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The Lost Colony
What could possibly go wrong?
Jamestown promises to be a history lover’s dream, a reality series featuring fifteen contestants who will spend six months living in seventeenth century conditions, their ability to adapt and overcome daily hardship judged by millions of TV viewers. Supplies will be replenished, and a medical officer will be on hand to ensure everyone’s well-being. Lucrative cash prizes will be awarded at the end.
Except that the colonists find themselves abandoned on an uncharted island on the first morning of the shoot, lacking sufficient provisions or a means of communication with the outside world. Tensions begin to mount—and bodies start to pile up.
Each contestant has reason to fear for their life since everyone on the island hides a dangerous secret, and any one of them might have motive to kill.
Jamestown promises to be a history lover’s dream, a reality series featuring fifteen contestants who will spend six months living in seventeenth century conditions, their ability to adapt and overcome daily hardship judged by millions of TV viewers. Supplies will be replenished, and a medical officer will be on hand to ensure everyone’s well-being. Lucrative cash prizes will be awarded at the end.
Except that the colonists find themselves abandoned on an uncharted island on the first morning of the shoot, lacking sufficient provisions or a means of communication with the outside world. Tensions begin to mount—and bodies start to pile up.
Each contestant has reason to fear for their life since everyone on the island hides a dangerous secret, and any one of them might have motive to kill.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2023
714 people are currently reading
799 people want to read
About the author
Irina Shapiro
86 books1,153 followersTo write a novel was a dream of mine since I was a child. Life, my practical nature, and self-doubt got in the way, so it was decades later that an opportunity to write finally presented itself. I honestly didn't think I had what it takes to write a full-length novel, but once I faced the blank screen and my fingers touched the keyboard, everything disappeared except my characters and their surroundings, and suddenly I knew that this was what I was born to do.
Since then, I've written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I'm still amazed that I'm living my dream.
Follow me on BookBub for discount deals and new release alerts.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/irina...
Since then, I've written many books and have enjoyed some positive reviews, but sometimes, when I stop to reflect, I'm still amazed that I'm living my dream.
Follow me on BookBub for discount deals and new release alerts.
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/irina...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews
March 25, 2023
It's not often these days that a story inspires me to skip chores and devote the time to reading. This book achieved that. Author Irina Shapiro has constructed a truly engaging plot but I was slightly underwhelmed by the ending. Read this for yourself and enjoy!
April 10, 2023
At first I rated two stars but upped it to 3.
Story sounded interesting but then things got out of hand. I know that they are all stranded on an island and running out of food, etc. and are concerned about survival. This was supposed to be a trip based on reality series where random? people were invited and selected to participate in this old timey story of survival like the early pioneers. Think Jamestown. No cell
Phones, no TV, no microwaves, no hair dryers, etc. none of the comforts of todays time.
They are all given and dressed in period clothes, supplied with food stores to last six months, in a derelict village/housing with a cow and some chickens. The ship/boat that was supposed to be docked on island filming and producer, is gone and unbeknownst to them, not coming back. No planes, no boats, no sign of other human life on or around the island as days go on.
So the fight to survive and succeed is on. People start fighting, flirting, fearful, panicking - all that ugliness that usually happens when you have a myriad of personalities, people with secrets or issues, in an isolated environment and not all able to come together.
We read on as they unravel. It unravels.
Then one is found dead and another and as with all stories like this, it reminds me of Agatha Christie’s plot of “And then there were none.”
It is written as this occurs during the covid pandemic so there’s that going on too.
In the end, it was an okay read. Predictable in some respects to me of another story I read not too long ago.
Story sounded interesting but then things got out of hand. I know that they are all stranded on an island and running out of food, etc. and are concerned about survival. This was supposed to be a trip based on reality series where random? people were invited and selected to participate in this old timey story of survival like the early pioneers. Think Jamestown. No cell
Phones, no TV, no microwaves, no hair dryers, etc. none of the comforts of todays time.
They are all given and dressed in period clothes, supplied with food stores to last six months, in a derelict village/housing with a cow and some chickens. The ship/boat that was supposed to be docked on island filming and producer, is gone and unbeknownst to them, not coming back. No planes, no boats, no sign of other human life on or around the island as days go on.
So the fight to survive and succeed is on. People start fighting, flirting, fearful, panicking - all that ugliness that usually happens when you have a myriad of personalities, people with secrets or issues, in an isolated environment and not all able to come together.
We read on as they unravel. It unravels.
Then one is found dead and another and as with all stories like this, it reminds me of Agatha Christie’s plot of “And then there were none.”
