Book Review: Something in the water by Catherine Steadman is all about choices and consequences.

SOMETHING IN THE WATER

                            By Catherine Steadman

Something in the Water begins with Erin feverishly digging a grave.  Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave? Wonder no longer. Erin is about to tell you.

From the book’s blurb:

If you could make one simple choice that would change your life forever, would you?

Could the life of your dreams be the stuff of nightmares?”

My throughts: Two lovers, three prisoners, money laundrying, mobsters, deception, and something in the water.

Erin and Mark appear to be passionately in love. They marry and begin that dream honeymoon so many aspire to on a tropical island, In this case, Bora Bora. While scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water. . . .

Suddenly, it’s decision time. This book is all about decisions people make. It beautifully illustrates how one decision impacts many more down the road. The reader soon realizes that the decisions the characters make regarding their discovery changes the course of their lives.

Working through these decisions gives us a chance to get to know both characters better. For me, Erin was the stronger of the characters. Mark, the dark one capable of all manner of deceptions. Finally, I was asking, is Mark really who he we thought he was or have we been deceived all along.

After the gripping opening, the book slows to a crawl as the endorphines released by Erin's massive digging effort kick in, and the author, through Erin, suddenly uses too many words, full of self importance. This pattern reappears at the end of the novel as Erin thinks through the recent events. Additionally, there are also too many minute details throughout that do not move the action forward until finally the drama takes shape again and the action moves along nicely. 

There are many mysteries and intriques. The story and the characters were interesting but not compelling. Finally, to the ending…well, I wasn’t satisfied, but I’m sure others will find it all they hoped for and more. The ending does, I think, leave room for a sequel.

Still, I liked the book and am glad I read it. It is a debut novel by Catherine Steadman the actress who played Mabel in Downton Abbey.

The first question, the one that hooked me was answered by Erin.

 “Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave? Wonder no longer. It takes an age. However long you think it takes, double that.”

 I received this book from NetGalley  in exchange for an honest review.. The book is now available at major bookstores and online.

Book Review: Bring Me Back by B.A. Paris brought me back for a second reading!

From the book's blurb: 

“She went missing. He moved on. A whole world of secrets remained—until now.

Finn and Layla are young, in love, and on vacation. They’re driving along the highway when Finn decides to stop at a service station to use the restroom. He hops out of the car, locks the doors behind him, and goes inside. When he returns Layla is gone—never to be seen again. That is the story Finn told to the police. But it is not the whole story.”

The book moves quickly and for the most part is well-written. I cared about Finn and Ellen. And then there's Layla. Do I care about her? Maybe. I know that I didn't care much for the secondary characters and didn't think they were always essential to the storyline.

Bring Me Back is a psychological thriller that twists and turns with a Hitchcock ending and didn’t enthrall me until I finished the book. After completing the book, it would not move from my mind. I was questioning. ‘Did I miss something?’ ‘How did that happen?’ 

So I reread the book and the pieces fell into place, even the symbolically Russian nesting dolls,  and I enjoyed it. Still, does the reader have to read something twice to understand it? Most people don’t have that kind of time. 

I passed the book on to my daughter-in-law, and she loved it the first time. So, I think I just missed something the first time I read it. 

Now, we both recommend the book and look forward to more from B.A. Paris.

Available at major outlets after June 19, 2018. I received my copy from NetGalley for an unbiased review.