The Volcano Keeper: A Novel

by Sara Ackerman

After a tragedy in the field, volcanologist Alana Hollinger arrives on Hawai‘i Island in 1984, still carrying the weight of her loss. Reluctantly returning to the dangers of fieldwork, she hopes to find the courage to walk in the shadow of a volcano again. But the ground beneath her feet feels anything but steady. As tremors stir beneath Kilauea, Alana suspects the mountain is waking—and that her warnings of an impending eruption are being ignored. Again.

But Alana has another reason for coming to Volcano. Forty-two years earlier, her grandmother vanished during a wartime “secret” eruption of nearby Mauna Loa, leaving a trail of questions that still haunt her family. Settling into her grandmother’s old house tucked away in Volcano Village, Alana begins to unearth a past that refuses to stay buried.

Her neighbor Cole Winslow, a widowed consultant at a nearby military installation, carries his own guarded truths about Mauna Loa and what it hides. As her bond with Cole and his two children deepens, Alana must navigate desire, suspicion, and the looming threat of the volcano itself.

Propulsive and spellbinding, The Volcano Keeper is the unforgettable story of a woman determined to uncover the secrets of her family and the island she calls home—before they are lost forever.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Nature, Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 23, 2027

About the author

Sara Ackerman is the Hawaii born, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and historical novels set in the Islands.

Sara's books have been labeled “unforgettable” by Apple Books, “empowering & deliciously visceral” by Book Riot, and New York Times bestselling authors Kate Quinn and Madeline Martin have praised Sara’s novels as “fresh and delightful” and “brilliantly written.” Amazon chose Radar Girls as a best book of the month, and ALA Booklist gave The Codebreaker’s Secret a starred review.

Find out more about Sara and her books at www.ackermanbooks.com and subscribe to her Story Life newsletter https://saraackerman.substack.com/.

Follow her on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/saraackerma... and on FB https://www.facebook.com/ackermanbooks/

Reviews

[Sara Ackerman]

Dear Reader,

I am so happy you found my story! The Volcano Keeper is part mystery and part love song to the wild and powerful volcanoes of our island. It’s a story about listening to the earth when it speaks, about buried histories, and about brave women who refuse to be tamed.

What you’ll find between the pages:
Volcanoes
An otherworldly Hawaiian setting
A haunting mystery
An enigmatic man
Lava tubes
A shocking discovery
Horses

Growing up in Hawai‘i, volcanoes have always both fascinated and terrified me. I remember sleeping at a friend’s remote beach house in the shadow of Mauna Loa when I was a kid, planning how I would take the tiny rowboat or a surfboard out into the sea if we had an eruption in the middle of the night. In some parts of the island, lava can reach the coast in a matter of hours. I have memories of hiking with my dad in the far reaches of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and watching lava explode into the ocean, and more recently I’ve been humbled and awed by the yearlong episodic eruption of Kīlauea that began in December of 2024, with dramatic 1,700-foot fountains—a sight I never expected to see in my lifetime.

So you could say that the seeds for this story have been brewing for decades. While researching previous novels, I also came across information about the “Secret Eruption” of Mauna Loa. The 1942 eruption the government was desperately trying to keep from the general public. But it’s not easy to hide an eruption of the largest volcano on Earth!

I hope you enjoy this adventure that whisks you off to one of the most rare and spectacular natural wonders on the planet as you ride alongside characters (human and animal) who I fell in love with while writing.

Aloha,
Sara

[Laura Palmer · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Ackerman, and it did not disappoint! The writing is beautiful and the setting so perfectly described. I knew very little about volcanoes or what volcanologists do day to day. Ackerman researched and explained this well; I love when I learn something new from a book.

Ackerman also did an exquisite job with character development. I quickly grew to love Alana, as well as her neighbors, and even her (somewhat) egotistical coworkers. The plot was not action-filled and I did find it a bit slow at parts, but this is a beautiful story about relationships, family, friendships, grief, and more.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I pick up an Ackerman book these days, I'm expecting to go on a journey that teaches me something and that also engages me from start to finish. The Volcano Keeper is no exception. It doesn't hurt that volcanoes have always interested me. I remember watching the volcano video at the natural history museum as a little girl every time my parents brought me. In fact, I remember it was one of the first things I dragged them to. That and the cartoon about the ice age and dinosaur extinction. I even remember that it was on the 1st floor to the left of the front desk. To this day. Even though it's long gone.

So, I did go into this book with a bias that I was expecting it to be awesome. And I was not disappointed. From start to finish, I was interested in finding out everything I could about Alana and her grandmother, as well as the 1984 eruption of Mauna Loa. The building friendship with her neighbours and the romantic undertones of her relationship with Cole were just additional pieces of the puzzle that was Alana and that made me keep reading. While it did take me a bit of time to read, that was mainly because I was on vacation, and you can only read so much waiting in line at Disneyworld with your family and friends.

The story moves well. The characters are well fleshed out. The mystery and science are interwoven with the history well, and I spent a lot of time Googling the historical facts to get more background as I read.

It feels like Ackerman has moved away from the WWII a bit with her recent books, but there are still pieces of this story that link it back to Pearl Harbor. And I am happy for this change. I will keep picking up her books for sure.

This is a great historical fiction read on its own. A bit more contemporary but with some parts that pull you into the 1940s. And it definitely touches on the space that is Hawaii. For an Ackerman fan, this is a must. For a historical fiction or geology fan, I'd definitely recommend it too.

[Anna · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This was a lovely story set in Hawaii amongst the beautiful but powerful and at times destructive volcanoes. A volcanologist is recovering from the loss of a partner in an accident and is working at HVO. This was set in 1984, in the early aftermath of Mt. St. Helens and my teenage self who grew up on Volcano Cowboys (my favorite book) and every possible volcano documentary ever made, was very excited about this one. The writer got her volcano facts right, and tried to incorporate some of the other things that were happening in the field of volcanology at that time which was a very important time in the field due to the work done on St. Helens. This was much appreciated by my volcano nerd self. The story was cozy, never getting very intense, but never boring. It made for a perfect read on days where I just needed to de-stress. There were even some horses thrown in for extra points. This isn't a gripping thriller or a spicy romance where some may prefer more action, but it is a well written story of finding a family and finding closure after loss written by someone who really knows the beautiful setting.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Jacqueline Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Ackerman brings Hawaii’s breathtaking scenery and rich history to life in The Volcano Keeper, a captivating story that explores the connection of people grieving a loss, rediscovering yourself and finding strength amid the powerful forces of nature. This novel is beautifully written, atmospheric and drew me in immediately to Alana and her new home in volcanic terrain - meeting new friends and learning Hawaiian culture including Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire. I was so invested in Alana’s journey to work through her grief and to find some clues to her grandmother’s disappearance (and the new relationships with the cutie Winslow family) that when I finished, I wanted more! This is a memorable read for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, strong women characters and a setting that feels like a character in its own right. Now…… to book my Hawaiian vacation!
Thank you to @stmartinspress and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this stunning novel for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Alissa Manning-Telisak · Rating 4.25 out of 5]

The Volcano Keeper by Sara Ackerman takes place in Hawaii in 1984 and follows Alana, a volcanologist who moves to the Big Island to study volcanoes. While she's there, she also starts looking into the mysterious disappearance of her grandmother more than 40 years earlier. As she searches for answers, she uncovers family secrets and forms some unexpected relationships along the way.

I didn't have a lot of scientific knowledge of volcanoes going into this book, and I was surprised by how much I learned. I love when a book teaches me something new without feeling like I'm reading a textbook. Sara Ackerman also does a wonderful job of making you feel like you're right there in Hawaii. This is my second Sara Ackerman book that I have read and I am really enjoying her style of writing!

One of my favorite parts was Alana's relationship with the Winslow children, who lived next door. I loved watching that relationship grow and how much they came to mean to one another. Their connection added so much heart to the story.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to read The Volcano Keeper!

[Jennifer Krueger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t want this book to end. I became a part of a fictional family that I’m still thinking about and will for a long time. The MC Alana is on a beautiful personal journey that you as a reader get to be a part of. This journey is grief, healing, and finding yourself even in the hard places. I related more to this book than I have to any book in a long time. The characters all were very well developed and easy to love. I hope everyone picks this book up and feels the warm hug that you will receive while being in that world.I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you Harper Muse publishing for allowing me to be in this journey that I didn’t even know that I needed.

[Susan A · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Wow.

What a beautiful, gorgeous written book. It's obvious how much research went into this and also how much of a love letter it felt like to Mother Nature and Hawaii itself.

A book about grief, finding yourself, the love of nature and volcanoes, of finding your people and family. Just so beautiful.

I loved Alana, I loved Cole, River and Kauri. I loved the relationship that bloomed between them all and how freaking sweet it was. I even loved the side characters!! Even Alana's co-workers after all the initial hang ups the men had about her and how they came about to respect her and trust her knowledge in volcanoes.

Everything about this was beautiful and heartwarming and tugged on my heart strings. This one will stay with me for a while.

[Leah Nagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another INCREDIBLE book by Sara Ackerman!

I absolutely love the fresh twist of weaving in the lore of Pele alongside the rich history of Hawaii. Sara has such a gift for bringing these stories to life, and her descriptions of standing atop the caldera were so spot-on that I felt like I was right back there, reliving the magic of our last visit. Whether you know the stories or the islands or this is your first, this is a must read!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, engaging read that’s part historical fiction and part romance, with a touch of mystery thrown in. There’s also lots of interesting volcano details, but they’re not presented in a way that feels dry or dull. The book is well researched. You can tell the author has a connection to Hawaii. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Angela Leslee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I inhaled this book in a few days. Well paced, well written, and a very engaging plot. I loved all the characters, especially A'a, the donkey (what a novel idea for a character). This author's books are always well researched, with facts cleverly interwoven with fiction. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is even remotely interested in what it might be like to live near a live volcano that can up-heave your life at any moment.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars - emotional - holy moly - please I loved this. Maybe having been to Volcano National Park made me feel more connected to this book because I had a reference point and memories, but I still think everyone should read it! Yeah. I just thought this family mystery, found family, adventurey book with a hint of love story was very good.
Thanks Netgalley for an ARC!! (And I pre-ordered a hard copy 👏🏻👏🏻)

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved The Shark House (my first Ackerman novel), so I was excited to pick this one up. Branded as part mystery, part romance, and taking place in the 80’s— it sounded right up my alley. This was a bit if a slower pace, and I recommend going into it knowing that it’s more of a character novel than anything else.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read The Volcano Keeper by Sara Ackerman. This is a story of recovery and love and believing in your instincts. Ms. Ackerman sets a scene like no other. Her characters are so relatable, both the human and animal ones! This book grabbed me from the beginning and did not let go. This may be my favorite book by Ms. Ackerman so far!