Rachel Cochran is the author of The Gulf, out in June 2023 from Harper.
She is also a teacher of writing and a writer of short stories and creative nonfiction. For information about her work or to contact her, see the pages linked in the menu above.
“A thoughtful novel with a hint of mystery. Its still waters run deep.”
- Kirkus (starred review)
“[T]riumphant debut. . . Cochran perfectly paces her reveals, keeping readers guessing about who’s hiding secrets and why. Bolstered by true-to-life characterizations and superior prose, this character-driven Southern gothic will enthrall fans of Lou Berney’s The Long and Faraway Gone.”
- Publishers Weekly (starred review)
THE GULF
June 13, 2023
Set in Gulf Coast Texas in 1970 in the aftermath of a major hurricane, The Gulf tells the story of Louisa “Lou” Ward, who feels torn: should she cling to her dying hometown of Parson, or leave and build a future with her girlfriend, Heather? To make matters worse, Lou can’t stop obsessing about the death of her close friend and mother figure, Kate, who died under mysterious circumstances. Ideal for fans of Tana French or Sarah Waters,The Gulf explores obsession, family, motherhood, guilt, and the complex journey of trauma.
The Gulf has earned a glowing review from The Washington Post and starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus.
Order now from Bookshop.org, IndieBound, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, or Amazon
“Cochran’s novel is rich in story and setting, with the mournful backdrop of a natural disaster, a war and forbidden love gone wrong. . . an auspicious debut.”
- The Washington Post review
"A refreshing read and a strong debut from a powerful new voice."
- CrimeReads, "The Most Anticipated Crime Fiction of Summer 2023"
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, March 5, 2024
6:00 pm CST
with Scott Guild
Indigo Bridge Books
Lincoln, NE
Thursday, March 14, 2024
5:00 pm EST
with Scott Guild
Wheeler-Stokely Mansion at Marian University
Indianapolis, IN