ŷ������

5 perfect stars

Jane Harper is a master storyteller and she has a way of crafting such stunning descriptions of the settings in her books that in this one I can feel the spray of the ocean, walk into caves with characters, and stroll along the beach, thinking it is really dark out here at night. This time she has chosen the setting as small tourist town Evelyn Bay on the island of Tasmania. It feels so real that I checked to see if it is a real place. Sadly, it’s not. This book, though, is very real!

It does take Harper time to introduce the characters, set the tone for the book, and build tension, and there are some clues thrown in along they way, although this reader missed most of them!

Known for its shipwreck of the SS Minerva that divers love to explore, Evelyn Bay also has a giant metal sculpture of three people, called “The Survivors�� that stands sentinel in the ocean near the shipwreck, as a tribute to the lost souls and locals use it to gauge the tides.

More than a decade ago, a horrible storm resulted in the tragic loss of life and a mysterious disappearance. Kieran’s life was forever changed that day and he still struggles with grief and guilt. He has built a new life in Sydney with his partner and new baby daughter. They return to Evelyn Bay to help his mom pack up and move his dad to a memory care facility.

Shortly after they arrive in Evelyn Bay, another tragedy occurs, and the town is busy pointing fingers and dredging up the past. Could the events be related? There’s a smart policewoman who is on the case and I love that she is presented that way. She is determined to solve the new crime and is very competent.

Harper does not disappoint with this one and the ending was a surprise to me but made perfect sense to the story. I highly recommend this one! If you are a fan of Jane Harper or new to her work, this made for a perfect read!

I received a free ARC of "The Survivors" by Jane Harper from Macmillan in an exchange for an honest review.