A Drowning Tide by Sarah Lawton is a gripping and masterfully woven tale that hooked me from the very first page. Set in a small coastal town, it introduces us to Merry, a seemingly ordinary woman with an extraordinary knack for solving cryptic crossword puzzles. But beneath the calm exterior of her life, something far darker simmers—something that ties her forever to the Manning family, particularly Lucas, the man she has known her entire life.

When Lucas suddenly disappears, Merry’s quiet world is turned upside down. I was immediately drawn into her uncertainty and mounting tension as she begins to unravel the mystery behind his disappearance. What makes this novel so compelling is the intricate web of family secrets, guilt, and betrayal that Sarah Lawton deftly unpacks. Merry’s personal connection to the Manning family makes her investigation deeply emotional and personal. Her unwavering belief in Lucas’s goodness is put to the test as she confronts uncomfortable truths and begins to question everything she thought she knew.

The way Lawton builds the suspense is exceptional—each clue, each interaction between Merry and the people around her, feels like a piece of a puzzle. The enigmatic Gareth, the private investigator working alongside her, adds an intriguing layer of complexity. The dynamic between Merry and Gareth, as they cautiously align themselves to uncover the truth, was one of my favourite aspects of the story. It’s refreshing to see a partnership form in such a tense and uncertain atmosphere.

What truly sets **A Drowning Tide** apart, however, is its exploration of the human psyche. Merry's internal conflict, her struggle to balance loyalty to a long-time friend with the reality of uncovering painful truths, made me reflect on the nature of trust and the things we bury deep inside ourselves. Lawton's writing is atmospheric and evocative, and the coastal setting adds a haunting quality to the story, perfectly complementing the dark undertones.

As Merry gets closer to the truth, the tension escalates, and I found myself holding my breath at every turn. The twists in this novel are both surprising and satisfying—no cheap shocks, just a steady unraveling of layers that kept me hooked until the very last page.

This book isn’t just a mystery; it’s an exploration of the complex relationships that shape our lives, and the lengths we’ll go to protect those we love—even when we’re not sure who to trust. If you enjoy stories that delve into secrets, lies, and the moral grey areas that define us all, **A Drowning Tide** is an absolute must-read. It's a dark and poignant thriller that I won't soon forget. Five stars, without a doubt!

"A Drowning Tide" by Sarah Lawton is a gripping psychological thriller that expertly weaves tension, secrets, and the power of the past creeping into the present. Lawton crafts a chilling atmosphere as the protagonist finds themselves drawn into a mystery that unravels layer by layer, revealing dark truths beneath the surface. With sharp prose and well-developed characters, the novel explores themes of guilt, betrayal, and survival, keeping readers on edge as they piece together the mystery. Packed with twists and an unsettling sense of foreboding, "A Drowning Tide" is an immersive and haunting read, perfect for fans of suspenseful and emotionally charged thrillers.

When Merry’s neighbour and the son of her late best friend, Lucas, goes missing, Merry becomes embroiled in an investigation that drags up secrets and betrayals.

I really enjoyed this, some books take you a while to ‘get into’ but this was almost instantaneous. Merry is a gem, a bit of a loner and scarred by her past she tends to keep herself to herself. But I loved her and began to feel very protective over her!

With lots of twists and turns, this was a fab read - and I really hope this isn’t the last of Merry!!

This was a really enjoyable, fast paced read which kept me reading to the very end. Merry lives next door to Alison and her husband Lucas. Alison's husband went missing some years ago and her other son is in prison for drug smuggling. Merry was a friend of Lucas's mother who has died and she remains attached to the family. But Merry is not a happy woman and she is haunted by things that happened in the past. However, she finds solace in writing crossword puzzles for newspapers.. When Lucas, for whom Merry has great affection, goes missing, Merry does her own investigating. Her investigation will eventually yield results, not only in the case of Lucas's disappearance but in matters closer to Merry's own past.

To add to the reader's enjoyment, each chapter heading features a crossword clue which the reader is invited to solve with the solutions appearing at the end of the novel. These kept me amused for ages and was a lovely touch which made this novel stand out.

A Drowning Tide is the second book by Sarah Lawton and is a mystery thriller.
Merry lives a hermit-like lifestyle by choice on the Isle of Wight. Having inherited a cottage, her only occupation is formulating cryptic crosswords. When not doing this, her main hobby is cold water swimming in the sea. Merry’s cottage is very near the ‘big house’ and Merry appears to have an unhealthy interest in the couple who live there, Lucas and Alison Manning.
Then without warning, Alison reports Lucas as missing. Lucas has a few skeletons in his past. He has a rather dodgy brother who is currently in prison and a criminal father who also disappeared ages ago. Merry, however, believes she knows Lucas and is sure he would never disappear of his own free will. She vows to investigate his disappearance herself but is helped/hindered by a private investigator, Gareth. He has been hired to find Lucas by his employer. Merry, though, is not being completely open with Gareth. She has a host of secrets that indelibly connect her to the Mannings and she has promised herself they will never be revealed.
The story has so many twists and turns it takes your breath away. You don’t know which way it is going to go next. The most compelling part of the novel though is Merry herself. She is the perfect, flawed, quirky protagonist. You can’t help but love her and finish by rooting for her at every turn. Merry is a shining example of excellent characterisation from the author.
A Drowning Tide is a perfect mystery thriller and I have no hesitation in giving this one five stars and a recommend to read.
My sincere thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Lawton and Black & White Publishing for the much-appreciated ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.