This is quite an astonishing debut novel, well-written, well-paced, with vivid descriptions and spot-on characterisation and dialogue. It’s the story of Kane, a likeable, well-meaning drifter, who wanders from town to town, surviving on odd jobs and his skill as a tattooist. One day, by chance, he arrives in Sachem, a small fishing town on the Atlantic Coast. There he meets Tilly and suddenly staying put rather than moving on becomes the better option. However, the only well-paid job he can get is on a lobster boat, where the work is incredibly hard and dangerous. He’s determined to stick it out but gradually finds himself turning to opioids to make it all bearable, something that is both understandable and credible. I really enjoyed this book, finding it compelling and at times heart-rending. The ending is not predictable, and that uncertainty kept me nervously reading in almost one sitting. The writing is pitch-perfect, and shows real insight into human frailty. Highly recommended.