A quietly powerful tale that blends environmental urgency with intimate character study.
In Taylor’s latest novel, a washed-up punk rocker living on the margins of a Pacific Northwest coastal town is forced out of survival mode when nineteen killer whales become trapped in a nearby inlet. Marked by childhood trauma and more comfortable with animals than people, Carla reluctantly teams up with a marine biologist and an unlikely ally. As the salmon dwindle and the whales weaken, Carla must confront old wounds—before time runs out for the orcas and for herself.
Rooted in working-class realism, the novel captures the texture of Carla’s daily life, with all its frustrations, defenses, and small vulnerabilities. Emotion builds through accumulation rather than overt drama. The orcas act as a catalyst rather than a metaphor, pulling together a small, unlikely group and nudging Carla toward connection she would rather avoid. Taylor writes with restraint and confidence, particularly in her handling of landscape and moral hesitation. The steady pacing reflects the shrinking window of survival for the whales and Carla alike.
A thoughtful, humane novel about responsibility, healing, and the nerve it takes to step in—an absolute stunner.
Coming soon
