Dual timelines are not my favourite. However, this story was so fascinating thatI didnt have any problem picking up the story.
It's sad, so sad. We see Peyton, no job, no home, come back to her parents place, where her mother Eulla/Elli/Lydia is waiting with the usual string of criticisms.. Eulla's story is gripping, showing such force of character, such need for perfection. Peyton is involved as a trainee journalist, in trying to solve an old mystery of a girl's disappearance many years ago.. She has little understanding of her mother's needs or moods.
It's all very dark, full of 'what might have been'. Relationships dont come together as one maybe expects.
All said, this is a brilliantly written book, but still deeply sad.
Thanks to NetGalley for a review copy.

Maine, 2021. Peyton Winchester, at a low ebb after being fired and having the stuffing kicked out of her by a disastrous romance, returns to her small Maine hometown of Fort Meadow Beach for the summer. Back under her parents' roof, in her stifling childhood bedroom, she is bored and frustrated with the direction her life has taken. The cool relationship she has with her mother is not helping, and her lack of purpose only seems to be making things more awkward between them. 

Reflecting on her past dream to become a journalist, Peyton starts to ponder on the unsolved case of six-year-old Daisy Wright, who went missing from the town's beach on 4th July 1997. She cannot shift the feeling that she might know something that would help to solve the mystery, even though she too was only a small child at the time. As spending time in town brings the memories flooding back, she begins to put together the pieces of what happened that day, and her conviction that she holds the key to solving the case becomes overwhelming.

Tennessee, 1965. Eualla Tompkins is growing up in poverty with a down-trodden mother, a drunk for a father, a violent older brother, and a frail younger sister called Minnie. She is starting to realise that their poverty marks them as different to many of the other people in town. When Eualla and Minnie return home from school one day to find that their mother has abandoned them, Eualla and Minnie's lives take a turn for the worse. Euallla knows that their only chance for survival is for her to work as hard as she can to get them out of this place once and for all.

The story flows back and forth between the thread of Peyton's search for the truth about Daisy's disappearance in the present, and Eualla's coming of age tale from 1965 onwards, with flashbacks to the time around Daisy's disappearance in 1997. It takes some time to understand quite how Peyton and Eualla's sides of the story relate to each other, which adds a delicious layer of extra mystery on top of the slow-burn build-up into what happened to Daisy, but after a while you see where McCarron is going with this. The threads gradually weave together and cleverly collide in a way that allows you to not only fill in all the gaps about the difficult family relationships that flood this novel, but also serves to ramp up the tension around Peyton's search for the truth.

There is so much here about dysfunctional relationships that perpetuate through time, of the push and pull of love, and yearning to cast off the things that we feel hold us back, and McCarron uses these themes to beautifully examine how we cannot move forward until we acknowledge how the past has shaped us. There are very painful depictions of mother-daughter and sibling relationships that rip your heart out, but as the story progresses you learn that it is not always quite that easy to paint anyone in shades of black and white even if you do not agree with their actions. These characters are complex, and as McCarron slowly peels back the layers, the chance for reconciliation does present itself as she reveals the truth we have been grasping for on more than one level.

The story caught me from the very first page, and I loved how McCarron manages to create a really compelling, genre-busting novel that combines a cracking mystery about the unsolved case of a child's disappearance, with a delicious exploration of complicated family dynamics. I was so impressed by her ability to combine the poignancy of an incisive dissection of what motivates people to do the things they do, with a riveting story full of suspense. This is not an easy task, and yet McCarron achieves it seamlessly, keeping you firmly on the edge of your seat in all areas of the story. She also uses water, and the tug of hidden depths nicely throughout.

This book really took me by surprise in the way it blends so many themes and intriguing elements together in one perfect package. I read the whole brilliant novel in one fell swoop, unable to look away for a minute. Marina McCarron is a class act, and I cannot wait to read more from her.

Absolute fire. The emotional rollercoaster this author took you on was a wild one to say the least. I can't recommend "The Shimmer on the Water" enough.

Family; you can’t choose it but it marks your life forever.
This is a bitter story about family and love; difficult and dark, intriguing and tense; it will make you see your life in a different perspective.
This is a story told between two different timelines; the past with the young Eula and the present with Peyton. Eula had a poor and difficult childhood, but one day she decides that her future will be better and fights with all her strength to leave her past behind and have a successful future. But, is she better than her parents?
On the other side we have Peyton, the missing girl in 1997 that marked her life; she never met the girl, but that day something weird happened with her family… Did any of them have something to do with her disappearance? Returning home makes her try to discover the truth of what happened that day. But what will happen if what she discovers is something much worse? Of course you’ll have to read the book if you want to discover the truth!
This is a very interesting read; it is not easy to like Eula but you understand her as you discover her story. Also, I felt so sorry for Peyton and her family situation, she is a nice and brave woman that only needs a little bit of love and support in her life.
I have to say that I liked this book; the twists and different characters in the story makes this book a surprise.
Are you ready for “The Shimmer on the Water”?

In typical Angelnet Reviews fashion I signed up for the blog tour for The Shimmer on the Water after skimming through the synopsis of the book and assuming that it was going to be a detective story about the disappearance of a small child on a crowded beach. I'm very pleased to report that Marina McCarron's book is so much more than a crime investigation. It is a multi generational tale of family and the lies that we tell to those that we love the most.

Peyton Winchester moves back to the family home in Maine for the summer. Her life is a mess with no job - she got fired - and no boyfriend - he turned out to be an idiot who ghosted her. Admitting that her life in Seattle was a disaster is tough because her mother makes Big Bang Theory's Leonard Hofstadter's mother seem pretty touchy feely. It has always been a difficult relationship and Peyton is sure that her mother really doesn't like her.

Needing something to keep herself occupied over the summer Peyton begins to investigate the disappearance of four year old Daisy Wright who went missing in 1997. As she digs deeper into what happened twenty five years earlier it looks like the answers might be found a little too close to home for comfort.

There is a real depth and pathos to The Shimmer on the Water that takes you unawares. I’m not normally hugely keen on books that weave inter generational threads together but this really works. The contrast between the two is quite stark and helps to explain the present day issues and events. If you are looking for a beach book with a bit more bite then look no further.

Supplied by Net Galley and Aria, Head of Zeus in exchange for an honest review.

The Shimmer on the Water alternates between two storylines, one in the present day and one starting in 1966.

The book is not so much about solving the mystery of Daisy Wright’s disappearance, although it does provide a number of connections between the two storylines, as about family secrets and the impact they have when they are finally revealed. For Peyton, trying to discover the person responsible for Daisy’s disappearance allows her to focus on something other than recent events in her life. ‘Getting dumped. Getting fired. Losing friends. The embarrassment of all her failures.’ Having to return to her parents’ home feels like the final humilation. Peyton feels there is a story to be told about Daisy’s disappearance, one which might help in her ambition to become a journalist. It’s not a plan that finds much favour with Peyton’s mother whose attitude to her daughter is one of disappointment and often cool indifference.

A separate storyline follows the early life of Euella and her younger sister, Minnie, in 1960s Tennessee. It’s a powerful and moving story which was the standout element of the book for me. Euella’s father and brother are both drunks prone to violent outbursts as a result of which her mother has become absent emotionally, and later literally absent. It is left to Euella to care for and protect her young sister. It’s a struggle to put food on the table and to keep them warm through the harsh winters. The family’s poverty and increasingly dysfunctional nature mean they are ostracised by the local community. Fuelled by anger and an innate fortitude, Euella is determined to make a better life for herself and her sister. ‘A plan is forming. New ideas are coming. She can feel herself changing, becoming something different. Someone different.’

The connections between the two storylines become apparent fairly early on but this doesn’t stop Eualla’s story continuing to be utterly compelling as we see her literally reinvent herself. That’s not to say she doesn’t make mistakes along the way, quite costly ones as it turns out that will have repercussions in the future. Gradually Peyton discovers more about her family, and in particular her mother. It will result in her seeing things in a completely new light and bring about a fundamental change in her relationship with her mother. It also triggers memories of events on the day Daisy Wright went missing. But after so many years can those memories be relied upon?

And the ‘shimmer on the water’ of the title? This early description of what Peyton observes as she gazes out to sea made me think it is the prospect of calm returning after a period of turmoil. ‘The sound of a boat grows louder and she turns to watch as it speeds by, the frothy white wake it leaves disturbing the shimmer on the water before it is absorbed again into the waves and the water is once again flat.’

