It was an accident . . . wasn’t it?
Laurel Hawthorne has worked hard to create a good life for her family, determined not to raise her daughter in the subdued, secretive household that she herself grew up in. And everything is just fine until the night she is awoken by a ghost in her bedroom: the ghost of 14-year-old neighbour Molly, whose body is now floating, face-down and lifeless in Laurel’s swimming pool.
The whole town thinks it was an accident, but Laurel knows in her bones that there is something more sinister afoot. And that’s when her perfect world begins to crumble. With the help of her eccentric sister, Laurel sets off on a mission to investigate what really happened to the girl who stopped swimming.
But along the way she starts to uncover the truth about her family, and just what did happen in the woods all those years ago on a day she has managed to blank out – until now . . .
***************
Praise for THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING:
‘Joshilyn Jackson has done it again . . . her skilful unravelling of family secrets and betrayal left me breathless. You must read this book!’ – Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants
‘A ghost story, family psychodrama, and murder mystery all in one. A wild, smartly calibrated achievement’ – Entertainment Weekly
‘A great tale [that] builds to an exciting and violent ending – one that surprises and yet seems to fit.’ – USA Today
‘Jackson matches effortless storytelling with a keen eye for character and heart-stopping circumstances’ – Publishers Weekly
Laurel Hawthorne has worked hard to create a good life for her family, determined not to raise her daughter in the subdued, secretive household that she herself grew up in. And everything is just fine until the night she is awoken by a ghost in her bedroom: the ghost of 14-year-old neighbour Molly, whose body is now floating, face-down and lifeless in Laurel’s swimming pool.
The whole town thinks it was an accident, but Laurel knows in her bones that there is something more sinister afoot. And that’s when her perfect world begins to crumble. With the help of her eccentric sister, Laurel sets off on a mission to investigate what really happened to the girl who stopped swimming.
But along the way she starts to uncover the truth about her family, and just what did happen in the woods all those years ago on a day she has managed to blank out – until now . . .
***************
Praise for THE GIRL WHO STOPPED SWIMMING:
‘Joshilyn Jackson has done it again . . . her skilful unravelling of family secrets and betrayal left me breathless. You must read this book!’ – Sara Gruen, New York Times bestselling author of Water for Elephants
‘A ghost story, family psychodrama, and murder mystery all in one. A wild, smartly calibrated achievement’ – Entertainment Weekly
‘A great tale [that] builds to an exciting and violent ending – one that surprises and yet seems to fit.’ – USA Today
‘Jackson matches effortless storytelling with a keen eye for character and heart-stopping circumstances’ – Publishers Weekly
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Reviews
Joshilyn Jackson has done it again . . . Nothing is quite as it seems, and Jackson's skilful unraveling of family secrets and betrayal left me breathless. You must read this book!
The talented Joshilyn Jackson has concocted one outrageous tale, but she knows how to grab a reader - and not let go.
'Every now and then a remarkable writer, following in the footsteps of great authors, comes along to re-energize American fiction. So it is with Joshilyn Jackson . . . a singular writer who is in full command of the art of storytelling.'
'Jackson . . . has a gift for juggling a zillion movable parts'
'The plot is precise and sweet, and Jackson includes the perfect ingredients: quirky characters, a picturesque setting and ample surprises. Evocative and lovingly crafted.'
'Joshilyn Jackson's characterisation and setting are wonderful'