| Title | : | Tainted Waters |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780991727216 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | - |
| Publication | : | First published April 30, 2013 |
Frustrated at being fired from her latest job and overwhelmed by her consolatory family, Sam needs to get away, so she moves to the family’s cabin at the lake. A place she hasn’t been since her dad committed suicide there, twenty years before. Or did he?
Keegan has recently moved to the area to finish his latest book, but he is also trying to find out if his grandfather, who’d passed away ten years before, died of natural causes. Or was there more to his death?
The descendants, of the four families who own the land around the lagoon, are dying off. But why?
Since Sam and Keegan are the only ones questioning what's going on, they find themselves working together to seek the truth. Are people being murdered? Who would benefit from their deaths? And why are there barricades and armed guards at the north end of the lake? What they discover is unbelievable but even worse is who's behind it. To stay alive, Sam and Keegan must find proof and convince others, before more people are killed … including them.
Book Award Winner – Suspense and Thriller book of the year.
"…The plot’s seamless, twisting turns and the tension-building exploits kept me flipping the pages…" Author Jeanne Marie
“… A great suspense and thriller with so many twists and turns. Well written to where you can't stop reading. Keeps you on the edge of your seat …” Amazon Review
Tainted Waters Reviews
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The story starts slowly and I found some of the early transitions confusing. But this is a good read once the story starts going. This is a good writer who creates suspense with many twists and turns.
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Reviewed for Read Your Writes Book Reviews
www.readyourwrites.blogspot.com
When Samantha “Sam” Overton was seven years old, her life and the lives of her family changed with the suicide of her father. Now a twenty-seven year old woman, Sam is desperately trying to find her place in the world. She goes from job to job with nothing sticking. Her work history includes over fifteen different jobs, with the longest lasting only five months. Sam finally finds a job as a newspaper reporter. It was a job she liked, one she thought she was good at. Or at least she could be good at it, if she was given real assignments, instead of little local, “no one really cares” community action items to report on. She ends up getting fired only to learn that none of her stories were ever printed in the newspaper. With nothing else to do but lick her wounds, she convinces her mother to let her stay at the family cabin. The same cabin no one has visited since her father’s death.
Keegan Wesley is an author who desperately wants to find out more about his deceased grandfather, Mr. Tennison. A man he shouldn’t have known since his parents didn’t want him to know about him. He has secretly been staying at his grandfather’s cabin without anyone knowing, writing his latest book and biding his time, before he starts to look into his grandfather’s death. Mr. Tennison’s death was ruled as a heart attack at the age of sixty-eight. For Keegan, his gut is telling him that isn’t true. He just doesn’t know how to prove that the death wasn’t natural.
After Sam is almost kidnapped, she and Keegan are thrust together into trying to figure out who wants her dead and why. They know something is going on at the lake, but they have no idea what or who they can actually trust. With multiple attempts made against their lives, they’re forced to go into hiding while still trying to figure out why someone wants them dead.
It’s interesting that the one thing Sam is good at, is the one thing which gets her into trouble, looking for answers. I was very impressed with the spirit and fight Sam had. I was equally impressed with Keegan and his commitment to protect and make sure that Sam was safe no matter what. There is a little romance between Keegan and Sam but the story isn’t driven by the romance. Tainted Waters is driven purely by it’s suspense factor.
Tainted Waters is a story full of corruption, drugs, lies and murder. You’re introduced to several characters who could ultimately be the main antagonist and several smaller players. Figuring out the who done it and why can be a little murky. This is a book that will have you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think the story is over, think again.
Source: Author -
Two reviews listed below
Review done by Laura
I enjoyed Tainted Waters thoroughly from the moment I started to read it. I especially loved the two characters, Sam & Keegan and their journey to seek the truth.
Sam and Keegan’s paths cross when they are both inadvertently looking for the same thing; the truth.
Sam is trying to dig up the truth regarding her father’s apparent suicide and Keegan doesn’t believe that his Grandfather died of natural causes. Together they start to unravel the secrets surrounding the deaths of their loved ones and these new findings might just put Sam & Keegan and those close to them in grave danger.
Will they discover the secrets surrounding the lake before it’s too late?
I would definitely recommend this book and would love to read more of Maggie Thom’s work.
Review done by Nicola
There’s been a murder……. Only no one knows its a murder! It was a car accident or a burglary or natural causes, but Sam doesn’t believe this and neither does Keegan. So they decide to take it upon themselves to find out what is going on, while putting their own life’s at risk.
I LOVED this book! It was fast paced and had me gripped from the start….. And talk about twists! Just when I thought I knew where this story was leading…… Bang!….. Plot twist!
I loved Sam’s nosy, I won’t stand for any crap character….. Which usually landed her in trouble, and in some cases a LOT of trouble.
Keegan……oh Keegan……. A guy that never gives up, even when he’s black a blue! Just as stubborn as Sam and even more loveable.
If you like your Thrillers (like me) then this is a book for you, I have Maggie Thoms next book and I’m itching to start it!! -
Tainted Waters - Maggie Thom
A wonderful read and well told story that digs into hidden truths of the past. The tale twists and turns along the way and keeps you thinking throughout. The main characters Sam & Keegan are well defined and pull the reader into the adventure of excitement and romance.
Tainted Waters is a journey of suspicion, discovery and truth that keeps you on edge throughout the story. Overall the novel creates mystery, suspense and Sam & Keegan are very well though out and defined.
I was given an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review.
An author worth looking out for! A strong 4**** -
3.5/5.0
Recommended for readers who enjoy romantic thrillers set in a small town.
Read full review in the
2013 May issue of InD’tale Magazine. -
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review. I rated it 4 out of 5 Stars.
The thing I like most about mystery, romantic suspense and even thrillers, is that there is no one size fits all type of writer or style. Sure there are requisite items for each book – there must be a mystery, there’s always a victim or two and of course the required villain or villains. What makes Tainted Waters by Maggie Thom stick out from the crowd is that you really don’t know exactly what you’re getting into until you’re at least a quarter of the way into the book, and even then you have to wonder how everything is going to be tied up together. Ms. Thom definitely takes you on a journey full of twists and turns as you try to solve the mystery and get to know her characters. Plus she throws in just a light touch of romance to keep the romance lover in all of us happy.
Finding herself unemployed yet again, Samantha “Sam” Overton has to admit that she has a problem. She can’t seem to stay in a job long enough to get good at it (she only lasted as a reporter for 5 months) and both her mother and her older sister seem to have the “gift” of knowing when she’s gotten in trouble again. Deciding she needs some time away from it all, and needs to come up with a plan for her future, Sam heads off to her family’s cabin by the lake and finds herself involved in a mystery that is not only dangerous, it could lead to her death.
Living at his grandfather’s cabin while writing his new book, Keegan Tennison has a lot of unanswered questions about his family’s past. Especially questions about his grandfather’s death. Starting his own investigation, Keegan soon finds himself involved in solving a mystery with ties to the property and four cabins at the lake. When he meets Sam Overton, who’s also staying at the lake, and discovers she too has questions about her father’s death, he realizes their investigations are both headed in the same direction.
As Sam and Keegan combine their investigations, and another owner of a cabin on the lake has an unexpected heart attack, they realize that everything is tied to whatever is going on at the lake. Especially since no one knows what’s going on with the fourth cabin or who owns it. Ms. Thom does a good job bringing the characters and their investigations together. As the story progresses and the plot takes several twists and turns, I was able to better connect with both Sam and Keegan and enjoy their interactions. The attraction growing between them didn’t hurt either.
Are Sam and Keegan digging into something way over their heads? What really is going on at the lake and how is that tied into the deaths of the cabin owners? You’ll have to read Tainted Water to find out, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of Ms. Thom’s work. -
Sam loses her latest job as a reporter at the Tennison Post after only 3 months, and for what? Simply writing a story that told the truth. Okay, she wasn't assigned to write it, but it was a good story. What could be wrong with that? The story didn't even get printed, so what was the big deal? Discouraged at the loss of her job, Sam goes to spend some time at their family's cabin at the lake to get her head together where she discovers that something strange is going on.
The original owners of the properties had an agreement that there would be no building changes on their lots unless there was agreement among the owners, but there seemed to be something going on at the north end of the lake. Sam decided to make it her business to figure out what it was - especially since the owner of the property hadn't been seen for close to twenty years.
Sam meets Keegan, a writer who has come to temporarily stay at one of the other cabins while he finishes his book. Together they start to unravel some of the mysteries of what are going on at the lake. Along the way, Sam begins to wonder if her father's suicide wasn't a suicide, but rather murder. The more they look, the more trouble they find, especially when someone starts shooting at them!
Then of course, whenever two young people find themselves in a situation where adrenaline is running high and danger is near, physical attraction seems to spring to life and Keegan and Same find themselves attracted to one another. The romance in this novel has one or two explicit scenes. There is also some profanity and coarse language in this novel.
Tainted Waters is a fast-paced novel. with lots of intrigue and surprises. I had no idea that the novel would end up where it did when I started reading it. It was a fascinating journey.
I particularly liked the character of DD. Though she was not a main character I thought her situation added interest and an additional facet to Sam's own character and life. I found Sam to be very likeable if somewhat impulsive and nosy. Her intentions are are good, even if she sometimes goes about things in the wrong way by breaking the rules to achieve her goal. It is obvious that her family is very important to her.
I gave Tainted Waters 4 stars out of 5. Readers of mystery and suspense should enjoy this novel.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
This review was published on my blog Shelf Full of Books
http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogs... -
Samantha, Sam for short, was only seven when her father killed himself. Now, 20 years later, she’s no closer to figuring out what her place in life is.
Flitting from job to job, about fifteen of them, she’s fired from her latest and retreats to the family lake house to lick her wounds and be alone. While there, she begins to question whether her father’s death was a suicide or murder.
Also visiting the lake is Keegan. He’s come to his grandfather’s cabin to get away from everything and try to get some writing done. He’s pulled into the mystery of whether his grandfather truly died of a heart attack or was he murdered. He begins to suspect the latter.
It figures. Sam may have finally found her calling. She’s good at ferreting out information and asking the right questions. Maybe too good as someone tries to kidnap her.
Thrown together, Sam and Keegan continue to dig into their mysteries. They know their getting closer to some answers as more attempts are made to kill them. The race is on to get their answers before someone gets them.
I felt a close connection to Sam. I too flitted from job to job, never really sure what I wanted to do. Some people are lucky and know what they want to do or be. Not me and not Sam.
What endeared me to Keegan was his need to protect Sam. He would be a great older brother and an even better beau.
You’d be right if you thought these two would become romantically entangled. But the romance is just budding and the story is powered more by the danger and intrigue.
I love a good mystery thriller. Each time I thought I had it figured out, I was way off, and back to the drawing board I’d go.
One of the biggest mysteries was what was going on at the end of the lake. I didn’t have a clue and was surprised when I found out.
There are a few mysteries going on in this book but you’ll never lose track of the story. The writing is down to earth and easy to follow and the story flies. Before you know it, you’ve reached the end and gotten your answers. Some of them will set you back on your heels wondering, “How did I not see that coming?”
Tainted Waters has murder, suspense, intrigue, and some well written misdirection that keeps you engrossed and guessing. A really good who, what, where, when, and why.
I received this book for my honest review. My thanks go to the author for a thrilling read! -
Disclaimer:I was given this book as part of a blog tour and in exchange for an honest review.
In Tainted Waters we meet Samantha “Sam” Overton. Sam’s family own one of 4 cabins on the Lake. The other cabins are owned by Sam’s best friend Cathy’s family; the MacNeill’s, Keegan’s grandfather; Mr Tennison and the 4th cabin by someone else. When Sam was younger her family used to vacation there until 20years ago when Sam’s father committed suicide there.
Keegan is staying at his grandfather’s cabin in order to finish his book. With his book finished he ponders his grandfather’s death. Was it really natural causes? Was there something more sinister involved?
Cathy’s grandma lives at their cabin, when she suddenly dies of a heart attack, Keegan and Sam both become suspicious that there is something or someone else involved.
Sam and Keegan end up working together to try to solve the mystery behind the deaths and what else is going on at the lake. Is there someone killing off the descendants of the land around the lake? If so who is it?
Sam and Keegan need to find out whats going on to prevent anymore deaths including their own.
The book is full of mystery, intrigue, suspense, murder and even a hint of romance too.
The plot is full of twists and turns, just when i thought i had sussed who was doing what, there would be a twist and i would be thrown off the trail.
The characters have charm, devotion and guts; well most of them do. Keegan and Sam are determined to find out the truth at any cost including their lives.
Maggie Thom has done a really good job of writing a tangled web of suspense and mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.
It well paced and will capture your attention and hold it until the very end.
I would recommend giving this book a read. -
Maggie Thom is a new author to me and so when I opened Tainted Waters I had no idea I was in for the ride of my life. Tainted Waters is full of corruption, drugs, lies and murder - the book will truly keep you on the edge of your seat unable to pry yourself from it. As the characters, Sam and Keegan, investigate the near abduction of Sam followed by a stream of threats against both their lives I found myself emotionally right in there with them. As I reader I felt very much a part of the story, Sam, Keegan and I became a team who wouldn't give up.
Maggie brilliantly creates suspense and the atmosphere of unease and creepiness. Her characters inspire the reader to join them in their hunt to solve the mystery which makes them likeable, approachable and very human rather than super human. Sam is a driven, spirited woman and Keegan a protective, but not repressively so, man. There is some chemistry between the two but the story is driven by the mystery and the relationship of the characters is secondary to the storyline. If you are looking for a fast paced, suspenseful and engaging read with all the twists and turns of a mystery that keeps you thinking you've figured it out only to find yourself back at square one, then Tainted Waters is for you.
I am so happy that I have been introduced to Maggi Thom, whom I hope to read again, and I would recommend Tainted Waters without hesitation. -
This book was awesome! Samantha is a nosey woman that lands in trouble because of it. She hasn’t been able to hold a steady job, has been fired from almost everywhere in her small town. The last being the town newspaper. Her boss needs to approve every article that is written before it can be added to the paper. Unfortunately, Samantha’s aren’t making the cut so she is fired from yet another job. But before walking out of her boss’s office she throws coffee in his face. (I loved that part!) With that being said she decides to take a time out to go to her family’s lake home. No one has been there since her father committed suicide there 20 years previously.
Once she gets there she runs into Keegan, an author that is also staying at one of the other 3 lake cabins. After their meeting all heck breaks loose, with someone wanting to end Samantha’s snooping life unbeknownst to her. Will she find out who it is before they are successful?
SUSPENSE… GOT IT!
CAR CHASES… YEP!
CROOKED COPS… YOU BET!
I thought for sure it would be a cliffhanger and was ready to launch my Kindle across the room. Much to my enjoyment there wasn’t one! Yay! My only complaint about this book is I wish it would have showed what happens next with Samantha and Keegan instead of ending so sharp. -
This was a new author to me, and I wasn't certain about the story. It sounded like a routine suspense/intrique story with a little romance thrown in.
I want you to know that I was only partly right. It was a suspense/intrigue story, with some romance. However, it was not a routine story. There was suspense almost from the very beginning of the book. It was so exciting, and a lot suspenseful and there was just enough romance to make me happy.
The plot moved quickly, and I kept on reading without realizing the time until I was almost finished with it. I just couldn't put it down. This is a definite heart stopping and awesome suspense. I never really knew who the bad guys were, and who the good guys were. Every time I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong. I like this about it. It was never predictable. I really enjoyed being surprised.
Every time I turned the page I discovered something new, different and extremely suspenseful. I know I use that word a lot, but it really applies to this story. This book really came alive to me. The characters were so clearly defined by this author, that I felt I knew them.
I loved this story from start to finish and would recommend it everyone. This is a real worth while book to read. You will not be disappointed. -
TAINTED WATERS by Maggie Thom is an exciting Romantic Suspense/Thriller. What a tangled web! Fast paced and filled with suspense,mystery,romance,intrigue,murder,and loved ones looking for answers. Join Samantha "Sam" Overton and
Keegan Wesley on a journey of finding the truth at almost all cost,including their lives,an attempted kidnapping and so much more. With twist after twist you do not want to miss one moment of "Tainted Waters". Ms. Thom is an exciting,masterful storyteller,whose characters has charm, as well as grit,plus devotion and guts. "Tainted Waters" is a must read for any thriller,suspense reader and anyone who enjoys a great read with many twists and turns. A nail biting story from beginning to end. A not to put down read! "Tainted Waters" will capture your attention and hold you to the there for page after page of adventure and suspense. Well done!! I can hardly wait to see what Ms. Thom has in store for her readers next!! Received for an honest review from the author.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: MILD
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, Review courtesy of My Book Addiction and More -
Samantha "Sam" Overton has a gift, a talent of being fired or quitting a job. It isn't something that she is particularly proud of but her latest gig as a journalist, got her fired. It wasn't that she wasn't good at it, she was but she ventured into a story that no one wants to tell and she had been told to stay away from.
Now without a job, Sam finds herself staying at her families cabin. An area that has its own history including her father's suicide, but as strange things begin to happen Sam is certain her belief he didn't is true and now plans to prove it.
Keegan has his own reasons for staying at the cabin which resides by Sam's. He is trying to uncover if his grandfather really died of natural causes or if there is more to it. Enlisting the help of Sam, both find themselves entwined in a mystery that could lead to more victims if not solved.
�Exciting story, loved the beginning introduction to Sam. She is a firecracker and had me chuckling. Had a little bit of everything from betrayal to romance. Another wonderful read from Maggie Thom. -
When I first started reading Tainted Waters, I immediately enjoyed the character of Sam (her wild nature) and was intrigued with how the following chapters read, written from point-of-views of different characters. This is a book where I needed to pay attention and the action scenes kept me on my toes waiting with anticipation wondering what was about to happen next. The book geared around a girl that can't seem to find her niche in life, and at the same time she is haunted by the questionable suicide of her beloved father inside her childhood memories. Thus suicide has taken place at their family lake house that's been collecting dust ever since. Keegan is an unforeseen man who joins her in every toss-and-turn beginning down a path never expected trying to survive the people gunning after them.
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An exciting read, this story has all the qualities of a first rate thriller, love story, loaded with suspense and enough twists and turns to keep the reader totally engrossed. I thoroughly enjoyed this author's style and how she brought everything together.
Sam, the main character doesn't believe that her father committed suicide when she was a child. She goes back to her roots to try to disprove this and solve the mystery behind his death. Will she find out who was responsible for his death if that was the case? What obstacles will she encounter? Will her life be in jeopardy?
If you are looking for a worthwhile read that will keep you engaged and riveted this is the book for you. Maggie Thom is a talented writer who is sure to rise in popularity as more readers realize her talent. I am looking forward to more from this rising star. -
If you like a setting on the edge of your seat nail biting mystery thriller here is one waiting for you! Tainted Waters was all of that and more. I found myself wanting a chance to jab the bad guys in the face a few times myself. As Sam and Keegan set out to figure out what is happening to the people who suddenly seem to be dying off it seems as though they were playing with the devil himself and he held all the cards. I couldn't put this book down I had to find the answers as much as Sam and Keegan. These two characters create quite a team and become a force that doesn't back down or walk away without finding what they came looking for.
Maggie Thom is an awesome mystery/ thriller writer and I am certainly happy I have stumbled upon her books. She has definitely earned a spot on my bookshelf. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Tainted Waters and highly recommend it. -
Tainted Waters is a fast paced, suspenseful thriller right up to the very end. There are twists and turns everywhere and just when you think you know, you realize you have no idea. The balance between suspense and romance is beautifully done and neither is overpowering of the other. The chemistry between the two main characters is realistic, and the reader watches both of them grow throughout the book. The relationship between Sam and her niece, DD, is amazingly sweet and DD grew to quickly become one of my favorite characters, the girl has spunk!
Everything is tied together beautifully through a maze of intrigue and we watch our Sam and Keegan grow closer than either of them ever wanted to, as they try and solve the mysteries of their pasts.
This is a read that will certainly keep you on your toes and keep you guessing right up until the very end.
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SPOILERS!
Samantha (Sam) has tried many different jobs, her latest being a reporter for the Tennison Post. Again, she is fired, yet none of her articles were published, especially the one involving a potential fraud case. While Sam is trying to figure out the whys (and really what she wants to do with her life), she meets Keegan, a published author. As it turns out, Keegan is working on trying to find answers of his own, also involving the Tennison Post.
Join Sam and Keegan as they join forces to find the answers they're both looking for. Who knows ... maybe there is a bit of romance thrown in along the way coupled with a few other stories. -
I LOVED this book! It was fast paced and had me gripped from the start….. And talk about twists! Just when I thought I knew where this story was leading…… Bang!….. Plot twist!I loved Sam’s nosy, I won’t stand for any crap character….. Which usually landed her in trouble, and in some cases a LOT of trouble.Keegan……oh Keegan……. A guy that never gives up, even when he’s black a blue! Just as stubborn as Sam and even more loveable.If you like your Thrillers (like me) then this is a book for you, I have Maggie Thoms next book and I’m itching to start it!!
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this book is incredible! Another masterpiece Maggie Thom. I was so caught up in the story that I read it all in one sitting, so be prepared to be rooted to your seat.
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This book has great characters. Sam, who feels like a complete screw-up because she can’t hold a job including the newspaper job she liked but was just fired from, and Keegan, a writer whom Sam keeps running into, are strong protagonists who get into lots of trouble. There are so many bad guys I had a little trouble keeping them straight. They are all after Sam but she has no idea why. The lake is almost like a character itself, beautiful and secretive. Strange things are happening at the far end and people related to the original owners of the four lake houses keep dying. I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on but all the questions I had were eventually answered though not necessarily the way I expected. This book was a great mystery with lots of sub-plots and nonstop action. It was a quick read that kept me reading late into the night to finish it. I thoroughly enjoyed the way the author wrapped everything up. I plan to read more of her works.
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Absolutely full of suspense. When Sam is fired, she goes to the cabin. She starts investigating whether her Dad really committed suicide or not. Grips you from the beginning.
