I initially was interested in this book because it seemed to be getting a lot of press (it ended up being a Reese Witherspoon book club pick). I received an ARC from Netgalley but ended up with other books that become more interesting to me at the time. Then my book group selected it, and I’m glad we did. I enjoyed it much more than I had anticipated. The book started off with a bang and had me hooked. Then it started slowing down as it went back into the past to tell about the relationship of the two main characters. I must admit that I wasn’t sure about the book at that point, but once the characters were on their honeymoon, everything accelerated again and had me hooked once again. The book did seem to have a lot of implausible plot points, some unresolved issues, and the wife in the book kept doing some stupid things, but even with all that, the twists and turns kept my interest the remainder of the book. Even with its faults, I still found it to be a compelling book. I think you just have to let those things go and enjoy the ride.

I ended up listening to the audiobook narrated by the author. Usually, authors aren’t the best narrators, but I thought Catherine Steadman did an excellent job narrating this one.

My book group overall rated it between 3-4, and our discussion was enhanced because one member’s sister who scuba dives for her job provided a lot of information about scuba diving. Another member also works in a jewelry store and provided details on selling diamonds. The book gives rise to a good discussion about what would you do in a similar situation. I would recommend this as a fun thriller for those who like these types of books.

My Rating: 4 Stars

Could not put it down! This is definitely a page turner with so many thrilling twists and turns! Highly recommend!

I know this book has had great success, but for me it was a miss. I liked the concept of a scuba diver couple finding a treasure in the water that would have the power to change their whole life. But it fell flat for me. It felt predictable and nothing compelled me to continue reading. Thanks to netgalley for a copy to review.

Something in the Water grabbed my attention right away, as it starts with the narrator, Erin, digging a grave for her husband---and the rest of the book was filled with twists and turns that I definitely didn't see coming. Overall, it was an interesting read. My favorite character, for sure, was Eddie, who was giving off Tony Soprano vibes.

Mark and Erin go on vacation, and come back with their lives forever changed after discovering a plane crash (and lots of diamonds). Paranoid about who will come looking for the diamonds, they try to cash in before they are targeted..

Thanks to @netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.

#somethinginthewater #bookreviews #netgalley

I went into this book assuming it would be a typical domestic psychological thriller (which I like), but it ended up being so much more!

There were much more to the characters and the overall story that I never expected. I don’t want to call them twists because this was definitely a slow burn, but it was done in such an interesting and constantly evolving way that I always had to know what would happen next. Sometimes slow burn books can be REALLY slow at the beginning, to the point that they become uninteresting until it starts to ramp up, but that was absolutely NOT the case here. It was like slowly peeling back layer after layer to reveal the full story.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Ballantine, and Catherine Steadman for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was somewhat predictable, but kept you reading until the very end with a few twists and turns which helped keeping me engaged and wanting to figure out what happened. I could have done without a few of the secondary characters but who knows, that could have changed the whole book.


Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!

Erin and Mark are a perfect couple on the surface but a discovery on their honeymoon and their less than moral choices following it, really bring to the light the holes in their relationship. There is plenty of suspense but also some moments where one wonders at the decision making process for these too. Nonetheless, a good drama with some unexpected twists and turns. Definitely worth the read.

A normal, happy couple are in the end stages of planning their wedding and honeymoon when life starts to fall apart a little. Erin and Mark have been together for a couple of years and are finally tying the knot, but when Mark loses his job as an investment banker, tensions in their relationship begin to arise. Erin, a documentary film maker in the midst of her first major project, hopes that their honeymoon will be the escape they need to already repair their brand new marriage. Even though she is terrified of diving, Erin agrees to an underwater excursion to please Mark. When they discover something much more than fish and coral below the surface, everything changes.

This book was absolutely fantastic! It was fast-paced and kept me turning the pages. The first chapter sucks the reader right in and doesn't let go. Perhaps a slightly unreliable narrator, Erin flashes back and forth between the present and back to when she and Mark met, telling us about their relationship and how they got to where they are. What does she know that she isn't telling? What does she not understand about who she can and can't trust? I have been recommending this book like crazy and I hope you'll pick up a copy, too. This book was so fun!

I thought this book was really well thought out, I did find it hard to connect with any other characters. Erin was a little too much. She just kept doing things spontaneously, without really thinking them through or discussing them with Mark, her husband. It began with a bang, it had a bit of a lull and then things really picked up after they returned from their honeymoon. I liked this book and am looking forward to reading Catherine Steadman's next book.

I loved this! Great book and easy read with interesting characters and plot. The twist was a good one!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman. This book sounded so exciting - Erin and Mark are scuba diving in Bora Bora when they find something in the water and what they do with this discovery affects the rest of their lives. I did not like the beginning of this book, it was slow and confusing with lots of people being introduced. I actually started this book several times, but kept putting it down...it did not pull me in.

