Bound In Shallows

Natalie Marsh #4

by Stephanie Black

It’s the week before her wedding, and Natalie Marsh doesn’t have a moment to spare. But when a potential donor requests a meeting regarding Natalie’s mental health clinic, the soon-to-be-bride makes time for the conversation—especially since that donor is tied to a tragedy in the life of Natalie’s fiancé, eight years ago, Gideon’s roommate Travis died of a drug overdose. Now Travis’s mother wants to honor his memory by helping others avoid the same fate. It is a noble request that soon turns into a nightmare.

As wedding celebrations ensue, old friends renew acquaintances. But what begins as a party of wedding guests becomes a cast of suspects when the discovery of a bloodstained knife puts them all under the spotlight. Things are taking a deadly turn, leading Natalie and Gideon to a horrifying all those years ago, Travis didn’t overdose—he was murdered. And his killer is willing to take deadly action to silence anyone who suspects the truth. 

Genres: Mystery, Suspense, Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 23, 2020

About the author

Stephanie Black has loved books since she was old enough to grab the pages, and has enjoyed creating make-believe adventures since she and her sisters were inventing long Barbie games filled with intrigue and danger or running around pretending to be detectives. She is a four-time Whitney Award winner for Best Mystery/Suspense novel.

Stephanie lives in California, in the Bay Area. She plays the violin in a community symphony (but never practices enough), enjoys homemade chocolate-chip cookies, and takes pictures of birds. Her favorite activity is spending time with her family, currently consisting of her husband, five kids, three kids-in-law, a cat, and three grandpets.

Reviews

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my. I think Gideon and Natalie will need a lifetime of counseling after all the things that have happened not only in this book but the previous three. How can two people go through so much?!

I love when I'm thinking about a book even when I'm not reading it. This was one of those kind of books. Every secondary character was a suspect in my mind at some point or another and it was a long list. You know that a murder mystery is going well if you suspect everyone!

Natalie and Gideon's relationship has been growing since the first book and in this book, it's wedding time. I would really recommend reading this series in order. You will have all the backstory understanding you need if you do. While the books are more plot heavy, there are many characters who are in all (or most) of the books. You will want to know them. And if you are starting from the beginning, get ready for a crazy ride!!

The build up in this book was great. I loved the tension and the multiple perspectives. It was an excellent diversion.

Content: Peril, violence, death.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not see that one coming!

Weddings are supposed to be a time of celebration and for a newlywed couple to get away and relax. For Natalie and Gideon that would be too good to be true. They can't seem to get away from intrigue, suspense, and murder.

The book opens while Gideon is in school. His roommate dies from an overdose of medication. It is thought to be an accident, but the reader knows better. The book picks up as Natalie and Gideon are approaching their wedding. Gideon's friends from school have gathered to celebrate, but the murderer is not done.

I love this series of books. Natalie and Gideon are a great couple that I really want to find some peace and quiet. The problem is that they are too good at getting in trouble. :) I should say that trouble finds them. This book was filled with suspense from the beginning to the end. It was easy to get lost in it and forget about my own troubles and worries for a short time.

The book contains non-graphic violence.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Melissa’s Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing Natalie Marsh book that’ll keep you on pins and needles til the end! Finally, the much anticipated wedding between Natalie & Gideon is here, but it wouldn’t be a Natalie Marsh event without plenty of suspense and murder. Poor Natalie just wants to be a normal bride, but in the midst of wedding preparations, the eight year old death of her fiancé’s roommate comes back to haunt them. There are plenty of twists and turns in this fourth book in the series and it’s incredibly hard to put down. It’s her best Natalie Marsh mystery yet!

Gideon’s roommate Travis supposedly died of a drug overdose eight years ago. To honor his memory, his mother wants to establish a drug addiction clinic in his name and wants Natalie to run it. As a favor to her benefactor, Natalie agrees to listen to the proposal, but it’s clear this woman is going to be a nightmare to work with. Things go from bad to worse when Natalie’s estranged sister comes back into her life and adds yet another complication.

As more and more clues accumulate, it appears Travis’ death was actually murder. Gideon’s friends add an interesting dimension to the story as secrets are revealed about their pasts and the involvement they may have had in Travis’ death. They all become suspects when a bloody knife turns up during the wedding celebrations.

This mystery had me quickly turning the pages and as with all Stephanie Black mysteries, you need to pay attention because she throws some pretty amazing twists throughout the story. It’s a great whodunnit which will keep you guessing. Though it could be read as a standalone, it’s better if you’ve read the previous books.

I have the ebook but also listened to the audiobook. The audiobook version is really good and I enjoyed the narrator.

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old friends of Gideon's are there for his wedding to Natalie and she's dealing with a wealthy woman who'd like to make a large donation to her clinic. It would enable Natalie to start offering drug addiction treatment services, but the would-be donor is being very demanding about how much control and say-so she would have in the running of Natalie's clinic. Then accidents start happening and people start dying. Are they connected? Who's behind it and why? Could Natalie and Gideon be next?

Natalie and Gideon don't need wedding presents, they need to put a good psychologist or psychiatrist on retainer. With all the things these two have been through in the previous three books, you'd think they could have a little bit of calm the week before their wedding. Think again!!

I love a good, clean suspense/thriller/mystery and count always count on Stephanie Black to deliver. That's why she's an auto-read/auto-buy for me. This suspense/thriller/mystery was a welcome break from the romances and Christmas stories I'd been reading. There were so many people who could've easily been the guilty party and I kept changing my mind as to who it was. The reader doesn't get to see anything from the villain's point of view and we aren't given any extra information that the main characters (Natalie and Gideon) don't have. That means we're just as surprised as they are when things happen.

Of course I didn't figure out who the killer was let alone why. I didn't want to put the book down and was not happy when the necessities of life (like cooking) got in the way of finding out who did it. This is a standalone but I high recommend you read all of the Natalie Marsh books, starting with Not a Word, to see how she and Gideon met and all they've been through.

I received a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications, all thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are my own.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is there anything that does not happen to these two? So many twists!

I adore Natalie and Gideon since their first book and I'm so glad Stephanie Black keeps writing books with them as the main characters. I hope there will be more.

You don't have to read the previous three books but it helps to understand how much this poor couple has been through. Each one is a standalone. They deserve a wedding that goes well, plus some peace and quiet. They've earned it!

In this story, we see how something in one of Gideon's friends past catches up to him and others in their group.
It's a week away before the wedding and Natalie meets a woman with a proposal to donate to the clinic. As she starts demanding more and more of Natalie, other events turn nefarious and with deadly consequences, involving Natalie and Gideon against their will and literally fighting for their lives.

There's so much going on, I couldn't put it down until the end! What a read!

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Bound in Shallows" is a suspense/mystery novel. This book is the fourth in a series, but it works as a standalone. Not only does Natalie have to deal with solving a murder while preparing for her wedding, but a potential donor threatens to drastically change her clinic or get Natalie fired if she refuses to cooperate. Talk about stress!

Natalie and Gideon were kind, honest, engaging characters, and I cared about what happened to them. They asked good questions and passed on any clues or information to the police even when that information might make them look guilty. There were enough clues that I was able to guess whodunit, but it was also possible that a second character could have done it so I wasn't sure until nearly the end.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this suspenseful mystery.

I received an ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa! Hold on tight for some twists and turns, plot twists and surprises! In this latest Natalie Marsh book by Stephanie Black, Natalie and Gideon are prepping for their wedding and some quiet time. But that's not what they get! Nope! Gideon reconnects with some of his college friends and it's all a rollercoaster ride from there on.

Poor Natalie. She just can't catch a break in each of these books. But as much as I feel for her and Gideon and the many "adventures" they're experiencing, I sure enjoy reading about their mishaps and "adventures." If you enjoy a good suspense, mystery, whodunnit, twist and turns plot, this series is a great one that I would recommend. I really enjoy these characters and the way the author reveals information to the reader. If you're reading closely you can catch some of the twists and turns but others might be a big surprise. Early on I had an inkling about a character but I couldn't say for sure. So I tucked that inkling away and keep enjoying the unfolding and suspense until the big reveal! I knew it! I was right! Lol! I always love being able to say I figured out who the bad guy is, or a part of the plot. My family and I are big BBC masterpiece mystery fans and if you watch carefully the bad guy is revealed in the first five minutes or less of the show. We like to make our predictions at the beginning of the show then watch and see who was right.

Even with my inkling, I still was surprised at many points throughout the book. I haven't read all the books in the series but plan to go back and do so. If you don't want to read all the books can I recommend that you at least read the first book before diving into this one. I think it's pretty important for understanding Natalie and her family background and her and Gideon's relationship.

Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride! Natalie and Gideon...I'm so sorry you're going through this again, but thanks for a great story!

Content: This is a suspense/murder mystery book, so there are some murders and death throughout the book. The deaths aren't overly graphic, more that somebody finds the body and there's mention of how they died. There is some blood and injuries from a couple attacks as well as the use of a gun. The book isn't overly graphic but it is intense due to the genre. I would say that it is a clean read within this genre. There are a couple very mild innuendos but nothing more except a few kisses.

I received a copy from the publisher, Covenant Communications, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t read a lot of thrillers. Stephanie Black books are the closest I get. I have to read these when it’s light outside. She does such a great job of writing them, that if I tried to read them at night, I’d terrify myself. This one continues a series, I would definitely read them in order. They won’t make as much sense out of order.

This one features Natalie and Gideon. They’re getting ready to get married. As they deal with all the last minute details of their wedding, they also have to deal with many people around them dying. Most of them friends. I have to be amazed at the terrible luck Natalie and Gideon have with deaths. They always seem to be the main suspects, even if they have alibis.

I love that the reader only knows as much as Natalie and Gideon do in this one. That makes it doubly thrilling and hard to figure out just who is the murderer. I would not have guessed exactly who it was. The plot of this one kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved it!

I was sent a copy of Bound in Shallows as a gift from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie Black is back with a book that will keep you in its clutches until you read the last page. I picked it up one morning and finished the novel later that night. Thank goodness it was the weekend! Honestly, this novel keeps you enthralled as the main characters Natalie and Gideon wind up in more life-threatening situations as they still seem to be magnets for danger. The action never seems to stop as you try to figure out who is behind the murder and set-up. You'd think that Natalie and Gideon's long-awaited wedding would be a day full of joy? Think again because you're reading a novel written by Stephanie Black.

In my opinion, I feel 'Bound in Shallows' is one of the best novels written by this author. Even though this is book four in the series, it can be read as a standalone, but I don't recommend it. Get the full experience by reading the first three novels before this new one. I can promise you that you'll not be disappointed in this series and you'll also be taking the day off to read this exhilarating novel, Bound in Shallows.

[Tasha (the_clean_read_book_club) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Tell me, do you and your lovely wife have a subscription in a crisis-of-the-month club?
-Mr. Bob Chapman

This is book 4 of 4 in the Natalie Marsh series and the perfect way to finish these books off! I HIGHLY recommend reading these books in order because there are a lot of character cross overs throughout this series. To read them in order you will want to start with ‘Not a Word’, followed by ‘Mind Games’ (I posted about this book on 10/15 October for my “Trust Me Thursday” Post), then ‘To Die, To Sleep’ and lastly ‘Bound in Shallows’.

Stephanie Black is the Queen of suspense and thrilling reading. I love her writing style because it gives me all the feels. Most of the time she makes me want to hide under the covers (yes, you’ll be staying up late to finish these books) but she has a way of adding dry humor in the most perfect places to help me still get some sleep after finishing...and rechecking my locks.

Stephanie is also an expert at never letting on “who done it” until she’s ready for you to know. For a reader who can usually pick up on every foreshadowing clue I appreciate her writing that keeps me guessing and never quite sure until the end!

