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Tödliche Tiefen
Eiskaltes Wasser, keine Luft zum Atmen: Panisch erkennt Damon, dass er sterben wird. Die Wette, im winterlichen Meer zu schwimmen, endet verhängnisvoll. Erinnerungen laufen wie Filmsequenzen vor seinen Augen ab. Ex-Frau, Job, Freunde – und ein unbekannter toter Junge. In letzter Sekunde wiederbelebt, fragt er sich verwirrt: Wer war das Kind? Der Junge lässt Damon im Alltag nicht los. Herauszufinden, wer es ist, wird für ihn zur Obsession.
Er taucht in seine zerbrochene Vergangenheit ein. Doch statt Antworten zu bekommen, stößt er auf eine Mauer des Schweigens. Es scheint nur einen Weg zu geben: Er muss erneut sterben und wiederbelebt werden. Einmal, zweimal, dreimal – bis er die Wahrheit kennt. Aber auf der Suche nach jemandem, der ihm dabei hilft, gerät er an die Falsche …
Er taucht in seine zerbrochene Vergangenheit ein. Doch statt Antworten zu bekommen, stößt er auf eine Mauer des Schweigens. Es scheint nur einen Weg zu geben: Er muss erneut sterben und wiederbelebt werden. Einmal, zweimal, dreimal – bis er die Wahrheit kennt. Aber auf der Suche nach jemandem, der ihm dabei hilft, gerät er an die Falsche …
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2026
6612 people are currently reading
46822 people want to read
About the author
John Marrs
29 books27.7k followersJohn Marrs is an internationally bestselling author of psychological thrillers and speculative fiction. Before becoming a full‑time writer, he spent more than two decades as a freelance journalist interviewing celebrities for national publications.
He self‑published his early novels while commuting to work, building a passionate readership through social media that helped attract Amazon Publishing and Penguin Random House.
His breakout book, The One, became a No. 1 Netflix series, has sold over a million copies, and is published in 35 languages. His other bestselling titles include The Good Samaritan, What Lies Between Us, The Passengers, The Marriage Act, and The Stranger in Her House.
John continues to explore the darker sides of human nature across both genres. His next thriller, Dead In The Water, publishes in January 2026.
You can subscribe to his newsletter at JohnMarrsAuthor.com.
He self‑published his early novels while commuting to work, building a passionate readership through social media that helped attract Amazon Publishing and Penguin Random House.
His breakout book, The One, became a No. 1 Netflix series, has sold over a million copies, and is published in 35 languages. His other bestselling titles include The Good Samaritan, What Lies Between Us, The Passengers, The Marriage Act, and The Stranger in Her House.
John continues to explore the darker sides of human nature across both genres. His next thriller, Dead In The Water, publishes in January 2026.
You can subscribe to his newsletter at JohnMarrsAuthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,619 reviews
February 3, 2026
WOW ok I'm exhausted. Firstly, I’m so happy I read The Good Samaritan right before this one. You technically don’t HAVE to but it definitely enhances the experience and enjoyment of the book in my opinion.
Dead in the Water was just as dark and twisted as I’d hoped it'd be. Psychological and action-packed, this was not an easy one to put down once I started reading thanks to the short chapters and cliffhangers at every turn. Great twists too! Highly recommend.
Dead in the Water was just as dark and twisted as I’d hoped it'd be. Psychological and action-packed, this was not an easy one to put down once I started reading thanks to the short chapters and cliffhangers at every turn. Great twists too! Highly recommend.
January 31, 2026
Honestly, I’m a long-time John Marrs fan, and every time I pick up one of his books I know I’m in for something bold, inventive, and deliciously unsettling. His sci-fi thrillers (The One, The Passengers, What Lies Between Us) blew my mind with their intelligence and razor-sharp twists, so I was curious — and a little nervous — to see him switch gears into something more grounded: a psychological thriller with a heavy dose of dark mystery. Did it work for me? The answer is yes — in a deeply disturbing, claustrophobic, and brilliantly unnerving way that left me thinking about it long after I put it down.
From the very first chapters, Marrs sets a tone that suffocates and unsettles. There are Flatliners-style resuscitation scenes that had me holding my breath and a ghostly “I-see-dead-people” thread that chilled me to the bone. At times, the story felt so dark that I had to put the book down, only to pick it right back up again because I had to know what would happen next. Marrs has always been good at finding those thin cracks between life, death, morality, and obsession — and here he pushes his characters (and readers) to the brink.
While I correctly guessed several of the twists and turns (veteran Marrs readers learn to look for the trapdoors he lays), one massive reveal in the final quarter completely floored me. It was one of those “jaw-drop, did that really just happen?” moments that reminded me exactly why Marrs is such a master of suspense. And then came the biggest shock of all: the reappearance of Laura from The Good Samaritan. To me, Laura is still one of his most terrifying, unforgettable creations, and her connection to Damon’s story is seamlessly woven in — easily the most disturbing and jaw-dropping part of the book. It gave me goosebumps and also made me want to reread The Good Samaritan immediately just to revisit her origin story.
The story itself is as grim and relentless as it sounds. Damon, a 28-year-old supermarket worker and recent divorcé, is dared by his ex-wife/best friend Melissa to step outside his comfort zone. He chooses an ill-fated swim in the icy waters of Brighton Beach, where rip currents nearly claim his life. In those drowning moments, his life flashes before his eyes — but when he comes back, he doesn’t come back alone. He begins seeing visions of a ghostly red-haired boy who haunts him everywhere he goes.
Meanwhile, Melissa is building a new life: discovering her sexuality, moving in with her partner, and even asking Damon to donate sperm so she can start a family. But Damon is unraveling fast. Obsessed with discovering who the boy is, he spirals into increasingly terrifying experiments, begging Melissa to help him die and return — a plea she refuses. Desperate, Damon turns to the one person who should never be trusted: Laura, the so-called “Good Samaritan,” who recognizes his desperation instantly and is more than willing to drag him even deeper into the abyss. From there, the story plunges into uncharted territory about obsession, ghosts (both literal and figurative), and the razor-thin veil between the living and the dead.
What worked best for me was the sheer atmosphere Marrs creates. The haunting tone, the suffocating sense of inevitability, the constant question of whether Damon is truly haunted or just mentally unraveling — it’s classic psychological thriller territory, but injected with Marrs’ signature darkness. I also loved the thematic questions the book raises: Do we really want closure, or is ignorance sometimes bliss? How far would we go to confront our past mistakes, and what if doing so risks our very future?
Yes, some of the twists are predictable, especially the beats connected to Damon’s past, and yes, the book often feels more disturbing than entertaining — but that’s exactly the point. Marrs doesn’t coddle his readers; he drags us through the nightmare and forces us to face its consequences. And while I admit I still prefer his dazzling sci-fi thrillers (my personal sweet spot with him), this genre shift worked better than I expected. It proves Marrs isn’t just a one-lane author — he can scare, shock, and entertain across genres.
Overall: This is a chilling, twisted, and unforgettable thriller, packed with enough scares, moral dilemmas, and jaw-dropping shocks to keep any dark thriller fan hooked. It’s not an easy book — it’s disturbing, nerve-wracking, and often suffocating — but it’s also one of those stories that stays in your head, whispering long after you finish. Fans of The Good Samaritan in particular will be thrilled (and horrified) to see Laura resurface in all her terrifying glory.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars) — for its bold risks, suffocating atmosphere, and Laura’s chilling return.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for sharing this intense, nightmarish thriller by one of my all-time favorite authors in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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From the very first chapters, Marrs sets a tone that suffocates and unsettles. There are Flatliners-style resuscitation scenes that had me holding my breath and a ghostly “I-see-dead-people” thread that chilled me to the bone. At times, the story felt so dark that I had to put the book down, only to pick it right back up again because I had to know what would happen next. Marrs has always been good at finding those thin cracks between life, death, morality, and obsession — and here he pushes his characters (and readers) to the brink.
While I correctly guessed several of the twists and turns (veteran Marrs readers learn to look for the trapdoors he lays), one massive reveal in the final quarter completely floored me. It was one of those “jaw-drop, did that really just happen?” moments that reminded me exactly why Marrs is such a master of suspense. And then came the biggest shock of all: the reappearance of Laura from The Good Samaritan. To me, Laura is still one of his most terrifying, unforgettable creations, and her connection to Damon’s story is seamlessly woven in — easily the most disturbing and jaw-dropping part of the book. It gave me goosebumps and also made me want to reread The Good Samaritan immediately just to revisit her origin story.
The story itself is as grim and relentless as it sounds. Damon, a 28-year-old supermarket worker and recent divorcé, is dared by his ex-wife/best friend Melissa to step outside his comfort zone. He chooses an ill-fated swim in the icy waters of Brighton Beach, where rip currents nearly claim his life. In those drowning moments, his life flashes before his eyes — but when he comes back, he doesn’t come back alone. He begins seeing visions of a ghostly red-haired boy who haunts him everywhere he goes.
Meanwhile, Melissa is building a new life: discovering her sexuality, moving in with her partner, and even asking Damon to donate sperm so she can start a family. But Damon is unraveling fast. Obsessed with discovering who the boy is, he spirals into increasingly terrifying experiments, begging Melissa to help him die and return — a plea she refuses. Desperate, Damon turns to the one person who should never be trusted: Laura, the so-called “Good Samaritan,” who recognizes his desperation instantly and is more than willing to drag him even deeper into the abyss. From there, the story plunges into uncharted territory about obsession, ghosts (both literal and figurative), and the razor-thin veil between the living and the dead.
What worked best for me was the sheer atmosphere Marrs creates. The haunting tone, the suffocating sense of inevitability, the constant question of whether Damon is truly haunted or just mentally unraveling — it’s classic psychological thriller territory, but injected with Marrs’ signature darkness. I also loved the thematic questions the book raises: Do we really want closure, or is ignorance sometimes bliss? How far would we go to confront our past mistakes, and what if doing so risks our very future?
Yes, some of the twists are predictable, especially the beats connected to Damon’s past, and yes, the book often feels more disturbing than entertaining — but that’s exactly the point. Marrs doesn’t coddle his readers; he drags us through the nightmare and forces us to face its consequences. And while I admit I still prefer his dazzling sci-fi thrillers (my personal sweet spot with him), this genre shift worked better than I expected. It proves Marrs isn’t just a one-lane author — he can scare, shock, and entertain across genres.
Overall: This is a chilling, twisted, and unforgettable thriller, packed with enough scares, moral dilemmas, and jaw-dropping shocks to keep any dark thriller fan hooked. It’s not an easy book — it’s disturbing, nerve-wracking, and often suffocating — but it’s also one of those stories that stays in your head, whispering long after you finish. Fans of The Good Samaritan in particular will be thrilled (and horrified) to see Laura resurface in all her terrifying glory.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars) — for its bold risks, suffocating atmosphere, and Laura’s chilling return.
