The Drowning Girls

By: Paula Treick DeBoard

Narrated by: David Atlas, Amy McFadden

Length: 10 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Liz McGinnis never imagined herself living in a luxurious gated community like The Palms. Ever since she and her family moved in, she's felt like an outsider amongst the Stepford-like wives and their obnoxiously spoiled children. Still, she's determined to make it work - if not for herself, then for her husband, Phil, who landed them this lavish home in the first place, and for her daughter, Danielle, who's about to enter high school.

Yet underneath the glossy veneer of The Palms, life is far from idyllic. In a place where reputation is everything, Liz soon discovers that even the friendliest residents can't be trusted - and almost everyone has secrets they'd do anything to protect. So when the gorgeous girl next door befriends Danielle, Liz can't help but find sophisticated Kelsey's interest in her shy and slightly nerdy daughter a bit suspicious.

But while Kelsey quickly becomes a fixture in the McGinnis home, Liz's relationships with both Danielle and Phil grow strained. Now even her own family seems to be hiding things, and it's not long before their dream of living the high life quickly spirals out of control....

©2016 Paula Treick DeBoard (P)2016 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Good book but poor ending

This book was fast paced and kept me listening the whole way through. I am disappointed with the ending or lack of

Great book - not a mystery but more thrilling

Dark but great. Loved the narrators & the story. It left me feeling perplexed with emotions. Recommend.

Left me hanging

The story was dark & entertaining but it ends very abruptly! It was a strange way to end with really no closure. The book was good though, it just goes nowhere.

Gone Girl & Girl on the Train on steroids!

What did you love best about The Drowning Girls?

I absolutely loved that it drug you in from the very first second you started listening and kept you diving deeper and deeper until you are right there in the last scene.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Phil was by far my favorite. His accent, demeanor, loyalty, work ethic, family values really made me love him from the very beginning. You also start to really feel for him even though you realize that if he had made a couple different choices and communicated with his wife it would have made it easier on him, but since he is so likable, it is very easy to start justifying why it was ok.

What about David Atlas and Amy McFadden ’s performance did you like?

They were absolutely, positively perfect for this book especially David Atlas. His accent was delicious!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely!!!

Any additional comments?

Love, love, loved this book. It captivated my attention from the very start and I just could not stop listening.

The story is one that will really make you think how far would someone have to push you and your family before you would commit murder. Of course, all of us would say, never, but just take a listen to this story and see what you answer to that question is once you are finished.

I loved all the characters especially the husband with the Australian accent. The wife is likable too, but there were definitely moments throughout the story that I was like just listen and believe in your husband.

If you enjoyed Gone Girl, Girl on the Train, and Pretty girls, you will definitely enjoy this gem. I actually may have liked it better than the first two I listed.

For you audible listeners, this was the BEST narrated book I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. You could visualize the characters so vividly and their accents were absolutely perfection and not at all annoying.

This may be worth a re-read in print form.

Superb, Do Not Pass Up !

Love Amy MC Fadden first. She can Read anything. A delight to listen to.
This was an unexpected plot. At first , you THOUGHT, usual story. NO WAY. many well developed characters, that are so real., you can imagine this is reality. I believe there are communities, like this ,. But do not want to.
Very intriguing, manipulation from a 16 Y.o. ( way to young to know all that entails- sorry parents not on top of it. Too busy with their own lives , and let the only Daughter have full reign over her activities...which are so unhealthy,.they become dangerous and very Tragic.
May seen a tad far fetched, but I can clearly see this scenario play out. Sad , But True.
if you have teenagers and you are very involved with your own careers.....please read. Your children deserve more !

Loved!!

Story kept me on edge. Loved the narrator. The ending left me wanting more though.

Different type of Thrille

Would you listen to The Drowning Girls again? Why?

Yes. The narration is some of the best that I have heard

Who was your favorite character and why?

Allie- loved the nutty sister

What about David Atlas and Amy McFadden ’s performance did you like?

Tremendous range

Loved this story!

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the excruciating suspense in every aspect! Sometimes I wanted to scream, "just get to it!" But this just made the story more gripping.

Any additional comments?

Don't listen to the reviews that said it had no ending. It does, it's all the way you interpret it!

left me wanting more

good book kept me listening. but the ending was odd, it just stopped. left me wanting more.

Hard to Put Down

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I have already recommended this book to several friends. I enjoyed the excellent character development for so many different and colorful characters. The author did a good job setting the stage for this story. I don't understand why anyone would think this book didn't have an ending. I got it. The narration was excellent and the pace was good.

What other book might you compare The Drowning Girls to and why?

It has some of the pace and intrigue as Gone Girl... or any other books featuring a crazy yet interesting diabolical female character.

What does David Atlas and Amy McFadden bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Acting. I could feel the angst through their voices.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were so many such moments... I liked them all. I did not want to put it down!

Any additional comments?

If you like intrigue and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat... you will love this book!