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Jess Lambert #1
These Still Black Waters
10 hours, 14 minutes
Two women struggle toward a dark truth as a killer avenges the sins of the past in a twisting novel of suspense by the USA Today bestselling author of Do No Harm, Behind Every Lie, and The Night Olivia Fell.
After a violent home invasion, Neve Maguire returns with her daughter to Black Lake, her childhood summer home, hoping for a fresh start. But when the body of a woman is found floating among the reeds in the lake behind her house, she fears she has made a horrible mistake.
Neve is hiding secrets, though. Detective Jess Lambert can tell. Recently back after her own personal tragedy, Jess knows what it’s like to live with skeletons in your closet, and she’s sure Neve has a few of her own.
When another woman’s body is found, Jess and Neve are forced to confront a horrible truth. Because one thing is clear: the darkness of the past is waiting. And the secrets of Black Lake are only just beginning to surface.
Two women struggle toward a dark truth as a killer avenges the sins of the past in a twisting novel of suspense by the USA Today bestselling author of Do No Harm, Behind Every Lie, and The Night Olivia Fell.
After a violent home invasion, Neve Maguire returns with her daughter to Black Lake, her childhood summer home, hoping for a fresh start. But when the body of a woman is found floating among the reeds in the lake behind her house, she fears she has made a horrible mistake.
Neve is hiding secrets, though. Detective Jess Lambert can tell. Recently back after her own personal tragedy, Jess knows what it’s like to live with skeletons in your closet, and she’s sure Neve has a few of her own.
When another woman’s body is found, Jess and Neve are forced to confront a horrible truth. Because one thing is clear: the darkness of the past is waiting. And the secrets of Black Lake are only just beginning to surface.
Audible Audio
First published October 1, 2023
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About the author
Christina McDonald
11 books2,934 followersAbout this author
Christina McDonald is the award-winning, USA Today and Amazon charts bestselling author of What Lies In Darkness, The Stranger At Black Lake, These Still Black Waters, Do No Harm, Behind Every Lie and The Night Olivia Fell, which has been optioned for television by a major Hollywood studio. Originally from Seattle, Washington, she now lives in London, England, with her husband, two sons, and their dog, Tango.
Christina McDonald is the award-winning, USA Today and Amazon charts bestselling author of What Lies In Darkness, The Stranger At Black Lake, These Still Black Waters, Do No Harm, Behind Every Lie and The Night Olivia Fell, which has been optioned for television by a major Hollywood studio. Originally from Seattle, Washington, she now lives in London, England, with her husband, two sons, and their dog, Tango.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 838 reviews
February 26, 2023
Well… This is not only brutal crime thriller/revenge meets paranormal / psychological mystery, it’s also soul crushing, emotional story about two broken women who stuck in their dark pasts in self destructive way, desperately looking for their redemption!
I loved Neve! But I loved Jess more! She tries so hard to gather her broken pieces for being whole, functional human being but gnawing guilt feelings, self destruction, her long time grieving don’t let her move on!
Here’s quick summary of the plot:
After traumatic home invasion incident, Neve Maguire returns back to Black Lake where her childhood summer house located, alongside her sixteen years old daughter Ash who was shot in the head, miraculously survived.
Black Lake is the same place Neve had became part of a tragic incident. She wants to reach the realtor of their house for keys but the very next day she finds out their property realtor Bailey is found dead floating among the reeds in the lake. Bailey is the same woman: her childhood friend Bae she’s seen a night before! But how could she see and talk to her when she was already dead, floating in the lake?
Detective Jess Lambert is the head investigator of the case, who lost her daughter Isla, seeing her in everywhere even though she doesn’t believe in ghosts. When she interrogates Neve, she realizes Neve keeps things to herself. She has to dig out more to find out Neve’s connection with murder. But then another woman is found dead at another county as Jess slowly loses her ability to differentiate the thin life between reality and nightmares.
I could love this book more if I didn’t find out the big twist earlier ( I found out 70 pages earlier, I patiently waited the revelation chapter which made me bored)
The perpetrator is also predictable and I found the chapter that she’s captured far too long. There was so much unnecessary dialogues that slowed down the pace and turned the important scene into soap opera drama.
Overall: I was thinking to give 3 stars but I love Christina McDonald’s writing so much more and I easily connected with Jess. I decided to give 3.5 stars to round up 4 mysterious, paranormal, sentimental stars!
I hope she brings Jess Lambert back for new adventures in near future.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas&Mercer for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
I loved Neve! But I loved Jess more! She tries so hard to gather her broken pieces for being whole, functional human being but gnawing guilt feelings, self destruction, her long time grieving don’t let her move on!
Here’s quick summary of the plot:
After traumatic home invasion incident, Neve Maguire returns back to Black Lake where her childhood summer house located, alongside her sixteen years old daughter Ash who was shot in the head, miraculously survived.
Black Lake is the same place Neve had became part of a tragic incident. She wants to reach the realtor of their house for keys but the very next day she finds out their property realtor Bailey is found dead floating among the reeds in the lake. Bailey is the same woman: her childhood friend Bae she’s seen a night before! But how could she see and talk to her when she was already dead, floating in the lake?
Detective Jess Lambert is the head investigator of the case, who lost her daughter Isla, seeing her in everywhere even though she doesn’t believe in ghosts. When she interrogates Neve, she realizes Neve keeps things to herself. She has to dig out more to find out Neve’s connection with murder. But then another woman is found dead at another county as Jess slowly loses her ability to differentiate the thin life between reality and nightmares.
I could love this book more if I didn’t find out the big twist earlier ( I found out 70 pages earlier, I patiently waited the revelation chapter which made me bored)
The perpetrator is also predictable and I found the chapter that she’s captured far too long. There was so much unnecessary dialogues that slowed down the pace and turned the important scene into soap opera drama.
Overall: I was thinking to give 3 stars but I love Christina McDonald’s writing so much more and I easily connected with Jess. I decided to give 3.5 stars to round up 4 mysterious, paranormal, sentimental stars!
I hope she brings Jess Lambert back for new adventures in near future.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Thomas&Mercer for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
February 14, 2023
Christina McDonald has wowed me yet again! These Still Black Waters had me flipping the pages so fast it is a wonder I don't have wrist pain. I found this book to be gripping, well thought out and eerie. I devoured this book and loved every second of it.
Neve Maguire moved back to Black Lake where she spent summers as a child with her teenage daughter, Ash. A violent home invasion left Neve wanting a fresh start. It won’t be the fresh start she wanted as a woman's body has been found in the Reeds.
Detective Jess Lambert is back to work after suffering a horrible loss following a tragic accident. She interviews those who live near where the woman's body was found. After speaking with Neve, she knows that Neve is keeping secrets. Jess has secrets of her own as well.
Secrets have a way of coming out when you least expect them. Sometimes your past comes knocking and when it does......
This was such a great book and very different for McDonald. I loved the new direction she went in and thought she pulled it off very well. She even shocked me in this book which I love! I also loved the twists in this book. Boy did they keep me on my toes wanting more.
Like her other books, this book was well written and perfectly paced. Just when I thought I had things figured out, she threw in another twist! Very nicely done!
This book is told in the past and in the present. This kept things interesting and helped the plot move at a very nice pace. Each time McDonald took me into the past, more was revealed and further piqued my interest.
I look forward to the next book in this series!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Neve Maguire moved back to Black Lake where she spent summers as a child with her teenage daughter, Ash. A violent home invasion left Neve wanting a fresh start. It won’t be the fresh start she wanted as a woman's body has been found in the Reeds.
Detective Jess Lambert is back to work after suffering a horrible loss following a tragic accident. She interviews those who live near where the woman's body was found. After speaking with Neve, she knows that Neve is keeping secrets. Jess has secrets of her own as well.
Secrets have a way of coming out when you least expect them. Sometimes your past comes knocking and when it does......
This was such a great book and very different for McDonald. I loved the new direction she went in and thought she pulled it off very well. She even shocked me in this book which I love! I also loved the twists in this book. Boy did they keep me on my toes wanting more.
Like her other books, this book was well written and perfectly paced. Just when I thought I had things figured out, she threw in another twist! Very nicely done!
This book is told in the past and in the present. This kept things interesting and helped the plot move at a very nice pace. Each time McDonald took me into the past, more was revealed and further piqued my interest.
I look forward to the next book in this series!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 3, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
“CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES-THEY CHOSE WRONG”
After a violent home invasion, Neve Maguire and her teenage daughter Ash, move to Black Lake, for a fresh start.
Haunted by the memories of that night, they need a place where they can feel safe.
But, when they wake up after their first morning in Dullahan House, they discover Emergency vehicles down by the lake behind their new home-a woman’s body has been found floating among the reeds.
