The Survivors is a mystery novel written in 2020 by Jane Harper.    It takes place in Evelyn Bay, a small town in Tasmania.    The lead character Kieran,  with his partner Mia and their infant daughter return to support his parents.    Everyone knows everyone else, so they soon meet their childhood friends, Ash, Olivia, and others.    There had been a tragedy more than a decade earlier when Kieran’s brother and friend drowned in rescue effort.    At the same time, a girl went missing and was never found.   Kieran is blamed by some for becoming stranded in a flooded sea cave which prompted the rescue.    The blame and guilt have hung over the families and the emotions are still there years later.   Then, another girl is found murdered and rumors circulate.    The police investigate possible suspects and emotions run high.    The book is a slow-burn, with buried secrets revealed, the truth elusive, building up to a strong thriller ending.

Themes of family, friendship, regret, and emotional growth/maturity are wound through the narrative.     The book turns into a compulsive story, another strong book by Jane Harper.

Recommended – 4.5 stars/5