The Diver

by Samsun Knight

Marta doesn’t mean to kill her husband. In fact, she hardly believes that he’s dead. After a dramatic accident leaves him drowned at the bottom of Lake Michigan, she embarks on a grief-fueled descent into the occult, and soon pulls in everyone around her, from her mother-in-law to the private detectives parked outside her home, as she tries to undo her one deadly mistake.

Peter is a young paralegal at the firm hired to investigate Marta’s role in her husband’s death, who is grappling with the recent suicide of his brother and the subsequent distance that seems to have opened between himself and the rest of the world. After learning about Marta’s case, he finds himself haunted by her story and enthralled by her. On an outing to interview her neighbors, he instead warns her that a company of private detectives is preparing to make trouble. Marta slams the door on him, but later sets up a time to hear him out. Neither Marta nor Peter could predict the consequences of their meeting.

A genre-bending story of heartache and devotion that questions where the boundaries begin and end in our closest relationships,  The Diver  explores the risks and rewards of intimacy, and offers a portrait of love as a catastrophic event.
 

Genres: Audiobook

237 pages, Paperback

Published November 10, 2023

Reviews

[morallyblackchaos · Rating 2 out of 5]

*This was a DNF for me.*

I really, really loved where this book was going. I’m crushed that there had to be not only one, but TWO scenes of animal cruelty that ended in both animals dying very horrible deaths. The world is mean and brutal enough as it is, why is this necessary? It’s not anymore.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this title.

[The Bibliophile Doctor · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Diver by Samsun Knight
Narrated by Scott Merriman; Dara Brown; Pavi Proczko

The narration was okay, even with narration this book was not something i could enjoy listening to.


I loved the beginning of the diver, but as I dived farther and deeper into the book it just didn't hold my attention. I had push myself to finish it. The characters felt one dimensional and the story and writing felt dry.

Overall, it might be a one time read, but I did not enjoy it reading even once.

Thank you Netgalley and brilliance audio | brilliance publishing for ARC in exchange of an honest review.

[Lisa Grønsund]

I received an advanced digital copy of this book, courtesy of the author and publisher, via Netgalley, for review consideration.

RTC

[Stacey (Bookalorian) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was super interesting but the characters.. URGHHHHHH

I just couldn't reconcile this really solid story with the lack lustre characters.

Boring banter, boring development. The story was good enough that I did finish but the ending???

WHAT WAS THAT.

I'm still stunned. I think had the ending been different, I could have overlooked the characters but it crashed and burned right there.

2.5 stars rounded to 3

[Gyalten Lekden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even after finishing this novel, it feels distant, or disaffected in some way. While I could tell you the plot, it is hard to say what this story is about. It explores grief and trauma, and what happens when desperate and broken people break others, without realizing it. There was a reality to our main character that I appreciated. As we learn more about him through the story my feelings towards him changed, which I thought was compelling writing. He felt lived in, but also hollow at the same time, a reflection of a person, stitched together by denial and inertia. The story was intriguing, forcing the reader to wonder what was real and who to believe, or believe in, as everything seems to fall apart. As the storyline weaves in and out of occult practices and possibilities you are left investigating what you want to be real, and that is an interesting position to put a reader in. Even as the story unravels and we get to the end there are moral questions about the nature of relationships and reality that are not tied up in a pretty bow, which I appreciate. I did finish feeling like there was more story to be told, though. Not in the ending, I thought where and how it ended was fine, but it felt like there was something missing on our way there, some more emotional catharsis or revelation or some sort of narrative tension that wasn’t quite there, but close. That said, the writing is mostly strong. Every once in a while there are some stylistic run-on sentences, mirroring a stream-of-consciousness, almost performative tone, and while these didn’t always work for me they often did, pushing us deeper into the characters’ experience, running us headlong into the same walls the characters were up against. I appreciated the overall vibe and feel of the writing, detached and yet intentional, it just felt a little loose in places, like it could use a little more editing (granted I read a pre-publish ARC). Similarly, there are some interwoven pieces, bits of articles or other ephemera, that come between chapters, and none of those felt very compelling to me at all, and they didn’t feel like they added to my experience.

Those quibbles aside, I enjoyed the novel quite a bit. The writing style matched the overall tone of the story, and it was a different portrait of grief than one often displayed. The book is a little bit of a slow burn, it takes its time and gets a little lost, here and there, so if you are hoping for quick action and clean answers you may be disappointed. There are also some brief but graphic depictions of violence that may be triggering. The scenes feel important to our character’s journey and don’t feel exploitative or like they’re there just for shock value, but some folk might want to be aware of them before jumping in. I wouldn’t say I recommend this book to everyone, it does feel a little distant and slow, and while its an engaging sort of character study I’m not sure, yet, what fruit is yielded from the discomfort of the journey. But I did enjoy it. I think if you’re interested in this character study of grief and listlessness, and how pain, not appropriately addressed, just continues to simultaneous plant deeper roots and radiate outward, if that is the kind of contemplative journey you enjoy taking, there is certainly something here for you.

(Rounded up from 3.5)

I want to thank the author, the publisher University of Iowa Press, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jeremy Hanes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The characters were so well developed and the pace was perfect. I had a sense that I was in this underwater realm reading it. It felt like I was in a trance being pulled into this story and had no idea where it was going. I read a NetGalley version of this book. And highly recommend it.

[Ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diver by Samsun Knight and narrated by Scott Merriman, Dara Brown & Pavi Proczko follows Marta and her husband, diving in Lake Michigan, that is, until the air supply makfunctions. Only one returns to the surface alive, only one has to live with the fallout, and that one, is Marta - the journey is illustrated in a compelling narrative, detailing the repurcussions as they ripple across Marta's psyche as she tries to undo the error, the family, all the way to the investigators

The primary investigator is Peter, who himself is dealing with the tragic loss of his brother and his subsequent isolation within his grief. HIs job take him to interview Marta's neighbours which in turn enables him to warn her of the vultures circling in the form of other investigators and journalists, hell-bent on making her case a trial of public opinion

This is no ordinary love story, no ordiary crim and no ordinary, or predictable resolution and as such, if you want a unique, original genre busting thriller, then this is for you. Highly recommended


Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio, Samsun Knight and narrators for this ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're a fan of dynamic storytelling, dark themes, and the mysterious allure of the deep sea, this underwater audio thriller is a must-listen. From the very first moment, the tension and excitement plunge you into a world where water is both a beautiful and terrifying element.

The narrative masterfully blends suspense and horror, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout. The underwater setting adds a unique layer of dread, making every shadow and ripple a potential threat. The characters are well-developed, their struggles and fears palpable, adding depth to the already intense atmosphere.

The production quality is top-notch, with sound design that immerses you completely in the aquatic environment. The use of ambient underwater sounds, combined with the narrator's gripping delivery, brings the story to life in a way that is both captivating and spine-tingling. Every creak of a sunken ship and echo of a distant creature adds to the chilling experience.

Overall, this audio thriller is a fantastic blend of horror and adventure, perfect for anyone who loves the mysteries of the deep sea and the thrill of a well-told dark tale. Dive in, if you dare!

[Alyssa Berman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to read this an Advanced Digital Copy from NetGalley. This is an honest review that is entirely my own.

First off. Check trigger warnings: animal cruelty, occult, mutilation

I nearly DNFd this at the first 50 pages.
This is a complete acid trip.
The main character Peter is, a bore. Think Holden Caulfield, but worse. I don’t really have any other comparisons to make because it is so original in its own sense.

There are so many random pieces to this book. I must have stopped and turned back pages 6 or more times to make sure I didn’t skip any because the spontaneous transitions were so hard to follow.

I didn’t like this. I didn’t hate this.
It feels like it desperately needs an editor to create some cohesion. From the first chapter to the last, it will have you saying, how did we get here?

Too many plot holes. Too many unanswered questions. So many side plots, that just didn’t need to happen.

I would not call this The Diver. I would call it something far more unhinged.

[Ciara Bellis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sadly this was a DNF read for me, making the call to put it down at 65%.

I enjoyed the concept of this book, it sounded fun and had potential. I just REALLY struggled to engage.

It takes a lot for me to DNF a book but The Diver did it with its lack of structure and effectively one continual text. The confronting animal cruelty scenes also seemed quite unnecessary and abrupt? This may very well have been the author’s intention but the scenes didn’t sit well with the rest of the novel’s tone.

Overall, a fun concept with potential—but needs a hefty edit.

[Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this novel].

[Jamie Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this was so intense that I had to set it down and not open it for quite some time. It was just terrifying and sad and weird and not at all something I could relate to at all.
The prose was beautiful.
I was just traumatized by the beautiful and disturbing opening. I am clearly way too sensitive because I could not handle it. I imagine this will be someone else's favorite book of all time.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written allegory on the effects of grief, regret, and guilt as an aftermath of the loss of a loved one. The "insanity" and desperation that often accompanies an unexpected and devastating loss (that is experienced by the bereaved mainly internally) is externalized in this book in surprising and sometimes gruesome events. Well written and very readable.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A24 movie in book shape.

A strange and unusual, arthouse horror.

It's macabre, hair-raising, but also filled with beautiful prose. It's rare to read something that makes you want to flip the pages more quickly and still leaves time for emotions and character. I loved the meditations on grief, loneliness, and desire...I loved the creepiness, the fast-paced reading experience, but also that it's not too neat and tidy! If you are into stuff at the boundaries of genre and literary, that isn't a rehash of stuff you've read before, that has murder and pentacles drawn in blood, then I think you are in the right place.

TW: animal violence, gore

[Marta Block · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book seemed to try to be a lot of things at once - true crime, family drama, and some existential ramblings mixed in made for a disjointed and difficult to follow storyline. Multiple scenes seemed to not entirely make sense in the flow of the writing (I found myself skimming back a few pages to make sure I didn't miss anything). I'm not sure how it made it through stages of editing.

The initial 10% of the book was super promising. The rabbit holes the "plot" went down after that were superfluous, sometimes brutal, and disconnected.

Thank you Net Galley & University of Iowa Press for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Erin Mary Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novel Concept: 5/5
Novel Execution: 4/5

Title: 2/5
Characterization: 5/5
Dialogue: 5/5
Plot: 4/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
Theme: 4/5
Prose: 5/5

Does this pass the Bechdel Test: Yes

Title
The Diver references it in the most literal sense, that Marta is the diver who is at the heart of the story. What pulls me away from this title is that we don't really envelop ourselves into the world of diving beyond the first chapter, so the title itself doesn't feel all that significant.

Characterization
Everyone in this novel is a little absurd, but the absurdity of this novel feels intentional and thus, it works. All of the characters are connected by this overflowing sense of loss that is driving them straight into their own prolonged misery. Marta is desperate to prove her innocence and bring her husband back, diving deep into the occult to make this possible. Peter's mother drags Peter into the occult because she lost her son and is desperate to get closure as well. Peter is just a guy who is there, struggling with his brother's death and struggling with the ethics of his work.

Dialogue
We have three distinct narrators, one who is never confirmed but might be the brother? The Unknown's ramblings are philosophical, but as he progresses in dialogue he gets angrier and angrier before Peter's perspective unceremoniously cuts him off. This addition is quite strange and I don't know how to feel about it. It's not that it doesn't work--it's just strange that it's never really acknowledged. That we don't know anything about it.

Plot
The middle of this plot stalls out a little bit. I really did assume we'd be spending a lot of time with the crime itself but everything was revealed all at the beginning which means the novel had to talk about something else. I didn't realize that Peter would effectively be our protagonist--I really thought we were going to spend more time with Marta. I wanted to spend more time with Marta. Get inside her head and feel her insanity.

Atmosphere
The novel seems well researched. At times I wondered about the reality of a legal firm basically acting like the mob, but in thinking of this novel as rather absurdist it fit right in. I had wished there was more deadliness about Lake Michigan. There's lots of folklore about The Great Lakes that I'm surprised didn't make it into the novel. The occultism felt believable-- I've read a book where I knew the author had gone to seances for workshops and so when I think of that book and this book they give of the same vibe--so even if it was all made up it was written confidently enough that for the world state, I believed it to be real.

Theme
The book wrestles with the question as to whether to occult is real or not and I do like the decision that the book ended up going with. I feel that this is less a book about love, as the blurb claims, and more about unhinged obsession. The way that a narrowed focus can absolutely blind you from everything else. Characters often disregard others and their own safety in the name of their obsession--and this is often the character's downfall.

Prose
The prose is easy to understand and I never really felt lost reading it. I think the arrangement of Marta's POVs and Peter's POVs are pretty cool but I will be honest, I wanted more of Marta. Peter doesn't really see the crazy that lives in Marta's bones because he's obsessed with her and I can accept this but I think I wanted a more interior look into Marta so that way at the ending we're like "oh yeah I believe she'd do that." All of the action is there to support Marta's decisions at the end of the novel, but I wanted to be drowned in her insanity which I think is only possible if we heard it from here. Because I mean, the ending? That's full straight jacket prose and I loved it.

Conclusion
This is a weird book. A very weird book. But I really did enjoy it--even if I did feel like we lost the plot a little bit in the middle. The ending? Honestly the ending was worth it.

[NaTaya Hastings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating - 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3.

TW: animal cruelty, death, murder, mutilation, occult

I was given the opportunity to read this an Advanced Digital Copy from NetGalley. This is an honest review that is entirely my own.

First off. Check trigger warnings: animal cruelty, occult, mutilation

First and foremost, the name of this book is so perfect. I stewed over it for a while (the name, not the book). At first, I hated it. I kept wondering why the author settled on such a plain, boring name for such a weird, twisted, and original book. It bugged me. And for a while, I thought that would be the first thing I said about this book in my review. Something along the lines of, "Firstly, the name of this book sucks and is totally separate from the overall plot of the book."

But the more I stewed over it, the more it worked for me.

This book is written in a totally detached, unfeeling, and emotionless way. The author avoids using names in much of the book, instead referring to a very prominent character as "the diver" or "the widow" or etc. etc. And while that may seem like it would get annoying, it didn't. It was kind of perfect for the main female character's state of mind -- very representative of what was going on and how she was feeling and behaving.

And when you take that into account, the title is actually kind of brilliant. I went from completely hating it to actually really loving it.

As for the book, though, I did NOT love it. I LIKED it... kind of. It's one of those books that you finish and you're not quite sure how you feel about it. You know you didn't hate it, but beyond that, it's hard to put your feelings into words. I actually went to Goodreads to look at other reviews of this book before writing mine just to see if anything stood out to me that would help me put my thoughts into writing, and I ran across one review that said, "I didn’t like this. I didn’t hate this." And that's when I knew my feelings about this book weren't so weird after all. Ha.

So, first and foremost, what I liked:

- The title and the detached style of writing
- The ending, which took me to a place that I had no idea I was going to end up
- The overall tone of the book
- The "sneaky horror" -- the book really kept you guessing

Now, what I DIDN'T like about this book:

- The totally unnecessary animal deaths. I get it. It's the occult, but seriously? No thanks. I can watch/read about/listen to people getting murdered all day. But don't harm the animals.
- The male main character. Seriously, he's just the worst. No personality, no drive, no clear motivations, no anything. He's like a NON-person. I'm not even sure his feelings toward the female main character (I won't say whether those are negative or positive feelings to avoid spoilers) are his own feelings. Maybe they were, or maybe they spawned from someone else. (That sentence WILL make sense if you read this book.) By himself, though, he was terrible. Made me feel nothing for him at all except tedium.
- The rapid and disconnected transitions. I sometimes had to go back several minutes (listening on audio) to be sure I didn't miss something.
- A wide array of plot holes and plot points that weren't resolved by the book's end
- The ending. And yes, I realize that I put this under the "stuff I liked" category, too. As I said, it was an odd book that left me not knowing how to feel. I both enjoyed and did not enjoy the ending. It was interesting and unique, but it also left some things unresolved.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC for review purposes.

[Lolly K Dandeneau · Rating 3 out of 5]

via my blog: https://bookstalkerblog.wordpress.com/
𝑨 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈.

Finally catching up and despite fighting dizzy spells, I will prevail in writing my reviews. It’s my end of year goal. Marta Winters is on a deepwater dive of a shipwreck in Lake Michigan with her husband Robert when an accident occurs that ends in his drowning. She comes up out of the water alone, leaving him behind in her confusion. Hours later she is found run aground on their boat, in desperate need of medical attention. Ruminating over the event, Marta wonders if the miscommunication on his part caused her wild panic, leaving her drowning in guilt and grief thereafter. Or is it possible that, like her late husband’s sister believes, something far more sinister happened and she is a cold blooded monster?

Peter is a paralegal working for the firm hired by Evelyn Forrester, the late Rober’s sister, to stop Marta from taking more money from the family trust. Robert’s body has never been found, and even her mother believes the story Marta told the police, but Evelyn knows for a fact that she murdered her brother. Admittedly, Peter finds it strange that Marta has been withdrawing large sums of money every ten days since Robert’s death. More, that she skipped her late husband’s funeral, claiming to be too aggrieved to attend. Is her depression simply a performance? Peter’s boss, John Zell, commands him to go with the Garys,the firms on call private detectives, to dig up as much as he can about Marta. But Peter can’t stomach their methods and instead, he risks his job by warning Marta his firm is after her.

Peter has his own wreckage to deal with, a brother lost to suicide and a mother who can’t let go. She puts her faith in what he believes are charlatans, and he feels helpless in stopping her from what he perceives as foolish hope. Why he is risking his job for a woman he doesn’t even know is tangled up in his own pit of grief and anger. Maybe Evelyn is just jealous and needs a receptacle to place her blame, maybe Marta really is a victim. As Peter and Marta come together, the story descends into a mad spiral of desperation and denial of reality. Is it supernatural, is it horror or are Peter and Marta going insane? This is one of the weirdest stories I have ever read. When I started reading the first chapters I thought it was going to be a did she didn’t she do it tale, instead it morphs into the occult and trauma that may or may not be causing delusions. Or is Peter to believe his own eyes? Is he centered, solid, reliable enough to believe? Warning alert for dog lovers, this fiction may be something you cannot handle. I have an australian cattle dog (looks similar to an Australian Shepard) and I was raging at the pages, that aside, it is an interesting but gruesome read.

How far do we go for love? How mad can grief make us? What is real and true?

Creepy but there are deeper emotional moments to scratch at. It is an unsettling tale of horror for me that still left me confused at the end. It’s undeniably original.

Published November 10, 2023

University of Iowa Press

[J Kromrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"The Diver" by Samsun Knight is a compelling exploration of grief, trauma, and the human psyche's intricate dance with the occult. The novel opens with a haunting scene that sets the tone for the rest of the narrative: Marta, the protagonist, is involved in a tragic accident that results in her husband's death at the bottom of Lake Michigan. This event plunges her into a spiral of sorrow and leads her to dabble in the occult in a desperate attempt to rectify her fatal mistake.

Knight's portrayal of Marta is nuanced and deeply human. Her journey is one of heartache and a relentless quest for closure, which resonates with anyone who has ever grappled with loss. The narrative deftly weaves Marta's personal tragedy with the broader themes of love and devotion, questioning the boundaries of our closest relationships.

Peter, a young paralegal drawn into Marta's orbit, serves as a mirror to her turmoil. His own struggles with his brother's suicide and the ensuing alienation from his world make him a sympathetic figure. His fixation on Marta and her story is both unsettling and understandable, highlighting the lengths to which people will go for connection and understanding.

The novel's genre-bending nature is one of its strengths, combining elements of noir, dark comedy, and legal intrigue. This mix creates a rich tapestry that is sometimes disturbing, sometimes humorous, but always thought-provoking. The prose is strong, and the dialogues are engaging, bringing to life the complex and often angry characters that inhabit this story.

However, the book is not without its flaws. Some readers may find the inclusion of animal cruelty and occult practices jarring, detracting from the overall experience. Additionally, the plot can feel busy at times, with subplots that may not seem to cohere fully with the main narrative thread.

In conclusion, "The Diver" is a dark and quirky tale that delves into the extremes of human emotion and the catastrophic events that can reshape lives. The story will linger with readers, challenging them to consider the catastrophic potential of love and the harrowing depths of grief. Knight has crafted a novel that is as much a portrait of intimacy as it is a commentary on the human condition. It's a worthy read for those who appreciate literary depth and are not afraid to confront the darker aspects of the soul.

[Alex (Alex's Version) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was enjoying the story and the direction the story was taking. However, I was deeply disheartened by the inclusion of two scenes depicting animal cruelty, resulting in the tragic deaths of both animals. In a world already filled with cruelty and brutality, I fail to see the necessity of such graphic content.

I would like to express my gratitude to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.

But I couldn't finish this book.

[Jazzy Lemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the opening. For those like me not used to the idiosyncrasies used to master the art of diving, this painted a picture so you could feel as if you were descending those depths. A married couple take diving lessons and then are on a longer dive alone together - and the wife realises that her and her husbands tanks are both running out of air - and in a fit of panic she takes the last of the air and knocks him away, leaving him to drown. I found the cover striking. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC/audiobook of this perfect piece of work.

[Tracy Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very difficult book to get into, the opening scene is very distant feeling, very detached writing style I couldn't get into. The writing is beautiful but I was not able to finish this novel it's very strange to me.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of The Diver by Samsun Knight in exchange for an honest review. This was a very different book than I was expecting. There was death, rituals and even some existential philosophy. I enjoyed it.

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 48% - A big “no thanks” to the violent murder of the family dog.

[Tabatha Starr · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book made me stare off into nothingness and quietly whisper… what the f*ck did I just read and why did I finish it?

[Ligibookishmind · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received an advanced digital copy of this book, courtesy of the author and publisher, via Netgalley, for review consideration.

I got this book from NetGalley and University of Iowa Press,( thank you) but sadly I didn't like it at all. It took me forever, like 45 days, to finish it, and honestly, I didn't really get what it was about. The story was just all over the place.

There were two scenes of animal cruelty in the book, and both animals died horribly, which made the already tough world even worse.

The main character, Marta, accidentally kills her husband and then goes all occult trying to fix it. It's a messy plot with her dragging everyone into her mess, from her mother-in-law to private detectives.

Then there's Peter, dealing with his own issues after his brother's suicide. He gets tangled up with Marta's case and becomes obsessed with her. It's all very strange and not in a good way.

Overall, The Diver is supposed to be this deep exploration of love and relationships, but it just left me confused and kind of disturbed. I wouldn't recommend it.