It is written as this occurs during the covid pandemic so there’s that going on too.
In the end, it was an okay read. Predictable in some respects to me of another story I read not too long ago.
March 13, 2023
Disappointing.....
SPOILER ALERT.......
I cannot believe I'm writing a negative review about one of my favorite authors. I'm a huge history buff and Jamestown is one of the places that fascinate me. It was as well written as all Ms. Shapiro's other novels. The premise using Jamestown as the basis was exciting and not something I've seen done before. However, other than the fact they were left on a "Jamestown -like" island with a fort like structure, habitats, and having to be responsible for food, etc that's where the Jamestown story ended. Even though the author clearly stated in the preface that this was a departure for her from her historical novels, I still expected "Jamestown".
I was glued to the story. I admit that I was surprised about who the villain turned out to be. However, I was extremely disappointed with the Covid aspect. It was a massive let down for me. I actually stopped for a few min to let it sink in. I just feel like it was a " ok, I couldn't come up with something better". Overall, the book was well written as far as being up to the authors usual standard. I strongly disliked the overall plot, many of the characters, and the ending. I would not read this novel again, but will definitely read upcoming works.
I received this free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
SPOILER ALERT.......
I cannot believe I'm writing a negative review about one of my favorite authors. I'm a huge history buff and Jamestown is one of the places that fascinate me. It was as well written as all Ms. Shapiro's other novels. The premise using Jamestown as the basis was exciting and not something I've seen done before. However, other than the fact they were left on a "Jamestown -like" island with a fort like structure, habitats, and having to be responsible for food, etc that's where the Jamestown story ended. Even though the author clearly stated in the preface that this was a departure for her from her historical novels, I still expected "Jamestown".
I was glued to the story. I admit that I was surprised about who the villain turned out to be. However, I was extremely disappointed with the Covid aspect. It was a massive let down for me. I actually stopped for a few min to let it sink in. I just feel like it was a " ok, I couldn't come up with something better". Overall, the book was well written as far as being up to the authors usual standard. I strongly disliked the overall plot, many of the characters, and the ending. I would not read this novel again, but will definitely read upcoming works.
I received this free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 13, 2023
So slow. At the least 85% of the book is the cast talking about who might have done what it is very dull.
No one looks for cameras?!? Seriously as soon as it started things went wrong but they decide to just get going living this new life & not look for camera for help? Did not buy it at all.
Then this book turns into a Covid ending RUBBISH
Very dull book, super rushed ending, I had a lot of hope for this book but it failed.
No one looks for cameras?!? Seriously as soon as it started things went wrong but they decide to just get going living this new life & not look for camera for help? Did not buy it at all.
Then this book turns into a Covid ending RUBBISH
Very dull book, super rushed ending, I had a lot of hope for this book but it failed.
March 8, 2023
Irina never disappoints 🥰
Loved the book! It's very well written and intriguing. Couldn't put it down and when I did (because work 🤭), I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Also, I would like to praise the narrator, who did an excellent job.
Loved the book! It's very well written and intriguing. Couldn't put it down and when I did (because work 🤭), I couldn't stop thinking about it.
Also, I would like to praise the narrator, who did an excellent job.
March 12, 2023
That was clever. I love being truly surprised. It's so hard to surprise me anymore. If you read this book, I recommend not reading a bunch of reviews beforehand, as you'll likely run into a spoiler. With that said, I do recommend this book, but that's all I can say🤫
July 13, 2023
I would never watch this if it were a television show, but I was all over the book as soon as I saw it, I'm always drawn to these types of stories.
Natalie is the main POV, but there are POV chapters from all 15 of the characters. It was hard keeping them all straight, especially the men who outnumbered the women 2 to 1. I was grateful for Kindle x-ray. Everyone on the island is hiding secrets, some of them quite awful. With diminishing food stores, they're slowing starving, keeping the tension in constant escalation. Then the murders start happening, it's clear that no one is coming for them, and they need to find a way off the island.
The conclusion of the story was surprising, I didn't hate it but it wasn't great. What I didn't like was the giant info dump at the end, courtesy of a random FBI agent saying, "Here's what happened..." It felt like a cheat. Up until the last 20% of the book, I would have rated it 4 stars.
Natalie is the main POV, but there are POV chapters from all 15 of the characters. It was hard keeping them all straight, especially the men who outnumbered the women 2 to 1. I was grateful for Kindle x-ray. Everyone on the island is hiding secrets, some of them quite awful. With diminishing food stores, they're slowing starving, keeping the tension in constant escalation. Then the murders start happening, it's clear that no one is coming for them, and they need to find a way off the island.
The conclusion of the story was surprising, I didn't hate it but it wasn't great. What I didn't like was the giant info dump at the end, courtesy of a random FBI agent saying, "Here's what happened..." It felt like a cheat. Up until the last 20% of the book, I would have rated it 4 stars.
March 11, 2023
Why the change in her writing?
I've loved every book I've read by Irina Shapiro, so I was excited to read this one. It had a great premise. I was really getting into it, until 20% in. The gratuitous content started and ruined it for me. Regardless of someone's sexual proclivities, I don't need it to be graphic. A good story doesn't need gratuitous content and F bombs and other profanity to make a great story. This is the second very favorite author I've read in a short time that has sunk to this level of writing. Off my reading list now and I'm sad. Reality is sordid enough. I look for better when reading fiction. So I skipped to the end, just a few pages and I said, wait, what?
I've loved every book I've read by Irina Shapiro, so I was excited to read this one. It had a great premise. I was really getting into it, until 20% in. The gratuitous content started and ruined it for me. Regardless of someone's sexual proclivities, I don't need it to be graphic. A good story doesn't need gratuitous content and F bombs and other profanity to make a great story. This is the second very favorite author I've read in a short time that has sunk to this level of writing. Off my reading list now and I'm sad. Reality is sordid enough. I look for better when reading fiction. So I skipped to the end, just a few pages and I said, wait, what?
March 8, 2023
Could not put it down!!!
Wow, just wow!
This book grabs you and doesn't let you go!
I won't repeat the story line as I know anyone seeing this can read it in other reviews.
I just want to say, if you are an Agatha C. Fan, a fan of murder mysteries that keep you guessing page after page... READ THIS BOOK!!
Irina, thank you for an amazing ride!!
Wow, just wow!
This book grabs you and doesn't let you go!
I won't repeat the story line as I know anyone seeing this can read it in other reviews.
I just want to say, if you are an Agatha C. Fan, a fan of murder mysteries that keep you guessing page after page... READ THIS BOOK!!
Irina, thank you for an amazing ride!!
March 16, 2023
i enjoyed this book, it is well written and kept you guessing. What happens when you that when you place a group of strangers together on an island with secrets, well let’s just say secrets can be deadly…
June 26, 2024
2.5 conflicted stars, rounded up.
My biggest beef is regarding several glaring historical errors. “But wait!” you might be thinking to yourself, “this isn’t historical fiction!” and you’d be correct. However, its premise is Jamestown (set in present day) and it’s some of the facts about the actual, historical Jamestown that are wrong, wrong, wrong,
1) calling a captain of one of the ships to the OG Jamestown a “dashing Tudor” - King James was a Stuart, not a Tudor and had been on the throne in England since 1603, with Jamestown being established in 1607.
2) in referencing the “Maids to Make Wives” or “Tobacco Brides” of 1620, the author said that the men of Jamestown bought their passage (correct) and the women were then shipped out on said passages arranged by the East India Company. This is so wrong, I wanna throw something. It was the Virginia Company who would have done this, NOT the East India Company. The East India Company operated in…say it with me now…the EAST INDIES! The opposite side of the world from Virginia!
3) one of the characters, a professor of history no less, proclaimed “Jamestown wasn’t a democracy”. This is technically incorrect. Allow me:
“1619 Jamestown represented a limited, hierarchical, exclusionary democratic model, but democratic nonetheless as seen in the House of Burgesses. Also important to keep in mind was that 1619 was the year enslaved Africans were brought to the continent.
The House of Burgesses was the first democratically elected legislative body in the British American colonies, established in 1619 at Jamestown, Virginia. The House of Burgesses was the result of the first meeting of the Virginia General Assembly, which was established by Governor George Yeardley on July 30, 1619. The House met in a wooden church in Jamestown and was made up of burgesses elected by county. Each county sent two burgesses, but towns like Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Norfolk could petition to send one representative.”
So while it wasn’t a total representative democracy (women couldn’t vote, enslaved people couldn’t vote, Native Americans couldn’t vote), it was still some sliver of a democracy.
I liked the writing style of this author and I may give them another try, but I’m cautious. They write time travel historical fiction so I will be on my guard for other historical inaccuracies that could be plaguing their other books.
