50 pages • 1 hour read
Paula HawkinsInto the Water
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2017A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Into the Water by Paula Hawkins, Nel Abbott's death brings her estranged sister Jules back to their hometown of Beckford. As Jules navigates the mystery surrounding Nel's death, she encounters various characters, including Nel's daughter Lena, grieving the recent death of her best friend Katie in similar circumstances. Detectives Townsend and Morgan investigate, revealing complex relationships, buried secrets, and historical connections to a local site known as the Drowning Pool. The story intertwines personal histories and the impact of the past on the present, culminating in revelations that reshape characters' lives. This book includes depictions of sexual assault and suicide.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Into the Water by Paula Hawkins has received mixed reviews. Positive feedback highlights Hawkins' strong character development and the atmospheric setting, which adds to the novel's suspense. However, some reviewers found the plot convoluted and the multiple perspectives challenging to follow. The overall reception acknowledges Hawkins' skillful writing but suggests the narrative complexity may not appeal to everyone.
Who Should Read Into the Water?
Readers who enjoyed The Girl on the Train or Gone Girl will likely relish Into the Water, which offers a gripping psychological thriller full of twists and dark secrets. Ideal for those who appreciate complex characters and a suspenseful, immersive narrative, this book will keep them on edge.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
HL760LBook Details
Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Modern Classic Fiction