Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Honest moment: I DON'T do summer camps and definitely not ones overnight! What starts out as a careless poor choice by a swimming counselor after leaving a boy alone on a floating raft (who couldn't swim!...and goes missing), turns into a vicious set of events 21 years later. I went through most of the book feeling sorry for Alex, the counselor, even though he really messed up. The book had me on the edge of my seat because I just wanted to know where Joey was and if he had come back. Was not expecting the ending, at all! I wish there had been one or two more chapters so I could see how Alex's life ended once we are revealed who had taunted him all this time. Worth the read!!
3.5 thrilling stars for this puzzling mystery filled with highly detestable characters
It's the end of summer at Camp Waukeelo and eight year old Joey Proctor is still scared of the water and hasn't learned to swim. Swim instructor Alex Mason isn't about to let Joey detract from his promise that all campers would know how to swim by the end of camp. Alex believes in learning by doing so he pulls young Joey to the deep end of the lake, hauling him onto a raft and swimming away. Joey has two options - swim to shore or remain on the raft, alone.
After evening meals, Joey's presence is finally missed by his counselor, Steve who had been away for the afternoon. Alex slinks off to check the lake and finds the raft empty. Despite a police led search Joey is never seen again. As camp closes and the campers and staff go home, Alex carries the secret of Joey's last moments with him.
Twenty-one years later Alex is a successful business man with a wife and two daughters. Alex seems to have it all, until strange things begin to happen around him. Things that force him to recall that long forgotten summer when little Joey Proctor disappeared without a trace.
Could Joey be alive and out for vengeance? Does someone know Alex's secret and want him to pay?
One of the things that struck me most about this book is how many ruthless, unlikeable characters there are. There are so many underlying motives and cut throat dealings. I felt bad for Alex's wife and daughters. They were living with the ultimate wolf in sheep's clothing! As things escalate and come to a head Alex unravels. His fear, anxiety and sense of preservation catapult him into one disastrous decision after another. I honestly found my dislike for him growing with each turn of the page. Which I am positive was J.P Smith's goal.
This was definitely one of those books that will keep you turning the pages, while you shake your head. Don't expect everything to be tied up with a nice bow at the end. I actually found myself having to go back when I was done to re-read parts that stood out to me so I could connect a few dots to my satisfaction. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I'm all for a book that makes me pay attention and does things a bit outside the box. Well done J.P Smith - I look forward to reading more from you!
It's the end of summer at Camp Waukeelo and eight year old Joey Proctor is still scared of the water and hasn't learned to swim. Swim instructor Alex Mason isn't about to let Joey detract from his promise that all campers would know how to swim by the end of camp. Alex believes in learning by doing so he pulls young Joey to the deep end of the lake, hauling him onto a raft and swimming away. Joey has two options - swim to shore or remain on the raft, alone.
After evening meals, Joey's presence is finally missed by his counselor, Steve who had been away for the afternoon. Alex slinks off to check the lake and finds the raft empty. Despite a police led search Joey is never seen again. As camp closes and the campers and staff go home, Alex carries the secret of Joey's last moments with him.
Twenty-one years later Alex is a successful business man with a wife and two daughters. Alex seems to have it all, until strange things begin to happen around him. Things that force him to recall that long forgotten summer when little Joey Proctor disappeared without a trace.
Could Joey be alive and out for vengeance? Does someone know Alex's secret and want him to pay?
One of the things that struck me most about this book is how many ruthless, unlikeable characters there are. There are so many underlying motives and cut throat dealings. I felt bad for Alex's wife and daughters. They were living with the ultimate wolf in sheep's clothing! As things escalate and come to a head Alex unravels. His fear, anxiety and sense of preservation catapult him into one disastrous decision after another. I honestly found my dislike for him growing with each turn of the page. Which I am positive was J.P Smith's goal.
This was definitely one of those books that will keep you turning the pages, while you shake your head. Don't expect everything to be tied up with a nice bow at the end. I actually found myself having to go back when I was done to re-read parts that stood out to me so I could connect a few dots to my satisfaction. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. I'm all for a book that makes me pay attention and does things a bit outside the box. Well done J.P Smith - I look forward to reading more from you!
While working as a counsellor at a summer camp, Alex Mason took young Joey Proctor out into the middle of a lake and left him on a raft, telling him the only back is for him to swim back to shore. Hours later, Alex has forgotten all about Joey, until fellow counsellor Steve asks if anyone has seen the boy. Rushing back to the lake, he finds the raft empty.. and Joey has apparently vanished into thin air.
Twenty-one years later, Alex is a well-known property developer and has long forgotten about that hellish summer. But when someone starts stalking him and his family, leaving cryptic messages, it seems that Joey has not forgotten about Alex at all..
First all, I love anything involving summer camps and mysterious disappearances or deaths. So I knew I would love this book. The premise instantly gave me Friday the 13th vibes, and if Joey's disappearance and apparent reappearance doesn't sound like some Jason Vorhees shit, I don't know what does!
I was confused throughout the book on whether we were supposed to feel sorry for Alex or not. Because I sure as hell didn't! In both timelines, he's a cocky piece of shit and clearly feels no remorse for what happened to Joey.
I loved the little red herrings scattered throughout the book and the twists were soooo good. Only problem I had was
Really really enjoyed this book. Can't wait to pick up more thrilling stories from this author!
Twenty-one years later, Alex is a well-known property developer and has long forgotten about that hellish summer. But when someone starts stalking him and his family, leaving cryptic messages, it seems that Joey has not forgotten about Alex at all..
First all, I love anything involving summer camps and mysterious disappearances or deaths. So I knew I would love this book. The premise instantly gave me Friday the 13th vibes, and if Joey's disappearance and apparent reappearance doesn't sound like some Jason Vorhees shit, I don't know what does!
I was confused throughout the book on whether we were supposed to feel sorry for Alex or not. Because I sure as hell didn't! In both timelines, he's a cocky piece of shit and clearly feels no remorse for what happened to Joey.
I loved the little red herrings scattered throughout the book and the twists were soooo good. Only problem I had was
Spoiler
I thought we were gonna get some real answers on what happened to Joey and it was very ambiguous in the end. I did love the reveal at the end about Marty though. I thought he was bit fishy, but I was not expecting that twist!Really really enjoyed this book. Can't wait to pick up more thrilling stories from this author!
Twenty one years after an eight year old camper went missing strange things start to happen to the last counselor to see him, is it possible the boy is still alive? An urban legend, a missing boy and a camp counselor hiding a little secret make for a mystery that has never been forgotten. The book is full of possible who did what’s and characters that make you wonder.
📖REVIEW🔊
The Drowning by J.P. Smith
This is my first ARC review y’all! I am so happy that I picked a book that I actually enjoyed. Big thanks to @netgalley and @sourcebooks for the opportunity!
📚Summary📚
“Every seven years, a boy disappears from Camp Waukeelo. Who will be next?
It doesn't take long for a little boy to disappear. Joey Proctor can't swim, but that doesn't stop camp counselor Alex Mason from leaving him out on a raft in the middle of the lake in a fit of rage. Alex only meant to scare the kid, teach him a lesson. He didn't mean to forget about him. But now Joey is gone... and his body is never found.
More than twenty years later, Alex is a success. The proof is there for anyone to see, in the millions of dollars he makes, his lavish house, his beautiful wife and daughters. And no one knows what happened that summer at camp. At least, no one should know. But it looks like Joey Proctor may be back to take his revenge...”
Who doesn’t love a good spooky campfire story? I was wrapped up in this story right from page 1. It kept me guessing the whole time. Our main character, Alex, is kind of a jerk, but at the same time I really started to feel bad for him, and then he went off the deep end and I started to get angry at him, but then I felt bad for him again! I was on some sort of rollercoaster as I kept turning the pages.
The story really made me contemplate the idea that the past will always catch up with you. Moral of the story is, don’t be a dick. 🤣
This book was fun. It was a quick read, simply because I didn’t want to put it down. I really enjoyed the flow of the story, and I look forward to checking out some of J.P. Smith’s other books.
The Drowning by J.P. Smith
This is my first ARC review y’all! I am so happy that I picked a book that I actually enjoyed. Big thanks to @netgalley and @sourcebooks for the opportunity!
📚Summary📚
“Every seven years, a boy disappears from Camp Waukeelo. Who will be next?
It doesn't take long for a little boy to disappear. Joey Proctor can't swim, but that doesn't stop camp counselor Alex Mason from leaving him out on a raft in the middle of the lake in a fit of rage. Alex only meant to scare the kid, teach him a lesson. He didn't mean to forget about him. But now Joey is gone... and his body is never found.
More than twenty years later, Alex is a success. The proof is there for anyone to see, in the millions of dollars he makes, his lavish house, his beautiful wife and daughters. And no one knows what happened that summer at camp. At least, no one should know. But it looks like Joey Proctor may be back to take his revenge...”
Who doesn’t love a good spooky campfire story? I was wrapped up in this story right from page 1. It kept me guessing the whole time. Our main character, Alex, is kind of a jerk, but at the same time I really started to feel bad for him, and then he went off the deep end and I started to get angry at him, but then I felt bad for him again! I was on some sort of rollercoaster as I kept turning the pages.
The story really made me contemplate the idea that the past will always catch up with you. Moral of the story is, don’t be a dick. 🤣
This book was fun. It was a quick read, simply because I didn’t want to put it down. I really enjoyed the flow of the story, and I look forward to checking out some of J.P. Smith’s other books.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love it when I get introduced to an author I haven't read before and now I have to read all their other books! That's how much I enjoyed The Drowning. It had me hooked from the first chapter. What a page turner, I struggled to put it down and do life without thinking about when I could pick it up next and continue reading! Alex a camp counsellor leaves Joey on a raft to swim his way back to shore by himself. Joey is never seen again. Did he drown? Was he abducted? I was obsessed with finding out throughout the book. 21 years later Alex is successful and living his best life no thoughts of Joey or what happened at camp that year. Then things start happening....blood in his swimming pool.....and a message from Joey carved into the pool itself. Did Joey survive and is he now seeking revenge? Alex's life starts falling apart as Joey returns to his life. A spellbindingly great read. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest and fair review. #thedrowning #jpsmith #goodreads #tea_sipping_bookworm #litsy #amazon
Great premise (Friday the 13th meets I Know What You Did Last Summer), recent build, didn’t like the ending at all.