Isolation is the fifth book in the Dwayne Morrow Mysteries by Darin Miller. Dwayne Morrow is a one-man PC support service. After receiving an invitation to his high school reunion, Dwayne learns that his best friend has been murdered, leaving Dwayne numb and miserable. On his return to Grove City, Ohio, Dwayne and his partner, Melanie, are invited to an all-expenses-paid long weekend on Marble Toe Island. The owner of the mansion, Anyssa Williams, explains the long and detailed history of the island, including rape and murder in 1850, which led the Williams family to flee with their gold. Welcome to a weekend murder mystery presented in choose-your-own-adventure style. Eight couples attend, but Dwayne seems to be on the receiving end of most of the dastardly deeds that ensue. From hauntings and murder to discovered gold, Dwayne finds himself in the doghouse with Melanie. He must do everything possible to prevent a horror that may claim the lives of everybody on Marble Toe Island—including his beloved Melanie.

Isolation is the first book I have read by Darin Miller, and I am glad to have read Isolation. Darin's writing style is brilliant, including hefty chunks of mystery, sorrow, adventure, history, romance, and a healthy dose of humor, which often had me laughing out loud. The characters are well-written and quite complex. From within the slave trade came a love story spanning four generations. I quite enjoyed the roller-coaster ride, from which my mind is still recovering after reading Isolation. Every twist and turn takes the reader into an exciting tale where not all is as it seems. The plot twist at the end was shocking, yet I still laughed—almost like I had stepped into the twilight zone. I thoroughly recommend this excitingly penned tale to fans of stories that are not afraid to entwine several genres into one, leaving readers fearful of what comes next before bursting into laughter and silently apologizing to their neighbors for the late-night ruckus.

Isolation is the fifth novel in Darin Miller's Dwayne Morrow Mysteries series. After the passing of his sister, Dwayne is struggling to move on with his life and is in a fragile mental state. Dwayne suppresses his emotions since he finds it difficult to express them to others. He currently believes he has little possibility of returning to work, but Doug Boggs, his employer, is pleading with him to do so. A trial mystery weekend on a private island was offered to Boggs Investigations, with all expenses covered. Doug Boggs wants Dwayne and his friends to join him for the weekend. When Dwayne and the others arrive on the island, they are surprised by their host and the luxury of their accommodation. Everyone participating in the mystery weekend must sign contracts indemnifying the owner against any damages should anything go wrong during the weekend.

Isolation by Darin Miller can be read as a standalone, but to understand the underlying story and the characters, it will be better to read the series in sequence. The story is fast-paced and jam-packed with action. I was intrigued from the first page and could not put the book down. The plot was unique and interesting. There was so much happening that I just kept turning the pages. I had to know what would happen next. The characters were brilliantly developed and authentic. It was easy to like them, but there were a few I did not like. My favorite characters were Dwayne and Melanie. They work well together as a team and don't let their feelings get in the way. I recommend this book to mystery fans.