This book was well researched and presented. It is an easy read about a not so easy mysterious true crime. The book reads very much like a dateline episode. The only thing the book is lacking is solving the mystery of who did it.

I enjoyed this very well researched and well written book about Nathan Carman who was rescued from a life raft in the ocean. Nathan claimed he had been fishing with his mother, the boat sank and he managed to get to the life raft with food, water and extra clothing while his mother disappeared and was presumed drowned. The men on the ship that rescued Nathan thought he was in unusually good shape for being out at sea for 7 days as he claimed. Nathan supposedly had Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's, and had been doted on since birth by his millionaire grandfather. His grandfather was murdered in his sleep some time earlier and Nathan was a suspect but there was not enough evidence to charge him. I enjoyed this very interesting book about this very rich and very dysfunctional family.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC of this page turner.

Super fast read about two local to me crimes. The author definitely knew the information, but I feel like they repeated themselves a few too many times. Unfortunately, you can only get so far when the people involved can't or won't talk. There is also a lot more filler on the back end of the book, but if you are looking for some crimes on the high seas drama, this is definitely an option.

I love my true crime and this one was twisted. I hadnt actually heard of this case so I was very keen to read it. Throw in some family drama and I couldnt stop reading it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Source Books for the advanced reader copy.

When a young man with Autism Spectrum Disorder is rescued in the middle of the ocean, claiming that his boat sunk and he was stranded on a life raft for seven days, the police start an investigation that unravels a darkness in the man's family. Blood in the Water ultimately isn't about with Nathan Carman was guilty of killing his mother in the boat accident or not; instead this is a story about a family torn apart by money and greed. The beginning of the book moved at a good clip, but the writer started to get bogged down into details that didn't do anything to add to the narrative--like the extended tangent about the caretaker of the grandfather's New Hampshire compound being propositioned for marriage by the grandfather, after his wife goes into hospice from cancer. The details around the numerous legal battles that Nathan faces also got dragged down by too much information.

I received a free copy of, Blood in the Water, by Casey Sherman, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Nathan Carman lost his mother and grandfather to tragedy, but did he murder them, because of their great wealth? What a wild read, I was not prepared for the ending.

““Blood in the Water” is a non-fiction book that tells the untold story of a family tragedy by Casey Sherman. It recounts the mysterious disappearance of Linda Carman and the subsequent events surrounding her son, Nathan Carman, in a small fishing community in Nova Scotia. This true crime book delves into the complex family dynamics, financial motivations, and suspicious circumstances that raise questions about what really happened on that fateful day.
Blood in the Water is a captivating true crime book that explores a tangled web of family secrets, wealth, and potential wrongdoing. While I found the book slow-paced at times, it was still a good read that leaves the reader to form their own opinion about whether two members of the same family were killed or if one was an accident. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers of this book for providing me with a free advance copy to preview. I am leaving this review voluntary.

very well researched and told story. Gripping narrative of a very compelling true crime story. highly recommend.

When a life boat is spotted in the North Atlantic by a tanker crew one morning a heroic rescue is made retrieving Nathan Carman from the chilly waters. Nathan is in amazing health for drifting seven days in hazardous conditions with minimal food and water. He and his mother were tuna fishing off the coast of New England when their boat sank and Nathan was unable to locate his mother. However his story doesn't quite add up and the Coast Guard becomes suspicious and investigate further. Learning of the unsolved murder of his multi-millionaire grandfather a few years ago and the family battle over his estate raises their hackles ever more. Nathan is on the Aspergers spectrum and is socially inept and mental awkward . His aunts have long suspected Nathan's involvement in the death of the family patriarch although as the oldest grandson he was very close to him and was indulgent with his eccentricities. For the next ten years Nathan and his family were embroiled in civil and criminal court with no resolution. No sign of his mother was ever found and his grandfather's death remains unsolved. When Nathan unexpectedly took his life while waiting for a court appearance he may have taken the answers to many questions with him. I had never heard of this case but have read other true crime narratives by Sherman. Sherman's prose and research is very engaging and informative. He has a talent for infusing what could be dry non fiction into a page turner and always provides extensive foot notes to document his information. If you enjoy true crime this qould be one to add to your want to read list.

Somehow I missed this interesting crime while it was evolving over a ten year period in New England. The author does a fine job remaining neutral, is Nathan Carman guilty of killing first his ultra wealthy grandfather, and then three years later guilty of killing his mother? The book begins with Nathan being rescued after he and his mother experience their boat sinking. What made the book all the more interesting was that Nathan had Asperger's. The reader has to factor this important condition into weighing whether or not Nathan was guilty of the crimes. I loved the way the author presented the shocking ending. I finished the book a few days ago and am still going over the circumstances in my mind.

This true crime book examines the case of Nathan Carman, who was suspected of killing both his grandfather and his mother. Nathan was born into a wealthy Connecticut family, the Chakolos. He also was on the autism spectrum, a fact which affected his ability to make and keep relationships and friendships. This book follows Nathan Carman and his family from the shotgun killing of John Chakolos through the drowning death of Linda Carman, his mother. It is a fascinating exploration of the theories surrounding the deaths, and especially the man at the heart of the mysteries.

This is a haunting and compelling narrative that grips you from the first page and lingers long after the last. Sherman masterfully weaves a tale that refuses to offer easy answers, leaving readers to wrestle with its complexity. For true crime aficionados and lovers of profound storytelling, this is an essential read. At its heart lies a bitter family conflict—a dark tapestry of greed, deception, mystery, and murder. The characters—particularly Nathan, his grandfather, and his mother—are both mysterious and unforgettable. This case will linger in your thoughts, leaving you profoundly uneasy and challenging your perception of the delicate line between truth and morality.

Blood in the water details Nathan Carmen’s life struggle with his family, including a grandfather who is murdered, a mom who disappears, as well as outlying family members who blame it all on him. He also struggles with Aspergers at the same time.

I had never heard of this story before, but I’m so glad I found this arc. The author does a phenomenal job of explaining the timeline and details of this story. A must read.

In his usual comprehensive style, Sherman does a good job describing what happened and who was involved. However, the fact that all the major incidents, including the suicide, retain multiple questions left me ultimately unsatisfied. Had I known it was just a recounting of events without any real answers, I might not have read it. I requested it because I have liked his books and trusted his reporting skills. I know there's been clinical research on autism and crime, so some of that might have provided a helpful context. More about the kid and his horse connection would have been helpful, too, because without it, he just seems like a callous recluse quite capable of murder. I won't recommend this book simply because I don't know anyone who likes ambiguous endings for true crime.

This book was a very interesting true crime read. It was well researched and well written. The case was one I hadn’t heard off. Two murders in one rich family. Coincidence? It had it all, crazy family dynamics and lots of theatrics. Definitely a book worthy case. I enjoyed it and was pretty gripped by it. Towards the last 30 percent as we headed to the trial, I did feel like I had read enough. I think there was a lack of depth to the main character who had Asperger’s or autism. This is prob down to how he was in life, as the books describes that he was lacking of social cues, lacking emotion. I just felt that I had read enough. Overall, a decent true crime read. Rounded up to 4 stars.

Wow! So, I enjoy a good true crime story… and one that’s well told. Nonfiction doesn’t allow for as much leeway in the writing style or language as fiction so a nonfiction book has to offer other elements.
This one hits the mark!
Compelling, intriguing story, well told in chronological order so it’s easy to follow, a mystery that holds the reader’s attention.
No spoilers here but it’s a compelling book that moves along quickly ( I read it in a day ). I loved each minute of my reading time and absolutely didn’t know how it would end….
Highly recommend. And if you read the book don’t skip the Author’s Note at the end. It adds a bit more information that is interesting to the story.
If you like true crime and a story with family drama, this is one to dive into

Thank you NetGalley and publisher Sourcebooks for the ARC. My opinions are my own and not influenced

Family drama and true crime. This was an interesting case to read/learn about, but it got a little heavy on legal information at times.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this eARC.

I found this true crime narrative very intriguing. Somehow I had missed the story unfolding in real time through 2023. Nathan Carman finds himself embroiled in a bitter family dispute, complete with greed, lies, mystery and of course, murder. I am somewhat of a details person...and this did not disappoint. People were introduced in chronological order (such as the seller of the boat and various family members) without having to go back and insert them in my memory when they testify in court or appear on a later page. I found Sherman's research impeccable with no stone unturned. He doesn't insert his opinion or bias but simply displays the facts for the reader to assess themselves. I hear Netflix is making a documentary eventually, and I am already looking into other newscasts and video clips of which the Carman family was a part. Highly recommend for any true crime fans or just those looking for a riveting narrative nonfiction story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC! All opinions are mine.

Casey Sherman does an amazing job bringing to light the facts of a true crime case I had heard of but didn't know the details. The research done for this book was extensive and makes for a really interesting read. When the patriarch of a wealthy family is killed people point fingers at his grandson. Then the grandson's mother dies in a boating accident that might be more than it seems. I remember hearing about this case, but I was unaware of the details and craziness that followed this young man. The author reports the facts and leaves it up to the reader to draw their own conclusions. Loved it.

Blood in the Water tells the story of Nathan Carman and the mysterious deaths of two people close to him - his mother and grandfather- years apart. When young Nathan is rescued floating in a life raft after his fishing boat sank, it sets off an investigation and national notoriety when the circumstances of his rescue are examined more closely, and reveals that his mother was on the fishing boat as well. Despite a widespread search, his mother was never found, and when police look more deeply into Nathan, they discover that his multimillionaire grandfather was murdered years earlier, with Nathan as a person of interest. The author does a superb job laying out the facts of the story, and letting the reader decide for themselves Nathan’s guilt or innocence, and he doesn’t inject his own opinions into the case. This leaves the reader with an objective and comprehensive narrative of the investigations into the deaths, culled from police reports, court testimony, etc. This is a fascinating story, and the book moves quickly and will hold your interest. A must read for true crime aficionados. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.