Wow what a thriller! Dark, twisty, complex, and so clever! The plot is multilayered and well balanced. With deep secrets kept from family, a haunting past accident, and a horrifying death, the book is constantly moving and fast paced! I appreciate the more intimate moments where the past caught up with the present and it gave a bit of relief from this harrowing novel. Felicity's character is deep. I felt her wanting to be open and honest but also understood why she chose to act the way that she did. Tess's strong, defensive, and slightly cold nature brings out a lot in Felicity and Frankie. These characters balanced each other out and each added tons to the novel. Overall, the writing is descriptive and really allows the reader to envision what happens and just how eerie this small town truly is. Pick this up if you are in a slump, are a thriller lover, or if you want to dip your toes into thrillers! You will not be disappointed.

My sister is dead. I still can't bring myself to say those words out loud. Even as I catch my first glimpse of sunlight on the lake, as I approach the small town where we grew up. I promised myself I wouldn't go back there. But Holly's little girls need me. They have no one else. And they might be in danger. Because I know Holly's death wasn't an accident.

Felicity gets a phone call to tell her her sister had drowned in a swamp. The sisters had been estranged through a series of events that made one sister flee and the other one stay. Felicity is now taking care of Holly's two daughter's, Tess and Frankie. She also wants to look into her sisters death as she doesn't think it was an accident. Is it related to events that took place in the past? Does this mean that Felicity and the girls could be in danger?

This is a gripping, page turning fast paced read. Filled with twists this fast paced psychological thriller will keep you on your toes. This is a really good family drama with a great plotline. Some of the story was a bit predictable but I was hooked from the first couple of chapters.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #KellyHeard for my ARC of #TheWomanInTheWater in exchange for an honest review.

The Woman in the Water by Kelly Heard is a slow paced psychological thriller. I would first warn readers that this author’s writing style is a bit different from your normal thrillers in the way romance seems to overpower the storyline as I also found in an other book I’d read. Even being a romance fan it would seem that it didn’t really mix well for me in these books.

The story in this one features Felicity who had left her home and her family years before when a mysterious event in her past forced her away. Felicity seems to have kept in touch with her sister, Holly, over the years so it rocks her world when she receives the news that Holly is gone. Felicity has been named as guardian to Holly’s children so she returns home to take care of them and find out just what happened to Holly.

The first thing about The Woman in the Water that didn’t overjoy me while reading was it goes at a really slow pace not letting you in on things for quite a long time. As someone who loves to be drawn in and on edge with this genre I feel like it was just too slow for me. As I also mentioned the protagonist returned to an old relationship in the story and with the lack of urgency in the mystery it felt as if this was just too focused on that relationship instead of giving me any huge twists or turns I crave. Others have enjoyed this one but for me it only rates at two and half stars with a style that just isn’t my personal favorite.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

My thanks to Bookoutre, Kelly Heard and Netgalley.
What surprised me the most about this story was how much I came to love it.
I had a few doubts at first, and even knowing who the "big bad" was, somehow didn't deter me. Heck, I loved these characters!
I look forward to more from this author!
Also, it was just a reminder that if I'm ever near a swamp, then stay away! Makes for some sinister reading though!

Great plot, interesting characters, and lots of great twists and turns about a sister who accidentally drowned in a swamp in a small town. Or did she? Add to that engaging writing, lots of buried secrets, a fast-paced narrative and a fantastic cat and mouse ending and you have a winner of a thriller! The Woman in the Water is so good!!! Highly recommend you check it out when it releases on July 22.

Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Felicity is truly saddened that her sister Holly has been found dead. She rushes to her two nieces, as she is named their temporary guardian. Felicity feels she owes much more than to her nieces. Felicity plans on finding out what reay happened to Holly, even though the discovery will raise secrets of the past.

As things begin to eveolve in this story, it becomes clear why Felicity left and had never planned to return. The story is delievered in then and now, and it it the then part of the story that is mired deep in intrigue. Not only did events of the past surround a tragic death around a swamp, Holly's death happens near that very same area. Could what happened in the past have anything at all to do with Holly's death?

Just as determined as Felicity is to uncover hidden secrets, there is at least one person who woul rather keep things quiet. Will the strange activities suddenly happening to Felicity present even more danger to her? What of her nieces, how are they coping with their mother's death? This multi-layered story is filled with intrigue, danger, a spooky vibe and a thrilling conclusion.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

After reading Silent Girl by Kelly Heard, I was so excited to read her next book, The Woman in the Water.

When her sister, Holly called, Felicity didn't want to amend things with her. But when a call reaches to her that her sister died drowning, Felicity returns back to the small town she vowed never to return back. The police thing it was accidental drowning but Felicity things that Holly's death was no accident. With Holly's daughters Tess and Frankie under her care, Felicity tries to find the answers she had left behind, many years ago and someone is out there to stop her.

Just like the Silent Girl, the plot was intriguing and started fast paced. There were some twists and turns here and there and the story is mainly told from Felicity's point of view. However, the story to me was a bit too direct and the story itself was a bit predictable. There were some sense of horror theme in the book but not really related to the book. So overall, it was an unputdownable thriller, and despite the flaws, the book will keep you hooked until the end.

This was a fast paced thriller with some twists and turns--worth four stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

The Woman in the Water is a very good book, but not great.

The novel follows Felicity, a travel nurse, as she learns of her sister’s death and returns to her hometown for the first time in over a decade. She confronts her own uncomfortable past and makes amends with her family, while trying to determine whether her sister Holly’s death was an accident or murder.

The author did a wonderful job setting the scene. I could really feel the creepy history of the town. I wished that there had been something supernatural with The Reverie Girls. It seemed like there was all this build-up to The Reverie Girls being spirits but everything turned out very prosaic and realistic. “If you introduce a gun in the first act, it better go off in the second.”

Felicity returns home after her sister, Holly, passes away, presumably from accidentally drowning in the swamp, and she is named guardian for her two nieces, Tess and Frankie.

There is something hidden in Felicity’s past that she will have to confront and there is definitely more to Holly’s death than meets the eye. How many secrets are hidden around the water?

This was a solid read!! Engaging and quite the setting. It really sucked me in, and I always looked forward to picking this one up. The author had a way of keeping your attention and making you feel like you’re right there with the characters.

This book reminded me a little of Something in the Water. The only thing I didn’t really care for was how much romance there was as I wasn’t at all looking for a love story. The characters were great and the authors style of writing was too but I didn’t find myself truly connecting to the story the way I would have liked to. Still a good read!

Felicity fled her small hometown as a teenager after a traumatic experience and never looked back. When her sister Holly drowns under mysterious circumstances, Felicity returns to care for her young nieces. Although Holly’s death is quickly ruled accidental, Felicity believes her sister would never have been where she was found and is determined to find out what really happened.

This book has a lot going for it. The suspense and the pacing were pretty good, with enough red herrings thrown in to keep the reader guessing. The female relationships in this novel are skillfully portrayed as well. I really liked the realistic feel of Felicity’s interactions with her nieces; her older niece’s wariness and protectiveness of her little sister were understandable, and the way the relationships thawed and grew gradually was heartwarming. The evolution of Felicity’s relationship with her mom is also well done, as past secrets come to light and the women begin to understand each other.

A few things about this novel didn’t work for me. First, too much focus on romance, which I wasn’t expecting and felt out of place, especially in the later part of the book as events draw toward the climax. I’m also getting a bit tired of suspense novels that rely on women making poor choices to keep the story moving. It wasn’t remotely believable that Felicity would trust a person who hurt her so badly in the past and fail to question their motives.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars, rounding up.

Rich in atmosphere, the creepy swamp and abandoned fairgrounds were the perfect setting for this psychological thriller.

Returning to your small hometown and being forced to face your past and all the juicy little secrets that come with it is one of my favorite troupes. The author, Kelly Heard, does a great job layering in the mystery throughout the story and keeping the stakes high.

If you like plenty of red herrings and a hefty cast of characters in a whodunnit storyline, then put on your detective cap and take a stab at this one. 🕵️‍♀️🕵️‍♂️ It kept me guessing with many little twists and misdirections that just when I thought I had something figured out, turns out I didn't.

I noticed this in the author's bio: "Writing love stories dressed up as suspense"
Nailed it. But not in a good way. The "love" story here was forced and slowed down the pacing. There's an intruder in the house, so let's pause and have a passionate hug while we profess our love. A child is missing, seems like a great time to have an intimate embrace and play hard to get instead of searching for said missing child. You get my point...

