Body of Water
- Judith D Collins
- Aug 7
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 6
By: Adam Godfrey
Narrator: James Babson
Recorded Books
ISBN: 9781464229473
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: 09/23/2025
Format: Paperback & Audio
My Rating: 4.5 Stars (ARC)
For fans of Stephen King's The Mist and the HBO hit show The Last of Us comes a wildly inventive, sinister thriller following an estranged father and daughter who find themselves trapped in a diner by a living body of water.
Don't let the water drag you down…
It's been six years since Glen Masters lost his wife in a tragic accident. In hopes of reconnecting with his grieving teenage daughter, Lauren, he decides to take her on a road trip through the Appalachian mountains, where he has fond memories of their past as a family. But what was supposed to be a quick diner pit stop suddenly transforms into a nightmare when armed men stumble in, ranting about a mysterious and deadly "living water" that attacked several people up the road. The story the men spin seems to be the rantings of drunken lunatics, but soon Glen, his daughter, and the other diners find themselves hostages to both the gunmen and the inexplicably terrifying entity.
Because there's truly something wrong with the water, and it has no mercy.
Panic grows as the diners play witness to a nature-defying being that seeks only to swallow everything in its path. With help nowhere in sight, the group of strangers must work together to devise an escape, and ultimately, Glen will have to face his worst fears to reconcile with the past or risk losing everything.
A chilling story from a brand-new voice in fiction, Body of Water explores the complicated nature of grief, terror, and the ghosts we must confront to survive.
My Review
In his spine-chilling debut, BODY OF WATER, Adam Godfrey immerses readers in a harrowing tale that follows a grieving father and his daughter as they find themselves ensnared in a desolate roadside diner surrounded by a dangerous body of water.
This electrifying narrative, crafted by a fresh voice in fiction, promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, their breath held in anticipation as they navigate the treacherous currents of its story.
About...
Six years have passed since Glen Masters’ world crumbled with the tragic loss of his wife in a devastating accident. Determined to mend the fragile bond with his daughter, Lauren, he proposes a road trip through the breathtaking Appalachian mountains, a journey steeped in their shared memories of happier times as a family.
As they traverse winding roads, their anticipation builds, but a seemingly innocuous stop at a quaint diner quickly spirals into a harrowing nightmare.
Armed men burst through the doors, their shouts echoing off the diner’s walls as they frantically rave about an enigmatic phenomenon they refer to as the dangerous waters. Fear grips everyone as they struggle to comprehend: what dark force is hidden within this water?
Suddenly, Glen and Lauren find themselves caught in a terrifying ordeal, held hostage alongside the other frightened patrons, trapped in a twisted game of survival.
Tension thickens as panic spreads like wildfire, chilling the air. Outside, a relentless force is determined to engulf everyone in its path, and within the diner’s walls, illusions abound—nothing is as it seems.
This gripping narrative weaves together despair and suspense, drawing readers into a nightmarish reality where survival hinges on unraveling the unsettling truths that lie beneath the surface.
In this desperate fight for survival, Glen must confront the demons of grief that threaten to consume him, while the bond between father and daughter is tested like never before.
My thoughts...
BODY OF WATER not only ignites the imagination but also caters to those who savor the depth and nuance intrinsic to literary fiction. Through a tapestry of intricate metaphors and vivid symbolisms, the narrative weaves an immersive experience that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.
Terrifying and spellbinding, the narrative propels you into an unsettling, claustrophobic setting, keeping you on the edge of your seat, utterly unaware of the story’s impending twists. However, it is toward the end that a monumental and unexpected turn will leave you reeling.
Beneath the haunting layers of horror, intricate mystery, and palpable suspense, and amidst the shadowy, lurking water monsters that threaten to engulf them, emerges a profound and poignant emotional narrative—a story woven from the threads of grief and trauma, where the struggle for survival transforms into a desperate yet breathtaking dance of resilience.
At its heart, this tale delves into the very essence of humanity, illuminating our responses when faced with the crushing weight of tragedy. It reveals the spectral echoes of the past, the ghosts that relentlessly haunt our souls, guiding us—sometimes painfully—along the tumultuous road to healing. With each twist and turn, the journey becomes a testament to the beauty and fragility of life, even in the darkest of times.
In summary, in the relentless quest for survival, BODY OF WATER emerges as an exhilarating thriller filled with twists that will leave readers breathless from a new voice in fiction. I can't wait to see what comes next.
Ideal for engaging book clubs and stimulating discussions, take a moment to explore the Reading Group Guide, delve into a Conversation with the Author, and most importantly, discover the Author’s Note, which unveils the inspiration behind this gripping tale.
Audiobook...
I had the distinct pleasure of delving into the pages of this captivating book, enhanced further by the audiobook narrated by the incredibly talented James Babson. His narration elevates the story to new heights, brilliantly capturing the raw emotion and unyielding struggle for survival. Babson’s compelling performance sets a gripping tone for a thrilling experience, drawing listeners into a whirlwind of unexpected twists and heart-pounding suspense. It’s an immersive journey that engages both the mind and the senses, making it a truly unforgettable experience.
Recs...
BODY OF WATER is a captivating read tailored for enthusiasts of notable authors such as Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Chris Whitaker, and Taylor Adams. It weaves together an intricate tapestry of the unexpected, drawing readers into a world where mystery and suspense intersect with elements of horror and the supernatural.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing the stunning hardcover and digital copy, and Recorded Books for an ALC via Netgalley for my honest thoughts. #CoverLove
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Pub Date: Sep 23, 2025
Praise
"In Body of Water, Adam Godfrey traps you inside a compulsive, claustrophobic tale that tackles grief and the impossible choices we can be forced to make for family. It’s also the best reason to stay out of the water since Jaws."
― Tony Wirt, bestselling author of Pike Island and Just Stay Away
"Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...the water gets into you. Adam Godfrey goes for the guts with Body of Water―then the heart―and floods them all, every last chamber."
― Clay McLeod Chapman, author of Wake Up and Open Your Eyes
"Adam Godfrey’s Body of Water grips like a vise. Mystery piles on mystery. Horrors upon horrors. When you think the story is going one way, it veers another, keeping you unsettled and unable to put the story down. Written with an aching level of sympathy and pathos, while tackling what it means to survive trauma and grief, this is far more than a simple tale of watery monsters in the night. It is tour-de-force about what it means to be human in the face of tragedy."
― James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestseller of Arkangel
"A terrifying look at what happens when a giver of life becomes a harbinger of death. Every drop is a threat, every ripple a death knell. You'll never look at water the same again."
― Daniel G. Miller, USA Today bestselling author of The Orphanage by the Lake
"In Body of Water, Adam Godfrey creates a terrifying, claustrophobic and unique horror ... and then throws you in at the deep end. Painfully tense, occasionally gruesome, it also plucks the heart strings. Brilliant!"
― Tim Lebbon, author of Secret Lives of The Dead
About the Author
Adam Godfrey is the author of the sci-fi horror thriller novel BODY OF WATER, horror novella NARCISSUS, and has published numerous short stories spanning genres of horror, thriller, and science fiction.
He holds a BA in marketing, MS in cybersecurity, and has worked for the United States Department of Defense as a cybersecurity risk management professional for over twenty-five years. Adam and his family live in Chesapeake, VA. WEBSITE
