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The Survivors by Jane Harper

Thirty year old Kieran Elliott and his girlfriend, Mia, have returned to their coastal hometown, Evelyn Bay, to help Kieran's mother pack so that his father can be moved to a long term dementia residence. Twelve years ago, Evelyn Bay was the site of a sudden devastating storm that took lives, destroyed property, and caused untold psychological damage to numerous residents. Now, on the heels of Keiran and Mia's return to the town, a young woman's body is found on the beach. Twelve years ago, a young girl went missing from this beach and was never found. At about the same time, eighteen year old Kieran almost lost his life because of an unwise decision, several unwise decisions, decisions that led to the death of two men. 

The townspeople, his parents, and Kieran, will never forget the role he played during that horrible storm so many years ago. Visiting his hometown is a kind of torture for Kieran but one he thinks he deserves. No one can blame Kieran more than he blames himself for the deadly events of that day. Now, twelve years later, with the dead woman found on the beach, many of the same people of long ago become suspects and/or accusers, as the town rumors run rampant, in person and on Evelyn Bay's social media. People will say things, behind a screen, that they would never say to a person's face. 

This is a very slow story, full of atmosphere, a quiet sense of dread (some of my dread came from Kieran's three month baby being towed along everywhere, in her little baby pouch, scaring the daylights out of me and taking my mind off the story, at times...it wasn't the baby that scared me, it was how Kieran packed the baby around like she was a gym bag). I haven't spent much time at the coast but Jane Harper allowed me to really feel the location, the ocean, the waves, the caves, the beach, the mood of the only bar, the mood of the people, she made me feel like I was right there, in the story. Jane Harper, after just two of her books, The Lost Man and The Survivors, ranks up there with my favorite authors. Now I'm on to audios of The Dry and Force of Nature. I'm looking forward to the next book that Jane Harper writes and hope it's not too far into the future. 

Publication: February 2, 2021

Thank you to Macmillan Publishers/Flatiron Books and NetGalley for this ARC.