Detective Jess Lambert is recently back at work after her own personal tragedy, the loss of her young daughter, Isla. Haunted by guilt and remorse, she is drinking too much, and she thinks she sees her daughter wherever she goes.
Is she really the best Detective to take the lead on this case?
The body will link the two women together in unexpected ways, as secrets from the past and present are revealed through the alternating narratives of Neve, Jess and “the killer”.
The mystery was good but I wasn’t enjoying the writing style as there was a lot of repetition and many passages were too descriptive for my personal taste, taking me out of the story. Example: “Birdsong and pale morning sunlight in shades of blushed pink and creamy corn silk stream through the open window.”
Who thinks or speaks like that?
But, just past the halfway point there was a reveal that caught my attention and surprised me, even though it is one that may divide readers!
I loved two out of the three books by Christina McDonald that I had read prior to this one-“ The Night Olivia Fell” and “Do No Harm” but this was just a three star read for me until THAT reveal.
I wasn’t sure if I would want to continue the Jess Lambert series, but I liked the direction the author took, and now I think that I will probably want to solve her next case with her after all..
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Thomas & Mercer for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
“CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES-THEY CHOSE WRONG”
After a violent home invasion, Neve Maguire and her teenage daughter Ash, move to Black Lake, for a fresh start.
Haunted by the memories of that night, they need a place where they can feel safe.
But, when they wake up after their first morning in Dullahan House, they discover Emergency vehicles down by the lake behind their new home-a woman’s body has been found floating among the reeds.
Detective Jess Lambert is recently back at work after her own personal tragedy, the loss of her young daughter, Isla. Haunted by guilt and remorse, she is drinking too much, and she thinks she sees her daughter wherever she goes.
Is she really the best Detective to take the lead on this case?
The body will link the two women together in unexpected ways, as secrets from the past and present are revealed through the alternating narratives of Neve, Jess and “the killer”.
The mystery was good but I wasn’t enjoying the writing style as there was a lot of repetition and many passages were too descriptive for my personal taste, taking me out of the story. Example: “Birdsong and pale morning sunlight in shades of blushed pink and creamy corn silk stream through the open window.”
Who thinks or speaks like that?
But, just past the halfway point there was a reveal that caught my attention and surprised me, even though it is one that may divide readers!
I loved two out of the three books by Christina McDonald that I had read prior to this one-“ The Night Olivia Fell” and “Do No Harm” but this was just a three star read for me until THAT reveal.
I wasn’t sure if I would want to continue the Jess Lambert series, but I liked the direction the author took, and now I think that I will probably want to solve her next case with her after all..
AVAILABLE NOW!
Thank You to Thomas & Mercer for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review!
July 15, 2024
OUT NOW!
Following a violent home invasion that shakes Neve’s world, she feels deep down in her bones that she needs to flee with her daughter, Ash, in order to keep her safe. With limited places to run, she returns to her family’s old vacation home on the banks of Black Lake. Not twenty-four hours after arriving in town, however, a decomposing body is pulled from the water behind her house. A terrible harbinger to their arrival, she fears that if this is what is to welcome them to town then she’s made a grievous mistake.
What no one else knows, however, is that Neve has some deep, dark secrets that she’s trying to hide. And Detective Jess Lambert is quick to spot the signs. After all, she has quite a few of her own. Recently back to work after a horrific tragedy that has left her emotionally fragile as well as physically maimed, she knows all too well what it’s like to live with the weight of well-hidden lies.
It isn’t until yet another woman’s body is discovered, however, that the two must come to terms with the reality of the situation. Someone appears to be out there hunting in their small community, and it seems to be tied to the past. The only way to conquer the darkness, though, is to face it head on. Because one thing is certain—it’s only a matter of time until all of their secrets are shown the light of day. Will they be able to stop whoever is behind the murders before it’s too late? Or has the past finally come calling for its due?
Wow. Only once in a blue moon am I surprised by a novel—in a good way, of course. And These Still Black Waters fit that bill to a tee. A startlingly deep story of loss and love, it also held one altogether jaw-dropping twist. One that took this story from merely great to truly out of this world (in more ways than one). As I write this review, though, I’m finding that it is unbelievably hard to describe this book without revealing its secrets and wholly spoiling the plot. Just the same, I’ll give it a go…
Right from the top, the finely layered plot was my home run favorite piece of this book. Well-written and cleverly organized, the even pace and evocative prose made the story unroll flawlessly. Told via two primary POVs (complete with crystal clear identities) as well as occasional entries from the killer’s perspective, the storyline subtly shifted between the past and the present, keeping me hungrily yearning for more. When realization finally dawned, however, my mind was well and truly blown. After all, everything I thought I knew was so far from reality that the entire plot shifted right in front of my eyes. So much so, in fact, that I’m already itching to reread it and spot the deftly hidden clues for myself.
Then there were the characters. Unbelievably genuine and true-to-life yet also seemingly unreliable as well, I didn’t know quite what to make of them at the outset. Nonetheless, they were complex, resonating individuals with backstories that illustrated deep, dark heartache which made them come alive on the page. And despite not usually being a fan of self-destructive detectives, the twists to Jess’s persona have likely made her into one of my favorite characters in the end.
Having read quite a bit of McDonald’s work, this one totally shocked the pants off me. Quite the departure from her prior books, it also managed to retain her expected thrills and chills. Atmospheric and eerie, this one was a masterful blend of a crime fiction novel and a revenge mystery plus something else altogether unexpected. Trust me, this is one puzzle of a novel that will take you on a journey that will have you questioning everything.
All said and done, this is one that I’m sure I won’t forget any time soon. A clever examination of how secrets and lies—especially the ones we tell to ourselves—can wreck havoc on our lives, I was utterly gobsmacked by how this deviation from McDonald’s norm seemed to land just right. Now I just can’t wait to discover where this series is going to go next. Yes, you read that right, this was just book one of a series. All I can say is that I strongly recommend not only adding These Still Black Waters to your TBR, but pre-ordering this puppy today. Rating of 5 stars.
PUB DATE: October 1, 2023
Thank you to Christina McDonald, Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley, and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Trigger warning: home invasion, death of a daughter, alcoholism, euthanasia of an injured horse, dementia, cancer, strangulation, mention of: infidelity
Following a violent home invasion that shakes Neve’s world, she feels deep down in her bones that she needs to flee with her daughter, Ash, in order to keep her safe. With limited places to run, she returns to her family’s old vacation home on the banks of Black Lake. Not twenty-four hours after arriving in town, however, a decomposing body is pulled from the water behind her house. A terrible harbinger to their arrival, she fears that if this is what is to welcome them to town then she’s made a grievous mistake.
What no one else knows, however, is that Neve has some deep, dark secrets that she’s trying to hide. And Detective Jess Lambert is quick to spot the signs. After all, she has quite a few of her own. Recently back to work after a horrific tragedy that has left her emotionally fragile as well as physically maimed, she knows all too well what it’s like to live with the weight of well-hidden lies.
It isn’t until yet another woman’s body is discovered, however, that the two must come to terms with the reality of the situation. Someone appears to be out there hunting in their small community, and it seems to be tied to the past. The only way to conquer the darkness, though, is to face it head on. Because one thing is certain—it’s only a matter of time until all of their secrets are shown the light of day. Will they be able to stop whoever is behind the murders before it’s too late? Or has the past finally come calling for its due?
Wow. Only once in a blue moon am I surprised by a novel—in a good way, of course. And These Still Black Waters fit that bill to a tee. A startlingly deep story of loss and love, it also held one altogether jaw-dropping twist. One that took this story from merely great to truly out of this world (in more ways than one). As I write this review, though, I’m finding that it is unbelievably hard to describe this book without revealing its secrets and wholly spoiling the plot. Just the same, I’ll give it a go…
Right from the top, the finely layered plot was my home run favorite piece of this book. Well-written and cleverly organized, the even pace and evocative prose made the story unroll flawlessly. Told via two primary POVs (complete with crystal clear identities) as well as occasional entries from the killer’s perspective, the storyline subtly shifted between the past and the present, keeping me hungrily yearning for more. When realization finally dawned, however, my mind was well and truly blown. After all, everything I thought I knew was so far from reality that the entire plot shifted right in front of my eyes. So much so, in fact, that I’m already itching to reread it and spot the deftly hidden clues for myself.
Then there were the characters. Unbelievably genuine and true-to-life yet also seemingly unreliable as well, I didn’t know quite what to make of them at the outset. Nonetheless, they were complex, resonating individuals with backstories that illustrated deep, dark heartache which made them come alive on the page. And despite not usually being a fan of self-destructive detectives, the twists to Jess’s persona have likely made her into one of my favorite characters in the end.
Having read quite a bit of McDonald’s work, this one totally shocked the pants off me. Quite the departure from her prior books, it also managed to retain her expected thrills and chills. Atmospheric and eerie, this one was a masterful blend of a crime fiction novel and a revenge mystery plus something else altogether unexpected. Trust me, this is one puzzle of a novel that will take you on a journey that will have you questioning everything.
All said and done, this is one that I’m sure I won’t forget any time soon. A clever examination of how secrets and lies—especially the ones we tell to ourselves—can wreck havoc on our lives, I was utterly gobsmacked by how this deviation from McDonald’s norm seemed to land just right. Now I just can’t wait to discover where this series is going to go next. Yes, you read that right, this was just book one of a series. All I can say is that I strongly recommend not only adding These Still Black Waters to your TBR, but pre-ordering this puppy today. Rating of 5 stars.
PUB DATE: October 1, 2023
Thank you to Christina McDonald, Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley, and Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Trigger warning: home invasion, death of a daughter, alcoholism, euthanasia of an injured horse, dementia, cancer, strangulation, mention of: infidelity
December 28, 2022
I have read all of Christina McDonald’s books, and I will say that ‘These Still Black Waters’, is my favorite to date. This book was definitely different and not quite what I expected, but I just connected and resonated with the characters and storyline so much. This book has suspense, along with grief and trauma, and the past coming back to haunt us.
‘These Still Black Waters’ deals mainly with two characters. We have Neve Maguire, who seems to have it all. She’s married with a daughter, a beautiful home, and she’s a veterinarian. However, Neve decides to take a small vacation to her childhood vacation home in Black Lake after a traumatic event occurs. We also have Detective Jess Lambert. Jess is the detective working in Black Lake trying to solve the latest crime. I resonated with Jess’s character maybe a little too much, because like her, I have a bad leg that I use a cane for. I also walk with a limp and have severe pain. The trauma that surrounds the injury may not be the same, but I still found myself empathizing with her throughout this story.
As Jess Lambert works to solve the crime in Black Lake, everyone is suspect. Who do you believe? Who can you trust? Does our past always come back to haunt us?
With that being said, the book was left open a little bit to let us know that Jess Lambert’s work is not done and she will be back for book #2 (hurry up please!).
I highly recommend reading this book, and I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. Publication date is: August 8, 2023.
‘These Still Black Waters’ deals mainly with two characters. We have Neve Maguire, who seems to have it all. She’s married with a daughter, a beautiful home, and she’s a veterinarian. However, Neve decides to take a small vacation to her childhood vacation home in Black Lake after a traumatic event occurs. We also have Detective Jess Lambert. Jess is the detective working in Black Lake trying to solve the latest crime. I resonated with Jess’s character maybe a little too much, because like her, I have a bad leg that I use a cane for. I also walk with a limp and have severe pain. The trauma that surrounds the injury may not be the same, but I still found myself empathizing with her throughout this story.
As Jess Lambert works to solve the crime in Black Lake, everyone is suspect. Who do you believe? Who can you trust? Does our past always come back to haunt us?
With that being said, the book was left open a little bit to let us know that Jess Lambert’s work is not done and she will be back for book #2 (hurry up please!).
I highly recommend reading this book, and I would like to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. Publication date is: August 8, 2023.
October 5, 2023
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Christina McDonald for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 10.1!**
Being a parent can bring out the fiercest protector in you, and Neve Maguire is bound and determined to keep daughter Ash safe. A horrifying home invasion is all the impetus she needs to venture to Black Lake, a place she summered as a girl...even with some long-buried secrets causing fear and alarm to surface in her heart. However, the duo isn't there long before Black Lake no longer seems so safe: a body surfaces in the water behind Dullahan House. Neve begins to panic, and wonder if her past is quite literally coming to the surface.
Jess Lambert has been assigned to the case, and she's feeling desperate to prove her mettle. After a tragic car accident left her using a cane and also took her daughter Isla's life, she leans heavily on liquor to get through the day. When she interviews Neve, however, her instincts tell her that nothing is quite as it seems...and that she is working this case for a REASON. But can Jess discover the truth about the twisted past of Black Lake before ANOTHER body comes to the surface?
This is a difficult review to write, because I honestly had such different expectations for McDonald after the twisty, thoughtful, and emotionally impactful experience after finishing my first read from her, Do No Harm. If there's one thing McDonald does beautifully, it's weaving in emotion amidst a thrilling plot. But in the case of These Still Black Waters, the time required to get to this place in the narrative felt nearly interminable, and for me, it was almost too little, too late.
The plot itself felt reminiscent of SO MANY other thriller/mystery tales, and could be kindly described as thin at best. The meat and potatoes of the story can't even play out until the Big Twist is revealed...and this is nearly 80 PERCENT of the way through the book. Most of the early passages jump back in forth in time, through Neve's past, and there's also some italicized commentary from the unnamed killer along the way to keep you guessing, and while I admit I changed my mind several times about the killer's identity, I didn't feel 'wowed' at all by the reveal.
McDonald also leans into some flowery language, with similes that were a bit off putting and odd at times. Not only were they unnecessary, but many of them sort of broke the flow of the story and didn't feel natural (especially when they were presented as character's observations, or even worse, as dialogue.) There is also a passage from the past where there are a LOT of OTT references thrown in to MAKE SURE you know it's the 90's. I mean, I adore the 90's, but a little subtlety would have gone a long way. All of this was such a surprise because I didn't feel such a heavy-handed, in your face sort of style from McDonald in the past and I'm not sure what inspired the change.
If you CAN exhibit the aforementioned patience, I will say the last 20% of the book almost makes up for everything preceding it, and while the villain reveal is lackluster, the emotional gravitas is certainly there. I almost bumped up my rating based on that alone, but sadly I know this book probably won't stick with me the way it could have, had the focus and the writing been different. Jess Lambert is an interesting character and while the jury's still out on whether I want to buckle in to watch her solve her next case, one quote from The Santa Clause sums up this journey, in a very succinct way:
"Seeing isn't believing...believing is seeing."
3.5 stars
Being a parent can bring out the fiercest protector in you, and Neve Maguire is bound and determined to keep daughter Ash safe. A horrifying home invasion is all the impetus she needs to venture to Black Lake, a place she summered as a girl...even with some long-buried secrets causing fear and alarm to surface in her heart. However, the duo isn't there long before Black Lake no longer seems so safe: a body surfaces in the water behind Dullahan House. Neve begins to panic, and wonder if her past is quite literally coming to the surface.
Jess Lambert has been assigned to the case, and she's feeling desperate to prove her mettle. After a tragic car accident left her using a cane and also took her daughter Isla's life, she leans heavily on liquor to get through the day. When she interviews Neve, however, her instincts tell her that nothing is quite as it seems...and that she is working this case for a REASON. But can Jess discover the truth about the twisted past of Black Lake before ANOTHER body comes to the surface?
This is a difficult review to write, because I honestly had such different expectations for McDonald after the twisty, thoughtful, and emotionally impactful experience after finishing my first read from her, Do No Harm. If there's one thing McDonald does beautifully, it's weaving in emotion amidst a thrilling plot. But in the case of These Still Black Waters, the time required to get to this place in the narrative felt nearly interminable, and for me, it was almost too little, too late.
The plot itself felt reminiscent of SO MANY other thriller/mystery tales, and could be kindly described as thin at best. The meat and potatoes of the story can't even play out until the Big Twist is revealed...and this is nearly 80 PERCENT of the way through the book. Most of the early passages jump back in forth in time, through Neve's past, and there's also some italicized commentary from the unnamed killer along the way to keep you guessing, and while I admit I changed my mind several times about the killer's identity, I didn't feel 'wowed' at all by the reveal.
McDonald also leans into some flowery language, with similes that were a bit off putting and odd at times. Not only were they unnecessary, but many of them sort of broke the flow of the story and didn't feel natural (especially when they were presented as character's observations, or even worse, as dialogue.) There is also a passage from the past where there are a LOT of OTT references thrown in to MAKE SURE you know it's the 90's. I mean, I adore the 90's, but a little subtlety would have gone a long way. All of this was such a surprise because I didn't feel such a heavy-handed, in your face sort of style from McDonald in the past and I'm not sure what inspired the change.
If you CAN exhibit the aforementioned patience, I will say the last 20% of the book almost makes up for everything preceding it, and while the villain reveal is lackluster, the emotional gravitas is certainly there. I almost bumped up my rating based on that alone, but sadly I know this book probably won't stick with me the way it could have, had the focus and the writing been different. Jess Lambert is an interesting character and while the jury's still out on whether I want to buckle in to watch her solve her next case, one quote from The Santa Clause sums up this journey, in a very succinct way:
"Seeing isn't believing...believing is seeing."
3.5 stars
April 14, 2024
THE DARK TRUTH about
"THESE STILL BLACK WATERS":
POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT:
1) This book is a paranormal thriller.
Yet, the word "paranormal" was never referenced in the publisher's blurb.
Jess Lambert, the lead protagonist/lead detective, conversed with dead people and apparitions. (HUH???)
I am not a fan of police procedurals with lead detectives conversing with the dead and/or ghosts.
2) I am also not a fan of thrillers with "dildo pranks".
C'mon, Christina McDonald! You are a talented author and IMHO, "dildo pranks" have no place in thrillers.
3) The book lacked a compelling spin on a very, very, very overused "killer avenging the sins of the past " premise.
4) Soooooooo much repetitious and flowery text.
I listened to the 10-hour audiobook that easily could have been a 6-hour book.
I always enjoy full-cast audiobooks and Angela Dawe, Erin Bennett, and Ellen Quay did a terrific job with the narration.
Christina McDonald's "When Olivia Fell" was one of my "besties" of 2019.
Unfortunately, "These Still Black Waters" fell flat for me.
1.5 stars, rounded up.
"THESE STILL BLACK WATERS":
POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT:
1) This book is a paranormal thriller.
Yet, the word "paranormal" was never referenced in the publisher's blurb.
Jess Lambert, the lead protagonist/lead detective, conversed with dead people and apparitions. (HUH???)
I am not a fan of police procedurals with lead detectives conversing with the dead and/or ghosts.
2) I am also not a fan of thrillers with "dildo pranks".
C'mon, Christina McDonald! You are a talented author and IMHO, "dildo pranks" have no place in thrillers.
3) The book lacked a compelling spin on a very, very, very overused "killer avenging the sins of the past " premise.
4) Soooooooo much repetitious and flowery text.
I listened to the 10-hour audiobook that easily could have been a 6-hour book.
I always enjoy full-cast audiobooks and Angela Dawe, Erin Bennett, and Ellen Quay did a terrific job with the narration.
Christina McDonald's "When Olivia Fell" was one of my "besties" of 2019.
Unfortunately, "These Still Black Waters" fell flat for me.
1.5 stars, rounded up.
February 29, 2024
Wow!! I have loved all of @christinamac79 ‘s books and I have no idea 🤷♀️ how I missed this!! What an exciting start to a series!! I couldn’t have loved this more. 🖤Huge shoutout to @thrillerbookloverspromotions @blondethrillerbooklover for putting this on my radar!! I am really excited about doing the booktour with @thrillerbookloverspromotions for the sequel!! 😍😍 This was a hands down 5 star 🌟 read.
Listen to this… Neve and her family are victims of a violent home invasion… 😳 … She flees 🏃♀️ to the only place she feels safe.. HOME… Back to her mother’s house 🏡 at Black Lake… a small town where everyone knows each other…she’s been gone 20 years… but who says you can’t go home. 🤷♀️
Okay this went sideways really fast.. right after arriving to her safe haven… a dead 💀 body is found… in the lake… in her BACKYARD!! 😳 Is someone following Neve?? Is she next?? The whole creepy vibe had me freaking out… 🤫
Meet Jess… the detective 🕵️♀️ looking into to the murder… and also maybe into Neve… 😳…Don’t let Jess fool you… she has plenty of her own secrets… and demons as well..🖤
Holy twist!! This book kept me on my toes!! I absolutely loved the alternating POV’s!! I can’t wait to get back to Black Lake!! 🖤 Highly recommend this one!!
I am a huge @christinamac79 fan… I still think about The Night Olivia Fell… yet this might be her best yet!! 😍 I can’t wait to read the second in the series… What Lies in Darkness!! Also the prequel!! 😍
Listen to this… Neve and her family are victims of a violent home invasion… 😳 … She flees 🏃♀️ to the only place she feels safe.. HOME… Back to her mother’s house 🏡 at Black Lake… a small town where everyone knows each other…she’s been gone 20 years… but who says you can’t go home. 🤷♀️
Okay this went sideways really fast.. right after arriving to her safe haven… a dead 💀 body is found… in the lake… in her BACKYARD!! 😳 Is someone following Neve?? Is she next?? The whole creepy vibe had me freaking out… 🤫
Meet Jess… the detective 🕵️♀️ looking into to the murder… and also maybe into Neve… 😳…Don’t let Jess fool you… she has plenty of her own secrets… and demons as well..🖤
Holy twist!! This book kept me on my toes!! I absolutely loved the alternating POV’s!! I can’t wait to get back to Black Lake!! 🖤 Highly recommend this one!!
I am a huge @christinamac79 fan… I still think about The Night Olivia Fell… yet this might be her best yet!! 😍 I can’t wait to read the second in the series… What Lies in Darkness!! Also the prequel!! 😍
March 8, 2023
I love Christina and everything she writes. There is something different about all her books, and this one felt very different from what she has written before.
What is going on between the covers
Neve returns to her childhood summer home with her daughter, looking for a fresh start after a violent home invasion. When a woman's body is found in the lake, Detective Jess Lambert knows Neve has some secrets she is keeping, and the past begins to catch up to Neve. Jess has a tragedy that haunts her as she unravels the secrets Black Lake holds.
My two cents
It's one of the most thrilling page-turners I have read this year. It's atmospheric, adding tension to the story. The clues and hints are layered well, giving the story a believability element. The reveal is unexpected, unique, and exciting, bringing the story together well.
Christina McDonald always knows her characters well. She gives them intriguing and complex conflicts and creates compelling characters through their actions and motivations. Using that damaged self-harming detective trope, I am not a bit fan, but Christina McDonald does it well; I loved that she gave the character a physical disability.
Overall: I loved it and it's one not to be missed.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
What is going on between the covers
Neve returns to her childhood summer home with her daughter, looking for a fresh start after a violent home invasion. When a woman's body is found in the lake, Detective Jess Lambert knows Neve has some secrets she is keeping, and the past begins to catch up to Neve. Jess has a tragedy that haunts her as she unravels the secrets Black Lake holds.
My two cents
It's one of the most thrilling page-turners I have read this year. It's atmospheric, adding tension to the story. The clues and hints are layered well, giving the story a believability element. The reveal is unexpected, unique, and exciting, bringing the story together well.
Christina McDonald always knows her characters well. She gives them intriguing and complex conflicts and creates compelling characters through their actions and motivations. Using that damaged self-harming detective trope, I am not a bit fan, but Christina McDonald does it well; I loved that she gave the character a physical disability.
Overall: I loved it and it's one not to be missed.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
March 16, 2024
Took me a while to get into this but once I do I really enjoy it. I liked the flawed central protagonist in Jess who had quite the backstory. It was a good mystery and I loved the ghostly elements. Great setting too. Definitely looking forward to the next one!
June 11, 2024
INTERVIEW: Check out my fun #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Christina!
Master storyteller, and bestselling author (a favorite), Christina McDonald returns following Do No Harm (2021), Behind Every Lie (2020), and The Night Olivia Fell (2019)—all five stars— with the introduction of her riveting new knock-out series, Detective Jess Lambert thriller #1, THESE STILL BLACK WATERS.
Emotionally complex, two mothers (detective and victim) struggle with past trauma and dark secrets while a mysterious killer is out for revenge in a race against time in this enthralling twisty whodunit new series with a sympathetic, highly relatable MC you will root for!
"Lyrical, immersive, hauntingly beautiful, atmospheric, and suspenseful with a sprinkling of supernatural. Top Books of 2023! You will anxiously await the next in this riveting Jess Lambert series." (Aug 2024) I loved THESE STILL BLACK WATERS!
There is a Boston home invasion (and gunshot wound) at a picture-perfect address of Neve Maguire (veterinarian, wife of successful Eli-husband, and mother of a teen daughter, Ash (Ashley Rose).
Suffering from trauma, guilt, and post-traumatic stress, Neve decides to take Ash away from the home setting to offer protection for her and her daughter, get her therapy, and move to the small lakeside community in Black Waters with a lake for the summer: A charming town (now a dead tourist town after the pandemic) and hiking trails. She will take a job as a local vet helping with larger farm animals. She leaves her husband and pets in the family home, thinking it will benefit them.
The large Victorian home is her mother's home (handed down from her grandmother), where Neve spent many summers. Her mother is now is suffering from Alzheimer's and in a memory care unit facility. It has been rented out as a vacation rental.
However, there is a dark past at the mysterious Dullahan House, and Neve will not enter the basement. A summer long ago with three best friends: Neve, Sandra, and Bee (boyfriend, Zach). What happened that night long ago? Things happened that can never be taken back. There are no do-overs. No one knows what happened, but do they? Nothing is as it appears.
Someone knows and is out to get REVENGE, one by one.
The day after they move in, there is a murder next door. The woman who owned the property management company for her mother's house. No wonder she did not show up, so they used the code to get in. The deceased is Bailey Nelson. Neve knows her but denies it when asked. It was her summertime best friend. She was manipulative and evil.