A very huge thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for sharing this intense, nightmarish thriller by one of my all-time favorite authors in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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January 21, 2026
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! A guest appearance from one of John's former book's made my jaw drop. But even before that, the plot line and character buildings were once again on par. Catchy and gripping made this a super fun, easy and fast paced read. Once again, John slams us with multiple tricks and treats. Some might say too many, I say shut the front door in your face. Loved it!
The former book: Our sadistic suicide hotline aunty, Laura from The Good Samaritan I don't feel like you have to read this book beforehand, but for a better understanding into Laura's character I would recommend it.
Trigger Warnings: Suicide, attempted suicide
The former book: Our sadistic suicide hotline aunty, Laura from The Good Samaritan I don't feel like you have to read this book beforehand, but for a better understanding into Laura's character I would recommend it.
Trigger Warnings: Suicide, attempted suicide
January 28, 2026
Life flashing before your eyes is no JOKE
My fave is back!!!!!!!
And boy oh boy did he return with a banger.
There is sooooo much I want to say but it would most likely ruin the whole book.
All I will say is when I realized a cheeky lil nugget was introduced into this book I just about lost it!
Anyone who knows me knows what my favourite John Marrs book and that’s all I’m saying.
So back to the story is started of a bit slow but the whole atmosphere was ominous and intriguing and of course I was still very much locked in.
There are characters you are supposed to hate but will question your sanity when all is revealed and you still find yourself having a little soft spot for them!
This book is dark in true Marrs fashion, the psychological torment is there and there a few supernatural elements too.
Oh and the ENDING!!!!!!!!????..... WOWZA!
4.5 ⭐
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pre read
First Read of 2026!
And you know i just had to start with my fave!!
Ready to dive in.... get it 😏
💙🤍💙💛
My fave is back!!!!!!!
And boy oh boy did he return with a banger.
There is sooooo much I want to say but it would most likely ruin the whole book.
All I will say is when I realized a cheeky lil nugget was introduced into this book I just about lost it!
Anyone who knows me knows what my favourite John Marrs book and that’s all I’m saying.
So back to the story is started of a bit slow but the whole atmosphere was ominous and intriguing and of course I was still very much locked in.
There are characters you are supposed to hate but will question your sanity when all is revealed and you still find yourself having a little soft spot for them!
This book is dark in true Marrs fashion, the psychological torment is there and there a few supernatural elements too.
Oh and the ENDING!!!!!!!!????..... WOWZA!
4.5 ⭐
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pre read
First Read of 2026!
And you know i just had to start with my fave!!
Ready to dive in.... get it 😏
💙🤍💙💛
January 9, 2026
HOLY CHAPTER 39 😵😵😵😵
John Marrs is back to his deepest darkest roots my friends. This story is DARK AF! Dark dark! As in black as his soul! I truly believe every time I read another one of his novels, my soul gets a little bit darker too.
First and foremost, I started reading John Marrs in 2021. My first love and experience was The Good Samaritan. I instantly had to read everything he put to paper. Then, a few years back he joined Psychological Thriller Readers on FB. He personally reached out to me and thank me for all of my support. Just that little thank you meant the world to me! After that, he became a legend to the group. Everyone was holding a breath they didn’t realize they were holding. IYKYK
Damon survives a near-drowning. While his life flashes before his eyes, he sees a dead boy. He has no idea who this boy is. He becomes obsessed with almost dying that he wants to keep dying (and be brought back to life) so he can figure out why this is happening?
Who killed the boy and are there others?
I screamed when it got to the part where a loved-to-hate character is back! YES! Yes! YES! That moment has arrived and John Marrs fans will be extremely thrilled at the outcome.
I need to let you guys know that you will not have the same reading experience if you haven’t read The Good Samaritan. You just won’t. There are supernatural elements to this story as well.
Trigger warnings galore. Thankfully, no animals are harmed in this story. TW: Child death, suicide, infertility
5 SOULLESS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date 1/13/26
John Marrs is back to his deepest darkest roots my friends. This story is DARK AF! Dark dark! As in black as his soul! I truly believe every time I read another one of his novels, my soul gets a little bit darker too.
First and foremost, I started reading John Marrs in 2021. My first love and experience was The Good Samaritan. I instantly had to read everything he put to paper. Then, a few years back he joined Psychological Thriller Readers on FB. He personally reached out to me and thank me for all of my support. Just that little thank you meant the world to me! After that, he became a legend to the group. Everyone was holding a breath they didn’t realize they were holding. IYKYK
Damon survives a near-drowning. While his life flashes before his eyes, he sees a dead boy. He has no idea who this boy is. He becomes obsessed with almost dying that he wants to keep dying (and be brought back to life) so he can figure out why this is happening?
Who killed the boy and are there others?
I screamed when it got to the part where a loved-to-hate character is back! YES! Yes! YES! That moment has arrived and John Marrs fans will be extremely thrilled at the outcome.
I need to let you guys know that you will not have the same reading experience if you haven’t read The Good Samaritan. You just won’t. There are supernatural elements to this story as well.
Trigger warnings galore. Thankfully, no animals are harmed in this story. TW: Child death, suicide, infertility
5 SOULLESS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date 1/13/26
February 1, 2026
Before I even get started, please know that I HIGHLY recommend reading The Good Samaritan before diving into Dead in the Water. Providing a critical piece of the puzzle that makes the premise even more blindingly brilliant in a jaw-dropping way, you’ll be missing out on so much if you don’t read it first. Besides, it was a freaking fantastic read that I can’t stop recommending. Anywho, now that I’ve covered that bit of advice, here’s my review for the *chef’s kiss* “sequel,” which utterly blew me away…
The epitome of dark thriller perfection, Dead in the Water was an edge-of-your-seat read in every sense of the word. With a massive number of “HOLY S***?!” twists, an original plot line, and a returning character who you’ll love to hate all over again, John Marrs had me in the palm of his hand from the first riveting chapter until the shocking finale. You see, there wasn’t a minute of downtime as this unsettling story unraveled before me with a somewhat Flatliners-esque feel. Yup. This flawed, broken protagonist decided to reclaim his memories by dying over and over—and over again. But that wasn’t even the best part of the story. No, that was the first gasp-inducing shocker of a reveal, and it’s one you’re going to want to discover yourself. Just know that the short, punchy chapters, deliciously unhinged behavior, and cliffhangers galore only added to the series of whiplash-inducing twists that I utterly adored.
All said and done, I was beyond impressed by this doozy of a psychological thriller. I mean, not only were there plenty of the eye-popping, mind-blowing, plot-shifting revelations that Marrs is so often know for, but there were also supernatural vibes and serious themes that will have this book living rent-free in my head for a very long time. Don’t get me wrong, it was also delightfully dark and twisted. Driven by a relentless pace, an eerie Sixth Sense-like atmosphere, and a sense of plausibility despite the unhinged-ness of the tale, I could not put this book down and read it in one single sitting. That’s right. Be sure your chores are complete and your children are in bed. If you don’t, you might just ignore them all while you finish this read. After all, it had everything you could want including repressed memories, a handful of compelling POVs, and an ending you’ll quite simply never get over. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When Damon survives a near-drowning, his life flashes before his eyes. Every memory is crystal clear―except one. A dead boy. A face he can’t place. A moment he doesn’t remember living. At first he tells himself it’s a trick of the mind. But everything else he saw was real. So why not this?
With his waking life stalked by the disturbing scene, confusion quickly turns to obsession. Desperate for answers, Damon digs into his fractured past, and becomes convinced that the only way to remember…is to die again. And again. And again. When he meets a perfect stranger who’s all too willing to help, the stage is set for his dice with death.
But if this is what it takes to uncover the truth, maybe some memories are better left buried…
Thank you John Marrs and Thomas and Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 20, 2026
Content warning: drowning, suicide, drowning, violence, suicidal ideation, fatal hit-and-run accident, mention of: child abuse, depression, abortion
The epitome of dark thriller perfection, Dead in the Water was an edge-of-your-seat read in every sense of the word. With a massive number of “HOLY S***?!” twists, an original plot line, and a returning character who you’ll love to hate all over again, John Marrs had me in the palm of his hand from the first riveting chapter until the shocking finale. You see, there wasn’t a minute of downtime as this unsettling story unraveled before me with a somewhat Flatliners-esque feel. Yup. This flawed, broken protagonist decided to reclaim his memories by dying over and over—and over again. But that wasn’t even the best part of the story. No, that was the first gasp-inducing shocker of a reveal, and it’s one you’re going to want to discover yourself. Just know that the short, punchy chapters, deliciously unhinged behavior, and cliffhangers galore only added to the series of whiplash-inducing twists that I utterly adored.
All said and done, I was beyond impressed by this doozy of a psychological thriller. I mean, not only were there plenty of the eye-popping, mind-blowing, plot-shifting revelations that Marrs is so often know for, but there were also supernatural vibes and serious themes that will have this book living rent-free in my head for a very long time. Don’t get me wrong, it was also delightfully dark and twisted. Driven by a relentless pace, an eerie Sixth Sense-like atmosphere, and a sense of plausibility despite the unhinged-ness of the tale, I could not put this book down and read it in one single sitting. That’s right. Be sure your chores are complete and your children are in bed. If you don’t, you might just ignore them all while you finish this read. After all, it had everything you could want including repressed memories, a handful of compelling POVs, and an ending you’ll quite simply never get over. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When Damon survives a near-drowning, his life flashes before his eyes. Every memory is crystal clear―except one. A dead boy. A face he can’t place. A moment he doesn’t remember living. At first he tells himself it’s a trick of the mind. But everything else he saw was real. So why not this?
With his waking life stalked by the disturbing scene, confusion quickly turns to obsession. Desperate for answers, Damon digs into his fractured past, and becomes convinced that the only way to remember…is to die again. And again. And again. When he meets a perfect stranger who’s all too willing to help, the stage is set for his dice with death.
But if this is what it takes to uncover the truth, maybe some memories are better left buried…
Thank you John Marrs and Thomas and Mercer for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: January 20, 2026
Content warning: drowning, suicide, drowning, violence, suicidal ideation, fatal hit-and-run accident, mention of: child abuse, depression, abortion
February 3, 2026
ohhh John Marrs your mind 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 his book are ALWAYS a fun time and a wild ride!
the creativity and uniqueness of his plots are amazing. in this one you have a guy who drowns and as he’s drowning, he sees a little boy flash in front of his eyes. he survives and comes to and cannot get the boy out of his head. who is he? how can he find him? why is he still seeing him?
this book went in a direction i NEVER saw coming and it was a wilddddd plot! it reminded me of Alice Feeney books—i think the last 50 pages had 5 twists 🤣 it was going one way and then another and thennnn another. what a fun ending!
all in all this is another enjoyable read by him. it’s unhinged, twisty, suspenseful and easy to binge. he’s an auto buy author for me and should be for you too!
the creativity and uniqueness of his plots are amazing. in this one you have a guy who drowns and as he’s drowning, he sees a little boy flash in front of his eyes. he survives and comes to and cannot get the boy out of his head. who is he? how can he find him? why is he still seeing him?
this book went in a direction i NEVER saw coming and it was a wilddddd plot! it reminded me of Alice Feeney books—i think the last 50 pages had 5 twists 🤣 it was going one way and then another and thennnn another. what a fun ending!
all in all this is another enjoyable read by him. it’s unhinged, twisty, suspenseful and easy to binge. he’s an auto buy author for me and should be for you too!