Overall, it's a twisty, enjoyable psychological thriller with a satisfying ending. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an ARC of this book. #TheWomanInTheWater #NetGalley

i so love this authors books you know will be twisty gripping and addictive . Felicity ran from her home town .and vowed never to go back to Brightwater . she has made a life for herself . she was once close to her sister Holly but something happened , then one day Felicity gets a call from Rob Dawson police department to tell her her sister Holly has died .and has made Felicity guardian for her two girls Tess and Frankie .the ex husband Silas not capable. Felicity does not believe her sisters death an accident as strange things start to happen .Felicity needs to face her past and the people in it not saying no more but it is so good very spooky to

Amazing. I love this author. Her books suck you in and you connect with each character. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. 4.5 stars.

Her sister drowned or did she??? She came back to find out the truth and take care of her sisters kids and lots of secrets come out while doing so. And that ending. Wow!

I received an advance digital copy from Netgalley of "The Woman in the Water", by Kelly Heard, in exchange for my honest review. I have not read this author before.
This fast paced psychological thriller begins with Felicity in Saint Thomas learning her sister, Holly, is dead. They are estranged & the past emotional trauma, secrets and lies is dredged up.
The chapters alternate between "now" and "before", which is not my favorite format.
Felicity returns home to a spooky swamp, threats, nightmares, old high school lovers, friends and enemies. She has been tasked with the care of Holly's two children. No one is who you think they are and discovering the truth of her sisters death may be her undoing.
There were times when the pace of the story didn't hold me, the timelines were off occasionally & an unrealistic scene that annoyed me.
In summary, some plot twists, surprises and good resolution in the ending.

A bit slow going.
Had a bit of a paula Hawkins feel to it.
It was ok.
First time I've come across this author and I would probably give her another go.

It took a little bit for this book to really grab my attention, but once it did, I really enjoyed it!

Felicity Wheeler has spent most of her life running away from her past, but when her sister dies and leaves her two children in Felicity’s care, she has no choice but to return home. She soon comes up with too many unanswered questions, such as was her sister’s death an accident? And if not, who killed her? as she confronts her past.

This thriller is a little different because the protagonist confronts some of her past trauma. The way the author writes about trauma is authentic and genuine. There are Trigger Warnings for sexual violence and a miscarriage, as well as death.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and I recommend it, though the first few chapters are a bit slow.

When I started reading this book, I felt a lot of similarity there with the book, ‘Into The Water by Paula Hawkins’. The plot, where the elder sister drowns, younger one feels it may be a murder, the drift between the younger and older, the misunderstanding between them is also vaguely on the same matter, the way the younger one only listens to the last distort voice message of the else one, even the bracelet missing, etc, all this seemed so much similar. I didn’t feel good knowing this.

But then as the story continued I understood that it was a different one. It was a different story, a lot of suspense and mystery there, and it was a good read.

Coming to my rating : out of 5 stars
Cover : beautiful and attractive ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title : apt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot : good ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character development: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing style : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Originality : ⭐️
Overall : I would be giving 1 stars, but the remaining story was good so I’m settling for 2 stars ⭐️⭐️

I liked The Woman in the Water but I had a hard time getting into the story, it’s quite a slow start and there’s a lot of characters to keep up with! I did put down and come back to this a few times but it was easy to pick up and dive in where I’d left it.
Some very interesting (and scary!) characters.
3/5

Felicity receives a phone call to say that her sister Holly has been found dead in a swamp, presumed to be an accident. Felicity is named as the emergency guardian for Holly’s two children Tess and Frankie so she flies back from the Virgin Isles to confront the issues that drove her away thirteen years ago. The story is told Before and Now.

In places the story gets as murky, stained and dark like the swamp especially as the truth emerges about why Felicity left and what happens to Holly. There are some good undercurrents in this and a building atmosphere of gossip and judgement about both sisters. In addition, there are problems from Tess and some unsettling and scary events that happen. The setting is really good, the swamp, there’s an old fairground complete with Ferris wheel, there’s a pine forest which adds more darkness and then meteorological conditions such as fog provides claustrophobia to the already packed atmosphere. The descriptions of the area are very good enabling you to visualise the action and a spooky, ethereal and ghostly feel is added with legends from the past and weird events that occur in the swamp. The characters are all good especially noteworthy is the portrayal of Tess who is very troubled and torn. This is a good domestic noir with suspense, tension and uncertainty about whom you can trust with twists and turns in the storytelling that cause you to change your thoughts about what is going on! The storyline builds to an action packed crescendo which is maybe a bit melodramatic for my taste but it is enjoyable. The pacing is mostly on point though drops off occasionally when there’s some superfluous detail that gets in the way!

Overall, atmosphere wins the day with this one with an absolutely terrific setting.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.