#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A shocking discovery on a honeymoon in paradise changes the lives of a picture-perfect couple in this taut psychological thriller debut—for readers of Ruth Ware, Paula Hawkins, and Shari Lapena.“A psychological thriller that captivated me from page one. What unfolds makes for a wild, page-turning ride! It’s the perfect beach read!”—Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book … read!”—Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club pick)
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY GLAMOUR AND NEWSWEEK • FINALIST FOR THE ITW THRILLER AWARD
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. . . .
Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave?
Wonder no longer. Catherine Steadman’s enthralling voice shines throughout this spellbinding debut novel. With piercing insight and fascinating twists, Something in the Water challenges the reader to confront the hopes we desperately cling to, the ideals we’re tempted to abandon, and the perfect lies we tell ourselves.
Praise for Something in the Water
“Superbly written, clever and gripping.”—B. A. Paris, New York Times bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors
“Deliciously dramatic.”—Entertainment Weekly
“Thrilling . . . the perfect beach read.”—PopSugar
“A dark glittering gem of a thriller.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Arresting . . . deftly paced, elegantly chilly . . . [Catherine] Steadman brings . . . wit, timing and intelligence to this novel. . . . Something in the Water is a proper page-turner.”—The New York Times
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A psychological thriller that captivated me from page one. What unfolds makes for a wild, page-turning ride! It’s the perfect beach read!
This is a book that puts you right into the shoes of the characters and has you asking: What would I do? You may find yourself increasingly uncomfortable with your answers. An unputdownable story that poses the age-old question of how well we can ever know someone else—and, perhaps even more important, how well do we know ourselves?
As frightening as it is funny, Something in the Water feels like a thriller for our times, a caper with a dark heart.
A taut and smart thriller, Something in the Water is a fast-paced examination of the slippery slope and precarious foundations our middle-class lives are built on, and a sensitive examination of a marriage under pressure. Catherine Steadman is a genuinely unique voice in crime fiction.
Choices and secrets.
The characters of Erin and Mark come vividly to life as they grapple with decisions after finding something in the water, and danger lurks not far behind. We get to understand the context of their choices and secrets. As readers, we also feel the sense of dread when it seems someone is following them or there’s an unexpected ring of the doorbell. I also loved the settings and first person narration. Very highly recommended!
Catherine Steadman knows how to tell a story. She grabbed my attention in the beginning with a confession you find yourself doubting as the book continues. It’s a story of love, money, deceit, and betrayal.
I couldn’t put it down.
Something in the Water has a fascinating premise delivered with slow burn suspense. Kept me flipping the pages to a satisfying conclusion. Recommended for fans of suspense.
I purchased this book because it was listed as a “Reece’s Book Club” book. Very disappointed.
This book has a little bit of a slow start for me. Not that I didn’t enjoy it, I did- very much- but it took a while for the action to start. I had to look up the blurb to see what the book was about since it was taking so long. The start of the book was not so dead slow that I was dying or anything, but nothing much happens at first. However, it’s that kind of slow start where you can sense that something major is about to happen, so you kind of hold your breath. But many books in this genre do that, the break-neck pace books are harder to come by in domestic thrillers, it seems. That being said, we have a couple. Newlyweds. Mark has just lost his job, fired from his position as an investment banker just before he is to wed Erin, who makes documentaries. Stressed, but the honeymoon is already paid for so off they go to BoraBora. Beautiful, warm, tropical, and lush. Just what they need to forget their troubles, right?
Yeah, more like just what they need to find more trouble. They end up finding a bag in the middle of the ocean- its contents change their lives forever. And honestly felt like screaming at Erin through most of the book since she was so stupidly obtuse as to who was the problem the entire time. I’m not sure if the author meant the ending to be a shock, but I figured it from the start (maybe it’s because I write shocking endings too? I tend to figure them out too fast) and was gloriously frustrated with her throughout. I wanted to throw the book (even though it was on audio-LOL) Scream at her that she was an idiot- then pick back up to see what would happen next.
Even though I figured the ending, I really enjoyed the book. I also enjoyed that it was narrated by the author! This one is also on Reece Witherspoon’s book list, so it’s not going to disappoint you.
I absolutely loved this book. It was original, so unlike most books I’ve read. There wasn’t a dull moment. I loved the writing style. Just very entertaining and I’m recommending to all my fellow readers!
It was easy to put down. All though I did end up finishing it.
If you like twisty thrillers.
GREAT BOOK
A unique plot line. Likable characters.
This book drew me in slowly. The first chapter was gripping, but after that the action seemed to be moving through molasses. I almost put it down. Trust me, it was worth continuing.
About a third of the way in the action starts in earnest, and we are pulled into the inner thoughts of a woman whose honeymoon in Bora Bora goes horribly wrong. I won’t say more for fear of spoilers. Just read it!
One of the best mysteries I’ve ever read. You literally don’t know until the end…..
SOMETHING IN THE WATER by Catherine Steadman had many favorable reviews, but it just didn’t work for me. As I struggled through until the end, there was just so much to dislike. The main characters were highly annoying and irritating, unnecessary details and information which detracted from the story, and the ending was lacking in so many ways. The one thing I did like was the authors good description of Bora Bora and its surrounding ocean, you could picture it as paradise.
FIRST THOUGHTS: I don’t know what I was expecting when I went into the story but it’s certainly not what unfolded before my eyes! This is a slow building thriller with twists and turns that leave readers wondering what the hell is going on!
MY REVIEW:
First and foremost, this book deserves the praise that it gets. It’s got all the bones for a suspenseful thriller and honestly, the author pulls it off. So, why am I giving it three stars? Simply because the books TOPIC isn’t interesting to me as a reader. I’m all for following a trail of breadcrumbs into the abyss and being hit in the face with a major twist before I can comprehend what’s happening (exactly what happens here), but I don’t CARE for the crime aspect of the story. It just doesn’t fulfill me like domestic thrillers and murder mysteries do. I don’t want to spoil what this crime is for potential readers so if you haven’t read the book, I would look away at this point….
Minor Spoilers Ahead
The main focus of the story is on a couple who find a black duffel bag filled with money and diamonds while on their honeymoon in Bora Bora. What ensues after their discovery is paranoia (will the people who lost it find them?), lies , and ultimately, a big twist where questions that are strewn throughout the story come about. I wasn’t totally shocked by the twist (I had a hunch) but the slow build to it and the ultimate “ah ha” moment still made me gasp. I would consider that a major win!
… End of potential spoilers
So now that you know what the story entails (just not the bits and pieces that pull everything together) you can see why the topic isn’t something I like as a reader. I’m actually not much of a crime reader (unless it’s nonfiction, true crime) and this one swayed more in that direction than any other sub genre. So, for that, I rated it three stars.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now when it comes to recommending it to others, would I? YES. Simple as that. Catherine Steadman is a good writer and immersing yourself into her story isn’t a hard feat. I was gripped from the beginning and read the book in one sitting because I wanted to see where she took the plot. Maybe I didn’t care for the overall tone or topic, but I did like how she brought the story together and presented it to her readers. So, for that, I certainly recommend it to those who enjoy crime thrillers that teeters on the line of drama
Psychological thriller
I loved this book from the first line. I didn’t predict how this was going to go. I couldn’t put it down and recommend it to everyone who wants to be entertained from the first page.