🌊 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.

“But here is the nature of life. That we must love things with our whole selves knowing they will die.”

Charlotte McConaghy is back and I am again overwhelmed!

A haunting love letter to nature, this time with a focus not only on the destructive power of global warming, but on tiny seeds. Seeds that grow into plants, plants that feed. Incredible vignettes, told through the pure eyes of a child, help the reader appreciate the seeds’ value and come to terms with the impossible decisions of which ones are more worthy than others to save. (The story of the Dinosaur Tree hits hard.) A family at the remote edges of the world, alone and falling apart, is faced with the enormous task of trying to save the seeds, save history, save the future.

And this is where the author shines. She’s passionate, not preachy. She shows mega sized impacts through the intimate lens of a family and a mysterious woman, already struggling with their own individual demons and ghosts. I was completely enthralled in the escalating tension, an excellent buildup of love and survival. The reader is first pulled into the story of humans, then into the reality of the changing world. And she writes with such a reverent connection to nature, it’s just absolutely beautiful. I felt so in awe of nature…the wildlife, seals, albatross, humpback whales, penguins, and the seeds. But the human story brought tears to my eyes.

The audiobook was superb. Multiple narrators left me transfixed, with their tension filled buildup of suspense and grief and loss and ultimately, love. Recommend the listen!

Thank you #macmillanaudio #flatironbooks and #netgalley for sharing this beautiful ARC #wilddarkshore
And thank you, @charmcconaghy
@charlottemcconaghy for writing with your soul!

Thank you MacMillan Audio for the review copy. Wild Dark Shore is a complex and mesmerizing read but it's also one that for me might be better as a phsyical read over audio. I say that as a big fan of audio and out of a lot of respect for the voice acting, which was excellent. This one doesn't work on audio for me because of slow pacing and the back and forth with characters, that is sometimes a deal breaker for me for an audio as I listen when I am driving and need to be taken away and caught up in dialogue and plot and here... that doesn't quite happen.
What is here though is a powerful and well written plot and story, one that unfolds step by step and weaves in McConaghy's deft notes on climate and plot with romance and memorably drawn characters. So while maybe a pass for me on audio not a pass on a book and hey... the audio might be a big win for you.
4 stars for the plot, not going to knock a well produced audiobook because I didn't like the book on audio. :) great narration and production.

"Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaghy is a gripping novel set on a remote island where the Salt family encounters a mysterious woman washed ashore amidst escalating climate crises. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, the family confronts their deepest fears and desires while battling both external and internal storms.

This novel earns a solid four-star rating for its masterful blend of suspense, emotional depth, and environmental themes. McConaghy's eloquent prose vividly captures the raw beauty and peril of the natural world, immersing readers in a setting that is both haunting and mesmerizing. The complex characters are richly developed, each grappling with personal struggles that resonate deeply. The narrative's exploration of love, loss, and survival against the backdrop of climate change adds a poignant layer to the story. While some readers may find the pacing deliberate, it allows for a profound connection to the characters and their journeys. Overall, "Wild Dark Shore" is a compelling read that lingers long after the final page.

Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC 🥰

It took me a while to suss out this story when I picked it up, but once things started to unravel… I was hooked. Dom gave weird vibes at the beginning, and his sudden obsession with Rowan caught me off guard. In the end, I never really resonated with his character… but I appreciated what he went through and the way he was always there for his children. The kids were beautifully written and I loved the relationship between Ollie and Rowan especially. Their moment coming out of the seed vault shaft together was heartbreaking and maternal.

I learned a ton from the author, about seeds and plant life, unconditional love between siblings, about what it is to live on a remote island, isolation, and adhering to strict rations. McConaghy wrote Shearwater sooo beautifully; the island was a character in and of itself... stunning and volatile, with a wild temperament. I so appreciate the research that went into this, and I feel like Wild Dark Shore succeeds in telling a cautionary tale about climate change. The last handful of chapters are gripping; the ending wasn’t everything I had hoped for, it was perfect in a way I couldn’t imagine.

Overall, I can’t recommend this book enough!! I have never read anything like it.

Such a beautifully done audiobook! I loved the narration and it paired really well with the ebook version.

