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High Water
"A dynamite tale of family fallout, mystery and intrigue, southern-style. Demands to be read in one all-night page-turning frenzy." —David Baldacci, #1 New York Times–bestselling author
In her beloved hometown of Beaufort, South Carolina, Georgie Smallwood has carved out a life for herself, but it hasn't been easy. A teenage mother at sixteen, she built a thriving business restoring and selling antiques with the help of her steel magnolia mother.
But little does Georgie know how deep the secrets run in her family—until her mother dies under circumstances that she finds suspicious, even if her sister and brother don't. Georgie can't help but think the worst of her controlling, unfaithful father, whose murky military past haunts him. The slow drops of doubt pool into a surging wave of fear that threatens to destroy the bond between Georgie and her siblings—and sink the very foundations they have built their lives upon.
High Water is a gripping Southern thriller about blood ties, betrayal, and the legacy of silence—where the past rises like the tide and nothing stays buried forever.
"High Water is a lyrical, compelling novel about secrets, family, and even love." —Lisa Scottoline, New York Times–bestselling author
"Hightower fills the story with plot twists that will appeal to thriller fans, but the novel, steeped in the feel of small-town South, also offers an introspective look at a woman's life, her personal relationships, and her sense of family loyalty." —Booklist
"This intensely involving study of family dysfunction . . . is distinguished by its driving prose, lyricism and psychological nuance." —Publishers Weekly
"The story hurtles along as rapidly as any of Hightower's police procedurals or thrillers but finds room for a world of family pain and southern warmth." —Kirkus Reviews
In her beloved hometown of Beaufort, South Carolina, Georgie Smallwood has carved out a life for herself, but it hasn't been easy. A teenage mother at sixteen, she built a thriving business restoring and selling antiques with the help of her steel magnolia mother.
But little does Georgie know how deep the secrets run in her family—until her mother dies under circumstances that she finds suspicious, even if her sister and brother don't. Georgie can't help but think the worst of her controlling, unfaithful father, whose murky military past haunts him. The slow drops of doubt pool into a surging wave of fear that threatens to destroy the bond between Georgie and her siblings—and sink the very foundations they have built their lives upon.
High Water is a gripping Southern thriller about blood ties, betrayal, and the legacy of silence—where the past rises like the tide and nothing stays buried forever.
"High Water is a lyrical, compelling novel about secrets, family, and even love." —Lisa Scottoline, New York Times–bestselling author
"Hightower fills the story with plot twists that will appeal to thriller fans, but the novel, steeped in the feel of small-town South, also offers an introspective look at a woman's life, her personal relationships, and her sense of family loyalty." —Booklist
"This intensely involving study of family dysfunction . . . is distinguished by its driving prose, lyricism and psychological nuance." —Publishers Weekly
"The story hurtles along as rapidly as any of Hightower's police procedurals or thrillers but finds room for a world of family pain and southern warmth." —Kirkus Reviews
334 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2002
99 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Lynn Hightower
42 books87 followersLynn Hightower grew up in Kentucky, and graduated from the University of Kentucky, where she studied creative writing with Wendell Berry and earned a degree in Journalism. She also teaches novel writing in the Writer’s Program at UCLA. Survival jobs include writing television commercials, catering waitress, and bartender for one day.
Her books have been included in the New York Times List of Notable Books, the London Times Bestseller List, and the W.H. Smith Fresh Talent Awards. She has received the Shamus Award, and been nominated for the Kentucky Literary Award, the Kentucky Librarians First Choice Award, and the Mary Higgins Clark Award. Hightower’s books have been published in numerous foreign countries, including Great Britain, Australia, Japan, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Israel and The Netherlands.
Hightower spends ridiculous amounts of time curled up reading, but also enjoys small sports cars and tame horses. She is married to The Frenchman, writes full time, shares an office with her Belgian Shepherd, Leo the Lion, plays bad but fierce tennis, loves to dance and is learning to Tango.
Hightower enjoys canoeing and is witty after two glasses of wine. She has studied French and Italian, but is only fluent in Southern.
Hightower is a Kentucky native, and lives in a small Victorian cottage with a writing parlor.