Did she make a mistake bringing her daughter her? How can they be safe here or at home?
Meet Detective Jess Lambert— assigned to the case. (husband NY criminal defense attorney, Mac, now separated after the accident). Jess has long dark hair, rides a motorcycle, and limps, walks with a cane. She experienced significant trauma in a car accident after drinking and driving, and her eight-year-old daughter Isla was killed.
She is a functional alcoholic to numb the physical and mental pain, the demons that haunt her daily; she is tortured—the guilt, regrets, remorse, the poor choices she made that fatal night, and grief she experiences daily from the death of her beautiful daughter. She cannot forgive herself.
Her boss is giving her a shot at this case, and she needs the distraction to keep her mind off her past as she goes through the motions with her partner Will. However, Will is concerned about her drinking, and she is seeing her daughter and talking to her. Is she losing it?
The investigation starts with the usual suspects of the husband and the neighbors, and then, when the body is examined, a strange message is carved into the victim's tongue. (M1237) There are also clues of photos of the victim and two other girls with friendship bracelets.
Is Neve a victim or murderer? Prey or hunter?
The past will not stay buried, and then a second woman is found dead with the same message (tongue), and Neve and Jess have more in common than they know. Jess feels like she is losing it, and her boss removes her from the case for desk duty, but she is so close —determined to save one girl since she could not bring back her own. The secrets of Black Waters are slowly unraveled!
In life, there are Debtors and Collectors. The people who want others to owe them. They will keep your secrets and do your dirty deeds, but only so you will owe them. They will own you. Bee was a collector. Manipulative, bold, powerful.
THESE STILL BLACK WATERS is told from alternating POVs, Neve (mother) and Jess (mother/detective) and the creepy, mysterious unknown killer’s chilling voice (in italics). The two women have a fierce love for their daughters and are haunted by the past.
The chilling voice of the killer is cleverly interspersed between Neve and Jess's POV, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, flipping the pages to determine the identity (whodunit and whydunit). You will be DYING to solve the mystery of the killer! I guessed wrong.
A big theme throughout the novel is CHOICES
Choices have consequences.
"That's all life was: a series of choices. That is what it all came down to in the end. It didn't just happen. We made our choices. The good. The bad. The mundane. Free will. We made choices every day, both knowingly and unknowingly...Some choices we regret. Some we are proud of. Losses. Gains, Successes. Failures. Friends. Enemies. We have the power of choice. The only inescapable thing is the inevitability of choice. In other words, the past may be dead, but it is our choice if we bury it."
WOW! The author's writing is lyrical and hauntingly beautiful, with vivid descriptions, thought-provoking messages, clever plot twists, and well-developed characters. I bookmarked many pages. If you have read Christina's previous books, you know you are in for a rare treat! Trust me, set aside the time before you start reading, as it is unputdownable! I could not sleep and got up and had to finish it!
The author is a pro at writing and weaving complex mother-daughter relationships (her signature), and she dazzles in THESE STILL BLACK WATERS. Her best yet!
A killer out for revenge and two mothers desperately trying to protect their daughters—dark past secrets, demons, addiction, guilt, grief, regrets, poor choices, and remorse on the way to hope forgiveness and redemption. Gripping and thought-provoking, an ideal pick for book clubs and further discussions.
GENRES: From literary, psychological suspense, women's domestic, coming of age, detective, cop procedural, family drama, mother/daughter, sleuthing, serial killer, crime thriller, and supernatural, among others.
TOPICS: Choices, obsession, revenge, religion, grief, guilt, abuse, trauma, PTSD, divorce, marriage, motherhood, mother/daughter, remorse, manipulation, psychological, sleepwalking, jealousy, privilege/class, addiction, alcoholism, and more.
This will be a top thriller of 2023. McDonald's fans will devour as well as new fans. For fans of Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, Heather Gudenkauf, Kimberly Belle, B.A. Paris and Mary Kubica.
Thanks to the author and Thomas & Mercer for a gifted ARC via NetGalley for an honest review. Also purchased a copy and audio narrated by: Angela Dawe, Erin Bennett, and Ellen Quay!
Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 1, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Oct 2023 Must-Read Books
Top Books of 2023
Master storyteller, and bestselling author (a favorite), Christina McDonald returns following Do No Harm (2021), Behind Every Lie (2020), and The Night Olivia Fell (2019)—all five stars— with the introduction of her riveting new knock-out series, Detective Jess Lambert thriller #1, THESE STILL BLACK WATERS.
Emotionally complex, two mothers (detective and victim) struggle with past trauma and dark secrets while a mysterious killer is out for revenge in a race against time in this enthralling twisty whodunit new series with a sympathetic, highly relatable MC you will root for!
"Lyrical, immersive, hauntingly beautiful, atmospheric, and suspenseful with a sprinkling of supernatural. Top Books of 2023! You will anxiously await the next in this riveting Jess Lambert series." (Aug 2024) I loved THESE STILL BLACK WATERS!
There is a Boston home invasion (and gunshot wound) at a picture-perfect address of Neve Maguire (veterinarian, wife of successful Eli-husband, and mother of a teen daughter, Ash (Ashley Rose).
Suffering from trauma, guilt, and post-traumatic stress, Neve decides to take Ash away from the home setting to offer protection for her and her daughter, get her therapy, and move to the small lakeside community in Black Waters with a lake for the summer: A charming town (now a dead tourist town after the pandemic) and hiking trails. She will take a job as a local vet helping with larger farm animals. She leaves her husband and pets in the family home, thinking it will benefit them.
The large Victorian home is her mother's home (handed down from her grandmother), where Neve spent many summers. Her mother is now is suffering from Alzheimer's and in a memory care unit facility. It has been rented out as a vacation rental.
However, there is a dark past at the mysterious Dullahan House, and Neve will not enter the basement. A summer long ago with three best friends: Neve, Sandra, and Bee (boyfriend, Zach). What happened that night long ago? Things happened that can never be taken back. There are no do-overs. No one knows what happened, but do they? Nothing is as it appears.
Someone knows and is out to get REVENGE, one by one.
The day after they move in, there is a murder next door. The woman who owned the property management company for her mother's house. No wonder she did not show up, so they used the code to get in. The deceased is Bailey Nelson. Neve knows her but denies it when asked. It was her summertime best friend. She was manipulative and evil.
Did she make a mistake bringing her daughter her? How can they be safe here or at home?
Meet Detective Jess Lambert— assigned to the case. (husband NY criminal defense attorney, Mac, now separated after the accident). Jess has long dark hair, rides a motorcycle, and limps, walks with a cane. She experienced significant trauma in a car accident after drinking and driving, and her eight-year-old daughter Isla was killed.
She is a functional alcoholic to numb the physical and mental pain, the demons that haunt her daily; she is tortured—the guilt, regrets, remorse, the poor choices she made that fatal night, and grief she experiences daily from the death of her beautiful daughter. She cannot forgive herself.
Her boss is giving her a shot at this case, and she needs the distraction to keep her mind off her past as she goes through the motions with her partner Will. However, Will is concerned about her drinking, and she is seeing her daughter and talking to her. Is she losing it?
The investigation starts with the usual suspects of the husband and the neighbors, and then, when the body is examined, a strange message is carved into the victim's tongue. (M1237) There are also clues of photos of the victim and two other girls with friendship bracelets.
Is Neve a victim or murderer? Prey or hunter?
The past will not stay buried, and then a second woman is found dead with the same message (tongue), and Neve and Jess have more in common than they know. Jess feels like she is losing it, and her boss removes her from the case for desk duty, but she is so close —determined to save one girl since she could not bring back her own. The secrets of Black Waters are slowly unraveled!
In life, there are Debtors and Collectors. The people who want others to owe them. They will keep your secrets and do your dirty deeds, but only so you will owe them. They will own you. Bee was a collector. Manipulative, bold, powerful.
THESE STILL BLACK WATERS is told from alternating POVs, Neve (mother) and Jess (mother/detective) and the creepy, mysterious unknown killer’s chilling voice (in italics). The two women have a fierce love for their daughters and are haunted by the past.
The chilling voice of the killer is cleverly interspersed between Neve and Jess's POV, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat, flipping the pages to determine the identity (whodunit and whydunit). You will be DYING to solve the mystery of the killer! I guessed wrong.
A big theme throughout the novel is CHOICES
Choices have consequences.
"That's all life was: a series of choices. That is what it all came down to in the end. It didn't just happen. We made our choices. The good. The bad. The mundane. Free will. We made choices every day, both knowingly and unknowingly...Some choices we regret. Some we are proud of. Losses. Gains, Successes. Failures. Friends. Enemies. We have the power of choice. The only inescapable thing is the inevitability of choice. In other words, the past may be dead, but it is our choice if we bury it."
