Immersive, interactive thriller novel drops readers into the ocean as a tsunami hits and shows the harrowing fight for survival that follows
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.
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. In a unique twist, the book features QR codes at the end of each chapter, allowing readers to unlock bonus material on the book’s website.
A portion of the proceeds from book sales will be donated to Sungai Watch, an organization dedicated to reducing ocean pollution by cleaning up Indonesia’s rivers.
“Carried Away”
T.J. Derry | November 11, 2025 | Dead Icon / Lost Signal | Adventure, Thriller, Romance
Hardcover | ISBN: 9781069456724 | $29.99
About the Author…
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. Learn more at: readcarriedaway.com
Follow T.J. Derry on social media:
Instagram: @readcarriedaway / @tj.derry
An Interview with
T.J. Derry
Your day job is working in film and advertising. How did you find yourself writing “Carried Away”? What was your inspiration for the book?
As a film director, my job is ultimately to transfer meaning and feeling to an audience—to tell a story. I remember being in an airport, searching for something to read, and struggling to find anything I connected with. I’ve been fascinated by tsunamis my whole life, and it struck me, as I stood there, that maybe what I was looking for didn’t exist yet. I started outlining the story soon after, and during a cab ride in Nicaragua—while the driver was literally nodding off—I wrote the paragraph that now opens chapter two. From there, I was hooked. I spent my free time between film projects chipping away at the book until the story took on a life of its own.
Tell us about Cole. How is he feeling at the beginning of the novel? How does he transform after the unimaginable happens?
Cole’s watching his life slip by, trading his most valuable commodity—time—for a desk in a sterile office, far from anything that feels important or exciting. He’s restless, disillusioned, and quietly questioning whether this is really what he’s meant to do with the short time he has on earth. When he arrives in Indonesia, things click and he feels the presence and connection he’s been longing for.
When the wave hits, it throws him into a fight for survival. In the chaos, he comes to see the paradox: safety, stability, and simply being alive are their own kind of gift—but they’re not the whole story. By the end, he understands that fulfillment is far more complicated, and it demands more than just avoiding danger or staying safe. It’s about engaging with life fully, even when it’s uncertain or uncomfortable.
Do you relate to Cole’s character? When you feel numb and worn down by life’s routine, what do you do to feel grounded again?
I think a large cohort of the population can relate well to that feeling of meaninglessness, or that question of whether you’re wasting the life you’ve been given. I feel it constantly and meditate on whether I’m making full use of the gift of existence on this beautiful planet. In my life, engaging with nature (surf trips, freediving, travel, meeting strange new environments and people, engaging with the unknown and seeing how much there is to this life grounds me. That contrast really makes me feel grateful for even the banality of modern living for a time before I know it’s time to get back to nature.
Tell us about the QR codes that are at the end of each chapter. Why did you choose to include them? What will they reveal?
I felt strongly that this novel needed a visual side. It’s meant to be an immersive read—the kind of book that takes you away and really puts you in Cole’s shoes—so not having an extra conduit to pull the reader in felt like a missed opportunity. So I began seeking out a solution to satisfy the need for something more captivating. Cole’s journal seemed like a unique, but somewhat obvious choice… it gives readers a chance to experience the story from a unique vantage point—to step deeper into his perspective and actually see some of what he’s seeing, thinking and feeling.
Tell us about Sungai Watch. What does their organization do? Why do you want to raise awareness for their cause?
Sungai Watch is an incredible organization I first discovered through social media. They’re tackling the ocean plastic crisis at its source—by cleaning rivers, one at a time, before the waste reaches the sea. Since my story is set near where they operate, and it’s so deeply connected to the ocean and the natural world, supporting their mission felt like a natural fit.
Their founder, Gary, is a bit of a cowboy in the best way—he saw the problem and didn’t wait for permission, he just got to work. That kind of initiative and action is exactly what the world needs more of, and it’s something worth supporting and raising awareness for.
This isn’t your typical adventure novel. There’s plenty of substance and heart to it. Yet it’s still a thrilling, engaging and cinematic read. What do you hope readers will ultimately take away from the book?
My hope is that no matter where you’ve been, what you’ve experienced, or who you are, you’ll be taken along for the ride of a lifetime. For the person stuck in a 9–5 office grind, it’s a chance to step out of routine and into something truly remarkable—and with any luck, it’ll ignite something primal.
The story begins in a kind of paradise—love, adventure, excitement, joy—before the wave hits, and then, suddenly you’re thrown into the gates of hell, fighting to survive. My ultimate hope is that readers come away with a renewed appreciation for the fragile beauty of life, and a reminder that the highs mean more because the lows exist.
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