My biggest beef is regarding several glaring historical errors. “But wait!” you might be thinking to yourself, “this isn’t historical fiction!” and you’d be correct. However, its premise is Jamestown (set in present day) and it’s some of the facts about the actual, historical Jamestown that are wrong, wrong, wrong,
1) calling a captain of one of the ships to the OG Jamestown a “dashing Tudor” - King James was a Stuart, not a Tudor and had been on the throne in England since 1603, with Jamestown being established in 1607.
2) in referencing the “Maids to Make Wives” or “Tobacco Brides” of 1620, the author said that the men of Jamestown bought their passage (correct) and the women were then shipped out on said passages arranged by the East India Company. This is so wrong, I wanna throw something. It was the Virginia Company who would have done this, NOT the East India Company. The East India Company operated in…say it with me now…the EAST INDIES! The opposite side of the world from Virginia!
3) one of the characters, a professor of history no less, proclaimed “Jamestown wasn’t a democracy”. This is technically incorrect. Allow me:
“1619 Jamestown represented a limited, hierarchical, exclusionary democratic model, but democratic nonetheless as seen in the House of Burgesses. Also important to keep in mind was that 1619 was the year enslaved Africans were brought to the continent.
The House of Burgesses was the first democratically elected legislative body in the British American colonies, established in 1619 at Jamestown, Virginia. The House of Burgesses was the result of the first meeting of the Virginia General Assembly, which was established by Governor George Yeardley on July 30, 1619. The House met in a wooden church in Jamestown and was made up of burgesses elected by county. Each county sent two burgesses, but towns like Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Norfolk could petition to send one representative.”
So while it wasn’t a total representative democracy (women couldn’t vote, enslaved people couldn’t vote, Native Americans couldn’t vote), it was still some sliver of a democracy.
I liked the writing style of this author and I may give them another try, but I’m cautious. They write time travel historical fiction so I will be on my guard for other historical inaccuracies that could be plaguing their other books.
April 19, 2023
I am so…. disappointed in this book 😑
The writing style was good, the character backgrounds & development were interesting, and the author totally had me hooked!! Until the last 25-ish pages. I wish I had just stopped and left it a mystery what happened to the contestants in the end, because the wrap up of this book was so anticlimactic.
*SPOILERS*
All this intrigue and excitement just for the main reason for their abandonment to be Covid-19? Are you KIDDING me?? I read to get away from reality, for Pete’s sake. The last thing I want is for a great fictional book to end talking about current events and a pandemic we have been living through for the past 3 years. Again, I was SO DISAPPOINTED. She couldn’t even make up a fake virus?! Or ANY other reason for the contestants to be left on the island with no contact?
And when they arrive back on the mainland, Natalie doesn’t even get to see the baby again. Just a picture of the child she saved and tended since the second he was born.
And it’s VERY frustrating that basically everyone had a negative outcome, except Natalie & Declan, who apparently got “everything they ever wanted”, get Natalie is keeping the secret that she was sexually assaulted when Declan left the island. Great, let’s start out new life together, but I’m not going to tell you about the trauma that may haunt me for the rest of my life.
Honestly, the whole vibe at the end was “how can we wrap this up as neatly as possible AND be trendy by using everyone’s current reason for trauma.” It was such a letdown that I would rather they all died on the island, rather than how it did end.
I’m not saying I’ll never recommend this book to a friend, but on the slim chance I do, I’m going to tell them to stop when Declan is pushed out of the canoe, because the mystery of what happened/the prospect of them never making it off the island would have been a more emotionally satisfying ending than what we got. And that’s coming from someone who hates cliffhangers.
Basically, a really good book with a really lame ending.
The writing style was good, the character backgrounds & development were interesting, and the author totally had me hooked!! Until the last 25-ish pages. I wish I had just stopped and left it a mystery what happened to the contestants in the end, because the wrap up of this book was so anticlimactic.
*SPOILERS*
All this intrigue and excitement just for the main reason for their abandonment to be Covid-19? Are you KIDDING me?? I read to get away from reality, for Pete’s sake. The last thing I want is for a great fictional book to end talking about current events and a pandemic we have been living through for the past 3 years. Again, I was SO DISAPPOINTED. She couldn’t even make up a fake virus?! Or ANY other reason for the contestants to be left on the island with no contact?
And when they arrive back on the mainland, Natalie doesn’t even get to see the baby again. Just a picture of the child she saved and tended since the second he was born.
And it’s VERY frustrating that basically everyone had a negative outcome, except Natalie & Declan, who apparently got “everything they ever wanted”, get Natalie is keeping the secret that she was sexually assaulted when Declan left the island. Great, let’s start out new life together, but I’m not going to tell you about the trauma that may haunt me for the rest of my life.
