| Title | : | Something in the Water |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1524797189 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781524797188 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 342 |
| Publication | : | First published June 5, 2018 |
| Awards | : | ITW Thriller Award First Novel (2019), Goodreads Choice Award Mystery & Thriller and for Debut Author (2018) |
Erin is a documentary filmmaker on the brink of a professional breakthrough, Mark a handsome investment banker with big plans. Passionately in love, they embark on a dream honeymoon to the tropical island of Bora Bora, where they enjoy the sun, the sand, and each other. Then, while scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water. . . .
Could the life of your dreams be the stuff of nightmares?
Suddenly the newlyweds must make a dangerous choice: to speak out or to protect their secret. After all, if no one else knows, who would be hurt? Their decision will trigger a devastating chain of events. . . .
Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave?
Wonder no longer. Catherine Steadman's enthralling voice shines throughout this spellbinding debut novel. With piercing insight and fascinating twists, Something in the Water challenges the reader to confront the hopes we desperately cling to, the ideals we're tempted to abandon, and the perfect lies we tell ourselves.
Something in the Water Reviews
-
Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave? Wonder no longer. It takes an age. However long you think it takes, double that.
Let me start by giving credit where it’s due—
Catherine Steadman nails the first chapter . . . hands down. Very few openers have acquired my attention as adeptly as those four simple sentences.
How could any suspense reader not be enthralled with a woman who turns to Google to learn the proper depth to bury a body or look away as she carries on, one painstaking shovel-full at a time? Erin proves with her narrative, ridding yourself of a pesky body, in dirt, might not be as easy as the movies portray. *wink*“I’m not a bad person. Or maybe I am. You decide.”
I think we can all agree—there’s not much subjectivity allowed here, is there?—anyone who finds themselves in a situation that requires the disposal of a body, pretty much guarantees they’re not a good person. What kind of reader would that make me though, if I didn’t give Erin the chance to explain herself?
From Erin’s declaration on her moral character,
Catherine Steadman flips the calendar back three months—setting to work the events that land her leading lady in the woods committing a major felony.
Let me dip my toe in the plot here for a bit. Erin is a budding documentary filmmaker, while her soon to be husband, an investment banker, has recently found himself without a job. Less money means less of a fuss over their nuptials and a mere two weeks in Bora Bora, instead of the planned three. It’s in the turquoise waters off the island, in the midst of what anyone would consider a dream honeymoon, that the couple happens across something in the water. A few unfathomable items, just floating along, minding their own business, tucked securely away in a locked black bag. I think we’d all be kidding ourselves if we said we’d just leave it alone. What's that saying—curiousity killed the cat? The circumstances pose a bit of a moral dilemma, as they should; do Erin and Mark alert someone to what they found or shove the guilt down somewhere deep and live a more “prosperous” life, instead? Any guesses at the decision the couple makes?
Things start to get a bit dicey when Erin and Mark find themselves back home in London, pretending to carry on as if nothing has changed. We all know, that scenario never holds up. What ensues is a non-stop decline in believability, a flagrant lack of storyline development and one absurd decision followed by another. From curiosity in the beginning, to waning feelings in the middle, to disdain for the crippling ridiculousness of the back half, this is one I’m labeling as a major upset. What kills me, thiscouldshould have been so much more.
The entire story is told from Erin’s perspective and it’s my belief, the author’s writing style will be hit-or-miss with readers.
Catherine Steadman’s words are extremely choppy, but in some ways, I felt her voice fed into the suspense of the novel and lessened the impact of the drivel. If you think about it, our own thoughts are far from linear and polished—there’s a rawness, a flitting from one thought to another . . . constantly. Well, that’s the best justification I can come up with for the messiness presented on the page.
Was the story written this way intentionally? I’m not quite sure. What I am sure of, this story would have benefited from more editing. Quite a few times,
Catherine Steadman wrote herself into a corner and continued to turn in circles, spewing bits of useless information, while trying to get back on track. Again, that’s just my take on the steady diet of nonsense the author chose to spoon-feed the reader.
I'm going to end things on this note: when writing a story, or heck, even in real life, simply thinking about something, doesn’t necessarily breath it in to fruition—regardless of how many times this plot tries to persuade you otherwise. If that was the case, the ending of this book would have been something else entirely.
***Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing a review copy.*** -
The story was just “meh” for me. The audio was incredible. The author is an actress from Downton Abby. If you don’t read a lot of thrillers you might enjoy this. If you do read a lot of thrillers you might find it just ok.
I’m still in a rut. On to the next! -
5 THUNK THUNK THUNK Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟!!!
A slow build to a shocking discovery, this book will have you wondering what you would do!!! See my review
here!
What an incredible debut novel this is for Catherine Steadman! While the book starts with a bang, the next 30% is a slow build as you get to know the characters. Then at about 35% the story takes a turn and readers will find themselves holding on for the ride, unsure of where they’ll end up!!! I was unsure about this book at first, but I have to say I ended up really enjoying it and found it to be a tantalizing premise for a story.
I don’t even know what I’d compare this book to… Its really quite unique from other psychological thrillers, though I’m sure some comparisons (Ruth Ware, Paula Hawkins) are bound to come up. I don’t want to make those though because I don’t think readers should go into this book expecting something similar to what they’ve already read. Enjoy this one on it’s own merit!
Erin and Mark are about to embark on their dream honeymoon...
Erin is a documentary filmmaker and is engaged to handsome, successful, financial advisor Mark. The two have a nearly perfect relationship—each balances the other out, and is able to cheer the other up when down. Erin is creating a documentary about prisoners reintegrating into society after their release, when she takes a break and she and Mark leave grey-skied England for a dream honeymoon in Bora Bora.
