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Cheney Duvall, M.D. #7
Island of the Innocent
Cheney Duvall travels to Hawaii to help Shiloh Irons, who believes the Winslows might be his long-lost family, despite their refusal to have anything to do with him.
320 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1998
About the author
Lynn Morris
42 books113 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Lynn Morris (born 1954) was a Christian fiction author. She was the daughter of Gilbert Morris and co-wrote with him on some of her books.
Series:
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Gilbert Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Gilbert Morris)
* The Creole (with Gilbert Morris)
* Omega (with Gilbert Morris and Alan Morris)
Lynn Morris (born 1954) was a Christian fiction author. She was the daughter of Gilbert Morris and co-wrote with him on some of her books.
Series:
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Gilbert Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Gilbert Morris)
* The Creole (with Gilbert Morris)
* Omega (with Gilbert Morris and Alan Morris)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
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August 10, 2011how's YOUR mental state
Because mine was "I could do [insert endless list of boring, soul crushing, responsible tasks, including writing another bleeping parent concern letter to try and humanize and justify the inherent worth of my disabled kid within a system that doesn't give a bleep" -- OR -- I could reread the series that consumed my teenage years which now, as an adult, is STUNNINGLY problematic and moderately soul crushing but in a fun way.
Guess what won.
Because mine was "I could do [insert endless list of boring, soul crushing, responsible tasks, including writing another bleeping parent concern letter to try and humanize and justify the inherent worth of my disabled kid within a system that doesn't give a bleep" -- OR -- I could reread the series that consumed my teenage years which now, as an adult, is STUNNINGLY problematic and moderately soul crushing but in a fun way.
Guess what won.
July 5, 2019
Probably the most adventure packed in the whole series, this one doesn't seem to have a boring moment. Shiloh makes lots of progress in his search for his family history - which had been barely moving at a trickle through previous books, so this is quite satisfying.
May 28, 2021
Island of the Innocent is the 7th book in the Cheney Duvall M.D. series, and we've come a long way since book 1.
Lynn Morris admits in the introduction that she loves disaster movies, and this book is inspired by that. Well... I do not love disaster movies, so inevitably this isn't in my top favorite books of the series. But it is still worth 4 stars, on the strength of the descriptions, the plot, as always-- the characters, and the perfect peeling back of all the layers of Shiloh's backstory. Lynn and Gilbert Morris' ability to write memorable side characters is truly some of the best I've ever encountered. Island of the Innocent continues that tradition, and this series has one of my favorite villains who kinda sorta has a redemption arc later on. And the servants, the children, even the nemesis that is Denise Winslow- they're all great creations, and stick with me long after I close the book.
The authors explored a few different genres with this series, which I like, but some readers might find it inconsistent or a sign that the authors didn't have everything mapped out, so they just went with their last minute feelings. The first two books follow a sinilar plotting structure, and then the third book delves more into medical history, and the current events of that year. Book 4 is its' own thing, and book 5 is a slight mystery, and gets into more specific religious things. Book 6 is a character study, with medical events and the change in location driving the plot. Then there's book 7, which is admittedly, similar to a disaster movie.
Each book was plotted out separately, so I understand the criticism that it seems haphazard, however, there are too many details that match perfectly in the eventual story arcs for the plot of each book to be anything other than intentional.
That being said, there are a couple inconsistencies that appear: Shiloh is 6 ft. 4 in. until he suddenly becomes 6 ft. 5 in. in book 6. And Cheney and her family are Presbyterian, but in this book she refers to herself as a Methodist. Such things don't bother me a ton, but they should have been fixed in later printings.
All in all, Island of the Innocent is a lovely travelogue for Hawaii, and it is an interesting study on how different people react in crises. Lynn Morris wanted to ask the question-- which would we be? The whiney, always leaning on someone else one? The rude, value your life above everyone else's one? The strong, calm, brave one? Or a mix of all of them?
