These Still Black Waters is a thriller told from three main perspectives; DetectiveJess Lambert, Neve Maguire and our killer. The story deals with the past and how it always comes back to haunt us. Black Lake is holding secrets that come to the surface in this haunting novel.

My feelings on this novel aren’t great if I am being honest. I want to preface this by saying hats off to anyone that creates these worlds that ensnare us readings. I know that it isn’t easy and I hate to bash anyone’s hard work but I feel like there are certain supernatural elements that come to light that feel forced or predictable. Overall the twist and revelations were a little obvious for someone who reads a lot from this genre. The good news is this is written like it will become a series and I am more than willing to give Detective Lambert another try.
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One long ago summer night which changed lives forever. Neve, Sandra and Bailey were friends as teens. One night of drunken misbehaviour changed everything. Now Neve has returned with her daughter Ashley to her childhood summer home to recover from the trauma of a violent home invasion that left them both physically and mentally exhausted. Then a woman's body is found in the lake next to their house, and Neve begins to question whether they escaped the danger at all.

This thriller had me in its grip! The story jumps between flashbacks and present day, and is told from multiple POV including the shadowy figure behind the violence. I loved the overlay of the supernatural element in the novel, and Detective Lambert's personal history which added richness to the story. I found the conclusion a little drawn out, but overall this was a page turner! Thanks to NetGalley for this copy to read.

I’ve felt that These Still Black Waters by Christina McDonald was slow and repetitive and the « I should’ve » « but I didn’t » were really annoying. Glad I’ve kept reading, because once I got over these bits, the book is interesting, with a good plot, real characters that grows with the story, and the twists and turns and the haunting makes it interesting and engaging.

Sentí lento y tedioso el principio de These Still Black Waters by Christina McDonald y casi dejo de leerlo. Qué bueno que seguí leyendo, porque el ritmo del libro cambia, la historia se vuelve interesante, tiene una buena trama, los personajes son reales y crecen con la historia, y los giros y las apariciones lo mantienen a uno en suspenso.

I found this very interesting from the start and it captivated my attention. I found the character development to be great. However, there was a plat twist that I did not expect and I am a bit unsure how I felt about it. I would recommend reading it.

Another sensational novel by the author. Eerie, haunting and immersive, the characters really drew me into this novel.

After a traumatic home invitation, Neve needs to escape with her daughter, to escape the horror back to her hometown, leaving her husband behind.But shortly after their arrival, a body is found in the lake near the home she is staying in and it stirs up old memories for Neve. She isn't the only one haunted by her past. Detective Jess Lambert is tasked with the murder investigation, only having just returned to work after suffering a great loss herself, the trauma still close by.

In the the author's true style, there were lots of questions looming as the story went along, keeping the suspense high. While I usually like some clue as to the basic elements involved in a novel in the blurb, this was still thoroughly enjoyable and I could not put it down.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for this gifted review copy.

I wanted to like this book but it was a DNF for me. The twist really didn't work for me- I'm not a fan of supernatural elements in books. It took me out of the whole story.

These Still Black Waters is the first book in a new series by Christina McDonald. I have read all of this author’s book and love them all, so I was excited to read this one but it was not what I expected but in a good way. It is different from her other books, you think you know what is happening but something else entirely is going on. I loved this book and can’t wait for the second book in the series. Thank you Netgalley for my arc.

I really enjoyed this book. A woman and her daughter take a vacation and things go awry. There are different POVs that kept me guessing and wanting more. I enjoyed the short chapters and found it easy to say “just one more chapter” until it was way past my bedtime.

Thank you Christina McDonald and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I did not realize this book was going to be a ghost / paranormal read. This book was a little far fetched and not what I usually read.

Christina McDonald is highly skilled in the art of teeth-gritting, goosebump-giving suspense. Fans of domestic thrillers - you will like this one!

I just finished this ARC and holy smokes was it such a good way to end 2022. The suspense, grief, twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat the entire way through. I loved seeing different views throughout the story. I fell in love with Jess, the detective, and found myself really sympathizing with her. I’m extremely pumped that it sounds like her journey will not be done. I loved all the detail in the story and it really helped me picture it all so easily. This is a must read when it releases in August 2023!

5/5 ⭐️

A huge thank you to Net Galley, Thomas and Mercer and Christina McDonald for the opportunity to read this awesome novel.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

The writing was great- I felt like I could very easily visualize everything the author was writing. I can very easily see this book as a movie! That being said, I was a little disappointed with the ultimate twist. The build up was great, but finding out the “who” of what actually was going on left little to be desired. But all in all, it’s a great book that kept me on the edge of my seat & I couldn’t put it down. I will definitely read other books in this detective series should the be

I really enjoyed this, giving it an overall rating of 4 stars. It was suspenseful and fast-paced, touching on grief, revenge, and a little of the supernatural. This story follows a mother who moves back to her home town with her daughter after a violent home invasion, hoping that it will keep them from being found by the intruder who was never caught. However, when they arrive, more tragedy awaits. Our main character Neve soon begins to question if something more sinister is at play. We also get the point of view of Detective Jess Lambert, who is dealing with her own past and present issues and becomes a bit of an unreliable narrator. There were a few scenes that seemed to be a little overly descriptive and took away from the suspense and main plot in the story, but overall I highly recommend this book!

Being a fan of Christina McDonald I was excited to jump into this one. Interesting story, but without giving any spoilers I'll just say that it had elements that I'm not a fan of. That being said it was still intriguing and enjoyable. Not my favorite of hers but still a great read.

Thanks to Netgalley for my first ARC of "These Still Black Waters" by Christina McDonald. This was my first book by this author and won't be my last! Neve Maguire and her daughter Ash return to Neve's Summer childhood home after a brutal home invasion. Neve hopes to get away from the dangers of home but quickly realizes she made a mistake when a body is found. Lead investigator Jessica Lambert is on the hunt for the killer but how reliable are her witnesses?
This book was easy to read although I felt it was a bit repetitive in parts. Full of twists and parts that made you go hmmm? I would definitely put this on your tbr list for 2023!
Publication Date- August 8, 2023

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC. So as to not leave spoilers, I will simply say I really enjoyed this book and although it isn't what I would normally pick, I am glad I got a free copy. A solid 4 star read. Writing was good. Story line maybe a bit quirky, but a solid mystery.

Loved it! The suspense in this book is incredible! Someone is killing women. How are they connected, and who is next? This book kept me turning pages like crazy!

I absolutely love Christina McDonald’s books and her latest is a true gem! One twist after another kept me on the edge of my seat. The main character, Neve, returns to a lake house where she spent her summers growing up. A murder in the neighborhood sets off a series of events with some jaw-dropping twists! Highly recommend this book!

These Still Black Waters is a compelling thriller with unexpected twists by Christina McDonald, author of The Night Olivia Fell and Do No Harm. In this story we meet Jess, a detective who has recently endured a life-changing tragedy and is relying heavily on whiskey and vodka to help her cope. Jess is investigating the murder of Bailey, a beautiful but manipulative woman with a complicated past. Neve, Jess's most reliable witness, was one of Bailey's closest friends when they were teenagers but one devastating night tore their friendship apart. Jess has to uncover the secrets of their troubled past to solve the murder and to prevent any more lives from being taken by a killer intent on revenge.

I was drawn to this book when I read the synopsis and it ended up being a solid 4-4.5 star for me! The story is told through a few different viewpoints and it is done well. Without giving too much away, I thought the twist was well done. At first, I didn’t really love Detective Jess Lambert. I didn’t love her attitude, but by the end of the book she grew on me and I’m very interested to see what McDonald has in store for her in future novels. I will definitely be reading them!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!