August 12, 2025
JOHN MARRS. Your mind amazes me!!!!!
Pre Review -I AM SAT
Pre Review -I AM SAT
January 24, 2026
The first part was really good, but then it got a bit too wild!
November 4, 2025
John Marrs is an auto-read author for me when it comes to his speculative Black Mirror-esque types of books, but I don't dive enough into his thrillers and after devouring his 2026 thriller, DEAD IN THE WATER, I realize that I am extremely late to the game!
Damon survives a near-drowning and sees his life flash before his eyes, except for one horrifying memory he can’t explain. Haunted by the image of a dead boy he doesn’t remember, he becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. To fill in the missing pieces, he’s willing to flirt with death again and again…even if some memories are better left buried.
DEAD IN THE WATER is the epitome of a psychological thriller masterpiece! This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. While I have only read a few of his thrillers in the past, this has cemented me into fully investing time to read more of his backlog. This book has all the elements of a legitimate perfect thriller that I expect nowadays. I loved Damon and the journey he takes on us, with moments that I somewhat expected and many that I did not see at all! Go in without reading anything about this book and you will be blown away like I was. I was actually walking the streets of NYC with my book open, flipping the pages and hoping that I don't get hit by a taxi. No joke. I read this book in two sittings. DEAD IN THE WATER will be one of the best book releases for 2026.
Damon survives a near-drowning and sees his life flash before his eyes, except for one horrifying memory he can’t explain. Haunted by the image of a dead boy he doesn’t remember, he becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth. To fill in the missing pieces, he’s willing to flirt with death again and again…even if some memories are better left buried.
DEAD IN THE WATER is the epitome of a psychological thriller masterpiece! This book kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. While I have only read a few of his thrillers in the past, this has cemented me into fully investing time to read more of his backlog. This book has all the elements of a legitimate perfect thriller that I expect nowadays. I loved Damon and the journey he takes on us, with moments that I somewhat expected and many that I did not see at all! Go in without reading anything about this book and you will be blown away like I was. I was actually walking the streets of NYC with my book open, flipping the pages and hoping that I don't get hit by a taxi. No joke. I read this book in two sittings. DEAD IN THE WATER will be one of the best book releases for 2026.
July 20, 2025
Review to come
January 22, 2026
the setup…
It all starts with a challenge. Damon agrees to swim out in the cold ocean waters on a dare. But things go wrong and he drowns, only to be rescued and resuscitated. Damon would like to be more grateful but since the moment he was brought back to life, visions of a boy keep appearing, the one remnant from his life literally flashing before his eyes as he died. Desperate for answers, he believes the only path is to…die again…and again. He enlists the help of a stranger to help him die and bring him back to life. Well…
the heart of the story…
Talk about crazy sauce! And this one has all the right seasonings. Be careful what you ask for because sometimes you might not be able to handle the truth. Honestly, I can’t remember a time when my jaw dropped as much as it did here. And the hits just kept coming. The fact that each was utterly plausible kept this from falling off the cliff.
the narration…
I’m so glad there were multiple narrators as Will Watt (wonderful as Damon), Elizabeth Knowelden & Debra Michaels kept the characters distinctive. Their great storytelling made this crazy story feel almost normal. They sold it!
the bottom line…
I understand one of the delicious characters is a crossover from The Good Samaritan and now I’m dying to get to that book. No worries if you haven’t as it wasn’t an issue. Everything about this was unpredictable despite me figuring out the skeleton of the story. But the meat on those bones with all that crazy sauce made this a fantastic experience. And, that ending!!!
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
It all starts with a challenge. Damon agrees to swim out in the cold ocean waters on a dare. But things go wrong and he drowns, only to be rescued and resuscitated. Damon would like to be more grateful but since the moment he was brought back to life, visions of a boy keep appearing, the one remnant from his life literally flashing before his eyes as he died. Desperate for answers, he believes the only path is to…die again…and again. He enlists the help of a stranger to help him die and bring him back to life. Well…
the heart of the story…
Talk about crazy sauce! And this one has all the right seasonings. Be careful what you ask for because sometimes you might not be able to handle the truth. Honestly, I can’t remember a time when my jaw dropped as much as it did here. And the hits just kept coming. The fact that each was utterly plausible kept this from falling off the cliff.
the narration…
I’m so glad there were multiple narrators as Will Watt (wonderful as Damon), Elizabeth Knowelden & Debra Michaels kept the characters distinctive. Their great storytelling made this crazy story feel almost normal. They sold it!
the bottom line…
I understand one of the delicious characters is a crossover from The Good Samaritan and now I’m dying to get to that book. No worries if you haven’t as it wasn’t an issue. Everything about this was unpredictable despite me figuring out the skeleton of the story. But the meat on those bones with all that crazy sauce made this a fantastic experience. And, that ending!!!
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
February 2, 2026
I did not expect John Marrs to be so predictable.
January 20, 2026
This one is for the John Marrs STANS. It was a unique story with so many twists (some more predictable than others). But the best part by far is the character crossover from another of Marrs’s books. When it happens you’ll be kicking your feet and you won’t want to stop reading. I love this messed up, murderous world John has created!
January 26, 2026
OMG! OMG! OMG!
I did not expect the crossover! WOW! Well played, Mr. Marrs—well played. One chapter will surely make you feel a lot of things. Shock? Anger? Resentment? You will probably say, “Now that was a little sneaky.” HAHA.
As I have said a few times in the past, John Marrs is one of the most exciting authors out there. His imagination is insane; his characters are complex, realistic, and well-developed. There is depth, unpredictability, unique backstories, and evolving personalities that I just can’t get enough of. I feel like I am living in whatever world John Marrs is trying to create (without the death and dark stuff, of course).
Dead in the Water is shocking, dark, and morbidly depressing—and I enjoyed every minute of it. It took me only a day and a half to inhale the whole thing, and I am still a bit high from it.
If you are a fan of John Marrs and have read quite a few of his books, you are in for a surprise.
And that Easter egg in the last chapter? Sly.
I did not expect the crossover! WOW! Well played, Mr. Marrs—well played. One chapter will surely make you feel a lot of things. Shock? Anger? Resentment? You will probably say, “Now that was a little sneaky.” HAHA.
As I have said a few times in the past, John Marrs is one of the most exciting authors out there. His imagination is insane; his characters are complex, realistic, and well-developed. There is depth, unpredictability, unique backstories, and evolving personalities that I just can’t get enough of. I feel like I am living in whatever world John Marrs is trying to create (without the death and dark stuff, of course).
Dead in the Water is shocking, dark, and morbidly depressing—and I enjoyed every minute of it. It took me only a day and a half to inhale the whole thing, and I am still a bit high from it.
If you are a fan of John Marrs and have read quite a few of his books, you are in for a surprise.
And that Easter egg in the last chapter? Sly.
August 28, 2025
4.5⭐️rounded up
I’m a huge John Marrs fan, and every time I pick up one of his books I know I’m in for sharp twists, a unique plot, clever writing, and plenty of unexpected surprises and this one definitely delivered! This book had me gasping out loud especially chapter 20, it’s absolutely worth it. I loved how dark, unsettling, and addictive the story was, and the ending was wrapped up in a way only John Marrs can deliver. He never disappoints.
The story follows Damon, who survives a near-drowning but is haunted by a memory he doesn’t recognize: the face of a dead boy. Convinced the past holds the answers, Damon becomes obsessed with recovering this missing memory by reliving it through death. Again. And again. And again.
I’m a huge John Marrs fan, and every time I pick up one of his books I know I’m in for sharp twists, a unique plot, clever writing, and plenty of unexpected surprises and this one definitely delivered! This book had me gasping out loud especially chapter 20, it’s absolutely worth it. I loved how dark, unsettling, and addictive the story was, and the ending was wrapped up in a way only John Marrs can deliver. He never disappoints.
The story follows Damon, who survives a near-drowning but is haunted by a memory he doesn’t recognize: the face of a dead boy. Convinced the past holds the answers, Damon becomes obsessed with recovering this missing memory by reliving it through death. Again. And again. And again.
February 1, 2026
Well well well...
what a surprising disappointment this is
I was frustrated all the time with the main character who couldn't, for the love of god, simply let it go and move on with his life. or seek proper help. instead he picked up a strange hobby
---
Can he come up with something darker and crazier than Keep it in the family?
I need to find out👀👀
what a surprising disappointment this is
I was frustrated all the time with the main character who couldn't, for the love of god, simply let it go and move on with his life. or seek proper help. instead he picked up a strange hobby
---
Can he come up with something darker and crazier than Keep it in the family?
I need to find out👀👀
December 26, 2025
Entertaining audiobook! This one is twisty, dark, diabolical, with elements that felt more predictable. If you can handle the dark side of human nature, add it to your list!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A new John Marrs book is always a cause to drop everything and read.. or listen in this case. I knew I was in for a wild ride, being a long time fan of this authors dark and at times insane twists, but this book was something else. While it had all the trademarks of his books it was still very different. I have to say that I read The Good Samaritan so long ago that I didn’t put those pieces together but now that I think about it I see it.
Damon dies. He drowns. He sees his life flash before his eyes so vividly. But there is a boy he doesn’t recognise, who is this boy and why is he in Damon’s final thoughts. He is brought back to life by his ex-wife and just can’t deal with that happened, or what he saw. He becomes obsessed with finding out about the boy, and digging into his past. He will wish that he didn’t. He feels that the only way to remember is to die again, and finds a stranger to help him.
Woah! Talk about dark and disturbing! this was an uneasy listen but it didn’t stop me from devouring the whole thing in a day. The narrators were indeed as always, really bringing this haunting and unsettling story to life and death. I will not forget this book in a hurry, it may even give me strange dreams tonight.
Bravo John Marrs, another triumph. Thank you, Brilliance Audio for allowing me to listen to this early. Out on January 20th, it is a must read or listen.
Damon dies. He drowns. He sees his life flash before his eyes so vividly. But there is a boy he doesn’t recognise, who is this boy and why is he in Damon’s final thoughts. He is brought back to life by his ex-wife and just can’t deal with that happened, or what he saw. He becomes obsessed with finding out about the boy, and digging into his past. He will wish that he didn’t. He feels that the only way to remember is to die again, and finds a stranger to help him.
Woah! Talk about dark and disturbing! this was an uneasy listen but it didn’t stop me from devouring the whole thing in a day. The narrators were indeed as always, really bringing this haunting and unsettling story to life and death. I will not forget this book in a hurry, it may even give me strange dreams tonight.
Bravo John Marrs, another triumph. Thank you, Brilliance Audio for allowing me to listen to this early. Out on January 20th, it is a must read or listen.
August 23, 2025
First of all, massive thank you to John Marrs & NetGalley and everyone who put this masterpiece in my hands early because WOW. I’ve read every single one of John’s books, and I swear, this one made me lose my entire mind.
This book?? Absolutely insane. Twists flying at me left and right, jaw on the floor, me gasping like I’ve never read a thriller before in my LIFE. I was screaming. I was yelling “WAIT WHAT?!” at the end of every chapter. Unhinged behavior, and I regret nothing.
I’m not giving hints or spoilers because you deserve to go in blind and let the chaos consume you. Just know that once you start, you’re not putting this book down. Not for sleep, not for food, not for ANYTHING. This is one of the most binge worthy books I have read in a long time.
If you’ve read John’s other books, you already KNOW. But this one? This one is next level. Some serious IYKYK moments that I can not WAIT to scream about with everyone in January when it is officially released!
Thriller fans… cancel your plans. This book is IT.
And to John... Sir, I am here to tell you that yes! This book was, in fact, worth the wait! You have outdone yourself 👏🏻 The way your mind works just amazes me. These plots are always so unique, and I am so happy I stumbled upon your work! Even though my name won't appear in a future book, it's okay, I forgive you 😂
This book?? Absolutely insane. Twists flying at me left and right, jaw on the floor, me gasping like I’ve never read a thriller before in my LIFE. I was screaming. I was yelling “WAIT WHAT?!” at the end of every chapter. Unhinged behavior, and I regret nothing.
I’m not giving hints or spoilers because you deserve to go in blind and let the chaos consume you. Just know that once you start, you’re not putting this book down. Not for sleep, not for food, not for ANYTHING. This is one of the most binge worthy books I have read in a long time.
If you’ve read John’s other books, you already KNOW. But this one? This one is next level. Some serious IYKYK moments that I can not WAIT to scream about with everyone in January when it is officially released!
Thriller fans… cancel your plans. This book is IT.
And to John... Sir, I am here to tell you that yes! This book was, in fact, worth the wait! You have outdone yourself 👏🏻 The way your mind works just amazes me. These plots are always so unique, and I am so happy I stumbled upon your work! Even though my name won't appear in a future book, it's okay, I forgive you 😂
January 30, 2026
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
Dead in the Water is one of the most psychotically twisted reads I've ever read (yet), and John Marrs did such a clever job of interweaving such plot twists and keeping the suspense going.
The book starts with Damon and his ex-wife Melissa doing a dare on Brighton Beach in the uk, but it goes dalrastically wrong. Damon gets pulled under the icy water by the rip currents and drowns. Melissa is a paramedic and manages to revive him, but what he saw when he died and what he keeps seeing afterwards is haunting him. He saw the body of a dead boy, and he seems to have followed him home. Damon, Becoming desperate for answers as to who this dead boy is or was and why he won't go away, takes drastic action and decides the only way to get answers is to die again and come back to life again with them. But each time, he brings back more dead people, and he uncovers things that both scare and exhilerate him.
The tense unsettling atmosphere throughout the book is so well honed and gets more and more so as you read through each chapter.
The way all the pieces slot together in this book is seamlessly done, and the narrators who told the book did an amazing job of drawing you further into the story.
Do check trigger warnings for this one.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
Dead in the Water is one of the most psychotically twisted reads I've ever read (yet), and John Marrs did such a clever job of interweaving such plot twists and keeping the suspense going.
The book starts with Damon and his ex-wife Melissa doing a dare on Brighton Beach in the uk, but it goes dalrastically wrong. Damon gets pulled under the icy water by the rip currents and drowns. Melissa is a paramedic and manages to revive him, but what he saw when he died and what he keeps seeing afterwards is haunting him. He saw the body of a dead boy, and he seems to have followed him home. Damon, Becoming desperate for answers as to who this dead boy is or was and why he won't go away, takes drastic action and decides the only way to get answers is to die again and come back to life again with them. But each time, he brings back more dead people, and he uncovers things that both scare and exhilerate him.
The tense unsettling atmosphere throughout the book is so well honed and gets more and more so as you read through each chapter.
The way all the pieces slot together in this book is seamlessly done, and the narrators who told the book did an amazing job of drawing you further into the story.
Do check trigger warnings for this one.
February 1, 2026
John Marrs has been an auto-buy for me for years, but Dead In The Water is my least favorite of his so far.
The opening—and really the entire first half—was strong. Tense, unsettling, and full of promise. Marrs knows how to hook a reader, and early on he absolutely does.
But after that? The story starts spinning its wheels. The plot stretches out, circles itself, and never quite gets to the point.
It was way too long.
I found myself pushing through instead of being pulled forward, which is rare for this author. I struggled to stay engaged, and by the end, the payoff didn’t justify the journey.
The opening—and really the entire first half—was strong. Tense, unsettling, and full of promise. Marrs knows how to hook a reader, and early on he absolutely does.
But after that? The story starts spinning its wheels. The plot stretches out, circles itself, and never quite gets to the point.
It was way too long.
