Broken Bayou

By: Jennifer Moorhead

Narrated by: Sophie Amoss

Length: 10 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

In this debut thriller, a troubled child psychologist returns to a small Louisiana town to protect her secrets but winds up having to protect her life.

Dr. Willa Watters is a prominent child psychologist at the height of her career. But when a viral video of a disastrous television interview puts her reputation on the line, Willa retreats to Broken Bayou, the town where she spent most of her childhood summers. There she visits her aunts’ old house and discovers some of her unstable mother’s belongings still languishing in the attic—dusty mementos harboring secrets of her harrowing past.

Willa’s hopes for a respite are quickly crushed, not only by what she finds in that attic but also by what’s been found in the bayou.

With waters dropping due to drought, mysterious barrels containing human remains have surfaced, alongside something else from Willa’s past, something she never thought she’d see again. Divers, police, and media flood the area, including a news reporter gunning for Willa and Travis Arceneaux—a local deputy and old flame.

Willa’s fate seems eerily tied to the murders. And with no one to trust, she must use her wits to stay above water and make it out alive.

©2024 by Jennifer Moorhead. (P)2024 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“The prose here is taut. Suspense and malevolence ooze from every page…An amazing tense debut.” —Midwest Book Review

“An atmospheric debut that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Broken Bayou had me hooked from the first page!” —Ashley Elston, New York Times bestselling author of First Lie Wins

“Broken Bayou is a spine-tingling, binge-worthy debut from a fresh voice in suspense fiction!” —Liz Talley, USA Today bestselling author

Great read

This book was surprisingly good for it being the author's debut thriller/suspense novel. The storyline kept you drawn in and wanting to keep listening.

Moody Mystery Thriller

This is a pretty standard mystery thriller - girl goes back to her hometown, confronts things in her past, old secrets come to light.... but I thought this was done really well. No gratuitous violence/gore/sex. I loved the setting and really thought it added to my enjoyment of the story. While I started to piece things together, there were a few really good red herrings toward the end. This book was very enjoyable, nothing too dark, nothing to cutesy - just right.

Great ending

I loved the overall vibe. I just felt like it was a lot of description and kind of all over the place. I love the way the mini stories were added in between chapters to give descriptions of the victims. All in all a good read.

Thrilling Southern Mystery - perfect Summer Read!

"Broken Bayou" is an electrifying thriller that takes the reader deep into the heart of Southern Louisiana. The story's setting is so vividly described that it becomes a character in its own right, with the bayou's murky waters, dense fog, and hidden dangers perfectly mirroring the novel's suspenseful and mysterious tone.

From the first page, the author hooks you with a gripping narrative filled with unexpected twists and turns. The plot is masterfully crafted, keeping you on the edge of your seat and constantly second-guessing what will happen next. Just when you think you've figured it out, the story takes another sharp turn, leading to a climax that you won't see coming.

The characters are well-developed, each with their own secrets and motivations that add depth to the story. The interplay between them is intriguing and keeps the reader invested in their fates. The protagonist's complexity makes her vulnerable and likeable. The desciption of the dark and murky bayou is both thrilling and chilling, capturing the essence of the setting perfectly.

I loved "Broken Bayou" for its atmospheric storytelling, complex characters, and unpredictable plot. It's a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good thriller with a Southern twist. The ending is particularly satisfying, wrapping up the story in a way that feels surprising. The narrator captures the south perfectly with her dialect.

"Broken Bayou" is a testament to Jennifer Moorhead]'s storytelling prowess and a thrilling ride from start to finish. Highly recommended! Can't wait for her next book!!

Great story

Really good and interesting story keeps you listening with good plot swists ans good narrator

Surprising

I was not expecting much from this, just downloaded something to clean house by, the title grab my attention along with the fact it was set in Louisiana. I love the name Wilamina, that my mom’s name, the story line held me from the first chapter, parental conflicts, big sister as protector, traumatic events, old flames and hidden secrets. Loved all of it I literally started this yesterday, totally ignored family this beautiful Saturday, and finished listening, I could not stop!’ I recommend this, the narrator is awesome!

The way the story weaves everyone together

Great story line it keeps you hooked from the beginning until the end. Unable to stop listening

Decent Story

I did like it, but it was pretty predictable - narration good, and I liked the main character

wow the twists

A story of childhood abuse, secrets, and finally healing. Mental health in many forms.
**trigger warning **

Thrilling

This book was amazing. I couldn't put it down. This book is full of twists and turns with an ending that you don't expect. If you're looking for a suspenseful summer read, this is it!