This is my second book in as many months that presents same narrative from two narrators’ perspective. As they try to piece together the same puzzle in their own unique ways, somewhere in the story both narratives collide so that a wholesome coherent truth can emerge. The Water Lies is no exception to this and it presents struggles of two mothers who are trying to uncover unpleasant truth about the same person common between them.
These two people are Tessa Irons and Barb Geller united by the common thread of an unfortunate death near Tessa’s home. That dead woman called ‘Gigi’ by her toddler son happens to be Barb’s only child but Tessa is perplexed by her unexplained sudden death right outside her Venice Beach neighborhood home. Although heavily pregnant, she decides to join the enquiry taken up by Barb as they soon realise the disinterest shown by authorities in a supposed accidental drowning case.
What comes out from their initial enquiry followed by a haphazard investigation shocks both women. It tastes their limits as mothers while putting strains on familial bonds. They question, they quarrel and decide to part ways as the narrative tries to engulf their family lives. But they soon have to abandon their reserve as a second person becomes another murder victim.
Thus, their investigation gets a definite focus and soon the final thread connects them to Tessa’s husband- Dr. Gabe Irons. Tessa is stunned to accept this reality especially in light of birth of her second child. However, the case starts to unravel on its own as both, Tessa and Barb become potential victims of the killer.
What comes out from this complicated case and its repercussions is worth reading in author’s own words. It’s brilliant the way author ties all the loose ends and pushes the story towards cohesive ending. Although the ending is not particularly happy still gives readers satisfaction to accept the reality in light of what just transpired.
Having said that, the writing loses focus in few places in the first part and tries to hard to give all the notable characters a well-deserved ending. But it compensates by increasing the tempo of the narration and adding enough thrill to sustain the story to its penultimate ending. For that point alone, it comes out as a pleasing reading experience.
Surely recommended for a one time read especially for the fans of suspenseful domestic thrillers and fictional tales of dysfunctional families. Go pick it up!