Catherine Steadman

A Novel

Something in the Water

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. . . . 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. . . .

a novel

Something in the water

Melissa Palmer

Book #37 Read in 2019

Something in the Water by Catherin Steadman



This is a good psychological thriller, with twists and turns that will keep readers engaged. Erin and Mark find money on their honeymoon but at what cost will they be able to keep it? The writing was tight and the characters, while pretty unlikable, were interesting to read about.

a little too slow for my taste as well as not a whole lot of dialogue. on the good side though the way the ending played out and the whole connections with two of the inmates was interesting. 

Hannah Williams

Patricia Nelson

This book was a great read - it grabbed my attention and kept me wondering how it would play out all the way to the end.

Krystyna 

The cover of this book is beautiful and after reading the synopsis I immediately wanted to pick it up. Also, the fact that it is a pick for Reese Witherspoon’s book club, Hello Sunshine, made me want to read it that much more. I was hoping that the story would be my next favorite. At times it was entertaining and there were parts that were pretty intense for me. However, there were various aspects that I was disappointed in. The premise of this book was so intriguing to me. I’m not going to spoil anything but there was a certain part of this book that had my heart racing and so nervous to continue reading the book because it touches on one of my fears. I know if I were in that situation I would have a full on panic. However, there were some issues I had with it. I did get frustrated at the characters sometimes throughout the book, especially the main character. I predicted some of the outcomes of the book. I can't address most of my issues with the book because of spoilers. But, it is best to go into this book blindly. I say that a lot but I think that for thrillers, especially, that it is better to not know much if anything about it. When I finished reading this book I couldn’t wait to recommend it to my friends/coworkers that read mysteries and thrillers so we could discuss our thoughts on it.

Gisela Ayala 

In the words of Erin, "HOLY SHIT." 

First of all, THAT BEGINNING. *insert explicit here again* The very first chapter, the very first sentence I was absolutely hooked. I have never read or listened to a beginning like that (and if you have any more books that begin as well as that, please DO share). After that incredible beginning, Steadman introduces the players in more detail- Erin, Mark, and a whole cast of carefully thought out personalities (I adored Eddie from the beginning). 

Let's talk about Erin though, Erin, my dear Erin, gosh you gave me at least fifty panic attacks throughout the book- but in a good way. Steadman had Erin on our feet never really knowing how she would react or go about something, but even with the guessing she was probably the most reliable character in the book- the rest were shady as hell! I loved it! I was racking my brain trying to figure out who could be conspiring against them. 

I also have to say, this is unlike any thriller I have read in a long time. Usually, we get the "missing-beautiful-young-woman" kind of story or the "someone-is-murdered-and-the main-character-inserts-themselves." But no, this was totally different for me. Confession: I have a soft spot for scoundrels, "bad" guys with a moral compass intact, also mafia stuff (blame my dad and I for the many times we watched The Godfather together as a kid) and so with this being put out into the world it made total sense why I was completely involved with the plot. I'm really trying not give too much away guys. You NEED to experience the adrenaline rush with Erin as she tries to keep up with criminal masterminds and how the characters struggle with their own moral compass. 

Side Note: I listened to the audiobook. I HIGHLY recommend it. Steadman was brilliant.

Cheri McElroy

I typically write reviews only for books that have polarizing opinions. I get why some people dislike this book. The stream of consciousness narration irritates some people and many are underwhelmed by the outcome. I liked both. The reason I gave it five stars is that it left so many things open-ended and that made the story stick with me. A great first novel by this author.

PS. And that opening scene? It had me hooked.

Kathy Andrew

I couldn't read fast enough. Not a deep book but definitely a fun read.

Ley Stanton

There were some aspects I loved of this book, aka Eddie, but the rest of the book was super boring to me. It took almost a month for me to finish the audiobook.

Held my attention the entire time. The further I got into it the more interesting it got. Part of the ending was interesting, felt like “why does this matter why circle back” but it was good. A few remaining questions but for the most part it was good closure. 

Makenna Gervais

Megan Vaughn

** spoiler alert **
           This story fell a little flat for me. I guess the one big twist would be that Mark turned to (or always had been on) the dark side which I somewhat predicted. The fact that the encrypted files were never revealed was somewhat disappointing and felt like a cop out to me

Kerry Kalinoski

The last 50 pages of this book are some of the best I’ve read. But getting there was some of the most boring reading I’ve ever done. I thought this would be a tropical book and a fun summery read. Most of the book takes place in London, not an exotic tropical location and is just setting up for the ending. Happy I finished cause the ending was good but it took me a long long time.

Sara Turner

** spoiler alert **
           The ending was disappointing. I wanted to know more about the plane people! Also- Erin turned out to be uninteresting in the end. There was so much potential in the story and character build up to create a smarter ending. Perhaps I thought I was in for a different kind of story? I feel let down though. Great writing but I just felt left in the dark at the end. I couldn’t even be happy for Erin and how she got away with everything!

Skye Sherman

I don’t know what to make of this book. In one sense, it wasn’t a particularly compelling thriller and ended...I don’t know. With something to be desired. But in another sense, I kinda couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end (at least once I got halfway-ish through the book). And also, I feel like there were a LOT of unnecessary details/superfluous story lines, but then the author also left us with holes in the story lines that did matter (which I kinda can’t stand in a book. TELL US WHAT IS ON THE DAMN USB!). 

So, I don’t know. I feel like it was an idea with good potential but mishandled a bit. But still captivating enough to keep me hooked, albeit all the way to a somewhat unsatisfying and tepid conclusion.

Cindy

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.I became engrossed with this story pretty much from the beginning. I was not a huge fan of Erin and Mark as a couple, I liked Erin way more than Mark but at times I wanted to shake some sense into her as she made blunder after blunder. I am being very vague because it is not easy to review without giving away anything. Suffice it to say, this story is an edge of your seat thrill ride. I could not put this book down. There were so many twists and turns and as I mentioned my issue with Erin was that she was a bit naive at times,.

If you like thriller with a huge twist and great plot this is for you.This review was originally posted on My Fiction Obsession

Bethany Williamson

Definitely keeps you on your toes! So much mystery you can’t stop listening just because you want to know what happens next and who’s involved in what!

Fellowes Cynthia

Wow, did I love, love, love this book!!! After reading so many books with multiple points of view and going from the past to the present frequently, it was a pleasure to experience a straight forward, simple read!!! An exciting plot with twists and turns that I found to be spellbinding. Yes, there was some past and present narrative, but it was not unwieldly and unmanageable and exhausting to follow. 

A couple is on their honeymoon when they find something and the ensuing events propel the reader forward - quite the page turner.

I don't like to reveal a lot just like I don't like to read any spoilers myself. I like to read books with very minimal knowledge of the plot - just the basic, please and thank you.

Amanda Autumn Berrey

Three Stars

A brief synopsis: A couple discovers a sunken plane wreck while in Bora Bora on their honeymoon and quickly realize it’s filled with valuables. As they decide to take the possessions home they discover there’s a lot of baggage that comes with their newfound treasure

My review: I liked this novel. It was pretty interesting and a fairly fast read. I saw the ending coming. I want to know more of what happened with Holi. I’d also like to know what exactly was encrypted. I know the author left all this to build interest but it’s a little anticlimactic since we never found out

Mary Skinner

I was prepared to give this book a solid 2 until just over halfway through, but the last half really redeems it. 

I think ultimately this is a book about red flags to me. Ignoring them, not seeing them, misinterpreting them, embracing them. It’s definitely a page turner in the last half, and I was more surprised by the reveal at the end than I would have expected. Humans are always so afraid of being lied to; I think there’s a paranoid  side to all of us, a side that fears betrayal, heartbreak, and dishonesty. This book really plays on those fears, I found that element more thrilling & disturbing than any of the pieces of mystery inside the plot. 



Addison hauser

I AM STUNNED. I will not spoil the book in anyways but the twist in the book had my mouth on the floor. I had to re read the page to make sure it was true. 

I truly thought I had this book planned out with another twist in mind, but I was proven wrong(which I love). The corrupt characters in this book just made it better. I also loved the adventure and how they stumbled upon the whole mess. 

I really enjoyed how the issue expanded, but it wasn’t unbelievable. The book was fiction, but my mind can’t to think that this could somehow be a crazy real life situation. 

I highly recommend this book.

Corey White

** spoiler alert **
           Spoilers. 

I feel like I completely missed something here. The ending, well really all of it, feels incredibly disjointed. Was that even an ending? What did Holli do? What did Mark’s look convey? 

I was thinking maybe she had a past she compartmentalized and that we would find she was an unreliable narrator, but nope. Or maybe Mark was part of the Russian, or that there really hadn’t been people down in the plane. 

I am so confused. Unsure of how this got picked as a Reese’s Book club book.

Melissa Deitrick

I had seen mixed reviews about this was super hyped as one of the June 2018 Hello Sunshine Reese's Book Club pick and wanted to give it a good go anyway. My husband and I listened to this Audible and he guessed at the plot as soon as the honeymoon started. Aside, from one small detail he mostly nailed it. 

It was a pleasant enough read for our small road trip; I've lost love for characters who spend most of the book freaking out over what could happen. Do I need to move on from Psychological Thriller genre? Perhaps...

The story is told first person POV with only one voice. The beginning about digging the grave and the absolute detail in it was what REALLY drew me in, let's be real. Steadman has written in moments where our narrator spills these paragraphs that sit really well. Those lines you'd ACTUALLY highlight in a paperback and that reverberate with you after the book ends...yeah, you know what I'm talking about! I just felt like they were muddled behind the story and that Steadman's true talent has yet to reach it's full potential.

So. I couldn't do it. 🤣

Without spoilers, I think what ruined it for me was that A, it took way too long to get into the action. The characters are not believable or relatable and are very annoying. And B, the characters have no common sense and it just kills me to try to see where this goes, because it's a forced ignorance that drives the story. I don't buy it.

(view spoiler)[ First of all, I cannot feel sorry for an investment banker who claims he can do nothing else. Yes. You. Can. If you dont want to do anything else, fine. Admit it! Dont tell me that your years of working at a bank are void of any marketable skills in a job search. That's just clear manipulation and I hate it.

Secondly, I cannot believe that a reporter and a banker would find a duffel bag floating in the ocean, look inside to find millions of dollars, diamonds, and a freaking GUN and not think drug deal organized crime post 2015. I don't buy it.

I am not about to sit and have an author try to convince me that they would not know it was bad until they found the plane. "They're not good people," REALLY? DO YOU THINK? WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CLUE?!? Okay, I'm done ranting lol.

I stopped when the wife starts droning on about the phone. It's dumb. This whole plot is full of swiss cheese holes and I just can't with it lol.  (hide spoiler)]

If you enjoy thrillers and don't mind the usual level of predictability and/or frustration with terrible choices made by lead characters, then you will probably enjoy this. I did! Although I did find myself having to skim through the really frustrating parts because I just couldn't handle the idiotic antics. I do know some people who would make terrible choices, so it's not totally unbelievable - just frustrating. 

I did find a few plot points and character development sections pretty unique and entertaining, but some major plot points (for me!) were pretty darn predictable. I listened to the audio book via Audible, and REALLY enjoyed the author's reading of the book - she is an actress by trade, so this was certainly a natural gig for her. 

4-stars because while predictable on several levels, it was also unique in many ways: Original characters and backgrounds, good story flow, interesting opening, satisfying ending (to me).

Krystal Campbell 

** spoiler alert **
           A great thriller that kept me interested the whole time. I did find that the husbands involvement was slightly predictable but it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the read. A good quick thriller.

Something in the Water A Novel

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