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In the Deep
I hope you don’t find him. And if you do, I hope he’s dead and that he suffered…
Real-estate mogul Martin Cresswell-Smith is the best thing that has ever happened to Ellie. After her daughter’s devastating death, a divorce, and an emotional breakdown, he’s helped her move as far as possible from the grief, the rage, and the monsters of her past. Ellie imagines her new home with Martin in an Australian coastal town will be like living a fairy tale. But behind closed doors is another story—one that ends in Martin’s brutal murder. And Ellie seems almost relieved…
Naturally, everyone thinks Mrs. Cresswell-Smith is guilty.
Senior Constable Lozza Bianchi has reasonable doubt. She sees evidence of a twisted psychological battle and a couple who seemed to bring out the worst in each other—adultery, abuse, betrayal, and revenge. If anything Ellie says can be believed, that is. As the case takes twist after spiraling twist, Lozza can’t shake the gut instinct that she’s being manipulated. That Ellie is hiding something. That there are secrets yet to surface. Lozza has no idea.
Real-estate mogul Martin Cresswell-Smith is the best thing that has ever happened to Ellie. After her daughter’s devastating death, a divorce, and an emotional breakdown, he’s helped her move as far as possible from the grief, the rage, and the monsters of her past. Ellie imagines her new home with Martin in an Australian coastal town will be like living a fairy tale. But behind closed doors is another story—one that ends in Martin’s brutal murder. And Ellie seems almost relieved…
Naturally, everyone thinks Mrs. Cresswell-Smith is guilty.
Senior Constable Lozza Bianchi has reasonable doubt. She sees evidence of a twisted psychological battle and a couple who seemed to bring out the worst in each other—adultery, abuse, betrayal, and revenge. If anything Ellie says can be believed, that is. As the case takes twist after spiraling twist, Lozza can’t shake the gut instinct that she’s being manipulated. That Ellie is hiding something. That there are secrets yet to surface. Lozza has no idea.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2020
4367 people are currently reading
12418 people want to read
About the author
Loreth Anne White
93 books7,241 followersLoreth Anne White is an Amazon Charts, Washington Post, and Bild bestselling author of thrillers, mysteries, and suspense. With over 3 million books sold around the world, she is an ITW thriller award finalist, a three-time RITA finalist, an overall Daphne du Maurier Award winner, Arthur Ellis finalist, and winner of multiple industry awards.
A recovering journalist who has worked in both South Africa and Canada, she now calls Canada home. She resides in the Pacific Northwest, dividing time between Victoria on Vancouver Island, a ski resort in the Coast Mountains, and a rustic lakeside cabin in the Cariboo.
When she’s not writing or dreaming up plots, you will find her on the lakes, in the ocean, or on the trails with her dog where she tries—unsuccessfully—to avoid bears. For more information on her books please visit her website at lorethannewhite.com
Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loreth.Anne....
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/Loreth
Or via Instagram: lorethannewhite
Visit her at www.lorethannewhite.com
A recovering journalist who has worked in both South Africa and Canada, she now calls Canada home. She resides in the Pacific Northwest, dividing time between Victoria on Vancouver Island, a ski resort in the Coast Mountains, and a rustic lakeside cabin in the Cariboo.
When she’s not writing or dreaming up plots, you will find her on the lakes, in the ocean, or on the trails with her dog where she tries—unsuccessfully—to avoid bears. For more information on her books please visit her website at lorethannewhite.com
Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loreth.Anne....
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/Loreth
Or via Instagram: lorethannewhite
Visit her at www.lorethannewhite.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,243 reviews
February 6, 2023
In the Deep by Loreth Anne White
Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman
Ellie has always been wealthy, thanks to her business tycoon father. But wealth doesn't mean she is happy. Her addicted mother died when she was young and she's always felt ignored and left out. In the last few years, she's had an even more devastating loss of a loved one, her ex husband cheated on her, she's had breakdowns, and she's had her own addictions. She's feeling sorry for herself, self medicating as usual, and she's ripe for the picking.
Then she meets real-estate mogul Martin Cresswell-Smith and her luck as turned. Or has it? They have a whirlwind romance, all funded by Martin. He's a sweetheart except when he's not. Most of the not part comes after their quickie marriage and then Ellie realizes she might have made a mistake. Might is an understatement. She's made a big mistake marrying Martin. She already had a drinking and drugging problem but now things seemed to have taking on another dimension.
Martin and Ellie have moved to an Australian coastal town where Martin is building a very much contested marina and luxury resort. He's hated by many for the damage that will be done to the coast by his dream project. Financing it had fallen through but during their courtship Ellie gave Martin the funding he needed to keep it going. Now she is hated as much as Martin is hated in this community.
Then Martin ends up dead. Senior Constable Lozza Bianchi suspected that Martin and Ellie's marriage was horrible but she has her own bias towards violent men and she could be letting that influence her thinking towards Martin and Ellie. What went on in that marriage? Is Ellie a victim or is she something else? I knew what I thought of Ellie, I knew what I thought of everyone in this story. But, I didn't know everything, that's for sure. Such a fine mess of deviousness but we see a lot of it through Ellie's drunken, drugged up haze, so it's hard to know just what is going on.
I really enjoyed the story but I'm not fond of having to see so much through a veil of drunkenness and drugs. Sometimes that veil is replaced by an actual blackout curtain. I just had to stop caring about anybody since everyone seems off, everyone seems to have a shadiness to them. And Ellie is her own worst enemy so I just went along for the ride and found out I was on a roller coaster.
Published Oct 27, 2020
This was a Kindle Unlimited Audible selection.
Narrated by Sarah Zimmerman
Ellie has always been wealthy, thanks to her business tycoon father. But wealth doesn't mean she is happy. Her addicted mother died when she was young and she's always felt ignored and left out. In the last few years, she's had an even more devastating loss of a loved one, her ex husband cheated on her, she's had breakdowns, and she's had her own addictions. She's feeling sorry for herself, self medicating as usual, and she's ripe for the picking.
Then she meets real-estate mogul Martin Cresswell-Smith and her luck as turned. Or has it? They have a whirlwind romance, all funded by Martin. He's a sweetheart except when he's not. Most of the not part comes after their quickie marriage and then Ellie realizes she might have made a mistake. Might is an understatement. She's made a big mistake marrying Martin. She already had a drinking and drugging problem but now things seemed to have taking on another dimension.
Martin and Ellie have moved to an Australian coastal town where Martin is building a very much contested marina and luxury resort. He's hated by many for the damage that will be done to the coast by his dream project. Financing it had fallen through but during their courtship Ellie gave Martin the funding he needed to keep it going. Now she is hated as much as Martin is hated in this community.
Then Martin ends up dead. Senior Constable Lozza Bianchi suspected that Martin and Ellie's marriage was horrible but she has her own bias towards violent men and she could be letting that influence her thinking towards Martin and Ellie. What went on in that marriage? Is Ellie a victim or is she something else? I knew what I thought of Ellie, I knew what I thought of everyone in this story. But, I didn't know everything, that's for sure. Such a fine mess of deviousness but we see a lot of it through Ellie's drunken, drugged up haze, so it's hard to know just what is going on.
I really enjoyed the story but I'm not fond of having to see so much through a veil of drunkenness and drugs. Sometimes that veil is replaced by an actual blackout curtain. I just had to stop caring about anybody since everyone seems off, everyone seems to have a shadiness to them. And Ellie is her own worst enemy so I just went along for the ride and found out I was on a roller coaster.
Published Oct 27, 2020
This was a Kindle Unlimited Audible selection.
February 4, 2021
Ever since I read In the Dark last year by Loreth Anne White and loved it, I've been excited to check out more of the author's books. So it's with great anticipation that I dug into In the Deep, the author's latest offering.
Ellie had been trying to get over the traumatic death of her young daughter when real-estate developer Martin walked into her life and made her feel whole and happy again. Now as newlyweds, they have moved to an Australian coastal town so that Martin can be near his latest project while Ellie gets the fresh start she craves. But when Martin is brutally murdered, all attention focuses on his wife. But what secrets is she really hiding?
