The Drowning Woman by Robyn Harding

The bestselling author of The Party returns with a deliciously twisted story of friendship, retribution, and betrayal about a homeless woman fleeing a dangerous past—and the wealthy society wife she saves from drowning, who pulls her into a dark web of secrets and lies.

Lee Gulliver never thought she’d find herself living on the streets—no one ever does—but when her restaurant fails, and she falls deeper into debt, she leaves her old life behind with nothing but her clothes and her Toyota Corolla. In Seattle, she parks in a secluded spot by the beach to lay low and plan her next move—until early one morning, she sees a sobbing woman throw herself into the ocean. Lee hauls the woman back to the surface, but instead of appreciation, she is met with fury. The drowning woman, Hazel, tells her that she wanted to die, that she’s trapped in a toxic, abusive marriage, that she’s a prisoner in her own home. Lee has thwarted her one chance to escape her life.

Out of options, Hazel retreats to her gilded cage, and Lee thinks she’s seen the last of her, until her unexpected return the next morning. Bonded by disparate but difficult circumstances, the women soon strike up a close and unlikely friendship. And then one day, Hazel makes a shocking request: she wants Lee to help her disappear. It’ll be easy, Hazel assures her, but Lee soon learns that nothing is as it seems, and that Hazel may not be the friend Lee thought she was.

 Kindle Edition, 336 pages

Expected publication

June 13, 2023 

by Grand Central Publishing

4/5 stars

Releasing in just under a month, The Drowning Woman is Robyn Harding‘s new suspense thriller.

Told from a number of different points of view. this story is shrouded in mystery revolving around two women. Lee, having escaped for the past finds herself in Seattle, living out of her vehicle . Then there is Hazel the very well to do unhappy wife. The story takes off when one woman tries to end her life while the other rescues her.

This was an addicting read. I found myself connecting more with Lee versus Hazel, maybe because of her down and out status or Hazel was just a bit too snooty. But these two women become friends, share confidences and make plans.  And we all know what happens to the best laid plans.

The Drowning Women was a intricately woven suspenseful read, there were lots of twists and turns that I did not anticipate. It had an ending I enjoyed even if I did guess at it. So all in all very entertaining read.

My thanks to Grand Central Publishing (via NetGalley) for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.