Pedo Island Bloodbath, Duncan Ralston

Please note that this book is classified as extreme horror and will not be suitable for all audiences. If you are interested in reading this book, make sure to check out the trigger warnings beforehand.  

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Pedo Island Bloodbath cover

What is it about? 

Billionaire Emory Jackson is society royalty. Anybody who is a somebody can be seen at one of his infamous parties. But there is something strange happening at Little Pearl Island. Something involving rumours about the Jacksons trafficking young girls. 

Journalist Sven Olsen and young woman Clarrisa Hurst, are both on the cruise ship heading to the island hunting for the truth; Sven, to investigate the trafficking rumours and Clarrisa to find her long- lost twin who has disappeared. Neither of them realise the sinister secrets that are hidden on Little Pearl Island.. That there are monsters waiting for them on arrival, monsters worse than the perverts and deviants that are on the ship waiting to explore their darkest desires.

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What’s good about it?

At the time the novel was published, Ghislaine Maxwell was still a hot topic in the mainstream news. This story is the perfect satire for a series of events that have done nothing but shock the world, and highlight the proclivities of the elite that they are so desperate to hide. It was a brave novel to write, considering both the subject matter, the controversial title and the yet- unnamed people that the events in the story seem to attack. 

Ralston has looked into the Epstein and Maxwell trafficking scandal, taken the key elements, distorted them with a time warp reflective of 1980’s cheesy horror and thrown it back together with a feisty Final Girl, somewhat goofy supporting cast and plenty of gore. The story is clearly very well thought out as it has a solid plot. The characters all serve their own purpose whether it be secondary plot, funny sidekick or pure evil in an expensive outfit designed to inspire your hatred.

The ending is super satisfying. Considering the subject matter, Ralston has written a fitting punishment similar to what every parent or sympathetic person could dream up. Tess and Emory Jackson, slimy and mysterious and truly awful, deserve every single devastating bitch slap they get. 

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What’s not so good about it? 

It kind of drags in places. There is a lot of lore in this story and a LOT of exposition. This book is very well put together so it’s not an issue with pacing that is the problem. At every turn there is some new twist or piece of action, so there are passages included that slow down the story and pull you away from the main events. It’s a tactic that is supposed to inform the reader and tease them into carrying on reading, but it’s not a favourite of mine. Once I’m in, I’m in. Slow me down, I’ll likely get distracted or jump to the next piece of action. 

There’s a lot of action in the book, which can’t have been easy to write, so there’s a lot of respect for the effort. Still, it seems like the ending was rushed in some ways. The descriptions aren’t as vivid in places and the quality in certain passages or with plot seems to drop every so slightly. Still, the climax is exciting, if not predictable and is neatly tied together with a somewhat satisfying happy ending. 

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Why should I read it? 

It’s a clever and entertaining book, with a fun take on relevant, modern topics. The characters aren’t memorable but are engaging in their own way, and there will be moments throughout that are gross-out (typical for a Ralston novel) and memorable. Even though it can be categorised as extreme horror, it’s not as violent as many other novels within that sub-genre, and the more controversial themes are handled delicately and with respect. 

If you’re a fan of cheesy 1970’s or 1980’s B movie horror, the types of stories that stretch beyond the limits of imagination to create something that is original, kind of silly, kind of funny, kind of gross, then this is something that will be right up your alley. Just don’t be fooled by the title. If you’re reading “Pedo Island Bloodbath” and are expecting exactly that, make sure you go in without any preconceptions because the title and its categorisation could be slightly misleading.

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Should I read it? 

I always recommend reading trigger warnings before picking up a book like this. There are references to pedophilia and abuse of young children, which might not be appropriate for some readers. Ralston has managed this content very well, so it shouldn’t put off any less sensitive prospective readers. It does have its flaws but it’s a well written, well thought out piece of satire, with an entertaining cast of characters and the exact blend of humour, drama and violence. For any fans of Ralston, this is a definite must read. 

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