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The Shallows
Her best friend is dead.
Emma and Ariella, neighbours in one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs, appear to have it all—perfect homes, perfect husbands, perfect lives. But they both know dark secrets lurk beneath the surface and shallow waters can’t hide Ariella’s. Now she has been found murdered.
Her daughter filmed the killing.
Not knowing what she’s filmed, Emma’s daughter Kiki innocently uploads footage of Ariella’s brutal death. Emma fears the worst—the killer will know what she and Kiki have seen. Their safe suburban lives no longer exist.
Her husband knows more than he’s revealing.
Emma’s husband Charles forces the family to leave their perfect life and escape on their yacht. His dangerous plan to flee means Emma is trapped and desperately seeking answers. What are they hiding from? What did Ariella have to confess? And who else knows Emma’s own secret?
Her secret isn’t safe and neither is she.
Emma and Ariella, neighbours in one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs, appear to have it all—perfect homes, perfect husbands, perfect lives. But they both know dark secrets lurk beneath the surface and shallow waters can’t hide Ariella’s. Now she has been found murdered.
Her daughter filmed the killing.
Not knowing what she’s filmed, Emma’s daughter Kiki innocently uploads footage of Ariella’s brutal death. Emma fears the worst—the killer will know what she and Kiki have seen. Their safe suburban lives no longer exist.
Her husband knows more than he’s revealing.
Emma’s husband Charles forces the family to leave their perfect life and escape on their yacht. His dangerous plan to flee means Emma is trapped and desperately seeking answers. What are they hiding from? What did Ariella have to confess? And who else knows Emma’s own secret?
Her secret isn’t safe and neither is she.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2023
About the author
Holly Craig
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Holly Craig lives on the Western Australian coast. She spent her childhood on boats and on Rottnest Island. The beach and river were her playground and have shaped the settings in her novels.
Holly has degrees in journalism, public relations, English teaching and creative writing from Curtin University. She lives in Fremantle with her family.
Holly Craig lives on the Western Australian coast. She spent her childhood on boats and on Rottnest Island. The beach and river were her playground and have shaped the settings in her novels.
Holly has degrees in journalism, public relations, English teaching and creative writing from Curtin University. She lives in Fremantle with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 673 reviews
June 22, 2023
An intense read about a mother who risks it all to escape!
At first, it seems as though neighbours, Emma and Ariella, have it all - a luxurious lifestyle and high-earning husbands. Unfortunately, these trappings come at a price and soon one of them will be running for her life.
At times I felt like I was holding my breath, anxious to turn the page to see what happened yet also wanting to end the tension causing my heart to beat rapidly. I got so wrapped up in this glamorous, twisty and over-the-top mystery. The secrets were plentiful and the coverup masterful. The route to escape kept me spellbound.
Shallow waters can’t cover up these Sydney, Australia secrets!
I was gifted this copy by Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
At first, it seems as though neighbours, Emma and Ariella, have it all - a luxurious lifestyle and high-earning husbands. Unfortunately, these trappings come at a price and soon one of them will be running for her life.
At times I felt like I was holding my breath, anxious to turn the page to see what happened yet also wanting to end the tension causing my heart to beat rapidly. I got so wrapped up in this glamorous, twisty and over-the-top mystery. The secrets were plentiful and the coverup masterful. The route to escape kept me spellbound.
Shallow waters can’t cover up these Sydney, Australia secrets!
I was gifted this copy by Amazon Publishing UK, Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
July 29, 2023
Hold on to your hats, this is one wild ride. Holly Craig’s debut novel will keep you on your toes from start to finish. Who is telling the truth? Who can you trust? I wasn’t sure, there were so many secrets and intense situations.
Emma and a Charles live in an affluent suburb of Sydney but the marriage isn’t a happy one. Emma is excited to have new neighbours, Ariella and Mateo. She tries to make friends with Ariella, but she is clearly being controlled by her husband, and then she ends up dead. Before she can get her head around that fact, Charles has the, packed up and on the run, via boat headed for Queensland. Emma has no idea what is going on and the kids are frightened. The further they go, the more confused she gets. Why are they running? Who killed her friend and why?
The ending was out there and completely bonkers but so much fun to read. I look forward to seeing what Holly has in store for us next. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for my advanced copy to read. Publishes on September 1st.
Emma and a Charles live in an affluent suburb of Sydney but the marriage isn’t a happy one. Emma is excited to have new neighbours, Ariella and Mateo. She tries to make friends with Ariella, but she is clearly being controlled by her husband, and then she ends up dead. Before she can get her head around that fact, Charles has the, packed up and on the run, via boat headed for Queensland. Emma has no idea what is going on and the kids are frightened. The further they go, the more confused she gets. Why are they running? Who killed her friend and why?
The ending was out there and completely bonkers but so much fun to read. I look forward to seeing what Holly has in store for us next. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for my advanced copy to read. Publishes on September 1st.
July 17, 2023
Rating: 1.4/5
I hate not finishing a book once I have started it, but this was one of those unfortunate occasions when seeing it through to the end was a struggle. I don't like giving one-star ratings at any time - I have great admiration for anyone who can sit down, put pen to paper and create a novel - but I feel particularly bad when that lowly rating is for an author's first published work. Holly Craig is certainly not without ideas or ability, but I think she needs some help and direction from her support team to translate that into a satisfying end product.
In certain stylistic respects "The Shallows" reminded me of a short story. As a result of the format, a short-story writer is often compelled to drop the reader into the middle of an already ongoing scenario, which they need to pick up and run with. There is also very little opportunity for the writer to form well-rounded characters that the audience has time to form a connection with or at least an understanding of. Neither of those elements are constraints forced upon the author of a full-length novel and yet Holly Craig still takes that approach. The whole novel is a series of snapshots presented in an overly dramatic style. The narrative is chaotic and it seemed to me that there had been an absence of any real structural planning. The author is clearly trying to make everything seem very exciting, all of the time - but without the foundations having been properly laid, or the characters being suitably developed, I found myself simply not caring and getting more than a little bored, very quickly. There is an art to creating tension and suspense - perhaps that is something that Holly Craig will come to master in time - but it didn't work on this occasion.
As ever, I would still like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review. It is a pity I was not in a position to pass more favourable comment on this occasion.
I hate not finishing a book once I have started it, but this was one of those unfortunate occasions when seeing it through to the end was a struggle. I don't like giving one-star ratings at any time - I have great admiration for anyone who can sit down, put pen to paper and create a novel - but I feel particularly bad when that lowly rating is for an author's first published work. Holly Craig is certainly not without ideas or ability, but I think she needs some help and direction from her support team to translate that into a satisfying end product.
In certain stylistic respects "The Shallows" reminded me of a short story. As a result of the format, a short-story writer is often compelled to drop the reader into the middle of an already ongoing scenario, which they need to pick up and run with. There is also very little opportunity for the writer to form well-rounded characters that the audience has time to form a connection with or at least an understanding of. Neither of those elements are constraints forced upon the author of a full-length novel and yet Holly Craig still takes that approach. The whole novel is a series of snapshots presented in an overly dramatic style. The narrative is chaotic and it seemed to me that there had been an absence of any real structural planning. The author is clearly trying to make everything seem very exciting, all of the time - but without the foundations having been properly laid, or the characters being suitably developed, I found myself simply not caring and getting more than a little bored, very quickly. There is an art to creating tension and suspense - perhaps that is something that Holly Craig will come to master in time - but it didn't work on this occasion.
As ever, I would still like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review. It is a pity I was not in a position to pass more favourable comment on this occasion.
February 14, 2023
This was such a suspenseful and gripping novel! I flew through it and cannot wait to read more by this author.
Emma and Ariella are neighbours in an elite suburb in Sydney. But they both have secrets, one of them that results in Ariella's murder. As it turns out, Emma's daughter, Kiki, has filmed the murder, also putting them in danger. Emma's husband forces the family to leave their home in the wake of the murder and escape on their yacht but the urgency behind leaving doesn't make sense. As the story goes along it's clear they all have something to hide.
This was full of lies and secrets and fabulous twists and turns. The author's writing is just sensational and I could not put this down.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Amazon UK Publishing for the gifted review copy.
Emma and Ariella are neighbours in an elite suburb in Sydney. But they both have secrets, one of them that results in Ariella's murder. As it turns out, Emma's daughter, Kiki, has filmed the murder, also putting them in danger. Emma's husband forces the family to leave their home in the wake of the murder and escape on their yacht but the urgency behind leaving doesn't make sense. As the story goes along it's clear they all have something to hide.
This was full of lies and secrets and fabulous twists and turns. The author's writing is just sensational and I could not put this down.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Amazon UK Publishing for the gifted review copy.
March 6, 2023
A stunning thriller of family and friendships, about keeping your nerve and surviving against impossible scary odds. Glamorous, tense, gripping and twisty, I loved this novel of secrets and lies, and had my heart in my throat as the suspense ratcheted up. What a ride!
August 25, 2023
This book was honestly terrible. I gave it one star solely because the premise kept me interested enough to read to the end -- but I wish I had DNF'd at the 30-page mark.
The writing is basic and flat -- it reads like an untalented high school kid's attempt at a novel. The "suspense" consists of the protagonist repeatedly saying, "Oh, this is bad. I'm so scared." Oh, and while she and her kids have been kidnapped by her violent husband and she's at risk of losing her unborn baby, her biggest concern is that she doesn't have hair conditioner and the carrots are limp. Because that's normal and reasonable.
The characters are too flat and one-dimensional to be unlikeable, but if they had personalities, you'd hate them.
I kept reading thinking there must be some twist that would make this all worthwhile, but there wasn't. It has less drama and tension than your average Hallmark Christmas movie.
Avoid this book and save yourself a few hours. I wish i had.
The writing is basic and flat -- it reads like an untalented high school kid's attempt at a novel. The "suspense" consists of the protagonist repeatedly saying, "Oh, this is bad. I'm so scared." Oh, and while she and her kids have been kidnapped by her violent husband and she's at risk of losing her unborn baby, her biggest concern is that she doesn't have hair conditioner and the carrots are limp. Because that's normal and reasonable.
The characters are too flat and one-dimensional to be unlikeable, but if they had personalities, you'd hate them.
I kept reading thinking there must be some twist that would make this all worthwhile, but there wasn't. It has less drama and tension than your average Hallmark Christmas movie.
Avoid this book and save yourself a few hours. I wish i had.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2023
Emma has everything - a big house in a swanky Australian suburb, a husband who brings home the big bucks and two children that she dotes on with a baby on the way. On the outside it's a perfect life but Emma is miserable and wants out. When new neighbors move in she is suddenly embroiled in a mystery when the wife slips her a note begging her for help. They too seem like the perfect couple so what could possibly be wrong? Emma throws herself head-long into finding out the drama even if it means putting herself in danger. I found this to be a bit over the top as I seriously doubt a 5 months pregnant woman is ninja-ing her way through the seedy parts of town for a woman she barely knows. Anyway, things go off the rails pretty quickly when her neighbor/friend is shot dead in her garden and her daughter unwittingly streams it on Youtube. I won't spoil any more but it's basically the plot of every low-budget Netflix suspense movie. The ending was like dry toast and gave zero satisfaction. The saving grace of this book and honestly the only thing that kept me going was that the chapters are incredibly short and do manage to give off the feeling of urgency, anxiety and panic that Emma feels throughout the story. Well done there. There was a lot of potential here but unlike other books like "The Silent Patient" and "The Perfect Marriage" the ending was obvious and boring as hell.
August 7, 2023
3 stars for me
This book had a lot of repetition. At some parts it felt as though I was re-reading the pages. The plot was good but I do believe the book could have been about 50 pages lighter.
This book had a lot of repetition. At some parts it felt as though I was re-reading the pages. The plot was good but I do believe the book could have been about 50 pages lighter.
July 20, 2024
1 1/2 ⭐️
I feel like the intention of the short chapters was meant to provide tension, suspense, a sense of urgency. Unfortunately, it didn't. I found I was barely settling into a scene when Emma, the protagonist, was providing a dramatic statement about how unhappy she was, how much danger she was in, how much she didn't know/hated her husband etc etc...aaaand end. Each chapter was formulaic, repetitious, which leant itself to the feeling that nothing was really progressing.
The blurb sells Emma and Ariella as best friends, whereas in reality they were neighbours who had known each other for less than three months, and likely barely got onto double digits the amount of times they actually interacted.
There were big chunks on the boat and on the island that seemed to take up a lot of time/space in the plot that could have possibly served better fleshing out the ending a little more. And the island itself just didn't make sense - surely Mateo would have known of its existence, so escaping there seemed like it was never going to end well (also, how on Earth did Mateo get onto the island with literally no one knowing? No jetty docking, no boat on the horizon, no sound of choppers? Was this a James Bond underwater car scenario?).
The arrival of Jack had obviously everything to do with the affair and nothing to do with business, and the scenes where Charles and co attacked him outside the hut and left him on the jetty felt poorly executed and there purely as a convenient way for him to be able to escape with Emma and co. Because if they can see over to the neighbouring island, surely people on that island (who I'd hazard a guess have access to some form of binoculars etc etc) can see across to theirs, and leaving a heavily beaten body at the end of a jetty for hours in broad view just literally does not make sense.
I still didn't understand everything that had happened - there was murder, drugs, strip clubs, human trafficking and more, but you never really got a full explanation of what went down and what the whole situation was.
