Book Review: The Drowning Game

By Melissa Smoot

Sisters Nadia and Cass Brenner are heirs to Ocean House, a decades-old empire that builds superyachts for the rich and powerful: emirs, oligarchs, and titans of industry throughout America and Europe. They’re a next-generation success with the design of their soon-to-be-commissioned megayacht for a Chinese billionaire. But the sisters’ entrée into the coveted Asian market is tragically cut short when Cass falls from a fortieth-floor hotel balcony.

A Singapore detective rules suicide. Nadia’s been in the yacht business too long not to be suspicious. Especially when she discovers Cass’s involvement in dangerously illicit activities. Pulled into the same web of betrayal, lies, and secrets that trapped her sister, Nadia is on the most perilous mission of her life. Because uncovering the truth behind her sister’s death could tear the Brenner family apart―and it just might get her killed.

From Seattle to Austria to the South China Sea, Nadia must hold on to the one thing that can keep her safe. It’s the Brenner family motto: Trust no one. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

What a fantastic book to end the past year with! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this story. Psychological thrillers and mysteries are some of my favorite genres, but this book had a lot of heart and emotion to it too. I felt like I was learning about China, particularly Singapore, and I love learning new things about faraway places. 

The main character being a yacht designer was also so new to me, I really enjoyed learning some of the ins and outs that go into building those magnificent boats. Between the setting in Singapore (with small bits taking place in Washington State) and the glamorous world of Mega Yachts and luxury goods, this book was hard to put down. I also really liked how the relationship between the two main characters, Sisters Cass and Nadia, was the focal point of most of the plot. 

Having my own sister, whom I am extremely close to, made me able to feel more of the sisters’ fear and pain and how much they wanted to protect one another. This story kept me on the edge of my seat as I tried to figure out who to trust and who needed to be kept at a distance. I especially liked that I didn’t know until the very end of the story how it would pan out. This was a great read full of drama, suspense, and a welcome dose of history and geography. 

Thanks to Kaye Publicity for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase The Drowning Game here.

More by Barbara Nickless:
At First Light (Dr. Evan Wilding series)
Blood on the Tracks (Sydney Rose Parnell series)

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