The characters are well rounded and I’ve loved following them throughout their journey. The writing is clean and believable while still being extremely thrilling. This is a mystery/suspense novel and does have violence throughout the storyline, but nothing graphic or inappropriate. If you want a good book to keep you up all night, but not all night this series is the perfect place to start!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Covenant Communications and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who has ever planned a wedding knows that one of the most stressful times for a bride is the week before the big day. Dr. Natalie Marsh seems to be handling the stress well until a wealthy heiress approaches her asking for some concessions in lieu of her intended contribution to a drug overdose program in Natalie’s practice. Lured with the possibility of funding for her clinic and yet miffed that Travis’s mom is putting demands on her time, Natalie graciously deals with her request. After all, she feels indebted to the donor in some small measure seeing as her fiancé, Gideon, was best friends with the donor’s son, Travis. Honoring Travis, who had died from a drug overdose eight years ago, is the noble thing to do. In the space of 10 days, what were to be Natalie’s best days of her life turn into a nightmare as the guestlist for her wedding turns into a list of suspects and the best-laid plans for a dream wedding go sideways. Suddenly, as guests go missing and then show up dead, a bloody knife is found. Gideon and Natalie can’t help but wonder if Travis was murdered, too. Whose knife is it? Who is the killer? Is he silencing guests who suspect the truth? Will the bride and groom make it to the honeymoon? You’ll have to get a copy on November 23, 2020 and find out!

The dark, ominous cover captured my interest and then I wondered how the title was related to the plot. You’ll have to read to discover more about the cabin in the woods and how Brutus’s lines from Julius Caesar reflect the theme of this novel. I love how the connecting lines in the cover title parallel how the characters are connected. Central to this storyline is the concept that we all have weaknesses and that we can strengthen them or make them worse depending on who we allow into our lives. Of equal importance is the concept that we shouldn’t take everything at face value and the wedding party is cruelly reminded that there’s more than meets the eye. Black’s prose also reminds us that we have choices to make every day and it would behove us to think about the future as we consider our choices. Some of the characters in her novel have made poor choices and it has a rippling effect. Sooner or later they get Bound In Shallows and start to pull others down. You’ll love the clean read with rich descriptions and believable characters with engaging dialogue. The well-written complex plot allows the reader to do the sleuthing by digging for the hidden motives. You’ll think twice before attending the next wedding!

Although this is book 4 of the Natalie Marsh series, it can stand alone.

Thank you Stephanie Black, Netgalley and Covenant Communications for this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Book Geek Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Natalie Marsh series. I like to see the recurring characters grow and develop. And Stephanie Black is a master of the twists and turns of mystery. This one was wonderful.

This is #4 in the series. Natalie and Gideon are finally going to tie the knot. Or are they... Friends from the past show up to be part of the wedding festivities and bring with them a dark secret about a death when they were in college. On top of that, there are some really off-balance people in this story, everyone is suspect, and people are dying in the here and now.

I spent this entire book trying to figure out who did what and when and why. And I was wrong. So totally wrong. After the reveal, it made complete sense and I could believe it—and I love it when a writer totally stumps me. (And Stephanie Black has stumped me in more than one book.)

This is a murder mystery/suspense thriller and there is violence and death. But no language, no sex, and no gore. I'd approve it for 16+ who really like this genre. I give if 5 stars.

[Emily Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I tell you what, wow.... I am not sure how Natalie Marsh manages to get herself into so much trouble. With this fourth book in the series we meet some of Gideon's college friends and the return of Andrea, Natalie's sister.

The book centers on the weeks surrounding Natalie and Gideon's wedding and boy is it a ride.

This is the kind of suspense novel that you are definitely not going to want to put down, even though it is part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. The necessary background information is supplied so that you aren't lost, which is important for me since I have only read books 3 and 4, but I am definitely going to go back and read 1 and 2. There is a twist at the end that I should have seen coming as the clues were there, however subtle, however, I missed it and it made for some great reading. I was captivated from beginning to end.

