CATEGORIES: BOOK BLOG POSTS, BOOK REVIEWS, MYSTERY/THRILLER
ABOUT THE BOOK
TITLE: THE DROWNING WOMAN
AUTHOR: ROBYN HARDING
GENRES: MYSTERY/THRILLER, SUSPENSE, CONTEMPORARY FICTION
PUBLISHER: GRAND CENTRAL PUBLISHING
PUBLISHING DATE: JUNE 13, 2023
FORMAT: audiobook
NARRATOR: BRITTANY WILKERSON & HENRIETTE ZOUTOMOU
Source: audible SELF-purchaseD
listening time: 9 HOURS, 38 MINUTES
GOODREADS summary
My Thoughts:
I first saw “The Drowning Woman” on booktok and the twisted synopsis had me dying to check it out. From the very beginning I was hooked. Readers are first introduced to Lee’s bleak life as a homeless woman and the immediately the questions swirl as to how this came to be.
Piece by piece the puzzle clicks into place. We eventually get the full explanation and the relevant background as to how this woman ended up this way and why she is in such desperate need for companionship. This desperation will eventually be her downfall.
Enter the drowning woman – Hazel.
THE PLOT
The plot kicks into high gear when Lee rescues a woman named Hazel from drowning in the ocean. Hazel reveals her tumultuous marriage to high-powered attorney, one that she entered into with the condition of a total power exchange. Essentially, this means her husband establishes the rules and she obediently follows along like a slave. However, as he takes things to an extreme, her only escape is to consider taking her own life.
Lee disregards one warning sign after another, blindly placing her trust in Hazel and offering her assistance.
The twists and turns of this story were both thrilling and captivating. However, by the end of the third act, I grew somewhat fatigued from all the double-crossing, and some of the scenarios became hard to believe.
THE CHARACTERS
It was easy to sympathize with Lee. Considering her troubled past and strained relationship with her family, it was understandable why she clung to the hope of friendship with a woman who provided her with sisterly affection. While her foolish decision-making could be infuriating at times, it remained consistent with her character.
On the other hand, Hazel had to be one of the most dim-witted women I have ever come across. Her backstory failed to adequately explain why she willingly chose to enter an agreement where she would be powerless. Additionally, it would have been more satisfying if she had attempted to leave her abusive husband before things spiraled out of control.
"I remember reading that sociopaths are made—shaped by their environment and circumstances—but psychopaths are born. Their manipulative nature, their lack of remorse, their delight in hurting others, is genetic, predetermined."
THE WRITING STYLE
The pacing and foreshadowing were executed exceptionally well. I was constantly left guessing what would happen next. From the beginning, I knew Hazel was hiding something, yet I couldn’t quite figure out what it was. While the plot twists bordered on soap opera territory, I was thoroughly entertained.
I struggled to rate this one.
Did I absolutely love this book? No.
Could I put this book down? Nope!
If you’re seeking a fast-paced read with jaw-dropping plot twists, then this is the book for you. However, if you’re a reader who demands believability, this might not be the best choice.
Check it out for yourself by clicking here. If you’ve already read “The Drowning Woman”, I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Discover more excellent psychological thrillers audiobooks by clicking here.