5.0 out of 5 stars Very compelling read, May 31, 2014

“Mateguas Island” by Linda Watkins is the story of Bill and Karen Andersen who are struggling to keep their marriage from falling apart. They have 8-year-old twin daughters who they both love desperately, but do they still love each other? That is one of the main questions in this novel as Ms. Watkins transports this fragile family to a small island where the only access is by boat. Throw into the mix Native American Indian legends, a strange box full of magic, and an island femme fatale and you have a recipe for disaster!
Tension slowly builds as we watch the Andersens try to deal with the anguishing reality of their lives and the ever-encroaching magic that surrounds them. The horror in this story is real – coming from both inside and outside the family structure. The characters – flawed and not always entirely likable – are complex and realistic and sometimes, despite yourself, you will find you are rooting for them to survive.
If you are a fan of the occult and old fashioned horror that does not need to rely on blood and gore to raise the hair on the back of your neck, then you will love Mateguas Island. I know I did and I can’t want for the sequel!

I received a free Advanced Reader Copy of this novel in exchange for my fair and honest review.