The House on the Water (by Margot Hunt)
The House on the Water by Margot Hunt is a thrilling novella that I listened to on Audible. For years, best friends Caroline and Esme have taken annual vacations together. Now in their 50s, they’ve decided to include their spouses on these trips. However, this year’s group vacation has brought about some changes. Caroline and her husband, John, are going through a tough time in their marriage. Their 19-year-old son’s drug addiction and his recent placement in a rehabilitation facility have strained their relationship. On the other hand, Esme is recently divorced and is taking this vacation solo. She’s also trying to mend her relationship with her brother, Nick, so he and his new husband, Ford, is joining them in Florida for some sun and fun.
The first night at the vacation house on the beach appears to be going smoothly. The group enjoys a delicious dinner, drinks, and dancing on the deck. However, by the next morning, a shocking turn of events occurs when one of the vacationers is found dead. In light of this grim discovery, everyone is advised to stay at the house during the initial investigation phase. As the truth begins to unravel, the houseguests start pointing fingers at one another, revealing hidden secrets and betrayals.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. Hunt skillfully crafted her own unique twist into a classic locked-in murder mystery. Surprisingly, I managed to decipher the motive behind the murder and identify the murderer even before the reveal. This didn’t diminish my appreciation for the captivating narrative. However, I did have a minor gripe with the behavior of one of the police detectives towards the vacationers. I acknowledge the concept of a good cop/bad cop dynamic, but it felt excessive tension when there was already ample tension among the surviving vacationers.
I’m delighted that I purchased The House on the Water through my Audible membership. This audiobook is only available on Audible. Taylor Schilling’s narration of the story is truly exceptional.
You’re welcome to read my review for another novella by Margot Hunt, which is linked below.
As a participant in the Amazon Associates Program, I earn from qualifying purchases linked back to Amazon. Every penny earned allows me to blog about books and keeps this site running.
