Into The Water is my first book by Paula Hawkins. No, I did not read The Girl On The Train yet. I know, I know, I missed that whole book craze. Don’t worry, it’s on my TBR list. That being said, I went into this book without comparing it to The Girl On The Train like I know so many other readers struggled with.
I really enjoyed Hawkin’s voice in this novel. She has really mastered the ability of making each character’s voice unique. In that same vein, I am warning you, there are a lot of characters in this book. Let’s just say Hawkins may rival George R. R. Martin’s enormous character list in Game of Thrones (well, maybe not that many). Each chapter switches between various POV's and includes flashbacks and inserts of book segments one of the characters wrote. Yes, at times this was confusing. However, in a way, I liked the confusion. Not only did switching viewpoints provide different insight into the same event, but it kept me thinking. This is not a book you can just flip through half-halfheartedly. It is more like you are there, trying to solve a mysterious death using bits and pieces of peoples' stories like a detective.
What's the Plot?
Nel Abbot is found dead in, what the town has dubbed, The Drowning Pool. Just a few months earlier, Nel’s daughter’s best friend was discovered in similar circumstances. Throughout history, The Drowning Pool has been a place of death, secrets, and witchcraft. The story follows the aftermath of Nel’s death as her sister and the police try to piece together what really happened and why the town hated her so much.
“Beware a calm surface—you never know what lies beneath.”
-Paul Hawkins (Into The Water)
Whatcha Drinkin'?
If you like fast-paced books and consider yourself an amateur detective… this is the book for you. I encourage all of you to set aside your expectations from The Girl On The Train and give this one a shot. Trust me, this novel will be even better if you pair it with my Pineapple Strawberry Margarita. I have to admit, lately, I’ve been a bit obsessed with silver tequila. If you find the right brand it can be so smooth, satisfying, and yummy. Adding pineapple is not only delicious but is yet another one of my desperate attempts to hold on to the dwindling summer season. As much as I love fall, I’m hoping we can stretch out a few more weeks of sunny, pool-worthy days.
Pineapple Strawberry Margarita
_________________________________________________________
Yield: 1 serving
Total time: 5 minutes.
What You Need:
-1 cup frozen strawberries (defrosted)
-2 ounces silver tequila
-1 ½ ounces Triple Sec
-The juice of 1 lime
-3 ounces of pineapple juice
-lime wedges for garnish
What You Do:
1. Add defrosted strawberries to a blender or food processor. Blend on high until pureed. You will have leftovers. Make yourself another margarita (you’ll probably want one) or store in the fridge for up to five days.
2. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine 1 ounce of strawberry puree, tequila, Triple Sec, lime juice, and pineapple juice. Shake for fifteen or twenty seconds.
3. Strain into a margarita glass and garnish with lime if desired. Serve immediately.
**Tip for measuring ounces: a shot glass can hold 1.5 fluid ounces.
Comments