OMG! This book is definitely one of Jennifer McMahon's BEST! I loved every minute. So creepy and atmospheric. Jackie is a social worker living in Tacoma, Washington, about as far as she could get from her bi-polar sister, Lexi. Lexi inherited the old family mansion complete w/ fresh springs pool in Vermont. But there is something, ahem, wrong, w/ the pool. Many creepy stories surround it has claimed more than a few lives.
Jax hasn't spoken to Lexi in a year when she gets the call that her sister, the best swimmer, has drowned in the pool. Suicide? An accident? A murder? Can Jax solve the mystery of the pool before it's too late for her?

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio version and an early e-ARC.*

I have yet to read a book by McMahon that I didn’t enjoy. She is fantastic at atmospheric creepy vibes-which is what I love.
This book is written with alternating timelines form the POV of two different women. Both timelines are focused on mineral springs water that while offers healing properties and may possibly even grant wishes also takes as it give. Reading this is like waiting for the other shoe
to drop. You constantly feel uneasy and are waiting to see how these stories will connect. The ending was awesome and the narration was fantastic. I highly recommend it.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Gallery Books and Jennifer McMahon for my ARC.

The Drowning Kind is a mystery told in 2 different storylines. I enjoy 2 storyline books because I like trying to solve how the characters are connected. This book was no different in that regard! I was constantly trying to figure out how the characters fit into each other’s storylines, I was close, but I did miss some parts. I liked the characters and the bond between sisters. I am not a big fan of “ghost stories” so when it took a supernatural turn, I lost a little interest. I enjoyed the narrator and thought she did a great job with the different characters. I also liked how the book tied up the loose ends in the end. Overall, this book was enjoyable!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

I realized that I didn't want to continue reading about servile female characters. The concept is somewhat interesting but the book couldn't hold my interest.

The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon⁣
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What a dark, creepy and twisty read! ⁣
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The book was a bit of a slow starter for me, which is understandable when developing more than on storyline. I love interconnected stories, getting nuggets of information and puzzling them together. ⁣
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McMahon does a great job of keeping you guessing ,never sure what is reality.⁣
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This is the first book I've read from this author, but it will not be the last.

The narration was good, I believe both narrator voices added to the story, one in sheer unsettling creepiness and the other in love and adoration.

Big thanks to NetGalley, Scout Press, and Simon Schuster Audio for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

This ghost story is told from two perspectives: that of Jax, the sister of a young woman who has recently drowned at “The Springs,” and Ethel Monroe, known more as Mrs. Monroe than Ethel, in the late 1920s and early 1930s. The narrative swings back and forth between the two, with the only connection being their location until mid-book when their full connection becomes clearer. Nothing is really completely clear in the book, with events that seem to be supernatural but which the reader, like Jax, attempts to bring under logical scrutiny.

I listed to this book, which is narrated by two women (one for each of the two perspectives). Jax’ narrator brings her no-nonsense approach to life as she is confronted with seemingly impossible events, while Mrs. Monroe’s narrator helps the listener see the character as more ethereal. Mrs. Monroe’s sections move at a slower pace, more reflective of the time, than do Jax’ sections. This is all very well done, with the sections coming together over time but each fully engaging the listener.

The writing about the location is evocative and, whether it is in present times or in the past, the reader/listener will feel as though they have actually been to Brandenburg, Vermont.

There’s a twist at the end of this book that reminds me of a movie from the late 90s that shall remain nameless. If you saw the movie and you read the book, you’ll know what I mean. The reader gets a little warning of what’s coming, but only a very small bit and only at the end of the book. I’m not surprised to see that Simone St. James gave this book a 5-star rating on Goodreads, since there are similarities to St. James’ The Sun Down Motel.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC!

I dove into this book without reading the synopsis, and I'm glad I did. I loved listening to the mysterious story unfold.

The story toggles back and forth between the point of view of Ethel Monroe in 1929 and Lexie's in present day. Ethel Monroe is drawn to spring that is showcased by a smart, new hotel in Vermont. Meanwhile, Lexie revisits her old home when she learns her sister has drowned in their grandmother's pool.

What connects these two women is slowly revealed throughout the course of the novel.

I requested this book because I loved the eerie atmosphere of the Winter People, and The Drowning Kind is even better with its macabre feel and slow burn. McMahon's writing is crisp as she examines the lives of these 2 very different women, and how they are both drawn to the inexplicable power of something that's right in their own backyards.

