I Know My Name

In C.J. Cooke's I Know My Name, this thriller is reminiscent of a cross between Castaway and Ted Dekker's Three. When Eloise Shelley, a wife and mother of two young kids, winds up on the coast of Kommeno Island, Greece, she finds out she's not alone on the island with other people. While unwell, she begins to know the other residents of the island and get to know them better.  Meanwhile, back in England, her husband and grandparents frantically search for her and clues to her strange disappearance. Tensions are high and secrets come out, while blame is placed on Lochlan for what's seen on the footage of the babycams. Things are also hectic for where he goes to work in Edinburgh, too. Back on the island, Eloise remembers her names and also flashes back to where she lived with her mother and her abusive husband in her difficult childhood.  While she tries to survives with her "friends", she looks for a way to get off the island and food to sustain in the next week. One of them named George is mostly disturbing with a violent nature.  Later, the police is suspicious of Lochlan as they learn more information about Eloise, until his grandmother-in-law Gerda Bachmann discovers about the secret Eloise kept and how her mental health is severely fragile. In the end, she finds a way to escape to get home and remembers more of her past and  gets the help she needs.

This was a gripping and startling thriller that deals with your psyche and boggles your mind. I did care for Eloise, past and present, and how much she went through before she could literally break. I did feel bad for her and for Lochlan, while her grandparents can be overbearing and protective at times. I did love the vast and idyllic location of Kommeno Island, Greece, and the visualization of life in the UK for both England and Scotland for the settings. This would make you grit your teeth, gasp, drop your jaw, shake your head and so much more by the ending with non-stop drama, action, suspense and a dollop of intrigue.

Will you give this book a try tonight?