For me, I found this to be a good, though not great, psychological thriller. I think part of the problem is that this book feels very typical of its genre, in that everything is overly dramatic and amped up a notch. Everyone acts extremely suspiciously at all times, even when they have no reason to. There are secrets, but they are foreshadowed to be much bigger than they actually are. And my biggest pet peeve is here, where the unreliable narrator is only so because she can't stop drinking like a fish, even when she knows it makes it hard for her to remember clearly what is going on.
After all this over-hyping and over-emoting, when the reveal comes, it feels like a bit of a letdown. Sure, it's twisty, but it's not as mind-blowing as it was built up to be. I don't want to sell this story short, as I think most readers will really enjoy it. But for me, while it was an agreeable way to pass the time, it just didn't quite rise above the rest of this over-saturated genre.
Ellie had been trying to get over the traumatic death of her young daughter when real-estate developer Martin walked into her life and made her feel whole and happy again. Now as newlyweds, they have moved to an Australian coastal town so that Martin can be near his latest project while Ellie gets the fresh start she craves. But when Martin is brutally murdered, all attention focuses on his wife. But what secrets is she really hiding?
For me, I found this to be a good, though not great, psychological thriller. I think part of the problem is that this book feels very typical of its genre, in that everything is overly dramatic and amped up a notch. Everyone acts extremely suspiciously at all times, even when they have no reason to. There are secrets, but they are foreshadowed to be much bigger than they actually are. And my biggest pet peeve is here, where the unreliable narrator is only so because she can't stop drinking like a fish, even when she knows it makes it hard for her to remember clearly what is going on.
After all this over-hyping and over-emoting, when the reveal comes, it feels like a bit of a letdown. Sure, it's twisty, but it's not as mind-blowing as it was built up to be. I don't want to sell this story short, as I think most readers will really enjoy it. But for me, while it was an agreeable way to pass the time, it just didn't quite rise above the rest of this over-saturated genre.
March 4, 2024
I want to get down on my knees and worship you Loreth. Then beg you to NEVER stop writing, because I need my next fix. This book was freaking awesome, and I never wanted it to end.
No need to say more, run to the bookstore and get it immediately.
No need to say more, run to the bookstore and get it immediately.
June 28, 2024
Okay! I surrender! When I heard this book is very twisty ride, I gave my entire attention and worked my sixth spidey spider senses ( my super 4s power) overtime and caught the upcoming big surprise but ending was still jaw dropping! Applause! Applause! Applause!
This story includes so many triggering, sensitive issues: I got really tensed during my read because the victim seems like the most disgusting scumbag: a cheat, manipulative aggressor, physical and mental abuser! Ladies and gentlemen: may I introduce you Martin Creswell Smith whose brutally killed and tortured body has found and his wife gunned with her powerful lawyer team, acting like poor victim but when we read her narration, we witness she already plays innocent victim and with her legal teams’ help, she’s planned to get acquitted!
You think who is the perpetrator from the beginning right? But how can we trust her she’s telling us the truth! She is one of the most unreliable narrators you may ever meet!
We’re moving back and fourth between the trial and Ellie and Martin’s meeting. Ellie is already a mess, a trust fund lady who lost her mother when she was so young, craving for her father’s attention when she was growing up. After her three years old daughter has drowned at the accident, she completely loses herself, becoming addicted to drugs, consuming more alcohol, getting institutionalized after she tries to stab her cheating husband.
So when she meets with Martin, she feels like she has second chance for her HEA! But as soon as she moves to Australian Coastal Town, funding her new husband’s dream project, she realizes she may have made the worst mistake of her life!
I’m stopping right here! This is great example of domestic thriller meets psychological thriller.
Get ready to play mind games! If you’re good at it, you’ll enjoy this book so much!
I was planning to give four unreliable, surprising, mind blowing, twisty stars but after reading the explosive ending, I added half more stars and I’m rounding up 4.5 stars to 5 psychologically challenging stars!
This is truly one of the best works of the author!
This story includes so many triggering, sensitive issues: I got really tensed during my read because the victim seems like the most disgusting scumbag: a cheat, manipulative aggressor, physical and mental abuser! Ladies and gentlemen: may I introduce you Martin Creswell Smith whose brutally killed and tortured body has found and his wife gunned with her powerful lawyer team, acting like poor victim but when we read her narration, we witness she already plays innocent victim and with her legal teams’ help, she’s planned to get acquitted!
You think who is the perpetrator from the beginning right? But how can we trust her she’s telling us the truth! She is one of the most unreliable narrators you may ever meet!
We’re moving back and fourth between the trial and Ellie and Martin’s meeting. Ellie is already a mess, a trust fund lady who lost her mother when she was so young, craving for her father’s attention when she was growing up. After her three years old daughter has drowned at the accident, she completely loses herself, becoming addicted to drugs, consuming more alcohol, getting institutionalized after she tries to stab her cheating husband.
So when she meets with Martin, she feels like she has second chance for her HEA! But as soon as she moves to Australian Coastal Town, funding her new husband’s dream project, she realizes she may have made the worst mistake of her life!
I’m stopping right here! This is great example of domestic thriller meets psychological thriller.
Get ready to play mind games! If you’re good at it, you’ll enjoy this book so much!
I was planning to give four unreliable, surprising, mind blowing, twisty stars but after reading the explosive ending, I added half more stars and I’m rounding up 4.5 stars to 5 psychologically challenging stars!
This is truly one of the best works of the author!
March 16, 2021
I had a rocky start. The book opens with bumbling cops who trip over a body and mindlessly tamper with a crime scene. Then protagonist Ellie seemed like a ridiculous character. A boozy, self-medicating rich heiress with immature daddy issues who has insta-love with some rando and agrees (on their first date) to tag along with him for two months while he travels for work. I was like, for a book called In The Deep this all seems very shallow.
But by the 25% mark the story found its footing and became more natural and I really started to enjoy it. By 40% I was hooked!
White is outstanding at writing atmosphere and mood. Whenever Ellie had feelings of panic/anxiety the sentences became long and fast paced. And when she was drunk (so many times!!) the writing was a little unstructured and choppy. It was a great technique by the author to make the story extra immersive. I look forward to reading more of her books.
But by the 25% mark the story found its footing and became more natural and I really started to enjoy it. By 40% I was hooked!
White is outstanding at writing atmosphere and mood. Whenever Ellie had feelings of panic/anxiety the sentences became long and fast paced. And when she was drunk (so many times!!) the writing was a little unstructured and choppy. It was a great technique by the author to make the story extra immersive. I look forward to reading more of her books.
November 20, 2021
I have been wanting to read Loreth Anne White’s work, for quite some time, and I can now see why she is has so many fans!
This story was engaging from the first page through the last, and it was a book I looked forward to picking up, whenever I had the chance.
The book opens in the present...NOW, February, Supreme Court, New South Wales
ACCUSED OF KILLING HUSBAND: CRESSWELL -SMITH MURDER TRIAL BEGINS
And, it is quite the media circus!
So, how did we get here?
Flashbacks to THEN will fill us in...beginning with the alternating perspectives of :
Lozza, (the investigating Officer) over one year ago, Nov. 18, Agnes Basin, New South Wales and
Ellie, just over two years ago, January 9, Vancouver, B.C..
That is the fateful night when Ellie “The Hartley Heiress” met Martin CRESSWELL-SMITH at the Hartley Plaza hotel, after once again arguing with her father, and overindulging in pills and alcohol during dinner with him at his hotel.
The two narratives move toward one another, with a few MURDER TRIAL chapters mixed in, until they eventually converge, for a SURPRISING ending!
A couple of things niggled at me, that I have to mention, which prevented me from rating it as a solid 4 stars- but it comes close! (3.75 rounded up!)
First, I found it hard to believe that Ellie’s RICH RICH Daddy, and his lawyers wouldn’t take better care of the Hartley fortune. He is never heard from or seen again, after the dinner in the opening chapters.
Second, I found it hard to believe that Martin, would have so many friends, in the Australian coastal town, where his development is hotly contested by the locals, and that those opposing, referred to as “Greenies” wouldn’t cause MORE havoc, and be considered for the crime.
Third, a “romance” at the end, is implied and while it in no way affects the story, it seemed implausible and unnecessary.