I found myself pushing through instead of being pulled forward, which is rare for this author. I struggled to stay engaged, and by the end, the payoff didn’t justify the journey.
September 11, 2025
I think I finished this?
Oh, wait. I did. I remember now. There's this little bit at the end that was supposed to be kind of shocking.
Wasn't.
I know that a lot of people like this author and it's very possible that this one was just a misstep.
I found it very slow and very obvious. I mean...the only real surprise was that his ex was stupid enough to put up with all of this.
This was not for me. I hope it works for you.
* ARC via Publisher
Oh, wait. I did. I remember now. There's this little bit at the end that was supposed to be kind of shocking.
Wasn't.
I know that a lot of people like this author and it's very possible that this one was just a misstep.
I found it very slow and very obvious. I mean...the only real surprise was that his ex was stupid enough to put up with all of this.
This was not for me. I hope it works for you.
* ARC via Publisher
January 19, 2026
4.25 stars "A chilling tale about life flashing before your eyes—including terrifying scenes you don’t remember."
When Damon goes for an icy swim with his ex-wife Melissa, little does he know that accepting this challenge will change his life. During their swim he gets caught in a riptide and Melissa saves him. While his life flashes before his eyes, he can't stop seeing a dead boy. The boy haunts him and he feels that the only way to get answers is to die again and again until he knows everything The more he uncovers, the more unanswered questions he has. Damon is desperate enough to reach out to strangers on the dark web to assist him in a pursuit that becomes obsession.
This novel is dark, chilling, and haunting. It explores mental health and sociopathic behavior. It is a well-crafted, masterfully written thriller that is a propulsive page-turner. Marrs also surprises fans with the return of one of his most terrifying characters from a previous novel. If you can handle the dark subject matter including suicide and murder, then you will enjoy this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and John Marrs for an advance reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
When Damon goes for an icy swim with his ex-wife Melissa, little does he know that accepting this challenge will change his life. During their swim he gets caught in a riptide and Melissa saves him. While his life flashes before his eyes, he can't stop seeing a dead boy. The boy haunts him and he feels that the only way to get answers is to die again and again until he knows everything The more he uncovers, the more unanswered questions he has. Damon is desperate enough to reach out to strangers on the dark web to assist him in a pursuit that becomes obsession.
This novel is dark, chilling, and haunting. It explores mental health and sociopathic behavior. It is a well-crafted, masterfully written thriller that is a propulsive page-turner. Marrs also surprises fans with the return of one of his most terrifying characters from a previous novel. If you can handle the dark subject matter including suicide and murder, then you will enjoy this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and John Marrs for an advance reader's copy. All opinions are my own.
January 30, 2026
This is not the book for me. It is utterly frustrating. The plot is hard to swallow. It is achingly unsatisfying. I'm sure most will enjoy Marrs newest book. It's just not for me personally.
December 10, 2025
Another page turner by this author!! Oh, where to begin. It is truly messed up. Some of it you see coming, but there are some great twists as well. Definitely pick it up and give it a read!!
Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas and Mercer for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas and Mercer for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
January 29, 2026
ARC✶REVIEW
#ad much love for my advance copy @amazonpublishing #partner
& @brillianceaudio #partner for the ALC
Dead in the Water
< @johnmarrs.author >
Releases: January 20, 2026
Opening my Amazon box and seeing this one on top like: what other books?! 📦
Damon and Melissa have a solidish marriage, but when he drowns in the ocean and she brings him back to life, he’s changed forever by something he saw. Now he’s being haunted by weird sightings.
He must know something about what he saw but now he must remember where it came from.
🎧: Listened to the audio while following along and enjoyed the audio. It took a few minutes of listening to get used to the accent but once I did I really liked the voice.
I enjoyed this one. It kept me interested throughout and it’s one of those books that I’m still thinking about.
Mem
Cutting each others hair blindfolded 😂😂😂
I never really thought about how it feels after you’ve drowned and are brought back to life. Especially swallowing salt water. That was kind of fascinating.
Short chapters
Solid mystery
#ad much love for my advance copy @amazonpublishing #partner
& @brillianceaudio #partner for the ALC
Dead in the Water
< @johnmarrs.author >
Releases: January 20, 2026
Opening my Amazon box and seeing this one on top like: what other books?! 📦
Damon and Melissa have a solidish marriage, but when he drowns in the ocean and she brings him back to life, he’s changed forever by something he saw. Now he’s being haunted by weird sightings.
He must know something about what he saw but now he must remember where it came from.
🎧: Listened to the audio while following along and enjoyed the audio. It took a few minutes of listening to get used to the accent but once I did I really liked the voice.
I enjoyed this one. It kept me interested throughout and it’s one of those books that I’m still thinking about.
Mem
Cutting each others hair blindfolded 😂😂😂
I never really thought about how it feels after you’ve drowned and are brought back to life. Especially swallowing salt water. That was kind of fascinating.
Short chapters
Solid mystery
January 28, 2026
John Marrs does it again. Dead in the Water was SO much fun — fast, twisty and completely unhinged in the best way. I went in blind and honestly recommend you do the same. I expect nothing less from this author and he still managed to surprise me. The character crossover left me smiling ear to ear!!! If you’ve enjoyed his other books, trust me… you’re going to want to pick this one up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2026
5 stars. Yess!!👏🏻 Now THAT’S how you write an unsettling-unpredictable DARK TWISTY THRILLER that has you holding your breath to the very last page. Wowww!!!
January 22, 2026
Probably less than 3 tbf, last page was like 😲 🫨 though
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