Mark and Erin spend their days hiking, eating exotic meals, basking in the sun, and making love in their room—a perfect honeymoon! Erin is even facing her fear of scuba diving to see the oceans with Mark. But after a big storm makes the waters cloudy, they are forced to change their dive location to a different island about an hour off the shore of Bora Bora.
And then, out in a boat in the middle of the ocean, they hear it....
THUNK THUNK THUNK
There’s something in the water, and nothing will ever be the same again…
I cannot believe this is a debut novel! Catherine has a way with vivid characters, settings, and vernacular, probably from her career as an actress. I found Erin and Mark so compelling, both as individuals and in their relationship dynamic. Mark is calculating where Erin is creative. Erin is action-oriented where Mark is strategic. Both are open to understanding when they’ve misunderstood the other.
But I don’t want to forget to mention the other characters! The three prisoners—Holli, Alexa, and Eddie—are fascinating each in their own way. Steadman shows the incredible diversity of those who are convicted. Some may deserve worse than they got, and others you might empathize with, or even see a bit of your own decision-making in. Each has their own story, peppered throughout the book in Erin’s interviews with them.
And the mystery!!! The “something” that is in the water!!! It sets a chain of events in motion that are twisty and heart-pounding in their rapid succession. From the time the boat hits the THUNK THUNK, readers will NOT be able to put this book down! Erin and Mark both handle the situation so differently. Erin surprises even herself with her boldness, which was wonderful to read about. Erin was a great narrator, even if I did want to shake her at times and tell her to stop, JUST STOP!
The series of tiny decisions that could lead them on different paths each step of the way was extremely well-written. I found myself unsure at each stage what I would choose. Would I follow the same path that Erin and Mark did? What would I do, if I were the one to find something in the water? I wanted to avoid saying much about the plot beyond the discovery, because readers will absolutely love the ride this book will take them on! I look forward to more from this author.
I want to sincerely thank Netgalley, Catherine Steadman, and Ballantine Books at Random House Publishing for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. It was my pleasure! -
I had a really hard time rating this one.... do you ever have books where you get so frustrated with the characters that you just want to scream? Well.. this is definitely one where I was super frustrated and wanted to throw my kindle at times lol.
Erin and Mark are a newly married couple that don't have the best honest relationship. I noticed that Erin and Mark both have been keeping secrets from one another. Erin is trusting Mark a little more then she should despite all the red flags. But, Erin isn't so innocent either and has been keeping just as much from her husband Mark. Seems like a disaster waiting to happen..eeek!
Erin is a filmmaker who has an interest in the world of crime. She begins a filming project about three people who are being released from prison. The documentary examines closely the lives of these three individuals and starts out as a project but ends up taking a sinister turn. While on their honeymoon, Mark and Erin find a mysterious black bag in the ocean. Let's just say... the items in the bag are not in the least bit innocent. This of course.... adds intense moments and leads to a show of an ending.
I had some issues with this book which is why I only gave it three stars. One, my god was this book slow up until 50 percent for me. I felt like nothing was happening and I was struggling to complete chapter after chapter. Finally it picked up half way through! I felt that some of the events that transpired from Mark and Erin's decisions were just too unbelievable. I felt that it would be almost impossible to get away with some of the things that Mark and Erin got away with. Too much security etc currently.
I feel like this was an overall average thriller for me with a decent ending :).
3 stars
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for an advanced arc in exchange for my honest review.
Published to GR: 5/23/18
Publication date: 6/5/18 -
5 Tension Filled Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Well HOT damn this book was just... brilliant! Full disclosure I was running behind on my reviews so I purchased this on audio on release day and I was even a little hesitant because I saw the author was narrating.... not always a good thing, but I had no idea that Catherine Steadman is an actress.... and after finishing this book I now know she is also a fantastic author and audiobook narrator!!! Simply amazing! Seriously if I could I would give her narration six stars, it was really exceptional! And this book kept me on the edge of my seat from about 30% on...
Erin and Mark are a happy newly married couple on their honeymoon in Bora Bora... they are having a wonderful time in this tropical paradise until...thunk thunk... there is something in the water.... and what it is will alter this couple’s lives.... from this point on the tension is ramped up and I felt as though I was on the edge of my seat throughout... so many thoughts... what would I do in this situation? What is the ethical thing to do?
Erin and Mark were both fabulous characters... they both handled the situation so differently and I found that part so compelling and true....Erin was very bold about it all and didn’t always think things through, in fact sometimes she did some really stupid things... Mark on the other hand was more cautious, not much of a risk taker, although he was usually fine with his wife taking a risk.... I have to say I was both surprised and a little disappointed by both of these characters at points in this book....
There is also a very fascinating side story in this book... Erin is filming a documentary about prisoners about to be released.... Eddie, Holly, and Alexa were all strong, interesting, and well-developed characters.... I found each of their storys compelling and unique.... definitely added another layer to this already wonderful book.... and the voice of eddie is absolutely the best in this audio!
This really was a book unlike any other I have read before... it was very refreshing.... absolutely recommend to everybody regardless of your reading preferences!
*** thank you to the publisher for my copy of this brilliant book *** -
First the positives: The author narrates the audiobook and she does a fabulous job. The story opens with a great line: “Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave? Wonder no longer. It takes an age. However long you think it takes, double that.”
With that line I was hooked. Until I read/listened to roughly 10 pages of details about the intricacies and details of digging a grave, including the cubic feet of the hole, and how much the soil weighs. Which, in case you are wondering, is 36 cubic feet and 1.5 tons, the size of a beluga whale or hippo. But who cares???
