The Fear of Drowning

The Fear Of #3

by S.C. Sterling

A missing girl. A cult above the law. A truth buried in the desert. The Hannah Jacobs story continues.

With no other options, Hannah’s estranged mother pleads for her help in finding her missing stepdaughter, Emily. Last seen at the secluded Seven Day Saints compound in the desolate Utah border town of Echo Canyon.

Reluctant at first, Hannah agrees to take the case and soon discovers that Seven Day Saints are ruled by one man, Kenneth Pratt—a maniacal leader with absolute power over his followers and influence that makes him nearly untouchable by the law. Under his control, the community is plagued by violence, polygamy, forced marriage, and accounts of sexual abuse.

With the help of another investigator, a reporter, and a former member who barely escaped with her life, Hannah goes undercover in Echo Canyon, determined to find Emily and expose the dark secrets of Seven Day Saints.

Paperback

Published January 1, 2026

About the author

Scott C. Sterling is the author of The Fear of Series, crime thriller trilogy. The Hannah Jacobs journey began with with his debut novel, The Fear of Winter (January 2023), and continued with The Fear of Fire (May 2024). The explosive third book in the series, The Fear of Drowning, a dark psychological mystery, was in released in January 2026.

Non-fiction books include Teenage Degenerate, a memoir about drug addiction and growing up, and 33 Percent Rockstar: Music, Heartbreak and the Pursuit of Rock Stardom is a music autobiography about the vast majority of musicians who never achieve rock stardom.

Ways to connect with Scott:
Email: sc@scsterling.com
Books: N/B Books
Books: scsterling.com
Site: thefearofwinter.com
Site: teenagedegenerate.com

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adult thriller. I have a problem giving 5 stars to books whose content is troubling. This one is no different, what I’m saying is it is probably at least worth a 4.5 if not 5. I just can’t click that last star. Troubling, but written in a way that confronts the reader, but doesn’t grittily offend. This is a very readable book, that’s once I started reading I wanted to finish.

S. C. Sterling gives us an unsettling chill from the outset. A lot is wrong in Hannah’s life.

The author has created Hannah, PI, who has a very troubled past. I had previously read book one in this series, so I had some of pre-knowledge of Hannah’s back story.

This story starts with Hannah running from her last case - hunting her sister’s killer, running from herself - maniacally throwing herself into finding the bottom of many beer bottles, and running from commitment. Which isn’t surprising given what has brought her to this point. Her sister’s death and the rejection of her horrible mother and stepdad.

Two people who now want Hannah to save her stepsister from a cult. As in the past Hannah, for all her troubles, can’t help walking into danger to save others. That’s where she is headed as she a Utah cult conclave. Definitely foolishly, if not very naively too.

I know I’ve presented a review that sounds dark, and yes the story line is that. But as I previously said I didn’t want to stop reading this until I reached the end of a worthwhile, exciting and well written thriller.

Thank you to S.C. Sterling for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Jemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent a free advanced reader copy of “the fear of drowning” by SC Sterling to read and honestly review! It is important to know that this book is third in the series and you need to have read one and 2 to understand elements of this book.

This book made me feel quietly uneasy the whole time, in a good way. There was this constant underlying tension I couldn’t shake which is exactly what you want for a psychological thriller.

The story centres around a private investigator named Hannah who is approached by her estranged mother whose stepdaughter has been missing for a couple of years. Without giving anything away, the book follows Hanna‘s investigation into a religious cult in search for her stepsister.

What really worked for me was the length of the book, only 244 pages. The plot is fast paced which means that there are no slow scenes. Every moment contains something pivotal to the plot or to character development.

If you love short and snappy psychological thrillers featuring a real FMC with her own array of mental and emotional damage then you’ll love the entire series.

Overall, this was a solid 4 stars for me and I would happily read more from this author!

I gave this review voluntarily and all views are my own.

[Angelena Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite parts of the book was the timeline continuation from book 2, it really helped to seal together the ending of the last book and tie it into this one. Seeing her trying to find the victim's families and give them closure helped me appreciate Hannah more as a character. Since the second book helped her find the closure of her sister, I think that Hannah accepting to help her mother showed how much she had grown, even if the acceptance was a bit hard to come to terms with for her. I did like the cult's backstory and how much of an influence it had in Utah and how her step-sister was a part of it, but I wish there was a bit more detail about her sister's time in the cult and how badly the captivity affected Hannah. Overall I really enjoyed the read and I struggled to put it down.
Thank you S.C. Sterling for the ARC and every opinion I've given is my own.

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third in the series and it's another enjoyable read. Hannah sets out to find Emily, the stepdaughter of her estranged mother, who is living with a cult in Utah. She is already in her own troubled state after events in the prior book and then she gets more than she bargained for when she arrives in the town where the cult is located.

It's a troubling and uncomfortable read which made it even more riveting. Despite her recklessness and sometimes naivety, Hannah is a character you just want to root for and I liked how things came together in the end.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recieved as a review copy from Booksirens, this is an honest review.

I truly loved the first two books of this series, so when They Fear of Drowning showed up on Booksirens, it was an easy desire to want to finish the series. And while the prologue was intriguing beyond that I never felt the same emotional investment as before; I do hope this book does each out to the fans of this author's stories.

[Ashley Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In an attempt to avoid spoilers…
I received a copy for review.
I purchased book one and two and devoured them!
However with this 3rd in the series I agree with prior reviews.
The content is a bit rough/trigger warnings for many things.
The writing is very well executed.
Ending is slightly abrupt.
Despite the rough content I enjoyed the writing and the continued story of the main character!
The events draw a reader in and have the reader feeling emotionally invested!

[Theresa Sivelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hannah's mom, who she hasn't spoken to in a long time, asks for her help in finding and maybe recovering her step sister. Against her better judgment, she signs up.

This was another great story in this series. I was hooked from the very beginning.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for a chance to read this 3 installment in the series.

[Amber K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, did this book take you on a ride!
This time our FMC, Hannah, is pulled into a dark and dangerous world while searching for a missing girl...her sister.
The ending had me a nervous wreck, lol
Terrific book and looking forward to more!!

[Kimberly Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced thriller that kept me entertained. Though it is the 3rd in the series you don’t need to have read the other 2 to follow the story. Thanks to S.C. Sterling for the advanced copy.