Wild Dark Shore cover art

Wild Dark Shore

'A triumph . . . Breathtaking.' – HANNAH KENT

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Wild Dark Shore

By: Charlotte McConaghy
Narrated by: Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Steve West
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About this listen

 REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK FOR NOVEMBER 2025!

'At once a gripping mystery, an exquisitely written ode to the natural world, and a taut, psychological thriller, Wild Dark Shore is a triumph. Charlotte McConaghy is masterful in her ability to show the intricate connections between place and the human heart, and Wild Dark Shore shows her at the height of her powers. Breathtaking.' HANNAH KENT

Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world's largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers. But with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants, packing up the seeds before they are transported to safer ground. Despite the wild beauty of life here, isolation has taken its toll on the Salts. Raff, 18 and suffering his first heartbreak, can only find relief at his punching bag; Fen, 17, has started spending her nights on the beach among the seals; 9-year-old Orly, obsessed with botany, fears the loss of his beloved natural world; and Dominic can't stop turning back towards the past, and the loss that drove the family to Shearwater in the first place.

Then, during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman washes up on shore. As the Salts nurse the woman, Rowan, back to life, their suspicion gives way to affection, and they finally begin to feel like a family again. Rowan, long accustomed to protecting her heart, begins to fall for the Salts, too. But Rowan isn't telling the whole truth about why she set out for Shearwater. And when she discovers the sabotaged radios and a freshly dug grave, she realises Dominic is keeping his own dark secrets. As the storms on Shearwater gather force, the characters must decide if they can trust each other enough to protect the precious seeds in their care before it's too late-and if they can finally put the tragedies of the past behind them to create something new, together.

A novel of heartstopping twists, dizzying beauty and ferocious love, Wild Dark Shore is a story about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us is ending. Best of 2025 Editors Select Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Emotionally Gripping Inspiring Scary Tear-jerking

Editorial Review

Sub-Antarctic noir meets a love letter to the natural world
Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of a remote island near Antarctica, home to the Shearwater research base and the world’s largest seed bank. Rising seas have been threatening the island, so the family must prepare to evacuate. When a woman named Rowan washes up on shore, the Salts take her in and nurse her back to health. As Rowan recovers, she gets to know the family: Raff, Dominic’s oldest son, is doing his best to channel his grief and rage from tragic heartbreak; Fen, his 17-year-old sister, is such a water creature that she lives among the seals; and Orly, the youngest boy, is consumed with love for the natural world. The storytelling moves through each character’s perspective, voiced by a stellar cast of narrators: Cooper Mortlock, Katherine Littrell, Saskia Maarleveld, and Steve West. It’s an immersive, moody listen that left me in tears in the best way possible. —Tricia F., Audible Editor

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Loved this book - the different narrative viewpoints kept the story moving and added depth and complexity to the story. The setting was vivid and the climate warning underpinning the story was woven in expertly.

Gripping and original

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A powerful story. So much realness in each character. Unpredictable but perfect. I cried often through this book. Loved it!

Such an emotional story!

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One of the most beautiful books I have ever read … the author manages to weave the challenges of our perception of nature the awe it inspires yet the havoc we create in such a non confrontational way… it is so deeply powerful.
Charlottes depth of understanding of relationships and her exceptional storytelling skills make it a truly riveting read… I woke up each morning literally excited to listen to the story… THANK YOU Charlotte McConaghy… x

Outstanding

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Interesting story. Clear dictionary and good pace. Quality sound. All her books have been very good

Clarity

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Loved this book. Characters were all well developed and the descriptions of the weather, light, sea, animals, island was incredible and mesmerising. Worth listening to.

Sad, scary story, beautiful read!!!

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Beautifully articulates what it means to be human in this time...to procreate or not, knowing the future our children will face...to keep hold of hope or give in to hopelessness...is love a purpose in itself or mere folly? At once heartbreaking and yet soaring in it's depiction of the natural world. This should be on every high school reading list.

resonating

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I enjoyed the characters and setting equally. I definitely recommend this book. It’s an easy read

A page-turner.

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A superb new Australian novel brilliantly read by the cast. Gripping story blending environmental themes, romance and thriller in a dramatic location. Loved this.

Superb and gripping story

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The future of mankind is at stake; research scientists & stations, the sinking of islands in the Antarctic region, the preservation of species, is told with concern & awe.
This plot embraces the isolation, marine life, birds, seeds, weather, scientific data, family, love, relationships etc …in a truly bleak yet wondrous landscape tale.

Unique story of survival

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A well read, richly emotional story for our times. I loved every word. Great story, visual storytelling, very realistic character portrayals, feels as if you are in the room watching it all unfold. Recommend +++

Fine storytelling

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.