The Secrets of Water

by Shoshana Edwards

"With The Secrets of Water, Shoshana Edwards takes us deep into the darkness of American folklore while creating genuine, contemporary thrills. Absolutely terrific!" —Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of Ink and V Wars.

"Shoshana Edwards has a lot to say, and she says it with meticulous insight and evocative language." —David Gerrold

The tranquil waters of Harper's Landing hide an ancient evil.

Jim Burch, Sheriff of Harper's Landing, must solve a deadly mystery in his once-quiet town. Animals and pets, a visitor, and many children have been killed under mysterious circumstances. Sheriff Burch loves Harper’s Landing; the townspeople help each other through the good times and the bad—bringing food, lending a hand, and showing up for each other.

Jim knows how to be a detective. He is trained to remain calm and search for clues and evidence in order to solve cases. Except, the circumstances of the deaths defy logic. It will take all of his knowledge—and faith—to solve the secret hidden in the water of Harper's Landing.

396 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2023

About the author

I read my first science fiction book when I was six, The Time Machine. It gave me nightmares for weeks, but I loved it and was hooked. I cannot remember a time since then that I didn't have at least 2 or 3 books in process.

I started writing very early in life also, but had no faith in my abilities. Once I finished college, I devoted my writing to non-fiction critique of literature, and to scholarly papers on neurolinguistics.

I also began attending SF conventions in the early 1970s, once my kids were old enough to go with me. Between teaching, SCA, and conventions there was little room for any serious writing and gradually I drifted away from believing I could write fiction.

Yet here I am, 76, and with my first novel published! And another nearly done. I have more to write; the writer brain has been turned on and demands to be heard! What an exciting journey this is becoming.

Reviews

[Shelly Neinast · Rating 5 out of 5]

A town comes together

This was a long read, almost 400 pages but finally finished it, as I didn't want to just skip parts to get finished.
The storyline wad fantastic and I loved the characters and how the town came together to get the job done.
The abundace of meal mentioning was a little over board but it sure made my mouth water for some of that catered food and apple pies.
The author did a great deal of historical research into the weaving business and Ukrainian history. It was interesting to read about those things but maybe a little less descriptions on the weaving process.
The story had a nice mix of crime, police procedural, romance, history, and supernatural elements to make a great interesting read.
Book 2?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harper's Landing is known to be a small, quiet community. But as Sheriff, Jim is responsible for investigating the murders that arise in Harper's Landing. With few suspects within this town, the story becomes a tragic whodunnit as the majority of the victims are children. The story is descriptive and follows Jim's investigation.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Leslie Twitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sectets of Water is a good read. Original writing and good characters. Loved the small town and felt as though I was there.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[FaceBehindABook · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the onset of the book I was hesitant because it started out in the old days and I was a little confused but I kept reading and I'm glad I did.
The way the author made the town seem like it was a living entity because of the coincidences that happened is great and a little eerie, it gave the overall story some really great twists.
I enjoyed the characters and their backstories as well.
The only problem I sometimes had was when the views jumped from one person to another because it seemed like it happened when you were just starting to get into the thick of the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since the story begins with an origin story in Europe, I wondered "Why did I choose this book to read and review?" It was so different from what I might have chosen and worlds away from the story synopsis. I'm glad I kept reading!

I actually yelled out loud like people do when they are watching a horror movie! This book is intriguing, unexpected, and a fascinating read.

The character and story development were endearing and this small town world the author built is memorable.

This is the perfect Halloween read. I also hope there are more stories to come!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Secrets of Water" is very a well-written and developed supernatural tale, yet it is so much more than that. I particularly loved that the storyline was based on Eastern European Slavic folk culture, that being Ukrainian heritage. The author easily keeps the reader's interest and attention throughout the book, which is much more than simply a supernatural tale. If only every Ukrainian descendant of immigrants had trunks full of diaries to regain such wisdom. Well done Ms Edwards! Very highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the author did a good job of creating a dark tone and building some suspense to spark the reader's interest, but it wasn't until more than halfway through the story that I began to take an interest in the characters or care about what happened to them. I just didn't connect with the story or with the characters in the way that I'd have liked.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vanessa Nava · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading this book I was confused by the timeline. I than restarted the book and pulled in more focus and I was hooked on the storyline. I like how the story blends history, mythology and supernature witches all into a plot. This book has a little of everything.

[Kira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an horror mystery paranormal novel this is an great novel to read I enjoyed this book a lot it is very well written.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Catriona Lovett · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book, Shoshana Edwards has introduced us to some good people in a quirky small town. Most of the characters, residents and visitors, are easy to like, but there are a few sourpusses. A few seem entirely too impressed with themselves, ignoring warnings or even disrespecting private property as if rules didn't apply to them.

It must be a great thing to be able to help people get their just desserts in fiction! Something dangerous is manifesting in Harper's Landing and sadly, it's indifferent to human likability. I like the way the author contrasted both boorish and innocent victims. I think that made the plot more interesting.

The original family's journey to America was arduous, as it must have been in real life. I like stories that include sea voyages. The isolation is a perfect setting for horror, but this book also shows that, no matter where (or when) we are, we can be isolated. It's a scary read!

Thank you to Shoshana Edwards, 4 Horseman Publications, and Booksprouts for a free advance reader's copy of Secrets of Water. My review is not influenced by their gift and my opinions are offered voluntarily. It's an exciting, original book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Astra Astrid · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, let me say that I don't like horror, and the Booksprout's description says this book is horror, although the author assured me it's not. She pronounced it a murder mystery. Maybe so, except we know pretty much from the beginning that the murderer isn't human.

But, since the author contacted me personally to offer me an ARC, I decided to download the book and give it a try, on the understanding that I might not finish it.

As far as I'm concerned, this is indeed, horror, somehow mixed in with a small town cozy. Which, come to think of it, is my definition of horror - weird, evil stuff going on in a small, usually isolated, part of the world. However, having read to the end, I'm not sorry I was talked into reading this book, and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.

The suspension of disbelief necessary to enjoy this experience was well within tolerance. I never found myself exclaiming, "Give me a break!" (It's sad how often that happens, in my experience.)

There was a good flow to the story, which I really appreciated, given it's not my favourite genre.

I really liked the characters involved, and their interactions, although I'm not sure how most of the main characters make a living.

I think the part I most disliked was that each of the newcomers seemed to have replaced someone who died unexpectedly. People retire, they don't need to die to leave an opening.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.