Deep Water by Emma Bamford

We're heading for even warmer weather in today's blog tour stop but there are stormy times ahead. I'm pleased to share my book review of Deep Waters by Emma Bamford. Many thanks to Tracy Fenton on behalf of Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for my invitation and to the publisher for my review copy.

The Blurb

The dark side of paradise is exposed when a terrified couple reveals their daunting experience on a remote island to their rescuers - only to realize they’re still in the grips of the island’s secrets - in this intense and startling debut. When a Navy vessel comes across a yacht in distress in the middle of the vast Indian Ocean, Captain Danial Tengku orders his ship to rush to its aid. On board the yacht is a British couple: a horribly injured man, Jake, and his traumatized wife, Virginie, who breathlessly confesses, ‘It’s all my fault. I killed them’.

Trembling with fear, she reveals their shocking story to Danial. Months earlier, the couple had spent all their savings on a yacht, full of excitement for exploring the high seas and exotic lands together. Jake and Virginie start at the busy harbours of Malaysia and, through word of mouth, they learn about a tiny, isolated island full of unspoiled beaches. When they arrive, they discover they are not the only visitors and quickly become entangled with a motley crew of expat sailors. Soon, Jake and Virginie’s adventurous dream turns into a terrifying nightmare.

Now, it’s up to Danial to determine just how much truth there is in Virginie’s alarming tale. But when his crew make a shocking discovery, he realizes that if he doesn’t act soon, they could all fall under the dark spell of the island.

My Review

Captain Daniel Tengku rescues Virginie and her badly injured husband Jake from their yacht. Except it's not their yacht. It is some time before Virginie begins to make sense and then we are taken back with her to the beginning of their adventure and all that happens to bring us to this point. And it's all because they decided to visit Amarante, a beautiful, deserted island they have heard about. When they arrive there they find two boats already moored there and another one soon arrives. Things are great for a wee while for this wee group. Until they're not. 

I don't have sea legs. I love the idea of selling up and buying a yacht, it all seems very glamorous, but it wouldn't be for me. I wouldn't like the isolation eother. But bravo to Virginie and Jake who do it. Virginie's recollections go back to them arriving in the Malaysian town of Port Brown full of excitement to collect, fix up and paint their new boat. I enjoyed learning a little about boats and sailing and a little about ocean going superstitions. Virginie and Jake are an engaging couple and I liked being a fly on the wall as they begin their new life. Most of the story happens on the yacht or on Amarante so it has a claustrophobic feel to it. And the folk they meet in the island are a motley crew, very different personalities, hailing from the US, Australia, Brazil and Mozambique. I have a wee soft spot for Roly. And our naval captain, Danial, is a lovely character. 

I can't really say much about the plot without spoilers but it's great. Tense too. I found myself dying to know what on earth has happened to the couple. And as we learn the course of events there are certainly some shocks on the way. I actually stayed up until 3.45am to finish this! And I'm not sure I can give a better recommendation than that. Deep Water is well written, atmospheric and suspenseful with engaging characters. Yup, enjoyed it. Now I'm away to catch up on lost sleep! 

The Author

Emma Bamford, a freelance journalist, is working on an MA in prose fiction at University of East Anglia, UK. She is the author of Deep Water and the memoirs Casting Off and Untie the Lines. Find out more at EmmaBamford.com.