Well Jennifer McMahon has done it again! This book had the creepiness, the paranormal, the suspense, and I didn’t want to put it down. If you liked The Invited, then you will love this one! This book gave me chills on several occasions where I wanted to stop reading out of fear, but I was hooked at the same time.

I listened to the audio version of this book and was pleased with the different voices in the past and present.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Audio for this early release audiobook! Looking forward to more from Jennifer McMahon!

Social worker Jax is devastated when her sister, Lexie, drowns at their grandmother’s estate. When Jax learns that Lexie had been researching their family history, she embarks on her own journey to discover the truth about their family property and the drownings that have taken place there. Jax's journey takes the reader/listener between 1929 and present day brilliantly and I was hooked until the end. I am usually a chicken when it comes to books with any kind of spooky element, but the synopsis of The Drowning Kind intrigued me enough to try it. Jennifer McMahon writes in such a beautiful way, making this book so much more than a ghost story. Layered with elements of history, family, mental health and so much more, I would recommend this one to anyone.

I have grown up around lakes but never been thrilled to be in them, when I can’t see my feet it creeps me out. Books like this one just confirm that I have always been valid in my fears of crap being in murky water that shouldn’t be, and no I will not be jumping in a lake anytime soon.

This is a dual timeline book that centers around a natural spring both in 1929 and now. It is told from two different POV’s, Ethel and Jax. 1929 is from the POV of Ethel Monroe, whom is desperately trying for a baby and upon a getaway trip with her husband learns the spring at their hotel is known to grant wishes, but at a cost. Present day POV is told from social worker Jax, who receives several missed calls from her sister, who assumes she is having another episode. The next day, her sister is found dead, drowned in the pool at their grandmother’s estate. As Jax looks into her death, she finds that said land has a pretty dark past they never knew about.

The audio for this one was great, with different narrators for the past and present day. I do not like a lot of creepy, and this was just about right. I did enjoy the past storyline a little bit more, the current day seemed to get away from itself a bit. It came together in the end as it resolved itself, but I am still not sure I liked the ending and had to listen to it twice to make sure I understood it, but it was mind blowing for sure. Overall, this was a great, solidly creepy read and if you like atmospheric thrillers where the setting is key, this is definitely for you.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @scoutpress for the ALC to review!

Books I read from the library or as an e-book, and end up liking very much, I have to purchase a physical copy to add to my library. This is one of those stories.

Jennifer McMahon does a great job telling a story that relies on building an atmosphere. This is a suspenseful mystery with a supernatural tone. It is told from two POV's and they are well distinguished from each other. Jax from the present day and Ethel from 1929 into the 1930's as journal entry style narration. I liked how the two timelines build towards each other throughout the whole story.
And the ending was amazing. I won't say more on that because I don't want to give anything away. A very enjoyable read and soon to find a space on my book shelves.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this audio-ARC.

The book is broken into two time periods. Present day, Jax is a social worker that comes from a bit of a dysfunctional family. Her sister has her manic episodes and her father drinks a lot. Her mother passed away years ago. Having been estranged from her sister Lexie for about a year, Jax can only assume that when Lexie starts blowing up her phone that she's gone off her meds and having a manic episode. Concerned after the phone calls abruptly stop and Lexie is now unreachable, Jax seeks out her aunt to check on her sister only to get a follow up phone call she never expected. Lexie is gone. She drowned in the pool at their late grandmother's house in which Lexie resided. Jax returns to the place where she spent much of her childhood and discovers that Lexie had been researching the history of the family and the property causing Jax to question what really happened to her sister.
1930s. Ethel Monroe is desperately trying to conceive with her husband, but the reality of her becoming a mother seem to dwindle over time as she continues to be unsuccessful. Her husband decides to take her away for a weekend to get her mind off things to a spring that is known to help people in many ways. While visiting the springs Ethel learns of its powers but is warned that nothing comes without a price. Despite this warning, being desperate she decides to ignore it and proceed anyway. What's the harm? Shortly after a miracle happens and Ethel is blessed with a baby. Ethel is beyond thrilled with her new bundle of joy. However, something happens and Ethel is reminded of the warnings. Desperate to save her little girl, she returns to the springs and ultimately the family becomes a prisoner of the mystical grounds. Just how powerful are the springs?

This was an ARC that I was fortunate enough to receive (audio version). Many thanks to Netgalley, Simon & Schuster Audio, and Jennifer McMahon for the opportunity to read this book. There are two narrators for this book and both did an amazing job. The storyline itself was very intriguing and kept my interest throughout the entire book. It has many twists and the two stories come together very fluidly. I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it. I rate this ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

The narration was great! You could easily keep track of each character. However, the ending fell flat for me. I kept waiting for something big to happen and I just felt that it never did.

A new thriller by Jennifer McMahon that is unique and borderline horror at times. Taking place over 2 timelines, Jax in the present the great granddaughter of the Ethel and Will who share this story from the previous timeline.

Jax’s sister Lexie is manic depressive, and after an episode we find out Lexie has drowned. Jax goes home to her family house that is built on a natural spring and starts to dredge through the past. Multiple drownings have occurred here and history is less than stellar.

Back in 1929 you meet Ethel and Will. There is nothing more they want than to have a child. They decide to take a vacation where that same natural spring is. Ethel hears that if you make a wish things will come true, but she learns that the spring will also take something away.

This is a bewitching story at times that keeps you coming back. The spring is just as much a character as Jax, Ethel and Will. The story culminates into a surprise ending that you will not have seen coming. If you like this genre, give this one a try. This will definitely have you on the edge of you seat at times.

Thank you NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In trying to read a variety of genres that I don’t usually reach for, I’ve read a few horror books and have usually come away from them underwhelmed. I’ve realized that I don’t think the horror genre is for me, but I’m glad I gave this one a try because this was one I was actually able to get into. In “The Drowning Kind”, you have a likable main character with a troubled sister and a story with dueling timeframes that keeps your interest. While horror, it was not as over the top in its mythical/magical elements as some others. 4 stars ⭐️ for this one. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy for review.

The Drowning Kind, by Jennifer McMahon, is a haunting, gothic, supernatural mystery that makes you think twice about the things you wish for.

This slow-burning, suspenseful story is told in multiple timelines and multiple narrators going between current day and the 1929/30s.

In 1929, Ethel Monroe was desperate for a baby. On a trip to Vermont with her husband, she learned that the hotel had a natural spring that was rumored to grant wishes. She wasn’t sure if it was true, but it was worth trying to have her wish of a child come true. But be careful of what you wish for. Is it true that the spring takes equal to what it gives?

Current day, social worker Jax finds out that her sister Lexie has drowned. They had been estranged for over a year, but they were very close growing up. While going through her sister’s things she learns of secrets regarding her family history. Terrifying secrets.

I listened to the audio version of this book of which I can highly recommend. The narrators were excellent. Haunting and manic in all the right ways.

Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Audio and Jennifer McMahon for this (audio) ARC in exchange for my honest review. ❤️️

I also had the opportunity to listen to an audio version of The Drowning Kind, from Netgalley for an honest review. The audio version of the book was excellent. Joy Osmanski & Imani Jade Powers did an excellent job at telling the story in Jackie and Ethel’s voices. This just gives a different depth to the whole feel of the novel. Having listened and read this novel, I don’t think you could go wrong, either way!
My review of the story is the same as the book.
This was a very interesting/good read. I really did enjoy the story & want to thank Netgalley & Jennifer McMahon for my copy for an honest review. I have said it before and I will say it again, it is always so exciting to get an advanced copy of a novel to review. The Drowning Kind was a great story to read. Who would think a story could be told about a natural spring/pool could become a main character in a story? This Supernatural story in loves two very different sisters, raised by their grandmother. They are very close as young girls, but as they get older they drift a part. Jackie, the sister that does all the right things, is quiet, hard worker and smart. Lexie who is hugely popular, smart and beautiful and yet Lexie shows signs of schizoaffective disorder of the bi-polar type during her teens. This change forces the drift between the sisters. Lexie, is left the family home Sparrow Creek, by their grandmother and Jackie heads to the West Coast to start her life. Jackie has been away for some time.. and starts to get calls from her sister daily, hourly and they are all strange and revolve around the pool. Jackie can’t handle speaking to this version of her sister and ignores her calls. Then her aunt calls her and tells her, her sister has died, in the pool. Poor Jackie can’t believe how this natural spring pool could be such a burden to her family. She comes home to help her aunt settle the estate and bury her sister. Her estranged father finds his way home as well. The three are forced to dig deep into the family history. They make some unusual discoveries. How the land and the home and the spring has plagued so many over the years. Sparrow Crest is a great main character. It’s history and location is creepy. McMahon tells the story between two women, Jackie and Ethel Monroe who initially finds the land, in the form of a hotel and after a terrible fire, her husband and her make their home on this land.
They way the author tells this story, using historical facts and supernatural stories to describe this land/spring is fantastic. You starts to really be invested in the characters and like a great Supernatural story, you start to believe the impossible is real and can’t tell the difference between reality and fiction. This was a five star read for me. I really enjoyed the authors writing and character development. Such a great story told in the best way. I have shared my thoughts on my Instagram account & Barnes & Noble.