This book has it all - murder, intrigue, manipulation, a wedding, family drama, and a kidnapping. This is definitely a great read for a suspense lover. This book is just asking for a cozy blanket, your favorite beverage, and a comfortable place to read. Tell your family to leave you alone and settle in. It's perfect

I received an early copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound in Shallows by Stephanie Black is a drama filled thriller between friends and family, set amidst a political campaign, drug ring, and wedding. Wow! I became aware after finishing the book that it's a part of a series following the character Natalie Marsh, but I didn't feel anything was unclear by reading this on its own. I am interested reading more!

Some of the tropes are not my favorite to read about--like characters with so much money that the author has a ton of freedom to do whatever she wants with the plot--but it's a fun story! I was SO SURE I knew "whodunit" and was so frustrated that I had likely figured it out, but I was SO WRONG! I appreciate an unpredictable mystery/thriller.

Aside from the story itself, I found this very well written. The characters are distinct, which is no easy feat. It caught my attention how excellently written the dialogue is; it really stands out in its genre! It's natural, realistic, helps build the characters, set the scene, and move the action. Not to mention, that it was enjoyable and easy to read! Seriously, this author rocks at dialogue!

I give this story between 3-4 stars for the great writing and interesting story, but while I enjoyed it, it's not particularly memorable. It's a good read for those who want to binge and ingest as many mysteries and thrillers as they can.

Thank you NetGalley and Covenant Communications for an ecopy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Diane Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Bound in Shallows” by Stephanie Black is a wonderful read! This was the first book I’ve read by Stephanie Black. I’m looking forward to reading more from her. I didn’t realize until after I had already started this book that this was part of a series. Although it may have helped to read the first three books, I felt like I still understood what was going on this book.

This book was full of suspense and intrigue. I was totally floored by the ending. I never saw it coming. This book is one that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys good, clean, suspense novels. I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read that starts as a cozy mystery, but amps up the suspense about halfway through, and becomes a twisty-turny-edge-of-your-seat suspense book by the end! A few revelations had me stunned. A few I saw coming, but NOT the way they were revealed. I do wish I had already read the beginning of the series, but only so I could get to know Natalie and Gideon better. The mystery itself was for sure standalone. I definitely want to try out more books by this author (and read more about Natalie’s crazy benefactor...He made me laugh).


FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Happy Reading Watching]

If you enjoy Hallmark Movies & Mystery 🎬
I recommend this series.
Great short reads 📚 to get you through the day. I listen to the whole series during work. Went by really fast.

I listen to the whole series at work in 2x audiobook speed. 📖🎧

1◇Not a Word (416 pages) 5 hrs
2◇Mind Games (312 pages) 3 hrs
3◇To Die, To Sleep (272 pages) 3hrs
4◇Bound In Shallows (264 pages) 3hrs
5◇Come, Gentle Night (362 pages) 4 hrs



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⚠️Content Warning ⚠️
◇Violence (PG13)
◇Weapons

[Sonja · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and fast paced book. What I didn't like was how gullible the heroes are. They somehow manage to survive all their adventures, even though they should have had a more suspicious nature. They are very naive but seem to manage to live through it.

[Dawn Kozak · Rating 4 out of 5]

*sigh*
So when does the next one come out?

[Tess Peatross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this one is my favorite! So many moving parts, you have no idea who to blame!

[Elyse Thorup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie Black is a master at misdirecting me. Haha she kills it every time!! I love these! Even four books in (poor Natalie and Gideon🥵) she keeps each one unique and suspenseful.

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author does a good job of spreading out the suspicions to multiple characters but it was still a little more predictable than some of the other stories in this series. Gabe’s humor is a little weird for me but I really like Natalie’s character.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder /mystery thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the characters and their thinking process. I looked up more novels with these characters to read as well.

The death of a college roommate deemed a overdose resurfaces at Gideon’s wedding with all the gang back together. Was it really an overdose or is danger lurking too close for comfort.

[Marilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was my first Natalie Marsh mystery and it was even more suspenseful than I was anticipating! There was one plot twist after another and every time I thought I had it all figured out, I ended up being completely wrong! I enjoyed the multiple perspectives as it heightened the suspense and kept me guessing until the very end.

If you enjoy suspenseful intrigue with a good deal of mystery and a hint of romance, this book is for you! I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down until I knew what happened to Natalie and Gideon.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but my opinions are my own.

[Jerrye Tellmeagreatstorylove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bound in Shallows by Stephanie Black

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Story Notes

Stephanie Black brings readers the final installment of the Natalie Marsh series and its one that no mystery/thriller reader will want to miss!

Mystery/thrillers are my favorite genre to both read and watch so I’ve been really excited about this book coming out. Natalie Marsh is such a good character and I’ve loved her story from the first book. She is now about to finally marry Gideon but, as usual, that will not be a smooth sail in the least. It’s seven days before the wedding and Natalie was looking forward to an easier workload. However, the possibility of a potential donor willing to invest a large sum into Nefesh Bria, her psychiatric clinic, has her willing to put in some extra hours. Ivy Morrigan is an heiress on a mission to keep other young people from falling victim to substance abuse like her son. Travis Morrigan was a college student when he died from an apparent drug overdose. Ivy hopes to create a substance abuse program within Nefesh Bria to help combat that issue. Natalie promises to look over the proposal as soon as possible and see if what Ivy has in mind would be a good fit. Alongside this unexpected deadline, Natalie also has dinners and last minute details to finish up. The first hurdle will be meeting Gideon’s college friends for dinner. The dinner goes along fairly well until Julianna Cassidy accuses Natalie of lying about an email she sent. Her husband Simon tries to brush it off as her being overworked but Natalie and Gideon both find her behavior very odd. So begins a crazy journey of strange happenings and journeying to the past to confront assumptions before anyone gets hurt. As Natalie and Gideon work together to discover long buried secrets, more danger is lurking because someone is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the past hidden…even if it means someone else needs to die. This book was such a chilling thrill ride. From the psychological aspects included to the crimes that were committed, each succeeding chapter just made the story that much better. Every detail was carefully revealed at just the right moment and the characters were perfectly written. No excess conversations were included which allowed for the tension to remain high throughout the pages and the question of who was responsible to remain a mystery until the very end. And what a great ending it was, too! I loved the final chapters and final revelation of culprits. I will certainly be recommending this story to others to enjoy the thrill ride too. I’m also hopeful that Ms. Black will begin another excellent series very soon.

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Covenant Communications via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gideon gets a little more time on the page as we meet his college friends, who have come to see him marry Natalie. One presence is much missed: Travis, who died of a drug overdose while they were in graduate school.

Of course, there are secrets. Of course, they are dangerous secrets. And eventually, Gideon finds himself a target. Naturally, Natalie gets involved, and soon she’s in danger, too.

This time, the Shakespearean inspiration is Julius Caesar. We see those threads of ambition and power throughout the story. And again, Black is able to misdirect our attention, setting up multiple possibilities as to who is behind the murders. Naturally, they all have things to hid. But exactly who is hiding exactly what?

Travis’s mother is not very likable as she tries to steamroll Natalie into changing almost everything about her clinic in order to memorialize Travis. Luckily, Natalie has a strong backbone and doesn’t fall for it—even though it could potentially mean alienating Bob Chapman.

There is a secondary plot that I particularly like here: Natalie’s thorny relationship with her sister Andrea. Andrea would like to reconcile, but that’s a pretty tough prospect for Natalie. Even though she is a mental health professional, Natalie realizes she’s still working through her own family issues. These scenes are particularly well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for providing an ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.


Possible Objectionable Material:
Murders. Danger, Betrayal. Lying. A difficult marriage dynamic. A little gaslighting. Mental illness. Natalie’s somewhat abusive mother is mentioned frequently. There is no swearing and the violence is not graphic. Some people drink alcohol, but I don’t recall anyone being actually drunk. Drug use. Complicated personal relationships. Manipulation.

Who Might Like This Book:
People who like suspense stories. Those who like complicated family dynamics and other relationships. People who like allusions to Shakespeare stories. There is bit of romance here, but it is definitely not the focus of the story.

This book also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastically suspenseful addition to the Natalie Marsh mysteries, Bound in Shallows will captivate readers and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. What I really enjoyed in this story was the way in which Gideon took on more of a center stage role than he had in the other three stories. I felt this move to place Gideon at the forefront, with his past coming to haunt him and Natalie, made everything that happened to poor Gideon and Natalie feel fresher and more different. I loved the multiple character perspectives and the way the story unfolded and revealed itself through each point of view. There were some great twists and hidden dangers I had fun discovering as I read.
Another great aspect of this book is the tie into Shakespeare. While it was subtle, I found it genius and loved that connection in each of these four Natalie Marsh stories. While this can be read as a standalone, I would recommend starting with Not a Word and reading the books in order. This book brings back characters from that first story which was great to see, while still allowing a new reader to understand enough of what had occurred to still enjoy this book by itself.
This is a clean read. While there is romance and suspense, some murder and mild violence, nothing in the content is graphic or inappropriate.
I received an advance reader copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I definitely enjoyed this book and recommend it.

[Kristin Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie black is at it again with her Natalie Marsh series. This time it's a week before Natalie's wedding to Gideon Radcliffe and they are hoping for no problems in the week leading up to their wedding. However Natalie is meeting Gideon's friends from college for the first time and they have history together, history that involved the death of Gideon's roommate due to a drug overdose.

Knowing that this book is a mystery it was great to see little things in the plot build up to the final twist that no one sees coming.

I really enjoyed this book as a love story, and the mystery, and to see how all of the pieces fit together. I wanted to know if anything big would happen before, during, or after the wedding and I wanted to see if they actually make it on their honeymoon (because they weren't leaving town for a few days after.)

I really enjoy the Natalie Marsh series because I feel like she and Gideon aren't busybodies putting themselves in the way of the police investigation, in everything they do, if they feel it needs the police, they report it. They just sometimes make poor choices when talking to the people they know.

This story was well written with some memorable characters, and some healing between relationships from the previous books.

I was given access to an advanced copy all opinions are my own.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bound in Shallows
by Stephanie Black
Covenant Communications
Christian | Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 23 Nov 2020


I am reviewing a Copy of Bound in Shallows through Covenant Communications and Netgalley:



Natalie Marsh doesn’t have a moment to spare the week before her wedding. But after potential donor requests a meeting regarding Natalie’s mental
health clinic, the soon-to-be-bride makes time for the conversation—especially since that donor is tied to a tragedy in the life of Natalie’s fiancé, Gideon: eight years ago, Gideon’s roommate Travis died of a drug overdose.


Travis Mother is determined to honor her son’s memory by helping others avoid the same fate. It is a noble request that soon turns into a nightmare.


As wedding celebrations begin old friends renew acquaintances. But what begins as a party of wedding guests becomes a cast of suspects when the discovery of a bloodstained knife puts them all under the spotlight.


Things begin to take a deadly turn leading Natalie and Gideon to come to the horrible realization that all those years ago Travis didn’t overdose, someone murdered him. His killer is willing to take deadly action to keep the truth hidden.


I give Bound in Shallows five out of five star!


Happy Reading!

[Ashley Bunker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Natalie Marsh is finally getting married! It's the week before the big day, and the wheels of a problem start to turn. When friends come to town in preparation for the wedding, a painful memory resurfaces; and nefarious incidents start to happen.
Somehow, all these things pull Dr. Natalie and her husband-to-be right into the fray as they try to figure out what is the truth, and who is behind all of it. I had to finish the story as fast as I could! Oh the anxiety of not knowing if they would be ok, and to  solve the whodunit! Yes... I stayed up til 4 a.m. so that I could rest easy!

I enjoyed the characters as they were all unique. Each one played their part perfectly. I would love to see Ivy again!
I also enjoyed the social issues that were addressed appropriately: drug abuse, family relationships, stress, mental health, etc.  I love that each book in this series can be read as a standalone. I look forward to more mysteries with Dr. Natalie Marsh!

Thank you to Stephanie Black and Covenant Communications for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

#Stephanie Black. #Natalie Marsh #CovenantCommunications