137 reviews for:

Swimming at Night

Lucy Clarke

3.8 AVERAGE


Abandoned this book about a third of the way into it. Not horrible, but I've seen these plot points done better. There were comparisons to Sister, which I really liked, but I didn't think the writing was on the same level. Too many other bookfish in the sea.

I really enjoyed this book... I was a bit worried the ending would become a cliche of sorts, but it was written so lovely even if it hinted at ending in a way I didn't want, I was happy and satisfied.. Highly recommend!

Such a tragic but touching story. It plays on the premise that sister relationships always include two people who are complete opposites, with a responsible older sister and a flighty, spontaneous younger one. The fact that on page one, we know that the younger sister is found dead, makes this tragic, as does the regret each character carries about not having had the perfect sister relationship.

The author reveals bits if truths as she unravels the mystery of the sisters' relationship, showing no real reason for them to have had such an acrimonious relationship. Beyond that, however, the writing is lyrical and descriptions beautiful. The ending felt rushed and a little odd to me, but maybe that's just me bc I was rushing to finish reading it.

I have a flighty older sister who isn't my closest friend in the world, but with whom I have a bond that cannot be shared by anyone else in the world, so I understand the motivation behind the main character's sudden need to search for truths behind what happened to her sister.


This book kept me riveted. My only disappointment is that I expected Mia's story to read like a journal, not to be told in the third person. Other than that ...great story of flawed characters trying to figure themselves out.

It took me a while to get into this story, but once I was I was hooked! Surprised in a good way by the ending too.

I don’t really know what I was expecting with this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I read. I think I was expecting more of a thriller, but instead I got a beautifully, poignant story of heartbreak between sisters.

At first, it is hard to find anything to like about Mia. What was she running away from? I definitely knew there was something between Ed and Mia from the beginning, and was happy when Katie figured it all out.

I love how the chapters rotated between Katie’s current journey and Mia’s past journey. It was fascinating to read Katie’s reactions to Mia’s journal, and it really gave the character of Mia more depth. We really got some insight into where her mind was during her trip, and we also found out that things aren’t always as they seem.

I’m happy that this book had a resolution. I thought for sure we wouldn’t really find out what happened to Mia, which would have been realistic. Think about it, when people commit suicide the question of why always hangs in the air and usually there is no closure. Fortunately, we did get resolution and Katie got resolution. Hopefully Katie will be able to move on with her life and let go of her guilt surrounding Mia’s death.

This book was beautifully written and quite a surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

*This book was provided for review on Confessions of a Bookaholic. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Holy shit in a basket. Lucy Clarke, wat doe je me aan? Nachtzwemmen is een van de meest aangrijpende verhalen dat ik dit jaar heb gelezen. Katie en Mia spreken me zo aan.. Het is net alsof ik naar de relatie tussen mijn zusje en mijzelf kijk. Heel apart. Behalve dan het feit dat wij wel allebei nog leven en dat nog heel lang van plan zijn om te doen, haha.
Met een ontzettende fijne schrijfstijl, de twee chronologische verhalen als een prachtige, dikke, vlecht door het verhaal heen naar de uitloop van wat een suïcidale sprong lijkt te zijn geweest flikt mevrouw Clarke het gewoon weer om me tot de allerlaatste snik te boeien.
En ja, ik moest even huilen.

Anyways, 2:30AM.. Laat zat!

Read this boooook!
adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The synopsis to The Sea Sisters did an excellent job at sparking my interest, before I even started to read this book I was intrigued by this storyline. The story follows two sisters, Katie and Mia who have a very troubled relationship. After the loss of their mum Katie has taken the role of protector but this is not something Mia is thankful for she feels inadequate compared to her sister. Much to Katie’s surprise Mia returns from work one day and declares out of the blue she is going travelling with best friend Finn. It is during Mia’s travels that Katie is woken to a rap on the door only to find the police at her door with some very unwelcome news Mia has been found dead at the bottom of a cliff in Bali. Katie is heartbroken but she has many questions she needs answering and there is only one way to find the answers and so she embarks on her journey.

The story is written in alternate narrative which allows us to follow both of the girls journey and to get to know each of the characters separately. I really enjoyed both of the girls journeys but with me being a younger sister I felt like I sympathised more with Mia. Some of the things Mia tells us especially the relationship between her sister and her mum I could relate to.

We follow Katie as she retraces her sisters steps through Mia’s journal so we see her begin to unravel some truths, many of which are a shock to Katie as well as us the reader. It was great to hear from Mia as her emotions are portrayed through her actions and it soon becomes clear that she is a flawed character and feels that she is living in her sisters shadow, she doesn’t feel as if she belongs. The relationship between the two sisters have very realistic characteristics such as jealousy, competition and the love/hate relationship.

The authors writing was very descriptive and managed to set the scene perfectly, I assume the author is very well traveled as this shows in her writing. The suspense that she creates was perfect it managed to keep my interest meaning I devoured the book in no time at all. I was so hooked I found it an inconvenience when my clients were turning up early, did they not know I had an important mystery to solve! I found the book to be unpredictable which is something I love in a book. The book has an air of mystery to it and is also a very touching and unpredictable read.

This is definitely one to read if you are looking for a compelling mystery. The Sea Sisters is due for release on the 9th of May and is definitely one not to be missed.
emotional mysterious sad medium-paced