Amidst the beautiful and quaint atmosphere of Nantucket, the
summer season is about to begin, which means tourists, lobster and
endless summer parties. But this particular summer will be like
none other, as tragedy finds its way to this tiny island
resort.

There was never a closer group of friends than the Wheelers, the
Drakes, the Kapenashes and the MacAvoys. Each couple made up
their perfect square of friendship. They traveled together and
shared many happy times, including their trip to Las Vegas, where
they nicknamed their group “the Castaways.” They even
shared in bad times --- be it a difficult labor, the loss of a
brother on 9/11, or a stifling marriage.

After recent troubles and with their anniversary approaching,
Greg and Tess MacAvoy embark on a boating trip that ends
tragically, with the two mysteriously drowning. Everyone in their
group had been dealing with their own issues, but none as public as
the MacAvoys. Greg was a local teacher who recently bore the sting
of a former student’s searing accusation. And now, the
remaining six --- the friends who had once been so close and shared
everything --- have to ask themselves just what happened between
Greg and April Peck. And what of Tess’s affair with another
member of their circle? How well does anyone really know their
friends? In the wake of the young couple’s death, those who
remain grapple with their grief and try to soldier on --- if not
for their own sanity, then for the MacAvoys’ surviving
children.

The unofficial leaders of the Castaways are Eddie, the local
police chief, and his wife Andrea. In their 40s and settled in
their family life, they provide the moral center and heart of the
group. Tess was Andrea’s young cousin, and she was always
looking out for her, even saving her from drowning in Dorchester
Bay when she was just a young girl. Addison is a wealthy
businessman, and Phoebe, his second wife, struggles with a secret
pill addiction. There’s also Jeffrey and Delilah, a local
farmer and his bar-hopping wife, who just never seem satisfied with
island life. Tess and Greg rounded out their group and recently had
their very private problems made public. While Greg was accused of
having an affair with a former student, what people didn’t
know was that Tess was having an affair of her own --- with
Addison. So was their mysterious death just an accident as it
appeared, or was there something more sinister afoot in this tiny
island community?

For her eighth novel, Elin Hilderbrand once again returns to the
beautiful island of Nantucket as her setting. This time out, she
cleverly adds a layer of suspense and intrigue to what might have
been just standard beach-reading fare. And through this additional
element, the story is allowed to explore the sometimes thorny
topics of friendship, betrayal and forgiveness, as well as being an
entertaining summer read.