Then I committed to trying to finish it and it got better, but only a little. Most characters made sense by the end, but there were still a lot of confusing and not quite finished parts. I still had a lot of questions when I finished reading about why certain things happened and why certain people did certain things. It was exciting in parts, and had a great premise, but overall was not a great read.

But, why? I can't find enough of what I liked about this book, because it just fell short in so many areas. I loved the title, but that is about as far as that got. 

After a few chapters, it all started to unravel and it never got over that. It didn't recover. I didn't care about the main characters anymore, or much else. I think it could be reworked and be a much stronger story, but right now I can't give it more than two stars. 

I voluntarily read a copy of this book from Net Galley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and this review is left of my own free will.

This book came highly recommended by several people that I trust.
While the ending did not come as a complete surprise, it did keep my attention throughout and kept me guessing.

I *really* enjoyed this book. It had me pondering what I would do if I was in the same situation, and nothing about the decisions made by the characters seemed unrealistic. Sometimes money makes people do horrible things. The pacing was spot on, and I loved all the twists and turns. So glad things turned out the way they did! I look forward to reading more by this author.

There are many good books, but few that have a near-perfect first chapter. But this one does. The author absolutely nails the opening, which btw begins with a woman googling the correct way to dig a grave, the proper height, width & depth etc.

And you tell me – how can any self respecting mystery / thriller fan not be immediately intrigued by that? But as they say, that is – both literally & metaphorically speaking – just the beginning – of this wild & wonderful ride that the author takes the readers on.

The story revolves around a seemingly perfect couple on their dream honeymoon in the turquoise waters of Bora Bora, Tahiti who find.. something in the water.

And it’s from that point on, from the point the readers “hear” the THUNK THUNK THUNK of something in the water colliding with the boat the honeymooners are on – that this book becomes un-putdownable.

Though just to be clear, this is not to say that the story doesn’t drag in places, or go around in circles at times. Or even that I am 100% sold on every aspect of the resolution. But still.. there is no denying the fact that this book did complete justice to the term ‘thriller’, and was one heck of a fast paced, exciting ride!

While also being the kind of story that makes you think and ponder on what would you have done? In a similar situation, would you have made the choices the protagonist made?

It sure made me think. And I came to the conclusion that I personally wouldn’t have picked up that something, or rather anything from the water in the first place. I’m just too much of a scaredy cat for that!

But hypothetically speaking, even if I had picked up that thing from the water, I don’t think I would have navigated the situation as the protagonist chose to – AT ALL.

And yet.. I could totally understand her, could see why she made the choices she made, and could even empathize with this crazy woman, her hair-brained choices, and sincerely wished for everything to turn out okay for her. Even wished her success with the darn grave digging she was doing!

Which, let’s face it, definitely speaks volumes about the persuasive quality of narration. But that’s not all. Like I mentioned above – this book / story has a lot going for it – from the intriguing premise to the un-putdownable-ness of the book, thanks to the thrilling ride it takes the readers on – this is an experience not to missed – especially for fans of this genre.

Something in the Water; I didn't love it, I didn't hate it. Just felt a whole lot of meh which is disappointing because any story that starts with a character telling you how they went to Google to learn how to properly bury a body is going to grab your attention- but after the author gets you the story drags on until it shifts into a bunch of fantastical actions then slows then again.

At the end of the novel we are left with a lot of important questions unanswered. I gave this story  3 stars mainly because the story had so much promise and this is the author's first novel.

This was a quick & easy read and a real "page turner". The story involves a honeymoon couple (Mark and Erin) who repeatedly make poor choices & end up in a real pickle. The tale starts out with the bride digging a grave for her new husband in the woods so you already know things didn't turn out well for them, but she's not just digging the grave, she's describing in detail how hard it is to actually dig the grave and how many metric tons is involved. There's interesting little quirky tidbits here & there that embellish the story in good ways (did you know that a Glock doesn't have a safety?) The couple start out as a golden pair full of glamour and promise. Despite knowing up front that events go South for the newlyweds, the story is akin to watching a train derail- I found myself plowing through the story to see how tangled Erin's web of deceit would become. Of note, the author is an accomplished actor and the story has already been acquired for the screenrights. Upon reflection, the story reads as though you are watching the story unfold. It should translate very readily to the big screen. #Netgalley (less)

Are you a fan of those movies or shows where you, as the viewer, know that the character is making a huge mistake. That they shouldn't open that door! Nothing good is behind there! Do you find yourself yelling at the screen hoping you can change the outcome? If you consistently put yourself in that situation and enjoy it, then Something in the Water is a read you will enjoy quite a lot.

This novel explores the whole idea of something being too good to be true, but the main character, Erin never seems to completely realize what situation she is in. It's incredibly frustrating, but the voice found throughout the novel is so enjoyable that you kind of don't care as much about Erin's naivety.

I'm looking forward to what comes next from this author!

Something in the Water kept me on the edge of my seat! Makes you wonder how you'd feel if this happened to you... Highly recommended.