To be perfectly honest, I'm not quite sure why Charles even bothered to take Emma and the kids to start with. If he cared about them as little as the impression was given, I'm fairly certain he would have just gotten out of dodge solo. Less baggage, easier to escape 🤷♀️
I feel like the intention of the short chapters was meant to provide tension, suspense, a sense of urgency. Unfortunately, it didn't. I found I was barely settling into a scene when Emma, the protagonist, was providing a dramatic statement about how unhappy she was, how much danger she was in, how much she didn't know/hated her husband etc etc...aaaand end. Each chapter was formulaic, repetitious, which leant itself to the feeling that nothing was really progressing.
The blurb sells Emma and Ariella as best friends, whereas in reality they were neighbours who had known each other for less than three months, and likely barely got onto double digits the amount of times they actually interacted.
There were big chunks on the boat and on the island that seemed to take up a lot of time/space in the plot that could have possibly served better fleshing out the ending a little more. And the island itself just didn't make sense - surely Mateo would have known of its existence, so escaping there seemed like it was never going to end well (also, how on Earth did Mateo get onto the island with literally no one knowing? No jetty docking, no boat on the horizon, no sound of choppers? Was this a James Bond underwater car scenario?).
The arrival of Jack had obviously everything to do with the affair and nothing to do with business, and the scenes where Charles and co attacked him outside the hut and left him on the jetty felt poorly executed and there purely as a convenient way for him to be able to escape with Emma and co. Because if they can see over to the neighbouring island, surely people on that island (who I'd hazard a guess have access to some form of binoculars etc etc) can see across to theirs, and leaving a heavily beaten body at the end of a jetty for hours in broad view just literally does not make sense.
I still didn't understand everything that had happened - there was murder, drugs, strip clubs, human trafficking and more, but you never really got a full explanation of what went down and what the whole situation was.
To be perfectly honest, I'm not quite sure why Charles even bothered to take Emma and the kids to start with. If he cared about them as little as the impression was given, I'm fairly certain he would have just gotten out of dodge solo. Less baggage, easier to escape 🤷♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2023
⭐️ The Shallows - Holly Craig ⭐️
Her best friend is dead.
Her daughter filmed the killing.
Her husband knows more than he’s revealing.
Her secret isn’t safe and neither is she.
An absolute page-turner of a debut!
Set in an affluent and exclusive suburb in Sydney, Emma and Ariella are neighbours. Emma soon realises that not is all as it seem with her new neighbours, and her husband is beginning to act out of character.
Following Ariella’s murder, that her daughter accidentally filmed, Emma’s husband takes his family away … here is where Emma realises that there is something more sinister going on.
I flew through this book, through all the lies, betrayals, cover ups and secrets. Not knowing who to trust or to believe. Full of glamour, intrigue and huge twists - I was literally holding my breath. A mother who will stop at nothing to protect her children.
Her best friend is dead.
Her daughter filmed the killing.
Her husband knows more than he’s revealing.
Her secret isn’t safe and neither is she.
An absolute page-turner of a debut!
Set in an affluent and exclusive suburb in Sydney, Emma and Ariella are neighbours. Emma soon realises that not is all as it seem with her new neighbours, and her husband is beginning to act out of character.
Following Ariella’s murder, that her daughter accidentally filmed, Emma’s husband takes his family away … here is where Emma realises that there is something more sinister going on.
I flew through this book, through all the lies, betrayals, cover ups and secrets. Not knowing who to trust or to believe. Full of glamour, intrigue and huge twists - I was literally holding my breath. A mother who will stop at nothing to protect her children.
September 26, 2023
Really disappointing read. It manages to take what could be an interesting plot and drags it out incessantly. The main character does nothing for the most part other than make terrible decisions and whine and there is no twist or surprise so if you’re hoping for one, be prepared.
The story follows Emma whose neighbor was found murdered. Her abusive husband, Charles, then forces her and their children to board a boat and essentially kidnaps them as soon as the neighbors murder is known. Emma must uncover the secrets her husband has and try to escape for her life.
The motive is so strange. Why would they ever run? If they are in business with each other, wouldn’t he know where Charles was going to hide? This author did not know how to develop characters because I didn’t care about any of them, even Tracy who has a heartbreaking storyline. Didn’t work for me.
The story follows Emma whose neighbor was found murdered. Her abusive husband, Charles, then forces her and their children to board a boat and essentially kidnaps them as soon as the neighbors murder is known. Emma must uncover the secrets her husband has and try to escape for her life.
The motive is so strange. Why would they ever run? If they are in business with each other, wouldn’t he know where Charles was going to hide? This author did not know how to develop characters because I didn’t care about any of them, even Tracy who has a heartbreaking storyline. Didn’t work for me.
