"The Swimmer" by Loreth Anne White

 

"The Swimmer" by Loreth Anne White is an intense psychological suspense novel following Chloe Cooper, a socially awkward forty-year-old outsider who desperately wants to fit in and belong.

To put it plainly, Chloe Cooper is voyeuristic and a stalker. She likes to watch people, especially her neighbors, and is intrigued by them. Between walking her mom's dog, caring for her ailing mother, painting pictures of touching loneliness, and bartending, she watches the world from the sidelines, never participating, never getting involved. That is until a new couple arrives in the neighborhood - glamorous influencer Jemma Spengler and her surgeon husband, Adam - and Chloe becomes entangled in their lives. Soon, it becomes clear that the surface of their marriage may glitter, but there are cracks beneath it. The plot thickens when Chloe witnesses the murder of a swimmer, and this is just the beginning of this twisted tale.

The story alternates between the characters in the third-person POV, offering an intriguing dynamic between them. While most of the characters weren't relatable or likable, I didn't care for Jemma and Adam, I felt for Chloe and her struggles. Her care for her mother and the dog especially captured my heart.

In the words of the book, this is a story of 'trauma, loneliness, longing, and the desperate need to fit in and be loved.' Chloe is an autodidact, awkward outside of work, unable to read social cues, and very naive (some would say too naive). The author attributes this to her past, but it could just be the way she is."

I liked the inclusion of the podcast narrating the events, which served to muddy the waters. Things aren’t always what they seem. The layers of the story gradually unravel and collapse, leading to the final revelation. While I liked the book, some parts made me uneasy, so I had to take a break from reading at times.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it engaging. It has surprising developments and twists, unexpected revelations, and deceptive characters, which makes it an easy read. The saying "Enough is as Good as a Feast" came to mind while reading the book. Everyone had secrets, some more terrible than others.

With themes of friendship, toxic relationships, trust, fallible human nature, loss, and moral conflicts, the author has woven a tale that I enjoyed reading. I decided to rate it 4 out of 5 stars because some choices were unbelievable and didn't make sense. Also, I'm tired of people getting away with things they did. I recommend the book to readers who enjoy psychological suspense, complex character studies, and narratives with unexpected twists and turns.

* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc.  All opinions are my own.

* For more info about the book: "The Swimmer" by Loreth Anne White