Book Review: Granite Harbor | Peter Nichols

A dark crime thriller set in the cold, seaside town of Granite Harbor, Maine. Peter Nichols’ new novel is not for the faint of heart, but fans of crime fiction and small towns will enjoy this atmospheric, gripping story.

What is Granite Harbor about?

In scenic Granite Harbor, life has continued on―quiet and serene―for decades. That is until a local teenager is found brutally murdered in the Settlement, the town’s historic archaeological site. Alex Brangwen, adjusting to life as a single father with a failed career as a novelist, is the town’s sole detective. This is his first murder case and, as both a parent and detective, Alex knows the people of Granite Harbor are looking to him to catch the killer and temper the fear that has descended over the town.

Isabel, a single mother attempting to support her family while healing from her own demons, finds herself in the middle of the case when she begins working at the Settlement. Her son, Ethan, and Alex’s daughter, Sophie, were best friends with the victim. When a second body is found, both parents are terrified that their child may be next. As Alex and Isabel race to find the killer in their midst, the town’s secrets―past and present―begin bubbling to the surface, threatening to unravel the tight-knit community.

What did I think?

Nichols talent is evident from the first chapter—this book is extremely well-written and expertly-plotted. Crime fiction more than some other genres seems to have a high bar to clear in that regard, and Nichols kept up with other contemporary writers expertly. This is an engaging book that is quite dark (both the murders and other content). It has some disturbing content that I expect won’t work for some readers. For those used to the genre (and particularly Nordic Noir, which this actually reminded of), this is one to read.

The small town, coastal setting was one of the best parts of Granite Harbor. The sea isn’t necessarily a main part of the plot, but it’s also ever-present (and has some key roles). The sea can be such a mood and it definitely set the mood for this book. I also pictured every scene happening at dusk or after dark and also with a cold breeze. I have no idea if that was intended, but isn’t it a mark of a good book if we build out the scene in our minds?

The characters were well-developed and so were the relationships between them. The characters were what drew me into the story. This is a small community where most residents have lived their whole lives. There are stories that center around the teenage character as well as the adults, so I recommend early on making a note for yourself of which child belonged to which parents. It helped until I got the feel for everything, especially because this is a bit of a latchkey town where the parents don’t necessarily spend a lot of time with their kids.

There isn’t exactly a main character in this book because we hear from many different perspectives, but if I had to identify one, I’d say it’s our writer-turned-detective, Alex Brangwen. Alex is the only detective and he’s new to the town. But that doesn’t mean he lacks ties to the book. His daughter and his daughter’s mother live there (its what drew lex there), and there’s a compelling backstory that pulls through into this story that added an interesting layer to Alex and his family.

There’s also a part of the story that surrounds a place called the Settlement, which is an historic archeological site in town. Not only is that where the body is found (raising the question if its related), but one of our other central characters Isabel works there. Things with the Settlement will make more sense as the book goes on, so don’t worry if you’re confused at first with Isabel’s narrative.

One of the more interesting parts of the story are the chapters narrated by an unknown male who we know is the person who goes on to be the murderer. Those chapters actually don’t get into the current events until close to the end of the book. The majority of them tell the story of a boy who was relentlessly and cruelly bullied, abandoned, and isolated in many ways. It has the effect of making the reader feel sympathetic, while also horrified at what he’s become.

Granite Harbor begs the question of how serial killers become who they are. Are they always born that way, or can life make them that way? Would this boy have still ended up on this past if his childhood had been different?

A dark and occasionally disturbing crime fiction novel with outstanding character development and compelling storytelling. Granite Harbor won’t be for every reader, but for those who like Nordic noir and crime fiction, this is for you.

If you liked Granite Harbor, what should you read next?

Audiobook

I listened to the audiobook for Granite Harbor and thought it was excellent. Peter Ganim narrates with evenness and depth. His voice brings that dark and twisted story to life but adds enough distance that the reader doesn’t feel overwhelmed. Sometimes books with more disturbing content can be made worse though audiobook, but in this case I thought it enhanced it.

Thank you to Celadon Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.

About the Author

Peter Brayton Nichols is an American author. Nichols was born in New York City and moved with his family to Britain when he was nine. He attended boarding school in England, and briefly attended East 15 Acting School in London. He read for a BA degree at Skidmore College, and a Master of Fine Arts degree at Antioch University, Los Angeles. He worked variously in advertising, as journalist, and screenwriter.

In his late twenties and early thirties, Nichols lived on a small wooden sailboat in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. He became a U.S. Coast Guard licensed yacht captain and navigator, worked as a professional yacht charter and sailboat delivery captain, and has sailed across the Atlantic three times on small yachts.