October 26, 2024
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4.5 stars
🚤Using the beach and the river to inspire her story settings, West Australian author Holly Craig has penned a debut novel that ties in her childhood experiences on boats and trips to the iconic Rottnest Island. The Shallows is a domestic suspense and survival of the fittest tale, that delivers plenty of tension-filled mystery.
🚤Emma is part of a wealthy Sydney set who have everything they desire, except happiness. When Emma’s neighbour winds up dead, it sets off a chain of dangerous and unsettling events. An escape, a deadly boat trip, killers’ intent on revenge and infidelity all play into this knife-edge thriller.
🚤Holly Craig hails from my home state of Western Australia and I’ve been keen to get to her work for some time now. One of the advantages of having an Audible account with Amazon means I have access to a catalogue of free audiobooks via the plus section. The Shallows came to me via this format and I thoroughly enjoyed the interactive audio experience of this story via Tamala Shelton’s voicework. This book is definitely one where you can place your feet directly into the shoes of the main character Emma. There are high emotions, observations to be made, fears to hold at bay and hopes for the future. There is a critical integration of the wealthy and the audience begins to understand that although the cast are very rich and comfortable, they are not happy or safe. The reader works directly with Emma as she attempts to solve the mysterious death of her neighbour whilst putting herself and her family in danger. There is a romance to relish too as the secrets Emma holds are exposed. For me this one really took a great fork in the road when the boat journey aspect became the central focus. It felt a lot like The Island by Adrian McKinty. The then-and-now timeline interchanges worked well and kept me connected to the text. It was a thrill rush to the end and I must admit I heaved a great big sigh of relief when it came!
🚤The Shallows left me very excited to read Holly Craig’s next release. I hit the play button instantly on the Rip after closing off the Shallows.
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫4.5 stars. Out now.
4.5 stars
🚤Using the beach and the river to inspire her story settings, West Australian author Holly Craig has penned a debut novel that ties in her childhood experiences on boats and trips to the iconic Rottnest Island. The Shallows is a domestic suspense and survival of the fittest tale, that delivers plenty of tension-filled mystery.
🚤Emma is part of a wealthy Sydney set who have everything they desire, except happiness. When Emma’s neighbour winds up dead, it sets off a chain of dangerous and unsettling events. An escape, a deadly boat trip, killers’ intent on revenge and infidelity all play into this knife-edge thriller.
🚤Holly Craig hails from my home state of Western Australia and I’ve been keen to get to her work for some time now. One of the advantages of having an Audible account with Amazon means I have access to a catalogue of free audiobooks via the plus section. The Shallows came to me via this format and I thoroughly enjoyed the interactive audio experience of this story via Tamala Shelton’s voicework. This book is definitely one where you can place your feet directly into the shoes of the main character Emma. There are high emotions, observations to be made, fears to hold at bay and hopes for the future. There is a critical integration of the wealthy and the audience begins to understand that although the cast are very rich and comfortable, they are not happy or safe. The reader works directly with Emma as she attempts to solve the mysterious death of her neighbour whilst putting herself and her family in danger. There is a romance to relish too as the secrets Emma holds are exposed. For me this one really took a great fork in the road when the boat journey aspect became the central focus. It felt a lot like The Island by Adrian McKinty. The then-and-now timeline interchanges worked well and kept me connected to the text. It was a thrill rush to the end and I must admit I heaved a great big sigh of relief when it came!
🚤The Shallows left me very excited to read Holly Craig’s next release. I hit the play button instantly on the Rip after closing off the Shallows.
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫4.5 stars. Out now.
June 29, 2023
Review coming soon.
October 11, 2023
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
The Shallows by Holly Craig is a page turning domestic thriller that will have you wondering how well you know your neighbours and what you’d do to survive.
Set in one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs imagine your new neighbour being murdered and your child unknowingly films it and uploads to a social media site.
Emma’s life looks perfect, it’s glamorous, with a big house, rich husband, two lovely children and a baby on the way but are they hiding something? When a new neighbour moves in next door and they soon become friends lives are shattered and one of the women finds herself on the run, escaping aboard a yacht!
Loved the short chapters the suspense and sense of unease, a cracker of a debut!
Publication Date September 2023
Publisher Thomas & Mercer
A huge thank you to Newsouth Books for a copy of the book to read.
The Shallows by Holly Craig is a page turning domestic thriller that will have you wondering how well you know your neighbours and what you’d do to survive.
Set in one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs imagine your new neighbour being murdered and your child unknowingly films it and uploads to a social media site.
Emma’s life looks perfect, it’s glamorous, with a big house, rich husband, two lovely children and a baby on the way but are they hiding something? When a new neighbour moves in next door and they soon become friends lives are shattered and one of the women finds herself on the run, escaping aboard a yacht!
Loved the short chapters the suspense and sense of unease, a cracker of a debut!
Publication Date September 2023
Publisher Thomas & Mercer
A huge thank you to Newsouth Books for a copy of the book to read.
February 14, 2023
Holly Craig has written an entertaining novel with “The Shallows.” A domestic thriller centering on murder, secrets, and friendships.
Emma and Arielle live in an exclusive neighborhood in Sydney. A perfect neighborhood apparently? With perfect lives, children and husbands? Until, Arielle is found murdered! Not only that, Emma’s daughter has inadvertently and unknowingly uploaded a video of the murder. So, what was once perfect has been shattered and now Emma doesn’t know who to trust.
There really isn’t anything new in this domestic thriller novel. The characters are not likable or relatable, now in some cases unlikable characters are deliciously fabulous, but not here. The constant back and forth each chapter is an art, and if you don’t do it correctly it can be confusing, as it was here, at times.
With that said, the story moves quickly and is entertaining, but will be forgettable.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Emma and Arielle live in an exclusive neighborhood in Sydney. A perfect neighborhood apparently? With perfect lives, children and husbands? Until, Arielle is found murdered! Not only that, Emma’s daughter has inadvertently and unknowingly uploaded a video of the murder. So, what was once perfect has been shattered and now Emma doesn’t know who to trust.
There really isn’t anything new in this domestic thriller novel. The characters are not likable or relatable, now in some cases unlikable characters are deliciously fabulous, but not here. The constant back and forth each chapter is an art, and if you don’t do it correctly it can be confusing, as it was here, at times.
With that said, the story moves quickly and is entertaining, but will be forgettable.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 1, 2023
I though this book was just ok- it took me a long time to finish. It centers on Emma, who befriends her neighbor Ariella and finds out she has something to hide. Ariella is killed before Emma finds out what’s going on and Emma’s husband, who may or may not be involved in shady businesses that Ariella’s husband is running, takes the family on the run.
My first issue is that the synopsis is just misleading- Ariella is not Emma’s best friend, as they just met and are still getting to know each other. Also, Emma is clearly not a fan of her husband from the very beginning of the book even though it makes it seem like he is acting in a way to save her. I thought the action of the story was good but the characterization left something to be desired- I didn’t believe any of the relationships because I just didn’t get enough info into the dynamics to make them seem real. I liked the end of the book and thought everyone was tied up nicely.
Overall, this was an ok book but I just thought it took too long to tell the story and I didn’t buy the relationships between characters. The action is tense at some points though, which I can get behind.
My first issue is that the synopsis is just misleading- Ariella is not Emma’s best friend, as they just met and are still getting to know each other. Also, Emma is clearly not a fan of her husband from the very beginning of the book even though it makes it seem like he is acting in a way to save her. I thought the action of the story was good but the characterization left something to be desired- I didn’t believe any of the relationships because I just didn’t get enough info into the dynamics to make them seem real. I liked the end of the book and thought everyone was tied up nicely.
Overall, this was an ok book but I just thought it took too long to tell the story and I didn’t buy the relationships between characters. The action is tense at some points though, which I can get behind.
September 3, 2023
This book was pretty terrible. I couldn’t tell if we were supposed to dislike the main character (which I did so I really didn’t have much invested in her escape) and the motivating ‘friendship’ much of the emotional weigh hangs on is with a woman she barely knows and feels hollow.
Also, sex trafficking, murder, money laundering, drugs, kidnapping, domestic abuse, infidelity- pick a lane. The book and its flimsy characters aren’t able to carry all those themes.
Also, sex trafficking, murder, money laundering, drugs, kidnapping, domestic abuse, infidelity- pick a lane. The book and its flimsy characters aren’t able to carry all those themes.
August 16, 2023
This book had me on the edge of my seat the ENTIRE time! There were so many moving parts to piece the entire story together, but it was easy to follow and enjoyable to read. This is probably crazy to say, but I wish they dove a little deeper into what Mateo was actually doing, although idk how much I can read about the horrors of sex traffic sooo maybe not. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, and a satisfying ending. This would be a great book club choice!
November 1, 2023
Ummmm not much to say .. ridiculously far fetched at best ! However many other GR readers enjoyed it so might be worth giving it a go
August 4, 2023
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This started off so well with an intense narrative that switched between ‘Before’ and ‘After’. At first, I thought it was quite chaotic because the chapters were relatively short. Therefore, as soon as you felt you were settling into the narrative, it would suddenly move timeframes and I felt like I had not properly connected with character nor plot. However, I eventually got into the pace of the novel and was excited about the idea of a woman on the run, finding more about what happened to reach this point.
This started off so well with an intense narrative that switched between ‘Before’ and ‘After’. At first, I thought it was quite chaotic because the chapters were relatively short. Therefore, as soon as you felt you were settling into the narrative, it would suddenly move timeframes and I felt like I had not properly connected with character nor plot. However, I eventually got into the pace of the novel and was excited about the idea of a woman on the run, finding more about what happened to reach this point.
September 19, 2023
2.75 stars
A shallow(!), formulaic action thriller that gets the job done, the super short chapter will keep the page turning, but don’t expect anything unexpected. Other than the picturesque Australian coastal setting, The Shallows consists of very familiar material: wives trapped in loveless marriage, nasty men, and dirty money beneath a shiny luxury lifestyle. The material has a very made-for-TV feel, mainly due to the extremely black/white character portrayal; the absence of nuance really lessen the depth and intrigue-there’s no room for interpretation. Even the action is not particularly enthralling, the final climatic set piece is particularity flat and low stake. Overall, it’s a fine surface-level entertainment, but don’t expect anything more.
A shallow(!), formulaic action thriller that gets the job done, the super short chapter will keep the page turning, but don’t expect anything unexpected. Other than the picturesque Australian coastal setting, The Shallows consists of very familiar material: wives trapped in loveless marriage, nasty men, and dirty money beneath a shiny luxury lifestyle. The material has a very made-for-TV feel, mainly due to the extremely black/white character portrayal; the absence of nuance really lessen the depth and intrigue-there’s no room for interpretation. Even the action is not particularly enthralling, the final climatic set piece is particularity flat and low stake. Overall, it’s a fine surface-level entertainment, but don’t expect anything more.
May 4, 2023
Emma and Ariella are neighbours. Both living lavish lifestyles in an exclusive pocket of Sydney. Both in unhappy marriages with men who harbour dark secrets, particularly when it comes to their questionable business dealings. Not long after Emma becomes Ariella's close confidante, Ariella is murdered and suddenly Emma and her two children are forced into hiding against their will. As Emma tries to work out who murdered Ariella and why, she hatches a scheme to escape the clutches of her potentially murderous husband. But her high-risk plan becomes even more perilous when her husband discovers the secret that she has been keeping from him!
This is my summary of The Shallows, but this domestic thriller has many more layers to it that explore relationships, loyalties, the criminal underworld and the lengths we would go to for what is right and the ones we love.
There's so much I like about this book. Top of the list is the writing. Holly's descriptions are so observant and intimate, down to the smallest details, planting the reader as an invisible bystander inside the world she has created. It might be called The Shallows, but I felt like I was treading water for most of the book, waiting for the lifeboat that would save Emma, her kids and her unborn child from some terrible unknown fate.
The story is told in first person, plunging us headfirst into Emma's thoughts, feelings and circumstances. I normally prefer the broader perspective of third-person POV, but appreciate that it may not have served this intense storyline as well. The tension ratchets up with each chapter and the story heads in a direction I did not expect.
A cracking debut novel that I'm certain marks the ascent of one of Australia's fastest rising stars in the thriller genre. Congrats Holly!
This is my summary of The Shallows, but this domestic thriller has many more layers to it that explore relationships, loyalties, the criminal underworld and the lengths we would go to for what is right and the ones we love.
There's so much I like about this book. Top of the list is the writing. Holly's descriptions are so observant and intimate, down to the smallest details, planting the reader as an invisible bystander inside the world she has created. It might be called The Shallows, but I felt like I was treading water for most of the book, waiting for the lifeboat that would save Emma, her kids and her unborn child from some terrible unknown fate.
The story is told in first person, plunging us headfirst into Emma's thoughts, feelings and circumstances. I normally prefer the broader perspective of third-person POV, but appreciate that it may not have served this intense storyline as well. The tension ratchets up with each chapter and the story heads in a direction I did not expect.
A cracking debut novel that I'm certain marks the ascent of one of Australia's fastest rising stars in the thriller genre. Congrats Holly!
February 19, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Shallows is about Emma who lives in an exclusive suburb in Sydney with her husband and their children. When her neighbor and friend Ariella is killed, Emma’s husband makes the whole family flee to an isolated island.
This novel is less about knowing who the murderer is than escaping the island and I think that’s why I am disappointed. I wanted to read a book filled with revelations and plot twists. It’s not the kind of thriller that makes you suspect everyone.
I found myself feeling bored towards the middle but I liked the end more, it was entertaining as it has more action.
The Shallows is about Emma who lives in an exclusive suburb in Sydney with her husband and their children. When her neighbor and friend Ariella is killed, Emma’s husband makes the whole family flee to an isolated island.
This novel is less about knowing who the murderer is than escaping the island and I think that’s why I am disappointed. I wanted to read a book filled with revelations and plot twists. It’s not the kind of thriller that makes you suspect everyone.
I found myself feeling bored towards the middle but I liked the end more, it was entertaining as it has more action.
August 8, 2023
I wanted to like this book, the premise was interesting and it had a lot of promise but it was painful to finish. It’s mostly predictable, there aren’t any shocking twists and Emma isn’t a particularly like-able character.
October 16, 2023
finished in one sitting. could have been better, alot of plot holes
March 15, 2024
I will always attempt to finish a book, but I really could not take any more!
February 17, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review. I really enjoyed it. A perfect beach read as someone else has reviewed it as and I couldn’t agree more. There are so many twists and intrigue it keeps you going right to the end. I have just seen my start and finish date - 3 days it took me to read this and I’ve been out of reading until I picked this novel up. Highly recommend this book for keeping you entertained right until the end. You won’t want to put it down
August 21, 2023
It’s…fine, I guess. I’m still not sure what it was trying to be. Is it a mystery? If so, it wasn’t very puzzling. Is it a thriller? It certainly wasn’t exciting. Basically I plowed through this one out of pure stubbornness just to see if it would pay off. Well…I guess it did? It all made sense, but it took far too long to get there, and the ride was very tedious. The chapters are 2-3 pages each at most, and the first half of the book bounces timelines between chapters, so I never got a sense of momentum. The second half is a steady narrative, but it’s still far too choppy. In addition, the book suffers from a major case of telling rather than showing, because the whole thing is a first-person inner monologue narrated by our protagonist, who is surely the world’s worst “wellness coach” (this is never developed beyond her telling us she is one). It might not be so bad except the monologue is annoying, repetitive, and honestly not interesting. (In case you don’t notice she’s in a bad marriage and hates her husband, she reminds us almost every other page.) It all smacks of being written to - very clumsily - avoid giving us too much information before the author wants us to have it, because there’s not a lot to figure out, and if you knew everything that’s going on too early, you might not want to read to the end. I know that’s the only reason I kept going, and I couldn’t wait for it to be over.
December 23, 2023
One star is pushing it!
First and foremost, the only reason I did not DNF this is because I have an asinine rule of thumb that "no book gets left behind". I know, I know, it's ridiculous but for some gawd awful reason, I just can NOT bring myself to do it. After three months of dusting this book off each week and dreading having to return to my nightstand, this book couldn't have ended any sooner!
Now for my review...
The Shallows is a thriller that tries to explore the dark secrets and lies of the wealthy elite in Sydney, but fails to deliver any suspense, originality, or depth. The plot revolves around Emma, whose best friend Ariella is murdered, and her husband Charles, forces them to flee on their yacht. The book is full of clichés, stereotypes, and implausible twists that make the characters unlikable and the story unbelievable. The writing is bland, repetitive, and full of errors. The book is a shallow attempt at creating a gripping thriller, but it only succeeds in boring and frustrating the reader. I would not recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-written, intelligent, and realistic thrillers.
First and foremost, the only reason I did not DNF this is because I have an asinine rule of thumb that "no book gets left behind". I know, I know, it's ridiculous but for some gawd awful reason, I just can NOT bring myself to do it. After three months of dusting this book off each week and dreading having to return to my nightstand, this book couldn't have ended any sooner!
Now for my review...
The Shallows is a thriller that tries to explore the dark secrets and lies of the wealthy elite in Sydney, but fails to deliver any suspense, originality, or depth. The plot revolves around Emma, whose best friend Ariella is murdered, and her husband Charles, forces them to flee on their yacht. The book is full of clichés, stereotypes, and implausible twists that make the characters unlikable and the story unbelievable. The writing is bland, repetitive, and full of errors. The book is a shallow attempt at creating a gripping thriller, but it only succeeds in boring and frustrating the reader. I would not recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-written, intelligent, and realistic thrillers.
September 5, 2023
The main character is massively unlikeable-narcissistic, self centered, shallow and vapid. The relationship with her neighbor is bizarre and poorly developed. Their interactions make no sense and are frustrating to read. Their relationship adds nothing to the story. This book was a total waste of time to read. Definitely DO NOT recommend.
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