Buddy read for The Survivors by Jane Harper starting Feb 2, 2021

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

The Survivors by Jane Harper



Synopsis
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...

[Geri]

Brooke and I will be reading the book. Join us if you want to read this too!

[Brooke]

I've been looking forward to this one!

[Geri]

I did get my copy today, Brooke. I think I’ll start it tonight before bed. And will post tomorrow!

[Brooke]

Geri wrote: "I did get my copy today, Brooke. I think I’ll start it tonight before bed. And will post tomorrow!"

Great! I plan to start this evening as well.

[Geri]

I read the first 10 chapters. I’ll probably do 10 every day so I can finish by the weekend.

I didn’t know much about this book. Jane Harper is an automatic read. So I didn’t even read the description closely. LOL I am enjoying it. Interesting family drama going on and good background information. (view spoiler)[ I don’t think Liam had anything to do with Bronte’s death. He’s the bivouac suspect. I do think the vehicle that almost mowed down Kieran and Mia did have something to do with the death.

And Olivia definitely gets around! LOL She’s hung around with Sean, Ash, and Kieran. Harper mentioned that Ash and Olivia may have a contentious relationship. That may be important later? (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

I didn't make it very far - just 3 chapters. It was one of those evenings where I thought I was wide awake, but then as soon as I settled down with my book I could barely keep my eyes open. So frustrating! But I will crack the book open a little earlier tonight so I don't run into the same problem. 10 chapters a day sounds very doable. :-)

The small bit I have read already has me intrigued! I love Harper's writing style, setting descriptions and slow tension build.

[Geri]

No worries, Brooke! My husband always gets sleepy when he reads a physical book. He can’t read more than a few chapters at a time. It doesn’t matter what time of day. LOL Books are a great sleeping pill!

[Geri]

I read through chapter 21. Meant to stop at 20. But I was in the middle of cooking. LOL

Very interesting story. I have no idea what happened in the past and present day. Harper is great at making such complex mysteries!

(view spoiler)[ My best guess is Kieran’s mom has something to do with this. She is still having trouble dealing with the past. It seems like more than grief over her son’s death. Maybe?

Kieran’s dad also knows something. His confused mental state is letting some things slip. Was Gabby pregnant with Finn’s child?

I am most curious about why Liam is so adamant that he was the one driving the vehicle that ran past Kieran and Mia. Was he? I am not so sure.

Mia had a crush on Kieran as a young teen. Does that have anything to do with anything? LOL Mia was fighting with Gabby.

As you can tell, I have no idea what has happened. How Bronte got herself involved in all this. Kieran’s dad seems too obvious for the death of Bronte. We shall see! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

I made it to chapter 15! Each chapter adds another layer to things. I love the slow reveal of the past story about Kieran's brother.

(view spoiler)[I don't think Liam is guilty either, at least regarding Bronte's death. I have a feeling we will learn that he did something else bad, though. I'm curious who actually killed Bronte though. There are several possibilities at this point, including Kieran's dad (by accident). (hide spoiler)]

My goal is to get through chapter 30 tonight!

[Geri]

Yeah, I‘m enjoying how Harper is revealing the story layer by layer too. My head is spinning with all the possibilities. That’s what I really love about Harper. She crafts a multi layered and fairly complex mystery. And does it so well!

[Brooke]

I read through chapter 30 last night and had to force myself to stop! I wanted to keep going but knew if I did I would be up too late finishing it. Good thing, too, since the landscape crew was out my window with a chainsaw this morning at 7am. Who does that on a Friday??

(view spoiler)[ So many little subplots in this book. I was wondering what was up with the famous author, especially with his "relationship" with Bronte, but his journalistic skills came in handy. I'm curious to learn the big reveal with the past storyline now that Kieran knows the boat was out before his SOS. And how does Gabby fit into all this? Will there be more about the situation hinted at with Finn and baby? I think something more will be revealed about Mia as well, but not sure what yet. (hide spoiler)]

I am going to finish this over lunch today. It's so good!

[Geri]

LOL I just finished chapter 30 and feel the same way! I don’t want to stop!

(view spoiler)[ I am thinking Finn and Toby were out on the boat before the sos because they were throwing Gabby’s body in the sea? Finn may have gotten Gabby pregnant? That’s my best guess right now. Let’s see if I am right! (hide spoiler)]

[Geri]

I did finish yesterday. I loved it! And I did not get the ending right. LOL That’s good. I never suspected the person behind everything or why. Hope you enjoyed it too.

[Brooke]

I finished yesterday too and already loaned it to my cousin's wife. I didn't guess the ending either - and that is a rarity these days. Harper is a must read for me from now on - this one might be my favorite of hers yet!