The Body in the River

by Connor Sullivan

378 pages, Paperback

Published July 13, 2025

Reviews

[Elizabeth A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great debut novel by my friend and fellow river rat. I love a thriller and one set in my happy place just makes it that much more thrilling. The descriptions of cabin life in Heapville are amazing. My favorite "Somewhere, a screen door creaks open, and thuds shut. A fish breaks the surface in the distance with a soft splash, then nothing--just silence again. The wooden docks still hold the coolness of the night; their planks are damp beneath bare feet, and the faint metallic tang of the river mixes with the smoky remains of last night's fire pits." It makes you feel like you are there. The characters are well developed, and the suspense of who done it kept me guessing until the end.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: The Body in the River by Connor Sullivan

Connor Sullivan’s The Body in the River is an atmospheric, unputdownable thriller that delivers on every level. Set against the haunting backdrop of a quiet river community , the story flows with the same calm surface and dangerous undercurrents as the water at its center. From the first chapter, you're pulled into a mystery that runs deep — and the surprises keep coming.
Sullivan captures small-town life with authenticity, painting vivid scenes of close-knit community, buried secrets, and the kind of everyday struggles that feel achingly real. The characters are richly developed and incredibly relatable, making every twist hit that much harder.
The river setting is more than just a backdrop — it’s a character in itself, symbolic and suspenseful, adding a layer of mood and mystery to the entire narrative. As the plot unfolds with unexpected turns and emotional depth, it becomes clear that nothing is as it seems.
This book is a true page-turner. With real-life themes handled beautifully and a setting that draws you in completely, The Body in the River is a must-read for fans of gripping suspense and immersive storytelling.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is phenomenal! The suspense is real, and you truly never know what is coming next! The book does not start slow, which makes it very easy to get into, and the plot continues to get better. I didn’t want to put it down! Definitely recommend this book!!

[Jennifer Hasting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting out, I absolutely loved the list of characters provided. There are not an overwhelming number of characters in the book, but it was so refreshing to have a place to refer to when I couldn’t remember who someone was. I also liked the POV coming from multiple characters. Sullivan made it flow so well. I was immediately drawn into the story and had a hard time putting the book down. Eagerly awaiting his next book!

[Jean Baylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is well written and I enjoyed it. I will say I didn’t like the character reference at the beginning. In my opinion if you have a character reference then you have too many characters. Margot’s ghost visiting her mother was not necessary to the story line. Some of the background characters were unnecessary and seemed cumbersome to the story line. The story kept you guessing who done it until the very end. I would recommend this book and hope he writes more in the future.