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.