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The Island of the Lost

The spine-chilling gothic ghost story debut novel for fans of Francine Toon and Michelle Paver
By Daisy Stephens
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Brief Description
Liv doesn't believe in ghosts. There is a small island off the coast of Italy that was once the site of a plague quarantine station, and later a psychiatric asylum. It now sits deserted, home only to the shadows of local folklore. Liv doesn't believe her... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$3999
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Releases 22nd December 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "The Island of the Lost" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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A contemporary gothic ghost story about a woman searching for her missing twin sister on an abandoned island off the coast of Italy, previously home to a mental hospital and quarantine station. Perfect for fans of THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT and PINE by Francine Toon.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Liv doesn't believe in ghosts.

There is a small island off the coast of Italy that was once the site of a plague quarantine station, and later a psychiatric asylum. It now sits deserted, home only to the shadows of local folklore.

Liv doesn't believe her sister is dead.

Granted special permission to visit for a writing assignment, Liv sets sail for the abandoned island, but only she knows the real reason. She is certain it is the last place her twin sister Mia visited before she vanished eighteen months ago.

But Liv believes in whatever is on this island.

Alone with only her colleague Sam, Liv can't deny how unsettling the place truly is. How can a church tower toll when there is no bell? What is the ghostly figure in her peripheral vision? And why can she smell the smoke of burning bodies?

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781399751681

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 September 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Hodder & Stoughton

Illustration: N/A

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 232.0mm

Weight: 360g

Pages: 288

Collections

Coming Soon in Fiction Crime & Thriller Daisy Stephens Fiction General Fiction Horror & Supernatural Pre-order Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date

About the Author

Daisy is a journalist, writer and musician from Watford, now living in London. She absolutely adores ghost stories (but always regrets reading them when she's trying to sleep later) and has been writing them for as long as she can remember. She wrote The Island of the Lost after learning about the very real island of Poveglia and its terrifying history.

When she's not writing, she can be found going for long runs, playing the violin in local orchestras, or escaping London in search of some greenery.

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