The Survivors by Jane Harper

A small, seaside Australian town facing an uncertain future and still haunted by a decade-old tragedy is the setting for Jane Harper’s new novel, The Survivors. Kieran Elliot returns home still carrying the guilt of his past mistake and the tragedy that ensued. When a body is discovered on the beach, new suspicions are coupled with old secrets and opens wounds both distant and fresh. Kieran is once again confronted with the conflict he has never fully resolved, in a place where the sea can wash away anything except the past.

Like all of Jane Harper’s books, the landscape and setting is a character in the story. In The Survivors, it is the sea; cold, unforgiving, and full of secrets. The atmosphere permeates the story and sets the mood for the book. Kiernan has been away for quite some time when he returns home with his young family in tow. His father’s growing dementia is forcing a move out of their home which is putting a strain on everyone even before a body turns up on the beach. A murder in a town that is dependent on tourism threatens everyone’s livelihood. Kiernan, his friends and his family are right in the middle of it. People grow fearful and old grudges and suspicions stir to life. The investigation seeks to uncover who is responsible for the most recent crime, but it may be tied to what happened more than 10 years ago.

Harper has a deft touch with mood and character. The Survivors is filled with characters who have both secrets and regrets in their past. The story unfolds with twists and turns as you learn what really happened in the past and how it led to tragedy in the present. You can’t help but feel the pain in these characters because Harper so skillfully makes you identify with them. Gripping mystery, strong characters and pervasive atmosphere make this a great read. Highly recommended.

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.