Still, I definitely DO recommend this book, despite those minor annoyances, and I am LOOKING FORWARD to reading more from this talented author!
A buddy read with DeAnn-be sure to check out her terrific review, as well!
This book is available now!
July 24, 2020
Don’t you just love it when a book has several twists you don’t see coming? This book is soooo good! This is the story of the Cresswell-Smiths. The action starts in Sydney at the trial for the murder of Martin Cresswell-Smith and then backtracks to the story of Martin meeting his future wife Ellie in Vancouver in 2019. The story is told from the point of view of Ellie, policewoman Lozza interspersed with the trial.
From the minute the book starts I was all in. The settings are fantastic- much of the story takes place in New South Wales at the Agnes Basin where Martin is developing a marina and luxury resort. The descriptions are vivid especially of Australia, the atmosphere is captured brilliantly and you feel like you an eyewitness to the dramatic events. The storyline has all the essential ingredients of a thriller - it’s well written, a great plot, a fast pace, a ruthless, vicious character you can hate, a victim, duplicity and cheating, counter cheating, hate, rage, lust, love and loads of twists and turns some you see coming and some you definitely don’t. The ending is excellent- a real wow! There’s plenty of creepiness, tension and suspense, in places it’s very exciting and in others it’s terrifying.
Overall, an excellent read that had me gripped in its clutches from start to finish and an easy five stars for me!
With thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance.
From the minute the book starts I was all in. The settings are fantastic- much of the story takes place in New South Wales at the Agnes Basin where Martin is developing a marina and luxury resort. The descriptions are vivid especially of Australia, the atmosphere is captured brilliantly and you feel like you an eyewitness to the dramatic events. The storyline has all the essential ingredients of a thriller - it’s well written, a great plot, a fast pace, a ruthless, vicious character you can hate, a victim, duplicity and cheating, counter cheating, hate, rage, lust, love and loads of twists and turns some you see coming and some you definitely don’t. The ending is excellent- a real wow! There’s plenty of creepiness, tension and suspense, in places it’s very exciting and in others it’s terrifying.
Overall, an excellent read that had me gripped in its clutches from start to finish and an easy five stars for me!
With thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance.
November 11, 2020
First off, I love Loreth Ann White's books. She is a must-buy for me. Her books always flow naturally and take me to a big reveal that inevitably leaves me with my mouth wide open.
In the Deep, Mrs. White brings to life a very broken female character, Ellie.
Ellie Tyler is the well-known heiress of the Hartley empire in Canada. When the story begins, she has been invited to dinner by her father at their hotel. After having a blow-up with him, she and her friend Dana, decide to start drinking at the bar. After Dana leaves, Ellie is going to the lady's room when she meets a man that makes her feel alive again. After a short courtship, Ellie marries Martin Cresswell-Smith and move to Australia to start a new life.
Ellie's past has not been a bed full of roses. Her mother committed suicide when Ellie was nine. Her father lacked empathy. Her daughter, who was just three years old, drowned at sea. Her first husband cheated, sending her into the path of benzodiazepines, alcohol, and a very public mental breakdown which ends with her being institutionalized.
After meeting Martin, Ellie believes she can finally achieve some well-deserved happiness.
But just a few months into their marriage, Martin is found tortured and murdered and the prime suspect is none other than Mrs. Martin Cresswell-Smith. The jury must decide if she is guilty or not.
__
Ellie frustrated me. Between her lorazepam and her drinking, she was a lost cause. It irritated me to no end that she was never sure of what was happening around her or to her since she repeatedly was in a benzo and booze stupor. She was unreliable, I wanted to shake her and scream at her: "pay attention, you dimwit."
As always, between a masterful scenery description and a hard to put down storyline, Mrs. White has created another excellent book with an OMGosh twist.
In my opinion and If I want to be hypercritical, I would say that the last scene with Senior Constable Lozza Bianchi was unnecessary.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
In the Deep, Mrs. White brings to life a very broken female character, Ellie.
Ellie Tyler is the well-known heiress of the Hartley empire in Canada. When the story begins, she has been invited to dinner by her father at their hotel. After having a blow-up with him, she and her friend Dana, decide to start drinking at the bar. After Dana leaves, Ellie is going to the lady's room when she meets a man that makes her feel alive again. After a short courtship, Ellie marries Martin Cresswell-Smith and move to Australia to start a new life.
Ellie's past has not been a bed full of roses. Her mother committed suicide when Ellie was nine. Her father lacked empathy. Her daughter, who was just three years old, drowned at sea. Her first husband cheated, sending her into the path of benzodiazepines, alcohol, and a very public mental breakdown which ends with her being institutionalized.
After meeting Martin, Ellie believes she can finally achieve some well-deserved happiness.
But just a few months into their marriage, Martin is found tortured and murdered and the prime suspect is none other than Mrs. Martin Cresswell-Smith. The jury must decide if she is guilty or not.
__
Ellie frustrated me. Between her lorazepam and her drinking, she was a lost cause. It irritated me to no end that she was never sure of what was happening around her or to her since she repeatedly was in a benzo and booze stupor. She was unreliable, I wanted to shake her and scream at her: "pay attention, you dimwit."
As always, between a masterful scenery description and a hard to put down storyline, Mrs. White has created another excellent book with an OMGosh twist.
In my opinion and If I want to be hypercritical, I would say that the last scene with Senior Constable Lozza Bianchi was unnecessary.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
September 18, 2025
This book is not an easy read, especially given the genre.
There is way too much detail about the animals and the setting, which have nothing whatsoever to do with the plot. The first several Lozza chapters also take up way too much time and space here.
Is it police procedure in Australia to search a scary-ass house with zero backup? Lozza goes in alone, while the two dudes are scared af.
Another woman with a history of severe mental health issues. Le Sigh.
I actually like Ellie. She’s troubled and vulnerable.
The whole thing is just uncomfortable, and not in a good, on-the-edge-of-your-seat kinda way. Paranoia, questioning reality, not knowing if she’s been raped…it doesn’t work.
Many new characters are introduced quickly, but it’s hard to keep track of them—and most are false flags anyway.
As this pivots more from Ellie’s to Lozza’s POV, we lose the emotional pull that Ellie brings as the story moves forward.
A really cheap cop-out of a twist at the end. Ellie isn’t the only one being gaslighted. In a story featuring con artists, the real swindle is the one the author pulls off over the reader.
I...thank the writer for not using too much Aussie slang.
There is way too much detail about the animals and the setting, which have nothing whatsoever to do with the plot. The first several Lozza chapters also take up way too much time and space here.
Is it police procedure in Australia to search a scary-ass house with zero backup? Lozza goes in alone, while the two dudes are scared af.
Another woman with a history of severe mental health issues. Le Sigh.
I actually like Ellie. She’s troubled and vulnerable.
The whole thing is just uncomfortable, and not in a good, on-the-edge-of-your-seat kinda way. Paranoia, questioning reality, not knowing if she’s been raped…it doesn’t work.
Many new characters are introduced quickly, but it’s hard to keep track of them—and most are false flags anyway.
As this pivots more from Ellie’s to Lozza’s POV, we lose the emotional pull that Ellie brings as the story moves forward.
A really cheap cop-out of a twist at the end. Ellie isn’t the only one being gaslighted. In a story featuring con artists, the real swindle is the one the author pulls off over the reader.
I...thank the writer for not using too much Aussie slang.
July 26, 2022
After loving The Patient's Secret, I had to read another one by this author! When a lot of the reviewers said In the Deep was even better, they were right! Wow! I'm sorry it ended because I could not get enough of the courtroom drama and mind bending tension in it. When a book starts off with a wife commenting about her husband's disappearance and hopes he is dead, you know it is some manipulation and psychotic behavior going down.
"I hope you don't find him. And if you do, I hope he's dead and that he suffered."
Well, he was dead and he did suffer, so she is on trial for his death. The courtroom scenes were accentuated by an awesome legal team that kept me vested in who would outwit the other.
In first person, Ellie gives unreliable notations of her life between depression, drugs and alcohol. She appears to blackout and the most inopportune times leaving you hanging on to the next event. She witnessed at the age of nine the suicide of her mom, the manipulative, arrogant and cheating first husband, and the drowning of her three year old daughter. She meets her next husband, Martin Cresswell-Smith on a drunken whim in her very wealthy dad's hotel.
Martin is a manipulator at its best. He acts on her psychosis with inducing her more with alcohol and drugs. Things spiral out of control. He is a real estate investor investing her 30 million in a marina and luxury resort in a beautiful Australian coastal town. The scenery is described in ultimate details visually as if you are experiencing it firsthand. The town is enraged by this investment and wants the construction to stop, so you are left wondering who killed Martin? An investment deal gone bad? The locals angered at his development? An ex? There are so many options, but Ellie and Martin become fire and gasoline together leaving her with a guilty intent. I despised the character Martin, but Ellie is quite a narrator leaving you wondering about her playing the victim.
"You, too, should have watched those shells more closely.... Life is a shell game, and in a shell game only the tosser wins. You're either the tosser or the loser." You will not be able to keep your eyes on the shells because they are moving and ever changing so quickly that you will become absorbed in their charades. This ending is unbelievable, so hang on as everyone spirals and twists in this incredible tense, thriller. I can't wait to read her next one.
*There are several trigger warnings, such as gas lighting, manipulation, aggressive behavior, physical abuse and rape.
"I hope you don't find him. And if you do, I hope he's dead and that he suffered."
Well, he was dead and he did suffer, so she is on trial for his death. The courtroom scenes were accentuated by an awesome legal team that kept me vested in who would outwit the other.
In first person, Ellie gives unreliable notations of her life between depression, drugs and alcohol. She appears to blackout and the most inopportune times leaving you hanging on to the next event. She witnessed at the age of nine the suicide of her mom, the manipulative, arrogant and cheating first husband, and the drowning of her three year old daughter. She meets her next husband, Martin Cresswell-Smith on a drunken whim in her very wealthy dad's hotel.
Martin is a manipulator at its best. He acts on her psychosis with inducing her more with alcohol and drugs. Things spiral out of control. He is a real estate investor investing her 30 million in a marina and luxury resort in a beautiful Australian coastal town. The scenery is described in ultimate details visually as if you are experiencing it firsthand. The town is enraged by this investment and wants the construction to stop, so you are left wondering who killed Martin? An investment deal gone bad? The locals angered at his development? An ex? There are so many options, but Ellie and Martin become fire and gasoline together leaving her with a guilty intent. I despised the character Martin, but Ellie is quite a narrator leaving you wondering about her playing the victim.
"You, too, should have watched those shells more closely.... Life is a shell game, and in a shell game only the tosser wins. You're either the tosser or the loser." You will not be able to keep your eyes on the shells because they are moving and ever changing so quickly that you will become absorbed in their charades. This ending is unbelievable, so hang on as everyone spirals and twists in this incredible tense, thriller. I can't wait to read her next one.
*There are several trigger warnings, such as gas lighting, manipulation, aggressive behavior, physical abuse and rape.
April 18, 2022
IN THE DEEP was DEEPLY moving, suspenseful, and intriguing.
Yes, this compelling "Wife-Accused-of-Killing-Husband" book was impossible to put down and never missed a beat.
The story unfolds from two POVs....Ellie (the wife) and Lozza (one of the detectives investigating the murder).....during different time periods (before the murder and after the murder).
There were many twists and turns and throughout the entire book, making "What happens next?" always impossible to predict.
The majority of the book is set in coastal Australia and the author's incredible attention to detail made readers feel like they were right there in Jarrawara Bay, too -- braving the humidity, spiders, flying bats, and kangaroos.
I listened to the book's audio version and the narrator Sarah Zimmerman did a superb job. However, I felt that this book would have benefited from multiple narrators since the book was told in multiple POVs during different time periods and, at times, it was difficult to keep track of who was who.
This was my first Loreth Anne White book and I look forward to reading this author's future titles.
Yes, this compelling "Wife-Accused-of-Killing-Husband" book was impossible to put down and never missed a beat.
The story unfolds from two POVs....Ellie (the wife) and Lozza (one of the detectives investigating the murder).....during different time periods (before the murder and after the murder).
There were many twists and turns and throughout the entire book, making "What happens next?" always impossible to predict.
The majority of the book is set in coastal Australia and the author's incredible attention to detail made readers feel like they were right there in Jarrawara Bay, too -- braving the humidity, spiders, flying bats, and kangaroos.
I listened to the book's audio version and the narrator Sarah Zimmerman did a superb job. However, I felt that this book would have benefited from multiple narrators since the book was told in multiple POVs during different time periods and, at times, it was difficult to keep track of who was who.
This was my first Loreth Anne White book and I look forward to reading this author's future titles.
February 6, 2022
I’m going to do two things I usually don’t do in reviews. I’m going to start with the end of the book and compare it to another book. When a friend of mine finished--lets call the book, LBL--she called me screaming about the ending. I received similar calls from other books club members. They could not wait for our meeting to ask me if what they were reading was what they actually were reading.
I had the same reaction for In the Deep, an ending with me jumping up and down, screaming how did she do this? How did Loreth Anne White do this?
I can’t tell you what she did, but she did it flawlessly. So let me write about what I can write about.
The Hartley Heiress, Ellie Tyler, a woman with more grief than anyone should have to endure, thinks her life is leaving the darkness behind when she meets property developer Martin Cresswell-Smith. Martin takes her from Canada, first on a whirlwind trip to romantic destinations. Then after they marry, and Ellie packs up her old life, he whisks her off to their new home on Jarrawarra Bay, which is located in New South Wales on the south coast of Australia. Martin is looking to find financial backing for a huge property he is trying to develop. His original Chinese backers had to drop out.
Soon after arrival, Ellie’s life once again spirals into darkness, drug abuse and violence. No wonder it is such a relief when Cresswell-Smith turns up as a floater.
Unfortunately for Ellie, she becomes Senior Constable Lozza Bianch’s suspect #1. With good reason, as Ellie makes no bones about her relief that Martin is dead; a good look for him, he wears it well. If only the ravenous mud crabs had more time to dispose of Martin.
The book begins with the murder trial, which has garnered world wide attention; with all the best parts, an heiress, drugs, domestic violence, kidnapping, and murder. What's not to love for a public voracious in wanting to know everything about the lives and private grief of the super-rich?
White provides a little bit of magic with the characters as very few are likeable or sympathetic, but they are oh-so- compelling. Maybe some reluctant sympathy and admiration for Ellie: “I am woman, hear me roar.” No doubt she has had some tremendously bad years. Total cheering for Detective Constable Bianchi, she gets it. As for Martin Cresswell-Smith, more applause for his gruesome demise as he is a total slime ball.
Ellie is lucky enough that Cresswell-Smith has rented a lovely house in a small town where she begins to make friends, despite her odd behavior. They are welcoming to Ellie as newcomers are fairly rare.
This might be one of the strangest settings White has written about, but she does it perfectly. Jarrawarra Bay sounds stunning, but the beauty of the ocean, its cliffs and beaches don't sound like they would outweigh the mysterious sudden appearance of flocks of flying foxes (bats), mud crabs, jellies the size of volleyballs with venomous stingers, heavy humidity, murder threats and poisonous spiders. I’ve always heard most wildlife in Australia would soon as kill you as not.
Reviewers will write about twists and turns, but none are lies or false trails. It’s not White’s fault if we miss clues and cues. It’s all before our very eyes. What the twists and turns do is lead the reader down a path of Linda Blair worthy head spinning. In the Deep is good to the very last drop.
" Watch the shells closely, Ellie I say in my head, channeling my father’s voice…..……. because life is a shell game only the tosser wins. "
Thanks to Montlake Publishing, Loreth Ann White and NetGalley for an ARC in return for fair and honest review.
.
I had the same reaction for In the Deep, an ending with me jumping up and down, screaming how did she do this? How did Loreth Anne White do this?
I can’t tell you what she did, but she did it flawlessly. So let me write about what I can write about.
The Hartley Heiress, Ellie Tyler, a woman with more grief than anyone should have to endure, thinks her life is leaving the darkness behind when she meets property developer Martin Cresswell-Smith. Martin takes her from Canada, first on a whirlwind trip to romantic destinations. Then after they marry, and Ellie packs up her old life, he whisks her off to their new home on Jarrawarra Bay, which is located in New South Wales on the south coast of Australia. Martin is looking to find financial backing for a huge property he is trying to develop. His original Chinese backers had to drop out.
Soon after arrival, Ellie’s life once again spirals into darkness, drug abuse and violence. No wonder it is such a relief when Cresswell-Smith turns up as a floater.
Unfortunately for Ellie, she becomes Senior Constable Lozza Bianch’s suspect #1. With good reason, as Ellie makes no bones about her relief that Martin is dead; a good look for him, he wears it well. If only the ravenous mud crabs had more time to dispose of Martin.
The book begins with the murder trial, which has garnered world wide attention; with all the best parts, an heiress, drugs, domestic violence, kidnapping, and murder. What's not to love for a public voracious in wanting to know everything about the lives and private grief of the super-rich?
White provides a little bit of magic with the characters as very few are likeable or sympathetic, but they are oh-so- compelling. Maybe some reluctant sympathy and admiration for Ellie: “I am woman, hear me roar.” No doubt she has had some tremendously bad years. Total cheering for Detective Constable Bianchi, she gets it. As for Martin Cresswell-Smith, more applause for his gruesome demise as he is a total slime ball.
Ellie is lucky enough that Cresswell-Smith has rented a lovely house in a small town where she begins to make friends, despite her odd behavior. They are welcoming to Ellie as newcomers are fairly rare.
This might be one of the strangest settings White has written about, but she does it perfectly. Jarrawarra Bay sounds stunning, but the beauty of the ocean, its cliffs and beaches don't sound like they would outweigh the mysterious sudden appearance of flocks of flying foxes (bats), mud crabs, jellies the size of volleyballs with venomous stingers, heavy humidity, murder threats and poisonous spiders. I’ve always heard most wildlife in Australia would soon as kill you as not.
Reviewers will write about twists and turns, but none are lies or false trails. It’s not White’s fault if we miss clues and cues. It’s all before our very eyes. What the twists and turns do is lead the reader down a path of Linda Blair worthy head spinning. In the Deep is good to the very last drop.
" Watch the shells closely, Ellie I say in my head, channeling my father’s voice…..……. because life is a shell game only the tosser wins. "
Thanks to Montlake Publishing, Loreth Ann White and NetGalley for an ARC in return for fair and honest review.
.
October 27, 2020
Author Loreth Anne White has gifted readers with another complex, compulsive five star psychological thriller. Go ahead and pre-order In The Deep today as it's destined to be that book - the one everyone's raving about upon release in the Fall of 2020. From the courtroom in which heiress Mrs. Cresswell-Smith stands accused of the cold-hearted, grim murder of her husband Martin to the gruesome crime scene deep in the dark lagoons of coastal Australia, In The Deep unfolds at a brisk pace through extraordinarily unreliable narrators and varying chapters of Then and Now. Courtroom testimonies and first hand opinions conflict. Some see a cunning, conniving black widow out for vengeance while others see a woman on the edge of mental collapse - a victim with a sad history of unbearable loss and grief. She once survived her worse nightmare to find happiness again with real estate mogul Martin Cresswell-Smith only to now stand charged with his horrific murder. What happened to her between Then and Now? Is she victim or villainess? Who will you believe?
Author Loreth Anne White has a gift for delivering stories that are all-consuming for characters and readers alike and In The Deep is another compelling illustration of her limitless talent. Her signature descriptive prose mentally transports readers into highly sensual settings employing all five senses - the overwhelming sight, sickly smell and bitter taste of blood and death, the emotional turmoil forcing fear to escape the lips, the eerie sounds forewarning imminent danger - all wrapped up in a landscape of immeasurable beauty. All serve to propel readers through scenes and pages spiraling toward an unknown ending and fate. Sharp, tightly woven plot lines and deeply flawed characters lure readers through a maze of deception, betrayal, abuse, and vengeance. Through smoke and mirrors, readers are charged with seeking the truth - guilty or innocent? And just when you think you have it all figured out, the final shocker will be revealed!
In The Deep is a dark, gripping tale of manipulation, broken trust, and emotional distress. White's story gives voice to the many stereotyped victims and survivors of substance, mental, and physical abuse and illness as well as to those who are or ever have been lost in the dark, bottomless pit of inconsolable grief. After finishing this book, I sat and thought about what I had read and came to the realization there are times in life when a person may find themselves adrift in the deep without an anchor. If you're ever lost there, I pray you'll see and reach for the light and become a survivor. Fans of mystery, suspense, and psychological thrillers are going to be over-the-moon over this book. It's shelved on my 2020 Favorites Shelf. Highly Recommended!
*A special thank you to Author Loreth Anne White for an early arc of this book via Netgalley.
**Reviewed at: Cross My Heart Reviews
Author Loreth Anne White has a gift for delivering stories that are all-consuming for characters and readers alike and In The Deep is another compelling illustration of her limitless talent. Her signature descriptive prose mentally transports readers into highly sensual settings employing all five senses - the overwhelming sight, sickly smell and bitter taste of blood and death, the emotional turmoil forcing fear to escape the lips, the eerie sounds forewarning imminent danger - all wrapped up in a landscape of immeasurable beauty. All serve to propel readers through scenes and pages spiraling toward an unknown ending and fate. Sharp, tightly woven plot lines and deeply flawed characters lure readers through a maze of deception, betrayal, abuse, and vengeance. Through smoke and mirrors, readers are charged with seeking the truth - guilty or innocent? And just when you think you have it all figured out, the final shocker will be revealed!
In The Deep is a dark, gripping tale of manipulation, broken trust, and emotional distress. White's story gives voice to the many stereotyped victims and survivors of substance, mental, and physical abuse and illness as well as to those who are or ever have been lost in the dark, bottomless pit of inconsolable grief. After finishing this book, I sat and thought about what I had read and came to the realization there are times in life when a person may find themselves adrift in the deep without an anchor. If you're ever lost there, I pray you'll see and reach for the light and become a survivor. Fans of mystery, suspense, and psychological thrillers are going to be over-the-moon over this book. It's shelved on my 2020 Favorites Shelf. Highly Recommended!
*A special thank you to Author Loreth Anne White for an early arc of this book via Netgalley.
**Reviewed at: Cross My Heart Reviews
March 3, 2021
This was a really good read, with plenty of twisty things happening. The book was engaging all the way through.
The story begins in court, in New South Wales; the Cresswell-Smith murder case. Yep one spouse killed another.
The book alternates between the murder trial and character perspectives from two tears ago, through current time.
There are several things I did not like in the book and in spite of them, I really enjoyed this book!
Why I loved it
- Perfect Pacing. I wasn’t bored. The story was steady and picked up as new clues and twists were introduced.
- Clever. Roadblocks and thrills that I never saw coming and threw me completely off guard.
- Characters I loved to hate. I could not stand either of the primary characters. Ellie, a spoiled, rich girl who can’t seem to get her life in order, even though I admit, she had traumas for which needed healing. Martin was an ass through and through who reminded me of a sleazy salesman. My favorite character was Lozza, who did try to get to the truths that were well-disguised.
- Atmosphere. I loved hearing about Australia. I was born and raised in California (Please don’t say it), and the thoughts of beautiful water, wild Lorikeets, kangaroos and even orange bat guano had me mesmerized.
What I didn’t like
- The beginning of the book was very predictable. Rich people behaving badly. Daughter fighting with daddy. Daughter has do many problems. The entire romance of coming together, being so crazed in love they elope in 10 minutes where their fates are sealed.
- Ass-bite husband isolates his new wife, Yada yada. He’s ruthless.
- I deplore development playgrounds for the rich that destroy the environment.
Lorreth Ann White books are always hit and miss for me, but I’m happy this thriller was a hit, fun read and one I’d definitely recommend.
The story begins in court, in New South Wales; the Cresswell-Smith murder case. Yep one spouse killed another.
The book alternates between the murder trial and character perspectives from two tears ago, through current time.
There are several things I did not like in the book and in spite of them, I really enjoyed this book!
Why I loved it
- Perfect Pacing. I wasn’t bored. The story was steady and picked up as new clues and twists were introduced.
- Clever. Roadblocks and thrills that I never saw coming and threw me completely off guard.
- Characters I loved to hate. I could not stand either of the primary characters. Ellie, a spoiled, rich girl who can’t seem to get her life in order, even though I admit, she had traumas for which needed healing. Martin was an ass through and through who reminded me of a sleazy salesman. My favorite character was Lozza, who did try to get to the truths that were well-disguised.
- Atmosphere. I loved hearing about Australia. I was born and raised in California (Please don’t say it), and the thoughts of beautiful water, wild Lorikeets, kangaroos and even orange bat guano had me mesmerized.
What I didn’t like
- The beginning of the book was very predictable. Rich people behaving badly. Daughter fighting with daddy. Daughter has do many problems. The entire romance of coming together, being so crazed in love they elope in 10 minutes where their fates are sealed.
- Ass-bite husband isolates his new wife, Yada yada. He’s ruthless.
- I deplore development playgrounds for the rich that destroy the environment.
Lorreth Ann White books are always hit and miss for me, but I’m happy this thriller was a hit, fun read and one I’d definitely recommend.
November 12, 2020
It’s Personal.
That’s the theory behind a grizzly murder. A statement.
But, what comes next?
In this sublime psychological thriller, a back story and the who, why, and how the missing pieces fit together as a murder trial convenes. Is she guilty?
I wanted to like our main character Ellie but I wasn’t sure. Talk about an unreliable narrator! The drugs, alcohol, and psychosis almost dig her grave yet I was invested and pulling for her. She’s an expert at being a victim but does she possess the craftiness of a perpetrator? These were the questions I was asking myself as I sped through this book.
Alternating timelines and character viewpoints keep this moving and although the courtroom scenes don’t comprise the majority of the book, a fantastic twist takes place there with others interspersed throughout.
This was a buddy read with Debbiecat but I was so glued to this book I started and finished early. The epitome of the perfect psychological thriller, I would recommend it to anyone liking the genre.
That’s the theory behind a grizzly murder. A statement.
But, what comes next?
In this sublime psychological thriller, a back story and the who, why, and how the missing pieces fit together as a murder trial convenes. Is she guilty?
I wanted to like our main character Ellie but I wasn’t sure. Talk about an unreliable narrator! The drugs, alcohol, and psychosis almost dig her grave yet I was invested and pulling for her. She’s an expert at being a victim but does she possess the craftiness of a perpetrator? These were the questions I was asking myself as I sped through this book.
Alternating timelines and character viewpoints keep this moving and although the courtroom scenes don’t comprise the majority of the book, a fantastic twist takes place there with others interspersed throughout.
This was a buddy read with Debbiecat but I was so glued to this book I started and finished early. The epitome of the perfect psychological thriller, I would recommend it to anyone liking the genre.
August 12, 2022
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 5 Stars
Story - 5 Stars
November 18, 2020
“Life is a shell game, and in a shell game, only the tosser wins. You’re either the tosser or the loser.” This quote cleverly sets the stage, as figuring out the tosser and the loser in this book is not as straightforward as it appears.
You know that saying, "If anyone needs me, I'll be reading. Please don't need me." This sums up exactly how I felt while reading In the Deep. Wow! My second introduction to Loreth Anne White surpassed my first by leaps and bound - part psychological thriller, part courtroom drama, and one hundred percent twisted.
Following a whirlwind romance, heiress Ellie Hartley marries Australian real estate mogul, Martin Cresswell Smith. When newlywed Ellie joins Martin in Australia, her life begins to spiral out of control. After frequent, unexplained blackouts (blamed on the use of alcohol and drugs), Ellie finds herself the prime suspect in her husband’s murder. The investigation is spearheaded by Detective Lozza Bianchi and quickly takes on a life of its own, with flashes into the backstory of Ellie’s life, including her first marriage, her mother's death and her tumultuous relationship with her father, and her descent into seeming madness. It culminates in the murder trial of Martin, and that is where the craziness really takes off.
The story is told in three timelines set a little over a year apart, with a mixture of first and third person POVS. The characters are all interesting, in that none of them are very likable (apart from Detective Bianchi), but their awfulness made the plot work. I generally tire of boozy, sloppy, drug-addicted protagonists, who continually make bad decisions while strung out, but in this book it is brilliantly executed. It did take me a few chapters to get into it (I think because of the changing viewpoints), but once I did, I raced through it! I read so many thrillers that when a book promises a "surprising twist," I'm usually skeptical and often disappointed; however, this one did not disappoint - the ending is a stunner! Perfect cover and flawless atmosphere combined with colorful characters makes this one worthy of all the stars in my opinion.
You know that saying, "If anyone needs me, I'll be reading. Please don't need me." This sums up exactly how I felt while reading In the Deep. Wow! My second introduction to Loreth Anne White surpassed my first by leaps and bound - part psychological thriller, part courtroom drama, and one hundred percent twisted.
Following a whirlwind romance, heiress Ellie Hartley marries Australian real estate mogul, Martin Cresswell Smith. When newlywed Ellie joins Martin in Australia, her life begins to spiral out of control. After frequent, unexplained blackouts (blamed on the use of alcohol and drugs), Ellie finds herself the prime suspect in her husband’s murder. The investigation is spearheaded by Detective Lozza Bianchi and quickly takes on a life of its own, with flashes into the backstory of Ellie’s life, including her first marriage, her mother's death and her tumultuous relationship with her father, and her descent into seeming madness. It culminates in the murder trial of Martin, and that is where the craziness really takes off.
The story is told in three timelines set a little over a year apart, with a mixture of first and third person POVS. The characters are all interesting, in that none of them are very likable (apart from Detective Bianchi), but their awfulness made the plot work. I generally tire of boozy, sloppy, drug-addicted protagonists, who continually make bad decisions while strung out, but in this book it is brilliantly executed. It did take me a few chapters to get into it (I think because of the changing viewpoints), but once I did, I raced through it! I read so many thrillers that when a book promises a "surprising twist," I'm usually skeptical and often disappointed; however, this one did not disappoint - the ending is a stunner! Perfect cover and flawless atmosphere combined with colorful characters makes this one worthy of all the stars in my opinion.
January 18, 2023
The evening with her well-known and wealthy father was a total disaster for Ellie and their verbal argument rang out loud and clear across the restaurant. When Ellie stormed out, she bumped into a handsome stranger who helped her calm down. Martin Cresswell-Smith was a nice guy - good looking, empathetic, a perfect shoulder to cry on for Ellie. Her past still shook her with grief - she needed to move forward. Canada was home, but when Martin suggested Australia to her, she was all for it. Surely it would be the change she needed? Martin loved her and she loved him. Nothing could go wrong, could it?
Ellie joined Martin in Sydney, three weeks after he'd left her. In that time he'd bought them a home, and set up her office for her. The resort he was building was on track - everything seemed fine. But Ellie noticed Martin had changed since Canada. And she continually had blank spots in her memory. What was happening? As Senior Constable Lozza Bianchi became involved in Ellie's life, she was left confused. Her gut instinct had never failed her but was it this time? What had happened to this young couple?
In the Deep by Loreth Anne White is a masterful psychological thriller which both horrified me and kept me glued to the pages. Ellie was naïve, gullible, while Martin was a shark, keeping all his focus on his prey. I was getting frustrated with Ellie, telling her not to do it! But would she listen? Hell no!! Recommended.
Ellie joined Martin in Sydney, three weeks after he'd left her. In that time he'd bought them a home, and set up her office for her. The resort he was building was on track - everything seemed fine. But Ellie noticed Martin had changed since Canada. And she continually had blank spots in her memory. What was happening? As Senior Constable Lozza Bianchi became involved in Ellie's life, she was left confused. Her gut instinct had never failed her but was it this time? What had happened to this young couple?
In the Deep by Loreth Anne White is a masterful psychological thriller which both horrified me and kept me glued to the pages. Ellie was naïve, gullible, while Martin was a shark, keeping all his focus on his prey. I was getting frustrated with Ellie, telling her not to do it! But would she listen? Hell no!! Recommended.
November 6, 2020
Loreth Anne White's "Angie Pallorino" series is one of my all-time favourite series and her stand alone novels are just as good.
This is the story of Ellie who is in the depths of despair after suffering the devastating loss of her child, quickly followed by divorce. Once meeting Martin she feels she may be able to find happiness again. Ellie moves to Australia with Martin where she begins to see his dark side. Suddenly he disappears and nothing is as it seems.
A unique storyline, complex and captivating characters, dangerous and intense situations, and intriguing twists and turns result in "In The Deep" being a fantastic novel in this genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
This is the story of Ellie who is in the depths of despair after suffering the devastating loss of her child, quickly followed by divorce. Once meeting Martin she feels she may be able to find happiness again. Ellie moves to Australia with Martin where she begins to see his dark side. Suddenly he disappears and nothing is as it seems.
A unique storyline, complex and captivating characters, dangerous and intense situations, and intriguing twists and turns result in "In The Deep" being a fantastic novel in this genre.
Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
February 24, 2021
4 Australian Stars
This psychological thriller kept me on the edge of my seat! The book opens with a murder trial and then alternates with “Then” sections to give us the backstory on Ellie, our main character.
Ellie is quite complex. She’s still grieving her young daughter’s death and the end of her marriage. She spiraled down into depression, using alcohol and drugs to cope. Adding to the complexity, she’s the daughter of an extremely wealthy businessman.
In Canada, she meets and falls for an intriguing real estate developer, Martin Cresswell-Smith, and things are looking so much better for Ellie! Martin sweeps her off her feet and they marry, with plans to head to Australia for a fresh start together.
We get little pieces of the puzzle and Ellie arrives in Australia. Sadly, things do not go well for the new couple and Ellie continues to drink. Unfortunately, a short time later, Martin has been brutally murdered, and it’s his murder that the trial is focused on. We meet Lozza, a Senior Constable, investigating his murder. We learn about her background and I really grew to like this character!
I’m so excited to have found a new author that I like! This one kept me engaged for the whole book. I really liked the descriptive writing about Australia. There were a few great twists thrown in. A few loose ends and an unnecessary romance keep this one from earning the full 5 stars from me.
Jayme and I had fun buddy reading this one and now we have a new author to add to our overflowing backlist project!
This psychological thriller kept me on the edge of my seat! The book opens with a murder trial and then alternates with “Then” sections to give us the backstory on Ellie, our main character.
Ellie is quite complex. She’s still grieving her young daughter’s death and the end of her marriage. She spiraled down into depression, using alcohol and drugs to cope. Adding to the complexity, she’s the daughter of an extremely wealthy businessman.
In Canada, she meets and falls for an intriguing real estate developer, Martin Cresswell-Smith, and things are looking so much better for Ellie! Martin sweeps her off her feet and they marry, with plans to head to Australia for a fresh start together.
We get little pieces of the puzzle and Ellie arrives in Australia. Sadly, things do not go well for the new couple and Ellie continues to drink. Unfortunately, a short time later, Martin has been brutally murdered, and it’s his murder that the trial is focused on. We meet Lozza, a Senior Constable, investigating his murder. We learn about her background and I really grew to like this character!
I’m so excited to have found a new author that I like! This one kept me engaged for the whole book. I really liked the descriptive writing about Australia. There were a few great twists thrown in. A few loose ends and an unnecessary romance keep this one from earning the full 5 stars from me.
Jayme and I had fun buddy reading this one and now we have a new author to add to our overflowing backlist project!
November 1, 2020
Shame on me for doubting the awesomeness of this book. I couldn't stop wondering around the middle why there was such a fuss over it. I mean, it was very good, the writing was flawless and the story was interesting enough. But so many five-star ratings?
And then that major plot twist happened...
That thing with the ? You are very, very clever Ms White. I understand now the meaning of this quote:
And that final twist...
I can't wait for this:
:))))
And then that major plot twist happened...
That thing with the ? You are very, very clever Ms White. I understand now the meaning of this quote:
We crave the deception.
We want to see our world as a tiny bit more fantastical and awesome than it is...
And that final twist...
I can't wait for this:
:))))
April 10, 2025
This author never disappoints, every plot twist leaves my jaw on the floor.
My LAW Ratings-
The Maids Diary- 4 Stars
The Patients Secret- 4 Stars
In The Deep- 4 Stars
The Swimmer- 4 Stars
My LAW Ratings-
The Maids Diary- 4 Stars
The Patients Secret- 4 Stars
In The Deep- 4 Stars
The Swimmer- 4 Stars
July 16, 2020
Loreth Anne White could write an instruction manual and I would read it. Quite honestly, it would probably be the best written instruction manual ever. No one does descriptive writing quite like Loreth Anne White. When you read a Loreth Anne White novel, you ARE THERE! You become transfixed, you feel the wind blowing through your hair, the salt water misting your face, the sun heating your skin. I don't know... it's simply amazing how she sets the scene. You're not simply reading one of her novels, you're living it.
So, this is one of those novels that I feel you can't give too much away. I went into this one blind, because well, it's Loreth Anne White, DUH! I think not knowing what to expect made it all the better. So, this will be one of those reviews where I'm not going to give you anything. I think the synopsis says enough.
What I will say is that in some ways, it's kind of a slow burn. You're sitting there, thinking... "where is this going?" When it's over... bring on the slow clap.
I want to thank NetGalley, Montlake Romance and Loreth Anne White for allowing me the chance to read this novel in exchange for my review. I am a fan for life!
So, this is one of those novels that I feel you can't give too much away. I went into this one blind, because well, it's Loreth Anne White, DUH! I think not knowing what to expect made it all the better. So, this will be one of those reviews where I'm not going to give you anything. I think the synopsis says enough.
What I will say is that in some ways, it's kind of a slow burn. You're sitting there, thinking... "where is this going?" When it's over... bring on the slow clap.
I want to thank NetGalley, Montlake Romance and Loreth Anne White for allowing me the chance to read this novel in exchange for my review. I am a fan for life!
May 1, 2023
Loreth Anne White is another recently discovered author who's backlog I've been eagerly going through. This led me to In the Deep which comes as one of her most recommended books from fellow reviewers.
And I completely understand why. Because wow, she certainly slaps you in the face with a twist in this one! For all the twist junkies out there, you must add this one to your TBR.
This is a "wife killed her husband" murder trial troupe with the lingering question of did she or didn't she. Doubt, paranoia, and a list of sus characters make this a compelling read that kept me guessing. The narration splits between the wife Ellie, the detective Lozza, and the current murder trial. 90-95% of this is the backstory.
White keeps the chapters short and taut. I mostly enjoyed her writing, but there was a bit of over-description here too. And the main reason for 4 stars over 5 is the middle dragged with some really boring scenes (going fishing, taking a swim, dinner at a bar, oops I got drunk again, etc).
Looking forward to picking up another of her backlog again soon. Cheers!
And I completely understand why. Because wow, she certainly slaps you in the face with a twist in this one! For all the twist junkies out there, you must add this one to your TBR.
This is a "wife killed her husband" murder trial troupe with the lingering question of did she or didn't she. Doubt, paranoia, and a list of sus characters make this a compelling read that kept me guessing. The narration splits between the wife Ellie, the detective Lozza, and the current murder trial. 90-95% of this is the backstory.
White keeps the chapters short and taut. I mostly enjoyed her writing, but there was a bit of over-description here too. And the main reason for 4 stars over 5 is the middle dragged with some really boring scenes (going fishing, taking a swim, dinner at a bar, oops I got drunk again, etc).
Looking forward to picking up another of her backlog again soon. Cheers!
October 30, 2020
Many thanks to Net Galley, Montlake Romance and the author for a chance to read and review this book.
WOW....WOW......Double WOW...
It's been really a long time that a book has left me utterly speechless and gasping for breath as if I have been underwater after the final chapter was done.
The story begins with a court scene in New South Wales and a picture is formed of a wife accused of murdering her husband. We are then introduced to the main characters to the story, Ellie Hartley, the heiress to the Hartley Empire who is recovering a very public meltdown with her ex-husband and court mandated institutionalization after the loss of her 3 yr. old daughter to drowning. As always at loggerheads with her father, craving for attention, she meets the very mysterious Martin Cresswell-Smith and falls hard. A whirlwind romance, and a impetuous marriage followed by a promised grand adventure in Jarrawara Bay, Ellie's castles comes tumbling down.
The 3 parts of the story that details the NOW scene of the murder trial, the THEN of Lozza Bianchi as she becomes involved with the case and the THEN of Ellie whose crazy spins leaves us with a sense of foreboding. Jarrawara Bay is described beautifully, but the Australian town doesn't spell any warmth, the humidity, the spiders, the flying bats the swamps giving it a feeling of dreaded menace.
This is my first book by Loreth Ann White and if this is how good she has been writing I am sorry that I have missed reading them. There's level of manipulation of the reader's minds that is completely mindblowing that the twists and turns in the story feels like an impregnable tunnel. There are enough cues mentioned at random but we are led to believe a particular trail of crumpets before that final reveal in the court and then to shock one's senses with another twisty morsel that felt like WHAT, WHAT in the world was that?
Believe ME, this book has to be read to understand the total mindf**k that the author has orchestrated and I can keep going ON and ON, but without any doubt one of the best this year for me.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/; Amazon India, Goodreads, and Twitter.
WOW....WOW......Double WOW...
It's been really a long time that a book has left me utterly speechless and gasping for breath as if I have been underwater after the final chapter was done.
The story begins with a court scene in New South Wales and a picture is formed of a wife accused of murdering her husband. We are then introduced to the main characters to the story, Ellie Hartley, the heiress to the Hartley Empire who is recovering a very public meltdown with her ex-husband and court mandated institutionalization after the loss of her 3 yr. old daughter to drowning. As always at loggerheads with her father, craving for attention, she meets the very mysterious Martin Cresswell-Smith and falls hard. A whirlwind romance, and a impetuous marriage followed by a promised grand adventure in Jarrawara Bay, Ellie's castles comes tumbling down.
The 3 parts of the story that details the NOW scene of the murder trial, the THEN of Lozza Bianchi as she becomes involved with the case and the THEN of Ellie whose crazy spins leaves us with a sense of foreboding. Jarrawara Bay is described beautifully, but the Australian town doesn't spell any warmth, the humidity, the spiders, the flying bats the swamps giving it a feeling of dreaded menace.
This is my first book by Loreth Ann White and if this is how good she has been writing I am sorry that I have missed reading them. There's level of manipulation of the reader's minds that is completely mindblowing that the twists and turns in the story feels like an impregnable tunnel. There are enough cues mentioned at random but we are led to believe a particular trail of crumpets before that final reveal in the court and then to shock one's senses with another twisty morsel that felt like WHAT, WHAT in the world was that?
Believe ME, this book has to be read to understand the total mindf**k that the author has orchestrated and I can keep going ON and ON, but without any doubt one of the best this year for me.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/; Amazon India, Goodreads, and Twitter.
November 18, 2020
Ellie Hartley is a wealthy real estate developer’s daughter with a sordid past filled with tragedy and heartache. She is determined to stop self-medicating with prescription drugs and alcohol, but often finds it difficult to overcome her depression and malaise. However, when she meets Martin Creswell-Smith, a real estate developer, she is swept off of her feet in a whirlwind romance. They soon marry in Vegas after a very short courtship and move to Australia to develop land funded by Ellie’s father.
Is Martin the fairytale husband she has been searching for?
When Martin is brutally murdered, all fingers point to Mrs. Creswell-Smith.
This is the second book that I have read by Loreth Anne White and I was fully absorbed in both from start to finish. The short chapters narrated by alternating characters through multiple time lines serve to build the suspense from the very beginning. Throw in a murder trial and you have a formula for an intense, well-paced psychological thriller. There are a couple of twists that are cleverly played, but while I wasn’t completely blindsided with these turns in the plot, they definitely had me questioning everything I just read. In the Deep is wild ride of a thriller that will keep your attention all the way until the very last page.
4/5 stars
Is Martin the fairytale husband she has been searching for?
When Martin is brutally murdered, all fingers point to Mrs. Creswell-Smith.
This is the second book that I have read by Loreth Anne White and I was fully absorbed in both from start to finish. The short chapters narrated by alternating characters through multiple time lines serve to build the suspense from the very beginning. Throw in a murder trial and you have a formula for an intense, well-paced psychological thriller. There are a couple of twists that are cleverly played, but while I wasn’t completely blindsided with these turns in the plot, they definitely had me questioning everything I just read. In the Deep is wild ride of a thriller that will keep your attention all the way until the very last page.
4/5 stars
June 12, 2021
4 stars
I don't know where to start in a review of this book. The author warns you early about misdirection and boy does she misdirect. In the Deep is a little different than some of the other books I've read by Loreth Anne White but is just as gripping and worth the read. The main character, Ellie Hartley, is at times pitiful, endearing, sympathetic, enigmatic and cunning. I had to read the last few chapters again and I am still thinking about it and if what I think happened happened. I have this one in audio format and will listen to it on a road trip. I have to now pick it apart to affirm what I think happened. I didn't really see it coming.
Also, I have not read a book since the end of January 2021. This is very abnormal for me. I really don't know why. But seeing this book and a new title from this author lured me back in. Books by White are an auto-buy for me.
I don't know where to start in a review of this book. The author warns you early about misdirection and boy does she misdirect. In the Deep is a little different than some of the other books I've read by Loreth Anne White but is just as gripping and worth the read. The main character, Ellie Hartley, is at times pitiful, endearing, sympathetic, enigmatic and cunning. I had to read the last few chapters again and I am still thinking about it and if what I think happened happened. I have this one in audio format and will listen to it on a road trip. I have to now pick it apart to affirm what I think happened. I didn't really see it coming.
Also, I have not read a book since the end of January 2021. This is very abnormal for me. I really don't know why. But seeing this book and a new title from this author lured me back in. Books by White are an auto-buy for me.
May 2, 2023
RTC
My my this was a twisty one!
My my this was a twisty one!
March 17, 2024
4.5 🌟
The storyline goes back and forth between ‘Then’ and ‘The murder trial’ exploring various POV which makes for a very interesting wild ride. This is essentially a complex murder mystery mixed with a clever psychological thriller. There is a lot going on yet White’s extraordinary writing skills makes it easy to follow. It is the epitome of a page-turner.
We start with a murder trail, that makes little sense until we learn more about the main characters. However, as the story goes on, it makes more sense and by the half way mark you are left desperate to find out what ACTUALLY happened….
“We go through life mishearing and mis-seeing and misunderstanding so that the stories we tell ourselves will add up. We fill in gaps that make no sense because we want to believe something.”
There are red herrings around every twist and turn, right until the very end when we are treated to an explosive ending!
I don’t want to give anything away but I will say with book was absolutely brilliant 🤩 This is only my second book by Loreth but I will definitely be reading more of her work. Do you have a favourite book by her?
The storyline goes back and forth between ‘Then’ and ‘The murder trial’ exploring various POV which makes for a very interesting wild ride. This is essentially a complex murder mystery mixed with a clever psychological thriller. There is a lot going on yet White’s extraordinary writing skills makes it easy to follow. It is the epitome of a page-turner.
We start with a murder trail, that makes little sense until we learn more about the main characters. However, as the story goes on, it makes more sense and by the half way mark you are left desperate to find out what ACTUALLY happened….
“We go through life mishearing and mis-seeing and misunderstanding so that the stories we tell ourselves will add up. We fill in gaps that make no sense because we want to believe something.”
There are red herrings around every twist and turn, right until the very end when we are treated to an explosive ending!
I don’t want to give anything away but I will say with book was absolutely brilliant 🤩 This is only my second book by Loreth but I will definitely be reading more of her work. Do you have a favourite book by her?
October 29, 2020
Wow what a wonderful book! I loved it and could not put it down. It is an interesting story line that contains some courtroom drama and the ending had a curve ball. This had many clever twists and you never knew who to trust-- and I read many thrillers (love them). I highly recommend it!
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