This book was thrilling and totally gave me goosebumps. I love how the author doesn't fully explain everything and lets the reader draw their own conclusions. The ending is just so shocking, yet presented so subtly that I had to listen to it twice! (P.S. I was also super creeped out when I was listening to certain parts of it that I had to make sure to stop listening when it got dark)..

I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it!

This book gives a whole new meaning to the adage be careful what you wish for!! Jax is a social worker who returns to her family home after her sister Lexi is found dead in the pool. Ethel is a wife in the 1920's who wants to have a child more than anything. The story follows these two timelines to unwind a history of strange occurrences that center around a natural spring on the property. The water is believed to have healing powers, but Jax and Ethel both learn there is more to it than that. This is a super creepy tale that makes me oh so glad that I don't have a pool!! Thank you @netgalley and @simonandschuster for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This poignant and ethereal story is nothing less than an outstanding literary masterpiece! As I slowly approached the close of the epilogue, I felt shivers all over my body.

My full book review will be posted soon on my book review blog site.

This was a very creepy and chilling audiobook! It kept me on my toes and questioning what would come next and how the characters were all connected. There were parts of the story that dragged on and I found to be unnecessary, however did not overall stop me from wanting to continue the book - or rate it poorly!

The book is written alternating between two women during two different time periods - all surrounding water found on a property in the Northeast. Although this sounds like it may be confusing, it is not. You spend much of the story questioning the connection between these two women and the property.

Present Day, Jax, a social worker, learns that her sister Lexie, drowns at the pool in their grandmother’s estate. Jax arrives at the house, confused, as her sister was an incredibly strong swimmer. Over time, she discovers that her sister was researching the property and her family. Learning that the past and land hold many dark secrets.

1929, Ethel Monroe, a newlywed, wishes at a natural spring in Vermont for a baby. After learning of her pregnancy, she learns that the water grants wishes, but also takes just as much as it gives. Will she and her husband be able to avoid heartbreak?

Throughout the story I felt uneasy and untrustworthy of the stories being told. Never knowing when something new would be thrown my way. Is there something special and haunted about the water or property? Are the characters assuming things or is there something else going on? And how are these two stories connected? Jennifer McMahon is an incredibly talented author, writing a story that keeps you questioning what will happen next.

Thank you to Netgalley, Gallery Books and Jennifer McMahon for my advanced reader copy!

This spooky ghost story is told in two timelines – 1929 and 2019, with Ethel the early speaker, and Jax our current. The story centers around a beautiful natural spring that appears to have the power to heal and grant your wishes, but always at a personal cost. Both timelines are so well written, and drew you deeper into the story of the spring. It was nice and creepy, and I had a hard time putting it down at night, just one more chapter. A great follow up to the The Winter People. If you are looking for a good night read, with a candle as your only light and maybe the wind howling outside, then this is for you!

2.5/5
I was thrilled when I was approved to listen to this early release! The cover is stunning, the synopsis piqued my interest, and McMahon is an author I’ve seen around social media with rave reviews for The Winter People. I dove in with pretty high expectations.
Unfortunately, this book wasn’t for me. I found it difficult to get into - I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. I did appreciate the haunting atmosphere and some parts really creeped me out!
While this particular title wasn’t my favorite, I am interested in reading The Winter People.

Thank you so much for this opportunity!

I don't think I'll be climbing in any bodies of dark water soon. This was nice and creepy.

I loved how it was told from two points of view, one in 2019 and one in the 1930's. The books is filled with wonderful characters and creepy but also heartfelt moments.

Both stories revolve around a spring outside a resort that is thought to have healing properties. Yes, the spring gives, but it also takes away.

I enjoyed reading The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon. A story that will keep you wonder what is real and what is only in the minds of the characters.

Thank you Simon and Schuster for an advanced audio copy of this book. Told in two voices, Jax and Ethel, the Springs have seeming health-restoring properties. The book opens with Jax finding out that her sister, who is bipolar, has drowned in the family pool. This just isn’t any pool, it’s part of the Springs, where people, for generations have come for its restorative powers. But the Springs give and take away. This is a nice, suspenseful book. Characters act like they should and the narrators do a good job of taking a reader back and forth in time. The book is set for publication in Spring which means it would be great for a Summer book club and maybe make you want to hop in a pool. But only if you can see the bottom.

