7th April 2026

Wild Dark Shore by
Charlotte McConaghy

Only recently released in the UK, Wild Dark Shore is set on the tiny, fictional island of Shearwater, placed between the author’s native Australia (specifically Tasmania), and Antarctica. Deeply atmospheric and beautifully descriptive, Wild Dark Shore takes us through the story of the inhabitants of Shearwater, and the island itself. Based on the real-life Macquarie Island, Shearwater is home to stunning wildlife and a large seed bank (inspired by the one in Svalbard). The island used to be teeming with researchers and environmental scientists, but with rising sea levels and worsening storms, the only people left are Dominic Salt and his three children, the caretakers of the island tasked with getting everything ready before the final boat comes to take them – and a selection of seeds – back to the mainland for good.

During the worst storm the Salts can remember, a woman washes up on shore, shipwrecked, injured and alone. The Salts nurse Rowan back to health as best they can, but soon realise that she isn’t there by accident. There are secrets on this island and Rowan is seeking answers.

A novel about environmentalism without belabouring the point, Wild Dark Shore is gorgeously immersive and easy to read, with short, punchy chapters from several very different points of view. From Orly’s hopeful stories about seeds, to Raff’s struggles with his anger, to Fen’s strong convictions; from Dominic’s ferocious love to Rowan’s jaded scepticism, these characters feel so grounded in reality, even with the supernatural elements woven throughout the narrative. The bonds between them feel visceral. The Salt family is close-knit, but not without its fractures, and Rowan builds her own place within the unit, even as she is convinced they are lying to her.

I will say that some of the supernatural elements of the book don't always feel like they fit in. They are never explained, but fully accepted by the characters as how this island operates. Given the otherwise solid realism, these aspects of the novel stand out; however, I didn't dislike them. They add another layer to an already dense atmosphere and make Shearwater feel like more than a fictional island in the middle of nowhere. It feels special, steeped in history and significance, both part of the characters' stories and something entirely separate.

Wild Dark Shore asks a lot of complex questions. What should we value as humans? Where should our priorities lie as part of nature? How far would we go for those we love? What choices would break us?

This book was incredibly highly rated in my book club, for good reason. The imagery was vivid, the characters strong and the emotions high, with fascinating moral quandaries and tense uncertainty. It left a huge impression and I would very much recommend it. Bittersweet, hopeful and tragic all at the same time, I found it difficult to put down; and as a relatively short read of 300 pages, I think it’s definitely worth giving a go if you’re looking for a well-crafted piece of fiction that makes you think and feel in abundance.