3.5⭐
Genre ~ psychological thriller
Setting ~ England
Publication date ~ October 7, 2023
Page Count ~ 264 (p+ 40 chapters)
Audio length ~ 10 hours 10 minutes
Narrator ~ Melanie Crawley
POV ~ single 1st & multiple 3rd
Featuring ~ murder, suicide references, unreliable narrator

Previously published in 2017 as Undercurrents. I have no idea if any content has changed.

Phoebe has just moved into a new house right along some raging water near Anna. They sort of become friends, but Phoebe can’t shake the feeling that Anna looks just like her dead sister.

Phoebe is super unreliable, which made this a good psychological thriller that messed with my mind, isn’t that the best kind? It was a little slow to start, but after Anna goes missing the pace really picks up creating the suspense. Always thrilled when there’s a nice twist I wasn’t expecting, too. Overall, decent.

I was able to listen to a copy as well.
Narration notes:
I would have preferred at least 2 narrators, but overall she did a fine job.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Great book. Loved the creepiness of it. I also enjoyed Phoebe, the main character of this book.
Another great book by this author.

Superbly presented and I felt like I was watching a scary movie. The characters are hiding something and it's plotted so as you keep trying to guess what is going on but I really had no idea.

Loved this book. Kept me guessing. This was more of a character driven story. Phoebe was such an unlikeable character. I couldnt put this book down.

This was a very fast paced read! I was on my toes from beginning to ends. I really enjoy her writing style and had read a few books by this author! Just remember don’t go near the water !!!

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others, although at times it was better. The ending fell a little flat for me. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The suspense in this book was insane. Finished it in a few hours because I had to get to the end. The ending was slightly anticlimactic though I was hoping for a little bit more to happen. I felt like it finished too quickly but still a good read

I struggled a bit with the storyline. I had trouble fully engaging and getting into it. However, as I pushed through it actually became very enjoyable. I found Phoebe and all her secrets to be the best part and the most fun to try to figure out.

"This is where I need to be, near to where it happened, back to where it all began..."

A twisty domestic thriller, JA Baker's 'The Girl in the Water' introduces the reader to Phoebe, who has recently moved back to a small village in the English countryside with her disabled husband Martyn. They plan to keep to themselves and live a quiet, peaceful life, and we're told "it's better that way", but it takes the reader quite some time to learn why.

It seems Martyn's the problem, with the fall-out of injuries from a fall causing him to have violent outbursts, but soon we learn that Phoebe has a few... challenges of her own, and that she's not as innocent as she seems.

'The Girl in the Water' was previously published as 'Undercurrent', and while the idea behind the novel showed promise, I wish the author reworked it a bit more - the first 40% or so drags on, and I struggled to really connect with the characters and the setting.

While I mostly can't stand an unreliable narrator, in this instance, it worked so well to amp up the thrill factor.

Overall, it was a solid read that kept me guessing for about 70% of the novel, but it could do with some polishing to make it truly shine.

The first time I read a JA Baker book I was like OMG a new thriller rider and she’s awesome but… You haven’t seen anything yet if you want an awesome awesome thriller you need to read the girl in the water by J a baker! Theby did Martin move to the house by the river with a public footpath in their backyard the TV doesn’t mind she wanted it that way her neighbor across the street AN is so excited to have someone living at the end of the lane but when she goes over to say hello Phoebe abruptly slams the door in her face and although Phoebe has a reason it still seems rude and not nic phoebe has been here in this village before but why the reader doesn’t know it first and it makes the story even more intriguing she also has a troubled marriage because ever since Martin’s “accident “e. things haven’t been the same but with everything moved in it’s time to get on with life in her new home. But when A day walker named Nancy and her neighbor Anne goes missing Theby‘s concern for Martin only grows but eventually her only in main concern will be Susie… Who is Susie… Read this crazy effing book! It seems every time I read a book by this author they just get better and better because I can honestly say this one was the best a truly intriguing story but keeps you on your toes although the plot for the most part lays out the story step-by-step but it wouldn’t be a Jay a baker book without the final twist and OMG is there a twist! As I said I love this authors books and after this one I cannot wait for the next she truly is a writer to be on the lookout for and I will definitely be doing that. I want to thank Boldwood books in NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #BoldwoodBooks for the ARC #TheGirlInTheWater by #JABaker. When I started this book I had no idea what was going to happen. I was totally shocked at the events that happened and a crazy ending.

The Girl In The Water by J A Baker is another gripping story!
This was a fabulous thriller that I absolutely loved. It was suspenseful and very addictive. I read it in one sitting, the first chapter draws you right in and you can not put it down. An intriguing story with characters who draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages. I love Bakers writing.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Boldwood Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Sorry I am DNFing this at 29% in. I was enjoying the premise, but there were a lot of timeline jumps and character jumps which weren't chapter titled and/or were not clear to when it is referring. I got lost as to what was happening in the story. Whilst an ARC, there were also a lot more typographical errors than would expect even before final edit, which made it hard to keep reading too. For fairness, given this is a DNF, I am giving average stars (3) as I'm not sure where it would land if the above is addressed. Thank you very much for the opportunity to read and review.

Really fantastic read, couldn’t put this down. Perfect for anyone looking for a good psychological thriller that keeps u on the edge of your seat. Fantastic plot, fantastic characters.
5 stars

This was a slow burn, but had enough in the beginning to keep me interested. I feel as though the author gave little clues here and there, enough to make you feel as though maybe things weren't quite as it seemed. The second half of the book was when things really started picking up, and the ending was great. Overall I did really enjoy this book!

This book was previously called Undercurrent.

Phoebe and her disabled husband Martyn move into a new house in a village on the edge of County Durham. The plan, to lead a quiet existence, a set up that suits them both. Anna across the road is bored spending her days alone, seeks friendship with Phoebe, and events take a dark turn. Phoebe has secrets and is haunted by her past, and Anna's arrival in her life may prove to be the catalyst for her undoing. What is Phoebe hiding, and why are she and her husband so reclusive?

Filled with tension, intrigue and surprises, this is a descriptively written book. I found myself second guessing everything. This is a cleverly written story. I was hooked from the prologue. The pace is steady. There were times when I was on the edge of my seat. There's something about Phoebe that makes you despise her from when we first meet her. The throwbacks from the past makes this a harrowing read.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JABaker for my ARC of #TheGirlInTheWater in exchange for an honest review.

Another great book, I always look forward to reading them, the ideas in every book is different and can never guess what is going to happen

Phoebe and her husband Martyn move to their new home, determined to have a fresh start and cope with Martyn's disability. Their neighbour Anna tries her best to make friends with Phoebe, even though she feels there is something a little strange about the couple. Then a woman goes missing, and what Anna doesn't realise is that she could be next... A tense and thrilling story that keeps you turning the pages. Plenty of shocks and twists. Brilliant!

I read a pre-publication copy of this book. It's a fast and exciting read. It is skillfully written, well paced, peopled with believable characters, and filled with unexpected twists. This writer is new to me, and I expect to look for more books by her.

Who knew that introducing yourself to your new neighbors and taking them a "welcome to the neighborhood" gift would result in terror and life threatening incidents? JA Baker has taken an everyday action, moving into a new neighborhood and being welcomed, into the thriller of the summer. Phoebe and Martyn have a history that Baker builds quickly into a threat every time they meet someone new, like Anna. BUT, as always, the tension can quickly shift into a different direction, maybe it's not the new neighbors causing the incidents that have moved into the community at the same time as they did. JA Baker has definitely earned a top spot on my "must read" list. If you love thrillers with lots and lots of thrills, you'll love her too.