Saint X (2020) is a novel by Alexis Schaitkin that centers around Claire, who was a child when her older sister Alison mysteriously died during a family vacation on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint X. In the aftermath of Alison's death, two local men were arrested but released due to lack of evidence. The novel then moves forward several years when Claire encounters one of the men accused of killing her sister, Clive, in New York. This encounter reignites Claire's desire to discover what happened to Alison, leading her to an obsessive quest for the truth. Both Claire and Clive must then confront the lingering impact of Alison's death on their lives.
When it was published, Saint X received glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike. The novel also quickly became a New York Times bestseller. That same outlet called the book "hypnotic, delivering acute social commentary on everything from class and race to familial bonds and community." Kirkus Reviews called the novel a "killer debut" and said the book has a "vivid setting and an insightful study of race, class, and obsession."
