This was an intriguing tale. I found it a bit slow to get going, but once it did, it was a real page turner.

The story of Stephanie, and what happened at Loch Ness a number of years ago was gripping and unpredictable. I didn't anticipate the twists or the ending at all!

Getting to find out more about the various family members and friends, while trying to piece together exactly what happened, why, and who was involved was entertaining and I enjoyed reading this book.

The Surfacing is a slow burning mystery that will keep you flipping pages! Gorgeous setting (Scottish loch/English countryside.) Intriguing storyline and characters. I appreciated the queer and neurodiverse representation. I can't wait to see what Claire Ackroyd comes out with next!

I absolutely loved this book! The writing style is distinct, cleverly crafted, and impeccably balanced. From the gripping introduction, I was hooked. This isn’t just a “whodunnit” but a fascinating exploration of what led to the central event, and that premise kept me riveted throughout.

The opening is especially strong – there’s no unnecessary preamble, which can often weigh a story down. Starting with Stephanie leaving for the wedding is the perfect point to draw us in. The pacing is masterfully handled, with time moving both quickly and slowly as the story unfolds over just a few days. The use of flashbacks to weave in backstory is seamless and adds depth, while the steady breadcrumb trail of revelations kept me guessing and turning pages eagerly.

Stephanie is, without a doubt, the highlight of this novel. Her narration is sharp, deadpan, and shrewdly observant, often scientific in her assessments. The climax, particularly the scene on the boat, solidified her as one of the most memorable protagonists I’ve encountered recently. Her character’s depth and the subtle nods to neurodiversity add another layer of richness to the narrative – it’s refreshing and beautifully done.

The novel feels like a modern take on Agatha Christie, with a healthy dose of humour woven into the high-society setting and manor-house intrigue. The dialogue drives the story forward with precision, and the characters are vividly memorable. While it leans into the murder mystery/detective genre, it also incorporates psychological elements in Stephanie’s observations of others, giving it a unique edge.

At moments, the novel reminded me of the “Comedy of Manners” genre, with its sharp social commentary and unsentimental tone. This layer of satire adds extra dimension, making it as thought-provoking as it is entertaining.

Overall, this is a tightly plotted, thoroughly enjoyable read. The clever twists, engaging characters, and genre-blending approach make it an absolute standout. Highly recommended!

Stephanie is reluctantly attending her estranged sister Aurelie's wedding, although she has ulterior motives for being there. She cut off their relationship years ago after the death of a teenager on Loch Ness where her family was camping. That tragedy has followed them for the past twelve years and she's decided the wedding is the perfect chance to get some questions answered. There's not much to describe without giving away key elements of the plot, but there was a lot of untruth surrounding the night Peter drowned.

Shortly before the wedding, Stephanie's mother wrote to her and begged her to attend because she also had unfinished business. Her mother is dying from cancer and Stephanie can't deny her wishes. Her father will also be there, albeit with his new family, and Stephanie's certainly not looking forward to that. She's never forgiven him for leaving them, or in her eyes, abandoning them, when she and her sister were teenagers. So there's already quite a bit of family drama before adding in the questions she has about the past. But can she handle any truth she uncovers or will it finally break her for good?

It ends up being quite an intricate mystery with many players. There are a plethora of secrets, some that may surprise you and some you may see coming. Stephanie's character is odd, almost like she's on the autism spectrum, as she takes everything literally and says things like she's 'studied enough emotion charts to know that's not a typical reaction.' But it's never mentioned that she's different in a clinical way, she's just laughed off as if she merely has a dry personality. And you'd expect her sister to be terrible but she's really not. Aurelie was the one who kept reaching out to Stephanie and getting ignored, not vice versa.

Maybe after everything that's revealed were supposed to think Stephanie was just traumatized and unable to handle reality but I don't know. It just didn't quite work. And I wasn't a big fan of the ending and her idea of justice. I'd probably read more by this author though, I was compelled to keep turning pages and see how it was all going to come together. It's a solid dark mystery, I'd say. A bit unsettling and unresolved, but hey, that's life.

The secrets you bury don’t disappear. They rot… It’s twelve years since teenager Peter Ferguson drowned in Loch Ness on the same night that Stephanie, her mother and her sister, Aurelie, were camping on its shores. In the shocking aftermath, their family and life as they knew it fell apart, and the sisters no longer speak. But now Aurelie is getting married, and Stephanie realises that a reunion might finally bring the truth about that fateful night to the surface…. Good book! This book had suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, a sort of who done it and a few crazy twists and turns! The story was interesting, it wasn't one of my top favorite but still worth reading! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

A fantastic read - I devoured it over 2 days!

The descriptions of the characters, and especially of the landscapes were so vivid I found myself easily transported to and immersed in the wilds of Scotland, and the drama taking place there in both time-settings.

It was the perfect 'keeps you guessing' mystery, with just the right amount of darkness and wit. A really enjoyable, clever and gripping read. Would definitely recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union for the eARC.
This book is absolutely amazing, I loved every minute
of it and the ending was superb!
I don't really know how to relate what the story is about without giving something away.
It's a bit mind-bending; the protagonist very relatable. But as the book progressed I wondered how deeply mentally scarred she was and whether that skewed her outlook.
It's a remarkable read, don't miss this one!

Just brilliant, I loved every page and couldn't put it down! It was brilliantly addictive and left me wanting more... A very worthy five stars from me.

I was totally hooked it had twists you just don't see coming... my heart was pounding reading the last two chapters!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars