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Watermark
When Matt Frazier returns to his home in Gulfport in the wake of the largest hurricane to ever come ashore in the United States, he expects a disaster - and finds a catastrophe.
But it’s not what the storm took away that gets Matt’s attention – it’s what it left behind. Deep in the debris under what remains of his house, something has washed up that makes Matt the central target in a deadly conspiracy involving some very high-profile players.
Not knowing who to trust, Matt must turn to his eccentric neighbor, his high school buddy, and ultimately his estranged wife to try and help him stay one step ahead – and alive – long enough to bring some order back into his life.
But it’s not what the storm took away that gets Matt’s attention – it’s what it left behind. Deep in the debris under what remains of his house, something has washed up that makes Matt the central target in a deadly conspiracy involving some very high-profile players.
Not knowing who to trust, Matt must turn to his eccentric neighbor, his high school buddy, and ultimately his estranged wife to try and help him stay one step ahead – and alive – long enough to bring some order back into his life.
296 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2016
32 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Michael Hewes
3 books30 followersMichael Hewes earned his undergraduate degree from University of Southern Mississippi and his law degree from Ole Miss.
A retired JAG officer, Hewes currently practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he lives with his wife and their three sons, two dogs, and one cat.
A retired JAG officer, Hewes currently practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he lives with his wife and their three sons, two dogs, and one cat.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 31, 2017
While the setting and protagonist may remind readers of a Grisham work, Hewes bests the fellow Mississippian with his ability to keep the reader guessing as to which characters to trust and what actions to take. Hewes excels in his ability to place the reader in the shoes of a protagonist who is constantly questioning friends, alliances, and himself. All in all, it was a great, fast-paced read, and I’m looking forward to the second act from Mr. Hewes.
August 3, 2016
Loved it! Hewes is a new, fresh John Grisham. Loved the Gulf Coast setting. Can't wait for his next book.
May 1, 2019
A book has to be exceptional for me to ever give it 5 stars. This one is! I love reading books by Mississippi authors because I am familiar with the setting and landmarks mentioned. This story was suspenseful but also believable. Gives just the right amount of twists and turns. I was unfamiliar with this book and author until recently. I will definitely recommend this to friends!
September 7, 2016
This book epitomizes the spirit of the MS Gulf Coast after the catastrophe named Katrina.
October 2, 2023
This was a pretty good book. I’m from the Deep South. Visit Gulfport quite often. And Michael—I “be good”.
June 28, 2020
Good book
I enjoy the way this author writes. This is the second book of his I've read this week. There were a few things I noticed in this book, though, that seemed a little thoughtless or inconsistent. His wife is staying with her mother with his sons. He thinks their lives are in danger so he makes frantic calls to make sure his wife and sons make a hasty escape but his mother-in-law is left behind to fend for herself. Hmm. Then throughout the book, elderly neighbors come to his rescue by housing him, feeding him and literally saving his life but at the end of the book, he's planning a barbecue for his coworkers and other friends because they have been so great to him but there's no mention of the couple who literally SAVED HIS LIFE. I don't know why both of those omissions bugged me but they did. So, I guess, I like his books except the parts where all the elderly characters are disposable.
I enjoy the way this author writes. This is the second book of his I've read this week. There were a few things I noticed in this book, though, that seemed a little thoughtless or inconsistent. His wife is staying with her mother with his sons. He thinks their lives are in danger so he makes frantic calls to make sure his wife and sons make a hasty escape but his mother-in-law is left behind to fend for herself. Hmm. Then throughout the book, elderly neighbors come to his rescue by housing him, feeding him and literally saving his life but at the end of the book, he's planning a barbecue for his coworkers and other friends because they have been so great to him but there's no mention of the couple who literally SAVED HIS LIFE. I don't know why both of those omissions bugged me but they did. So, I guess, I like his books except the parts where all the elderly characters are disposable.
November 16, 2020
Must Read!
Michael, it has been a long time since a book has captivated my attention like this one. You stayed true to our Gulf Coast and when I go home, I still remember seeing the destruction Katrina did. I cried all the way back to Louisiana and was grateful so many lives were saved. The shopping bags up 10 ft in the old oaks was unimaginable. I am so glad you wrote this and again, beautiful writing! Take care, Judye
Michael, it has been a long time since a book has captivated my attention like this one. You stayed true to our Gulf Coast and when I go home, I still remember seeing the destruction Katrina did. I cried all the way back to Louisiana and was grateful so many lives were saved. The shopping bags up 10 ft in the old oaks was unimaginable. I am so glad you wrote this and again, beautiful writing! Take care, Judye
February 12, 2018
"I completed Watermark this weekend, Michael Hewes.
It was moving and exciting and a thoroughly wonderful read.
You skillfully captured the Katrina devastation on the Gulf Coast and its effect on the residents in this fictional crime novel.
You allowed a glimpse into the world of practicing law and revealed what good neighbors are all about.
You had me in the first few sentences.
Hope you have another novel in the works.
Much continuing success to you and your writing" Jackie Warren Tatum
It was moving and exciting and a thoroughly wonderful read.
You skillfully captured the Katrina devastation on the Gulf Coast and its effect on the residents in this fictional crime novel.
You allowed a glimpse into the world of practicing law and revealed what good neighbors are all about.
You had me in the first few sentences.
Hope you have another novel in the works.
Much continuing success to you and your writing" Jackie Warren Tatum
February 16, 2020
Very well-written novel by a Mississippi author who used his experiences as an attorney and a resident of Gulfport when Hurricane Katrina hit the Coast in 2005 to present an interesting story. Having lived in Gulfport during that time, I can relate to all his references to Gulfport, MS, and Katrina. He also involves the casino industry along the MS Gulf Coast as part of the mystery and legal matters. Once I started reading Watermark, I was hooked and interested in the crime and the main character’s life. Great story
January 15, 2018
3.5 A great set of characters in the aftermath of Katrina in Gulfport, MS. The story moved quickly after set up, and meeting the whole cast of characters in Matt’s world was fun. Hank was the best character of all. What wasn’t fun was what was happening all around Matt. His wife and sons are living apart from him after he made a mistake, his law partner... don’t want to spoil it, so I’ll just say this is a good, first novel with short chapters that left me hanging eager to read more.
November 21, 2020
Watermark
Such a great story. At first I thought I was going to lose Matt as my hero but he turned out to still be the good guy he was as a kid when he drove the old milk wagon. This was such a good read and hated for it to end but the ending---well best not go there. Keep writing Mr Hewes!
Such a great story. At first I thought I was going to lose Matt as my hero but he turned out to still be the good guy he was as a kid when he drove the old milk wagon. This was such a good read and hated for it to end but the ending---well best not go there. Keep writing Mr Hewes!
October 10, 2017
A good action- packed page turner set in the first days after Hurricane Katrina on the MS Gulf Coast. The author actually lived through it, and his novel captures the period with authenticity. I especially enjoyed his description of the local minister and church because they were based on a real man that I know and love. This was such an intriguing idea for a mystery as he considered what the detritus of people’s lives after the storm destruction might reveal to strangers.
March 14, 2022
This was the second book by this author that I have picked up and flew threw! I’d give 4.5 stars if I could. Set in southern MS, throw in some small town politics and a big old storm that rocks a community…and you’ve got a great plot! Several twists and turns and great character development. Looking forward to his next!
March 21, 2023
One of the best books I’ve ever read. Couldn’t put it down
September 2, 2024
Intriguing storyline in this book. Enjoyed reading it.
September 17, 2025
Twist and turns with happy surprises
I enjoy a good mystery, sometimes it was predictable but lots of surprises at the end. Trust can’t be taken for granted in this novel.
I enjoy a good mystery, sometimes it was predictable but lots of surprises at the end. Trust can’t be taken for granted in this novel.
May 3, 2016
Really enjoyed this book. It takes place on the Mississippi coast in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Sandy when lawyer Matt Frazier finds a mysterious duffle bag among the debris that has washed up into his destroyed home. The contents of the bag along with the unexpected death of a lawyer in his office place Frazier at the center of a potentially deadly conspiracy in which he must race against time to protect himself and his family while trying to unravel the mystery and determine who is friend and who is foe. This book was a page turner, and really related the sense of the coast and the devastation Sandy wrought. It was very reminiscent of the early Grisham novel "The Firm." A good read for any lover of this genre.
September 1, 2016
A very fast read, there is not much to this book except the uncovering of a mildly interesting conspiracy. Our hero is an entitled white guy who texted his extramarital pass attempt to his wife instead of his target due to drunkenness and who sited his house in a flood zone that just flooded. He's too cardboard, selfish, and venal to really be an object of sympathy, particularly as he spends the book demanding and accepting favors from others and kissing up to his boss. No other character has any substance either, including the wronged wife. The author writes sloppily, even about how people dress, leaving me often with the sense everyone was half naked. Anyway, I wouldn't run to grab my copy of this book, but it is fine as a beach read.
February 17, 2017
Entertaining and well paced. Having gone through Katrina with my family in Biloxi, many of the authors recollections post Katrina are spot on. The first church service after the storm rang true too my memory and the book gave me goose bumps to "re-live" the storm.
May 11, 2016
Michael Hewes' debut novel, Watermark, is an excellent legal thriller set in the aftermath of a huge storm. It takes place in a fictional post-Katrina version of south Mississippi where a lawyer's law partner has been killed and things start pointing toward it being a targeted hit. From there, the pieces all start coming together and make for a fast paced whodunit that also provides a realistic portrayal of life after a devastating natural disaster.
September 21, 2016
Great thriller. I was completely shocked by the ending - didn't see that coming. I was on the wrong traIl. The characters and places are fondly familiar. Great first book by Michael Hewes. Can't wait to see what he brings us next.
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August 29, 2016Great descriptions of the Katrina aftermath done in a compassionate fashion. The mystery was good also!
June 2, 2016
Loved this book! Exciting, fast-paced, great dialogue. Loved the twists!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews