The White Island Cycle

2001 – Present

A cycle of interconnected novels and stories whose characters, places and events gradually reveal a larger fictional world

In writing White Island in 2001 I unintentionally embarked upon what I originally described as The White Island Series. As each subsequent work was written, however, it became apparent that these novels were connected by far more than recurring characters or settings. Gradually, an interconnected fictional landscape emerged in which people, places, memories and events echo across multiple books.

Looking back over twenty-five years of writing, I now think of these works as The White Island Cycle. The term cycle is often used to describe a body of fiction whose individual works can stand independently while also contributing to a larger imaginative whole. Rather than following a conventional sequence of sequels, the White Island Cycle has evolved organically through my streaming method of writing, revealing its own relationships over time rather than following a predetermined plan.

The cycle presently comprises:

• White Island
• The Time Capsule
• The Other Room
• The Lost Man
• The Dreamers
• The Final Act
• The Girl

Some of these works can be read independently, while others rely upon the reader’s familiarity with earlier books. As the White Island Cycle has continued to evolve, I have also become aware that other works, including The Reclamation and The Flying Mile, belong within this broader fictional landscape, their connections becoming increasingly apparent over time.

I hope you enjoy exploring the White Island Cycle and discovering the many relationships that exist between these works.

Good luck!

SLHB

June, 2026