The Body in the River: A Novel

by Connor Sullivan

A body in the river. A husband under suspicion. And a summer happy place where everyone has something to hide. Who killed Margot Hamilton—and why?Nothing ever happens in Heapsville, Illinois—a quiet stretch of cabins along the Mississippi River where summer is for fishing at dawn, drinking and floating on pontoons all afternoon, and roasting hot dogs by the fire in the evening. But when Margot Hamilton’s body turns up in the river, everyone’s summer happy place becomes anything but.

A newcomer to the tight-knit community, Margot had barely settled into the only cabin across the river before her life was violently cut short. Suspicion immediately falls on her husband, Fletcher—after all, it’s always the husband. But as the investigation deepens, secrets long buried beneath the surface begin to rise.

Everyone has something to hide. And in a place where trust is as murky as the river itself, the truth might be more dangerous than anyone ever imagined.

The Body in the River is a thrilling tale of domestic suspense that dissects the tole a death has on everyone in a small, rural area. Perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, Frieda McFadden, and Kiersten Modglin.

378 pages, Paperback

Published July 13, 2025

Reviews

[Stephanie Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually a big reader and often have trouble staying interested enough to finish a book — but this one completely surprised me. From the very beginning, the story pulled me in with vivid descriptions and an engaging plot that kept me guessing until the very end. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist came along.

For a debut novel, this is incredibly impressive. The author’s attention to detail and ability to build suspense made it hard to put down. I genuinely enjoyed it from start to finish and can’t wait to see what comes next. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good, suspenseful read!

[McLain Engnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually the reading type, but I finished this book in 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. Usually, I’m pretty good at predicting endings, but this one caught me off guard and was even better than I expected. If you’re looking for something that will keep you guessing, this one delivers! Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a good thriller!

[Jennifer Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a quick read! Mostly because I couldn't put it down. Connor uses rich vocabulary and paints a vivid picture of each chapter. I could easily imagine the scenes and characters. The list of characters at the beginning of the book was helpful for the first few chapters until I got everyone figured out. The story itself was suspenseful and had me trying to figure out "who done it". The ending was a bit of a surprise! For a first novel, I think Connor knocked it out of the park!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book very much. As an avid reader , I am throughly impressed on how this roped me in right from the start. I highly suggest giving it a try. Connor is a teacher at the school my kids attend/have attended, and I know most of his close family members fairly well. I love the references I spotted throughout the book. most of all "Ron". Good job Connor, can't wait for the next one!

[Jane S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book for this writer’s first novel, and I look so forward to his second novel, which is to come out next year! Kept me interested from the very first chapter!!! I believe this author has a great career ahead of him!