"The Last Time We Drowned" by Saratoga Schaefer

 

This book hits two of my favorite tropes: locked-room murder and being trapped aboard a ship at sea. The Last Time We Drowned by Saratoga Schaefer is an intense psychological thriller following six influencers in a gripping tale of terror and survival. I expected a light read, as befits the genre, but what I got was a deeper, more layered novel than most thrillers of its kind — and I mean that as a compliment.

Charlie Engels is a queer Bookstagram influencer haunted by her past. Devastated by her best friend's betrayal and death, broke and desperate, she eagerly accepts a life-saving offer to join Empress, a state-of-the-art yacht houseboat off the Florida Keys where six other influencers reside. Aboard Empress, Charlie meets the other women, each carrying her own baggage: Vivienne — the charismatic, ruthless leader and lifestyle content creator; Fiona — the makeup artist; the twins Rachel (a nutritionist) and Ashley (a yoga instructor); and Piper — a fashion-focused content creator.

The plot thickens when a hurricane hits, trapping them at sea with their boss and his friend. Communications are cut, supplies dwindle, and Charlie is haunted by appearances of the influencer she replaced — whom, strangely enough, the others refuse to discuss. It turns out Charlie isn’t the only one with secrets. When the first death occurs, the storm outside mirrors the storm inside, and secrets begin to surface.

Claustrophobic, atmospheric, suspenseful, and sinister, the book slowly drags you underwater and doesn’t let go. It captured my attention from the first page and held it to the very end. The premise feels fresh despite familiar tropes, the characters are diverse and layered, and the writing works beautifully for the genre, perfectly capturing the ambience.

The story is written from Charlie's first-person perspective, and I have mixed feelings about her. I liked her, but I didn’t like that she gave good reviews to all books — even bad ones — and lied easily. It made her an unreliable narrator in my eyes. I didn’t know whether to shake her or hug her at times. I condemned some of her choices and found her a bit hypocritical — first stone and all — yet I still ended up rooting for her. I didn’t like some of the other characters and found Vivienne exhausting, but I appreciated the emotional dynamics between them.

The title fits perfectly, and the drowning motif is central to the story. The novel explores social media and personal branding, loss, grief, toxic friendships, alcohol misuse, moral dilemmas, complex relationships, isolation, and PTSD. Overall, I loved the book and finished it in two sittings. The plot is filled with twists, and although I guessed a couple of them, it didn’t lessen my enjoyment. This is a cut above many others in the genre. Those who enjoy psychological thrillers with bite and complex character dynamics will find it compelling. I highly recommend it and give it full stars!

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

* For more info about the book: "The Last Time We Drowned" by Saratoga Schaefer