I love how McMahon can intertwine past and present in such a smooth manner. The biggest mystery of all is how all these characters fit in each other lives between past and present. The toggle between the 1920s and the present does not take away from the story but adds to the story as a whole. The story did start out slow, but it does pick up very quickly. There is always some type of supernatural to McMahon's story, but it's not out of the realm of real life. Each character has such depth and a full background story. However, they were not written in a traditional style of storytelling.

The story was Narrated by Joy Osmanski; Imani Jade Powers. Their voices sound very much alike. I could not differentiate who was reading, which is not a bad thing. Each narrator did a great job changing their voices to fit the characters. It's not easy to do. It helps set the tone. I love these narrators.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Audio and NetGalley for letting me listen to this amazing ARC in exchange for an honest review.

One of my favorites for the year, already. This book gave me so many Frozen vibes, if Frozen was more spooky than Disney. I wouldn't necessarily call this a horror book. Mystery Thriller, maybe even with a bit of psychological thriller. I love when two stories intertwine throughout an entire book and the connection is not fully disclosed until the very end. The narrator's voice is also very relaxing and I loved it.

This story unfolds in rural Vermont on a timeline split between 2019 and 1929. In the present day, Jax is bothered when she notices that she's missed multiple calls from her sister Lexie. She chalks it up to another of her sister's manic episodes, part of the issues that have pushed the sisters apart over the years. She's dismayed the next day to hear that Lexie is dead - drowned in the pool at their late grandmother's estate - Sparrow Crest. When she arrives at Sparrow Crest to settle her sister's affairs, she learns that Lexie was researching the history of their family and their property. Jax finds herself pulled into the research as well, and she discovers that there are dark secrets in the past of the estate and the family. In 1929, Ethel Monroe hopes desperately for a baby. She and her husband visit the Brandenburg Springs Hotel for a getaway weekend- the newest, grandest and most exclusive hotel in the Northeast. There, they can take the water in the hotel's natural spring to refresh themselves and enjoy it's healing properties. Ethel learns that the spring water is rumored to grant wishes. But every wish has it's price, and the spring takes in equal measure for what it gives.

When I was growing up, a family friend had an in-ground pool - very luxurious for our area.  It was a big treat when we got to go to Sue's house to swim in her pool, but I was always afraid to jump in the deep end.  I would kneel at the edge of the pool and peek over the edge - I imagined that there were sharks, killer whales, moray eels and every other scary sea creature hiding down there, ready to lunge out and eat me up.  I would dream about that for years.  I've always loved to swim, but I don't like dark water - water I can't see into.  The worst is swimming in a murky lake, and feeling something brush against you.  Is it driftwood or a giant snapping turtle?  No way to know.  This book very effectively taps into those fears and clutches the reader in its icy grip for the duration of the story. 

Have I mentioned lately how much I love Jennifer McMahon?  In my opinion, she is the reigning queen of the creepy atmospheric New England ghost story.  If you enjoy ghost stories and you don't know Jennifer McMahon, stop what you're doing and go check her out.  Go ahead, I'll wait… This was an excellent book. It was very creepy, slow-burning, Gothic mystery. I listened to the audiobook and I had a hard time turning it off - I felt compelled to keep listening up to the end of each chapter and to the end of the book. It was well narrated by Joy Osmanski and Imani Jade Powers. The dual narrators made it easy to tell which time period was happening, which was helpful. I love how Jennifer McMahon so skillfully weaves together the events of the past with the present. This is a recurring theme in her books - how the actions of the past continues to impact us in the present, and how sometimes the dead just can't seem to rest in peace. A very well done book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys ghost stories. Thank you to Netgalley and to Simon & Schuster Audio for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Joy Osmanski & Imani Jade Powers did a phenomenal job narrating, at first I couldn't differentiate the characters, it took me some time. It would be preferable to read the ebook or physical copy. Jax and Ethel were well-executed characters, very sympathetic with them and understanding all their feelings and actions. The story arouses my greatest fear, the thought of being immersed in dark and cold water is terrifying. The supernatural element enhanced the frightening atmosphere but did not dominate the story. full rtc

This book is set around a hot springs type pool and Jax & Lexie, who are sisters. It bounces from 1929/1930 and 2019. This my first book by Jennifer McMahon, I'll have to check out her other books. I've heard so many good things about this author and wasn't disappointed. I'm don't understand the woman from the 1930's kept saying her own name. I liked this book a lot and would recommend it to all you thrill and suspense seekers.