The Drowning Game by L.S. Hawker

August 19th, 2016 Kimberly Review 37 Comments

19th Aug
The Drowning Game by L.S. Hawker
The Drowning Game
by L.S. Hawker
Narrator: Amanda Dolan, Paul Woodson
Length: 9 hours and 55 minutes
Genres: Thriller
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star
Narration: 4 cups

They said she was armed. They said she was dangerous. They were right. Petty Moshen spent eighteen years of her life as a prisoner in her own home, training with military precision for everything, ready for anything. She can disarm, dismember, and kill-and now, for the first time ever, she is free. Her paranoid father is dead, his extreme dominance and rules a thing of the past, but his influence remains as strong as ever. When his final will reveals a future more terrible than her captive past, Petty knows she must escape-by whatever means necessary. But when Petty learns the truth behind her father's madness-and her own family-the reality is worse than anything she could have imagined. On the road and in over her head, Petty's fight for her life has just begun.

Audiobook SUSPENSE thriller mystery

I’ve been lovin’ thrillers on audio this summer and was delighted to accept The Drowning Game by L.S. Hawker for review. Narrated by Amanda Dolan and Paul Woodson this mystery thriller offered twists and turns as it kept me guessing. L.S. Hawker delivered a brilliant thriller that will please even the most seasoned reader.

The tale opens when we meet Petty Moshen at home with her Dad. From the onset, we realize Petty’s life is a tad strange. When her father dies in his sleep, we begin a journey as Petty tries to outwit her dominant, controlling and paranoid father.

I loved trying to figure out whether or not Petty’s Dad was crazy or if he had reason. We learn Petty slept with dead bolts on the outside of her bedroom door and that her father trained her with military precision. For her it is pure instinct to walk into a room, look for exits and trust no one. When the terms of her Dad’s will make it clear, he plans to control her life even in death she devises an escape…only she cannot drive. Dekker, a delivery boy for the local grocer becomes her unwitting accomplice.

Petty is such a unique character.Her life has been sheltered. Most of her knowledge comes from her Dad and television. Her favorite shows are crime shows like CSI and Criminal Minds. She felt authentic and I loved seeing her process information.

Twists, turns, and shocking reveals kept me listening. We are given both the perspective of Petty and Dekker as we travel in search of answers to questions that arise. Who is Petty? Why was her Dad paranoid? Where is her mother? Hawker kept me guessing, had me on edge, and I found myself fully engaged with these characters.

The synopsis is vague and personally I think it enhanced the story. Avoid spoilers!  This was a clever well-paced tale that unfolds perfectly. We learn information along with the characters and there was never a dull moment. Hawker managed a unique storyline with climatic scenes all while creating a realistic feel. The imagery in some scenes gave moments a 3D feel. For example  a sudden storm had me holding my breathe.

Unique, quirky and suspenseful The Drowning Game was the perfect audio listen. Both Amanda Dolan and Paul Woodson did an excellent job in capturing the character’s personalities and setting the tone of their story. This tale came to live on audio, from the villains to the friends they met along the way. It’s the type of listen where you find yourself stopping to just listen.

The Drowning Game offered a fresh, intense and brilliant thriller that will please even the most seasoned mystery reader. Hawker kept me guessing until the end. Just when I thought I had all the pieces in place, she added a new pieces sending me spinning.

Read an Excerpt

Since he’d died on his stomach, the EMTs had turned Dad onto his back. He was in full rigor mortis, so his upper lip was mashed into his gums and curled into a sneer, exposing his khaki-colored teeth. His hands were spread in front of his face, palms out. Dad’s eyes stared up and to the left and his entire face was grape-pop purple.

What struck me when I first saw him—after I inhaled my gum—was that he appeared to be warding off a demon. I should have waited until the mortician was done with him, because I knew I’d never get that image out of my mind.

I walked out of Dad’s room on unsteady feet, determined not to cry in front of these strangers. The deputy and the sheriff stood outside my bedroom, examining the door to it. Both of them looked confused.

“Petty,” Sheriff Bloch said.

I stopped in the hall, feeling even more violated with them so close to my personal items and underwear.

“Yes?”

“Is this your bedroom?”

I nodded.

Sheriff and deputy made eye contact. The coroner paused at the top of the stairs to listen in. This was what my dad had always talked about—the judgment of busybody outsiders, their belief that somehow they needed to have a say in the lives of people they’d never even met and knew nothing about.

The three men seemed to expect me to say something, but I was tired of talking. Since I’d never done much of it, I’d had no idea how exhausting it was.

The deputy said, “Why are there six deadbolts on the outside of your door?”

It was none of his business, but I had nothing to be ashamed of.

“So Dad could lock me in, of course.”

Listen to a sample: The Drowning Game

The Drowning Game by LS Hawker was a brilliant thriller. #audiobook Share on X
Photo of kimbacaffeinate
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

Related Posts

37 Responses to “The Drowning Game by L.S. Hawker”

  1. RO

    OMG – I have to get this! Thrillers are what I’ve been reading for the past few months and this sounds fantastic! You know I need to get it in book form though. (lol) Hugs…

  2. Whitney

    I love the sound of The Drowning Game. It looks like a great thriller, and you are so right, summer is the perfect time for this genre. Wonderful review Kim!

  3. Verushka

    I have seen this around before, but haven’t known what to make of it. I think I have to mull your review over more before I can add to my TBR. Thank you for giving me things to think about !

  4. Melliane

    It’s great to have this feeling, when you think you have it all and that it finally changes. It sounds really good!

  7. Stormi Johnson

    I am currently about 2.5 hours away from finishing this book on audio. It’s really strange and I am so curious to find out what exactly is going on! 🙂

    Stormi

  8. ShootingStarsMag

    I hadn’t heard of this one, so thanks for sharing! I LOVE a good mystery/thriller, and this sounds like one I’d really enjoy.

    -Lauren

  10. Heidi

    I have struggled with thrillers as of late, they are hot and cold for me. This sounds like one I could like.

  13. Leona

    I think that thrillers have become my favorite genre to listen to on audio and I have both your reviews and some of the gems I’ve found to thank for that. If I wasn’t such a scaredy cat I would listen to thrillers until my hearts content.

  14. Angela

    I’m getting back into reading thrillers and this one sounds great. There’s so many questions that I have about this one, I definitely need to pick it up

  15. Ramona

    Well, summer is the best time for a good mystery (unless you count autumn, winter, and spring, lol :))) And this one does sound unique! I mean you had me at dead bolts outside her door! I’m adding it, thanks for the rec, Kimba & have a great weekend!

  19. Jenny

    Oh this sounds good Kim! I think my mother in law would love it as well, so I’m definitely forwarding this recommendation on!