Knowing the protagonist actually had the wherewithal to google how to dig a grave made me think she was a sociopath. Who would stop to google how to dig a grave when you're burying your husband after a series of shocking events?? So right off, I know Erin is either a sociopath, dumb as a box of rocks, and analyzes EVERYTHING, or maybe all three. And when I say she analyzes everything I mean everything. You, the reader, get to hear all about it. Incessantly. With details that do not further the plot or matter one whit to what is happening.
From the grave digging scene we travel back in time to find how they got to this point. Erin and Mark are deeply in love (so we are repeatedly told) and planning their wedding with a 3 week honeymoon to Bora Bora. But Mark just lost his job as an investment banker and all potential job prospects have dried up. Erin is shocked when Mark has to spell out in detail that the loss of his job means they will have to cut back on the wedding. This is further confirmation that Erin is stupendously stupid. After the wedding they fly first class to Bora Bora but “economize” by staying 2 weeks instead of 3. No mention of how they will pay the mortgage on their $1.5 million dollar home.
But, Ok, I kept reading thinking this would get better. Plus I really wanted to know what it was they found in the water. It was a very slow build until it was finally revealed. Unfortunately, it was anticlimactic and things went furhter downhill from here. After the discovery, the only thing that drives the plot forward is a series of incredibly stupid decisions.
Erin narrates the story and it is often filled with completely irrelevant details that looked like a Wikipedia cut and paste job. For instance, she tells you all you never wanted to know about Glocks…WHY was this included? Filler, that's why. And she never uses a few words when she can drag out the simple act of turning on a phone to an entire paragraph.
Some characters are introduced that have no purpose to the story while the characters who matter are not developed enough to explain the “twist” when it comes. There are inconsistencies and plot holes that are never explained.
The premise is a good one. It has been done before but it held potential. With a good enough editor and some re-writes this could have been a much better book.
There are plenty of 4 and 5 star reviews out there and I am apparently an outlier.
Bottom line: skip it. But I finished it so it gets 2 stars. -
FIVE STARS
For domestic suspense fun, it doesn't get much better than this! SOMETHING IN THE WATER is Numero Uno on the NYT bestseller list this week, a Reese's bookclub selection and the movie rights have long been snatched up!
All that buzzy attention heaped on one lil ole debut novel can make some of us (okay.....me😂)a tad skeptical. No need to worry. You are in expert hands with Catherine Steadman. Maybe you live on a deserted island and haven't heard, but Steadman is a fabulous, gorgeous actress working in the U.K. She, most notably, was a cast member of Britain's Downton Abbey. She can also write like the pros, if not better. What the heck? So much talent in one person! Quit your day job or not, Ms. Steadman, you are a superstar either way!
There are tons of summaries out there. Please don't read them. Listen, I accidentally read the "spoilest spoilers" EVER in the New York Times and Kirkus Reviews. Geez. Don't look for more about the story. I would have enjoyed it so much more if I didn't already know what the something in the water was! Take my word for it.
The pacing is brisk, the narrator is unreliable (BUT NOT A DRUNK!) and the story translates quite believably as a realistic situation. You guys know how much I abhor the hand-wringing heroine. But here, our protagonist is VERY pro-action. True, she doesn't always make the best decisions (omg!), but she tries her best and I, for one, felt a weird kind of kinship with our main character.
It's my favorite kind of suspense-building story. One bad decision leads to another, leads to one more and so on.....It's the ultimate "what would you do" situational structure. Steadman writes in a slick, sophisticated manner. I'm completely infatuated with her wit and style.
If you enjoyed
The Girl on the Train,
The Woman in Cabin 10, or
The Flight Attendant you will love
Something in the Water.
The audiobook is stellar! Steadman acts as her own icy, sexy narrator and you will quickly understand why she is such a wonderful actress! Highly recommend! I am so excited to discover this new, gifted author. Looking forward to her career in this difficult-to-write genre. -
Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman is a 2018 Ballantine publication.
Slightly predictable morality tale with a nice hook and a few clever twists-
You just got married, you’re in financial straits, looking at a drastic change in your quality of living standards, but you’ve already got a nice honeymoon planned in Bora Bora- so why not enjoy every minute of your vacation? That's what newlyweds Erin and Mark plan on doing before they head back to reality and an uncertain future.
But, on a standard scuba dive they discover something in the water, a discovery that puts them in a very prickly position. However, the bottom line is they probably hit the Motherload. But, they also make another, very grisly discovery, and in their paranoid horror and glee, make a few whopping mistakes that could come back to haunt them.
Can they get away with keeping something that doesn’t belong to them? Should they? What if someone finds out?
The pressure they were under before is nothing like the pressure they are under now. As they work to cover all their bases, they face one moral dilemma after another, as lies and rationalizations take over and they slide further into moral bankruptcy every day.
Erin, a documentary filmmaker, is our narrator, laying out the full story going back to when she and Mark first met. Mark’s job as an investment banker, ended abruptly and quite unexpectedly, forcing Mark to face the dismal prospect of having to take any job he can find, in an economic downturn.
The treasure they find is the answer to all their problems, but they aren't prepared for the lengths they will have to go to to profit from their discoveries, while trying not to get caught. They soon find themselves rubbing elbows with less than trustworthy people, justifying their moral compromises and keeping secrets from each other.
Right now, psychological thrillers are so popular publishers are rushing subpar novels with interchangeable plotlines into the marketplace in record numbers.
It’s so bad I’ve begun removing PTs from my TBR pile, before I burn out completely. ( Sort of reminds me of the fever pitch PNR and Urban Fantasy reached back at the peak of 'Twilight's' popularity- thank God that's over! Maybe Fifty Shades of Grey knockoffs are on the way out too- one can only hope!) But- I digress.
This book, however, had a very intriguing synopsis and the ratings were mostly favorable, so I had to see why it was popular. While I was hopeful, I also approached the book with cautious optimism.
Thankfully, despite my having picked up on a few ‘tells’ early on in the novel, I found myself caught up more in the character’s fear, guilt and self-loathing, their guilty consciences- or lack thereof- battling against the need to cover their butts and pull off the caper of the century, all so they can maintain a lifestyle they had grown accustomed to. It was an interesting journey, from that standpoint. The parallels between Erin’s documentary subjects and her own life didn’t go unnoticed and the role they played in the story was ironic.
However, the characters were often so naïve, so utterly clueless, I wanted to scream- or maybe I didn't give them enough credit. You’ll have to be the judge on that one.
Overall, the story is a little predictable, but I was very engaged, and very interested to see how everything would turn out in the end. It’s an addictive read, with some well- timed twists, that are every effective. Overall, I ended up enjoying this one for the most part. It has a few flaws but didn’t feel like a book written just to cash in on a trend. Perhaps, Steadman will try her hand at this more often- in between her acting roles, of course.
4 stars -
🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠 Chilling, Thrilling, and Killing Stars!
My rating system is very simple. If I read a book straight through the night, can't put it down at work, interrupt meals to get back to it, it's worthy of five stars. And this was the case for
Something in the Water.Very few books, achem, thrillers deserve five stars, imho. They are either lacking in character development, plot development or a mixture of the two. I thought this thriller was expertly plotted and quick-paced. Although I found the beginning to be a little odd, it does make sense within the larger context of the book.
What is
Something in the Water about? A couple, Erin and Mark, having just gotten married, set forth on their honeymoon in Bora, Bora. Although, instead of having a relaxing vacation on the beach they find a shocking discovery that upends their entire life. I'm not going to say anymore, you'll just have to read the book!
This was a buddy read for me and it made my enjoyment of the book even greater. As my reading buddy pointed out, you'll have to suspend your belief in sections of this novel. There are definitely moments that are too coincidental or where the protagonist is just "too lucky." This didn't bother me, but if you are a skeptical reader, it might.
All in all, I found this to be extremely fun. I could easily equate this with a roller coaster, having so many twists and turns. I couldn't put it down, and for me, that is the mark of killer thriller.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for review -
3.5⭐️
Wow! What dynamite first chapter! Thought I’d be in for the thriller of the summer. If only...
This book reminded me of the old slasher movies where you’re screaming at the characters not to go into the basement. I found myself screaming at Erin and Mike, Not to open the duffel bag!
But of course characters aren’t going to listen to me. At seemingly every turn they’d be doing something that would just make me cringe and screaming, “stop!!” 😱
“ Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave?”
The book held my interest, even though I was almost hoarse from yelling at the characters. For the most part I enjoyed the ride. The ending...well, I was hoping for a little more clarity than what was given.
You do need to put your believability issues aside to stay with the plot. I’d like to say I walked loving it... but I can’t. Though I will say I liked it and would recommend this one for an easy vacation read!
A Traveling Friend read!🌸 -
I love psychological thrillers, so when I saw this on Audible I gave it a shot. I love that the book is narrated by the author. I thought she was perfect and had no issues there. The story just sort of fell flat for me.
The two main characters are Erin and Mark and the book is told from Erin’s POV. Erin writes documentaries for a living, while her husband Mark is an investment banker. He’s handsome and super loved by everyone. They’re newlyweds–very much in love– and about to head on an extravagant honeymoon. Plans to have a family are on the horizon. While scuba diving in Bora Bora, they discover something in the water that has the potential to change their lives forever. It becomes clear fairly quickly that they’ve gotten themselves into a boat-load of trouble.
One decision after another; they seem to have it all planned out. The problem is that sometimes Erin’s curiosity gets the best of her and it was times like this where I just cringed. I almost couldn’t take it! There were parts in the book where I just couldn’t stand her character and wanted to scream. It’s these events, however, that move the plot along and make it interesting. Not only that, Mark can be a jerk when he wants to be and I had a hard time figuring him out in the beginning. The question is, can they stick together and really pull this off? If it weren’t for the HUGE spoiler in the beginning of the book, it might not be so easy to figure out.
After the first big introduction, the book starts out slow and boring and gradually just keeps getting better. For me though, it fell flat–probably because of the way it started and knowing a crucial detail from the very start. I’m iffy about beginnings like that, although you’re left to wonder about Erin’s character throughout because of it. The ending was fairly predictable and I could see where it was going though.
One of my biggest issues with the book was all the added details and some of the secondary characters. I just found them sort of worthless and they took away from the main plot. With that said, I did still enjoy the book and there were a few times where I was on edge. I was very anxious a few times in the story. It just wasn’t as thrilling as I expected it to be. If you like thrillers, I would still recommend you give this one a try!
3***
See this review on my blog @
https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/... -
Step back from the flame, honey.
You're gonna get burned.
Mark and Erin are on a stellar honeymoon in Bora Bora. Sun, sea, and each other. She's a documentary film producer and he's a successful investment banker. No worries. Or so it seems until they find something floating in the water. The depth of that ocean pales in comparison to the depth of problems that are gonna follow this couple home like stink on the back of a wayward skunk.
How deep is deep enough?
Catherine Steadman creates quite the electrically charged happenings in Something In The Water. The opening scene finds our lovely Erin digging someone's grave. She quickly adjusts her calculations from the usual 6-footer job. A little lady can only do so much.
Steadman ratchets her storyline back a few months to where Erin is setting up her latest documentary commitment within the walls of Pentonville Prison. Erin and her camerman will follow the lives of three individuals before and after their release. Face-to-face interviews are going to leave their mark not only for the intended audience but heavily upon Erin herself. We, as readers, are going to remember their faces as well.
Just keep in mind your usual response in a darkened movie theater to the girl who has her hand on the doorknob: Don't, please don't, go down in that creepy basement alone, sweetheart. There's bad, bad things waiting for you in the shadows......so much more than just spiders hunched over in their webs. We're talkin' the two legged kind that mean serious business. And Erin is going to find out the hard way what that's all about even before the web is spun.
I've got to hand it to Catherine Steadman for keeping the tension on high voltage throughout this one. You'll probably be smacking the book alongside the spine just to take out your frustration at what our girl is going to be up to. This is a fast-paced, believe-it-or-not trip from the lapping waves of Bora Bora to the hard reality of North London. But well worth the flight, dear readers. Well worth the flight.
I received a copy of Something In The Water through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Random House and to Catherine Steadman for the opportunity. -
A solid Summer read.
Something in the Water starts in a very peculiar place, which quickly drew me in.
In contrast to a lot of what I am reading lately, this is told from a single point of view, which I found to be refreshing.
I related to Erin, the protagonist, and felt comfortable sitting with her voice the whole way through.
A documentary filmmaker, Erin is working on a long-term project interviewing convicted criminals on the eve of their release and just after. In the midst of all of this, she marries the man of her dreams.
Mark, the dream guy, is a once successful investment banker who comes under great stress due to difficulties with his career. The biggest one being he doesn't have one anymore.
With all of this going on the couple decide to go on a honeymoon to Bora Bora.
Whilst there, on a private scuba diving excursion, they discover something in the water that will forever change the course of their lives.
This book has mystery, intrigue, intense moments and appalling moments.
Frankly, it's a lot; an excellent examination of what humans are willing to do for something valuable.
If you value wealth and stability, what would you do to get and maintain that?
What sorts of lines would you cross?
Would you be the same person?
Are you any different from any other person who may have crossed lines of their own?
I found the story formatted in such a way that it kept me guessing. It kept me wanting to keep turning pages and although I found a lot of the main characters decisions insane, who is to say I wouldn't do the same in her place?
I would definitely recommend this as a quick beach read! -
Have you ever wondered how long it takes to dig a grave? Wonder no longer. It takes an age. However long you think it takes, double that.
And with an opening sentence like that, I was in. I cannot deny that the suspense build was good here and certainly had me glued to the pages in front of me. I was desperate to know what it is this passionately in love couple found in the water on their honeymoon in Bora Bora that would set them on this course of destruction. The issue is: the payoff of that awesome suspense build-up was nonexistent. The big twist was predictable. And the random tangents the narrator would go off on to give paragraphs of information that is completely irrelevant to the plot at hand...
I should've known this would be a thing when the detail of what it takes to dig a grave in that first chapter was so elaborate that I could've then gone to dig a grave myself without needing to google any of the specifications including depth necessary to be successful. I copped it to a build of suspense..because who isn't intrigued by an opening chapter where a woman is digging a grave and gets into the intricacies of what needs to be done. I figured the author was painting a picture of a desperate woman completely out of her element just doing what she needs to in order to resolve the insane situation she's found herself in. Makes sense, right? The thing is..the author could've done this without all that added irrelevant detail. Steadman does this again later on a specific kind of gun with so much detail. I don't even understand why it was included. It felt like I was reading the handbook that came with the gun. None of it mattered to the plot at all. In fact, only one small detail did. And it didn't need to be thrown in with a bunch of useless, unimportant facts to make sure we knew about it. The writing felt sloppy when it came to this.Oh fucking hell. Those two constantly tugging needs: your own life and “being there.” Your relationship or your life. No matter how hard you try, you can’t have both.
I kept reading in hopes of a big pay-off or blow-your-mind kind of twist, but that never happened. What I did love was the detail that went into traveling to Bora Bora with all the connecting flights and whatnot. And the vacation itself was intriguing. This is where I truly appreciated the detail that bothered me otherwise. And maybe it's that I find traveling interesting as opposed to guns or digging holes. I know besides the setting change, all the detail about the flights and resort are just unnecessary. But these were my favorite parts of the book. & that has nothing to do with that something being found in the water in Bora Bora.
Somehow throughout the hubbub of detail, Steadman still managed to keep me intrigued enough by the mystery. Although it wasn't hard to know when you 100% should not trust a character. It also didn't make sense that at times the characters were very smart about handling things, but at others seemed to lack all common sense. It's unfortunate because this could've been so much better.. -
This one starts with a bang!
The opening chapter was one of the most intriguing I've read in a very long time. I was instantly curious and wanted to know what happened ( an event in the end of the story is revealed in the beginning chapter). Let's just say I was hooked!
I listened to this one on Audible and the narrator (who happens to be the author Catherine Steadman ) was perfection. The timeline shifts back to tell the story of Erin and Mark, who are newlyweds, passionately in love and planning a trip in the sun to Bora, Bora. Sunbathing, scuba diving, champagne drinking. What could possibly go wrong? Well, turns out plenty.
I loved the unreliable characters, the twisty edge of your seat plot, and rather frantic pace. -
Something In The Water, Catherine Steadman
Erin is a documentary filmmaker on the brink of a professional breakthrough, Mark a handsome investment banker with big plans. Passionately in love, they embark on a dream honeymoon to the tropical island of Bora Bora, where they enjoy the sun, the sand, and each other. Then, while scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز هفتم ماه می سال2019میلادی
عنوان: چیزی درون آب؛ نویسنده: کاترین استدمن؛ مترجم: آرش خوشصفا؛ تهران انتشارات روزگار، سال1397؛ در410ص؛ شابک9789643748821؛ موضوع: داستانهای نویسندگان بریتانیا - سده21م
کتاب «چیزی درون آب»؛ نخستین رمان «کاترین استدمن» نامزد عنوان پرفروشترین کتاب هیجانانگیز و اسرارآمیز سال2018میلادی، از نظر کاربران گودریدز، و از پرفروشهای این سال بود؛ «ارین» یک مستندساز، در آستانه ی موفقیت بزرگ کاری است، «مارک» هم کارمند خوشتیپ بانک است، که ایده ها و نقشه های بسیاری در سرش دارد؛ این زوج با عشقی فزاینده تصمیم میگیرند، برای ماه عسل، به جزیره ی استوایی «بورابورا» بروند، و میخواهند از آفتاب و ماسه و طبیعت آنجا، لذت ببرند؛ آنها یک روز، در حین غواصی در آب شفاف دریا، چیزهایی بسیار دردسرساز و خطرناک پیدا میکنند؛ حالا آنها مجبور هستند، تصمیم بگیرند؛ یا باید همه چیز را به پلیس گزارش کنند، و یا آن را مانند رازی، با خود نگاه دارند
نقل از متن: (سوراخ رویش کاملاً پیداست؛ ولی خب انگار دیشب خیلی کار زیادی باهاش نکردیم؛ خدایا، واقعاً که وقتی آدم مست میکند، عقلش را از دست میدهد؛ متوجه دوتا چسب زخمی میشوم، که روی دست مارک است؛ پس حتماً دیشب خود او بوده، که با قیچیه کار کرده؛ میروم مینشینم روی تخت، و کیسه هه را وارسی میکنم؛ سوراخی که رویش زدیم، به درد نمیخورد؛ حتی یک انگشت هم داخلش نمیرود، که بشود گشادترش کرد، و نمیشود هیچ از داخلش دید؛ به این میگویند ضربه محکم، و اثر ضعیف؛ سرم را میگیرم بالا، و نگاهی به «مارک» میاندازم؛ هنوزم میتونیم تحویلش بدیم؟ - آره، معلومه؛ میگیم وقتی پیداش کردیم همین ریختی بود؛ خب افتاده بوده توی دریا دیگه، ها؟ - انگار اصلاً نگران چیزی نیست؛ - اگه همچین سوراخی بشه روش زد، میشه یه سوراخ دیگه هم دوباره دُرُس کرد؟ زل میزنم به چشمهاش؛ شانه ای بالا میاندازد، و قیچی را از روی میز پاتختی، پرت میکند سمت من؛ در حالیکه حواسش دوباره پرت «اَتِنبرو» میشود، بهم میگوید: «خودت یه امتحانی بکن.)؛ پایان نقل
استدمن در این رمان، یک داستان روانشناسانه و مجذوب کننده مینگارند؛ داستانی که شاید دلتان بخواهد شما هم، لب ساحل آن را بخوانید؛ در هر صورت این داستان آدرنالین خونتان را بسیار بالا خواهد برد
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 19/06/1399هجری خورشیدی؛ 21/02/1401هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی -
4 shocking stars to Something in the Water! 🏝 🏝 🏝 🏝
Erin films documentaries, and her new husband, Mark, is an investment banker. They fly to the honeymoon of a lifetime to Bora Bora. Everything is tropical and picture-perfect, until they find something in the water while scuba diving. Dun dun dun.
Erin and Mark have to decide if they will tell the truth or keep a secret. Either way, danger potentially awaits...
This book starts out with a bombshell when Erin and Mark find something in the water...The next chunk of the book is slower-building until you get towards the last third, where the tension builds and my heartrate soared!
I loved Erin and Mark and was completely intrigued by their relationship and how they balanced each other out. They each struggle with what decision to make and how to make the decision together as a couple.
The side characters who are prisoners Erin is filming in her documentary added a secondary story that I found enthralling.
Something in the Water is both thrilling and engaging. The premise was fresh, and the writing was taut. Overall, I was left wondering what I would do if I had been in Mark and Erin’s shoes.
Thank you to Caroline Steadman, Random House/Ballantine, and Netgalley for the ARC. Something in the Water will be released on June 5, 2018.
My reviews can also be found on my blog:
www.jennifertarheelreader.com -
3.5 Stars rounded up because I definitely found this book to be entertaining and had me totally glued to those pages!
SOMETHING IN THE WATER by CATHERINE STEADMAN is an engaging, refreshing, and a steady paced thriller that immediately drew me in with its opening scene and had me totally intrigued in finding out what was in the water.
So here’s the thing about my experience with this book. I have never been so unsure about my feelings about a book after finishing as I was with this one. There were so many parts that I enjoyed and was totally entertained by, but then after finishing it, I was a little underwhelmed and disappointed by the whole story in general. I thought this story had so much potential to be a great one. Although, I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed CATHERINE STEADMAN’S descriptive writing style though which kept me totally invested in this story. Here is a quote from the book that I absolutely loved.
“But now that I can see her, I understand that those silences, which sounded empty over the phone, were actually very full. I just couldn’t see before what they were full of.”
CATHERINE STEADMAN delivers an insightful and well-written novel here that I would consider to be more of a slow-burner than a heart pounding and gripping thriller. The novel has an interesting enough premise with a touch of unease to the storyline and characters that well - I will let you experience for yourself. I will say though that I actually quite enjoyed the main character and didn’t experience some of the same issues that other readers did. I felt like she was true to herself and telling us a totally unedited version of her story and events.
Overall, even though I had some reservations about this story, I still found it to be a compulsive read with a few good twists. I was very engaged and interested in how this story was going to all play out. Would recommend!
* Traveling Friends Group Read
Review written and posted on our themed book blog:
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3.5 Stars
This is billed as a thriller. But 1/3 in, I was still waiting. Yes, you know within the first few minutes that Erin is digging a grave. But then we go back and it reads more like chick lit. I found Erin initially very irritating. She had no clue about adjusting to her circumstances. She did grow on me and by the end of the book I liked her and appreciated her initiative.
This is a very slow burn leading up to the big discovery. And even after the discovery, the pace doesn’t really pick up until the very end. It’s just a pretty slow moving book. In fact, throughout the book, I kept thinking a better editing job would have gone a long way to making this book more exciting. That said, the ending is very good.
This is all about secrets, especially the secrets spouses keeps from each other. But it was just too apparent to me what was happening and how we ended up with that dead body.
Steadman does a very good job narrating her own book. -
Reese Witherspoon, you let me down with this book club selection. What the actual hell is up with these 5 star reviews? This was horrible. When I gave my SO a summary of the plot, his very accurate response was “how did this get published?”
Erin is our intensely unlikable heroine. She loves to Google herself out of bad situations. While she and her husband, Mark, are on their honeymoon in Bora Bora, they come across something in the water. While irresistible to me in the description for this book, the actual item was cliché.
Erin spends the entire book making the worst possible decisions. While I get this on the simple premise that there would be no book without her INSANE life choices, it’s hard for me to stick with a plot that revolves around the protagonist being a complete moron.
Eventually, Erin catches up with the wrong crowd (let’s call them The Russians). Thank god she’s loosely been working on a film about criminals and now has connections willing to help her out. With her trusty gun in one hand, and Google in the other, she’s prepared to strike a deal. But things take a bad turn and she ends up unconscious in her hotel room. Luckily, Mark is able to use her Find my iPhone app to rescue her… only her phone has been taken by The Russians! Erin girds her loins and prepares to save Mark—with nothing, since they took her gun, too.
When things go south again, Erin calls her new filmstar criminal pal to help her out, covers up the truth, and lives happily ever after. If that all sounds like a party to you, then give it a whirl.
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Something in the Water was such a page turner! It started off a little slow, but then something happens and the pace picks up and never slows. I won't give away any plot details, because there are lots of twists and turns, but it was definitely an engaging story with multi-dimensional characters. I zipped through this book over the weekend and absolutely recommend it as a gripping, clever and entertaining summer read!
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If only the rest of the book was as gripping as the prologue! The opening statement had me hooked. But Erin's story didn’t stay exciting. The plot was interesting but kind of fizzled out.
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I listened to Something in the Water via audiobook, read by the author, Catherine Steadman, and I really enjoyed it. I’m pretty sure I would have enjoyed the book regardless, but I found her narration and British accent to be soothing. Her characters and setting descriptions were vivid. The “thing” in the water was much different than what I anticipated prior to reading the book, which wasn’t a bad thing at all.
Erin Locke is making a documentary about prisoners and their upcoming releases. Her fiancé and eventual husband, Mark Roberts, is an investment banker. The story begins by setting the scene of their daily life in London and their wedding planning. There is tension surrounding them and the wedding, due to financial strain. The couple goes to Bora Bora for their honeymoon and while scuba diving, finds something in the water that changes their lives moving forward. The rest of the story follows their course of action as Erin and Mark decide what to do, and how to do it.
As many reviewers have noted, it takes awhile for the story to get going - While I enjoyed the first part of the book, detailing the couple’s routine life and wedding preparation, it didn’t have a ton of connection to the heart of the story. Even after the scuba diving incident, I wouldn’t describe this as a fast-paced thriller. That said, I did really enjoy Something in the Water, finding myself curious to see what Erin and Mark’s next moves would be, as each move heightened the story and I remained interested in the outcome through the end of the book. -
This is a thriller about a couple who find themselves in financial distress weeks before their wedding and the decisions they make afterwards will have life-changing consequences.
Erin is a documentary filmmaker and Mark is a banker who loses his job days before the big day. They live in a very nice home and decide to go through with their planned wedding as well as the honeymoon despite the fact that they could make wiser financial decisions under the circumstances.
Once in their dreamy Bora-Bora honeymoon, they find "something in the water" but may also end up putting their lives in danger.
The book opens up with an engaging scene where Erin is digging a grave to bury a body. Then the timeline moves back into the past and describes the events that led up to that moment.
I liked the characters but at some points I was frustrated by their decisions. It is true that the factors such as motivation and opportunity were present for Erin and Mark to behave the way they did, but still.
Overall, the novel was engaging and the author kept the plot moving forward. I recommend it to readers of thrillers and contemporary fiction.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Netgalley -
4.25 Stars → This anxiety-inducing book was A LOT of fun to read. It's gotten major buzz since it's a Reese's Book Club pick. There were 200 holds for it at my library, but I noticed ONE copy was available on the Limited Loan shelf at the branch across town. Of course, I’m there when they opened that morning to elbow my way to the top. I had to know what’s in the water!!
The opening chapter starts with a bang. You're left wondering, how in the heck did it come to that?? The set-up: A honeymooning couple make a shocking discovery on their trip to Bora Bora. OK, so after the stunning opening, the pacing was very slow until about the 30% mark. I think I was just TOO impatient - waiting, waiting, waiting - to find out what was in the water. And then, thunk thunk thunk...
SOMETHING IN THE WATER was such an entertaining book, but also made me very nervous! Some of the decisions the characters made (especially Erin) made me STOP to blink my eyes repeatedly. What were you thinking??
After the big discovery, the author did a fantastic job keeping the suspense going and the pages turning. I can't think of a more perfect "beach" thriller to read this summer. This is Catherine Steadman's debut novel (wow!), and I'm looking forward to reading more from her in the future. -
This is a refreshing take on the psychological thriller trope. The beginning is more than just a little intriguing. How long does it actually take to bury a body? From there the build and character development slow down significantly until it picks up about midway. Ethics come into question, criminal behavior is more exhausting than one might imagine and you may not know another as well as you think you do. Satisfying but not necessarily harrowing.
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What an intriguing read, just the book to wile away the hours by the pool on my holiday
Something in the water by Catherine Steadman grabbed my attention while I was reading a goodread's friends review and I knew this was going to be on my holiday read list.
The Novel opens with a woman digging a grave and her descriptions of same really feed the reader's imagination and you just want to find out the whys and when and how. This is the sort of book where you want to shout at the characters, where you find yourself wincing and talking out loud if reading in public places and where good a old fashioned thriller style plot with lots of twists and turns keeps you guessing right up to the end.
I listened to this one on audible and high praise for the narrator Catherine Steadman, I do love when an author reads her own work as I find they know their book and their characters and with Something In The Water this works so well.
I enjoyed this easy read but will this one stay with me a year from now remains to be seen. -
3.5 Stars with a roundup to 4.0 because I REALLY could NOT put it down!
"Digging a grave is very hard" as you will discover after reading the first chapter entitled, of course, The Grave.
It all begins with an actual grave being dug, then quickly reverts back in time to the start of a new relationship, marriage and big plans for the future. Then, even though a big disappointment for the newlyweds rears itself, the expensive first class South Pacific honeymoon goes on....and an eerie and intense atmosphere ensues. It's this feeling of the Not Knowing what or who to trust that kept me glued to the pages.
That SOMETHING IN THE WATER was not at all what I thought it would be....but better!
Super entertaining....and one fine debut for Catherine Steadman! And, ok, one downside (for me).....one of the main characters is naive, reckless and, YES, just plain stupid at times, but STILL.....great summer read!
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Something In The Water by Catherine Steadman is a thriller that certainly had an opening that should grab readers right away, the main character digging a grave. After finding out that there would be a need for a grave readers jump back in time to find out just what led to that event.
Erin and Mark seem to be very much in love and excited to be planning their wedding and honeymoon. Erin is a budding filmmaker working on a documentary in which she’s interviewing criminals and Mark a successful investment banker. However when Mark loses his job that is where things start to get a little shaky in their perfect bubble.
With the honeymoon already set to happen Erin and Mark agree to set their troubles aside and still go on the vacation to Bora Bora. Sun and surf and adventure seems to be just what the couple need to bring them right back together. When out scuba diving though they make a find in the water that will lead them down a very dangerous path.
Something In The Water was actually very engaging and kept the pages turning rather easily as the events unfolded. For me though as much as I liked finding out more and more I also struggled some with liking Erin, she would get a bit frantic which I would sometimes find annoying. If it really weren’t for those moments though I would have rated higher than 3.5 stars since the story was one that was rather fun to watch unfold and with this being a debut novel I would certainly be interested in reading more in the future.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
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There are no words to describe the complete rubbish that is this book. I picked it up solely because it was a Hello Sunshine book pick and who doesn't like a good summer thriller? It was easily the worst book I read this year and it just made me angrier and angrier as I went on. I could have stopped reading, but I wanted to finish it so I could write this scathing review. Here I go.
My #1 complain is that the main character was a flaming idiot. Like the dumbest person ever. Erin and Mark are on their honeymoon in Bora Bora when they find "something in the water." Great. Perfect. I can overlook the minuscule chance of finding a small bag in the vast ocean because we need a way to get into the story. Fine.
Then, Erin and Mark decide to take this "something found," which launches them into the world of crime and they go to extraordinary lengths to keep their secret. This couple, this completely normal British couple, is suddenly engaging in MOB LEVEL ACTIVITIES. Like, as in, MENTORED BY A MOB BOSS THAT ERIN JUST HAPPENS TO KNOW. And how does Erin figure out how to do these massively, internationally illegal things? SHE MOTHER F-ING GOOGLES THEM ALL. ON HER UNSECURED PHONE AND COMPUTER. SHE JUST READS WIKIPEDIA TO BECOME A CRIMINAL MASTERMIND.
But that is not even the worst part. The author has no flipping idea how to craft her story and move it forward and so how does she enter information into the story? ERIN READS WIKIPEDIA ALOUD TO HER HUSBAND/THE READER. I. Hate. This. It is so stupid.
Erin makes the most stupid decisions I have ever seen a human being make. They find a cell phone they thing belongs to hardened criminals—she turns it on and checks the texts. She decides to meet up with Russian mafia—she buys a Glock off a criminal even though she has never even held a gun. She just wants to figure out how much some valuable found items are worth—she walks into the freaking BUSINESS DISTRICT OF LONDON which is canvassed with cameras.
And, I can't even rant about how freaking naive she was without giving anything away. She trusted everyone. "Oh, you are the most notorious criminal to ever come out of England and have a reputation for torturing and killing people? Let me just illegally and somehow secretly give you a ring in maximum security prison and see what you would do about my situation. Oh, you need a small favor in return? Sure! Why not? This could not possibly end poorly." She was absolutely an idiot. I wanted to slap her across the face and tell her to open her g.d. eyes.
And I haven't even touched on the completely irrelevant storyline of her documentary. It served one purpose: to introduce her to a specific guy in prison, but there was so much going on with it that just never went anywhere.
I just can't. I hated this book. It went so far beyond the basic leaps in logic you employ in a typical thriller and was just 100% untethered from any rational thought or action.
On the plus side? The narrator (who happened to be the author) was quite good.
