First published 2026
Claire thought she had found belonging with Elias, but his sudden death from a mysterious neurological condition leaves her facing the isolation she knew before meeting him. Orphaned in a childhood boating accident, she never expected to find the connection Elias offered, even if his coldness and secrets sometimes made their bond feel one-sided. When his estranged wealthy family contacts her after his death, they extend an unexpected invitation to attend his wake at their private island estate. Claire sees a chance to reclaim the sense of belonging she craves. The family proves eccentric, and their home built into the ocean triggers painful memories of losing her parents and sister. Ash, Elias's older brother, pushes for her immediate departure. But Claire cannot face returning to her former loneliness. As she uncovers the bizarre truth about Elias's family and their relationship with the sea, her opportunity to leave begins slipping away. The question becomes whether she truly wants to escape at all.
Genres: fiction, mystery, contemporary, adult, adult-fiction, thriller, psychological-thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, eerie, introspective, suspenseful, unsettling
Tropes: family-mystery, isolated-setting, trapped-protagonist, unreliable-perception
Setting: Private Island Estate
Period: Contemporary
320 pages · Paperback · Run For It
Content warnings: death