Honestly, the whole vibe at the end was “how can we wrap this up as neatly as possible AND be trendy by using everyone’s current reason for trauma.” It was such a letdown that I would rather they all died on the island, rather than how it did end.
I’m not saying I’ll never recommend this book to a friend, but on the slim chance I do, I’m going to tell them to stop when Declan is pushed out of the canoe, because the mystery of what happened/the prospect of them never making it off the island would have been a more emotionally satisfying ending than what we got. And that’s coming from someone who hates cliffhangers.
Basically, a really good book with a really lame ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2023
Spoilers
First time I’ve read anything by this author. Could have done without the rape. I mean why? It really had no impact to the story. The book dragged. Too many people to keep straight who was who. Also the ending lol covid pandemic? That was just the worst . I rolled my eyes. Could have been a really great book but it just wasn’t. I really thought something cool would come out of the whole old cabin and the small cemetery. This book had so much potential. Ah well on to the next. I’d try another book by this author though.
First time I’ve read anything by this author. Could have done without the rape. I mean why? It really had no impact to the story. The book dragged. Too many people to keep straight who was who. Also the ending lol covid pandemic? That was just the worst . I rolled my eyes. Could have been a really great book but it just wasn’t. I really thought something cool would come out of the whole old cabin and the small cemetery. This book had so much potential. Ah well on to the next. I’d try another book by this author though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2023
There is nothing worse than an intriguing storyline with a lackluster ending. This book had me hooked pretty well until the “big reveal”. The author’s characters are also very one-dimensional with tired stereotypes and a little homophobia thrown in for flavor. What a let down.
March 23, 2023
I love all of Irina Shapiro books, especially the Hands of Time and Wonderland series. This was different than her usual as it’s all set in present day. I loved the story and stayed up late to finish reading, which I rarely do anymore. If I could, I’d give it 4.5 stars. The only negativity being some odd sentence structures and wording.
July 17, 2024
It was going well and on my way to a 4⭐️ review, but the ending fell flat.
November 9, 2023
4.5 stars
Dang, I'm so glad I took a chance on this random book I saw on Kindle Unlimited! I could not put this book down; it was such a page turner! I loved the historical premise and all of the twists and turns. I did not expect this book to be so good and I highly recommend it to anybody who likes the trope of being stuck in a precarious situation with strangers. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Dang, I'm so glad I took a chance on this random book I saw on Kindle Unlimited! I could not put this book down; it was such a page turner! I loved the historical premise and all of the twists and turns. I did not expect this book to be so good and I highly recommend it to anybody who likes the trope of being stuck in a precarious situation with strangers. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
December 7, 2023
Other reviewers have already expressed my opinions on this book. I agree with the reviewer who said the "gratuitous " content and language was completely unneeded. I like 2 of the author's other series. This book wasn't for me.
January 10, 2025
This was great. I was hooked from the start and all the way through trying to work out ‘who done it’ while getting caught up in everyone’s stories. After all that I thought the ending was great, and plausible. Well worth the read.
May 8, 2025
nicely balanced
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! Mystery, murder, and a touch of romance. I was on the edge of my seat wondering who the killer(s) was/were until the very end. Well done.
I enjoyed this more than I thought I would! Mystery, murder, and a touch of romance. I was on the edge of my seat wondering who the killer(s) was/were until the very end. Well done.
February 18, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up. It was problematic and then the ending just felt flat to me.
February 26, 2025
3.5 overall I enjoyed it. One specific thing that bothered me but it was still good
February 28, 2025
3.5! This would have been a 4. But part of the end felt like a total cop-out. But except that one detail. I truly loved this book.
November 4, 2025
It's definitely my least favourite of her books.
It was missing that wow moment execution.
It was missing that wow moment execution.
January 4, 2026
Different
I found this book very different and strange in various ways. The Subject matter was very different. What a nightmare they were in. The unraveling of the story was something else! Don't miss it!
I found this book very different and strange in various ways. The Subject matter was very different. What a nightmare they were in. The unraveling of the story was something else! Don't miss it!
March 22, 2023
Intense!
I don’t often want to skip to the end and read the ending of a book before I get there but this book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it that several times I wanted to read the ending!! Excellent reading!!
I don’t often want to skip to the end and read the ending of a book before I get there but this book had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it that several times I wanted to read the ending!! Excellent reading!!
May 27, 2023
My favorite book of the year so far!
March 20, 2023
Strange, twisted, I almost stopped reading this but I am glad I finished it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 144 reviews