My heart was not prepared for how emotionally invested in this story I got, and how much my heart got hurt over and over again by their terrible things that happened to these characters (both on page and past reflections). I am glad that I listened to it because I’m not sure I would have been able to read with the tears in my eyes that were flowing. A stark reminder of climate crisis, and the horrible tasks and decisions that will come with it, put so much stress on this cast of characters. The twists that came I never anticipated, and the range of emotions I felt in this book had me feeling wrung out.

Shearwater Island needs to be evacuated. Dom’s family has been living there to maintain the biggest seed bank in the world, but now there are scientists there to decide which species to let go extinct, because they can’t move them all in time nor do the others have room for them all. But the isolation and stress of the task start a domino effect. A woman washes up on the beach, barely alive. She was on her way to join her husband here, only to find it is only Dom and his family left. With everyone having an ulterior motive and no one telling the full truth, it’s not only nature that is dangerous on this island.

McConaghy creates a perfect balance of multi-character development, an insightful passion for nature (seeds, plants, seals, penguins and whales) while keeping the suspense of a thriller.

The remote island of Shearwater (between Australia and Antarctica) is being swallowed by the sea and the Salts, a family of four, are each dealing with their own trauma and trying to heal themselves while also attempting to heal one another. After plant researchers abandoned the island and the seeds they were studying and protecting, the Salts take over, doing as best they can while working from food rations as the weeks count down until they’re collected or until the sea takes over the island.

When a woman washes ashore badly broken and bruised, Dominic and his children must decide whether she can be trusted and what her intentions are.

This isn’t your typical fast paced, twisty thriller, it’s poetic and beautiful and heart-wrenching. Wild Dark Shore touches on important themes like family dynamics, motherhood, romantic relationships, grief and loss.

The narrators were incredible and moving, it also helps that I loved their accents. I can’t suggest the audiobook version of Wild Dark Shore enough. This story and these characters will stay with me for some time.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first book by Charlotte McConaghy, and I can confidently say it won’t be my last. I listened to the audiobook, and it was an incredible experience—told through five different POVs, each with its own narrator, adding so much depth and emotion to the story. The performances made the characters feel even more real, and I was completely immersed from start to finish.

The story follows a grieving father and his three children, who live on a remote island between Australia and Antarctica, alongside a group of scientists and a crucial seed bank. The setting was breathtaking—McConaghy’s writing is so detailed, bringing the beauty of the landscape and its wildlife to life.

What stood out to me most was how Wild Dark Shore manages to be both plot-driven and a deep character study. Each of the five main characters had such a distinct, compelling voice, and I found myself truly invested in every single one of them—which feels rare. Their individual struggles, emotions, and relationships added so much to the story.

Another thing I really appreciated was how McConaghy weaves in the risks of climate change in a way that feels realistic rather than preachy. The environmental themes are woven into the fabric of the story, making the reader feel the urgency and impact without it ever feeling forced. The book raises thought-provoking questions about our world and future, but it does so through the lens of these characters’ personal journeys, making it even more powerful.

This book has a bit of everything—suspense, mystery, thriller elements, romance, deep grief, the effects of climate change, and a raw look at mental health. But at its core, it’s a story about family—what binds us together and how we find strength in one another. I went in knowing very little beyond the hype, and I’m so glad I did. This story completely swept me away, and I’ll be recommending it to everyone.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the ARC audio

WILD DARK SHORE | MARCH 4TH, 2025

Charlotte McConaghy’s latest novel, Wild Dark Shore is a captivating character and plot driven story. Nothing short of great, this book manages to be successful in both the aforementioned areas.

Wild Dark Shore follows a family on a remote island and the woman who washes ashore in search of pieces of her past. The book is thrilling and mysterious as well as a masterclass in nature descriptions and character studies.

I fell in love with all of the main characters in this book and their motivations. I also loved the setting and the writing with the narration jumping back and forth. I found the twists and turns to be breathtaking and I cannot wait to read more by McConaghy.

The story is impeccably impactful in its depiction of the lengths we will go to in order to protect those we love and the sacrifices we will make along the way. It is also a reminder of our insignificance as humans in the face of this great and giving planet.

Thank you to @macmillianusa @macmillan.audio for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I did not know what to think going into this but I know I will be thinking about these characters for a while. Dominic is a single father, raising his three children while taking care of a remote island, that they are scheduled to evaluate in six weeks. One day Rowan washes up on shore, they nurse her back to health. Both Dominic and Rowan are keeping secret and once those secrets are revealed, I was pretty surprised.
This was a captivating read, there is an underline sense of sadness, grieve and loneliness from all the characters. I did not expect the twist at the end.

Audio Narration: This is multicast narration and I think each narrator did a great job of bringing their characters to life, I especially loved the excitement and childlike wonder in the narrator that did Orly (the youngest child).

Sexual assault and Grief
Death in childbirth (past)

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for the book #WildDarkShore by #CharlotteMcConaghy. This book is about a woman who washes ashore an island near Antarctica, Shearwater. The Salt family, Dominic, Raff, Feb and Orly are the caretakers of this island and protector of the world’s largest seed bank. A major storm is hitting the island and the Salt family and Rowan, the woman who washed ashore, must decide if they stay or leave. But it seems that Dominic and Rowan both are hiding big secrets.

This is a gripping story set on a remote island called Shearwater, near Antarctica. Dominic Salt and his 3 children are the last people living there, acting as caretakers on the island as it slowly sinks due to rising dew levels. But a woman named Rowan washes ashore during a storm. She starts noticing strange things like broken radios and what looks like a grave, and Dominic is giving vague answers to all of her questions.

I loved this book. Migrations was one of the only books that has made me cry. While I didn't cry from this one, this was still really emotionally affecting while having a well plotted mystery.

Thank you netgalley and Macmillan Audio for giving me an advanced review copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this book for an honest review.

I was SO looking forward to this book. I LOVED the setting and it was highly atmospheric, but I did not connect to any of the characters.

The extreme changes in perspectives were very difficult to follow at times. I kept listening and was so hopeful for the ending to the everything together, but I was very let down.

2.5 stars

“Wild Dark Shore” is an emotionally charged rollercoaster ride that captivated me from the very first chapter. It delves into the fragility of both nature and humanity, showcasing the transformative power of love even in the most perilous circumstances.

I absolutely adore how this is an exceptional character study, exploring the lives of our main protagonists and each of the children.

When this book releases tomorrow, I highly recommend adding it to your TBR list immediately.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, for providing me with an advanced copy.

I loved the beautiful, atmospheric writing! The children were so authentically written and easy to care about. The audio narration was top notch! But, there was something was lacking, perhaps humor? The romance didn't completely win me over, and I didn't care for the way everything wrapped up in the end.

3.5 Stars
I'm still trying to digest this book. There were times while I was reading where I felt like I knew what was going on. Then other times, I was like what? and had to rewind. There was a lot going on! I loved the setting. It was unique, not your normal USA, London, or Austrailia in which books are normally set. I learned a lot about the wildlife in Antartica which was amazing. I still have a lot of questions about what actually happened at the end. Audio version was great!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Wild Dark Shore
A Novel
by Charlotte McConaghy
Narrated by Cooper Mortlock; Katherine Littrell; Saskia Maarleveld; Steve West
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the early listen!
This audiobook was amazing. Loved the narrators and the way they were able to bring each character to life.
The story was compelling and held my attention and really did not want it to end.
I felt so many emotions with this story and will defiantly recommend this book.

🌊 WILD DARK SHORE by Charlotte McConaghy 🌊
🎧 Audiobook narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, and Steve West

Once in a while, a book comes along that completely consumes me—WILD DARK SHORE is one of those books. A mesmerizing blend of climate fiction and literary suspense, this novel cements Charlotte McConaghy as a masterful storyteller.

Set on a remote subantarctic island, the Salt family serves as caretakers of the world’s largest seed bank, left alone as rising ocean tides force researchers to abandon the land. When a mysterious woman washes ashore, she sets off a chain of events that unravel long-buried secrets with devastating consequences.

To call the setting “atmospheric” is an understatement—McConaghy’s prose brings the island to life with its unforgiving seas, brutal storms, and eerie isolation. The themes of loss, sacrifice, and motherhood run deep, making for an emotional and thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page.

The full-cast audiobook is a standout, with Saskia Maarleveld delivering an especially gripping performance. The multiple narrators add layers of tension and intimacy, making this an immersive listening experience.

⭐️ 4.5 STARS ⭐️

📖 Read this if you:
✔️ Love emotionally riveting stories
✔️ Are fascinated by climate fiction
✔️ Enjoy books where the setting is a character of its own

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy! I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.

This book was excellently written. Much darker than I anticipated. I enjoyed the plot line and the characters. This is my first book from this author, but it definitely will not be my last.

A remote island near Antarctica. A family living in isolation. A woman washed ashore in the middle of a brutal storm. Wild Dark Shore sets up an irresistible premise, and it delivers with a tense, atmospheric story full of secrets, survival, and complicated relationships.

While the book is classified as a thriller, it doesn’t feel like a standard popcorn thriller. Rowan’s arrival is full of mystery, and it’s clear early on that Dom is hiding something. But much of the novel is also about how these broken people help heal one another. There’s a compelling tension between climate change pessimism (bordering on nihilism) and the resilience of the natural world, and the setting is deeply immersive—I felt like I was there, trapped on this stark island with them.

