Dead Man's Float

by Shawn Sarles

Whatever you do, don’t swim alone. In his next YA horror, Indie bestselling author Shawn Sarles dives into the terrifying myth behind the dead man’s float.

Sometimes the truth hurts. Sometimes it even kills.

Seven years ago, Sam watched her friend drown. The water, and the fact that Sam couldn’t save her, has haunted her ever since. But what she didn’t see that day was the hand that had reached out for her friend, wrenching her beneath the water.

Now, as Sam gets ready for varsity pre-season on the school swim team, she vows once again not to let the fear of the water bring her down into its depths. But when the upperclassmen take the girls to the abandoned neighborhood pool called the Graveyard for their yearly hazing ritual, a seemingly harmless prank will set off a catastrophic chain of events. It will unleash a spirit, a ghost that has unfinished business both in the pool and outside of it, intent on finding its killer.

On this team, they all have a secret. They all have a motive.

The truth can set them three, if it doesn't bury them first.

Genres: Horror, Young Adult, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 5, 2023

About the author

Shawn Sarles was born and raised in a small town in western Kentucky. He currently lives in Philadelphia and continues to write horror for teens.

Reviews

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

DEAD MANS FLOAT is the perfect book to read if your looking for a creepy thriller that will keep you reading until the end. This book is haunting; quite literally. It has everything you could want in a horror story: ghosts and rivals, and, of course, a terrifyingly great cover. I enjoyed reading this book, and I loved the premise: a ghost haunting a pool, the main character having a connection to the ghost, and everyone being put in their place. DEAD MANS FLOAT is perfect for the spooky season; a perfect read as the air turns chilly, the nights turn shorter, and Halloween approaches.

What I Liked About It:
*the short chapters
*the twists and turns
*the spooky vibe
*ghosts and hauntings
*the overall creepiness

[Amy Loewe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had more substance than I has expecting for a horror book. Yes it had haunting ghost but more importantly it dealt with themes of bullying, vengeance and grief. It is a little slow to start the ghost doesn’t appear til around page 50 so not sure if my students would stay interested. But I found it a nice read with a great message.

[Aidyn Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn’t like other books you’d buy at the book fair. It really gives you insight in the character’s perspective and it seems much more mature than others. This was supposed to be a simple book, but it really hit home with me. I’ve been putting way too much pressure on myself to do better in softball and this book has made me realize that.
You don’t need to be the best to feel the best.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was honestly one of my favorites. The plot twists were amazing and the ending was spectacular. The way that this story was written was truly unbelievable. I recommend reading Dead Man's Float by Shawn Sarles if you like thrillers!

[Angela Sandoval · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast-paced and emotional horror-thriller. Not only is there a lot to fear with a vengeful ghost, but it also seriously addresses bullying and deals with grief. I will for certainly recommend this one to our older middle school students.

[Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

[Joe Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read. Has a good story line and is fast paced. It's both a good ghost story and a story with some good life lessons about bullies and bullying.

[Tyanna Mannings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read. Good plot.

[Lucy Lissy Lamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

i think campfire will always be my favorite, but this got pretty close

[Juliet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I'm going to read it again and again!!!

[Kim StClair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle school “scary” story

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 A vengeful ghost and bullying.
Sam was six when she lost her best friend at a lake. Ten years later, she is aiming to be the best swimmer and even go to the Olympics one day. She joins a new school and her family supports her by moving with her so she can attend a stronger swimming program but she finds bullies that torment her and her new friends and no teacher seems to care until the ghost of a bullied girl who drowned in the pool tens year's ago returns.

I read it in one sitting. I love books about swimming teams and smiling in general, ghosts, and revenge tropes as well. Bullying is an overused bullying but I related to it and I became the type of teacher with zero tolerance for bullies. Mild horror but great for teens with vivid imaginations.