Mafia. Salton has promised that if he gets into power he’ll crack down on the gambling industry. The status of the island as a tax haven means that there’s lots of financial skulduggery bubbling beneath the surface, so there are plenty of other people with a vested interest in making sure that a politician who intends to tackle corruption shouldn’t get into power.
All these various people and factions don’t want Kemp investigating and stirring around in the murky dealings of the island, and soon he finds that he’s in personal danger at the same time as political tensions on the island are reaching boiling point. It all comes to a climax in a traditional thriller ending, with goodies pitted against baddies, corpses aplenty and an entirely unexpected (by me) but satisfying solution to the mystery of Salton’s death.
The writing is very good, and not nearly as dated in attitudes to women as thrillers of this era usually are. It’s years since I read any Bagley and I can’t remember if his females were always treated this well or whether perhaps part of Davies’ tidying-up was to make the tone more acceptable to modern readers. Whatever, the women are pretty good characters, and one of them is even kinda kickass, which I found unexpectedly refreshing. They’ve certainly not been modernised to the extent of not feeling true to the time, however.
There are parts where I felt it could have been tighter and a bit faster paced, and maybe Bagley’s final edit would have seen to this, but it never drags. Kemp, who tells the story in the first person, is a likeable and believable protagonist – he’s resourceful but not a superhero. He soon teams up with the forces of law and order in the person of Superintendent Hanna of the island police, another likeable character, and they work well together. The story is both interesting and well told, and although the island is fictional, it feels entirely authentic both politically and culturally. I enjoyed this one very much, and now want to go back and investigate some of his other books – it is sadly true to say that they don’t write them like that anymore, and they really should…
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, HarperCollins.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
July 31, 2020
Vintage thriller.
Have to confess, I am not a teenager and I remember devouring every Desmond Bagley novel as soon as they came out. I was never disappointed then and it is the same now. Superior writing, thrills and twists aplenty and interesting likeable and despicable characters. Despite it's age it is very up to date in its plot which concerns a suspicious death, a Caribbean island, laundered money, offshore banking, casinos and a population protesting against exploitation. Throw in an ex army Insurance investigator, enigmatic beautiful women and black/ white antagonism boiling over into violence. The writing is spare but good, often humorous and a very likeable hero. As usual there are heart jumping thrills and twists you (or rather, I) do no not expect. Mr Bagley, we mourn your passing. This a master class in intelligent thriller writing. Loved it. Try it, you might love it too, and if you do and are new to the Bagley canon, oh what treats await you. Enjoy!
Have to confess, I am not a teenager and I remember devouring every Desmond Bagley novel as soon as they came out. I was never disappointed then and it is the same now. Superior writing, thrills and twists aplenty and interesting likeable and despicable characters. Despite it's age it is very up to date in its plot which concerns a suspicious death, a Caribbean island, laundered money, offshore banking, casinos and a population protesting against exploitation. Throw in an ex army Insurance investigator, enigmatic beautiful women and black/ white antagonism boiling over into violence. The writing is spare but good, often humorous and a very likeable hero. As usual there are heart jumping thrills and twists you (or rather, I) do no not expect. Mr Bagley, we mourn your passing. This a master class in intelligent thriller writing. Loved it. Try it, you might love it too, and if you do and are new to the Bagley canon, oh what treats await you. Enjoy!
May 20, 2019
Desmond Bagley wrote this book in 1972, submitted it to the publishers but then withdrew it from publication. It has lain dormant since then, presumed lost, but was discovered recently among his papers. Bill Kemp is an investigator with a London insurance company. When one of their clients, David Salton, dies in somewhat mysterious circumstances, his life insurance payout is going to be costly for the company and Bill is sent over to the Caribbean to look into the matter. It soon becomes apparent that David was heavily involved in the political side of island life and his death is causing some serious unrest among both the population and his rival politicians. He had also made a lot of enemies. The action soon escalates in typical Desmond Bagley style, culminating in an exciting showdown.
