A very suspenseful nonfiction read by Michael Touglas. 3 men go out in the Gulf to fish on one of the guys boat. Disaster strikes and they are soon in the water. I was glued to this book. It read like a suspense novel. Three guys, a boat, sharks and the U.S. Coast Guard. They told no way where exactly they were going, didn't have enough life jackets, and didn't have enough food. After reading this book, if anyone you know goes fishing, make sure where exactly they are going.

Tentative Publication Date: June 23, 2026

Thanks to Netgalley, Saint Martins Press, and Tougias for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

@Netgalley @SaintMartinPress @MichaelJTougias #InDeepWater

This story is crazy!!! Narrative non fictions next big seller let me tell you. If you like grizzly or the art thief or anything like that this book will be for you! Loved this!!!!!

If you’re in the mood for a nonfiction book that focuses on a true story of survival, nature, and courage, then look no further than In Deep Water by Michael J. Tougias. Three friends go fishing in the Gulf of Mexico when their boat begins taking on water and sinks 15 miles from shore. They only have time to don their life jackets and hold onto two coolers as they are swept further out to sea.

Paul, Sonny, and Lu are from Louisiana. They tell no one where they plan to fish, although Paul does tell someone they will be home by mid-afternoon. The three friends vow to stay together no matter what. As their ordeal gets steadily worse, they make several life-or-death decisions. After hours in the water, they are suffering from hypothermia, jelly fish stings, and they soon realize there are sharks circling below them. The book gives an account of their struggle for survival as well as the Coast Guard’s effort to find the mem.

The author does a great job of characterization for the three fishermen and the members of the Coast Guard crews looking for them. However, while the information on jellyfish and sharks in the Gulf of Mexico was enlightening and interesting, it broke up the flow of the struggle for survival and rescue.

Tougias obviously did a lot of research on both the nature side of the ordeal as well as interviews with the survivors and the rescuers. The epilogue was especially enlightening into the various people affected by the struggle.

Overall, this is a well-researched tale of survival and rescue. However, it wasn’t as suspenseful as I expected until the last quarter of the book.

St. Martin’s Press and Michael J. Tougias provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for June 23, 2026.

Simply written. What a harrowing story!! This is my worst nightmare! I can't even imagine being in this position and having to make the choices made by the main characters! Scary!!!!

This book was written really well. Lots of information, informative, and kept me wanting to turn the pages. It was a good balance between real life facts and relationships. This story kept me on the edge of my seat. It was definitely a page turner and knowing it really happened took my breath away.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by netgalley and was not obligated to write a review. All opinions are completely mine.