In extreme isolation, a family resides on a small island off the coast of Antarctica, overseeing a lighthouse that protects the world's largest seed bank. Dominic, a single father, and his three children are the remaining inhabitants after scientific researchers evacuated due to rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms. During one such storm, Dominic's daughter rescues a woman from the sea. The questions arise: who is she, and how did she end up on such a remote island? As they care for her, Dominic's family and the woman discover that their lives are intricately connected by deeply held secrets and emotions on both sides.

The compelling plot and intricate characters rendered this an immersive experience. Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West delivered exceptional narration, bringing this vivid and emotional story to life.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Netgalley and McMillian Audio for providing the advanced audio copy of *Wild Dark Shore*. Additionally, I commend Charlotte McConaghy for crafting an excellent story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for gifting me an audio ARC of this wonderful book by Charlotte McConaghy, wonderfully narrated by the cast of Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveldm and Steve West. All opinions expressed in this review are my own – 5 stars!

Dominic Salt and his three children (Raff, Fen, and Orly) are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica, and home to the world’s largest seed bank. With sea levels rising, the Salts are the only inhabitants and are packing up the seeds before being transported away. During a terrible storm, a woman washes up on shore. As the Salts nurse the woman, Rowan, back to life, they all come back to life a bit. Until secrets start showing their faces.

This is a wonderful atmospheric novel. You can see the beauty of the landscape, the wildlife, but see the damage the world has done as well. The Salt family is completely isolated, running out of food and time, with no way to communicate with the outside world. When Rowen enters their tiny circle, she keeps the real reason she is there to herself, but the Salt family is full of secrets as well. It was taut and tense, as the family fight the elements as well as their personal demons. The audiobook was fabulous, with a full cast making the story even more immersive.

This one was not on my radar and I kept seeing it pop up on my Insta feed and wanted to give it a go

For me, this book was amazing . Mystery, family drama, overall a love story - love of nature, snd life .
In December 2024 I was on a sub Antarctica expedition cruise from New Zealand which stopped in Macquarie Island , which was one of the inspirations for this book . It is one of the most beautiful places in the world - penguins 🐧 everywhere . The fictional island the author has created is definitely a main character in this story - and for me one of the best parts of the book.

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audio rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The audio book has multiple narrators and I enjoyed listening to all of them and I believe they captured the atmosphere of the book and the characters really well

4.5 dark island stars

I listened to this one, and what a fantastic experience it was! Narrated by Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld and Steve West. I loved the setting and the accents, and the book came alive for me in this format.

We meet the Salt family and the remote and threatened island of Shearwater, between Australia and Antarctica. Dominic is a strong father, and he has three children: Raff is the oldest, at 18, followed by Fen, at 17, and Orly, the precocious 9-year-old.

The island is significant for its wildlife and vast seed vault, which was set up to preserve seeds for the future. Climate change has led to a rising ocean, and the island will soon be covered with water. Scientists were working on the island to save as many seeds as possible and study the animals.

A woman washes up on the island, beaten and battered by the rocks near the shore. Where did she come from, and who is she? Fen rescues her, and the family nurses her slowly back to health.

This one has chapters from several characters and is voiced by different narrators. These are my favorite audiobooks because I don’t have the written cues a book offers, but the different voices tell me who the chapter is about.

The book contains several mysteries, and a sense of unease and looming disaster is evident throughout. Everyone seemed to have secrets, which are slowly unveiled. I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of plant and animal life and was saddened that they would all disappear soon.

I grew to root for the unique Salt family and hoped they would all survive until the ship rescued them. I also hoped they could save as many seeds as possible for the future.

THIS BOOK WAS INCREDIBLE.

Atmospheric and dark. It had every element for me to go crazy for it. I was hooked from the beginning and the narration by Saskia and the full cast was beautifully done. I'll be thinking about this one for awhile (especially the ending!!!!!!) and recommending it to everyone I know.

Five stars! I absolutely adore this author. She somehow seamlessly mixes suspense, romance, and environmentalism together. Told from a multi-POV, this is a story about lies, deceit, love (found family, motherly love, and love for the land/animals), and surviving on an (almost) unlivable island near the Antarctic.

This was one of the best audios that I have ever listened to! With a full cast of narrators, you could hear and feel the emotion. It was fantastic. Highly recommend this author, she has impressed me with every release!