It is an unusual book as Bagley originally set out to write a classic “whodunnit”, rather than his usual adventure thriller. It has to be said that he was not entirely successful in this venture and soon reverts to type, veering more towards the thriller that he is so well known for. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read, for the most part fast-paced, action-packed and full of tension. The climax is legendary Bagley.
The only quibble that I had was that I felt it got a little bogged down in politics for a patch in the middle. Personally I was struggling to stay abreast of who was supporting which party but it all sorted itself out in the end.
Sadly I am guessing that there won’t be any more unpublished manuscripts discovered but if you have not read Desmond Bagley before, and you enjoy a good adventure book, I thoroughly recommend both this one and all of his others.
It is an unusual book as Bagley originally set out to write a classic “whodunnit”, rather than his usual adventure thriller. It has to be said that he was not entirely successful in this venture and soon reverts to type, veering more towards the thriller that he is so well known for. It is a thoroughly enjoyable read, for the most part fast-paced, action-packed and full of tension. The climax is legendary Bagley.
The only quibble that I had was that I felt it got a little bogged down in politics for a patch in the middle. Personally I was struggling to stay abreast of who was supporting which party but it all sorted itself out in the end.
Sadly I am guessing that there won’t be any more unpublished manuscripts discovered but if you have not read Desmond Bagley before, and you enjoy a good adventure book, I thoroughly recommend both this one and all of his others.
June 20, 2020
Desmond Bagley, like his contemporary Hammond Innes, was one of the great thriller writers of the last century. His books sold millions of copies.
This is a real treat. A novel written in the first three months of 1972 then 'lost'for forty-five years.
Bagley populated his novels with ordinary people suddenly finding themselves in extraordinary circumstances. His characters were sympathetic & believable. His plots full of action & excitement.
Set on a Caribbean island paradise 'Domino Island' is no exception. It has the stamp of a master storyteller. Like good wine, this book has matured to a perfect vintage.
This is a real treat. A novel written in the first three months of 1972 then 'lost'for forty-five years.
Bagley populated his novels with ordinary people suddenly finding themselves in extraordinary circumstances. His characters were sympathetic & believable. His plots full of action & excitement.
Set on a Caribbean island paradise 'Domino Island' is no exception. It has the stamp of a master storyteller. Like good wine, this book has matured to a perfect vintage.
October 12, 2024
Although it felt a bit dated in places, I actually quite enjoyed this one, it was a fun and fast paced story that had lots of threads all coming together at different times.
Bill Kemp is an insurance investigator and is sent to Campanilla to investigate the death of a rich guy, but what starts off straightforward, turns into a race against time, with people dying left, right and centre.
Bill Kemp is an insurance investigator and is sent to Campanilla to investigate the death of a rich guy, but what starts off straightforward, turns into a race against time, with people dying left, right and centre.
January 27, 2022
Brilliant. Vintage Bagley.
January 8, 2020
Alongside Hammond Innes and Alistair McLean, Desmond Bagley blazed a trail for the modern thriller novel. His first novel "The Golden Keel" was published in 1963 and set the scene for a series of blockbusting thrillers.
And then, after his death in 1983, his books continued to sell, but were gradually overtaken by new voices as the thriller genre became even more popular. Forty years on a manuscript was discovered in Bagley's archive, resulting in this publication "Domino Island".
The setting is a Caribbean Island on which Bill Kemp lands to follow up on the death of a local businessman who was a client of the Insurance Company he represents. The situation is more complex than it first appears, with David Salton's young widow a charming and beguiling character who Kemp seeks to understand with the aim of unveiling the truth about the death.
Although the story is based in another era it never feels dated or clunky. I guess that's the magic of a writer of Bagley's stature. I reckon that "Domino Island" will revive interest in Bagley's earlier bestsellers. That's where I am heading anyway.
And then, after his death in 1983, his books continued to sell, but were gradually overtaken by new voices as the thriller genre became even more popular. Forty years on a manuscript was discovered in Bagley's archive, resulting in this publication "Domino Island".
The setting is a Caribbean Island on which Bill Kemp lands to follow up on the death of a local businessman who was a client of the Insurance Company he represents. The situation is more complex than it first appears, with David Salton's young widow a charming and beguiling character who Kemp seeks to understand with the aim of unveiling the truth about the death.
Although the story is based in another era it never feels dated or clunky. I guess that's the magic of a writer of Bagley's stature. I reckon that "Domino Island" will revive interest in Bagley's earlier bestsellers. That's where I am heading anyway.
January 24, 2020
When talking with friends about books, we often drift into a discussion of favorite authors. My top five have remained unchanged for forty years: Alistair MacLean, Desmond Bagley, Helen MacInness, Anne McCaffrey and Dick Francis. Unfortunately they have all passed away.
I was stunned recently by the publication of a NEW Bagley novel. A completed first draft with notes by both the author and his editor from 1972 has been “completed”.
So, how is it?
In my mind, Bagley was at his zenith in 1970-1975. The novels published in this era were The Spoilers, Running Blind, The Freedom Trap, Landslide, and The Tightrope Men. I am pleased with this novel. The book is not quite on par with the others named, but is very good. The novel is part murder mystery, part political thriller, and part heist. It is definitely a product of the seventies and should be read as such.
I enjoyed the narrator of the audio book. A name I didn’t recognize.
Strongly recommended for Kent.
I was stunned recently by the publication of a NEW Bagley novel. A completed first draft with notes by both the author and his editor from 1972 has been “completed”.
So, how is it?
In my mind, Bagley was at his zenith in 1970-1975. The novels published in this era were The Spoilers, Running Blind, The Freedom Trap, Landslide, and The Tightrope Men. I am pleased with this novel. The book is not quite on par with the others named, but is very good. The novel is part murder mystery, part political thriller, and part heist. It is definitely a product of the seventies and should be read as such.
I enjoyed the narrator of the audio book. A name I didn’t recognize.
Strongly recommended for Kent.
December 6, 2020
I can only think that reviewers awarding this novel 5 stars must have not read any of his previous works. “Domino Island” does not begin to compare with Bagley’s best work, thrillers like “The Freedom Trap”, “Running Blind”, or “Flyaway”. I’ve read all 16 of his prior novels and with this one, the Bagley voice is barely there.
It is quite apparent that what Bagley had shelved was a very rough draft that was considerably rewritten. There are far too many characters, and it’s a very lackluster, turgid and stilted affair loaded with tiresome red herrings. Character names are constantly caromed off one another in seemingly endless fashion in a book that reads more like Perry Mason or Lew Archer. Absent is much of Bagley’s clever musings on the human condition and his fascinating insights regarding science and geography. The book reads somewhat like his last two novels which were completed by his widow, particularly the rather tedious and disappointing “Juggernaut”.
It is quite apparent that what Bagley had shelved was a very rough draft that was considerably rewritten. There are far too many characters, and it’s a very lackluster, turgid and stilted affair loaded with tiresome red herrings. Character names are constantly caromed off one another in seemingly endless fashion in a book that reads more like Perry Mason or Lew Archer. Absent is much of Bagley’s clever musings on the human condition and his fascinating insights regarding science and geography. The book reads somewhat like his last two novels which were completed by his widow, particularly the rather tedious and disappointing “Juggernaut”.
March 12, 2021
Like many reviewers I was an avid Bagley fan back in the day, when he was my favourite author, and I devoured all of his books at a pace I can only dream of now. And like many reviewers the fact that an unpublished Bagley novel had come to light was very exciting indeed.
Alas, it's not up there with his great books. Not even close. Don't get me wrong, it's okay. A book that starts off as a mystery on a Caribbean island and ends up as a thriller. The writing is okay. The characters are stock. It jogs alone reasonably well. The ending is a bit...ugh. Actually the thing I was most disappointed out was the lack of suspense and tension at the end. It just... ended.
If you, like many of us, are avid DB fans then it is a must read, but don't expect a Running Blind, or a High Citadel, or an Enemy. Nevertheless, as the old saying goes, a bad days fishing is better than a good days working, an average Desmond Bagley is still better than most!
Alas, it's not up there with his great books. Not even close. Don't get me wrong, it's okay. A book that starts off as a mystery on a Caribbean island and ends up as a thriller. The writing is okay. The characters are stock. It jogs alone reasonably well. The ending is a bit...ugh. Actually the thing I was most disappointed out was the lack of suspense and tension at the end. It just... ended.
If you, like many of us, are avid DB fans then it is a must read, but don't expect a Running Blind, or a High Citadel, or an Enemy. Nevertheless, as the old saying goes, a bad days fishing is better than a good days working, an average Desmond Bagley is still better than most!
June 15, 2019
As a Desmond Bagley fan, I read all his books but this one was quite disappointing both in terms of writing style, action, pace and conclusion.
May 1, 2020
Maybe it was nostalgia but I loved this book. My Dad had all the others and I read some as a kid. Such a shame Bagley didn't write more.
December 20, 2021
Enjoyable read but it's not the best of excellent works, probably why it was not published at the time it was originally written.
August 31, 2024
Two and a half stars rounded up for the author's memory. This is a heart breaker! Not in the sense of the story (which is mediocre at best,) but because it represents the last gasp of a great, great writer, that doesn't do him justice. Apparently, the manuscript for this novel was found many years after the author's death. There was an accompanying letter to his publisher which explains the background of how this book came to be. Piecing together the clues put forth in the introduction by the writer who polished up the manuscript, as well as remarks from the researcher who discovered it, it seems that this came about as an attempt for Bagley to break out of his self-proclaimed writer's slump, by trying a completely different format. He started this as a standard "whodunit," but inevitably reverted to his typical style, about three quarters of the way through. Unfortunately, the two methods did not blend well, and so we are left with an unsatisfactory mash-up of two disparate aspects, trying to make a cohesive whole.
I must say that the book improves once Bagley lets his true voice come through and creates a suspenseful ending to an otherwise meandering plot.
About the title: Bagley himself titled it: BECAUSE SALTON DIED, but left instructions to change it if a better title presented itself. The publisher (I assume) came up with DOMINO ISLAND, a relevance which completely escaped me until a throw-away comment made by one of the characters, quite later in the book, comparing the deaths on the island to a toppling of dominoes! Pretty weak.
The characters were all two-dimensional and not very likeable. Not to mention, some of them are highly unlikely, although I guess all kinds end up on a Caribbean island! One endearing trait was the late 60's-early '70's pitch perfect slang used by native islander, Joe Hawke! He was clearly a man of his times!
There were a couple of conflicting evils forces here, but they are independent of each other and that's why when the story takes a 180 near the end, most of the book becomes irrelevant. Had it been written by any other writer, it would just be put down to amateurism but that doesn't apply to Desmond Bagley. The clue is in his own confession that he was trying to write himself out of a slump. Alas, as is almost always the case, there's a reason why unpublished manuscripts remain unpublished, because they are not worthy of their author.
I must say that the book improves once Bagley lets his true voice come through and creates a suspenseful ending to an otherwise meandering plot.
About the title: Bagley himself titled it: BECAUSE SALTON DIED, but left instructions to change it if a better title presented itself. The publisher (I assume) came up with DOMINO ISLAND, a relevance which completely escaped me until a throw-away comment made by one of the characters, quite later in the book, comparing the deaths on the island to a toppling of dominoes! Pretty weak.
The characters were all two-dimensional and not very likeable. Not to mention, some of them are highly unlikely, although I guess all kinds end up on a Caribbean island! One endearing trait was the late 60's-early '70's pitch perfect slang used by native islander, Joe Hawke! He was clearly a man of his times!