Her books have been included in the New York Times List of Notable Books, the London Times Bestseller List, and the W.H. Smith Fresh Talent Awards. She has received the Shamus Award, and been nominated for the Kentucky Literary Award, the Kentucky Librarians First Choice Award, and the Mary Higgins Clark Award. Hightower’s books have been published in numerous foreign countries, including Great Britain, Australia, Japan, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Israel and The Netherlands.
Hightower spends ridiculous amounts of time curled up reading, but also enjoys small sports cars and tame horses. She is married to The Frenchman, writes full time, shares an office with her Belgian Shepherd, Leo the Lion, plays bad but fierce tennis, loves to dance and is learning to Tango.
Hightower enjoys canoeing and is witty after two glasses of wine. She has studied French and Italian, but is only fluent in Southern.
Hightower is a Kentucky native, and lives in a small Victorian cottage with a writing parlor.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 19, 2018
easy to read, fun mystery full of family drama—UK graduate who studied under Wendell Berry; has written many others, 302 pgs., hardback, purchased at Friends Book Sale, 2002,
August 2, 2018
I did not connect with the main character - didn’t really like her much. The story engaged me enough to make me skim to the end to see how the mystery unfolds. But even that was dissatisfying. Just didn’t resonate.
July 28, 2010
Excellent writing. Want to read more of her books. Wish she'd realize the fame of some other less good authors. She deserves money and riches!
January 7, 2021
A great murder mystery with brilliant, unexpected plot twists.
Unfortunately, I often found myself wishing that the main character would stop rambling on about her past and just get on with the story.
Unfortunately, I often found myself wishing that the main character would stop rambling on about her past and just get on with the story.
January 31, 2021
A stand-alone, quite intense; some of the situations reminded me of Pat Conroy's work which is set in the same region. The ending was a real surprise to me and I enjoyed getting there. Highly recommended.
December 20, 2022
Found my copy in a beloved bookstore and I still find myself thinking about this book every now and then. I remember it being a good read and how much of a slow burn the story was! Touched on the complexities of a dysfunctional family, had LGBTQIA+ themes, and I loved the suspense!
December 24, 2025
Well Bless Her Heart
This book is like sweet tea made with salt instead of sugar. If it had been a paperback, I would have thrown it in the fireplace and watched it burn. Seemed promising at the beginning…
This book is like sweet tea made with salt instead of sugar. If it had been a paperback, I would have thrown it in the fireplace and watched it burn. Seemed promising at the beginning…
August 11, 2015
I had no idea what this book would be like, as have never heard of it or the author. But thriller/mystery/crime novels are usually right up my street!!
This was ok in a vaguely entertaining sort of way - nothing too difficult to get your head round and a relaxed writing style that made it very easy to read. I can't say that I was completely taken in by the story - in some places it seemed a bit contrived and in others unnecessarily complicated. I was really annoyed by one of the main characters constantly being referred to by his full name - you might as well put a flashing neon sign on his head saying 'suspect'! And while the ending was a nice twist, I felt that it didn't actually fit in that well with what had gone on before.
But, overall, this was a good read and I'm glad I spent a few days in its company.
This was ok in a vaguely entertaining sort of way - nothing too difficult to get your head round and a relaxed writing style that made it very easy to read. I can't say that I was completely taken in by the story - in some places it seemed a bit contrived and in others unnecessarily complicated. I was really annoyed by one of the main characters constantly being referred to by his full name - you might as well put a flashing neon sign on his head saying 'suspect'! And while the ending was a nice twist, I felt that it didn't actually fit in that well with what had gone on before.
But, overall, this was a good read and I'm glad I spent a few days in its company.
November 12, 2008
lovely southern gothic
August 6, 2009
I read this book whilst in Venice .I really enjoyed it but the latter part of it did not impress me as much as the first part . A good relaxing read after hours of sightseeing .
March 12, 2010
kept me reading. Story ??? but it was an interesting read on family dynamics
May 3, 2014
Not bad, a little angsty with all the family stuff, but worth reading.
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November 23, 2014Enjoyed the book but was a little disappointed with the ending- I felt it was a little rushed and didn't get the whole story fleshed out. Overall though I liked the storyline and the good writing.
March 29, 2017
I was disappointed by the end of the mystery. The answer changed my perceptions and understanding of a certain character. The compassion quickly turned to annoyance for the behavior throughout the book when I looked back knowing at the end what really happened.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews