Into the Water (Paula Hawkins)

Into the Water

So let me start by saying, I liked "Girl on the Train" but I didn't really love it. So, as excited as I was to read Into the Water, I also wasn't getting my hopes too far up. But I ended up totally hooked.

The story is a lot less convoluted than Girl, although it still starts deus ex machina. As the story progresses, the number of secrets and additional story lines seamlessly come together. It may have been a little hard to get into, but once I did I could not put it down.

We begin with Nell having committed suicide in the town river with a history of such unfortunate ends. Those who knew her, however, seem to question whether she would have done that. And so while the police are checking into the circumstances, her estranged sister begins trying to untangle the years that have separated them, while confronting her own memories of the old town.

Paula Hawkins is so good at creating real character depth, at giving you a reason to follow the characters and hope for a positive outcome (although in this case, you always know that no matter what the investigation finds, Nell will still be gone.) The cast of characters is varying and full of motives to "help" Nell into the river, so it's hard to figure out what the twist will be (and I sort of saw it coming, but not really.)

The Book
🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

The Writing
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️

Readability
🕰️🕰️🕰️🕰️🕰️