There were a couple of conflicting evils forces here, but they are independent of each other and that's why when the story takes a 180 near the end, most of the book becomes irrelevant. Had it been written by any other writer, it would just be put down to amateurism but that doesn't apply to Desmond Bagley. The clue is in his own confession that he was trying to write himself out of a slump. Alas, as is almost always the case, there's a reason why unpublished manuscripts remain unpublished, because they are not worthy of their author.
June 19, 2019
This was a great read, a thriller with an unexpected twist. The book is written from the point of view of Bill Kemp, an insurance consultant who has been sent to the island of Campanilla to check the validity of a life insurance claim for the deceased David Salton.
The story begins in the midst of political turmoil on the island, and this shapes the first three quarters of the tale, exploring the possibility that a politically motivated murder may have taken place, rather than an unfortunate accidental death as first suggested. The book is very well written, despite the potentially heavy content in terms of the politics it is gripping and a definite page turner.
The unexpected twist comes towards the end, when it turns out that the murder was not in fact politically motivated, but a case of wrong time/wrong place when Salton stumbled on to the plot of a large theft operation. This is where my slight criticism comes in; the book sets up all the events as though they are part of the political climate and suggests possible motives and suspects, but when the twist is revealed it becomes clear that many of the events had nothing to do with it. Throughout the story members of the government are seen to be bribing/threatening Bill Kemp to keep his nose out of the murder investigation - and in fact another insurance associate is murdered in an attempt to silence him - but when it becomes clear that they didn't actually have anything to do with Salton's death, the lengths they have gone to silence Kemp seem strange and left me feeling like id missed an important plot point.
However, the plot twist itself was enjoyable, and I genuinely didn't see it coming - when many books these days seem to follow a formulaic system that is very predictable, this change was very welcome.
Great book and I would definitely recommend.
The story begins in the midst of political turmoil on the island, and this shapes the first three quarters of the tale, exploring the possibility that a politically motivated murder may have taken place, rather than an unfortunate accidental death as first suggested. The book is very well written, despite the potentially heavy content in terms of the politics it is gripping and a definite page turner.
The unexpected twist comes towards the end, when it turns out that the murder was not in fact politically motivated, but a case of wrong time/wrong place when Salton stumbled on to the plot of a large theft operation. This is where my slight criticism comes in; the book sets up all the events as though they are part of the political climate and suggests possible motives and suspects, but when the twist is revealed it becomes clear that many of the events had nothing to do with it. Throughout the story members of the government are seen to be bribing/threatening Bill Kemp to keep his nose out of the murder investigation - and in fact another insurance associate is murdered in an attempt to silence him - but when it becomes clear that they didn't actually have anything to do with Salton's death, the lengths they have gone to silence Kemp seem strange and left me feeling like id missed an important plot point.
However, the plot twist itself was enjoyable, and I genuinely didn't see it coming - when many books these days seem to follow a formulaic system that is very predictable, this change was very welcome.
Great book and I would definitely recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2020
In 1971, Desmond Bagley made four false starts on novels, abandoning each of them after just a few chapters. He wrote to his publishers, saying that he was going to break the impasse by trying something different: the classic whodunnit. When he submitted the finished manuscript, he noted sardonically that the typical Bagley style had kept breaking in: the novel functioned as a whodunnit for three quarters of its length before morphing into a tense and ultimately explosive thriller.
Then very suddenly, he withdrew it from publication. Quality control was not the issue: ‘Domino Island’ is vintage Bagley. It’s thought that with ‘The Mackintosh Man’, the absurdly retitled film adaptation of ‘The Freedom Trap’, due in cinemas, his American publishers wanted a new novel in the more traditional Bagley vein to promoted alongside it.
And so ‘Domino Island’ - under Bagley’s original title ‘Because Salton Died’ (a moniker he exhorted his publishers to find a better alternative for) - lay undiscovered for three and a half decades until Bagley aficionado Michael Davies shepherded it into print. And if I ever meet Mr Davies I’ll happily buy him a pint. The gift of one more Desmond Bagley thriller was as delightful as it was unexpected, and the perfect conclusion to this year’s Bagley retrospective.
Then very suddenly, he withdrew it from publication. Quality control was not the issue: ‘Domino Island’ is vintage Bagley. It’s thought that with ‘The Mackintosh Man’, the absurdly retitled film adaptation of ‘The Freedom Trap’, due in cinemas, his American publishers wanted a new novel in the more traditional Bagley vein to promoted alongside it.
And so ‘Domino Island’ - under Bagley’s original title ‘Because Salton Died’ (a moniker he exhorted his publishers to find a better alternative for) - lay undiscovered for three and a half decades until Bagley aficionado Michael Davies shepherded it into print. And if I ever meet Mr Davies I’ll happily buy him a pint. The gift of one more Desmond Bagley thriller was as delightful as it was unexpected, and the perfect conclusion to this year’s Bagley retrospective.
July 15, 2020
This is apparently a previously lost manuscript from Desmond Bagley, a great thriller writer who died in the 1980s.
Bill Kemp, an insurance investigator is sent to a Caribbean island following the unexpected death of one of their claimants - did he die naturally, or was it murder or suicide? However, Salton's death has far more implications for the island, where he was a principal investor and benefactor. Hair-trigger politics and serious crime begin to arise as Kemp appears to be a target for many different groups, trying to prevent him finding out the truth.
As gripping as any of Bagley's works, this one has been very competently completed after his death, and makes for an exciting read. A real treat for Bagley fans, and for those who have not yet discovered this master writer.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bill Kemp, an insurance investigator is sent to a Caribbean island following the unexpected death of one of their claimants - did he die naturally, or was it murder or suicide? However, Salton's death has far more implications for the island, where he was a principal investor and benefactor. Hair-trigger politics and serious crime begin to arise as Kemp appears to be a target for many different groups, trying to prevent him finding out the truth.
As gripping as any of Bagley's works, this one has been very competently completed after his death, and makes for an exciting read. A real treat for Bagley fans, and for those who have not yet discovered this master writer.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2019
It sounded too good to be true. An unpublished Desmond Bagley novel finally to be released. Sadly, this is far from being one of his best. It begins with a long and rather dull account of the fictional politics on a Caribbean island. Then it turns into a sort of detective story (who or why dunnit?) and finally, when that runs out of steam, a ludicrously 'thrilling' ending is tacked on. Unlike Bagley's best work which is full of unexpected twists and turns, the story here is pretty much linear and rather pedestrian. If this were the only Bagley novel you'd ever read you might wonder why he is considered to be one of the all-time great thriller writers. I can understand why he didn't publish this in his lifetime. It would be an OK book for a lesser author but it does nothing to enhance Bagley's reputation.
September 10, 2023
Domino Island is Desmond’s Bagley’s previously undiscovered novel believed to be written in the early 1970’s and not published until 2019.
The story is set in a Caribbean island nation in the midst of political upheaval as it comes to terms with its postcolonial identity. The main character Bill Kemp has been sent by the head office of an insurance company in London to investigate a claim following the disappearance and death of a key business and political figure.
The author beautifully transports the reader to another era and to the exotic island paradise where we encounter the key figures behind the major businesses and political parties. Kemp's investigation develops into much more than initially expected and he finds himself in quite a few very tight spots. The characters in the book are never what they seem which keeps the mystery going to the very end.
The story is set in a Caribbean island nation in the midst of political upheaval as it comes to terms with its postcolonial identity. The main character Bill Kemp has been sent by the head office of an insurance company in London to investigate a claim following the disappearance and death of a key business and political figure.
The author beautifully transports the reader to another era and to the exotic island paradise where we encounter the key figures behind the major businesses and political parties. Kemp's investigation develops into much more than initially expected and he finds himself in quite a few very tight spots. The characters in the book are never what they seem which keeps the mystery going to the very end.
