“We Won’t All Survive” by Kate Alice Marshall
Surviving in the desert is hard enough. Add in a layer of isolation, plus competition, and then contestants turning up unalived… well, then you have a thrilling summer read that’s a mix of whodunnit, high stakes, and twists that will keep the pages turning. Think Saw (less gore but definitely the vibes) meets Survivor and One of Us is Lying.
The brilliant mind behind this survivalist thriller is none other than Kate Alice Marshall. Kate is the bestselling author of thriller and horror novels for all ages, from middle grade readers to YA and adults. In this episode of Narratives & Nightcaps, Kate and Brie talk about the draw of the thriller genre, and in this case, the specific aspect of survival. As Kate says in the conversation, “…I thought a lot about what survival means and what it means to different people.” Plus, the two dig into Kate’s craft and processes, the research she’s done over her extensive writing career, and how she approached such depth with the characters in this story.
The narrative: about We Won’t All Survive
Mercy Gray is a survivor. She’s also a hero have saved lives during a mall shoot two years ago. But she didn’t walk away unscathed, physically or emotionally—with a bullet still lodged in her back. She feels immense guilt about that day, while also feeling immense pressure thanks to the medical debt. When Mercy gets recruited for a new survivalist reality show and the possible cash prize, she can’t say no. Mercy and the contestants show up and know right away… something’s off. No one is there, they’re completely isolated, and then people start dying.
The nightcap
Kate jokes that the true “nightcap” for this read is your biggest bottle of water, but her real pairing is just a bit of pineapple juice topped with seltzer or club soda. Perfect for a refreshing mocktail, but easy to have cocktail-style.
In the episode
Get to know Kate in our episode of Narratives & Nightcaps. We talk about:
Why thriller books are so captivating and our fascination with psychology
How this story challenged Kate in other ways that she hadn’t experienced with her other books
Balancing the suspense and mystery with additional themes of toxic masculinity, trauma, and survivor’s guilt
Kate’s research over the years, her process for developing stories, and how much the characters can influence their own chances of survival
Listen to the full author interview on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Podcasts
Purchase your copy at your local bookstore, or if needed, on Amazon here (Narratives & Nightcaps is an Amazon Affiliate)