This is everything I ever wanted.

Creepy, Atmospheric, and this novel crawled under my skin

I LOVED IT

I have to mention that the two narrators did an amazing job of bringing the story to life.

The only thing I did not enjoy was the pacing I felt like the story was moving too slow at times

The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon gives true meaning to the old saying, be careful what you wish for. This was a truly dark and creepy horror story that I could not put down.

The story is told in dual timelines set in 1929 and 2019 in a rural area of Vermont. In the earlier timeline we follow Ethel Monroe and her husband who have recently married and hope to start a family soon. When Ethel’s husband takes her to a brand new hotel in Vermont she learns that maybe there is more to the natural springs water that flows through the area than she thought. In the later timeline we follow younger sister Jax who returns to her grandmothers home in Vermont, where her sister Lexie was found drowned in the pool. In the last year Jax and Lexie have grown apart, but Jax soon finds herself caught up in the manic thoughts that her sister has left behind, thoughts that may lead to the truth about their family.

The writing in this story perfectly described the chilling setting and the characters. I went into this book expecting more of a dark family drama but soon realized the supernatural portion of this book was the true plot. The audio of this book was narrated perfectly. I will definitely pick up other books by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio for an advanced copy for review.

Both narrators do a fantastic job at something that isn't easy to pull off. It isn't that they are giving two different point of views. It isn't that they are giving two different point of views at very different stages of life/life lenses. It is that they are doing all of this in completely different time periods.

And it is pulled off fantastically. Of course you have give Jennifer McMahon full credit for the amazing source material.

However, that doesn't mean that anyone could just pick up the book and pull off this narration. Each voice comes off very unique within the context of time period, life circumstances and different factors of desperation.

The 1920/30s and then modern timelines is smooth and easy to follow because of how brilliantly each narrator embraces their character's unique voice, tenor and that time period. The meekness and more reserved fear of speaking up in the past vs the handling of family matters by a woman, now.

This is a brilliant audiobook that is easily followed, true to the novel.


Also, aside from the audio arc

Thank you for an audio and earc.

First- Both narrators do a fantastic job at something that isn't easy to pull off. It isn't that they are giving two different point of views. It isn't that they are giving two different point of views at very different stages of life/life lenses. It is that they are doing all of this in completely different time periods.

And it is pulled off fantastically. Of course you have give Jennifer McMahon full credit for the amazing source material.

However, that doesn't mean that anyone could just pick up the book and pull off this narration. Each voice comes off very unique within the context of time period, life circumstances and different factors of desperation.

The 1920/30s and then modern timelines is smooth and easy to follow because of how brilliantly each narrator embraces their character's unique voice, tenor and that time period. The meekness and more reserved fear of speaking up in the past vs the handling of family matters by a woman, now.

This is a brilliant audiobook that is easily followed, true to the novel.

Second-

The Drowning Kind is an excellent gothic thriller but it is so much more.

Of the reviews I've read on Goodreads, and online (obviously not all) very few discuss bipolar disorder (more complex disorder for Lex) Some mention it in passing but noone truly discusses it.

It is fundamental to the story and the characters. I've seen Jax called judgemental, Lex blamed for creating borders and Dad unfit (it is so much more complicated).

Being bipolar, myself, and also the daughter of a paranoid schizophrenic/alcoholic father who often went off his meds (and his entire side of the family suffering from a spectrum of mental illnesses), I can truly see this family from every side of the story.

Jennifer does a supberb job depicting untreated and/or self-medicated (alcohol in this case) mental illness, and how it effects everyone around them. As well, as a sibling with Bipolar disorder.

I just hope resders remember there is a spectrum. It doesn't manifest the same in everyone. Some it is less extreme, some more. Some have other illnesses mixed in. Some it depends on life experiences. DNA loads the gun. Environment often pulls the trigger (not always). Like anything, one depiction of any illness, isn't a monolith.

I really liked this book, it has family ties, lies, secrets, history, and supernatural. The audio book had good narrators as well.

I should have read this book quicker and I think I would have enjoyed it more! It definitely builds as you go, and the faster you read the creepier it gets.

This book is a mix of atmospheric ghost tale, mysterious and thrilling circumstances, and a bit of historical fiction. The idea of this story is the “be careful what you wish for” wive’s tale, which adds a lot of tension to the storyline.

I enjoyed how the story layered in various familial ties - it felt disjointed at times, but kept you as a reader guessing and trying to dive in deeper.

If you’re a fan of the supernatural (think Layla by Colleen Hover, or Grady Hendrix books), you need to add this book to your TBR for 2021.

An atmospheric book that truly transports you to the haunting New England countryside with a local lore about a natural spring that boasts the ability to heal and grant wishes to those who bathe and drink of its chilly, dark waters—with an even darker history.

This gripping story constantly has one wondering if this is a supernatural tale or if there’s some reasonable explanation for the strange phenomena. I for one love a taste of the supernatural and this book delivers in a way reminiscent to The Turn of the Screw and even Shirley Jacksonesque.

I was engrossed the entire time, and I fell in love with the imagery. It felt like I was there dipping a toe in the bone-chilling, obsidian waters. That’s precisely the word for this story—chilling.

This may even be my favorite listen of the year thus far. The narration was superb and I loved this particular dual storyline and the treat of being transported to the 1920s and early ’30s.

It makes the reader wonder if they’d travel to visit such a place and what they’d wish for if given the chance . . . this story reveals how twisted wishes can be if one is not clear on their meaning—how cruel being granted one could be. Be careful what you wish for indeed. . . .

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster audio, and Jennifer McMahon for approving an early listen before the book’s release April 6, 2021. It was a real treat!

This was so creepy! I loved The Invited so I knew when I saw this one I immediately needed to request it on Netgalley. There’s something sinister granting wishes in the water, and it was so unsettling. I loved the dual timelines and thought they added something very interesting as they came together. Definitely an author I’ll look for more from in the future!

Well, this one took me a long time to get through. I got it as an audio book and would occasionally listen to it on my way to and from work. It wasn’t a bad story, and there were parts that were really chilling, but it just did not peak my interest.

There were two different perspectives told in different chapters and it was easy to follow, but it felt a bit boring at times. Also, some of the mental illness aspects felt forced.

All in all 3 stars. I would read another book by this author, as the writing was good. This one just wasn’t for me.

Jennifer McMahon does it again! She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors after loving The Winter People earlier this year and now this book too.

The Drowning Kind is another supernatural horror novel with McMahon’s unique, atmospheric writing style. The chilling nature of this book creates a lot of unease and suspense. There were times in this audiobook that I literally wanted to run away from it.

I loved both timelines and found them to be equally compelling. The first third of this book was a bit slower, but wow did it pick up. I had trouble putting it down. And that ending? 🤯 If you’re looking for a horror novel that might make you scared of your backyard pool- this is it!

*This book publishes on April 6, 2021. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!

This book kept my attention from the beginning with the alternating stories from the present and past. I typically don't enjoy books in two time frames but the author kept my attention. The ending was unexpected. I am glad I took a chance on this book. Thanks #netgallery.