Both Rowan and Dom are incredibly well-developed characters. They can be prickly, but the chapters told from their perspectives make them feel fully realized and compelling. The book moves at a strong pace, with short chapters that kept me turning the pages. While there are moments of quiet reflection, it never felt slow. I suspected some elements of the truth, but there were plenty of surprising reveals along the way. And the ending? I’m still processing it—it’s the kind that lingers and requires some internal exploration to fully digest.

I listened to the audiobook, which was excellent. Saskia Maarleveld is one of the narrators, and she’s always top-notch. Her performance, along with the tense atmosphere of the novel, made this an especially immersive listening experience.

Everything about this book worked for me. It’s an easy 5-star read. While there’s a clear thriller framework, I wouldn’t limit my recommendation to just thriller fans. This is for readers who love strong atmospheres and deeply developed characters, with tension constantly simmering beneath the surface.

Content warnings: Suicide, assault, adult-teen sexual relationships

McConaghy does it again - she's 3/3 for this reader!

This is a gripping story set on the most atmospheric remote island between Australia and Antarctica, inspired by the real Macquarie Island. A woman washes up on the shore and the only surviving people on the island, the Salt family, come to her rescue. McConaghy has this way of placing you in the setting of the book that you feel so grounded and familiar with the characteristics that are unique to this time and place she creates. I could visualize the landscape, hear the seals and the ocean crashing against the shore, and feel the cold wind alongside these characters trying to survive amongst the seals, whales, penguins, and plants. It's amazing she can do this in 300 pages over and over again. This, on top of the CHARACTERS, my oh my, I will not forget how this book made me feel: worried, sad, yet hopeful. Each character was fully fleshed out: broken, raw, and determined. Though the mystery plot had me questioning some of their motives early on, I came to love each of them by the end. This book had me nodding my head and agreeing with the serious threat of the climate crisis and the concerns of what the younger generations will have to navigate, and our impact on this Earth. It caused me to cry for these characters and all the losses they've experienced. It taught me that grief manifests in many forms that evolve with us as we ourselves grow. I chuckled and smiled as I witnessed the characters form genuine friendships built on curiosity and survival. This is such a powerful story about family, grief, trust, sacrifice, and accepting the hand we are dealt by making the most of it.

I loved the mystery element in this one - it held my attention until the very end because I had no idea what to expect!

If I could give this six stars, I would. I just want more time with these characters - I need to see where they are in 5 years. 10 years. Literally until they die!

McConaghy, keep doing what you're doing. I will spend my money on anything you put out into the world because it makes me a better human.

Charlotte McConaghy writes such beautiful, haunting stories. It's incredible how she weaves mystery and the environment together. I never knew I liked climate fiction until I read her earlier story Migrations. The audiobook cast really brought the story to life and all the different points of view really added to the mystery. Climate change is real. Thank you to Macmillan Audio (and NetGalley) for the early audio ARC.

Dear Wild Dark Shore,
I absolutely love the way that McConaghy writes. She takes devastating situations and brings humanity into them. You were another beautiful example of her approach to cli-fi and I just ate you up. Deeply layered and exquisitely written, I lost myself in your small island world, as this family fights against nature, and the mistakes of thier past. The central mystery at your core kept me needing to know what happened on Shearwater and to Rowan's husband. It felt like everyone was hiding something, and I had to know why. I will always be a fan of McConaghy's writing and characters.

Charlotte McConaghy has done it again with Wild Dark Shore, delivering a breathtaking novel that lingers long after the last page is turned. Known for her ability to weave the natural world into deeply emotional narratives, McConaghy crafts a story that is both gripping and profoundly moving. On a sinking island near Antarctica, Dominic Salt and his kids are packing up the last of the world’s rarest seeds when Rowan washes ashore - half-drowned and full of secrets. As Rowan starts to heal and uncovers what Dominic and his family are hiding, the question becomes who can you really trust?

I can’t express enough how much I loved this book. McConaghy transports the reader to windswept landscapes, showcasing the raw beauty of nature while exploring themes of grief, resilience, and the power of human connection. Her characters are flawed but so unforgettable, and I can’t remember a book where I can honestly say I loved every character- until now and the emotional connection that I felt for each of them runs deep.

While I had never heard of a global seed bank before reading this book, I became fascinated with the real life Svalbard Global Seed Vault, precious seeds of all species stored away in case there is ever a need for them for the future of food supply. Such a simple concept that I had never thought about until now. Also, the high level commentary about climate change woven throughout the book makes this such an important read.

McConaghy’s signature blend of lyrical storytelling and heart-wrenching emotion makes Wild Dark Shore an absolute must-read.

4.5 rounded up.

Wow. This book was beautiful. Thrilling. Atmospheric. Haunting. I liked Once We Were Wolves, but this book landed much stronger for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC.