This book had great narration, but unfortunately it also had too much of everything else: AI, Nazis, the triads, Chinese spies, double and triple agents. It was way too over the top. The writing itself was good, the plot was just too busy to follow and to be at all believable.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Barbara Nickless, and Brilliance Audio for my advance copy of this audiobook.

I feel awful saying this, but this one just wasn’t for me. The narration of the audiobook was enjoyable but I found the book to be really boring. I had a hard time following the plot and it just seemed so far fetched. I was given the audio as an ARC from Netgalley. I enjoyed the Yachting aspect of it, and I think a lot of research went into the book however I dont think this is the type of thriller I enjoy reading.

That narrator was great and the audiobook was very well done. Unfortunately I struggled to get through this one. It felt like there was constantly something new and confusing added when I didn’t even understand what happened before or why all this info was being thrown at me. I never felt a connection to the characters which lead to me not really caring what happened to them or the story.

This was a new to me author's book that was really well done on audio narrated by my very fav, Natalie Naudus. The book starts off really strong with a sister sent to Shanghai to help finish a big yacht build with her sister only to be told her sister has committed suicide by jumping off a 43 storey building. From there it turns into a mystery/detective story but it gets complicated by a history of Nazis and CIA conspiracies. I eventually lost interest/focus towards the end and felt the story lost some of its steam. Just an okay read for me overall. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

I listened to the audiobook of this one and the narrator did a good job. Despite the good narration this book didn’t really grab me and I found myself speeding it up to the max speed so I could be done. I’m not totally sure why I didn’t enjoy this book more since it had some great elements. The writing was ok, but I think the plot could have been pieced together better maybe? I didn’t like the ending but I wasn’t enjoying it long before that. Nadia has to go to Singapore after her sister is found dead and the hope of their family business yacht needs to be completed. But Nadia learns the hard way that she can’t trust anyone and there are secrets beyond secrets in Singapore. This spy thriller isn’t bad, and if you love espionage you may want to give it a try.

I'm glad I took a chance on this book. I received an ARC copy of the audiobook on NetGalley. People with tons of money, yachts, etc just did not appeal to me, but I'm trying to read things I normally wouldn't. Nadia and Cass Brenner are the heirs to their family business which is building super yachts. When Cass falls from the 40th floor of a hotel, it's ruled a suicide by the government of Singapore. Nadia does not believe her sister would do that and that's where the story gets good. From the CIA, to AI, the Chinese government, I think just about everyone is involved. Nadia travels all over the world to save her company and find out what really happened to the sister. This book was a lot, but I really enjoyed it.

The Drowning Game is a fast-paced, action-packed thriller featuring Nadia, who is determined to uncover the truth about her sister’s disappearance. The story is layered with intrigue, betrayal, and complex characters, leaving Nadia in a constant state of uncertainty about who she can trust. While the book offers a gripping narrative, the intricate plot at times feels overwhelming, with some sections dragging and causing confusion. Overall, it remains an engaging and solid read for fans of suspenseful mysteries.

𐙚 Hidden Family Secrets
𐙚 Global Stakes
𐙚 Resilient Female Lead

Barbara Nickless’s The Drowning Game is a thrilling dive into the dangerous realms of international espionage and buried family truths. The story centers on Nadia Brenner, who, after her sister Cass’s suspicious death in Singapore, is drawn into a web of lies and escalating peril. The tightly woven and captivating narrative keeps you hooked and eager to uncover each twist and turn. This is a great read for readers who enjoy a fast-paced thriller with a resilient female lead. Natalie Naudus is a phenomenal audiobook narrator bringing the characters to life with exceptional skill. Her voice is versatile and rich with emotion adding an extra layer of depth.

Rating: ✰✰✰✰/5

Thank you for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. ・❥・

A spy thriller set across Singapore and the US, I really wanted to love this (I enjoy beautiful settings) but it was James Bond without the flash to me.

Premise - after her sister, a CIA asset, dies by apparent suicide, Nadia flies to Singapore to investigate if there's more to the story.

There was nothing technically wrong with this, it just wasn't for me. I love stories about rich people misbehaving, stories with international intrigue, stories with complex family dynamics - but I felt a distance from Nadia that kept me from getting really invested. There's a lot of potential here and quality writing, too, but I need to be able to invest in the protagonist (very different from liking them) and I just didn't care one way or the other about Nadia, or Cass.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Natalie Naudus, and she delivered a really solid read. Even as the story itself lost my interest, I didn't feel myself wanting to speed up her read to get through it faster and that's saying something about her skill.

Thanks, NetGalley and Brilliance Audio, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.