WOW! The author's writing is lyrical and hauntingly beautiful, with vivid descriptions, thought-provoking messages, clever plot twists, and well-developed characters. I bookmarked many pages. If you have read Christina's previous books, you know you are in for a rare treat! Trust me, set aside the time before you start reading, as it is unputdownable! I could not sleep and got up and had to finish it!
The author is a pro at writing and weaving complex mother-daughter relationships (her signature), and she dazzles in THESE STILL BLACK WATERS. Her best yet!
A killer out for revenge and two mothers desperately trying to protect their daughters—dark past secrets, demons, addiction, guilt, grief, regrets, poor choices, and remorse on the way to hope forgiveness and redemption. Gripping and thought-provoking, an ideal pick for book clubs and further discussions.
GENRES: From literary, psychological suspense, women's domestic, coming of age, detective, cop procedural, family drama, mother/daughter, sleuthing, serial killer, crime thriller, and supernatural, among others.
TOPICS: Choices, obsession, revenge, religion, grief, guilt, abuse, trauma, PTSD, divorce, marriage, motherhood, mother/daughter, remorse, manipulation, psychological, sleepwalking, jealousy, privilege/class, addiction, alcoholism, and more.
This will be a top thriller of 2023. McDonald's fans will devour as well as new fans. For fans of Lisa Gardner, Karin Slaughter, Heather Gudenkauf, Kimberly Belle, B.A. Paris and Mary Kubica.
Thanks to the author and Thomas & Mercer for a gifted ARC via NetGalley for an honest review. Also purchased a copy and audio narrated by: Angela Dawe, Erin Bennett, and Ellen Quay!
Blog Review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 1, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars ++
Oct 2023 Must-Read Books
Top Books of 2023
January 6, 2023
This one was a surprise! I got sucked into the story and stayed up way too late finishing it. The end I did not see coming and the twists had me shook!
Neve returns with her daughter to her childhood summer home after a home invasion. Black Lake is supposed to be their fresh start. However, when a body appears in the lake behind their home, Neve begins to panic. Detective Jess Lambert can tell Neve has secrets and when a second body appears both are forced to confront their pasts.
The Still Black Waters is available August 8,2023.
Thank you netgalley and thomas&mercer for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Neve returns with her daughter to her childhood summer home after a home invasion. Black Lake is supposed to be their fresh start. However, when a body appears in the lake behind their home, Neve begins to panic. Detective Jess Lambert can tell Neve has secrets and when a second body appears both are forced to confront their pasts.
The Still Black Waters is available August 8,2023.
Thank you netgalley and thomas&mercer for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
November 17, 2024
the setup…
It’s been ten years since Detective Jess Lambert moved to Black Lake and a lot has changed in her life. Eight months ago she was in an accident that had tragic results and she’s slowly making her way back. It’s her first case since, the discovery of a woman’s body in the lake and it is clear she was murdered. Neve Maguire has just returned to the lake from Boston with her daughter Ash, a place where she used to “summer” as a teen. Though she knows the murdered woman, she denies any knowledge of her when Jess spots her leaving the scene. Both women are suffering from the effects of trauma but Neve is hiding a lot of other secrets and Jess is determined to root them out.
the heart of the story…
It’s tricky territory here to say too much more as there are quite a few bends and turns to navigate. Jess is numbing her trauma with alcohol and it’s sometimes frustrating being in her head. It’s obvious she’s a good investigator but her judgment is clouded. Neve escaped Boston after a brutal home invasion and its tough distinguishing what’s trauma and reality. And then there’s a third, unidentified point of view who is clearly dangerous.
the narration…
I loved that multiple narrators were used for the three points of view as that clarity was essential. All delivered wonderful performances and gave distinctive voices to their characters.
the bottom line…
It takes some patience to get through Jess’s and Neve’s trauma filled musings at times but believe me, the payoff is worth it. Distinguishing reality from fantasy wasn’t easy and when this story took a big turn, I literally couldn’t stop listening. I enjoyed the paranormal elements as they were deftly woven into the real. This was packed with the unexpected, a good thing.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
It’s been ten years since Detective Jess Lambert moved to Black Lake and a lot has changed in her life. Eight months ago she was in an accident that had tragic results and she’s slowly making her way back. It’s her first case since, the discovery of a woman’s body in the lake and it is clear she was murdered. Neve Maguire has just returned to the lake from Boston with her daughter Ash, a place where she used to “summer” as a teen. Though she knows the murdered woman, she denies any knowledge of her when Jess spots her leaving the scene. Both women are suffering from the effects of trauma but Neve is hiding a lot of other secrets and Jess is determined to root them out.
the heart of the story…
It’s tricky territory here to say too much more as there are quite a few bends and turns to navigate. Jess is numbing her trauma with alcohol and it’s sometimes frustrating being in her head. It’s obvious she’s a good investigator but her judgment is clouded. Neve escaped Boston after a brutal home invasion and its tough distinguishing what’s trauma and reality. And then there’s a third, unidentified point of view who is clearly dangerous.
the narration…
I loved that multiple narrators were used for the three points of view as that clarity was essential. All delivered wonderful performances and gave distinctive voices to their characters.
the bottom line…
It takes some patience to get through Jess’s and Neve’s trauma filled musings at times but believe me, the payoff is worth it. Distinguishing reality from fantasy wasn’t easy and when this story took a big turn, I literally couldn’t stop listening. I enjoyed the paranormal elements as they were deftly woven into the real. This was packed with the unexpected, a good thing.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
October 5, 2023
I have read Christina McDonald’s earlier works and enjoyed them so I knew I had to read this one. Overall I was pleased with it and thought it was a pretty good thriller. It took me a little bit to get into the story because I didn’t really care for either of the two main characters/narrators. Jess is a cop struggling with trauma and drinking on the job, going rogue, and hiding things from her partner. Neve has brought her daughter back to her childhood summer home since she and her husband are doing a trial separation. Neve and her daughter Ash aren’t there long before a dead woman is found in the lake and Neve is disturbed to realize it is a girls she was friends with as a child. Neve and Jess are both desperate to find out what happened to Bailey. The strong was well written and while I did figure out where the twists were leading it was a fun thriller with a good reveal at the end.
October 20, 2023
An Atmospheric and Emotional Mystery
These Still Black Waters is the first book in a new series, with Detective Jess Lambert as the main character. She is incredible in this haunting new thriller by Christina McDonald!
Two women, Jess and Neve, trying to hide their own horrible personal events, guide us through this twisted and suspenseful story. A third narrator is the unidentified killer. This always adds a unique twist and intensity to a story! The Killer is one of my favorite narrators! I love being in their mind and seeing everything through their eyes.
Black Lake is described in detail. A dark, eerie place with few appealing qualities. And when I guessed one of the twists, the story took on a new essence. More of a tragic mystery than a thriller, but it is terrific!
Sincere thanks to the author and publisher for this complimentary ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#TheseStillBlackWaters #ChristinaMcDonald #thomasandmercer #AmazonPub #netgalley #DetectiveJessLambert #justfinished #giftedARC #honestreview #bookreviewer #instabook #readaholic #igbookreels #newrelease
These Still Black Waters is the first book in a new series, with Detective Jess Lambert as the main character. She is incredible in this haunting new thriller by Christina McDonald!
Two women, Jess and Neve, trying to hide their own horrible personal events, guide us through this twisted and suspenseful story. A third narrator is the unidentified killer. This always adds a unique twist and intensity to a story! The Killer is one of my favorite narrators! I love being in their mind and seeing everything through their eyes.
Black Lake is described in detail. A dark, eerie place with few appealing qualities. And when I guessed one of the twists, the story took on a new essence. More of a tragic mystery than a thriller, but it is terrific!
Sincere thanks to the author and publisher for this complimentary ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, all opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#TheseStillBlackWaters #ChristinaMcDonald #thomasandmercer #AmazonPub #netgalley #DetectiveJessLambert #justfinished #giftedARC #honestreview #bookreviewer #instabook #readaholic #igbookreels #newrelease
March 10, 2023
It's been a minute since Christina's last book, and THESE STILL BLACK WATERS was 100% worth the wait. A whip-smart and completely unexpected story of a killer out for revenge and a damaged detective out to stop him, a phenomenal story built on gorgeous prose and twists so surprising they'll leave you breathless. This is not the book you think it is, and I mean that in the best possible way.
January 26, 2023
These Still Black Waters is a total mind f###!! I thought I was SO smart, thought I had it ALL figured out ... boy was I ever wrong!!😳
Fast-paced and oh so twisty. It was also not all at what I was expecting, but in a good way! Jumping between flashbacks and present day, the main characters, Jess and Neve share this storylines spotlight. I will fully admit I didn't love Jess at the beginning, but by the end of the book her character had really grown on me. I'm looking forward to finding out where her character goes from here.
