I had decided who did what and why reasonably early in the book, and because I am usually fairly good at guessing these kinds of things in books I spent part of the book feeling a bit disappointed. After all, I absolutely loved Jane Harper's previous books and expected to love this one too. But then came revelations that didn't tie in with my theories and the guessing game was on again. As it turned out, I was completely wrong in so many ways and nothing I had guessed came to pass or was what I thought it was. In my opinion it isn't quite as good as her previous books. I found the dialogue quite dry and I didn't engage with the characters as I usually do. But this was still a very good read and I recommend it,

I had read Jane Harper’s other books and really enjoyed them but I think this one is even better than The Dry, for which she is renowned. Yes, at times the dialogue got a bit tangled it’s own complexity but this is easily overlooked when you consider the sophistication of the plot. It was complex but the reader is led through it in such a way that you don’t dare read too fast... A very good example of how modern mystery/thrillers can also be strong literary offerings.

Jane Harper's fourth novel is a standalone mystery, set in a small beachside community in western Tasmania. As with her other books, the Australian landscape is a key element in the book. This time it's the sea and tides that play a significant role.

"The Survivors" that give the book its name refer to three sculptures erected at sea to commemorate a shipwreck many years earlier. But it also refers to the inhabitants of Evelyn Bay who were deeply affected by three deaths during a violent storm 12 years earlier. Kieran lost his brother Finn and Finn's best mate Toby in an accident that he still feels deeply responsible for. Gabby, a 14 year old local girl, also disappeared and her body has never been found.

Kieran has left the town. He has a new life in Sydney and he and his girlfriend Mia (who was Gabby's best friend) have a newborn daughter. He has returned to Evelyn Bay for the first time in many years to help his parents with an upcoming move due to his father's dementia. The second night that they are there, another local girl - Bronte - drowns in suspicious circumstances.

I didn't think this was Jane Harper's best book but it's still immensely readable. At times it gets bogged down in conversations as rumours spread through the town, but she's a master at revealing enough clues to keep you guessing without being able to work out the answer too early. This would make an excellent TV series and it has many of the characteristics that made Broadchurch so appealing. A small community where everyone knows everyone but there are also secrets and grudges bubbling below the surface. Suspicion falls in turn on numerous characters, among them a resident author, Toby's wayward son, Kieran's apparently confused father, Gabby's grieving mother. Lots of disparate threads that all get woven back into place. Even a second rate Jane Harper is better than most other crime novels.

Thank you to Net Galley and PanMacMillan Australia for the ARC.

Another wonderful book by Jane Harper. Kieran and his partner and new baby head back to Evelyn Bay to help his mother and ailing father move. Once there memories from the night of the big storm 12 years ago come flooding back with unresolved emotions. A young woman is murdered while they are there and unexpected things turn up during the investigation into her death. It is a real page turner, the characters are all believable. What I particularly like about this author’s books is her ability to draw the place where the book is set. She really painted a picture of a small seaside resort, dependent on tourism for its wellbeing.

An absolute joy to sit down with a coffee in hand, the rain outside, and new Jane Harper ready to go. Immediately, I was transported back to that recognisable, comfortable Harper-verse. She has such a wonderful, easy writing style. Her descriptions of humans and their surrounding are lovely, and with this book set on the seaside, it's clear from the beginning that her descriptive skills cover a variety of vistas. As great as it was to be in this world, I found this book less compelling than its predecessors. After the propulsive, shattering THE LOST MAN, this one took its time getting to the meat of the mystery. There are many threads to follow that don't quite tie up as satisfyingly as in previous books. Having said that, this is still a neat rainy-day read with moments of suspense, insights into grief and intergenerational trauma, and explorations of the changing nature of friendships, particularly male friendships. I will take any ride Jane Harper wishes to take me on, and I remain as excited for the next one as I was for this. Thanks for the read.