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Wild Dark Shore
A family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A rising storm on the horizon.
Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the worldβs largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers. But with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants, packing up the seeds before they are transported to safer ground. Despite the wild beauty of life here, isolation has taken its toll on the Salts. Raff, eighteen and suffering his first heartbreak, can only find relief at his punching bag; Fen, seventeen, has started spending her nights on the beach among the seals; nine-year-old Orly, obsessed with botany, fears the loss of his beloved natural world; and Dominic canβt stop turning back toward the past, and the loss that drove the family to Shearwater in the first place.
Then, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman washes up on shore. As the Salts nurse the woman, Rowan, back to life, their suspicion gives way to affection, and they finally begin to feel like a family again. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting her heart, begins to fall for the Salts, too. But Rowan isnβt telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers the sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own dark secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, the characters must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before itβs too lateβand if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.
Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the worldβs largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers. But with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants, packing up the seeds before they are transported to safer ground. Despite the wild beauty of life here, isolation has taken its toll on the Salts. Raff, eighteen and suffering his first heartbreak, can only find relief at his punching bag; Fen, seventeen, has started spending her nights on the beach among the seals; nine-year-old Orly, obsessed with botany, fears the loss of his beloved natural world; and Dominic canβt stop turning back toward the past, and the loss that drove the family to Shearwater in the first place.
Then, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman washes up on shore. As the Salts nurse the woman, Rowan, back to life, their suspicion gives way to affection, and they finally begin to feel like a family again. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting her heart, begins to fall for the Salts, too. But Rowan isnβt telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers the sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own dark secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, the characters must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before itβs too lateβand if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.
303 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2025
9,454 people are currently reading
229k people want to read
About the author
Charlotte McConaghy
23Μύbooks6,080ΜύfollowersCharlotte McConaghy is the author of the international bestseller MIGRATIONS, a TIME Magazine Best Book of the Year and the Amazon.com Best Fiction Book of the Year for 2020, which is being translated into over twenty languages and adapted for film, and the New York Times Bestseller ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES.
She has both a Graduate Degree in Screenwriting and a Masters Degree in Screen Arts, and lives in Sydney, Australia.
She started her writing career writing SF/F for young adults; Migrations was her first foray into the adult literary world.
Her new novel, WILD DARK SHORE, is her third adult novel, a romantic mystery, coming March 2025.
She has both a Graduate Degree in Screenwriting and a Masters Degree in Screen Arts, and lives in Sydney, Australia.
She started her writing career writing SF/F for young adults; Migrations was her first foray into the adult literary world.
Her new novel, WILD DARK SHORE, is her third adult novel, a romantic mystery, coming March 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,104 reviews
March 6, 2025
this book just changed my life. i'll be back later with my full thoughts (if i can even put them into words). but until then, i just need to sit and cry for a sec.
March 5, 2025
i would give this book 100 stars if goodreads let me π€ππΌπ¦π₯Ήπ© WOWOWOWOW THIS WAS SO FREAKING GOOD AND I LOOOOOVED IT!!!!! if there is one book you pre order, make it this one.
many of my followers know that ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES is quite literally one of my favorite books of all time. i knew it would be nearly impossible for Charlotte to write a book better than that / a book that i love more than thatβ� but, she came verrryyyyy close to doing that with WILD DARK SHORE π₯Ήπ€―β€οΈβπ�
HIGH PRAISE GUYS!!!!!! i mean it!!!
while itβs extremely character driven, itβs also so plot heavyβiβm not kidding you when i say that 100 things happened in this book and every chapter had some action. it will be so hard for you to put it down!!
there were truly so many things i loved about this book:
π¦ the setting. i learned soooo much from this one, arguably even more than in wolves or migrations. her nature writing inspired by true events is truly so enjoyable to read
β€οΈ the characters. itβs very rare that a reader can read finish a book and say they loved absolutely every single characterβ� and in this one, i did. (well, the main 5 ones anywayβ� youβll know what i mean π) ANYWAYS, they are all amazing. my heart is especially with Fen and Rowanβ� but sweet Orly was also an absolute joy
π₯Ή the emotion and connection that i felt to this book immediately is something that needs to be studied. i was so emotionally invested that i sat down and read this book in two sittings and stayed up reading it until 1am because i simply didnβt want to leave these characters or this world. by the end of the book, i was absolutely sobbing and have the tear stains on my pillow to prove it π
π all of her books have this, but the genre bending. in this one, you can expect some mystery and suspense, a slow burn romance, nature writing and almost some historical fiction, a shocking ending, beautiful litficβ� you really get it all.
i could go on for 40000000 more paragraphs but i think you get it. this book is SPECIAL. its a 6 star. emotional, creative, unique, action packed and devastatingly beautiful.
review to come on my IG. thank you to Flatiron for the gifted early copy. but a bigger thank you to Charlotte for writing this (and for answering my questions and word vomit post finishing β€οΈ)
this book comes out in March but i can promise you that i wonβt shut up about it literally ever and iβll keep reminding you that you need to pre-order this and buy it immediately as soon as itβs on the shelves :-)
PS in case you finished and youβre also wonderingβyes, the author always knew it would end like that.
π₯Ήππ¦π©π₯°π«ΆπΌππ€―π§π³ΌΨ΄οΈπ
EDITβi re-read this on audio and loooove the narration!! full cast, mainly by Saskia Maarleveld aka the goat. however i think the physical is the way to go on this one. the beautiful descriptive writing about the setting and the overall vibe comes through stronger that way IMO!
many of my followers know that ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES is quite literally one of my favorite books of all time. i knew it would be nearly impossible for Charlotte to write a book better than that / a book that i love more than thatβ� but, she came verrryyyyy close to doing that with WILD DARK SHORE π₯Ήπ€―β€οΈβπ�
HIGH PRAISE GUYS!!!!!! i mean it!!!
while itβs extremely character driven, itβs also so plot heavyβiβm not kidding you when i say that 100 things happened in this book and every chapter had some action. it will be so hard for you to put it down!!
there were truly so many things i loved about this book:
π¦ the setting. i learned soooo much from this one, arguably even more than in wolves or migrations. her nature writing inspired by true events is truly so enjoyable to read
β€οΈ the characters. itβs very rare that a reader can read finish a book and say they loved absolutely every single characterβ� and in this one, i did. (well, the main 5 ones anywayβ� youβll know what i mean π) ANYWAYS, they are all amazing. my heart is especially with Fen and Rowanβ� but sweet Orly was also an absolute joy
π₯Ή the emotion and connection that i felt to this book immediately is something that needs to be studied. i was so emotionally invested that i sat down and read this book in two sittings and stayed up reading it until 1am because i simply didnβt want to leave these characters or this world. by the end of the book, i was absolutely sobbing and have the tear stains on my pillow to prove it π
π all of her books have this, but the genre bending. in this one, you can expect some mystery and suspense, a slow burn romance, nature writing and almost some historical fiction, a shocking ending, beautiful litficβ� you really get it all.
i could go on for 40000000 more paragraphs but i think you get it. this book is SPECIAL. its a 6 star. emotional, creative, unique, action packed and devastatingly beautiful.
review to come on my IG. thank you to Flatiron for the gifted early copy. but a bigger thank you to Charlotte for writing this (and for answering my questions and word vomit post finishing β€οΈ)
this book comes out in March but i can promise you that i wonβt shut up about it literally ever and iβll keep reminding you that you need to pre-order this and buy it immediately as soon as itβs on the shelves :-)
PS in case you finished and youβre also wonderingβyes, the author always knew it would end like that.
π₯Ήππ¦π©π₯°π«ΆπΌππ€―π§π³ΌΨ΄οΈπ
EDITβi re-read this on audio and loooove the narration!! full cast, mainly by Saskia Maarleveld aka the goat. however i think the physical is the way to go on this one. the beautiful descriptive writing about the setting and the overall vibe comes through stronger that way IMO!
March 20, 2025
Absolutely obsessed with this book & also bawling my eyes out. Iβm not sure Iβll ever get over this one.
April 17, 2025
I have an urgent need to fix this, but I don't know how.
Hmm let's think about this now. Hey, I know! How about you just tell the truth?
Ah yes, the dreaded miscommunication trope. You dress it up with some slump-inducing descriptive prose, make every character act as weird and paranoid as possible, throw in some instalove, and you have Wild Dark Shore.
But before I really get into it, I just want to say that my opinion here is decidedly in the minority. I see nothing but love for this book, so please take my thoughts with a grain of salt (har har).
When I think of literary fiction, what I'm looking for above all else is convincing characters. I want ones that feel authentic, poignant, and really force me to think about the human condition. I'm not looking for one-dimensional, loony, paranoid characters I could easily find in the most eye-rolling of thrillers. But that's exactly what I got here.
None of the characters' actions that drove the mystery part of this story made any sense. Every bad thing that happened in here can be traced back to the two main characters not talking about one essential topic. Instead, we get a lot of jumpy paranoia between the two of them that magically morphs into... instalust? Okay sure, you got me. I, too, often find myself unable to stop wanting to jump the bones of someone I suspect is trying to kill me.
But it's more than that. I really couldn't connect with any of the characters at all. I didn't like how dismissive Rowan was of her husband and his views, all the while complaining that he couldn't see her side. I didn't like how the book portrayed Hank or mental illness. I didn't like how Dominic reads like a male character written by a female author. None of them really rang true, and it was hard for me to overcome that deficit.
The topic of climate change is a big part of this story and while I appreciate Charlotte McConaghy tackling such an important issue, I feel like it was awkwardly done and lacked subtlety. It often came across as if the author was trying to club me on the head with it, going so far as to include nonfiction passages of nature spoken through the voice of a nine-year-old. To say it felt inauthentic and took me out of the story is an understatement. I wish the author had gone for a more subtle approach, trusting that the reader will follow her, instead of hammering her messages into my head over and over again.
I do feel like the story started to shape into something with emotional resonance towards the last third of the book, and the scene with the whale and her baby was particularly well-done. But then as we progress towards the denouement, we again lost subtlety in favor hamfistedness in the form of a certain development near the end. It felt unnecessary to the story, as if it was put there simply for emotional manipulation, to tug on the heartstrings and wring as much emotion from the reader as possible.
I don't know what else to say other than I feel extremely disappointed with my reading experience. I think this is a case where my expectations just weren't in line with reality. What I wanted was a character-driven mystery with elements of climate change that would really bring something new to the table and leave me with food for thought. What I got instead was some mishmash of eye-rolling domestic thriller and dull descriptive prose, two things sure to put me into a slump.
But hey, what do I know? Like I said, everyone else is loving this, so don't let my grouchiness dissuade you from giving it a try.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
β� Connect with me β� β�
β� This was a pick for my BOTM box. Get your first book for $5 .
April 5, 2025
idk I feel like the hype is a little high for this one. I really wish GR would give us half and quarter stars bc this is a true 3.5 stars for me right now.
After the death of his wife during childbirth, Dominic moves his family and takes a job as lighthouse keeper on a remote island near Antarctica. The island is home to a seed vault and research station. The effects of climate change are forcing them to move as the permafrost is melting and itβs no longer safe.
While waiting for the ship to pick them up, a woman is washed ashore.
As she is nursed back to health, she detects that maybe all is not as idyllic as it seems.. can she trust their stories? Or are they really hiding a terrible truth?
The story slips between genres from heart-breaking literary fiction to thriller more than once. On the one hand, the Salt family are barely holding things together on the island. Dominic and Raf are frozen in grief for lost loved ones. Fen is turning near feral among the elephant seals and royal penguins. Orly talks to ghosts. Rowan is also nursing a broken heart.
And yet, many of the poignant moments in the novel are interrupted by the revelation that something terrible happened on the island before Rowan arrived. Why is there a passport and a laptop hidden in the floor of the tool shed? Who smashed the radio, making it impossible to contact the mainland.
I did enjoy this one, it's extremely atmospheric with lush lyrical prose - love those aspects. I just found that the story moved so slow. On top of the pacing being slow, I listened to the audio for this one and while it wasn't a poor production in any sense - I did feel that the narrators tone didn't always work for me. All of them. LOL. They speak so low and soft and I get that it's trying to fit the vibe of the book but between the slow pace and the soft voices I couldn't stay engaged.
The twists didn't really move me and the ending felt disappointing. I think with this one, I enjoyed the vibes and the characters for the most part, but wasn't a big fan of the overall story.
π§‘Contemporary x Lit Fic
π§‘Great Character Development
π§‘Rotating/Multi POV
π§‘Realistic Dealing with Grief
π§‘Mystery/Thriller Components
π§‘Interesting Family Dynamics
π§‘Dangers of Isolation
π§‘Hidden Motives
ββ΄οΈΛｑβ� ΛΛΛβ βΏοΈ΅β� Λ ββΉ
After the death of his wife during childbirth, Dominic moves his family and takes a job as lighthouse keeper on a remote island near Antarctica. The island is home to a seed vault and research station. The effects of climate change are forcing them to move as the permafrost is melting and itβs no longer safe.
While waiting for the ship to pick them up, a woman is washed ashore.
As she is nursed back to health, she detects that maybe all is not as idyllic as it seems.. can she trust their stories? Or are they really hiding a terrible truth?
The story slips between genres from heart-breaking literary fiction to thriller more than once. On the one hand, the Salt family are barely holding things together on the island. Dominic and Raf are frozen in grief for lost loved ones. Fen is turning near feral among the elephant seals and royal penguins. Orly talks to ghosts. Rowan is also nursing a broken heart.
And yet, many of the poignant moments in the novel are interrupted by the revelation that something terrible happened on the island before Rowan arrived. Why is there a passport and a laptop hidden in the floor of the tool shed? Who smashed the radio, making it impossible to contact the mainland.
I did enjoy this one, it's extremely atmospheric with lush lyrical prose - love those aspects. I just found that the story moved so slow. On top of the pacing being slow, I listened to the audio for this one and while it wasn't a poor production in any sense - I did feel that the narrators tone didn't always work for me. All of them. LOL. They speak so low and soft and I get that it's trying to fit the vibe of the book but between the slow pace and the soft voices I couldn't stay engaged.
The twists didn't really move me and the ending felt disappointing. I think with this one, I enjoyed the vibes and the characters for the most part, but wasn't a big fan of the overall story.
π§‘Contemporary x Lit Fic
π§‘Great Character Development
π§‘Rotating/Multi POV
π§‘Realistic Dealing with Grief
π§‘Mystery/Thriller Components
π§‘Interesting Family Dynamics
π§‘Dangers of Isolation
π§‘Hidden Motives
ββ΄οΈΛｑβ� ΛΛΛβ βΏοΈ΅β� Λ ββΉ
April 14, 2025
Thereβs nothing I can write here that could truly give enough praise or express how much this book meant to meβit might just be the best thing Iβve read all year. It made me scream-cry. It hurt me more than I expected. It shattered me into pieces. It opened up so many old wounds.
It made me reflect on the wildness of nature, the fragility of species, the instinct to survive, the future of humanity, broken families, grief, pure love, obsession turning into madness, claustrophobia, guilt, sacrifice, and motherhood. And yet, somehow, it also gave me a tiny glimmer of hopeβthat with the help of those we love, we can still stand up after hitting the deepest, most painful rock bottom.
I havenβt read something so tragic, heart-wrenching, and yet so achingly beautiful in a long time. The ending felt like tiny needles piercing my heartβI cannot stop crying. This is one of those rare books that delivers the most cathartic ugly cry and haunts you forever with its unforgettable characters, perfectly built mystery, and slow-burning intensity leading to a brilliant twist. As a work of fiction, survival thriller, and mystery, it took my breath away.
Picture this: a family of fourβa father, two teenagers, and a young childβliving on a remote island near Antarctica called Shearwater. Once a bustling hub for researchers, itβs now desolate, with only this family left behind, tasked with packing up seeds to transport to safer ground. The boat meant to retrieve them is five weeks away. But as the sea level rises, the electricity fails, the radio breaks, and thereβs no signal, their survival becomes increasingly uncertain. Then, a mysterious woman washes ashore, bloodied and barely alive, claiming to have fled a tragedyβthe house and land she built, now reduced to ashes.
Her name is Rowan. As she recovers, she finds herself drawn into the familyβs orbit. Dominic, the father, is still grieving the loss of his wife, struggling to express his emotions while raising his children with strict discipline. Heβs hiding something tooβbloodstains he once scrubbed clean in the now-abandoned research facility. What happened there?
Rowan becomes suspicious. Why does the family act like theyβve seen a ghost after learning who she is? Why do they whisper behind closed doors? Even little Orly seems to be speaking to someone invisible. Is the island haunted? Or is there something even more sinister going on beneath the surface? Has Rowan put herself in grave danger by coming here? Is the family succumbing to madness bred by isolation? Or is the truth even more devastating than she imagined?
One thing is certainβRowan should never have come.
Overall: As a thriller, the pacing, tension, climax, and gut-wrenching twist were flawlessly executed. As a novel, it absolutely wrecked meβin the best possible way. Some chapters felt like they bled off the page. I sobbed through more than one.
Ten gazillion starsβwell earned. Donβt just add this book to your TBR. Buy a copy. Read it immediately. If you skip this one, youβre missing out on one of the best books of the year.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
It made me reflect on the wildness of nature, the fragility of species, the instinct to survive, the future of humanity, broken families, grief, pure love, obsession turning into madness, claustrophobia, guilt, sacrifice, and motherhood. And yet, somehow, it also gave me a tiny glimmer of hopeβthat with the help of those we love, we can still stand up after hitting the deepest, most painful rock bottom.
I havenβt read something so tragic, heart-wrenching, and yet so achingly beautiful in a long time. The ending felt like tiny needles piercing my heartβI cannot stop crying. This is one of those rare books that delivers the most cathartic ugly cry and haunts you forever with its unforgettable characters, perfectly built mystery, and slow-burning intensity leading to a brilliant twist. As a work of fiction, survival thriller, and mystery, it took my breath away.
Picture this: a family of fourβa father, two teenagers, and a young childβliving on a remote island near Antarctica called Shearwater. Once a bustling hub for researchers, itβs now desolate, with only this family left behind, tasked with packing up seeds to transport to safer ground. The boat meant to retrieve them is five weeks away. But as the sea level rises, the electricity fails, the radio breaks, and thereβs no signal, their survival becomes increasingly uncertain. Then, a mysterious woman washes ashore, bloodied and barely alive, claiming to have fled a tragedyβthe house and land she built, now reduced to ashes.
Her name is Rowan. As she recovers, she finds herself drawn into the familyβs orbit. Dominic, the father, is still grieving the loss of his wife, struggling to express his emotions while raising his children with strict discipline. Heβs hiding something tooβbloodstains he once scrubbed clean in the now-abandoned research facility. What happened there?
Rowan becomes suspicious. Why does the family act like theyβve seen a ghost after learning who she is? Why do they whisper behind closed doors? Even little Orly seems to be speaking to someone invisible. Is the island haunted? Or is there something even more sinister going on beneath the surface? Has Rowan put herself in grave danger by coming here? Is the family succumbing to madness bred by isolation? Or is the truth even more devastating than she imagined?
One thing is certainβRowan should never have come.
Overall: As a thriller, the pacing, tension, climax, and gut-wrenching twist were flawlessly executed. As a novel, it absolutely wrecked meβin the best possible way. Some chapters felt like they bled off the page. I sobbed through more than one.
Ten gazillion starsβwell earned. Donβt just add this book to your TBR. Buy a copy. Read it immediately. If you skip this one, youβre missing out on one of the best books of the year.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
March 15, 2025
McConaghy takes us to an incredibly isolated and haunted place to give us a glimpse of the disastrous effects of global warming and what the future could look like.
We are on Shearwater island, Antarctica. A father and his 3 kids reside in a lighthouse protecting a seed bank while the island is slowly being flooded, threatening to destroy not only the seeds, but those who remain there. Yet, a body washes up on shore. Barely alive. But she is and she has questions -as do they.
McConaghyβs writing is beautiful but intense. The scenery, vivid; the fauna, lush; The wildlife, wonderous. She contrasts humanity and its degradation to the beauty of a place where seals, penguins, birds exist in harmony. A story of grief, fear, loss, but also one of hope and strength.
5βοΈ
Note: The story is based on Macquarie Island* McConaghyβs IG has some stunning pics of the research she did for this story.
Highly recommend all her stories*
We are on Shearwater island, Antarctica. A father and his 3 kids reside in a lighthouse protecting a seed bank while the island is slowly being flooded, threatening to destroy not only the seeds, but those who remain there. Yet, a body washes up on shore. Barely alive. But she is and she has questions -as do they.
McConaghyβs writing is beautiful but intense. The scenery, vivid; the fauna, lush; The wildlife, wonderous. She contrasts humanity and its degradation to the beauty of a place where seals, penguins, birds exist in harmony. A story of grief, fear, loss, but also one of hope and strength.
5βοΈ
Note: The story is based on Macquarie Island* McConaghyβs IG has some stunning pics of the research she did for this story.
Highly recommend all her stories*
December 10, 2024
I was hooked from the first pages as I was taken to this remote island between Australia and Antarctica. With a blend of introspective first and third person narratives from the points of view of of the five main characters, I was taken into the worried minds and broken hearts of a father, his three children and the woman who washed ashore .
Itβs intense as the place that was supposed to be where the seeds for future generations would be saved is also in danger from natural disaster and the lost mind of a researcher. Itβs suspenseful and moving as secrets are revealed. The writing is as beautiful as in McConaghyβs previous novels and thematically similar with the world in crisis because of climate change . She vividly describes the consequences without preaching. The impact is reflected in this family in crisis. A man in the depth of grief talks to his dead wife , imaging her next to him, trying desperately to help his children with their own losses and trauma , struggles to find out how this woman will fit into their lives .
The isolation, fear, worry and uncertainty each of the characters who bear their own trauma is heartbreaking, tempered only by their love for one another. Their connections to the natural world, the seals, the whales, the plants - is not one that is not familiar to me , but I could feel theirs. I found it impossible not to fall for these characters .
I received a copy of this from Flatiron through Edelweiss.
Itβs intense as the place that was supposed to be where the seeds for future generations would be saved is also in danger from natural disaster and the lost mind of a researcher. Itβs suspenseful and moving as secrets are revealed. The writing is as beautiful as in McConaghyβs previous novels and thematically similar with the world in crisis because of climate change . She vividly describes the consequences without preaching. The impact is reflected in this family in crisis. A man in the depth of grief talks to his dead wife , imaging her next to him, trying desperately to help his children with their own losses and trauma , struggles to find out how this woman will fit into their lives .
The isolation, fear, worry and uncertainty each of the characters who bear their own trauma is heartbreaking, tempered only by their love for one another. Their connections to the natural world, the seals, the whales, the plants - is not one that is not familiar to me , but I could feel theirs. I found it impossible not to fall for these characters .
I received a copy of this from Flatiron through Edelweiss.
March 17, 2025
5+ phenomenal stars!
All Time Favourite Audiobook list! π§ π
Atmospheric.
Mysterious.
Haunting.
Dominic Salt and his three children live on Shearwater island. They are caretakers of the lighthouse and scientific research base on the remote island near Antarctica. Surrounded by nothing but seals, penguins and the vast ocean, they know the meaning of extreme isolation β� rationing supplies that come by boat every six months. One day a womanβs body washes up on their shore and it changes their lives forever.
The vast isolation of this island setting was like a character in itself. There was a claustrophobic feel to the story that kept its grip tightened on me. The stormy, nature-focused atmosphere was vivid and palpable, making me feel like I was right alongside the characters with the churning of ocean waves wrapped in my every thought. The sea life was a fascinating element that I really enjoyed.
I was thoroughly enthralled from the first to last sentence. The characters were brilliant creations. Each and every character was exquisitely crafted to take a piece of my heart and will undoubtedly stay on my mind for a very long time. I thought the author did an outstanding job exploring the childrenβs bond with their single father who is still deeply grieving the loss of his wife who he continues to talk to.
I enjoyed the uniqueness of the fatherhood focus. I find Iβm usually reading books more strongly focused on motherhood and mother-child relationships, so this was a refreshing perspective and fascinating step outside of that usual family dynamic. The childrenβs longing for a mother figure and innocence in trying to fill the void was heart wrenching.
This one came with a lot of hype and it delivered even more than I could have hoped. I canβt say there is a lot that happens but itβs the exquisite writing that had me enthralled with the mysterious haunting possibilities of what was to come. It is beautifully written slow burning suspense and mystery, not edge of your seat tension. I usually feel a stronger connection to either the plot/atmosphere OR the characters but this one had me equally mesmerized with each aspect. I could not pick which was done better.
Audio rating: 5+ stars! The cast of narrators was excellent. They brought this story to life in an unforgettable way. Each narrator adding a unique and meaningful layer to the listening experience. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Thank you to the publisher for my ALC through NetGalley!
All Time Favourite Audiobook list! π§ π
Atmospheric.
Mysterious.
Haunting.
Dominic Salt and his three children live on Shearwater island. They are caretakers of the lighthouse and scientific research base on the remote island near Antarctica. Surrounded by nothing but seals, penguins and the vast ocean, they know the meaning of extreme isolation β� rationing supplies that come by boat every six months. One day a womanβs body washes up on their shore and it changes their lives forever.
The vast isolation of this island setting was like a character in itself. There was a claustrophobic feel to the story that kept its grip tightened on me. The stormy, nature-focused atmosphere was vivid and palpable, making me feel like I was right alongside the characters with the churning of ocean waves wrapped in my every thought. The sea life was a fascinating element that I really enjoyed.
I was thoroughly enthralled from the first to last sentence. The characters were brilliant creations. Each and every character was exquisitely crafted to take a piece of my heart and will undoubtedly stay on my mind for a very long time. I thought the author did an outstanding job exploring the childrenβs bond with their single father who is still deeply grieving the loss of his wife who he continues to talk to.
I enjoyed the uniqueness of the fatherhood focus. I find Iβm usually reading books more strongly focused on motherhood and mother-child relationships, so this was a refreshing perspective and fascinating step outside of that usual family dynamic. The childrenβs longing for a mother figure and innocence in trying to fill the void was heart wrenching.
This one came with a lot of hype and it delivered even more than I could have hoped. I canβt say there is a lot that happens but itβs the exquisite writing that had me enthralled with the mysterious haunting possibilities of what was to come. It is beautifully written slow burning suspense and mystery, not edge of your seat tension. I usually feel a stronger connection to either the plot/atmosphere OR the characters but this one had me equally mesmerized with each aspect. I could not pick which was done better.
Audio rating: 5+ stars! The cast of narrators was excellent. They brought this story to life in an unforgettable way. Each narrator adding a unique and meaningful layer to the listening experience. I highly recommend the audiobook!
Thank you to the publisher for my ALC through NetGalley!
March 10, 2025
5+++
Such a beautiful book!
Simply Amazing!
This is the third book by this extremely gifted Australian
author and my third 5 star read, though this is my favoriteβ�3 for 3 π
This novel is set on a remote island between Australia and Antartica, based on the real island of Macquarie Island.
The family that has lived here for the past eight yearsβ� overseeing the lighthouseβ� I fell in love with each of them, though they were fracturedβ� until β� a womanβs body washes up on the shore..
On this island is a research center doing tests and preservation due to climate change.
A lot happens here.. think β� thrillerβ� in part.
Her descriptions of the seals and penguins and whales, and land, oceans, etcβ� gorgeous!
Please, do read!
Itβs early in the year, but Iβm going to say it will be my favorite of the year!
.
I follow her on Instagram and she made a few research trips with her young family to the real island itβs based onβ� the pics are beautiful!
Such a beautiful book!
Simply Amazing!
This is the third book by this extremely gifted Australian
author and my third 5 star read, though this is my favoriteβ�3 for 3 π
This novel is set on a remote island between Australia and Antartica, based on the real island of Macquarie Island.
The family that has lived here for the past eight yearsβ� overseeing the lighthouseβ� I fell in love with each of them, though they were fracturedβ� until β� a womanβs body washes up on the shore..
On this island is a research center doing tests and preservation due to climate change.
A lot happens here.. think β� thrillerβ� in part.
Her descriptions of the seals and penguins and whales, and land, oceans, etcβ� gorgeous!
Please, do read!
Itβs early in the year, but Iβm going to say it will be my favorite of the year!
.
I follow her on Instagram and she made a few research trips with her young family to the real island itβs based onβ� the pics are beautiful!
April 1, 2025
I didnβt even read the synopsis for this book before I read it. I just dove right in after previously having loved Charlotte McConaghyβs previous novels. And Wild Dark Shore was no different. This book was filled with beauty on every single page. I was captivated from the very first page, and I didnβt ever want this story to end.
Thereβs no way that I could ever describe the beauty, descriptions of nature, or the way I felt while reading this. I wanted to be there on the island of Shearwater with Dominic Salt and his three children- and then Rowan, the woman who washes up to shore one night.
I felt as if I was living through all their emotions, and I could feel every ounce of pain and grief. I could see the beauty of the island, and hear the crashing of the waves. I could vividly see the yellow eyebrows of the penguins, the albatross gliding in the air, and the seals giving birth to their pups. What some call isolation, some might call it tranquilityβ�
I recommend going into this book blind as I did, and just savoring the words. I have a feeling that you will fall in love with the Salt family as I did. I also recommend having tissues nearby, because the ending was not what I expected. If you have ever felt total love , loss, or grief in your life- or have ever lived your life in survival mode, then please read this book.
All. The. Stars. β�
βMaybe we will drown or burn or starve one day, but until then we get to choose if weβll add to that destruction or if we will care for each other.β�
This was my March, 2025 BOTM pick- and it was a winner! π₯
Thereβs no way that I could ever describe the beauty, descriptions of nature, or the way I felt while reading this. I wanted to be there on the island of Shearwater with Dominic Salt and his three children- and then Rowan, the woman who washes up to shore one night.
I felt as if I was living through all their emotions, and I could feel every ounce of pain and grief. I could see the beauty of the island, and hear the crashing of the waves. I could vividly see the yellow eyebrows of the penguins, the albatross gliding in the air, and the seals giving birth to their pups. What some call isolation, some might call it tranquilityβ�
I recommend going into this book blind as I did, and just savoring the words. I have a feeling that you will fall in love with the Salt family as I did. I also recommend having tissues nearby, because the ending was not what I expected. If you have ever felt total love , loss, or grief in your life- or have ever lived your life in survival mode, then please read this book.
All. The. Stars. β�
βMaybe we will drown or burn or starve one day, but until then we get to choose if weβll add to that destruction or if we will care for each other.β�
This was my March, 2025 BOTM pick- and it was a winner! π₯
April 1, 2025
Iβm gonna need a movie adaptation ASAP
March 28, 2025
A slow burn mystery......
The setting is the fictional island of Shearwater. It is a research base housing the world's largest seed bank. The Salt family are the only inhabitants and it is their job to pack up and protect the seeds. Apparently, global warming has wreaked havoc and everything is threatened.
A mystery woman washes ashore during a storm and her connections to the island will slowly reveal.
I was curious to find out what would happen with her, but the way it went didn't seem logical to me.
I listened to the audio which was very well narrated. I didn't connect with any of the characters though and struggled to imagine the scenario that unfolded. It was fine and atmospheric, but I had too many questions in the end.
Lots of rave reviews so I'm an outlier here!
The setting is the fictional island of Shearwater. It is a research base housing the world's largest seed bank. The Salt family are the only inhabitants and it is their job to pack up and protect the seeds. Apparently, global warming has wreaked havoc and everything is threatened.
A mystery woman washes ashore during a storm and her connections to the island will slowly reveal.
I was curious to find out what would happen with her, but the way it went didn't seem logical to me.
I listened to the audio which was very well narrated. I didn't connect with any of the characters though and struggled to imagine the scenario that unfolded. It was fine and atmospheric, but I had too many questions in the end.
Lots of rave reviews so I'm an outlier here!
March 6, 2025
This wasβ�.fine? I really donβt understand the hype here. The writing is definitely quite lyrical and certainly places the reader in the wild and unrelenting wilderness of the island, it was certainly atmospheric. But all that great setting just couldnβt get me to really feel sucked in by the plot or characters. They felt like the briefest of brush strokes which felt like I was trying to sustain myself on crumbs. The lust to romance subplot felt so random and out of place. I couldnβt understand how the characters got there with so much alleged ~suspicion~ on both sides.
Add to that that I didnβt really get what this was trying to say about environmental conservation or climate change, mental illness, or grief and trauma, and I just feel really meh. This feels like it promises a lot but delivers on very little. The outside world seems to have all these vague issues and plagues of environmental crisis but we donβt know what those are or if theyβre even a reality. Thereβs a lot of talk about ghosts, it seems like mostly as a representation for trauma and loss but given there also those with mental health issues, itβs hard to say.
Overall this was fine but not particularly emotionally or intellectually stimulating or evocative and I found the forced mystery quite boring. Overall my sense is that poor Domβs kids are committed to putting him in an early grave with their actions. Yes yes I know thereβs the whole narcissist and all but I swear their actions were so spectacularly strange to me it boggled my mind a bit.
Add to that that I didnβt really get what this was trying to say about environmental conservation or climate change, mental illness, or grief and trauma, and I just feel really meh. This feels like it promises a lot but delivers on very little. The outside world seems to have all these vague issues and plagues of environmental crisis but we donβt know what those are or if theyβre even a reality. Thereβs a lot of talk about ghosts, it seems like mostly as a representation for trauma and loss but given there also those with mental health issues, itβs hard to say.
Overall this was fine but not particularly emotionally or intellectually stimulating or evocative and I found the forced mystery quite boring. Overall my sense is that poor Domβs kids are committed to putting him in an early grave with their actions. Yes yes I know thereβs the whole narcissist and all but I swear their actions were so spectacularly strange to me it boggled my mind a bit.
February 19, 2025
is another gripping, thought provoking and mysterious novel by Charlotte McConaghy. She captures the isolation and the beauty of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. brilliantly. The island was once full of researchers but now it is home to Dominic Salt and his three children. There are precious seeds on the island that must be protected and transported off the island. The sea levels are rising and during a storm, Rowan, a woman washes up on the shore. Trust is a big issue in this book as many of the characters have secrets. Can Rowan trust the Salts? Cam the Salts trust Rowan?
I was swept away to the island of Shearwater by Charlotte McConaghy's beautiful writing and vivid descriptions. She captured the trapped feeling that I love in books. I have enjoyed two of her previous books, and . Both involve bleak settings, research, survival, climate change, and people leaving things behind for research and the greater good.
I enjoyed the mystery of this book. I wonder what happened to the sabotaged radios and the graves. I also enjoyed the bonds of the family, the love, the choices and actions we make for those we love, the island, and the descriptions of the wildlife that lives on the island.
This book has many levels which deal with loss, grief, secrets, love, family, climate change, survival, and the future. This book moves at a slower pace and while I struggle immensely with slower paced books, I did not mind the slower pacing in . I found that it fits the plot and descriptions of life on the island perfectly.
I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrators did a fantastic job of bringing to life.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at π
I was swept away to the island of Shearwater by Charlotte McConaghy's beautiful writing and vivid descriptions. She captured the trapped feeling that I love in books. I have enjoyed two of her previous books, and . Both involve bleak settings, research, survival, climate change, and people leaving things behind for research and the greater good.
I enjoyed the mystery of this book. I wonder what happened to the sabotaged radios and the graves. I also enjoyed the bonds of the family, the love, the choices and actions we make for those we love, the island, and the descriptions of the wildlife that lives on the island.
This book has many levels which deal with loss, grief, secrets, love, family, climate change, survival, and the future. This book moves at a slower pace and while I struggle immensely with slower paced books, I did not mind the slower pacing in . I found that it fits the plot and descriptions of life on the island perfectly.
I listened to the audio version of this book and the narrators did a fantastic job of bringing to life.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at π
April 16, 2025
What an utterly evocative, atmospheric, and lyrical book. From the very start of Wild Dark Shore, I was pulled into a world that felt just as vivid as the characters themselves. In what I can only describe as a love letter to nature, the depth of the descriptions was heart-stoppingly real. Piled on top of the claustrophobic setting, though, was a small cast of characters that had me feeling all of the feels. Transcending the black and white of words on a page, I was touched deeply by an exploration of survival, family, and love that surrounded these five individuals and their heartbreaking story. It was their thoughts and emotions that were told via distinct multiple POVs, however, that had me downright weak in the knees.
As for the plot, despite a slow burn first two-thirds, the literary fiction vibe matched nicely with the layers of secrets and lies. Filled with unbridled foreboding and rising suspense, the story of what happened βbeforeβ� captured my mind. And as the storms picked up steam, so too did the events in the novel. You see, a jaw-dropping twist that had me whispering βWait, WHAT?!β� into the night and led to an adrenaline-fueled climax that was simply sublime. Immersive and stunning, as much as I needed to suspend all disbelief, I also could see the events playing out like that for real. After all, this premise was timely to be sure given the crisis of climate change and its impact on our world.
The only teeny, tiny warning that I have to dispense is that there was quite a bit of seemingly excessive talk about nature and species classifications in the first half of the novel. Notice I said βseemingly,β� however. You see, it tied directly into the feel of it all. Just know that it did slow the pace down the littlest a bit. Despite that, though, it was beyond addictiveβmore like unputdownableβwhich led me to finish the book in just one mesmerized sitting.
All in all, while I would certainly classify this near-future tale as character-driven, it also had plenty of plot twists and shocking surprises. With a unique premise, palpable poignancy, and a whole crew of captivating characters, this genre-bending book was an utter home run. And when I say genre-bending, I mean it. A mashup of slow-burn romance, literary fiction, and mystery/suspense, there was something there for everyone to love as the writing was incisive, eloquent, and visceral in the extreme. So if you love a book that will make you sit up and think long after youβre done, this is most definitely the one for you. After all, despite it being outside of my go-to genres, it wonβt be leaving my head any time soon. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the worldβs largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore.
Isolation has taken its toll on the Salts, but as they nurse the woman, Rowan, back to strength, it begins to feel like she might just be what they need. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting herself, starts imagining a future where she could belong to someone again.
But Rowan isnβt telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, they all must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before itβs too lateβand if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.
Thank you to Charlotte McConaghy and Flatiron Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 4, 2025
Content warning: loss of a spouse, suicide, cancer, wildfire, drowning, infidelity (all mild)
As for the plot, despite a slow burn first two-thirds, the literary fiction vibe matched nicely with the layers of secrets and lies. Filled with unbridled foreboding and rising suspense, the story of what happened βbeforeβ� captured my mind. And as the storms picked up steam, so too did the events in the novel. You see, a jaw-dropping twist that had me whispering βWait, WHAT?!β� into the night and led to an adrenaline-fueled climax that was simply sublime. Immersive and stunning, as much as I needed to suspend all disbelief, I also could see the events playing out like that for real. After all, this premise was timely to be sure given the crisis of climate change and its impact on our world.
The only teeny, tiny warning that I have to dispense is that there was quite a bit of seemingly excessive talk about nature and species classifications in the first half of the novel. Notice I said βseemingly,β� however. You see, it tied directly into the feel of it all. Just know that it did slow the pace down the littlest a bit. Despite that, though, it was beyond addictiveβmore like unputdownableβwhich led me to finish the book in just one mesmerized sitting.
All in all, while I would certainly classify this near-future tale as character-driven, it also had plenty of plot twists and shocking surprises. With a unique premise, palpable poignancy, and a whole crew of captivating characters, this genre-bending book was an utter home run. And when I say genre-bending, I mean it. A mashup of slow-burn romance, literary fiction, and mystery/suspense, there was something there for everyone to love as the writing was incisive, eloquent, and visceral in the extreme. So if you love a book that will make you sit up and think long after youβre done, this is most definitely the one for you. After all, despite it being outside of my go-to genres, it wonβt be leaving my head any time soon. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the worldβs largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore.
Isolation has taken its toll on the Salts, but as they nurse the woman, Rowan, back to strength, it begins to feel like she might just be what they need. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting herself, starts imagining a future where she could belong to someone again.
But Rowan isnβt telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realizes Dominic is keeping his own secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, they all must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before itβs too lateβand if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.
Thank you to Charlotte McConaghy and Flatiron Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: March 4, 2025
Content warning: loss of a spouse, suicide, cancer, wildfire, drowning, infidelity (all mild)
March 1, 2025
Top of my list already for the year!!!
Absolutely incredible. Atmospheric. Dark. Twisty. All the things. Audio was phenomenal, but a bit hard to follow because there was so much going on.
Absolutely incredible. Atmospheric. Dark. Twisty. All the things. Audio was phenomenal, but a bit hard to follow because there was so much going on.
March 21, 2025
4.5 βοΈ Emotional, atmospheric, and haunting! This was such an immersive and emotional story, just the way I like my character-driven mysteries with a touch of suspense.
WILD DARK SHORE by CHARLOTTE McCONAGHY is a beautifully written, atmospheric, and deeply moving novel that immediately pulled me in and kept me emotionally invested from start to finish. The isolation of Shearwater, a tiny island near Antarctica, was so vividly described that I felt the biting cold and the ever-looming storm.
CHARLOTTE McCONAGHY delivers a layered, haunting, and powerful story here. The tension builds steadily as we follow Dominic Salt and his children, caretakers of the islandβs seed bank, whose fragile existence is upended when Rowan mysteriously washes ashore. Thereβs an undeniable sense of unease woven into the narrative, and I was completely captivated as the characters unraveled their secrets. The story has a deeply melancholy feeling to it, and that sense of dread made it hard to know who to trust. I felt every ounce of uncertainty right along with the characters.
Even though this one moved at a slower pace, which sometimes makes it hard for me to stay invested, it really worked here. The steady, deliberate unraveling of secrets kept me emotionally engaged, and I never felt the pull of the story weaken.
π§ The multicast narration elevated the experience even further. Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West brought such authenticity and emotional depth to the story. Each perspective was distinct and compelling, making me feel like I was right there on the storm-battered shores of Shearwater. I really enjoyed the excellent narration and performances, but I fear I may have missed some pertinent details of the story. I may want to revisit this one in print to catch what slipped by.
I absolutely loved how this book explored the resilience of the human spirit, the fierce bonds of family, and the sacrifices we make for the people we love. And the ending? It delivered an extremely touching message that left me deeply moved.
WILD DARK SHORE by CHARLOTTE McCONAGHY is a beautifully written, atmospheric, and deeply moving novel that immediately pulled me in and kept me emotionally invested from start to finish. The isolation of Shearwater, a tiny island near Antarctica, was so vividly described that I felt the biting cold and the ever-looming storm.
CHARLOTTE McCONAGHY delivers a layered, haunting, and powerful story here. The tension builds steadily as we follow Dominic Salt and his children, caretakers of the islandβs seed bank, whose fragile existence is upended when Rowan mysteriously washes ashore. Thereβs an undeniable sense of unease woven into the narrative, and I was completely captivated as the characters unraveled their secrets. The story has a deeply melancholy feeling to it, and that sense of dread made it hard to know who to trust. I felt every ounce of uncertainty right along with the characters.
Even though this one moved at a slower pace, which sometimes makes it hard for me to stay invested, it really worked here. The steady, deliberate unraveling of secrets kept me emotionally engaged, and I never felt the pull of the story weaken.
π§ The multicast narration elevated the experience even further. Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West brought such authenticity and emotional depth to the story. Each perspective was distinct and compelling, making me feel like I was right there on the storm-battered shores of Shearwater. I really enjoyed the excellent narration and performances, but I fear I may have missed some pertinent details of the story. I may want to revisit this one in print to catch what slipped by.
I absolutely loved how this book explored the resilience of the human spirit, the fierce bonds of family, and the sacrifices we make for the people we love. And the ending? It delivered an extremely touching message that left me deeply moved.
March 31, 2025
3.5 βοΈβ¦β¦I just couldnβt get into it? Is this just me?
March 4, 2025
*HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!*
Youβll fall in love with this picturesque setting! So many glorious animals!
Shearwater Island holds many a secret β� Located between the Tasmanian coast of Australia and Antarctica. Home to many rare species of animals. But life on the island is threatened due to climate change and rising sea levels.
Nine years ago, following the death of their mother, Dominic Salt brought his three children to live in Shearwaterβs lighthouse. They are caretakers for the islandβs Research Facility which houses scientists several months of the year β� who are tasked with studying the wildlife, weather, and tides.
During the worst storm the Salt family has ever endured an injured woman named Rowan washes up on the shore. Where did she come from? Shearwater is so remote that she had to have been on her way there. But why? What does she want? She will I pact all their lives.
Wild Dark Shore was bleak, dark, tender, eerie, and mysterious yet there was still happiness and hope for the future to be found even in the direst of times. The main characters were brave, strong, courageous, and heroic and they loved and respected the land and sea as much as they did each other. I am almost certain this was set in the present day but could just as easily taken place slightly in the future.
My main take away after finishing this novel was the enduring strength of the unconditional love, powerful unshakeable bond, and protective instinct that exists between parents and their children. And that everything in nature is not only connected β� weather, trees, plants, crops, insects, animals, humans β� but dependant on each other to survive and thrive. Mother nature is as glorious and pure as it is unrelenting and destructive. Also, that nowhere on the planet is untouched by the devastating effects of climate change and man-made destruction.
The writing was hauntingly beautiful, captivating, insightful, and hit every emotional beat expertly. It was also deliberately vague, dreamlike, and flowery, which may be too frustrating for some readers. Definitely a mood-based read requiring patience and concentration, but the payoff was 100% worth it. A slow burn β� particularly the first half, but the last handful of chapters were tense and fast-paced. There were some exceptional twists sprinkled throughout that left me reeling. And keep those tissues handy, and prepare yourself, because it was a tear-jerker! If you need a good cry, this is the book for you. The narration shifted between Rowan, and the three members of the Salt family, with the youngest childβs (nine-year-old Orly) chapters reciting the evolution of various plants and their importance.
Charlotte McConaghy is a new-to-me Australian author whose backlist Iβll definitely be delving into.
Iβd like to thank Netgalley, Penguin Random House Australia, and Charlotte McConaghy for the e-ARC.
Publication Date: 4th March 2025.
Trigger Warnings:
Youβll fall in love with this picturesque setting! So many glorious animals!
Shearwater Island holds many a secret β� Located between the Tasmanian coast of Australia and Antarctica. Home to many rare species of animals. But life on the island is threatened due to climate change and rising sea levels.
Nine years ago, following the death of their mother, Dominic Salt brought his three children to live in Shearwaterβs lighthouse. They are caretakers for the islandβs Research Facility which houses scientists several months of the year β� who are tasked with studying the wildlife, weather, and tides.
During the worst storm the Salt family has ever endured an injured woman named Rowan washes up on the shore. Where did she come from? Shearwater is so remote that she had to have been on her way there. But why? What does she want? She will I pact all their lives.
Wild Dark Shore was bleak, dark, tender, eerie, and mysterious yet there was still happiness and hope for the future to be found even in the direst of times. The main characters were brave, strong, courageous, and heroic and they loved and respected the land and sea as much as they did each other. I am almost certain this was set in the present day but could just as easily taken place slightly in the future.
My main take away after finishing this novel was the enduring strength of the unconditional love, powerful unshakeable bond, and protective instinct that exists between parents and their children. And that everything in nature is not only connected β� weather, trees, plants, crops, insects, animals, humans β� but dependant on each other to survive and thrive. Mother nature is as glorious and pure as it is unrelenting and destructive. Also, that nowhere on the planet is untouched by the devastating effects of climate change and man-made destruction.
The writing was hauntingly beautiful, captivating, insightful, and hit every emotional beat expertly. It was also deliberately vague, dreamlike, and flowery, which may be too frustrating for some readers. Definitely a mood-based read requiring patience and concentration, but the payoff was 100% worth it. A slow burn β� particularly the first half, but the last handful of chapters were tense and fast-paced. There were some exceptional twists sprinkled throughout that left me reeling. And keep those tissues handy, and prepare yourself, because it was a tear-jerker! If you need a good cry, this is the book for you. The narration shifted between Rowan, and the three members of the Salt family, with the youngest childβs (nine-year-old Orly) chapters reciting the evolution of various plants and their importance.
Charlotte McConaghy is a new-to-me Australian author whose backlist Iβll definitely be delving into.
Iβd like to thank Netgalley, Penguin Random House Australia, and Charlotte McConaghy for the e-ARC.
Publication Date: 4th March 2025.
Trigger Warnings:
March 8, 2025
bitch this was stunning
April 20, 2025
I saw everyone raving about this and started getting serious FOMOπ so I had to see what the hype was about. And wow, this was definitely unlike anything Iβve read before. Right from the beginning, you can tell there are a lot of secrets bubbling under the surface. Everyoneβs holding onto something, and it really sets the tone.
The setting was super unique, and knowing it was inspired by a real-life island added this eerie, atmospheric vibe that totally elevated the story. It just felt so intentional and immersive.
I couldnβt quite give it a full 5 stars though, mostly because it felt slow and honestly, a little boring πfor a good chunk of it. That might just be me, and I do think it was a deliberate choice by the author to let readers sit with the characters, their growth, and the environmental issues. Still, it dragged a bit for me.
The characters themselves were fascinating, each shaped by such complex backstories. I wasnβt super into the romance, though. It was just okay. And there was the thriller element that I thought was slightly above average, but not mind-blowing.
That said, I really did enjoy most of it and Iβm glad I picked it up. Apparently, the author is known for weaving environmental themes into heartfelt narratives, so Iβm definitely curious to check out her earlier works and Iβll be keeping an eye out for whatever she writes next!
The setting was super unique, and knowing it was inspired by a real-life island added this eerie, atmospheric vibe that totally elevated the story. It just felt so intentional and immersive.
I couldnβt quite give it a full 5 stars though, mostly because it felt slow and honestly, a little boring πfor a good chunk of it. That might just be me, and I do think it was a deliberate choice by the author to let readers sit with the characters, their growth, and the environmental issues. Still, it dragged a bit for me.
The characters themselves were fascinating, each shaped by such complex backstories. I wasnβt super into the romance, though. It was just okay. And there was the thriller element that I thought was slightly above average, but not mind-blowing.
That said, I really did enjoy most of it and Iβm glad I picked it up. Apparently, the author is known for weaving environmental themes into heartfelt narratives, so Iβm definitely curious to check out her earlier works and Iβll be keeping an eye out for whatever she writes next!
April 16, 2025
No novelist in the world can top this. NO ONE. No book. Ever. In the history of reading throughout the world, there is nothing greater than the works that lie within these pages.
If you were left to read ONLY ONE book for the rest of your existence, it is Wild Dark Shore.
The storyβ� A woman has washed ashore on an island. On the island is a man, his two sons and his daughter. How did this woman get here? Why are these the only people here?
Charlotte McConaghyβs writing is fierce, utterly beautiful, poignant, poetic, and all of the things that resonate with readers. No matter what genre you love, THIS IS THE ONE!
Iβm blessed and grateful to Flatiron Books for sending me a copy. Thank you so much.
Out Now
EVERY βοΈ IN THE SKY
If you were left to read ONLY ONE book for the rest of your existence, it is Wild Dark Shore.
The storyβ� A woman has washed ashore on an island. On the island is a man, his two sons and his daughter. How did this woman get here? Why are these the only people here?
Charlotte McConaghyβs writing is fierce, utterly beautiful, poignant, poetic, and all of the things that resonate with readers. No matter what genre you love, THIS IS THE ONE!
Iβm blessed and grateful to Flatiron Books for sending me a copy. Thank you so much.
Out Now
EVERY βοΈ IN THE SKY
January 29, 2025
My first time reading Charlotte McConaghy and how I loved every moment!!
π
A captivating story of a family whose members are facing individual struggles and feeling the far reaching grief of losing their matriarch. Dominic Salt is a widowed father of three who moved his family to Shearwater a remote island near Antarctica. They serve as caretakers on the island which houses a massive seed bank. With the researchers gone the Salts are the sole inhabitants of the island alongside the teeming wildlife. A woman washes ashore clinging to life and despite Dominicβs suspicions the Salts care for her injuries. As Rowan recovers she realizes the radios have been destroyed, so leaving Shearwater may not be as straightforward as she assumed.
The setting stands out as a character itself. The island with its secrets, seals,π¦ whales,π and wild nature everywhere was stunning. The prose struck me with immediate force elegant without being flowery. The compelling plot and flawed characters made this an immersive treasure.
Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West were incredible narrators bringing this vivid emotional story to life.
I was hanging on every word!
πAll the stars!!π
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an Advanced Listening Copy for review.
All opinions are my own.
π
A captivating story of a family whose members are facing individual struggles and feeling the far reaching grief of losing their matriarch. Dominic Salt is a widowed father of three who moved his family to Shearwater a remote island near Antarctica. They serve as caretakers on the island which houses a massive seed bank. With the researchers gone the Salts are the sole inhabitants of the island alongside the teeming wildlife. A woman washes ashore clinging to life and despite Dominicβs suspicions the Salts care for her injuries. As Rowan recovers she realizes the radios have been destroyed, so leaving Shearwater may not be as straightforward as she assumed.
The setting stands out as a character itself. The island with its secrets, seals,π¦ whales,π and wild nature everywhere was stunning. The prose struck me with immediate force elegant without being flowery. The compelling plot and flawed characters made this an immersive treasure.
Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West were incredible narrators bringing this vivid emotional story to life.
I was hanging on every word!
πAll the stars!!π
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an Advanced Listening Copy for review.
All opinions are my own.
March 10, 2025
Dominic Salt and his three children Raff, Fen and Orly are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island in between Tasmania and Antarctica. Here the worldβs biggest seed bank is stored in a bunker and due to global warming the sea levels are rising, the Salts are packing the rarest and most important ones, before the ship arrives to transport them all to safety.
Dominic hasnβt gotten over the loss of his wife, the solution was to move to Shearwater, once it was busy research station and now itβs just the four of them left and soon it will be deserted and taken by the sea. After a terrible storm, a woman washes up on the rocky shore and Fen rescues her, they wonder why Rowan was on a boat in such a remote area and are suspicious of her at first and she integrates herself into the family.
Rowan isn't telling the whole truth about why she sailed to Shearwater, her husband Frank Jones was the senior botanist and he sent her a couple of odd emails and she hasnβt heard from his since. Rowan discovers the radios and power supply have been damaged and they have no way of communicating with the outside world, oddly Fen is staying on the beach with the penguins and not with her family and Dominic is keeping secrets and heβs not the only one.
As their time at Shearwater ticks over, all the characters have to decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it's too late and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them, both Dominic and Rowan have experienced loss and create a new life together.
I received a copy of Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia in exchange for an unbiased review. I now understand why thereβs been so much hype about this book, the narrative is full of twists and turns, and set in a remote and harsh place, and where whales, birds and penguins come to mate, have their babies and raise them and the Salts worry about what will happen to the animals and the diverse ecosystem of the rugged island once they leave.
A psychological thriller, one that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next, and full of complex characters, family dynamics, secrets, mystery, missing people, empty buildings, creepy ghost stories and acts of sabotage. Please make sure you read the authorβs notes at the end, she mentions a famous explorer and as a child my eighty eight year old mother-law knew him well and five stars from me.
Dominic hasnβt gotten over the loss of his wife, the solution was to move to Shearwater, once it was busy research station and now itβs just the four of them left and soon it will be deserted and taken by the sea. After a terrible storm, a woman washes up on the rocky shore and Fen rescues her, they wonder why Rowan was on a boat in such a remote area and are suspicious of her at first and she integrates herself into the family.
Rowan isn't telling the whole truth about why she sailed to Shearwater, her husband Frank Jones was the senior botanist and he sent her a couple of odd emails and she hasnβt heard from his since. Rowan discovers the radios and power supply have been damaged and they have no way of communicating with the outside world, oddly Fen is staying on the beach with the penguins and not with her family and Dominic is keeping secrets and heβs not the only one.
As their time at Shearwater ticks over, all the characters have to decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it's too late and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them, both Dominic and Rowan have experienced loss and create a new life together.
I received a copy of Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia in exchange for an unbiased review. I now understand why thereβs been so much hype about this book, the narrative is full of twists and turns, and set in a remote and harsh place, and where whales, birds and penguins come to mate, have their babies and raise them and the Salts worry about what will happen to the animals and the diverse ecosystem of the rugged island once they leave.
A psychological thriller, one that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next, and full of complex characters, family dynamics, secrets, mystery, missing people, empty buildings, creepy ghost stories and acts of sabotage. Please make sure you read the authorβs notes at the end, she mentions a famous explorer and as a child my eighty eight year old mother-law knew him well and five stars from me.
February 27, 2025
Like her prior two works, Charlotte McConaghy invites readers to discover the natural world through her captivating storytelling. Wild Dark Shore is centered around the devastating effects of climate change and highlights the imperfection in human nature even when our intentions are good.
Character-driven and written with lyrical prose, Wild Dark Shore is breathtaking, suspenseful, and nothing short of unforgettable. I learned so many new things while reading this one and I loved how the author drew inspiration from Macquarie Island and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in the Arctic Circle.
I listened to the audiobook version which was narrated by a full cast including Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West. The audiobook was incredible and if you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy will be available on March 4. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books for the gifted audiobook!
Character-driven and written with lyrical prose, Wild Dark Shore is breathtaking, suspenseful, and nothing short of unforgettable. I learned so many new things while reading this one and I loved how the author drew inspiration from Macquarie Island and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in the Arctic Circle.
I listened to the audiobook version which was narrated by a full cast including Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West. The audiobook was incredible and if you decide to pick this one up, I highly recommend this format!
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy will be available on March 4. Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and Flatiron Books for the gifted audiobook!
February 21, 2025
Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica, and they live in the lighthouse on the island. Home to the worldβs largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers. But with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants, packing up the seeds before they are transported to safer ground. During a violent storm a woman washes up on shore and the Salts nurse her back to health.
This is quite different from most of the books I read and I was quite involved in the story. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Cooper Mortlock; Katherine Littrell; Saskia Maarleveld; and Steve West. I have no idea which parts were narrated by which narrator but they all did a great job. Whoever narrated Dominic had a very deep gruff voice and sometimes delivered his lines in a husky whisper which I had trouble with but I think that's more my hearing than anything and it got easier as time went on. I loved the realistic-sounding voice of the youngest child - Orly (even though I thought his name was Ollie until more than half-way through).
There's a lot going on in this book and descriptions of the island, the buildings and the weather are very detailed and atmospheric. The story is a little bit to do with climate change and a little bit speculative and a lot to do with family dynamics, with a mystery thrown in. The cover perfectly depicts the tone of this book. If it hadn't been for the romance scenes I probably would've given it 5 stars. The romance seemed totally out of place to me even though I see how it fits into the story. I had been hoping for a different ending and yet it seemed appopriate. I confess I shed a few tears throughout the book.
TW (could be spoilerish): .
My thanks to McMillan Audio, via Netgalley, for approving my request to listen to this audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: March 4, 2025
This is quite different from most of the books I read and I was quite involved in the story. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Cooper Mortlock; Katherine Littrell; Saskia Maarleveld; and Steve West. I have no idea which parts were narrated by which narrator but they all did a great job. Whoever narrated Dominic had a very deep gruff voice and sometimes delivered his lines in a husky whisper which I had trouble with but I think that's more my hearing than anything and it got easier as time went on. I loved the realistic-sounding voice of the youngest child - Orly (even though I thought his name was Ollie until more than half-way through).
There's a lot going on in this book and descriptions of the island, the buildings and the weather are very detailed and atmospheric. The story is a little bit to do with climate change and a little bit speculative and a lot to do with family dynamics, with a mystery thrown in. The cover perfectly depicts the tone of this book. If it hadn't been for the romance scenes I probably would've given it 5 stars. The romance seemed totally out of place to me even though I see how it fits into the story. I had been hoping for a different ending and yet it seemed appopriate. I confess I shed a few tears throughout the book.
TW (could be spoilerish): .
My thanks to McMillan Audio, via Netgalley, for approving my request to listen to this audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: March 4, 2025
March 9, 2025
I need 8-10 business days to emotionally recover while Iβm processing my thoughts on this book. π
April 19, 2025
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γ� βA family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, can they all trust each other enough to protect one another-and the precious seeds in their care? And can they finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together?β�γ�
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Κα΄α΄α΄� Ιͺκ� Κα΄α΄ ΚΙͺα΄α΄:
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π ΚΙͺα΄α΄Κα΄ΚΚ κ°Ιͺα΄α΄Ιͺα΄Ι΄
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π κ±Κα΄α΄� Κα΄ΚΙ΄ α΄ΚΚΙͺΚΚα΄Κκ�
π¦ κ°α΄α΄ΙͺΚΚ� Κα΄Κα΄α΄Ιͺα΄Ι΄κ±ΚΙͺα΄κ�
π α΄ΚΙͺα΄α΄α΄α΄ α΄Κα΄Ι΄Ι’α΄�/Ι΄α΄α΄α΄Κα΄�
π¦ α΄Κα΄Κα΄α΄α΄α΄Κ α΄ α΄α΄ α΄Κα΄α΄α΄α΄Ι΄α΄�
β οΈTW: suicide, death during childbirth, adult/minor relationship
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π¬: You know when you start a book & you think to yourself βYeah this is going to be a solid 3.5 star readβ� then you end up pleasantly surprised by the effect it ends up having on you? Because damn, this book got me good. & I really didnβt think it would because of the slow beginning. By the end of the book, I had tears blurring my vision & a new found love for wombats. This hurt so good. π
*if you see me come back & change the rating, no you didnβt. π€«
β� My favorite thing about this book was the atmosphere/the remote island. I loved the vivid descriptions the author used. I could picture the island perfectly in my head; the choppy waves, the rocky shores, the lighthouse, & of course the seals. Another favorite thing from this book. I love when authors make the setting become a character as well.
β� I did not go in expecting there to be any sort of romance, not a huge fan of romance in my thrillers, so I felt a little βehβ� about it at first & then of course because Iβm a sap who loves love, I gave in.
β� The portrayal of grief hit hard. My heart broke for every character & their individual struggles they were all silently suffering from.
β� β οΈκ±α΄α΄ΙͺΚα΄Κ α΄‘α΄ΚΙ΄ΙͺΙ΄Ι’β οΈ Ok hear me outβ� I liked Orly, but why did two women have to die for this kid? Why couldnβt all five of them, after everything theyβve been through, just get to have their happy ending π₯Ί
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April 1, 2025
βWild Dark Shoreβ�, by Charlotte McConaghy
4 stars βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
This one is hard to review.
I do have mixed feelings.
There are goods moments as well as boring ones.
The concept is terrific and the writing is excellent, but this is a slow burn.
Sometimes I felt like quitting because the pace was not very consistent.
Some pages were filled with love as well as with great grief.
The setting was very atmospheric and some descriptions were very beautiful and touching.
But the storytelling wasnβt gripping or flawless.
Some short chapters felt incomplete, as if in a draft mode.
The characters were very vivid, believable and likeable, and the development of the story is told through multiple perspectives.
But when I reached the conclusion I was left unsatisfied.
My praise is absolutely for the concept and for the writing.
I really wished to have listened to the audiobook while reading the ebook.
e-book (Kobo): 327 pages , 101k words
4 stars βοΈβοΈβοΈβοΈ
This one is hard to review.
I do have mixed feelings.
There are goods moments as well as boring ones.
The concept is terrific and the writing is excellent, but this is a slow burn.
Sometimes I felt like quitting because the pace was not very consistent.
Some pages were filled with love as well as with great grief.
The setting was very atmospheric and some descriptions were very beautiful and touching.
But the storytelling wasnβt gripping or flawless.
Some short chapters felt incomplete, as if in a draft mode.
The characters were very vivid, believable and likeable, and the development of the story is told through multiple perspectives.
But when I reached the conclusion I was left unsatisfied.
My praise is absolutely for the concept and for the writing.
I really wished to have listened to the audiobook while reading the ebook.
e-book (Kobo): 327 pages , 101k words
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