This takes away from the suspense of the story, something that is crucial in a horror novel. I didn't really connect with any of the characters simply because of the way they were written it was more of an info-dump with lots of explanations rather than allowing the reader to figure things out as they went. The main character in this novel, Jax, returns home for her sister Lexie's funeral and learns that her sister had been researching the history of their home and the legends that surround their family and the curse that has whispered about the springs on their property for years. To be honest, I think the swimming pool almost took on a personality of its own and I was fascinated by its descriptions and haunting stories. The Drowning Kind is one of those novels that I enjoyed reading, and the atmosphere was amazing, but I really didn't connect with any of the characters and thought the overall plot was weak. Thank you, Gallery Books, for the advanced copy. I enjoyed this story from beginning to end and I will agonizingly await for McMahon’s next creation. Each character brings a necessary component and is fully and expertly developed. Even if you think you have predicted the ending, there are still a few unforeseen surprises. McMahon’s method of storytelling takes the reader back and forth from the present and the past in a way that slowly peels back the layers of mystery and reveals the frightening conclusion. I won’t even get into my other family issues, but already knowing where Jax was coming from made this story hit a little bit different. I immediately understood the frustration of handling someone with erratic behaviors, the highs and lows of mania and the subsequent depression. We both have a deceased sibling that suffered from bipolar disorder, and we come from a family that prefers to keep things in the dark and in the past. Jax is a character I can relate to in an almost scary personal level.

Jennifer McMahon is one of my absolute favorite authors for spooky reading and The Drowning Kind did not disappoint.

The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon