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Beneath Cruel Waters

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Beneath Cruel Waters

By: Jon Bassoff
Narrated by: Chris Henry Coffey
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About this listen

A wrenching psychological thriller in the vein of Tana French’s In the Woods, Jon Bassoff’s Beneath Cruel Waters reminds us that the sins of the mothers are the sins of the sons.

Holt Davidson, a Kansas firefighter, hasn’t been back to his hometown of Thompsonville, Colorado, for more than two decades, but when he learns that his estranged mother has taken her own life, he returns for the funeral, hoping to make peace with her memory. He spends the night at his childhood home, rummaging through each room, exploring the past. But instead of nostalgic souvenirs, he discovers a gun, a love letter, and a Polaroid photograph of a man lying in his own blood.

Who is the dead man? Was his mother the one who killed him, and, if so, why? Who sent the love letter? And what role did his sister, institutionalized since she was a teenager, play in this act of violence? As his own traumatic memories begin to resurface, Holt begins an investigation into his mother’s and sister’s pasts—as well as his own.

©2022 Jon Bassoff (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing Crime Thrillers Fiction Genre Fiction Psychological Small Town & Rural Thriller Thriller & Suspense Crime Suspense
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When I started listening, I honestly nearly stopped because it seemed a bit cliche and I didn't really like the voice either. I continued to listen anyway and found it a surprisingly good read. In the end the readers voice was spot on for the story. The story it self is pretty dark but captivating at the same time.

Unexpectedly good read

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Not sure I could listen to this story again. It was so well written that it scared me.

creepy, disturbing, well written!

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I really enjoyed Beneath Cruel Waters. The writing style was engaging, the atmosphere vivid, and the pacing kept me turning the pages. I especially appreciated how the author captured the small-town setting and wove in the emotional layers of family history, secrets, and loss.

That said, I did find the main twist a little predictable—I could see it coming fairly early on. While that took away some of the surprise, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the story overall. The characters felt authentic, and the emotional weight of their struggles made the journey worthwhile.

Overall, it’s a solid and thought-provoking read. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys character-driven mysteries with a strong sense of place, even if the ending isn’t entirely unexpected.

Predictable

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I listened for about half an hour. So tired of books written by men that denigrate women and use casual sexual violence.

Chauvinistic garbage

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.