Rating: 7/10
This one really made me feel like I was being thrown into the deep end (get it? Did you like that?). The book tells the story of all of those who were in proximity to Danielle (Nel) Abbot prior to her apparent suicide into to a stretch of river known to the locals of Beckford as "the Drowing Pool." When I say all of those in proximity, I mean all. The book switches between 10 different perspectives throughout. Not just once or twice, no no, I mean consistently. It makes for a bit of a confusing read, especially near the beginning. This is the kind of book you have to digest in large chunks because if you pick it up off and on, it can get really confusing. Also there needs to be a trigger warning on this book, there is some disturbing recounting of sexual assault. It's important that this is known prior to digging into the book, sexual assault can be triggering to some and its plays background to the animosity throughout.
"The river can go back over the past and bring it all up and spit it out on the banks in full view of everyone, but people can't. Women can't."
Though the police initially believe Nel Abbot's apparent suicide is just that, her sister Jules isn't convinced. In fact, many people in Beckford aren't convinced, they just don't care. Even though Jules and Nel have had a rough past, I mean rough, she still tries to uncover what she believes to be the truth. A big, dark misunderstanding really destroyed any relationship between the two. Now that her sister has died, there is no way for them to restore these broken bonds. Jules is also no responsible for caring for Nel's obstinate, difficult 15-year-old daughter Lena, while simultaneously trying to determine what really happened the night Nel died.
"Beckford is a place to get rid of troublesome women."
This is proven throughout the book time and time again, with little excerpts from Nel's manuscript of the deaths that have happened in the small town. Don't let the obvious story in the foreground fool you. On the surface, the story is about the suspicious death of Nel Abbot. Nel had been doing research into "the Drowning Pool" the place Beckford where "troublesome women" often died. Unfortunately for Nel, nobody in the town is keen on her drudging up the past and digging into the painful memories of loved ones who's lives were taken by the pool, generally by suicide. The background story, that you learn through the perspectives of many residents of Beckford is of the suicide of 15 year-old Kate Whittaker and Lauren Slater. You are able to learn so much about all three women through the perspective of their loved ones, each surrounded with layers of mystery and dark secrets.
If I renamed this book, it would be the "All Men are Bad and Will Hurt You Because They Suck" Powerhour. While this may be true sometimes, it's just slapped everywhere in this book. There's five important male characters and they each have a big flaw (with the exception of Josh because he's only 12): Abuser, Rapist, Statutory rapist, Cheater, etc. There may even be a murderer in the lot of them. This is a ballad of every bad man that can exist, all as key players in this book. I'm all about equality, men and women can both suck. All of Erin Morgan's (the female detective) bits just felt strained and as though they were added in to prove that sexism exists. While it does, it really felt as if she could've been cut out entirely and it wouldn't have mattered. This book is also chock full of unreliable narrators (especially the men). The bad men in this book are able to lead the reader into all kinds of murky territory. You can't really be certain that you know anything until the very end. The person responsible for Nel's death really caught me off guard, it's super important to read all the way to the end.
All in all, it was worth the read. I felt as though Hawkins did a good job fleshing the characters out and allowing you to understand their motivations (most of them at least). The POV changes between these characters really allows for it. However, looking into the perspectives of 10 different people is also super confusing especially given that all of the "chapters" (really just POV shifts) are only a few pages long. The "all men are bad" kind of vibe throughout felt a little soapbox-y as well. Bad men certainly exist everywhere but damn, this felt excessive. There is some good feminism woven through though,
"When someone has an affair, why does the wife hate the other woman? Why doesn't she hate her husband? He's the one who betrayed her, he's the one who swore to love her and keep her and whatever forever and ever."
Hawkins made some good points, it just felt a bit strained at time. Like it was being forced in, like it hadn't been in the initial story and it had to be forced in places. It's not a big deal, feminism is important andI think this story overall was a good read. There was enough intrigue and excitement to keep your attention rapt. If you've been thinking about it and the other things I've mentioned don't bother you, then read it! There is a very interesting story here, with so many twists and turns. You'll never guess who is responsible for Nel Abbot's death. Everyone here has done things they aren't proud of, everyone is suffering with their own demons. You have to read carefully to sort through the mystery to hopefully bring yourself back to the water's surface.
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