#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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I caught myself holding my breath while reading this one. Very suspenseful.
The twist here caught me by surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I even asked several friends to read it and tell me what they would do if they found this item in the water. Made for some interesting conversations. Truly makes you review your own ethics.
I listened to the audiobook and I loved it!!
Really enjoyed this book! I had trouble putting it down–and finding time to work on my own novel. I became fully engrossed in the plot line, and I loved the author’s sense of humor. The book clipped along until the end. I would have given in five stars had there not been a few things that didn’t make sense–at least to me. But I won’t spoil it for other. Overall, really great story. I would read more from this author.
Something in the Water has one of the best opening chapters of any book I’ve ever read.
The story starts with Erin digging her husband’s grave. It describes the ritual in brutal, what I can only assume is authentic detail. As readers find out, it’s not the start of Erin’s story. I don’t always love frames like this one, but this was absolutely the best way to start this novel. I wonder if that was Steadman’s original idea, or whether a great editor teased this opening out of her. Since Steadman is an actress, and TV/film often uses frame stories like this, either way would make sense.
Erin was on her honeymoon with husband Mark. But as we discover, she is not burying him during this honeymoon. Something happened there that sent them down some kind of destructive path that led to his demise back in Bora Bora.
The start of this path is one that’s been done in fiction plenty of times: they find a bag of cash. The discovery of this one is a bit unique, though.
I really enjoyed Steadman’s writing style, which helped make up for the fact that she telegraphed who did it and why. Unlike other novels that do this, I did enjoy getting to the answer I already knew.
This really is a perfect summer beach read, and not just because part of it takes place in the sand.
Excellent suspense novel..what would you do if you found a fortune?…follow this couple through their decision. Full of twists and surprises. A great read
I loved this book! I could not stop reading it. The story started fantastically and just kept getting better. I did not see the twist coming. SOOOOOOOO GGGGGGOOOOODDDDDDDDD!!!!
Loved it.A real page turner!
Predictable.
I loved it. terrific plot with twists and turns. plot played out terrifically but at the very end, while cleaning up details, it ended abruptly. but it didn’t affect the storyline.
I loved it from page one. Great character development and a plausible story with twists and turns.
Really enjoyable audiobook.
Will keep you turning the pages
I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was different and unique. I loved how the author captured the feelings of the main author. There were so many twists and turns that kept my attention. It was a great detailed story with immense feelings. I want to read more from this author and will be looking into more books from her.
This story started with a very strong and intriguing chapter and I was completely hooked. But then it fell a bit flat. This author knows how to tell a story, figuratively speaking as well as a matter of fact, because she narrated her own book, and has an eye for detail. Only I don’t know how to describe it, but it always felt a little bit off, something small missing, some accuracy…
I found this to be a deliciously wicked thriller, from the opening words, 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.
How could anyone not want to read further?
Erin, the narrator, takes us back to the months prior to her burying a body. She is documentary filmmaker engaged to Mark a banker/financial analyst. They plan an extravagant wedding and honeymoon, when Mark suddenly loses his job. After job searching with no luck, Mark loses his cool and tells Erin she doesn’t understand what this will mean to their lifestyle and asks her to scale back the wedding. They do, but still decide to honeymoon in Bora Bora. Instead of the planned 3 weeks they cut it down to 2.
While honeymooning, they scuba dive. Erin has only been once before and had a bad experience. Mark, a much more experienced diver, is sure that he can help her overcome her fears. They explore a shipwreck with no issues. On their way back to the resort they come across something unusual–papers everywhere. They stop the boat to try and determine what happened. While moored they hear a banging against the hull of the boat. They haul in a canvas bag, padlocked. They can’t get the bag open, so decide to leave the bag with the resort employees when they return.
There is a misunderstanding, and the bag is delivered to their room. Unable to resist temptation, they open the bag and what they find sets the rest of the story.
Of course, bad decision making plays a large role in the novel. There were a few spots that drug on, but all of the twists and turns kept me engaged and turning pages quickly.
This story had lots of turns and twists. I enjoyed the story even though it took a path I didn’t expect.
It was well-written and the opening is great but the choices the protagonist makes are too stupid to be realistic.
So predictable and I had such high expectations from the reviews