Member Review

A Wreckage of Secrets

The setting is a remote Scottish island, entirely engulfed by the most severe weather in decades. Its populace is a tight knit, deeply religious community, inherently wary of outsiders. However, a potential shift in fortune is on the horizon: the salvage of the sunken ship of their late, cherished Captain James Purdie. This development promises to revitalize the island's economy by bringing back much-needed tourist revenue.

It is 1962, and the marine archaeologist who arrives on the island, Marta Khoury, is a woman—a shocking fact to many. Marta is under immense pressure to succeed in this assignment excavating the shipwreck; her boss is also her soon-to-be ex-husband, and he appears determined to find a reason to terminate her employment. Her first dive is incredibly promising: she photographs the captain’s intact skeleton and numerous well-preserved personal effects. These items, along with his Captain's log, are destined for display in the Purdie family museum. However, the discovery is disturbed by an unnerving sight: Marta observes a shadowy, eerie figure crouching in the corner of the captain’s quarters.

Initially, the story sets up as a classic ghost tale, complete with eerie atmosphere. When a second dive reveals the artifacts have been looted. Marta, stunned, instantly adopts a defensive posture, making the first of many questionable decisions by opting to cover up the heist to buy herself time. It is difficult to root for her, even with the deck stacked against her, because she constantly lies, even to her new romantic partner, Elsie. As Marta blindly accuses everyone she suspects of the robbery, the reader is left exasperated.

Things on the island become more bizarre. In addition to the brutal winter conditions, the terror of the Cuban Missile Crisis reaches this shore. When an alarm sounds, the extreme religious convictions of the islanders fail to prevent them from refusing Marta shelter, thereby deliberately leaving the outsider exposed.

“Only the elect are protected.” “We can’t pollute ourselves with reprobates.” “You have spent your years satisfying your desire. You have fattened yourself for the day of slaughter…”

Elsie emerges from the shelter, courageously takes Marta's hand, and escorts her to the perceived safety of a cellar. Despite these efforts, Marta declines to confide in her, withholding information regarding her current marriage, her experiences with apparently supernatural phenomena, and the persistent sensation of being tormented by the ghost of a friend for whose death she holds herself responsible.

"The Salvage" is distinguished primarily by its intense atmosphere. The prevailing mood of claustrophobia deepens as the inhabitants' behavior grows increasingly bizarre. Instances of sexual activity rise, an elderly woman is discovered walking naked outdoors, more people admit to witnessing mysterious apparitions, and handprints appear on the windows—all while the shadowy figure continues to lurk.

The mystery's momentum is hampered by its uneven pacing; the slow, piecemeal reveal of information ultimately dilutes the narrative's drive. Furthermore, the protagonist, Marta, is difficult to support. Even as her secrets are exposed, her underlying motivations appear largely self-centered, which makes it hard to sympathize with her actions.

A mixed bag, to be sure. Elsie deserves better.

Thank you to Tin House Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #TheSalvage #NetGalley