#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 enjoyed everything about this book. It’s extremely well written, edgy, and altogether entertaining.
Good, not great, beach read. I enjoyed the characters and the plot twists at the end, but I found it a little slow going in spots and somewhat predictable. Read this on the suggestion from my wife and her book club. Not really my genre, but still an interesting read.
Very good
If you aren’t too particular about a strong female character, then you won’t mind this character at all. It was interesting, but not great
I read this for my book club and while it did hold my interest, it was really not my cup of tea. As the story progressed, Erin started coming off as somewhat of a psychopath, professing her undying love for Mark one minute and considering abandoning him the next. With all the secret-keeping, I didn’t find Erin’s character very likable or relatable. I gave the book an okay rating because the writing was good and the story was okay. It was the characters that were lacking. I think it would make a better movie than a book because you wouldn’t know all the ridiculous thoughts going on in Erin’s head.
Great plot. An edge of your seat page turner. Loved this thriller.
It took me a while to get into this book, but once I did, it was excellent. A fast read and loved the ending.
I now know to keep clear of Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club recommendations. I read the Prologue. I was disappointed that I paid full price for the book. I stopped reading. The next week, I force myself to read it. I don’t enjoy the ramblings of the main character, Erin. She makes bad choices and then spends too much time rationalizing them.
The story reminds me of other books that center on clueless women, women who don’t understand the world or their husbands. Erin’s big reveal in life is flying first class. Pages describing the first class lounge and her bed on the plane are not needed.
I’m sorry I bought the book, and I’m sorry I read it.
Love this book! A great, entertaining read with an ending you won’t see coming!
Wow, this was a great book. It had me yelling at the characters.
This was a great book. I felt it was a little slow at times, but it always kept my interest. Worth the read!
Something in the Water was an intense and suspenseful novel! Erin and her husband Mark travel to Bora Bora for their honeymoon. There they discover something in the water while out scuba diving. This changes Erin and Mark as they deal with the aftermath of their discovery. They become a part of something secretive and dangerous whether they want to or not. Everything changes in their lives and between them. I just wanted to tell them to “leave it alone” but the story went on and the characters didn’t listen to me! The story is told from Erin’s viewpoint as she goes about her days doing her work and her interactions with Mark. The story is told in an enjoyable way of Erin’s thoughts telling the story.
Catherine Steadman writes a powerful first person, present tense thriller that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Erin and Mark embark on a dream honeymoon to Bora Bora where they find an object that will forever change their lives. Back in England, their new marriage begins to unravel as the men who lost what Erin and Mark have found now want it back and will do whatever it takes to reclaim their property.
This was a fantastic read! I bought this book because I wanted something to read on the beach last year and I also follow Reese Witherspoon’s book club. I could not put it down. I found myself thinking about the characters when I wasn’t reading and wondering what they would do next. I definitely recommend this book!
Super fun!
I liked this book and was also totally unsettled by it — so it wasn’t the most enjoyable of reads for me. But it was well done and I liked the writing style. It starts with the ending — you know a wife is digging a grave to bury her husband — and then goes back and tells the story. I wanted to race through to see how it all unfolded — and at the same time had to put it down and take a break because I was frustrated with the characters. So, a mixed bag for me, but a good thriller.
I have listened to this book 4 times at least. Love the author too.
The book begins well, continues very well and ends with a surprise of severe logical failure.
In the first episode, the heroine tells us about digging a grave. Although the short length of the chapter, six and a half pages, still it is incredibly fascinating and evidently an unusual writing talent.
Then we get to know Erin, the creator of a documentary film about three prisoners do to be released. Mark Her husband is an investment banker who loses his job.
They go on a honeymoon on the island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia, a luxury resort. After a few pleasant days, a harsh storm passes over the island, and during a dive, they encounter something in the water.
That something is a big travel bag. And what’s in it? Well, it takes some time to open the case so you’ll need to be patient about it.
Of course, from the moment it opens, a Pandora’s box opens as well, and plenty of trouble arises.
In some of the moves, they are conducted with criminal intelligence and some of them like nerds who knew no sense of sin.
But the finale is a bit jarring. Not because it’s not surprising. It is. But when you think a bit more critically, you find that the solution lies in a severe logical failure – the moves aren’t suitable for those planning a grave crime.
A thrilling book, sweeping and shaking. The plot set from the point of view and thoughts of one of two heroes.
“Something in the Water” is a psychological thriller built in successive layers. It is difficult to remove the book and stop reading.
I loved the dialogues Erin had with herself at certain times. it is well written and the unique writing manages to bring the reader into human struggles.