And I found it interesting to ponder the fact that the Western ideal of "women and children first" in life and death situations is not necessarily an ideal shared by all nations and cultures. Even at a time in history where some might say women were oppressed, or didn't have many freedoms that men had, there wasn't any doubt in those men's minds that they would sacrifice their lives in exchange for the women's safety. Could we say the same for today? Perhaps this stood out to me more because I just read a book about the Titanic, and in that story, John Jacob Astor's pregnant wife survived while he did not, despite him being the wealthiest man in America at the time. And because he made that sacrifice, he gave his wife another life, and his unborn child as well-- in that moment his wealth was comparatively unimportant.
Anyway, back to the Cheney Duvall M.D. series. I started this reread, because I wanted to see if this series would hold up as a favorite. It does, although I don't love all the books in the series equally, but that is true of any series I've read; there are always ups and downs. Hopefully the downs aren't too low, but it happens with everything. 🫠
I can say though, this series is the best thing either Gilbert or Lynn Morris wrote, and it deserves more recognition.
Lynn Morris admits in the introduction that she loves disaster movies, and this book is inspired by that. Well... I do not love disaster movies, so inevitably this isn't in my top favorite books of the series. But it is still worth 4 stars, on the strength of the descriptions, the plot, as always-- the characters, and the perfect peeling back of all the layers of Shiloh's backstory. Lynn and Gilbert Morris' ability to write memorable side characters is truly some of the best I've ever encountered. Island of the Innocent continues that tradition, and this series has one of my favorite villains who kinda sorta has a redemption arc later on. And the servants, the children, even the nemesis that is Denise Winslow- they're all great creations, and stick with me long after I close the book.
The authors explored a few different genres with this series, which I like, but some readers might find it inconsistent or a sign that the authors didn't have everything mapped out, so they just went with their last minute feelings. The first two books follow a sinilar plotting structure, and then the third book delves more into medical history, and the current events of that year. Book 4 is its' own thing, and book 5 is a slight mystery, and gets into more specific religious things. Book 6 is a character study, with medical events and the change in location driving the plot. Then there's book 7, which is admittedly, similar to a disaster movie.
Each book was plotted out separately, so I understand the criticism that it seems haphazard, however, there are too many details that match perfectly in the eventual story arcs for the plot of each book to be anything other than intentional.
That being said, there are a couple inconsistencies that appear: Shiloh is 6 ft. 4 in. until he suddenly becomes 6 ft. 5 in. in book 6. And Cheney and her family are Presbyterian, but in this book she refers to herself as a Methodist. Such things don't bother me a ton, but they should have been fixed in later printings.
All in all, Island of the Innocent is a lovely travelogue for Hawaii, and it is an interesting study on how different people react in crises. Lynn Morris wanted to ask the question-- which would we be? The whiney, always leaning on someone else one? The rude, value your life above everyone else's one? The strong, calm, brave one? Or a mix of all of them?
And I found it interesting to ponder the fact that the Western ideal of "women and children first" in life and death situations is not necessarily an ideal shared by all nations and cultures. Even at a time in history where some might say women were oppressed, or didn't have many freedoms that men had, there wasn't any doubt in those men's minds that they would sacrifice their lives in exchange for the women's safety. Could we say the same for today? Perhaps this stood out to me more because I just read a book about the Titanic, and in that story, John Jacob Astor's pregnant wife survived while he did not, despite him being the wealthiest man in America at the time. And because he made that sacrifice, he gave his wife another life, and his unborn child as well-- in that moment his wealth was comparatively unimportant.
Anyway, back to the Cheney Duvall M.D. series. I started this reread, because I wanted to see if this series would hold up as a favorite. It does, although I don't love all the books in the series equally, but that is true of any series I've read; there are always ups and downs. Hopefully the downs aren't too low, but it happens with everything. 🫠
I can say though, this series is the best thing either Gilbert or Lynn Morris wrote, and it deserves more recognition.
June 3, 2020
Almost there
May 23, 2018
As Cheney and Shiloh's adventures continue, this one is a real page-turner! From halfway to the very end, they're affronted by just about every possible hazard known to man! They're in Hawaii, searching for Shiloh's roots and the volcano erupts. Everyone scurries in different directions in their attempt to survive. Shiloh attempts to keep the day light by saying things like, you know it's a bad day when an erupting volcano is the least of your worries.
Many questions are answered, but many more remain: will Cheney marry Shiloh?
Many questions are answered, but many more remain: will Cheney marry Shiloh?
October 25, 2018
I read this entire series, even the three that come after this series. I loved the unstoppable Cheney Duvall. She loved the Lord, she loved the people in her life, and after a time of struggle between them, she loved Shiloh too!
December 31, 2025
This is probably my favorite book of the series and not just because it is set in Hawaii. I love how the author incorporates the local culture into the story. This one is action packed. It’s got it all secrets, sharks, treachery and a volcano. So so good.
May 18, 2017
you must read these series there so amazing!
June 6, 2022
re-read
March 6, 2017
On my second reading of this series I was again taken in by the characters and plot. I kept wondering how much the duo would endure and how they would make it out of the dangerous situations in which they were placed. The characters still caught my imagination and elicited emotional reactions from me.
June 10, 2020
I absolutely loved this book! I think I realized how much I liked it when I saw that Shiloh and Cheney were finally open about how much they liked each other. I was like, "Finally! It took them long enough!" (Though I suppose Shiloh had been showing it since book one, so... I suppose it was mostly Cheney that needed to see clearly. ;) Lol.) But I think I also just like it because it was a cute romance, and though I often don't want to admit it to myself, I do like a good romance every now and then, and this is a really cute one.
And Shiloh was also his usual awesome self, which is a big plus. ;) Anyway, loved this book, and so far it's my favourite in the series.
And Shiloh was also his usual awesome self, which is a big plus. ;) Anyway, loved this book, and so far it's my favourite in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2008
Re-read
January 12, 2010
This is by far my favorite of all the books. There is so much going on that it really does take several reads to get everything and comprehend ALL that is happening.
Set in Hawaii, mainly in Maui, amidst the beauty and lushness, there is also danger, anger and the finding of oneself and above all, LOVE!
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Re-read (because I SO needed something familiar that I loved!)
May 27, 2011
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Re-read
July 2, 2013
I was so craving reading this book and since mine is in storage, I got this out of the library. Still a great read and very soothing to me. LOVE the storyline in this one!!!
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Re-read
October 30 - November 1, 2015
I was in desperate need of a comfort book - Owen Meany had become such a chore that I needed something familiar. I LOVE this book and I found a copy cheap [because mine is still in storage] and was so excited to come home from vacation to find this waiting for me. It was JUST what I needed.
January 12, 2010
This is by far my favorite of all the books. There is so much going on that it really does take several reads to get everything and comprehend ALL that is happening.
Set in Hawaii, mainly in Maui, amidst the beauty and lushness, there is also danger, anger and the finding of oneself and above all, LOVE!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re-read (because I SO needed something familiar that I loved!)
May 27, 2011
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re-read
July 2, 2013
I was so craving reading this book and since mine is in storage, I got this out of the library. Still a great read and very soothing to me. LOVE the storyline in this one!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Re-read
October 30 - November 1, 2015
I was in desperate need of a comfort book - Owen Meany had become such a chore that I needed something familiar. I LOVE this book and I found a copy cheap [because mine is still in storage] and was so excited to come home from vacation to find this waiting for me. It was JUST what I needed.
February 26, 2014
One of the very best I have read by the Morris team. Very interesting, good background information about Hawaii, culture, volcanoes, sea animals, poisons, all related to the story at hand. Shiloh continued on his journey as an orphan to see if he is related to the family who first settled this part of Hawaii. The Mistress of the plantation (Denise Winslow) is not friendly or interested in him being around, although her daughter seems to understand something is not right with the way her mother is acting. Mr.Logan Winslow is never home, and one has to wonder why. Cheney Duvall, MD and Walker Baird, MD are both close friends and have traveled to Hawaii by ship to check on Shiloh and his investigation. Perils of all sorts take place after they arrive which lead to the conclusion of the biggest mystery in the family. Personality development is great and I like this series very much. I will continue to read books by this father and daughter team, as well as separately.
Mary Young Robinson, Boise, ID
Mary Young Robinson, Boise, ID
February 9, 2015
By far my most favorite book of the series. I think it has something to do with it is a disaster book. I love a good disaster story! Hawaii is a beautiful setting and of course you have to have a volcano erupt! Cheney and Shiloh are at their best! They are getting along, they are helping people in a disaster and they help each other remain strong. Shiloh finds out who his family is and whew, they are not very nice people. At least some of them. Cheney finally admits to herself that she loves Shiloh, but there is no way she could act on that love because Shiloh is not a believer. The exploration of human behavior in the story was interesting to me. It made me think about how I would act in a disaster. Would I be a leader, or the hysterical shrew who demands that all my needs be met before anyone else's. Eeep! I would hope not, but who knows what fear will bring out in people and boy do Shiloh and Cheney see that in the people that they help. One more book in the series(then 3 books after Cheney and Shiloh marry). I've enjoyed reading this series again.
October 7, 2013
This is my favorite book of the series, and cements my love of Shiloh Irons. It's much faster-paced than the previous books in the series, with less emphasis on historical details, focusing instead on near non-stop action/adventure. Through it all, the inimitable Shiloh Irons serves as a "knight in shining armor" to Cheney and everyone else on the island. I'm a sucker for this trope, that is being done away with in these days of third wave feminism. I'm also a sucker for slow-burn romance, and it doesn't get much slower than 8 books worth! I can't help but love Shiloh as much as Cheney does, which makes the ending so very bittersweet. I love that the Morrises tackled it, though, and portrayed Cheney as obedient to Christ even when it's extremely hard.
January 20, 2016
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July 26, 2011
"'I had no idea you were such a horticulturist,' Cheney teased.
'You shouldn't call people names,' Shiloh said with mock indignation. 'After all, I am trying to quit'"(p. 42).
"'Shiloh, dear,' she said with finality, 'one of the things I've always liked about you is that you're alive. Stay that way, would you?'"(p. 123).
September 6, 2015
I couldn't quite follow everything that happened, I think I'll have to re-read a couple of times in order to get it. I really find it interesting how Shiloh can always read her thoughts.. in all the books he does and I find it amusing! :) in this book Cheney finally realized she loved him, but there was a hitch.. looking forward to finding out how things turn out for them!
December 15, 2012
I used to like this series a lot. It does have some funny moments/characters and interesting plot points, but it is also rather on the feminist and romantic side--I think there was more romance in this particular book in the series, too.
June 16, 2013
This is the longest drawn out romance series that I think I've ever read; maybe there will be a resolution in the next book????? Taking place in the 'Sandwich Islands', Pele adds herself to the struggles of deceit and family problems!
May 29, 2014
Very suspenceful! I could not put this book down! Cheney and Shiloh are in Hawaii and get fought in the middle of a hurricane and volcano at the same time. In this book, Cheney realizes she in love with Shiloh.
April 22, 2015
This one in the series was interesting but since it was written about being in Hawaii, I was lost on some of the Hawaiian words and what they meant. But Cheney and Shiloh saga is good and I can't wait to read the final book of the series.
September 15, 2019
Still a 5 star for me. This is my favorite book in the Cheney Duvall series. I love the time period and most of my historical fiction falls in the same time, but this one is set in Hawaii which is unique. This book is also action packed! It's very fast paced and so so interesting.
April 14, 2008
This is by far the best book in the serious and one of my top favorite books! It's a quick read, with romance and excitement and inspirtation.
April 26, 2008
Favorite of the series!!
July 15, 2008
Definitely my favorite in the series so far!
January 19, 2009
Another Gilbert Morris Cheney Duvall book- rather predictable but a good romance.
December 29, 2009
Like the Hawaii setting and learning more about Shiloh's background but there were parts that got a bit too preachy for me. None of the earlier books had this problem.
August 6, 2010
In this book cheney and shiloh get trapped with lava from an active volcano and they are waiting for a rescue.
August 4, 2011
My Favorite Cheney Duvall Book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews