The Survivors by Jane Harper
Kieran Elliott’s life was irrevocably altered the day a careless error had tragic results. During a trip to the small coastal town he previously called home with his young family, the guilt that still plagues him reemerged. In a community where fortunes are made by the sea, Kieran’s parents are having difficulty. His missing brother Finn is in the middle of them all. Long-kept secrets could come to light when a body is found on the beach. A submerged wreck, a girl missing, and unanswered questions…
The Survivors by Jane Harper
162 used from $1.30
Amazon.com
Twelve years later, Kieran Elliott, whose brother Finn was one of the storm’s casualties, travels back to Evelyn Bay with his partner and infant to assist his parents in packing and moving. This is Kieran’s first trip home in a long time after he left town under a cloud, blaming himself for his involvement in Finn’s death. Only one day after returning, a body is discovered on the beach under mysterious circumstances, igniting new debate, bringing to the surface old grudges and secrets, and leading Kieran to doubt everything he had previously believed to be true about that crucial day.
The Survivors integrated all the elements of my favourite small-town mystery/suspense books. I had a strong emotional attachment to the characters, to the point where I was somewhat anticipating learning who/whose was accountable. The last few chapters were quite emotional and spooky, and they definitely caught me off, guard. The Survivors is a piece of fiction that will stick with me for a very long time, and I’m still reeling from it.
The coastal backdrop of The Survivors brilliantly depicted the inner and outer turbulence, helplessness, and misery the protagonists endured. Jane Harper is known for employing weather and scenery to develop and escalate mood, tension, and discomfort. The fear was heightened by the sea’s vastness, unpredictability, and harshness as well as the idea that something serene, beautiful, pleasant, and unthreatening may suddenly become lethal.
Like the residents of Evelyn Bay, the ocean is renowned for concealing its secrets, which can include anything from a sunken ship to an undetectable body to a child’s sun hat. An item that was believed to be lost at sea forever could occasionally appear out of nowhere, just as fast as a secret can be revealed. Additionally, the word “sea” is frequently connected to grief, which, along with guilt and regret, was a recurring subject in the entire book.
