something in the water

Do you know how long it takes to dig a grave?

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

Erin is a documentary filmmaker on the brink of a professional breakthrough, Mark a handsome investment banker with big plans. Passionately in love, they embark on a dream honeymoon to the tropical island of Bora Bora, where they enjoy the sun, the sand, and each other. Then, while scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water. . . .

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

Suddenly the newlyweds must make a dangerous choice: to speak out or to protect their secret. After all, if no one else knows, who would be hurt? Their decision will trigger a devastating chain of events. . . .

 

Duffy’s Thoughts on Something In The Water

As a debut novel, Catherine Steadman has got off to a cracking start. If you recognise the name it’s probably because Catherine is an actor, most notably playing the part of Mabel Lane Fox on Downtown Abbey. The opening chapter gripped me straight away as you join Erin in the woods, digging a grave for her dead husband.

The chapters then flip back in time to the lead up of this dark scene. Whilst on a luxury honeymoon, Erin and Mark find something in the water. A ‘thunk, thunk, thunk’ on the side of their boat whilst out on a scuba dive. This discovery changes their world drastically.

Something In The Water is a suspenseful thriller, although Steadmans overly detailed writing style can go off track at times and work against the story. Tiny details pertinent to the plot bring the story to life, but there are occasions where there are paragraphs of detail over things which are completely irrelevant and I found myself skipping over these parts to get to the good stuff.

There are some twists along the way, but after the big bang of the first chapter, I was looking for a jaw-dropping twist which didn’t happen.  I do read A LOT of thrillers though, so it takes something special to surprise me these days!

Reese Witherspoon has bought the film rights to this book, and as a movie, it could really work well. Like Gone Girl (which I quite enjoyed movie wise) the preposterous can sometimes be conveyed better on the big screen.

If you like Gillian Flynn, you’ll enjoy Something In The Water. Available to buy here.

something in the water