#ATBR2021 Review: The Survivors by Jane Harper

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#allthebookreviews, #atbr2021, Flatiron Books, jane haper, Reviews, the survivors, thriller

The Survivors

by Jane Harper

Thank you Flatiron Books for these amazing copies.

Publisher: Flatiron Books
Publish Date: February 2, 2021
Hardcover
320 Pages
Standalone
Genre: Thriller

Coming home dredges up deeply buried secrets...

Kieran Elliott's life changed forever on the day a reckless mistake led to devastating consequences.

The guilt that still haunts him resurfaces during a visit with his young family to the small coastal community he once called home.

Kieran's parents are struggling in a town where fortunes are forged by the sea. Between them all is his absent brother, Finn.

When a body is discovered on the beach, long-held secrets threaten to emerge. A sunken wreck, a missing girl, and questions that have never washed away...

My Review:

Unpopular opinion? MEEP. Before y'all side eye me, understand that I adore this author and I LOVED the other 3 books of her that I have read. Harper is GENIUS at setting the atmosphere - you will smell that salt water, crisp air, feel the wind and probably start speaking in an Australian accent... however, this read lacked a bit of that tension we find in The Lost Man and the Aaron Falk series. I just couldn't get myself as invested as I wanted to with any of the characters... but I was invested enough that I need more answers!

I was a bit mystified with the references to a past mystery that is peppered within but felt like there were too many things layered to try and throw you off track that I got a bit meh. I really wish I could pinpoint exactly what kept me from absolutely loving on this one, but sometimes things just don't work for a reader. 🤷

I close the book happy that I read it but at the end of the day, it's just not my favorite... and that's ok. I'm just gonna blame it on the pandemic. I can't wait to see what Harper has for us next as I most certainly will always read anything she puts out.

★★★

Jessica's Review:

Let me just start by saying that I absolutely love Jane Harper. This is the first time I've picked up a book by her that I wasn't completely wowed with. Don't get me wrong, we get the same incredible atmosphere, well-developed characters, and phenomenal writing that we come to expect, but I feel like the pacing is where it was lacking for me.

The mystery at hand kept my attention enough to where I wanted to see how things would end but it didn't have same tension as the Aaron Falk series. I know that I'm in the minority on this one, and this does not take away from the way she weaves a story. If the synopsis catches your attention or you're already a fan of Harper, then I still recommend picking it up. I will continue to pick up anything this author releases!

3 stars