Scan barcode
filemanager's review
3.0
3.5 stars - Great read. The author has a fantastic writing style. The last 25% of the book or so (when the poetry retreat starts) is kind of slow, and the 'evidence' Kate thinks she's gathered really is just opinion isn't it? The biggest thing that annoyed me was that "Diving Fish" was supposedly Michael's swim coach. But then during the canoeing she said she couldn't go because she couldn't swim. (But she was the swim coach?) Then later when they fell in the Loch, suddenly she was swimming. Then somehow something "pulled her down"... doesn't seem plausible.
Also Kate didn't seem to grieve much when her mother died? And she claims she left her husband but I don't think HE knew that.... lol.
I did LOVE that none of the book's locations were in the United States! Loved the Canada-UK connection also!
Also Kate didn't seem to grieve much when her mother died? And she claims she left her husband but I don't think HE knew that.... lol.
I did LOVE that none of the book's locations were in the United States! Loved the Canada-UK connection also!
catreader18's review
5.0
This is a story of a mother who loses her 15year old son six year ago. New details emerge and she thinks his death was not an accident. However her new husband wants her to move in with her life. Can she uncover what happened that night at the lake?
I was quickly drawn into the story. As a mother I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child. Kate is still mourning her son and she finds some of her son’s things when she visits her mother’s house when her mother is ill. This opens Pandora’s box of her son’s death. I admire her strength and would do the same investigation if I was in her shoes.
The book is almost split into two sections, one with Kate investigating at her mother’s house and her somewhat controlling husband. The second is a poetry writing retreat later in the book. I loved the poetry retreat section the best because it was focused on Kate’s investigation and also where she finds the answers. I think I liked it because her husband was not there. I didn’t like him and his lack of empathy towards Kate.
I really enjoyed this boo love and read it in one day! I would highly recommend this book.
I was quickly drawn into the story. As a mother I can’t imagine the pain of losing a child. Kate is still mourning her son and she finds some of her son’s things when she visits her mother’s house when her mother is ill. This opens Pandora’s box of her son’s death. I admire her strength and would do the same investigation if I was in her shoes.
The book is almost split into two sections, one with Kate investigating at her mother’s house and her somewhat controlling husband. The second is a poetry writing retreat later in the book. I loved the poetry retreat section the best because it was focused on Kate’s investigation and also where she finds the answers. I think I liked it because her husband was not there. I didn’t like him and his lack of empathy towards Kate.
I really enjoyed this boo love and read it in one day! I would highly recommend this book.
aflowers93's review
5.0
Let me first start by saying this book was worth 10 stars not just 5. It follows a woman Kate whose son drowned 6 years prior. Kate as a mother believes there was some sort of foul play. Not only was there so much suspense packed into the story but the emotional journey with her fighting to find out the truth behind his death immediately has you hooked. Loved this read!
dixiesparkles's review
2.0
Six years ago, Kate lost her son Michael in a tragic drowning accident. Her husband wants her to move on and concentrate on her future, but when Kate finds her son’s diary, her suspicions rise about what really happened to Michael all those years ago.
I really loved the sound of this novel based on the blurb, and it did not take me very long to read. I enjoyed Kate’s interactions with her sister and her neighbour, as well as learning about a very different childhood to my own.
However, I really struggled to warm to the main protagonist. She makes some questionable choices and behaves in ways I could not really relate to. I think the plot is missing something and seems a little undeveloped which I found quite jarring.
I was hoping for a lot more tension and a build-up of atmosphere. I think this is a much lighter thriller than I was expecting.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy in return for an honest review.
I really loved the sound of this novel based on the blurb, and it did not take me very long to read. I enjoyed Kate’s interactions with her sister and her neighbour, as well as learning about a very different childhood to my own.
However, I really struggled to warm to the main protagonist. She makes some questionable choices and behaves in ways I could not really relate to. I think the plot is missing something and seems a little undeveloped which I found quite jarring.
I was hoping for a lot more tension and a build-up of atmosphere. I think this is a much lighter thriller than I was expecting.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy in return for an honest review.
khoar's review
3.0
Kate's son, Michael, drowned in the lake six years ago. While it was called an accidental death, Kate has never really believed that. When she is cleaning out her mother's house and find's Michael's diary, she becomes driven to find out the truth about what happened that night.
I was definitely drawn by the description. Hattie Ladbury and Vinny Moli performed excellent narration Overall, a good psychological thriller.
(NETGALLEY BOOK – I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY ADVANCED READER COPY OF THIS BOOK THROUGH NETGALLEY. OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS REVIEW ARE COMPLETELY MY OWN.)
I was definitely drawn by the description. Hattie Ladbury and Vinny Moli performed excellent narration Overall, a good psychological thriller.
(NETGALLEY BOOK – I RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY ADVANCED READER COPY OF THIS BOOK THROUGH NETGALLEY. OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS REVIEW ARE COMPLETELY MY OWN.)
rgarli905's review
5.0
A mother grieving for the loss of her teenage son 6 years ago. She can't accept that his death was an accident even after all these years. When her mother is admitted to hospital she goes to mind the cat and discovers the diary of her son hidden in the back of the cupboard. Why didn't her mum share it with her? Not everything is as it seemed at the time. She sees a different side those around her including her son. Was his death really an accident? Finding his diary sends her on a mission to uncover the truth no matter the cost. A gripping thriller but an easy read-I finished in 2 days! Can't wait to read more from this author!
tissytis's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this after reading her 2nd book which is being published soon. It is different way of writing, still gripping as well. Find it quite medically centred which I guess is part of the pull that kept me interested. The ending was such a twist for me that it did shock me. I found the bit just before the ending quite long winded and must admit I lost the plot slightly.
Trigger warning: Need to follow this read with something cheerful and light, especially if you are a parent.
Trigger warning: Need to follow this read with something cheerful and light, especially if you are a parent.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death