Carried Away
T.J. Derry
Type: ARC
Genre: Thriller, romance, adventure
Word count: 87,000
Warnings: Swearing
A surf trip becomes a brutal fight to survive—and a compelling exploration of the clarity that emerges when everything collapses—in T.J. Derry’s cinematic, thrilling debut novel, Carried Away. More than your typical survival thriller, the novel is a visceral, sharply observed story about survival, connection, humility—and what’s quietly revealed when everything else falls away.
What’s this?
Worn down by the noise, the routine, and the creeping sense that something essential has slipped out of reach, Cole leaves New York for a remote chain of Indonesian islands, chasing silence, clarity, and a sense of meaning. Amidst the salt and heat, he reconnects with old friends, and finds an unexpected spark with someone who feels instantly familiar—and a little dangerous. But paradise has teeth. After a catastrophic tsunami, a violent fight for survival strips life to its barest terms. Cut off from the world, the group is tested in every way—physically, emotionally, spiritually—and Cole is forced into a rare kind of stillness: one that redefines what matters.
T.J. DERRY: A director, cinematographer and photographer, T.J. has worn many hats over the years. After working lighting, camera, and production, he eventually found his place behind the monitor. With a passion for storytelling, he’s also delved into the art of screenwriting, crafting captivating narratives for various projects in film and advertising. His work has been featured in American Cinematographer and Adweek, among other industry publications. Taking his knack for storytelling in a new direction, he is now a debut novelist. His book “Carried Away” will be released in November 2025.
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