The Lost Swimmer by Ann Turner is a fantastic story. Well written, plotted and characters it makes you think and I look forward to finding more by Ann Turner.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Rebecca Wilding, an archaeology professor, traces the past for a living.
But suddenly, truth and certainty are turning against her. Rebecca is accused of serious fraud, and worse, she suspects – she knows – that her husband, Stephen, is having an affair.
Desperate to find answers, Rebecca leaves with Stephen for Greece, Italy and Paris, where she can uncover the conspiracy against her, and hopefully win Stephen back to her side, where he belongs. There’s too much at stake – her love, her work, her family.
But on the idyllic Amalfi Coast, Stephen goes swimming and doesn’t come back.
In a swirling daze of panic and fear, Rebecca is dealt with fresh allegations. And with time against her, she must uncover the dark secrets that stand between her and Stephen, and the deceit that has chased her halfway around the world.

This was a decent story that got lost a little bit trying to be too much more than it needed to be.

Is it a thriller? Yes, a slow-burning one, but a thriller nonetheless.
Is it a romance? In some ways, as we follow the relationship between Rebecca and Stephen and the overwhelming love they seem to share.
Is it women's fiction? Sure, as it delves into the relationship between husband and wife, the effect an affair can have on a person, and the disappearance of a partner and the effect that has.
Is it a mystery? Of course...the fraud accusations and the disappearance of Stephen certainly classify as that.

But is it any good?

Ummmm...

Yes and no????

I guess it depends on what you were expecting when you started. I was looking more for the mystery/thriller aspect, which was perfectly understandable when you factor in the fraud allegations and Stephen's disappearance. I thought that would have been the thrust of the story...and it did seem to be important but took a long time to develop.
If you were hoping for a "women's fiction" novel, then you might have got more out of it. The investigation of the anatomy of a relationship, the parts that make it work, and the damage that just the hint of inappropriate behaviour from one part of that relationship can do to a marriage - that is what you would have taken from this book. Which is cool, too.

But I just don't know if both worked as well as they could have on their own. Or at least, with the other storyline significantly reduced in some way.

Was it good? I guess so. And I will try more by this author as debut novels always have a tendency to be like this for me. I am looking forward to seeing what comes next...


Paul
ARH