I absolutely love Jennifer McMahon’s books and so I was totally thrilled when I saw NetGalley had approved my request for her new book. Thank you!!
This book has the same feeling to it that I had with The Winter People, which was the first book I read by Ms. McMahon. It’s got that otherworldly, ghostlike vibe going on throughout the whole story.
I don’t have a sister, but I’ve heard it can be quite competitive, although all the sisters I know would kill for each other when it came right down to it. Here we have Jax and Lexie. Although they were extremely close when they were younger, typical adult things have gotten in the way and they haven’t spoken to much in the last year. Lexie is also on medication and tends to go a little crazy with the phone calls when she goes off the meds. So when she calls Jax numerous times one evening, Jax does not feel bad not answering. At that moment, she doesn’t want to deal with her sister’s issues.
Unfortunately, tomorrow is too late. This story takes us back and forth in time to explain the history of the house where Lexie was living (and a huge reason the girls were estranged), the family’s history and the mystery surrounding the Magic Spring. It’s hard to write this review without giving away too much. The plot is intertwined with so many sub-plots, you can’t talk about one thing without giving away something about another story. And it’s done amazingly by Ms. McMahon. 5 huge ⭐️’s
Again thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio for the advanced audio copy. My review is given voluntarily. #TheDrowningKind #NetGalley

4.2 stars

A ghost story... of a kind.

I am grateful to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book for review.

This is my second read from McMahon, and similarly to The Winter People, I found it very enjoyable. The isolated location and overall atmosphere that was maintained throughout the book was palpable, and this seems to be a strength of this author.

I love this type of quiet horror, where the danger is clear to the reader but for the characters it looms just out of sight. In this story, our main character is dealing with a lot of past trauma and regret, but she is also a psychologist. This adds layers to her responses to the things she experiences and how she views everyone around her. It soon becomes clear that the narration from her perspective is biased, and as the reader you become unsure of what is real versus assumed.

We follow two timelines in this story, and the author chooses to jump abruptly from one to another with almost no warning. Though this may be confusing to some, I think it added to the starkness of this tale and was in tune with the repetitious nature of the events that surround the people in this place. The entire plot occurs at this old house that sits on a pond outside of a small town. The people believe that the water from the pond (referred to as "Pool" in this story) is a panacea and they have used it in that way for a long time. there is also the lesser-known understanding that the Pool only grants wishes in exchange for some sacrifice. These rumors are at the center of the events of both timelines and contribute to the sense of mystery the book invokes.

This is a horror story on the surface, but I believe it is about a lot more. This is a story about family and relationships. We explore the sacrifices and love that a parent gives to their child, and how that love can sometimes do more harm than good. We see sibling relationships and how misunderstandings can cause these beautiful bonds to deteriorate with time. The characters show how these ties can become overwhelming and that for even the most rational mind, it can feel like drowning.

I recommend this story for fans of more quiet horror with a good balance of character exploration.

This tale gives you all the good adjectives! Creepy, mysterious, intriguing, eerie, haunting, weird, thrilling and suspenseful. It is written in dual timelines (1929-present) and kept me on the edge of my seat!

It the present we have Grandma’s creepy swimming pool on her creepier estate. Back in 1929 we have a healing spring granting people’s wishes and healing their wounds. You get to meet all the characters in the present and past, finding out what their wishes... and fears are.

It’s excellent stuff is what it is!

I am definitely going to be reading more of Jennifer McMahon’s books.

Special thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio and NetGalley for this ARC.
#TheDrowningKind #NetGalley

in my humble opinion, Jennifer McMahon is the queen of eerie ghost stories and The Drowning Kind lives up to that hype. It’s eerie and realistic while it masterfully merges the past and present. When you want a good haunted story, pick up this book.

As far as the audiobook goes, it was also good! I loved the narrator and she was great at keeping the eerie vibe through the whole book.

Overall, another great book from Jennifer McMahon!!

I love the way Jennifer McMahon tells stories. This pulled me in and kept me invested. I love how she weaved two timelines together seamlessly. She had the perfect atmosphere set with creepy and haunting and the readers did a fantastic job of bringing that out. Also, the readers were perfect matches for the storylines the read. This is the second story I read by this author and could see similarities to The Invited because of the ghost element and mystery. Highly recommend to anyone who loves a good suspense story.

I recently read and enjoyed The Drowning Kind, by Jennifer McMahon. It was creepy and unusual and enticingly intriguing. The story was told from two POVs, past and present, detailing the history of the special waters in the natural springs of a remote town in Vermont, and the present day, related circumstances that surround the waters.

We follow two sisters and their complicated relationship with one another, and their intrinsic ties to the waters. One sister is a social worker and one struggles with manic episodes. When a sister goes missing and the other returns home to investigate, a haunted, mysterious past comes to light and strange things begin to happen.

We also get a glimpse of the past in Ethel’s story. She’s a married woman from the 1920’s who is desperate for a baby. We witness the unexpected, dire consequences of wishes.

This story is both haunting and unique, and the eerie, atmospheric setting is crucial to the plot. It is, however, more of a slow-building mystery and at times felt a bit long and repetitive, especially certain phrases. I did not like the aunt or one of the sisters and they were key players in the plot; as such, I didn’t care for, or connect to the story as much as I had hoped.

Though the story was creative and interesting, it didn’t feel as chilling, or pulse-pounding as I expected from McMahon’s previous books. I did listen to the audio-version of this book, courtesy of Simon & Schuster audio, so that could have had an affect, because I also got some of the characters and their connections to one another confused. I did appreciate the distinct voices used in the audio retelling of this story, especially Jax’s perspective.

The story does leave a few plot points unresolved and the main mystery unexplained, which was a bit frustrating, but the conclusion was a delightfully shocking surprise.

The Drowning Kind was an entertaining story and highly unique, and I’m very glad that I read it. It ultimately wasn’t as spooky or engaging as I had hoped it would be, but I would definitely recommend it.

Many thanks to @netgalley and @simon.audio for the advanced copy of this book.

Haunting and chilling. The audio was spot on in presenting the timeline and the stories of the characters involved. I highly recommend this book to either read or listen to. I find it to be entertaining and thought-provoking.

I love this author and every time I read one of her books I feel like she doesn't get enough attention. If you are looking for a combination of historical fiction and something spooky then I recommend checking out her books. This one follows two timelines. In 1929, newlyweds visit a hotel and a fresh spring that promises miraculous healing. In 2019, a family is brought together by a unexpected death. I do not want to give any more of the plot because the fun of this book is seeing how the story unfolds and connects. Fans of "The Sundown Motel" should check out this book and Jennifer McMahon's backlist.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Press for the advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. "The Drowning Kind" is available April 6, 2021.
#TheDrowningKind #NetGalley

Not usually my kind of genre I gravitate towards, however, I’m glad I took a chance on this one. Incredible story spanning generations. Haunting.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/51267182-danielle

Fans of gothic thrillers will love this eerie, twisty tale. The dual timelines added interest and intrigue and left me guessing right up to the end. I'm giving it 3.5 stars rounded up.

The concept was truly interesting, and as with all thrillers, had me thinking "what on earth are you actually doing, get away from there!"

I wasn't really invested in any of the characters, though. For me, they seemed more like necessary obstacles to move the plot along.

Overall, it was atmospheric and spooky, and definitely worth the listen if ghost stories are your genre.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon Schuster Audio for the advanced listening copy!

Jennifer McMahon has done it again. Very few authors can write supernatural elements into their books and make it seem like something that could actually be real like McMahon can. The Drowning Kind kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time and I couldn’t stop listening. Equal parts heartbreaking and suspenseful, you won’t be able to stop until you find out what exactly is going on with that pool

I am a huge lover of Jennifer McMahon books! That being said, I think all of her books are great including this one. My only reasoning for rating it 3/5 is just simply because it’s more of a slow-burn book and just not my favorite of hers. I still would recommend this book if you like eerie, atmospheric reads!

Our main character, Jax, is a social worker who is trying to distance herself from her questionably mentally unwell sister, Lexie. She ignores multiple phone calls from her one night that she just assumes was during one of her “episodes”. Next day, Jax receives news that Lexie has drowned in the pool at their grandmother’s estate.

This book does what McMahon does best, time jumps from the present to (in this case) 1929. Turns out, Lexie may not be the only one to have met her unfortunate fate at this location. Perhaps something more sinister is at hand here.

Definitely recommend all McMahon’s books and this is no exception. It’s just not my favorite. If you want my favorite, it’s still The Winter People!

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the advanced audiobook! The narrator did a great job!

4.4 stars

WELL THIS WAS PRETTY GOOD! I REALLY liked the audio ARC!

This was a pretty entertaining and atmospheric ghost story that would make a good screen adaptation!

The only reason why I didn't give it 5 stars was that it dragged some towards the end, at least 5 chapters could have been edited into one, the characters could have used some more depth and there were things that were never explained.

BUT there were MANY things I loved about it and kept me hooked until the end: the writing style, the evocative descriptions, the family dynamics, the mental health topics, the enthralling storytelling with the intriguing double timeline spanning several generations that ties together nicely at the end, the haunted New England small town vibes (fall imagery, foliage festivals, the food)

If you like intriguing, suspenseful, gothic, small town ghost stories I really recommend it!

I absolutely devoured this book, and it was my first one from Jennifer McMahon. Jax and Lexie are sisters with a complicated relationship...and the story twists and turns as we learn more about it. I loved the two narrations- from 1929 and present day. The writing was so vivid that I found myself pausing to picture the pool and the surrounding land throughout the years. I don’t want to say more and give too much away, so I’ll just say that this book surprised me. One of my favorites of 2020 so far.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon is a novel that just doesn’t fit into one genre. Is it a mystery, psychological thriller or horror?

The story begins in 1928with Ethel who is desperate for a baby. She and her husband Will take a quick vacation to the Brandenburg Spring. Ethel whispers to the spring that she wants a baby.

The book switches to 2019. Jax travels to her Grandmother’s Home after learning her sister Lexie drowned in the pool that is fed by the springs.

I usually don’t read this type of book. I enjoyed the spooky atmosphere. 3 stars.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3872414629

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Drowning Kind was such a good book. Each creepy twist and turn completely sucked me in. I honestly wasn't expecting what went down to actually go down. Which is weird to say for a mystery thriller book but that's just how I feel right now. Now while I loved the book, the ending was just kind of okay for me. I think I was expecting something completely different than what I got but I still ended up enjoying everything between these pages.

The characters themselves were definitely intriguing. In it, you meet Jax, Lexie, and Ethel. I can honestly say that I didn't have a favorite character out of the three but they were all pretty likable. Even though Jax felt overshadowed for most of the book and I would've like her to shine a bit here and there. Other than that, I don't really have any complaints for the girl.

In the end, secrets come out and my mind wasn't fully prepared for any of that. I definitely devoured the heck out of this book and look forward to buying the physical of it. Also, I need another book by Jennifer stat because I need another mystery to get hooked on.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for a approving this audiobook book in return for a review.

I'm a big fan of Jennifer McMahon, she teeters right one the line for me though dabbling in the fantasy genre. See, I'm not a big fan of fantasy but I've read enough of her books (this was my 6th book of hers) to know what I'm getting into. lol Expect to suspend your beliefs for the length of this book and know that there's a lot of different genres going on in this book, fantasy, mystery and historical. There's even ghosts.

This story about a spring with magical powers, made into a swimming pool is told in alternating time frames going back and forth between now and 1929.

The now, Jax has moved away from home because she needed a break from her sister, Lexie. One day Lexie calls Jax over and over but Jax doesn't answer the phone, only to find out the next day that Lexie is dead. So Jax heads home and she finds out way more than she ever expected to.

Then, this really tells the back story of the spring before it was made into a swimming pool. Ethel really wanted a baby and someone told her that the spring was magical, to make her wish it to the springs. It was only after she made her wish that she was told - BE CAREFUL - the spring takes the equivalent of what's being given. You have to take the good with the bad.

Be careful what you wish for !

I won a kindle copy of The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon from NetGalley and Gallery Books. I had previously read her creepy ghost story Winter People and loved it so I was excited to read The Drowning Kind.
I read the kindle copy and later was chosen to listen to and review the audiobook.

Jax and Lexie are the X Girls.
This isn’t just the story of the X Girls in present time . It’s also the story of Ethel Munroe and her husband Will in the year 1929. I love dual storylines. Both storylines were enthralling.

The twists and turns kept coming.

The theme of the story was “ be careful what you wish for “ and “ miracles are not without their price.”


Is the water at the Brandenburg Springs Hotel and Resorts in Vermont truly restorative with healing powers ? The townspeople think so. The local store has jelly jars of the water for 5 cents each , advertised as “ sure to cure what ails you”. The shopkeeper says “ Has a funny taste , but it brings good luck and good health .” However his wife says “those springs are a dark place ; “ you’d do best to keep away from them.” The waters give and the waters take.

And how does this relate to Jax and Lexie ? Their beloved grandmother’s home Sparrow Crest has a pool. The girls favorite game is to dive down into the pool to see the ghost of Rita who drowned as a child.

How are these 2 time lines connected? Is is the water??


I finished the kindle book in just a few days.

I five it 5 stars. That means I will read it again. And I did because I was chosen to read and review the audiobook from NetGalley.

Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for the kindle ARC for an honest review. And also to Simon and Schuster Audio for the audiobook copy of The Drowning Kind narrated by Joy Osmanski and Imani Jade Powers. It was wonderful.

3.5 Stars
This was my first read by Jennifer McMahon. I enjoyed her writing style. It is very atmospheric and I was able to place myself there. This book is a dual timeline which I love. It alternates back and forth between Ethel and Jackie (Jax).

Ethel's story begins in 1929. She is married to the town's doctor and struggling with infertility. The couple takes a vacation to a new hotel that has a natural springs pool known for its healing.

Jackie's story is in the present day. She has returned home to Vermont to be with her family after the drowning death of her sister. She is searching for answers.

People are drawn to the spring for healing but it is also rumored to be haunted. The slogan "be careful what you wish for," plays out. You may find healing but what will you be required to give in return.

I listened to the audio version and the narrator did a great job. It was easy to listen to. I think the storyline became quite repetitive at times, and I struggled with the ending. But overall it was a fun read.

Be careful what you wish for! A natural spring healing, granting wishes, but ALWAYS takes something in return. It was a very intriguing thriller that told of past and present associations with this dark murky and mysterious waters. I listened to the audiobook and it was easy to follow along the dual timeline. Such a fun read. Thank you Netgalley for this advanced audio addition.