Casey’s Island by Patrick Ford

There is something very solid about Patrick Ford’s storytelling. It has pace; it is plotted so you are led, as a reader, convincingly and adeptly from scene to scene through crucial events, action and character encounters, all conveyed with no stutters or comprehension issues with which you, the reader, must contend; the dialogue reads truly; the purpose is direct and unwavering.

And sometimes that’s all you need from a book: to be transported into someone else’s story where you root for the hero, willing him to succeed and vanquish his foes, and maybe find a bit of romance on the way. That’s certainly what you get here.

Eamon is a soldier who bears the physical and emotional scars of his tour of Vietnam. Looking forward to coming home, he faces more emotional upset when he is deprived of his inheritance. This shock requires him to regroup and he does this by withdrawing to an island in the Torres Strait where he lives like Robinson Crusoe.

However, it is the making of him; despite the fact that his refuge becomes a battleground, he is dogged in his ability to survive and fight for what he values and loves. And what he values is his family home ‘Connemara’ which he is determined to enjoy again and what he subsequently loves stems from the relationship that he develops with journalist, Jessica Bradley.

Eamon is a survivor but it is his teaming up with Jessica that provides the driver that he needs to challenge those who robbed him of his inheritance. And so, we follow the two of them as they gather evidence, supporting each other in their ambitions with the ultimate goal of reclaiming what’s owed and getting revenge.

I read this quickly, keen to discover if Eamon would be successful. Ford’s portrayal of Eamon’s and Jessica’s relationship is at the core of the book. They are a team and Eamon finding someone after his lonely existence adds to that sense of him being worthy, an underdog who deserves more. And who doesn’t love an underdog story?

I enjoyed this book with Ford’s writing having clear purpose, with continuous action throughout alongside solidly portrayed characters, leading to a satisfactory conclusion and making this a smooth read.

This review was first published on Reedsy Discovery where I was privileged to read it as an ARC.