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blogginboutbooks's review
4.0
I enjoy mysteries, survival stories, and books about maritime disasters, so DEEP WATER sounded like the perfect summer thriller for me. The first section of the book—in which a Malaysian naval officer answers a distress call from a raving British woman aboard a blood-spattered luxury catamaran she doesn't own cradling an injured man—is definitely promising, offering up plenty of intriguing plot possibilities. As we slip into backstory, though, the story flounders. I'm all for slow-building tension, but in this case, the tale is a little too slow. Not a lot happens until the last third of the book when the action ramps up again. Although the characters aren't anything super original or special, I liked Virginie and Jake enough to care what was going to happen to them. I kept reading the book because I did want to know how their story finished up. In the end, though, I found DEEP WATER a little unsatisfying. Not only did it get a little boring in the saggy middle, but it also left one of my burning questions unanswered. Overall, it just wasn't as engrossing a read as I wanted it to be, although I liked it well enough.
emily_loves_2_read's review
3.0
Deep Water
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 5/31/22
Author: Emma Bamford
Publisher: Gallery / Scout Press
Pages: 320
Goodreads Rating: 3.34
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery / Scout Press for providing a digital copy of the book for me to read in exchange for my honest opinion.
Synopsis: When a Navy vessel comes across a yacht in distress in the middle of the vast Indian Ocean, Captain Danial Tengku orders his ship to rush to its aid. On board the yacht is a British couple: a horribly injured man, Jake, and his traumatized wife, Virginie, who breathlessly confesses, “It’s all my fault. I killed them.” Months earlier, the couple had spent all their savings on a yacht, full of excitement for exploring the high seas and exotic lands together. Jake and Virginie arrive, they discover they are not the only visitors and quickly become entangled with a motley crew of expat sailors. Now, it’s up to Danial to determine just how much truth there is in Virginie’s alarming tale. But when his crew make a shocking discovery, he realizes that if he doesn’t act soon, they could all fall under the dark spell of the island.
My Thoughts: As soon as I saw the first post on this book, I was highly anticipated its read. However, it fell a little short for me. The story is narrated from the rescuer, then Virginia, then back to the rescuer, from their perspectives. Almost half of the book is discussions on their sailing to the island, this was a very slow burn that had no thrill to it. The author does a great job of describing all things nautical, I can appreciate the author’s knowledge for this subject. I almost did not finish this book, however, since this was for a review, I powered through. The ending was exciting. The characters just fell a little flat with me. I just wanted this to be something more. Not a bad book, but not a great book overall. I would read other novels by this author as I did like her writing style and how descriptive she was.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 5/31/22
Author: Emma Bamford
Publisher: Gallery / Scout Press
Pages: 320
Goodreads Rating: 3.34
Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery / Scout Press for providing a digital copy of the book for me to read in exchange for my honest opinion.
Synopsis: When a Navy vessel comes across a yacht in distress in the middle of the vast Indian Ocean, Captain Danial Tengku orders his ship to rush to its aid. On board the yacht is a British couple: a horribly injured man, Jake, and his traumatized wife, Virginie, who breathlessly confesses, “It’s all my fault. I killed them.” Months earlier, the couple had spent all their savings on a yacht, full of excitement for exploring the high seas and exotic lands together. Jake and Virginie arrive, they discover they are not the only visitors and quickly become entangled with a motley crew of expat sailors. Now, it’s up to Danial to determine just how much truth there is in Virginie’s alarming tale. But when his crew make a shocking discovery, he realizes that if he doesn’t act soon, they could all fall under the dark spell of the island.
My Thoughts: As soon as I saw the first post on this book, I was highly anticipated its read. However, it fell a little short for me. The story is narrated from the rescuer, then Virginia, then back to the rescuer, from their perspectives. Almost half of the book is discussions on their sailing to the island, this was a very slow burn that had no thrill to it. The author does a great job of describing all things nautical, I can appreciate the author’s knowledge for this subject. I almost did not finish this book, however, since this was for a review, I powered through. The ending was exciting. The characters just fell a little flat with me. I just wanted this to be something more. Not a bad book, but not a great book overall. I would read other novels by this author as I did like her writing style and how descriptive she was.
booksbybindu's review
4.0
‘Deep Water’ is a maritime take on a locked room mystery that starts with a naval vessel picking up distress signals in the middle of the Indian Ocean. They find a catamaran drifting with a couple onboard, the husband Jake unconscious and his wife Virgine very distressed and claiming that she killed them all. As she recounts her story we learn that she and Jake have given up their lives back in the UK, bought a boat and decided to sail around the Indian Ocean. But they have heard of nirvana, namely a deserted island 400 miles from anything where like-minded people gather each year. They made their way there and joined in the fun. But soon it becomes claustrophobic and dangerous!
As someone who grew up with a more alternative childhood, the idea of that island sounds like bliss to me! I'm always trying to persuade my friends to live in a commune. I enjoyed reading about Jake and Virginie’s story as it felt real and authentic, especially when it comes to the part about living on the ocean. This comes from the author’s experience and this gives the story substance and credibility. You feel the sun and water as you read about them and it has made me want to get back to the Maldives asap!
This was an enjoyable read that was suspenseful from the get-go right to the end! It reeled you in and I became engrossed in Virginie’s story and loved how it managed to weave past, present and future into one entertaining tale.
Let me know if you pick this one up.
As someone who grew up with a more alternative childhood, the idea of that island sounds like bliss to me! I'm always trying to persuade my friends to live in a commune. I enjoyed reading about Jake and Virginie’s story as it felt real and authentic, especially when it comes to the part about living on the ocean. This comes from the author’s experience and this gives the story substance and credibility. You feel the sun and water as you read about them and it has made me want to get back to the Maldives asap!
This was an enjoyable read that was suspenseful from the get-go right to the end! It reeled you in and I became engrossed in Virginie’s story and loved how it managed to weave past, present and future into one entertaining tale.
Let me know if you pick this one up.
smocko's review
1.0
May it just isn't my genre, but I kept thinking something would happen that was unexpected and it never did. This book was decidedly 'meh'. Read an advanced reader copy.
suzydemric's review
3.0
Debated giving this a 4, because I really did enjoy her writing style. Great character development, and well plotted. It wasn't as described though. It isn't so much a thriller, as an adventure gone wrong story. It does show how one wrong decision (or a few), however naively made, can alter things in a tragic way.
Though I am not a sailor, I didn't mind the sailing references (some reviewers have complained about this), as they aided in setting the scene, and making the story make sense.
I will certainly read her next book, because the writing was great; just don't expect this to be a thriller.
Though I am not a sailor, I didn't mind the sailing references (some reviewers have complained about this), as they aided in setting the scene, and making the story make sense.
I will certainly read her next book, because the writing was great; just don't expect this to be a thriller.
the_old_gray_cat's review
4.0
A good summer thriller set on an uninhabited island far from the mainland, where a few intrepid sailors have anchored their yachts. Everything seems so idyllic, with just a few rules to follow that have been passed down by those who return here each year to enjoy the pristine island. Bamford does a good job with pacing, particularly given that it's her first book.
bergamotandbooks's review
3.0
Looking for a great #beachreadthriller? Look no further than DEEP WATER!
I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed being whisked away (at least in my mind!) to the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean. At first I was totally jealous of Jake and Virginie’s dream boat vacation ...however, once things start to go awry, I was glad to be safe on my own couch!
Personally, I found the final few chapters a bit redundant, however, overall it was a quick #popcornthriller
Thank you to Netgalley for my arc!
I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed being whisked away (at least in my mind!) to the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean. At first I was totally jealous of Jake and Virginie’s dream boat vacation ...however, once things start to go awry, I was glad to be safe on my own couch!
Personally, I found the final few chapters a bit redundant, however, overall it was a quick #popcornthriller
Thank you to Netgalley for my arc!
jchristen's review
3.0
The premise of this book sounded like a dream most young people have. Who doesn't ponder selling everything and traveling the world at least once in their life? Maybe not on a boat, but that's a personal preference. I was excited to read this story and very "on the hook" (had to do a water pun) with the dark premise surrounding their trip to paradise.
I couldn't quite connect with Virginie's character who by all accounts seem to be a smart woman who lacks common sense. That does seem to characterize a large amount of the population though. She is married to Jake who is an affable blue collar sort of fellow. We learn that she was in a bad marriage prior and it seemed to try to tie the current situation in with her predisposition to "giving shitty people the benefit of the doubt."
Long story short, they are on Amarante an idyllic island with a dark history. There they meet other people who will ultimately lead to their demise per the synopsis. I liked parts of the story, but got in "deep water" trying to understand all the boat jargon. The story is mischaracterized as nature being the dark force, but I think as in life it's people who bring about destruction and evil. Sometimes it's purposeful and sometimes we cause it with our stubborn blindness in relationships.
I did appreciate the loose ends being tied up by the end but I also felt that it meandered a bit at times and jumped characters a bit. I'd still be interested in reading another book by Emma Bamford in the future!
I couldn't quite connect with Virginie's character who by all accounts seem to be a smart woman who lacks common sense. That does seem to characterize a large amount of the population though. She is married to Jake who is an affable blue collar sort of fellow. We learn that she was in a bad marriage prior and it seemed to try to tie the current situation in with her predisposition to "giving shitty people the benefit of the doubt."
Long story short, they are on Amarante an idyllic island with a dark history. There they meet other people who will ultimately lead to their demise per the synopsis. I liked parts of the story, but got in "deep water" trying to understand all the boat jargon. The story is mischaracterized as nature being the dark force, but I think as in life it's people who bring about destruction and evil. Sometimes it's purposeful and sometimes we cause it with our stubborn blindness in relationships.
I did appreciate the loose ends being tied up by the end but I also felt that it meandered a bit at times and jumped characters a bit. I'd still be interested in reading another book by Emma Bamford in the future!
stephisbooked's review
3.0
I really wanted to like this one more. In fact, writing this review made me lower my opinion on it because there were a lot of plot holes and/or plot points that didn’t really go anywhere. I thought it would be more survival story and less of a slow burn. It gave me Reckless Girl vibes at first but ultimately I couldn’t connect with the characters - I though Vee and Jake were just so dumb! Maybe it’s because I’m an ultimate type A and try to be prepare for all scenarios but I couldn’t understand their choices and Jake’s generally know-it-all attitude when he was totally lost in the sauce with his boat knowledge and fear of water.
camilleisreading24's review
DNFed after 3 chapters. Too much sailing, not enough suspense for me. I realize I wanted another book like Reckless Girls by Rachel Hawkins, so this was definitely a case of mismanaged expectations. The blurb comparing it to The Ruins by Scott Smith is misleading since that book was such a pageturner and this is not.
My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
My thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.