Thank you to ThrillerBookLovers Promotions, Thomas & Mercer, #partner, for an advanced e- copy of These Still Black Waters in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: October 1, 2023
Summary:
Two women struggle toward a dark truth as a killer avenges the sins of the past in a twisting novel of suspense by the USA Today bestselling author of Do No Harm, Behind Every Lie, and The Night Olivia Fell.
After a violent home invasion, Neve Maguire returns with her daughter to Black Lake, her childhood summer home, hoping for a fresh start. But when the body of a woman is found floating among the reeds in the lake behind her house, she fears she has made a horrible mistake.
Neve is hiding secrets, though. Detective Jess Lambert can tell. Recently back after her own personal tragedy, Jess knows what it’s like to live with skeletons in your closet, and she’s sure Neve has a few of her own.
When another woman’s body is found, Jess and Neve are forced to confront a horrible truth. Because one thing is clear: the darkness of the past is waiting. And the secrets of Black Lake are only just beginning to surface.
My thoughts:
This is the third book I’ve read by Christina McDonald and it just might be my favorite one so far, though I have to say the other ones I’ve had have been very good. And I love that this new one is the start of a series…you all know how I love my series!
This is the type of book that is so hard to say much without giving any spoilers. I loved how fast-paced and addictive it was. I found myself immediately pulled in and ended up finishing it in a matter of hours. I became so invested in what was going on and so engaged with these characters that I could not stop reading until everything was resolved. This is such a layered, atmospheric read and I loved that there is an air of unreliability and just a hint of the paranormal floating around.
I love a book with flawed characters and that is what we find with both Detective Jess Lambert and Neve Maguire. Learning about their backstories really makes this book work the way it does. The twists come hard and fast, and I wasn’t expecting them at all but when they happened, I loved them. I have a feeling Detective Jess Lambert is going to become a favorite character as this series progresses and I am all for it. She is definitely a troubled character, but I also loved her fierce determination to get to the bottom of this case.
This book is part police procedural, part psychological thriller that touches on themes of guilt and grief in such a touching way. It is the perfect book to add to your spooky reading list. I’m already counting the days until the next book in the series comes out! In the meantime, I’ll be reading the one book on Christina’s backlist I haven’t yet read.
