Review - The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

This book sped by and was a very engaging read.

The Castaways: A Novel by Elin Hilderbrand

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Back Bay Books; 1 edition (June 8, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316043907
• ISBN-13: 978-0316043908

Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Product Description
Greg and Tess MacAvoy are one of four prominent Nantucket couples who count each other as best friends. As pillars of their close-knit community, the MacAvoys, Kapenashes, Drakes, and Wheelers are important to their friends and neighbors, and especially to each other. But just before the beginning of another idyllic summer, Greg and Tess are killed when their boat capsizes during an anniversary sail. As the warm weather approaches and the island mourns their loss, nothing can prepare the MacAvoy's closest friends for what will be revealed.

Review:  This book reeled me in from the first pages and kept me moving forward to unravel the mystery.
You learn about the characters and their intricate and intimate relationships through a rotation of chapters from the current perspective and reminiscences of each of the six surviving friends.

Greg and Tess appeared to be a perfect couple but there was some rocky times. Greg is a school teacher but is known for playing with a local band and being the sexy “rockstar” type who could get any girl he wants. Tess is a small bundle of sunshine and loved by everyone. She was the girl who said “no” and eventually caught Greg. When they die on their twelfth wedding anniversary they tragically leave behind young twins.

The Chief, Ed, is the steady, sturdy police chief. He is married to Allison who was Tess’s older cousin and best friend. She watched out for Tess as a child and helped her in all things.  The Chief approaches the deaths as a mystery while Allison reacts with guilt and despair at Tess’s death. Although their own children are almost out of the house, Allison insists that they should raise the twins.

Allison was the first girlfriend of Jeffrey, who is married to Delilah. Jeffrey is the reliable, hardworking farmer; stalwart and dependent. Delilah is more the party girl who chose the secure spouse but wonders if there might be more fun with someone more lively, like sexy Greg. She wants the twins who are close to her own children and she is jealous of Allison.  Delilah finds it difficult to deal with her grief without exposing her secret fantasy.

Addison is the busy, wealthy businessman with Phoebe, the trophy wife. Phoebe was a perfect socialite wife and hostess, happily expecting their baby when tragedy struck. Phoebe’s twin brother died in the 9/11 attacks and Phoebe collapsed, losing the baby. She fell into a deep depression and Addison eventually secretly fell in love with someone else in the group. They react to the death of Greg and Tess in opposite ways.

I really liked how the character remembrances and interrelationships reveal the personal and group history. I can't say any more about the involved relationships without risking spoilers. The characters were wonderfully developed and the story was intriguing. I am generally not a big fan of drama but I found this to be a remarkably interesting read and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Hatchette and Valerie who made this book available for review and giveaway.