After millennial ghostwriter Trevor Moore rents an old farmhouse in Fuerteventura, he moves in to find his muse.Instead, he discovers a rucksack filled with cash. Who does it belong to – and should he hand it in… or keep it?Struggling to make up his mind, Trevor unravels the harrowing true story of a little-known concentration camp that incarcerated gay men in the 1950s and 60s.
A Prison in the Sun is the third book I’ve read, also the third book in author Isobel Blackthorn’s series, Canary Island Mysteries. One of the aspects I most like about her writing is the way Blackthorn embeds such beautifully descriptive scenery among multiple story-lines, weaving together a tale that can be fully immersive and quite the vivid experience.
In this novel, Trevor, a mid-thirties divorced writer, has taken a trip to the Canary Islands to pen his own book; he’s tired of writing for other authors or blogs. It’s time he had his own success. His bestie, Angela, helps from afar, and when Trevor discovers a sack of money near the beach, he feels compelled to learn where it came from… except, a body washes up ashore, and it appears a drug deal might’ve gone poorly. At the same time, he’s met a lovely couple who are helping him acclimate to the island. During his explorations, Trevor learns about the building he’s staying in, particularly how it once housed gay men in a plot by the government to fix them for their deviant behavior. Alternating between contemporary times and historical events, readers learn just what happened in this awful place, who was murdered, and what Trevor does and doesn’t know about it!
If you’ve never been to these islands (I haven’t) and you can’t easily get there, just read this series. It’ll feel like you are surrounded by everything they have to offer. I still think you should go, but this is what might convince you to make the trip… barring the murders and deaths in the books, as that’s just all wonderful story. Blackthorn’s writing talents clearly jump off the pages with beautiful narrative, calming or alarming descriptions, and well-drawn characters. Though the plot in this one is rather straightforward and minimalist, it is a good thing… readers navigate her pages while getting sucked into the lovely background and before you know it, the story explodes into something quite clever.
There is a scene with chickens that is quite frightening, and it evokes anger over what some people do to others because of their beliefs. Blackthorn delicately handles the homosexuality theme in many scenes, shares poignant passages between several friends, showcases the growing lust one man begins to feel, and helps create a fine line between reality and imagination. The balance is very strong in terms of delivering a punch and a softness in all the right moments, letting readers feel the pain without being told all the details. I am curious to learn more of Jose and Trevor’s stories, as I feel like there’s a lot still unsaid. It’s great when an author makes you want to read more of her work. Looking forward to a 4th in the series (if there is one) and if not, reading another one of her works.
A PRISON IN THE SUN (Canary Islands Mystery Book 3) by Isobel Blackthorn is a literary book with two mystery subplots; one past and one present featuring a millennial ghostwriter questioning his sexuality. This book is easily read as a standalone. I have not read the previous books and I believe the series is based more on the location than the characters.
Trevor Moore has made a decent living as a freelance ghostwriter, but after a difficult divorce two years ago he has been personally stagnant. He has lost his identity as a househusband and full-time father. Now his bi-sexual ex-wife is remarrying her girlfriend and he is struggling with his own sexuality.
Trevor decides to rent a farmhouse on Fuerteventura an island in the Canary Islands chain to work on his own novel. He is tired of producing for others and receiving no credit. The farmhouse is next door to a hostel that he learns was once a labor camp for gay men during the Franco regime. While it seems like an interesting bit of history to base a story on; it also seems too depressing.
On a trip into seaside caves, Trevor finds a backpack. No one on the beach claims it. When he gets it home and opens it, it is full of a large amount of cash and a packet of old handwritten pages. While he struggles with his conscious on whether to turn in the money or not, a body washes up on the beach a few days later. He also discovers the packet of pages is a personal account from a prisoner from the labor camp.
Can Trevor use the personal account to bring the story of the labor camp to life in his own words? And what of the dead body and the decision to be made about the backpack?
This was a very different type of book for me because it was more literary than genre mystery. The author intertwined the past and present mystery subplots equally throughout. Both were interesting and intriguing. There is a lot of emphasis on Trevor questioning his sexuality which I can understand with the tie into the labor camp, but I did not feel it was necessary as many times as it appeared throughout the book. The ending is abrupt and leaves you with many questions which was frustrating for this genre lover who wants everything tied up at the end, but it is what you would expect in a literary work.
This book is a bit out of my comfort zone, but it is well written and worth the read.
My review of ‘A Prison in the Sun’ by Isobel Blackthorn : Trevor Moore is a disillusioned ghost writer with dreams of writing his own best-selling novel. After recently separating from his wife and family, he decides to take a three month sabbatical in Fuerteventura and rents an isolated lodging where he plans to turn his dream into reality.
Unfortunately, due to a series of unforeseen events, including an unexpected windfall, a sudden death, a drug dealing bodybuilder with links to the underworld, and an island full of locals who all seem to be related in one way or another, poor Trevor does not know whom to trust.
Trevor becomes embroiled in a situation which he is ill equipped to deal with. All these ‘goings on’ are also not helping his writing process and he seems devoid of any suitable storylines for his book. When he discovers that his living quarters are located near an abandoned Francophile prison for gay men, he finds himself analysing his own life and questioning his own sexuality.
This convoluted plot builds in tension, emotion and drama until the very last page.
The underlying true story of the homosexual prison during General Franco’s regime is cleverly woven into the plot and was, in my opinion, an ingenious way of drawing the world’s attention to the fact that this establishment actually existed. The atrocities and living conditions these men were subjected to and made to endure brought tears to my eyes. The book further highlights how societal opinion can change quite drastically within the space of fifty years.
This is the second novel I have read by this talented author and it certainly won’t be the last. Her intricacies in plot, attention to detail and characterisation are excellent. This is a really good book that definitely should not be missed.
Powerful
Blackthorn pens a remarkable story in A Prison in the Sun. I really liked the premise of the story, and how it unravels. The characters were interesting and very unique. The author’s writing style is fits with this story. This author brings the story to life. This book deserves a second read! (and maybe more). A very well-written story, and I enjoyed it. It is always a joy to read this author’s stories. This author is not just a writer but a great storyteller. Magnificent story, kept this reader turning the pages. A definite attention grabber. I look forward to reading more by this author. This read is definitely recommended by Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews.