Thank you to Net Galley & Lake Union Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Genres, settings, categories, themes: mystery, suspense, thriller, slow, family, Scottish highlands, English manor, wedding

POV: 1st person, Stephanie's perspective

Series/Sequencing Style: standalone

Format: ebook (e-arc)

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Overall ratings

~ Characters ~ 3.5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 A bit hard to really puzzle out how everyone is in reality versus what you’re seeing through Stephanie’s lens. Maybe interesting as character studies, although most come off as unlikable.

~ Plot ~ 3.5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑 A lot of this book is about the wedding and extra details that felt superfluous. I know some was for dramatic effect and some was to add a tense suspense atmosphere, but ultimately, there was a lot of filler for what was a fairly good plot underneath it.

~ Pacing ~ 3/5 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑 a little slow for me personally

~ Writing ~ 4/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑 could use one more pass of checking by the editor for minor spelling errors (noted “woman” instead of “women” for example), and the style was a bit odd due to the narrator’s voice, which was a little stunted and choppy (intentionally because we were in her mind)

~ Reading enjoyability & fun ~ 2/5 🌕🌕🌑🌑🌑

~ Diversity & representation: WLW MC, something is different about Stephanie's brain, but I don't want to try to guess what

~ Sadness level: 2.5/5

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❗CW/Triggers:❗adultery, alcoholism, car crash, drowning, missing-presumed-dead child (by relation, not age - 19-20 yo) parental abandonment, self harm, suicidal thoughts, (more as spoilers in Goodreads review)

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📝 Review/Notes 📝

So this narrator is interesting. Her character is a bit complicated and perhaps confusing in the conclusion.

The unreliable narration of being in Stephanie’s head could prompt discussion points - for example, are these people she hates really so bad? Her sister allowed her to be bullied and never really fixed that, but maybe she wanted to? Early on, we are sympathetic to Stephanie and at least I felt like she was totally fair cutting these people off and assumed her sister was a bad person. But what if that's just because we are seeing things through her perspective and they're actually okay?

Overall, not a bad book, just was a bit off for me, but from other reviews it seems like others enjoyed it more. I just wanted a bit more from it and was left underwhelmed. There was a lot of emphasis on *secrets* and her determination to uncover the past in a way that felt repetitive at one point, and I don't know if I got a ton of satisfaction from how everything wrapped up in the end. More notes on Goodreads review.

Side note: Odd the author named 2 main characters Sarah and Mike and then went on to thank them in the acknowledgments as agent & editor - you didn’t want to choose other names?

I thank Lake union publishing for a copy of ‘The surfacing by Claire Ackroyd.
Stephanie has been invited to her estranged sister’s Aurelie wedding. The sisters hasn’t spoken for a while. But she decides to go to find out the truth when herself her sister and her mother was camping on the shores of Loch Ness twelve years ago. Where teenager Peter Ferguson drowned.
She goes to the wedding with her mother and as the drink flows secrets are revealed. Some things she wasn’t expecting.
I was really intrigued by the blurb and I though this was just up my street, and I liked the premise of this story. But I find that it took quite a different turn, and it was more about Stephanie and her life and her family more that what happened to Peter and who was fault for his death. Don’t get me wrong this book is beautifully written but different to the blurb and I thought the ending was a bit disappointing. 3.5 stars from me.

📚 Book Review: The Surfacing by Claire Ackroyd 🌊

⭐ 3/5 Stars ⭐

The Surfacing by Claire Ackroyd was quite a unique read for me. It’s the first time I’ve come across a book where the chapters are structured as day and time stamps—it definitely stood out and added an interesting layer to the story. Another aspect I found intriguing was the back-and-forth timeline, seamlessly shifting between moments in the past and the present. This kept me engaged and curious about how everything would tie together.

While the story did pull me in and had moments that intrigued me, I found the flow of the book a bit challenging at times. There were sections where I noticed myself stumbling through the narrative—it didn’t always feel as smooth as I would have liked. Despite that, the core of the story was strong and kept me reading.

Now, let’s talk about the ending—wow. I did not see that coming. The twist completely blindsided me, and the reveal of the culprit was a total shock. It was one of those moments that leaves you staring at the page, processing what just happened.

That being said, I do think this is a book you should approach when you’re in a good headspace. There are heavy themes, including discussions about self-image and thoughts of exiting life. If you’re currently struggling with similar feelings, it might be best to hold off and come back to this story when you're in a better place.

Overall, The Surfacing is a gripping read with a powerful, unexpected ending. While there’s room for improvement in the flow, the unique structure and emotional depth make it a book worth considering—just be mindful of the heavier themes.

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of The Surfacing by Claire Ackroyd, published by Lake Union Publishing
I really enjoyed this novel, I found the characters to be compelling, the plot and setting equally so. I liked how the story was told both past and present. The secrets kept unfolding with every turn of the page. Loved the mystery and twists that kept happening
I would absolutely recommend this book and look forward to reading more novels by this author

A very nice interesting read . Good twists and turns. Well written and nice interesting characters.
A good summer holiday read.

When Stephanie was young, her family were camping at Loch Ness, when Peter, a local boy, went missing. Stephanie, her father, her mother and sister Aurelie all have secrets from that night, and want to keep them hidden.
All the people involved are going to Aurelie's wedding, so Stephanie goes along, at her mother's request, to try and stop anything coming out.
The story is told by Stephanie, going from the wedding weekend, back to her childhood and family history.
Stephanie had a difficult childhood with an absent father, alcoholic mother, and was bullied at school.
The writing is quite sharp, Stephanie is very critical of everyone, and refuses to behave in a conventional way, and some of this is quite funny, but she is also quite nasty, so I didn't warm to her.
The ending seemed a bit rushed.

Before I start off with my review I'd like to thank Netgalley, Lake Union Publishing, and author Claire Ackroyd for this ARC.

When I first read the blurb for The Surfacing, I was hooked.

A long-buried family tragedy, a tense reunion, and the ominous undercurrent of Loch Ness?

Well, Sign me up.

Claire Ackroyd sets the stage for a slow-burning psychological thriller that promises dark secrets, family dysfunction, and a mystery waiting to bubble to the surface.

And while the book delivers on atmosphere and tension, it doesn’t fully capitalize on its potential.

The story follows Stephanie, who returns to her estranged family for her sister Aurelie’s wedding—an event that stirs up painful memories of the night Peter Ferguson drowned.

As whispers and long-held grudges resurface, Stephanie digs for the truth, only to find herself tangled in something far more sinister than she expected. The premise is solid, and Ackroyd’s writing effectively builds suspense, but the pacing occasionally drags, and some of the character development feels frustratingly incomplete.

Thematically, The Surfacing explores grief, guilt, and the corrosive nature of secrets. The problem? the characters lack the depth needed to truly bring the story to life. The tension fizzles in places where it should have snapped.

I appreciate the ARC and Ackroyd’s skill in crafting an eerie, moody read. However, with sharper pacing and stronger emotional payoffs, this could have been great rather than just good.

A solid 3.25/5—worth a read, but I wanted more.

I thought I would be more hooked on this one,

Not what I thought it would be but with an overall story that was good.

Stephanie has lost two people in the past: Jennifer, who was her best and only friend at school; and Peter, a boy who disappeared at Loch Ness while Stephanie and her dysfunctional family were camping there. These loses led Stephanie to curtail her relationship with her alcoholic mother, unfaithful father and bullying sister.
Now, 12 years on, her sister is getting married, and Stephanie has been cajoled by her mother to attend. However, this summons is not intended to bring about a fond family reunion. Instead her now seriously ill mother needs Stephanie to be there to stop a truth about Peter surfacing. Stephanie agrees, but her own motive for attending is to find answers about Jennifer.
Stephanie was a compelling protagonist – abrupt, secretive and possibly neurodiverse. The writing was tight and controlled, yet pacy. This literary suspense story had me hooked.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

On publication, I will post my review on my blog, Amazon and GoodReads.

Excellent twisty storyline.
Keeps you guessing right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review

The Surfacing by Claire Ackroyd is a tense, atmospheric psychological thriller that unravels the dark secrets of a family torn apart by tragedy. Twelve years after the drowning of Peter Ferguson in Loch Ness, Stephanie is forced to confront her past when her estranged sister Aurelie’s wedding brings the family back together. What begins as a reunion soon becomes a dangerous exploration of buried truths, with dangerous whispers and long-held suspicions bubbling to the surface. Ackroyd expertly builds suspense, creating a gripping narrative filled with secrets, lies, and betrayal. As the past and present collide, Stephanie’s quest for answers threatens to expose far more than she expected. A chilling and compelling read for fans of family dramas with a dark edge.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my copy of The Surfacing by Claire Ackroyd.
WOW!!!! What a debut novel.
Stephanie is leaving the north of Scotland and going down to the south of England for her sisters wedding.
The sister she hasn’t spoken to for years, to the family she’s left behind. But some things are never left behind and all of these surface now.
A gripping, engaging story that will hook you in and keep you reading late into the night.
I’m hoping for plenty more tales from this talented author.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5* Wasn't expecting the final chapter. Tbh, I wasn't expecting much of what transpired in this tale.

So, this wasn't particularly true to the blurb, but it was a tale full of secrets, selfishness, flawed characters, and lies. I didn't like the narrator, Stephanie, and couldn't figure out if she was damaged or neurodivergent or just plain and simple unpleasant. I couldn't warm to her and the other characters were so unpleasant, too, that it actually didn't matter what was truth and not. I couldn't care about any of them, but the clever blurb drew me in.

It delved in and out of the past from Stephanie's POV, and it was only at the very end, with the triple shocking events (Stephanie's doing), and the reveal from Aunt Jane, that I was stunned and a bit in awe of the author's somewhat crazed ending that I'd not seen coming. Was it believable? Unfortunately, not, but it did tie ends up. And showed what a horrible, horrible character Stephanie was.

ARC courtesy of Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.

Claire Ackroyd does a fantastic job in writing this book, it had that suspenseful atmosphere that I was wanting and was invested in what was happening. The characters were everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed getting to read this. I hope to read more from Claire Ackroyd as this was everything that I wanted.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This is a slow burn of a mystery. The writing was superb! I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Outstanding in all aspects: plot, characters and situations, writing style, and even the title name. When the concept
of Unavoidable symmetries was introduced, I became totally immersed in the novel until the elusive ending.
This is a Must Read.

Thank you Netgaaley and the publisher Lake Union Publishing for the eARC to review.

I really enjoyed this book. The plot twist at the end was so unexpected, yet also so satisfying and I am glad that, although not everyone had a happy ending, that some closure was found. I found myself really sympathising with Stephanie in a lot of way that it was difficult to dislike her even though she was, initially, an unreliable narrator.

Stephanie attends her estranged sister's wedding at the request of her mother.
There are questions she needs answered from the past - but the answers aren't quite what she was expecting.

Stephanie is quite an odd character - I suspect she is on the spectrum. It seems that she is unable to 'feel' love or a connection with most people.
There are many players in this book, and many suspects.
Enjoyable, suspenseful and different.
I loved the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the DRC.

This was an intriguing tale. I found it a bit slow to get going, but once it did, it was a real page turner.

The story of Stephanie, and what happened at Loch Ness a number of years ago was gripping and unpredictable. I didn't anticipate the twists or the ending at all!

Getting to find out more about the various family members and friends, while trying to piece together exactly what happened, why, and who was involved was entertaining and I enjoyed reading this book.