They Come From the Water

by Wendy Dalrymple

Family secrets, grief and a dark, foreboding mystery... Estranged sisters Summer and Joy are forced to reunite after the untimely and gruesome deaths of their mother and grandparents.The two sisters are tasked with cleaning out their grandparents' home on Palmetto Lake in the heart of Central Florida during the hottest, most brutal time of the year. But something seems amiss in the bucolic lakefront community. Something Summer can't seem to place her finger on. Despite decades of unspoken animosity, the two sisters attempt to come together to support each other as they uncover the terrors of their unknown past. Questions about the true nature of their grandparents and the strange lakefront neighborhood bubble to the surface as Summer struggles to stay focused on the task at hand. However, with every layer the sisters strip away, with every new bit of evidence about their grandparents that they stumble upon, it becomes more and more clear to Summer that they aren't just going dealing with grief and loss... but danger. When it comes to the past, sometimes the truth is better left unknown. They Come From the Water is a Florida Gothic meditation on inherited family trauma, destructive secrets and dark dangers that lurk just beneath the surface. *Content Addiction, adultery, murder, suicide, self-harm, animal death and gore.

Genres: Horror, Audiobook, Adult, Gothic, Fiction

Paperback

About the author

Wendy Dalrymple loves to explore the beauty in horrific things.. When she’s not writing #pinkhorror or Florida Gothic horror, you can find her hiking with her family, painting (bad) wall art, and trying to grow as many pineapples as possible. Follow her on IG or TikTok @wendydalrymplewrites.
Www.wendydalrymple.com

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendy Dalrymple once again proves why she’s Florida’s reigning queen of horror and suspense. This is the fourth book I’ve read from the author, and although I’ve enjoyed them all, They Come From the Water is probably my favorite so far.

The story is a page-turning mix of suburban horror and family drama… and while I wouldn’t go so far as to call it folk horror, there are certain elements which I think would appeal to fans of that subgenre. Like all of Dalrymple’s books, the prose is clear and easy to read, making this perfect for a fun/creepy story to bring with you to the beach or on vacation. It’s not a very long book, but it’s long enough to tell the story without feeling like details were skipped over.

Another of this author’s strengths is her ability to convey the day-to-day lives of everyday people in a way that makes us care about them. The arc involving Summer and her sister Joy felt real and was a highlight of the book for me.

I will say the very ending made me uncomfortable, but I’m pretty sure that was the whole point!

It’s also worth mentioning (at the time of this review) the ebook version is a Scribd exclusive, coming in August, but I believe Amazon will carry the paperback version. Thank you to the author for providing me an ARC, it is much appreciated.

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars for They Come From the Water (audiobook) Wendy Dalrymple read by Marie Jenkins.

Family drama unfolds as two sisters have to deal with their parent’s estate. As they are cleaning out the cabin they’re realizing that their family was involved in some unbelievable things.

[Damien Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you would have told me Wendy Dalrymple wrote horror based in Florida, I would have pictured bright and vibrant cityscapes; some high energy stuff. Nope. What Dalrymple does for Florida is the same as what Rice did for New Orleans. They Come from the Water is no exception. This book feels like it crawled out of the swamp inside of an alligator’s mouth; it’s damp, it feels musty, it feels like the Everglades. Dalrymple is in top form here fitting perfectly alongside writers like McDowell, Rice, and Jackson. There’s also a very Lovecraftian vibe going on here. There’s something huge lurking under the shallow waters that is just out of reach; an enigmatic force pushing the pieces around in some cosmic joke. A truly dread and anxiety inducing read with Dalrymple’s trademark atmosphere, character, and pacing. K thx.

[Horror Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This freaky novella has all the things you could want in a horror book. Small community, weird cult-like homeowners, a terrifying creature, and even a ghost or two.

Two estranged sisters go to clean out their grandparents house after they die. They weren't close growing up and neither sister has any fond memories. But the way they died was brutal and bizarre. Their mother killed her parents and then committed suicide. Tragic all the way around. But now they just want to spend a weekend cleaning it and putting the home up for sale.

It soon becomes apparent that darker things are going on there and something will not allow them to leave. As events escalate, the real horrors begin and what horrors they are!

I absolutely loved this novella. It's bloody at times, creepy as hell, and has a can't -put-down narrative. I highly recommend it.

[Amy Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was a quick, fun read! Listened to the audio and the narration was great. I love a unique twist to a cult story and the setting was perfect for summer. This is my second time reading a Wendy Dalrymple and I will definitely be reading more! I really enjoy her writing style. It is very easy to read and get into and in both this and the other I read (White Ibis), they take some fun turns.

[Heather Horror Hellion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family drama.
Family drama and murder!
Family drama, murder, and hidden secrets!
Family drama, murder, hidden secrets, and an ending that made me say "WTF why would you do that to me, Wendy?"

This book is part of her Florida gothic collection. They are all crazy little tales, and you need to read them all. Wendy has a way of writing weird things and making them believable and fun. I'm a big fan and really enjoy her collection!

I definitely think you should give this one a chance! The sisters were great, and I really liked Joy.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not necessarily scary but very unsettling and disturbing

[Adam Hulse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I can confirm this is my new favourite read from this writer. Dalrymple has an easygoing writing style capable of shocking readers who were simply relaxing while enjoying a passage of cool dialogue. I think at the heart of things is the simple fact that Dalrymple is a damned good storyteller. This one is crafted to perfection with precision pacing, realistic dialogue, and multiple kicks to the gut. I really can't say more without spoilers, but what I can admit is that They Come From The Water was NOTHING like I expected in the best possible way.

[Maddy (maddys_needful_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief Summary: Sisters Summer and Joy come together to clean out their grandparents' home after the gruesome deaths of their mother and grandparents. But something is amiss in the community of Palmetto Lake, and, as secrets are uncovered, Summer starts to realize she and her sister might be in danger.

This was a highly anticipated read for me, as I have become a big fan of Wendy Dalrymple, and it did not disappoint!

Reading this transported me to summers in Florida - hot, humid, and claustrophobic, with mosquitos sticking to my skin and the constant shrill buzz of cicadas. I think you should go into this story knowing only that and the brief summary, and hang on for the ride.

As usual, Dalrymple writes wonderfully realistic characters who find themselves in uniquely horrifying situations. The tension and atmosphere are thick, and I was truly shocked by the ending. I really thought I had it all figured out, but I was so wrong . The best part is that it made sense, though - it isn't one of those endings that is only surprising because it came so out of left field.

I highly recommend this book to everyone, including people who don't normally read horror. (Also I have to mention that I really love the cover!!)

[Escapereality4now · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Arnela · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was looking like this would be a 4 star read…... But then I got to the ending and decided to retract my statement. I mean wtf was that? The story overall was quite good - decent characters, family drama, ghosts, weird cult, but all of that ruined by the ending. It just didn’t make sense. Was it a dream? Was Summer having a psychotic break? Was it really happening? Sometimes I like asking questions like that when I’ve finished a book without a conclusive ending bc it’s fun to use your imagination and come up with your own conclusion, but this? This just left me annoyed bc nothing leading up to that point foreshadowed that ending? I don’t know, just disappointed.

[Rebecca White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever heard the expression “Florida, not like the rest of us?” Well Wendy’s Florida Gothic reads definitely encompass that sentiment!

I honestly wasn’t sure where this novella was going to go but I love all of this author’s work so I was just excited to dive in. Holy shit, though! Punch after punch of WTF moments. Absolutely devoured this read.

[Aly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ew?

[Michelle Slagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well….i didnt see THAT coming

[Lindsey.reads.alot · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook, and I don't know if it was the book or the narrator, but I barely made it through this one. The beginning was boring, and then the end was, I guess weird is the word. I stg though, in the beginning, if she's said "vape pen" one more time, I would've thrown my phone. I'm just glad it was a short story.

[Zoë Damacela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun novella! I loved the Florida/gothic vibes. It was fast paced and creepy. I would have loved for this to be a full length book. It would also make a really fun movie or TV series.

[Brian Bowyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, Dark, and Twisted!

The fourth book I've read in this series, and this one is my favorite. It's fast, creepy, and I especially loved the ending. Dalrymple never disappoints. Highly recommended!

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real shame this is a novella, would love a full novel around this concept

[Brittanny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected, very weird and a bit twisted.

[Linda Watkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A decaying house on Palmetto Lake in Central Florida is the scene of a double murder-suicide and sisters, Summer and Joy, have to clean up the aftermath. Arriving at the house in her RV, Summer (the narrator and older of the two girls) dreads even entering the place her grandparents lived and then died in, murdered by their own daughter who afterward committed suicide. If Summer’d had her way, she would have hired someone to gut the house, but Joy insisted they do it themselves. The sisters are not close and haven’t seen each other in years. Summer, who lives in Atlanta, is married with two children. Joy is alone – a recovering addict. The ties that once bound them together are now broken and they struggle to be civil to one another. Summer just wants to get this job over with, but Joy has questions about their mother and seeks answers within the remnants of the house.

An old flame from her youth appears and Summer finds herself still strangely attracted to him. There are neighbors, too, all of whom seem curiously perfect, not a hair out of place in the bunch. They all also seem to be frozen in time – 1970s. Curious, isn’t it?

I really enjoyed this creepy, atmospheric southern gothic tale! Author Dalrymple keeps the tension high which keeps the reader turning pages. There is something wrong with the residents of Palmetto Lake. But what is it? And, why did Summer’s mother hack her parents to death with a hatchet? The answers will surprise you as they did me. Reading They Come From The Water, I was reminded of a classic horror tale by Robert Marasco, Burnt Offerings, in which the house is strangely linked to what happens to its occupants.

They Come From The Water is highly recommended for those who love gothic fiction and southern (or Florida) gothic in particular.

I want to thank the author for providing me, a voting member of the Horror Writers Association, with a free copy of this novella for consideration of a Bram Stoker Award.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uhhhh what the hell just happened? Albeit I think I’m more confused after listening to this book on Scribd as it showed I had two hours left and then abruptly ended and then started over again…? Are you intended to read this book twice in immediate succession? Or is the Scribd app just getting high on its own supply…? (Sidenote - don’t get me started on that app. Yes, I pay for it every month and no, I have no plans to cancel it even though I have nothing but issues with it and overall think it is a subpar audio library - but that is a rant for a different day)

But in this case, I do blame Scribd for my less than stellar journey with this book as it was out here making me think I was only halfway through, when I in fact was actually rounding third and heading into home.

I guess this book was OK? I don’t know what to think anymore. A cult of Reptilian lake people is a fine premise I suppose. I’ve read weirder things so who am I to judge? [Proceeds to continue judging]

Now that I know this book is a novella, I can confidently say that I do not think the random character nuances and underdeveloped thematic elements had any place in this story. Maybe if this book was fully fleshed out, some of the irrelevant side stories (Joy’s previous drug addiction, Summer’s rocky relationship with her mother, as well as Summer’s very clearly disintegrating marriage) could have worked and given weight to this book. But alas, none of that ended up mattering.

UNLESS! All of those aspects are fully realized in the SECOND telling of this novella and that’s why Scribd wants you to listen to it two times in a row? Maybe those rascals know more than I’m giving them credit for.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8 def rounded up bc it was good, even if the twist is weird.

I thought the tension and suspense in this book were great. It felt kinda cozy but kinda hot and sticky and unpleasant. Definitely haunted by ghosts and past misdeeds, and I love a "trauma is the true ghost" theme in a book. Joy and Summer are cleaning out their grandparents' house in Florida, where their mom went a little wack-a-doo and murdered them and then allegedly killed herself.

What fun, right? Like ooh there's mystery! Family trauma! There's some underlying tension between the sisters! They figured out their family might be into weird occult things. Felt very Hereditary adjacent without feeling like copying.

However.

Spoilers.

The twist of the old people home owners association cult club isn't just that, oops, they're a cult. But also they're alligator people. Like they peel off their skin, and they're lizard people underneath. And that was ... not my cup of tea. There's just something about lizard people that is an immediate "Nah" for me (could it be that there's antisemitism in lizard people? Maybe? I dunno I never even liked dragonborn or kobolds in dnd so 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️) . But yeah. The gator people thing was eh.

But overall? Fun. Spooky. Haunted. Loved it. Def couldn't really tell Joy and Summer apart most of the time but oh well. Joy is.. the younger one who had a drug problem? Summer has kids? I think? Eh it doesn't matter.

[H. Everend · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

I had been meaning to get to this one for a while, but I'm glad I found time to do so! Dalrymple's attention to details is incredible - it did make me feel like I was in the middle of a hot Florida day! Summer and Joy were well written characters and felt real (unlike a lot of book characters imo); however, I felt it got to the cult portion of the story too quick - this could have been built up a little more instead of rushing into it, but that's a personal preference. There were a couple parts that drug on, but overall, this was a fantastic gothic horror short. I've already read a couple of Wendy's books before this and they were phenomenal and while this one wasn't my favorite, please check it out!

[Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

MARATÓN HALLOWEENESCO 2025


Parte 7

THE COME FROM THE WATER
Wendy Dalrymple

** 3.00 **

Esto ha sido lo más flojito que he leído en esta temporada. Me esperaba una novela al menos un poco ñañarosa, pero el ritmo tan carrereado en que está narrada elimina todo el suspenso que podría tener la trama, considerando la premisa de la que parte, y las ideas que se ven flotando por aquí y allá, pero que no terminan de aterrizar adecuadamente.

CALABAZAS: 🎃🎃🎃

P.D.: Soy generoso y no le doy menos puntuación porque tampoco pienso que sea un esperpento de novela.

[Shandalyn GodnBooksnThings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good read! I wanted to slap the little sister so many times but the story line was so good and the sisters finding out the truth about the community they lived and their family secrets captive me. I wish there were more to the story at the end cause I really wanted to know what happened to the MFC but leaving it up to the readers imagination was even better. Will read more from this author for sure.

[Eva Edge · Rating 4 out of 5]

They Come From the Water by Wendy Dalrymple was different. As I didn't read the blurb I didn't know some mystery elements would be included so it came as a surprise for me.
It started as a family drama with two sisters who would like to unwrap a family secret but then all this turns into a mystery thriller.
I am not sure how I am feeling about the ending... definitely left me with an open mouth!

[Mersh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thing about not expecting anything is that sometimes a book can be surprisingly good. Like this novella abou two sisters returning to their childhood creepy Florida town to clean up their grandparents' lakehouse after their murder. This was fairly entertaining and there was some horror to it also. That ending was also a refreshing surprise but maybe something you might expect in a horror movie. Expect but still find it satisfactory.

[Megan Magee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loooooved the absolute southern gothic vibes displayed in this marshy Florida cult book. I’d have liked this to be either shorter or longer personally- the pacing being off made this one not as enjoyable as I felt it could have been if the latter complaint were fixed (in my opinion). I felt some spots of the plot were left unanswered, so this book was truly vibe heavy but lacking in plot for me.

[Michelle T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book today and I loved it! Set in Florida two sisters are cleaning up their grandparents home after a horrible crime. The residents around the sisters grandparents home are nice on the outside but they are hiding something dark on the inside... This is by far one of my favorite reads this year!

[Kevin L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wendy Dalrymple kills it in They Come From the Water. I loved the elements of estranged siblings, a return to ‘home’ to clean up after their mother has killed her parents and the creepy community. Florida Gothic, indeed.

This is my second read by Dalrymple and it won’t be my last - she’s the real deal, y’all.