A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

Effy Sayre has always believed in fairy tales. Haunted by visions of the Fairy King since childhood, she’s had no choice. Her tattered copy of Angharad—Emrys Myrddin’s epic about a mortal girl who falls in love with the Fairy King, then destroys him—is the only thing keeping her afloat. So when Myrddin’s family announces a contest to redesign the late author’s estate, Effy feels certain it’s her destiny.

But musty, decrepit Hiraeth Manor is an impossible task, and its residents are far from welcoming. Including Preston Héloury, a stodgy young literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. As the two rivals piece together clues about Myrddin’s legacy, dark forces, both mortal and magical, conspire against them—and the truth may bring them both to ruin.

Hardcover, 378 pages

Published September 19, 2023 

by HarperTeen

3.5/5 stars

This was one of my impulsive purchases of 2023. That cover just shouted 'buy me buy me'  until I did. Finally in January I sat down and read it and I still remember it and many aspects of the story - that's a good sign when behind on reviews.

A Study In Drowning is the story of two college aged individuals who are sent on different missions involving a recently deceased author and an epic story he wrote. With each having different motives they ultimately come together to solve not just mysterious happenings that are taking place at the estate, but of the legacy left behind by this author.

This was a a gothic ya story and also my first time reading this author.  I felt the premise intriguing, it was atmospheric with the nighttime scenes, strange noises and creatures.  They were parts that felt flat and maybe dragged a little and yea I was confused by the behavior of some of the characters.  But ultimately everything came together at the end with twists that took me by surprise.

All in all 3.5 stars, I was sold with the Gothic setting.

This book was part of my 2024 reading off my shelf challenge