I found Dreaming of Water by A.J. Banner to be a fascinating story. I loved the information about handwriting analysis so very interesting. I enjoy learning new things when I read without feeling like I'm being lectured and the way this part of the story was handled was perfect. Now I'd actually like to learn more about the subject!

The character development was done very well, as was the beautiful descriptions of the area of Heron Bay. I could very easily imagine the eeriness of the stone garden and the reflecting pool, well as how odd the whole Michaels family was...

A.J. Banner did a fantastic job with building the world of Heron Bay, the characters ~ both likeable and unlikeable, and the whole story. I was not able to figure out what had ultimately happened to Nina, although I did suspect several characters, thanks for the wonderful red herrings planted carefully by this talented author.

I've read every book by Ms. Banner and think this is not only her strongest, best work, but one that would make a good TV show or movie. It's the type of story you'd see on Dateline or 20/20.

If you like psychological fiction and a solid mystery, Dreaming of Water is definitely calling you name, saying you need me. Do yourself a favor and dive right into Dreaming of Water.

thanks to the author, publisher, and Netgalley, for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own, as always.

A heart-breaking story about the loss of a sister and the search for the truth of her death. This was a really quick read with a unique character, she's a handwriting analyst which is really interesting and really detailed descriptions. I loved how many twists were involved and so many more secrets being revealed than you expect although this is only short it's so worth a read as it takes you on a journey.

I really enjoyed this book. I appreciated the fact that the main character was a handwriting analyst, which I thought was an interesting take.

Fabulous writing ... fabulous story … This amazing and crafty novel is written with warmth and compassion as Astrid Johansen searches for answers into her sister’s death 17 years ago. Family and friends hidden secrets, lies and omissions draw you in as the story brilliantly unfolds. Twists and turns in the novel lead to a surprising finale. A highly recommended five star read.

From the PUBLISHER:
"A woman’s investigation into her past reveals family secrets and lies in this novel of discovery, redemption, and the mutability of memory by the bestselling author of The Good Neighbor and In Another Light."

Astrid's little sister drowned, and she doesn't want to return to the scene of the accident, but when she arrrives there, there are more than just bad memories waiting for her.
This was a quick read, The tone was a little arch for my taste, but the descriptions were vivid and I got a good sense of place. I wish I'd found myself caring a little more for Astrid, all-in-all the character development was a little thin, and on-the-nose dialogue pulled me out of the narrative at times.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm a huge fan of Banner's books so was very excited to read this one, and of course it didn't disappoint! Astrid lost her younger sister, Nina to a drowning years ago and she returns to Heron Bay after her divorce from Trent. But her Aunt Maude suffers a fall and is hospitalized as she's in a coma so Astrid stays and tries to find answers to questions she's had for years about the events that are hazy in her mind. Maude alluded to "letters" that would help her solve the mystery surrounding her sister, but there are more questions than answers so she must dig deeper. And that search turns up more than anyone expected! Banner speaks to themes of betrayal, jealousy, friendships, contrition, and SO much more! I read this in one sitting as I couldn't put it down until I knew what transpired!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I absolutely loved this book! From the very first page, I was hooked by the intriguing storyline and complex characters. The author does a fantastic job of building tension and suspense, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book.

What I loved most about this novel was the way it explored the themes of family secrets and the mutability of memory. As Astrid delves deeper into her past, she uncovers a web of lies and betrayals that threaten to shatter her perception of everyone she thought she knew. This exploration of the complexities of human relationships is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

The author's descriptions of the coastal town Heron Bay and its inhabitants are vivid and evocative. I felt completely immersed in this world and invested in the fate of the characters.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted psychological thriller with a strong emotional core. The writing is excellent, the plot is gripping, and the characters are fully realized and deeply engaging. I can't wait to read more from this talented author!

Astrid returns to Heron Bay for the first time since her baby sister Nina, drowned there, seventeen years ago. Her beloved aunt calls to tell her about a letter she found that has information on her sister's drowning. So Astrid heads back to the place she grew up loving. Until Nina's drowning.
She returns to Heron only to find her aunt unconscious on the floor with her home askew from an obvious break in and robbery. The story and search for the missing letter and what really happened to Nina takes off from here, with a myriad of possible suspects and motives.
I found Astrid a bit of a conundrum: friendly and totally amicable one chapter and acerbic and borderline mean, the next.
And her obsession with her ex husband was jarring at times.
The rest of the cast of characters were clearly defined and easily understood.
Good story with a really intriguing start; just a little too uneven with Astrid for me.