The Review

This novel was a disappointment. Going into the book, I had high expectations. This was THE most anticipated book of 2017, but I never got around to it. Now I wish I never did, as I am worried I’ll get attacked in the comment section for not agreeing with the public. But if this novel is the Best Mystery/Thriller of 2017, 2017 must have been a bad year for Mystery/Thrillers.

The story revolves around the mysterious deaths of women in a small British town, particularly in the infamous Drowning Pool. When a single mother and a vulnerable teenage girl meet the same fate, questions arise about their deaths and the dark secrets they unearth. Left behind is a lonely fifteen-year-old girl, Lena, who now finds herself in the care of her estranged aunt, Jules. As Jules investigates her sister’s death, she discovers that the past can have far-reaching consequences, blurring the lines between emotion and memory.

Hawkins’ writing is undeniably beautiful, with vivid descriptions that bring the town and its inhabitants to life. She demonstrates her skill in crafting flawed and believable characters, each with their own quirks and idiosyncrasies. The town itself becomes a character, with its dark secrets and interconnected relationships. One of the characters, Nel Abbott, was researching the history of the river and compiling a book on the women who met their tragic end in its depths. Excerpts from Nel’s book are interspersed throughout the narrative, providing captivating glimpses into the lives and fates of these women. This element adds depth and originality to the story, leaving a lasting impression.

However, the book’s flaws overshadow these strengths. The pacing and plot development lack the drive and energy that made The Girl on the Train a gripping read. While the multiple perspectives might work in other genres, they become cumbersome and confusing in a crime fiction context, making it difficult to piece together the mystery or feel invested in the characters. It also didn’t help that I was listening to the audiobook. Though they did cast a crew of narrators, I still found myself constantly lost in the story. I would like to think that if I read the novel, I would have been able to understand the narrative better. But following “We Are the Brennans” – which did a fabulous job of maintaining the large cast of narrators – I am not sure reading it would be any better. The sheer number of characters, their inconsistent actions, and the dropped plot points further contribute to the confusion and lack of tension.

Furthermore, the book introduces several plot points and secrets that are ultimately left unresolved or abandoned, leaving the reader unsatisfied. The characters themselves are inconsistent and at times frustrating, with questionable actions and irrational responses. The psychological astuteness required for a captivating crime novel is lacking, undermining the believability of the story’s crucial moments.

In the end, “Into the Water” is a mixed bag of murky mysteries. It is beautifully written and vividly told, but it doesn’t quite live up to the expectations set by its predecessor. I kept hoping that the longer I made it through, something shocking would click and I would understand why “Into the Water” is loved. Ultimately, the final “twist” in the last sentence of the novel was hardly a “twist.” I wasn’t shocked, and found myself going “huh well that was that.”

The only thing saving this novel from getting 1 star, is Hawkin’s ability to craft a descriptive narrative. Overall, I give this 2 out of 5 stars.

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Short Review (AKA TLDR)

“Into the Water” by Paula Hawkins falls short of expectations, despite its beautifully written narrative and vivid descriptions. The story revolves around the mysterious deaths of women in a small British town, but the pacing and plot development lack the drive and energy that made Hawkins’ previous work captivating. The multiple perspectives and numerous characters contribute to confusion, while unresolved plot points and inconsistent characterization leave the reader unsatisfied.