Elle Connel – Down By The Water

‘Down By The Water’ by Elle Connel is a twisted and dark thriller that I found a compulsive read.

Seven friends gather at a castle in the Scottish Borders. One last weekend before Georgie’s wedding. Near the castle, through a path in the woods, is a loch. After a few drinks, they head down to the water to take photos. The loch is wild, lonely, and stunningly beautiful. They set their camera to self-timer and take some group shots. Later, looking back at the pictures, they see something impossible.
Behind them, eyes wide, a small, drenched boy emerges from the water.

But none of them saw him, and nobody knows where he went. They’re miles from the nearest town. How did he get there? Where did he go?

• 

• 

• 

As the weekend unravels and terrible secrets come to light, it soon becomes clear that their perfect weekend is turning into a perfect nightmare. They’re desperate to leave – but someone won’t let them.

A weekend away in a castle with all your best friends, surely this is set to be the best time of your life as a single woman…think again. They all plan this to be a memorable occasion and maybe it will be, but not for the reasons they think.

A walk down to the Loch that is near the castle is the plan, a gorgeous backdrop for their pictures to keep as keepsakes for the future. As they look at their pictures they see a small boy, wet through from the loch, eyes wide open. None of them recollect the boy, and wonder where did he come from so late at night and where did he go to? This is the beginning of a chain of events that terrifies them, makes them want to pack up and leave immediately, but they are being watched and the watcher will do anything to keep them there.

Well, as I said, dark and twisted, as well as terrifying at times. This book actually gave me goosebumps. Elle Connel has created a perfect setting, so perfect that I was dying to read on and yet, a little scared of what was coming next. She has shown perfectly the tensions that can be present in a friendship group such as Georgie and the rest. The fact that everything seems perfect on the surface when everybody is hiding something and the lengths people go to, to protect themselves. This is definitely a book that will make you think about your own friendships and even relationships.

A highly recommended read if you like your books on the darker side.

Thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours and Elle Connel for my copy of the book to bring you my honest thoughts.