My thanks to the author, as well as Thomas & Mercer for sending me this review copy!
Content Warnings: Death Of Child/Car Accident/Drowning/Murder/Alcohol Abuse/Infidelity/Grief
Fast-paced and oh so twisty. It was also not all at what I was expecting, but in a good way! Jumping between flashbacks and present day, the main characters, Jess and Neve share this storylines spotlight. I will fully admit I didn't love Jess at the beginning, but by the end of the book her character had really grown on me. I'm looking forward to finding out where her character goes from here.
My thanks to the author, as well as Thomas & Mercer for sending me this review copy!
Content Warnings: Death Of Child/Car Accident/Drowning/Murder/Alcohol Abuse/Infidelity/Grief
August 19, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: October 1, 2023
Christina McDonald, author of “Do No Harm” and “The Night Olivia Fell”, among others, dips her feet into the police procedural genre with her new novel, “These Still Black Waters”. “Waters” is the first novel in the Jess Lambert series. As a huge fan of McDonald, I was intrigued, and was definitely not disappointed.
After a brutal home invasion, Neve returns to her family home with her teenage daughter, Ash, hoping to start fresh. Although Neve hasn’t returned home since a tragic accident in her adolescence, with the exception of an occasional visit to her mother who is in a nursing home, Neve hopes that the familiarity of her childhood home will be a comfort. But the comfort doesn’t last long when Neve gets a visit from police detective, Jess Lambert, after the body of Neve’s neighbour, and childhood friend, is found in a nearby lake. Jess knows Neve is hiding something, and Neve refuses to let the secrets of her past surface, and will protect her daughter, no matter the cost. But both Jess and Neve continue to be haunted by secrets from their past- and their secrets may bury them both.
“Waters” is narrated by both Jess and Neve, in alternating chapters, with a few italicized chapters narrated by an as-of-yet-unknown character. Jess and Neve are both recovering from their own traumas, in different ways, and McDonald’s character building is on point. Both women are relatable and likable, even though they appear very different, and it is easy to develop a quick rapport with both protagonists.
Just before the halfway point, I had a literal “aha!” moment when I figured out the first twist. This did not dampen my enjoyment however, but merely served to increase it, and I couldn’t wait to see how it played out. The final twist I also figured out before the end of the novel, but McDonald’s writing is so immersive and engaging, I still couldn’t stop reading.
“Waters” is far more than a murder-mystery. In true McDonald fashion, it is a tale of heartbreak and healing, secrets and lies and the deep love between a mother and a child. Right from the beginning, the story pulled me in and I was left gasping until the final pages. I am desperate for more Jess Lambert, and can’t wait to see where McDonald goes next!
Expected publication date: October 1, 2023
Christina McDonald, author of “Do No Harm” and “The Night Olivia Fell”, among others, dips her feet into the police procedural genre with her new novel, “These Still Black Waters”. “Waters” is the first novel in the Jess Lambert series. As a huge fan of McDonald, I was intrigued, and was definitely not disappointed.
After a brutal home invasion, Neve returns to her family home with her teenage daughter, Ash, hoping to start fresh. Although Neve hasn’t returned home since a tragic accident in her adolescence, with the exception of an occasional visit to her mother who is in a nursing home, Neve hopes that the familiarity of her childhood home will be a comfort. But the comfort doesn’t last long when Neve gets a visit from police detective, Jess Lambert, after the body of Neve’s neighbour, and childhood friend, is found in a nearby lake. Jess knows Neve is hiding something, and Neve refuses to let the secrets of her past surface, and will protect her daughter, no matter the cost. But both Jess and Neve continue to be haunted by secrets from their past- and their secrets may bury them both.
“Waters” is narrated by both Jess and Neve, in alternating chapters, with a few italicized chapters narrated by an as-of-yet-unknown character. Jess and Neve are both recovering from their own traumas, in different ways, and McDonald’s character building is on point. Both women are relatable and likable, even though they appear very different, and it is easy to develop a quick rapport with both protagonists.
Just before the halfway point, I had a literal “aha!” moment when I figured out the first twist. This did not dampen my enjoyment however, but merely served to increase it, and I couldn’t wait to see how it played out. The final twist I also figured out before the end of the novel, but McDonald’s writing is so immersive and engaging, I still couldn’t stop reading.
“Waters” is far more than a murder-mystery. In true McDonald fashion, it is a tale of heartbreak and healing, secrets and lies and the deep love between a mother and a child. Right from the beginning, the story pulled me in and I was left gasping until the final pages. I am desperate for more Jess Lambert, and can’t wait to see where McDonald goes next!
September 23, 2023
Well that was surprising! Another page turner from Christina McDonald, albeit a very different one. A fast read, you will want to keep reading to see what happens next. Neve and her daughter have come to stay in Black Lake after they were involved in a home invasion. Neve spent summers here in her mothers holiday house so what better place to get away. But when they arrive, a body has been found in the lake, and it is a childhood friend of Neve’s. We soon discover that Neve’s last summer here was one that she has been trying to forget for years. The lead Detective, Jess Lambert, is back at work after a family tragedy, but is she ready? She can see that Neve is hiding something, but you will never guess what. I look forward to reading more about Jess and her journey. My heart broke for her and what she was going through. This was a compelling read, definitely one I will recommend. Thanks to Thomas and Mercer me NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on October 1st.
October 3, 2023
What secret have Neve and Bee been keeping since childhood?
Why did Neve run away from her home and head to the house where she had always spend her summers?
And… where was Bee when she arrived? She always was there when Neve arrived.
Lots of secrets kept present and past.
We bounce back-and-forth with the characters as we find out about their past and what’s happening in the present.
There also is an unidentified narrator.
THESE STILL BLACK WATERS is very mysterious, and the characters are pretty much on the odd side.
The book includes some paranormal and has a wild ending.
It is a little confusing, but don’t give up.
If you like not knowing who did what and when they did it, this book is for you. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Why did Neve run away from her home and head to the house where she had always spend her summers?
And… where was Bee when she arrived? She always was there when Neve arrived.
Lots of secrets kept present and past.
We bounce back-and-forth with the characters as we find out about their past and what’s happening in the present.
There also is an unidentified narrator.
THESE STILL BLACK WATERS is very mysterious, and the characters are pretty much on the odd side.
The book includes some paranormal and has a wild ending.
It is a little confusing, but don’t give up.
If you like not knowing who did what and when they did it, this book is for you. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
March 22, 2023
When I heard Christina McDonald had a new book coming out in August 2023, I had to request it right away on NetGalley and was so excited when I was approved. A home invasion happened at Neve’s house a long time ago. Her and her daughter, Ash decided to start a new life and go somewhere else. They went back to a house where Neve used to visit when she was younger. While arriving at the new house, they see a dead body being pulled out of the lake. Who died? How did this neighbor die? Did she know her? This book is told in alternating POV’s and I could not put it down. Then the twists and turns this book took blew me away!! I love this author and looking forward to more books by her. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
April 24, 2025
3.5⭐️
I am a sucker for a revenge thriller and even more for one from a detective's point of view. I found this very interesting that I got two different perspectives while reading one from a troubled woman dealing with mistakes from her past and one from the detective in town handling the latest murder investigation.
After enduring a home invasion Neve and her daughter flee to Black Lake where Neve spent her summers as a teenager. After their arrival a woman's body is found dead in the lake and chaos breaks loose throughout the town. The head detective Jess Lambert is going through her own tragedies while trying to solve the case in front of her. Told from alternating points of view find out what secrets are being hidden within Black Lake and what these two women have in common.
This was twisty - overall I liked it. I plan to read the rest of the series.
I am a sucker for a revenge thriller and even more for one from a detective's point of view. I found this very interesting that I got two different perspectives while reading one from a troubled woman dealing with mistakes from her past and one from the detective in town handling the latest murder investigation.
After enduring a home invasion Neve and her daughter flee to Black Lake where Neve spent her summers as a teenager. After their arrival a woman's body is found dead in the lake and chaos breaks loose throughout the town. The head detective Jess Lambert is going through her own tragedies while trying to solve the case in front of her. Told from alternating points of view find out what secrets are being hidden within Black Lake and what these two women have in common.
This was twisty - overall I liked it. I plan to read the rest of the series.
June 28, 2023
This is the second book I’ve gotten from Netgalley that is advertised as a thriller but is in reality a PARANORMAL “thriller.” I am not the target audience for this genre because I find the paranormal aspects a plot device. This is not a police procedural when the police are not actually doing any investigating but are just receiving information through paranormal means. I guessed the “twist” at 53% read and hoped to God I was wrong, but I wasn’t. I guessed the “murderer” at about 40% in. Granted I read a lot of thrillers and murder mysteries so I can see the writing patterns emerge.
I was also not a fan of the pedantic nature of the book and how it constantly switched between 1st person and 2nd person. There were moments in every chapter where the character slips into advice using 2nd person. I found this completely off-putting. The main character was not redeemable or moral or ethical, so why should the reader take life advice from her? I thought maybe I could excuse that if it was a character trait and explained or developed. However, there are three different POVs (Neve, Jess, and the murderer) and all chapters have moments like this.
I liked none of the characters. Even the police officer that is supposed to carry the series. She’s an alcoholic who injured herself while driving under the influence and yet she continues to drive drunk!! As a police officer! And her fellow officers know and don’t stop her!!
I can’t.
So I won’t be reading the rest of the series nor anything else by this author. Like I said, I am not a fan of paranormal. So if this were labeled correctly, I wouldn’t have requested it.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for providing this ARC copy to read and review. All the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading the book.
I was also not a fan of the pedantic nature of the book and how it constantly switched between 1st person and 2nd person. There were moments in every chapter where the character slips into advice using 2nd person. I found this completely off-putting. The main character was not redeemable or moral or ethical, so why should the reader take life advice from her? I thought maybe I could excuse that if it was a character trait and explained or developed. However, there are three different POVs (Neve, Jess, and the murderer) and all chapters have moments like this.
I liked none of the characters. Even the police officer that is supposed to carry the series. She’s an alcoholic who injured herself while driving under the influence and yet she continues to drive drunk!! As a police officer! And her fellow officers know and don’t stop her!!
I can’t.
So I won’t be reading the rest of the series nor anything else by this author. Like I said, I am not a fan of paranormal. So if this were labeled correctly, I wouldn’t have requested it.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for providing this ARC copy to read and review. All the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading the book.
September 28, 2023
4.5 stars.
Wow - what a read! These Still Dark Waters marks the first in a new series by Christina McDonald about a physically and psychologically damaged female detective, Jess, who gets involved in solving the case of a murdered woman, Bailey. Bailey’s former childhood friend, Neve, comes back to town and soon becomes involved in the case. In fact, Jess begins to suspect that Neve is involved somehow. And what secrets is Neve running from? Jess too has her own demons that she is struggling with as she tries to solve the murder.
Shifting between Jess’, Neve’s and the killer’s perspective, the story was well plotted and had a massive twist towards the end that was totally unexpected and surprising, leading to a dramatic and emotional conclusion.
The story took a little while to get into but it was definitely worth it. I liked the themes of choice, consequences, friendship, grief, motherhood, letting go, and the shades of grey of the characters. Jess, the main character, was very likeable and relatable. So, so, so good!! Highly recommend!! The series ends with the perfect set-up for Book 2 and more of Jess. I’ll definitely be picking up the next in this series.
Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Wow - what a read! These Still Dark Waters marks the first in a new series by Christina McDonald about a physically and psychologically damaged female detective, Jess, who gets involved in solving the case of a murdered woman, Bailey. Bailey’s former childhood friend, Neve, comes back to town and soon becomes involved in the case. In fact, Jess begins to suspect that Neve is involved somehow. And what secrets is Neve running from? Jess too has her own demons that she is struggling with as she tries to solve the murder.
Shifting between Jess’, Neve’s and the killer’s perspective, the story was well plotted and had a massive twist towards the end that was totally unexpected and surprising, leading to a dramatic and emotional conclusion.
The story took a little while to get into but it was definitely worth it. I liked the themes of choice, consequences, friendship, grief, motherhood, letting go, and the shades of grey of the characters. Jess, the main character, was very likeable and relatable. So, so, so good!! Highly recommend!! The series ends with the perfect set-up for Book 2 and more of Jess. I’ll definitely be picking up the next in this series.
Thanks to Thomas and Mercer and Netgalley for this complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
August 24, 2024
This is a brutal story that interweaves secrets and anguish into a gripping thriller. I quite enjoyed my introduction to Jess Lambert, a troubled detective who has returned to work after a horrific family tragedy. She must investigate the murder of a woman by Black Lake. This leads her to the woman's neighbor, Neve, who has just moved to town after a brutal home invasion. The murder sends Neve into a tailspin, wondering if she made a mistake bringing her daughter to Black Lake to recover from their own trauma.
This dark story alternates between Jess' point of view and Neve's, plus mysterious italics from someone who could be our killer. It's full of eerie tension and also introduces a paranormal aspect. At times, the story is hard to read, as Jess is a heavy drinker thanks to her family hardship, and sadness and grief surround her like a dark cloud. Some horrific events take place throughout the story.
McDonald does an excellent job of linking Neve and Jess through their roles as mothers, showing what mothers will do for their children. The book keeps you guessing with some amazing twists and turns--it's a great, eerie, and heartrending thriller. 4+ stars.
This dark story alternates between Jess' point of view and Neve's, plus mysterious italics from someone who could be our killer. It's full of eerie tension and also introduces a paranormal aspect. At times, the story is hard to read, as Jess is a heavy drinker thanks to her family hardship, and sadness and grief surround her like a dark cloud. Some horrific events take place throughout the story.
McDonald does an excellent job of linking Neve and Jess through their roles as mothers, showing what mothers will do for their children. The book keeps you guessing with some amazing twists and turns--it's a great, eerie, and heartrending thriller. 4+ stars.
December 29, 2022
I am in the minority with my review of this book. I did not like it at all. I found it laborious to read with unappealing characters and a boring storyline. It had a lot of supernatural bits thrown in here and there which did not intrigue me and was sometimes confusing. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. #NetGalley, #TheseStillBlackWaters,#ThomasAndMercer.
September 2, 2023
This was quite a good story but, it didn't completely rock my boat. I found it confusing as it had alot of characters and I had to keep going back to check whom I was reading about which was annoying.
January 16, 2023
Christina McDonald shines in These Still Black Waters, a dark and dazzling thriller. The twists and turns culminate in an ending we promise you won't see coming. Highly recommend
September 20, 2023
These Still Black Waters gave me I Know What You Did Last Summer Vibes.
After a traumatic home invasion, Neve escapes her life and drags her teenaged daughter to the lake house she spent her teen summers at. Something bad happened that last summer she visited and it seems like her past is catching up with her.
Shortly after she arrives, a dead body is found at the lake. Jess is the detective assigned to the case. Jess has dealt with significant trauma and is haunted by her past as well.
These Still Black Waters is told from both Neve's and Jess' perspective, creating 2 extremely developed characters who are haunted by their past. Jess' story broke my heart.
There is also a third perspective, the killer. That voice was a great addition to the story.
The book takes an unexpected twist, and I thought it was magnificent.
This is book one in a new series with Jess the detective and I'm definitely interested in seeing her evolve. I hope she can deal with her demons and move forward. I'm cheering for her.
After a traumatic home invasion, Neve escapes her life and drags her teenaged daughter to the lake house she spent her teen summers at. Something bad happened that last summer she visited and it seems like her past is catching up with her.
Shortly after she arrives, a dead body is found at the lake. Jess is the detective assigned to the case. Jess has dealt with significant trauma and is haunted by her past as well.
These Still Black Waters is told from both Neve's and Jess' perspective, creating 2 extremely developed characters who are haunted by their past. Jess' story broke my heart.
There is also a third perspective, the killer. That voice was a great addition to the story.
The book takes an unexpected twist, and I thought it was magnificent.
This is book one in a new series with Jess the detective and I'm definitely interested in seeing her evolve. I hope she can deal with her demons and move forward. I'm cheering for her.
August 29, 2023
I struggled, at first, to get into this story. I really struggled with a horrible detective - who drinks on the job and constantly jeopardizes the whole investigation. I was so distracted by her drinking, withholding information from her partner, and going rogue and investigating the murder all alone. It was frustrating and I think I'm done with stories about really bad cops.
The other MC, Neve, was equally meh. She had the persona she put out to the world and the one she was when no one was looking. She felt superior, because she wasn't like that one girl who blackmailed people, but she was still pretty awful to those around her.
The plot, however, was interesting. I had a pretty constant finger pointed here and there. It did take a minute for more of the cast to appear but the story was quick once the detective started working and not just drinking. The twist was interesting, one I was just beginning to guess, and I liked the surprised. All in all, I liked it but I wish I'd been able to roll with the bad cop storyline.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
The other MC, Neve, was equally meh. She had the persona she put out to the world and the one she was when no one was looking. She felt superior, because she wasn't like that one girl who blackmailed people, but she was still pretty awful to those around her.
The plot, however, was interesting. I had a pretty constant finger pointed here and there. It did take a minute for more of the cast to appear but the story was quick once the detective started working and not just drinking. The twist was interesting, one I was just beginning to guess, and I liked the surprised. All in all, I liked it but I wish I'd been able to roll with the bad cop storyline.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
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