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We’ve all had days when we’ve wished for a miracle—some totally unlikely turn of events that changes everything for the better. But in Something in the Water by author Catherine Steadman, a couple learns that the miracle they wished for doesn’t necessarily make everything better.
The story finds a couple’s path altered forever on their honeymoon. Documentary filmmaker Erin is excited to settle down and start a family with the man of her dreams—but her new husband, Mark, is struggling. After losing his job as an investment banker, Mark has been desperately searching for a new job. They’re happy to take time out from the stress of everyday life for a relaxing tropical honeymoon on Bora Bora. But then, during a day of scuba diving, they discover something that could be a blessing or a curse.
Something in the Water actually begins toward the end of the story—as Erin is forced to bury a body—before jumping back to start from the beginning. So even in the slower moments as the story builds—the normal, everyday moments of the couples lives leading up to the wedding—the tension is there. You’ll know that things are going to go horribly wrong at some point, and as the days pass, you’ll start trying to put the pieces together. Does it have something to do with a business deal that Mark is working on? Is it related to Erin’s documentary about convicts who are about to be released from prison? Or is it something else entirely—or even a combination of things? Because there are just so many ways that this story could go wrong.
Erin is a likable character in a difficult position. At the beginning of the story, she’s working to plan a wedding and a future and a family with a man who’s struggling in his career—all while making some important steps in her own career. She’s thoughtful and compassionate, but she’s also driven—the kind of character that you’ll root for. After the honeymoon, though, everything changes; she’s still a likable character, but some of her choices are frustrating—and totally risky. Of course, it makes for a more action-packed and suspenseful thriller, but the characters’ decisions don’t always make sense.
Though it’s not without its flaws, Something in the Water is a gripping thriller—the kind that will grab your attention and keep you guessing. If you’re looking for some tension and suspense in your next beach read, this is a good choice.
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