Boy in the Water

This book was intriguing from start to end. It keep throwing loops that were extremely entertaining. Like many have said I just could not put this book down. This is by far one of the most compelling thrillers I have ever read. It's my first Stephen Dobyns books and I can't wait to read more of his masterpieces. This book is so good I bought it on hardcover at full price to read later. The character development is fabulous. You felt like they are real people and that you could run into Mr. Hawthorne, the new headmaster of a sinking school on the bridge of closing. Its one of those books that keeps you hanging and wanting more. I suggest anyone who likes good murder thrillers to get this book immediately.

Dobyns continues to enchant with his wonderfully descriptive scenery. Likewise, Dobyns's character descriptions are terrific, giving his audience a sense that these characters are involved in every part of our own daily lives. As Dobyns delves into the psychology of grief and guilt felt by those who have lost loved ones he gives the audience for a moment insight into the human heart and soul. The fear felt through the climatic ending to the book is splendid. This book keeps you hanging on every word and urges you to continue reading. Despite, being a little over 400 pages the book seemed like it was finished before it started.

Whereas his previous work "Church of Dead Girls" explored the layers of a town's folk suspicions of one another, "Boy in the Water" jumps in at the deep end of the dysfunctional pool and never comes up for air.It's been a week since I turned the last page but the story won't let go. Do yourself a favor and read everything this man has ever written. Don't make the mistake of lending out the books because replacements are dear.

This book caught hold of me from the beginning. The hero kept sinking deeper and deeper and I wanted to shout at him, "Get out of the school" as this main character failed to see the true nature of the danger building around him. It was frustrating, yet gripping. The reader was shown the danger and the some of the evil schemes swirling around the New Hampshire campus. Gossip was never true or innocent and the paranoia was always well-place. A spooky combination. The usual entrenchmant of bureacracy against any change was presented and it felt real for anyone who has worked in an institution of any kind and then this was nudged forward just a little until it became deadly.The number of interesting characters, good and bad, was a nice change from some suspense novel that spend their written energy on usually simply the hero or the villain.It felt nice to settle down with a killer and a New Hampshire snowstorm on a hut, muggy New York day.

Stephen Dobyns has done it again..I thought The Church of the Dead Girls was one of the best books I have ever read, but I think Mr Dobyns has surpassed himself with this one. The book is a fast paced edge of your seat read, and the pace doesn't stop for an instant. The characters are totally believable, the plot is just great, and if Hollywood could make this into a movie and not ruin it, I'd be first in line to see it. A tip, don't read it by yourself at night, it's spooky!