This book was really diffcicult to listen to, not sure if it was the narrator's accent I struggled with but I had a hard time following it. This was a fairly slow mystery set around caves which at times was interesting but at other times felt repetitive. The characters were many and the amount of names was often hard to keep track of. Overall, the mystery felt underwhelming

This was my first book by Jane Harper and I enjoyed it. It was a compelling story of grief and guilt. It was well thought out with, and even though there were quite a few characters, I was able to follow them all easily. I did feel like the pace was a little slow in the first half of the book, but it did pick up for me after that. It was very atmospheric, the mystery part of the story was intriguing, and the end also surprised me, and that is always a win for me! 

The narration by Stephen Shanahan was enjoyable. I will admit that books that are done with only a male narrator usually aren't my favorite. But Shanahan's Australian accent was really fun to listen to and it all worked for me.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my copy of the Audiobook for The Survivors in exchange for my honest review.

Kieran Elliott is back to visit his home town for the first time in years. With his partner Mia and their new baby Audrey in tow, he went home to visit his parents and the small Tasmanian town he left behind. He left behind the secrets. He left behind the mistake he made that changed his family forever. And he left behind the brother he lost to the sea.

Almost immediately, Kieran is thrown into all the old feelings, all the old shame, and all the old mysteries that his hometown brings. The body of a young woman, an artist, is found on the beach. Kieran and Mia had just met her, as she was the roommate of an old friend, Olivia. Kieran, and everyone else in town, can’t help but draw parallels between this murder and the disappearance of a teenage girl back about twelve years earlier.

That day that Gabby had gone missing was a day Kieran can never forget. A storm had blown in, the worst in decades. He had been in the caves with his then-girlfriend Olivia when the water started rising quickly, too quickly, trapping him in a part of the caves he didn’t think he could get out from. Olivia had made it to higher ground, but Kieran hadn’t made it. He had called his brother Finn for help, and Finn and his friend Toby had taken their boat to the caves to try to get to Kieran. In a sad twist of fate, the water rose and drew Kieran out of the cave but caused a terrible accident with the boat, and both Finn and Toby were killed.

Kieran, unable to forgive himself for the death of his brother, left his home to try to get away from his guilt.

Now he’s back to help his parents move, but this new crime opens up the entire town’s wounds all over again, including Kieran’s. As the police investigate, quietly making inquiries and lining up evidence, Kieran’s need for resolution leads him to look into the crime as well, and what he learns changes everything he knew about that day, about his mistake of staying too long in the caves and his brother’s subsequent death, about his hometown, and ultimately about himself.

Jane Harper’s The Survivors is an atmospheric slow burn thriller about long-buried secrets and dealing with grief and shame. Like the ocean off the coast of Tasmania, where part of the action takes place, The Survivors is dark and deep, drawing you in slowly until you realize you just can’t get away from this story. With deft plotting, intense characters, powerful emotions, and big surprises.

I was able to listen to the audio book, and narrator Stephen Shanahan brings the perfect tone to this novel. His Aussie accent is thick, so if you’re like me and not used to it, it make take a few chapters to adjust. But once I learned his rhythms, I thought he was the ideal narrator to add gravitas and depth to the emotional story underlying Kieran’s journey home.

I struggled at first to engage with this story. The beginning is a little slow, which ends up working well with the overall mood of the story, but it does take a while to appreciate that about The Survivors. But the more I listened, the more I was drawn in, and the more I was drawn in, the more I wanted to spend time in this somber story, feeling the darkness as it enveloped me and then released me. I wouldn’t call this a feel-good book, but there is an honesty to it, to this journey through grief, that is powerful and prescient and can bring a sense of peace to your life as the story wraps itself up. We’re all survivors of something in this life, and reading (or listening to) The Survivors can help you remember and celebrate that, and that is a good thing.

A copy of the audio book was provided by Macmillan Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with this book.

The Survivors is a story about dealing with loss, grief, and choices, and the narration by Stephen Shanahan is a great match. The book starts out slow, and it takes some time to get a feel for the characters. The story is well written as all Harper’s work is, but it took a little longer for me to get comfortable with this book. Perhaps it was the many characters that had me a little confused at times. I liked the book, it’s just not my favorite from Harper.

I had this one in audio and even though I listened to it from beginning to end I feel I was missing something. Kierran comes home after an absence of 12 years to help his mother pack up her home so they can move his father to a long-term facility because he is suffering from dementia. (this is a storyline on its own) Twelve years ago Kierran's brother and friend were killed in a boating accident to which Kierran was to blame and at the same time a young girl went missing. Now, there is another death with a young woman found murdered on the beach. So many twisting side stories I just felt lost at times as if I should have read a book previous to this one to know who, what, and why. That doesn't mean I will not give this author another try. At least the narration was perfection.

**Received this ARC from the publisher for review via NetGalley**

This is my first book by Jane Harper, I have heard wonderful things about her ability to create a vivid atmosphere in her books. This by far is the #1 attribute of this book. The setting of Evelyn Bay, a small coastal town on the Tasmanian Coast, was so beautifully written - i felt I was seeing it first hand. The descriptions were vivid and beautifully done.

As for the storyline and pace, these I was a bit disappointed in and I didn't feel invested in the characters at all. This book was a miss for me. However, I will give Jane Harper another try because I've heard so many good things about her other books, but this one is just not one I would recommend - even with the amazing atmosphere.

#Macmillan Audio #NetGalley

A great suspense novel. The storyline really picked up about halfway through and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. This was my first Jane Harper book and I would read more.

I'd read Harper's "The Dry" and been intrigued by the feel of the story and how much the environment played a role. It's similar with "The Survivors" though didn't feel quite as impactful to me. It was also harder to connect with the urgency of the mystery in this novel, and I kept wishing either the pacing or the depth would increase. It still held my attention, however; so there's enough to Harper's writing and characters to keep me returning to her books.

I’m not a big mystery/thriller reader, but I do like to give them a try from time to time because I have found some I really enjoy. I found the first quarter or so of this book slow and almost boring but I’m glad I stuck with it.

What I love most about this book is the atmosphere and sense of place. It takes place on an island and all of the tragedies involve the water. Not just the tragedies though- there’s diving, caves that flood at high tide, swimming, weather.

While the mystery part of the book gets an “okay” from me, I did enjoy the book overall and would recommend to those who like mysteries or books with a lot of atmosphere.

I was given a copy of this audiobook by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ugh I was so excited to start this. I couldn’t get into this book at all. I tried listening to it a couple of times (it was an audiobook) and I felt myself yawning. Normally, when listening to an audiobook you look forward to the emotion in the narrators tone, however the person narrating the book was so monotoned. I did not finish this book, and at this point do not plan on finishing.

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.

I would have preferred a female narrator for this story, but it was an great suspenseful story. I appreciated the mood and setting, in particular. I will recommend to friends and loved ones who enjoy thrillers, mysteries, and small-town dramas.

Twelve years ago a storm took the lives of three people in a seaside community. One was a father, another a brother, and lastly a girl disappeared. Everyone thinks they know what happened that day but it might not be so. Now one night towards the end of season a woman is found dead on the beach. Could this be connected to the tragedy years ago or is the community just trying to find connections that are not there.

The Survivors is a story about how tragic events effect individuals, families, communities, and out understanding of ourselves. I very much enjoyed this novel like the others written by Jane Harper.

When Kieran and Mia return to seaside Evelyn Bay, it’s to help his Mom and Dad pack up their home to move his father to assisted living. It’s a tough return because a dozen years earlier, Kieran’s brother Finn died in an unprecedented storm that also took the life of Finn’s business partner Toby. Kieran has been living with the guilt that the two brought their catamaran out to save him.

When a body is found on the beach shortly after their arrival, the ensuing investigation brings up a lot of memories from the time of “the storm” and pits family members against one another and friends against friends.

Jane Harper has a real talent for understanding small towns and the people who live in them and writes them so realistically. Her dialogue is tight; her descriptions are clear and visual; her plots keep you guessing; she has a gift for creating mood. I try not to miss a book by Ms. Harper.

The narrator Stephen Shanahan seems the perfect choice for this novel. His voice suits the tone and mood of the story.

As always, Jane Harper delivers a mystery that pulls you in, slowly plays it out and teases you to try to figure it out.

I liked the survivors but it was just mediocre for me. I will admit that it kept me guessing and I didn't know who the killer was going to be. But I just didn't connect to the characters they felt removed kind of 2 dimensional. Maybe there were too many or maybe it was the unfamiliar culture. I'm honestly not sure. I just didn't connect with the book. But I don't blame the author. I think the writing was solid. And I would like to read her other books still.

Jane Harper books are always great on audio! Stephen Shanahan is a fantastic narrator in The Survivors as in her other slow-burn audiobooks. I could listen him all day. Another excellent slow-burn by Jane Harper. Enjoyed the haunting, atmospheric setting of a small coastal town riddled with tragedy and filled with residents all hiding their own secrets and suffering from their own guilt. The main character was relatable and likable and I found myself rooting for him and his new little family the entire time. I couldn't stop listening and the twisty turns and red herrings kept me engaged and racing to the end. My only disappointment was that it felt a tad anti-climatic however was grateful for a happy ending for our protagonist. I am a Jane Harper fan for life!

One of my favourite authors, Jane Harper, delivers another mystery novel that features excellent characters in a setting that is so expertly described that I want to travel there and spend a bit to time just soaking up the atmosphere! Visit Australia and journey to Tasmania, while preparing to stay up late into the night listening. Audiobook with the Australian narrator - Highly recommended!

This was my first book by Jane Harper but definitely won’t be my last. It took a minute for me to get all the characters straight in the beginning. With it being an audiobook, I actually had to make a cheat sheet with everyone’s name and relationships. But once I did, I loved the book. I didn’t have it figured out what happened to each girl. It was a great murder mystery book! I would love to see those caves in real life. Thanks to netgalley for my ARC.

This was my first Jane Harper book ever and also the second audiobook I've read in my life. I read a lot of thrillers and mysteries, and have been eager to read a Harper book because I've heard so many great things about her writing.

I'm going to break this review up into two parts. First, I'll focus on the audiobook. Second, I'll focus on the plot and characters.

The audiobook was a very enjoyable listen. The narrator has an engaging and soothing voice. He was able to bring the characters to life in a way I don't think they would come through on the pages. I really got a sense of the emotions and feelings of the characters thanks to his narration and ability to emote. It was a keen listen and I am glad I chose to "read" this book via audio.

The story and characters were a mixed bag. At times, I had a hard time keeping track of all of the men involved in this story. I was definitely paying attention to the audiobook (I listen on my walks where I have no distractions), so I don't think that was the issue. The characters' names seemed similar to me for some reason, and the women in the book, with the exception of Verity, really didn't seem to stand out from one another. Perhaps it was due to the shifting timeline, as the book concerns two interrelated tragedies involving women/girls.

I think if I had read this as a book, I would have rated it three stars. However, since the narrator was fantastic, I gave it 4. The main reason I would have given this three stars is because the plot didn't have a lot of twists and turns. For me, this would make for a slow read.

Criticism aside, Harper is an incredible writer. She really has a gift for writing dialogue (not an easy thing to do) and for making the setting feel real. I loved that this book was set in a beach town, which felt very real in my head thanks to Harper's knack for describing her characters' environments. Because of this, I will definitely be reading more of Harper's books.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan (the publisher), Netgalley, and the author (Jane Harper) for an advanced review copy (audiobook) of The Survivors.

Kieran and his young family have returned to his hometown to visit his struggling parents, and to see old friends left behind. But when a body is found on the beach, questions are raised about a tragedy that took the life of Kieran’s brother years before.

Jane Harper writes fantastic character studies set in atmospheric Australian locales, and The Survivors is no different. Like the Outback in The Lost Man, the sea itself is crucial to the lives and attitudes of the characters, and to the mystery at hand. Excellent, compelling, slow-burn listening.