Under Water

by Rachel Callaghan

with Courtney Patterson (Narrator)

You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now

Listen to an Audio Excerpt

Pub Date Jul 10 2026 | Archive Date Aug 7 2026

Gracepoint Publishing | Empower Press

General Fiction (Adult) | Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction

Talking about this book? Use #UnderWaterNovel #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!

Description

A long-buried secret. Two women separated by more than 150 years. One discovery that brings the past dangerously close to the present.

During the pandemic lockdown, Iris Pearl makes an impulsive decision: move across the country with her husband, Benny, and renovate a prerevolutionary Pennsylvania homestead. Their marriage has been slowly unraveling, and Iris hopes a fresh start might save it.

Instead, she uncovers something horrifying on the property.

Consumed by the need to understand what happened there, Iris begins tracing the history of the house and the land surrounding it. Her search leads her to Aoife Sprigett, an Irish immigrant who struggled to keep the farm alive while her husband served in the Civil War.

Left behind with few resources and fewer choices, Aoife finds an unexpected ally in Thomas Walker, a freeborn Black laborer working beside her in the fields. As their friendship deepens, the seeds they plant together take root in ways that will echo across generations.

The further Iris digs into Aoife’s story, the more closely it begins to mirror her own hidden past.

Will uncovering the truth finally free Iris and Benny from the ghosts haunting their marriage? Or will the secrets beneath the surface destroy what remains?

Under Water is a dual-timeline historical novel about love, loss, buried truths and the choices that shape families for generations.

A long-buried secret. Two women separated by more than 150 years. One discovery that brings the past dangerously close to the present.

During the pandemic lockdown, Iris Pearl makes an impulsive...

Advance Praise

“Callaghan’s attention to historical accuracy is impressive throughout... [A]n engaging epic about loss, loneliness, and desire that perfectly encapsulates relatable human struggles.”
—Kirkus Reviews

Available Editions

EDITION	Audiobook, Unabridged
ISBN	9781972620113
PRICE	$9.95 (USD)
DURATION	10 Hours, 23 Minutes, 39 Seconds

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Shelf App (AUDIO)

Additional Information

Average rating from 31 members

Featured Reviews

Educator 1729566

Under Water by Rachel Callaghan is a beautifully written dual-timeline novel that blends historical fiction with family mystery in a compelling way. Set between the Civil War era and the COVID-19 pandemic, the story follows two women whose lives are connected by a centuries-old Pennsylvania homestead and the secrets buried beneath it.

Callaghan excels at creating rich historical detail, and the Civil War storyline is especially immersive. Aoife's struggles, resilience, and unexpected friendship with Thomas are emotionally resonant and give the novel its strongest heartbeat. In the present-day timeline, Iris's search for answers becomes both a historical investigation and a journey of self-discovery as long-hidden truths begin to surface.

The pacing is deliberate, allowing the mystery to unfold gradually while exploring themes of love, loss, forgiveness, and the lasting impact of the choices we make. Readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction with intertwined timelines and emotional depth will find much to appreciate here.

The ending is satisfying and ties the past and present together in a meaningful way, leaving readers reflecting on how history can echo across generations.

Thank you to NetGalley, Gracepoint Publishing, and Rachel Callaghan for the advance review copy. All opinions are my own.

#UnderWaterNovel #NetGalley #HistoricalFiction #DualTimeline #BookReview #CivilWarFiction #FamilySecrets #Bookstagram #HistoricalMystery