December 31, 2023
Another engaging thriller from this author, lost for decades before it was finally published for the first time recently. Bagley is on familiar ground here, depicting an island state in the Caribbean which is rife with revolution, political skulduggery, mafia intrigue and murder. The hero is a likeable insurance investigator who arrives to solve a mysterious death which may or may not have been murder, but the mystery aspects of the plot eventually give way to more familiar political adventure. And it's compelling stuff: an easy, intelligent style combines with lean plotting and exciting set-piece action to deliver a thriller which pays off throughout. Other authors could learn a thing or two here...
August 29, 2019
Wonderful to have a 'new' Bagley book on the shelf, and such an exciting one too. Exotic Caribbean location, brilliant characterisations, nostalgic setting, action-packed denouement - it's hard to imagine what else you could want from a classic thriller. Not sure how they've managed to turn a raw first-draft manuscript into such a polished published novel, but it's a fantastic addition to any Bagley collection, and all the more impressive coming nearly 40 years after the author's early death. Truly the master of the genre.Domino Island
November 5, 2020
The late great Desmond Bagley introduced me to adult thrillers in my teens, I read and totally enjoyed everyone of his books. He was a master storyteller of action and adventure thrillers. So imagine my excitement when a previously unpublished novel turned up after forty years.
My thanks to the Author's family publishers and NetGalley for providing a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review. All the old memories of previous classic thrillers came to mind, atmospheric authentic gripping from first to last page intelligent with superb characters, and clever twists a complete and utter treat.
Thanks for memories.
My thanks to the Author's family publishers and NetGalley for providing a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review. All the old memories of previous classic thrillers came to mind, atmospheric authentic gripping from first to last page intelligent with superb characters, and clever twists a complete and utter treat.
Thanks for memories.
July 25, 2021
Domino Island is a recently discovered Desmond Bagley. It was written in the 70's judging by some of the references but still reads contemporary (if you ignore a lack of cell phones, etc.). Overall, I liked it quite a bit but unlike other Bagley books, it lacks action and danger. It's a slow burn with an insurance investigation as the primary conflict. It's not until the last third that the whole thing takes off. I do wonder if the lack of upfront action was the reason this book wasn't published originally. If you're a Bagley fan, then this book is well worth your time.
May 17, 2019
A long lost masterpiece of the Adventure-Thriller genre
Desmond Bagley is a Grand-Master of the Adventure-Thriller Genre. As such, he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Alistair MacLean, Duncan Kyle, Helen MacInnis, and Hammond Innis. In a review of one of Bagley’s books, MacLean wrote, “He writes better than I do.” While not one of his best books, Domino Island will still keep the reader engaged and turning the pages until late at night.
Desmond Bagley is a Grand-Master of the Adventure-Thriller Genre. As such, he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Alistair MacLean, Duncan Kyle, Helen MacInnis, and Hammond Innis. In a review of one of Bagley’s books, MacLean wrote, “He writes better than I do.” While not one of his best books, Domino Island will still keep the reader engaged and turning the pages until late at night.
March 28, 2024
The story started off well enough but you could tell that this book had not been finished by Desmond Bagley. His lead character was engaging enough but there was not enough meat in the story. Bagley worked best when he wrote about the sea and lonely places. The island he writes about is rich man's home. The story felt uncomfortable. In the past I would finish a Desmond Bagley in a week- this one took more than a year.
July 25, 2024
Bill Kemp is our hero, he's an insurance investigator, who is sent to Domino in the Caribbean to check a claim now that Salton is dead leaving to his wife Jill. Bill recently put in some extra premiums , making this something to investigate.
As a teenager, I enjoyed reading many of his novels, like this they were fast paced and exciting so its been really nice going back to this, an unearthed gem. Loved it.
As a teenager, I enjoyed reading many of his novels, like this they were fast paced and exciting so its been really nice going back to this, an unearthed gem. Loved it.
April 8, 2019
A fantastic, class whodunnit thriller. With an air of Ian Fleming-esque writing brought upto date for the modern crime seeker bibliophile who may not yet have had the pleasure of reading a story from this genre legend.
You will not be disappointed by this book - surely it will be made into a blockbuster movie!
You will not be disappointed by this book - surely it will be made into a blockbuster movie!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews