Catherine Steadman

“Being a criminal is mentally exhausting.” Couldn’t sum it up better myself! Erin proves that everything you think you know, you don’t in this un-put-downable thriller.
Steadman’s pithy humor and full bodied, suspenseful story hooked me and didn’t let go. The characters are realistic, Erin’s personality is especially sarcastic and to the point, while the plot is intriguing and keeps you on your toes. Bravo!
*I received an arc from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review

Started off slow, but ok. Quite a transparent plot and a supremely stupid narrator. Seriously, how did Erin make it to adulthood? It’s like it’s opposite day all the time for her. Husband lost his job and you barely make enough to cover the groceries? Go ahead and have a wedding, honeymoon and try to get pregnant. What idiots! Find a USB drive with a bunch of contraband and dead people? Of course ignore it. Can’t be important. Nah.

Anyway...it was obvious from the start that Mark show more wasn’t what he seemed and was gaslighting her pretty much all the time. Just how culpable he was in this whole thing is pretty unclear though. Stumbling on a plane crash in the Pacific ocean is a big stretch. All we have is Erin’s guesses and we know how in tune with reality she is. It was disappointing that she couldn’t have given us more info on him - like why he really got let go from his job, how he knew how to hire thugs, etc. And, speaking of thugs, we just knew that Eddie would get involved in this whole thing. How beholden to him she will be is unclear in the end, but we know she’s on the hook.

It isn’t a terrible book, but it’s slow, predictable & has very little payoff. I’m glad I didn’t read this one first because Mr. Nobody is better by far. show less

Harriet, a bestselling novelist, is engaged to Edward, eldest son of one of the wealthiest families in America. Meeting his family turns out to be as unnerving as anticipated. Then as Christmas approaches the family invite Harriet to join in their strange “games” that are foreign to her, a new arrival from England. Thrilling, horrifying, but totally unrealistic, secrets emerge as the story progresses. Harriet should have escaped the in-laws from hell and run, as fast as she could, back show more to England at any point in this story. Even with the high level unbelievability, this is a book that is hard to put down as the reader joins Harriet in trying desperately to figure out what is going on. show less

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 show more 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. show less