If The Shimmer on the Water is less of a mystery novel than the book description might suggest, it is still a skilfully crafted dual time novel that explores the impact of fractured family relationships.

Interesting storyline although it took a while to get to like the main characters.
There were a few twists and turns in the storyline and the ending was a bit disappointing.
Thanks to Marina and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley.

Thank you Netgalley and Head of Zeus for the chance to read an advanced copy of The shimmer on the water by Marina McCarron. This story wasn't what I was expecting but I loved it. The story is told mostly in dual timelines with two POV's. We meet Peyton in Maine, 2022 who comes home after being fired from her job, and a failed relationship. As she recovers, her memories bring up the past: 1997 when a young girl disappears during a 4th of July beach party. Peyton decides to try and solve the mystery of her disappearance. We also meet Eualla in Tennessee in the 1960's, who has had a hard life, caring for her younger sister, when her Mother walks out, leaving her with both a drunk father and brother to deal with. The story is fast paced, but I did find one section towards the end dragged a bit. The shimmer on the water is an emotional family story, and what happens when you keep secrets from those you love. For fans of Kristin Hannah and Delia Owens.

First I must say as a lover of Historical Fiction--this is not historical fiction. Even though there is a time lime from twenty years converging in Maine, it is not historical. Knowing that you will enjoy it more. And yes, it is a bit of a who-done-it, but I can't call it a mystery either. There is no chase or suspense but a need a for a resolution after so many years.
No, no, at its core this is women's fiction, loss and moving on, and family drama. And every family has its secrets. This one is no different.
The characters from the main to the supporting cast, are not overly likable nor likely to stick with you for long after the closing of the novel BUT they are apt and well fitted to the story the author set out to tell.
This is my first reading of a McCarron novel and will look toward the author's future releases.

Dual timeline, 1997 and 2022. Same place, Fort Meadow Beach, Maine. Peyton is at a crossroad in her life. Newly fired and single, she returns home to heal for a few months. She finds a renewed love of journalism and embarks on a quest to solve an old crime. What she finds leads her down a dark path of family, uncovering buried secrets, following dreams and learning to stand up for yourself. This book was more than I expected. Loved the dual timeline and the connection between the two stories. Character development of Peyton was well done. Characters you’ll love and others you’ll hate! Complex family drama at the center that unfolds slowly, intensely. Satisfying ending. New author for me, will definitely read her work again.

Thanks to Ms. McCarron, Head of Zeus/Aria and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

Family secrets and tension simmering just below the surface of this fascinating family story. History comes full circle as Peyton feels the need to understand where she comes from but can she handle learning what really happened ?
I really felt for Peyton in this story. She seems to have had a rough hand dealt to her and she finds solace in her home town with the familiar scenes around her. I loved how she saw the positives in the small-town support received upon her return. The mystery of Daisy’s disappearance added tension to an already tense read and wrapped in Peyton’s voyage to discover herself it was a great way for the story to hold together.

I so enjoyed this story! The story is set over 3 decades & tells us the story of Eualla, her very difficult childhood & her rise from poverty. Her daughter Peyton moves back home & so many questions are unanswered for her, which causes upheavals in people lives.
The book is full of emotion & strong characters, which grips you & makes it difficult to put down. Enjoy!

I was lucky to receive an advance copy of The Shimmer on the Water by Marina McCarron from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. This is the first book I've read by this author and it will not be my last - loved her! You will be drawn in from page one and turning page after page waiting to see what happens as it's truly that good. Loved it!

I received this ARC via Netgalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is a multiple timeline book set between 1997, 2021 and the 1960’s

Maine 1997: It’s the 4th of July celebrations at Fort Meadow Beach when a young six year old girl called Daisy disappears just as an old pier nearby collapses.

Maine 2021: Peyton arrives home to Fort Meadow Beach, she’s lost her job and her boyfriend so decides to head home for the summer and move back in with her parents.

Tennessee 1965: Eualla is excited for the summer vacation with her friend Debbie , two whole months of doing what they like.

I was utterly engrossed in this story! From beginning to end it had me hooked.

I particularly fascinated by Eualla’s story and how it was connected to everything, I really felt for how she lived and how she was treated it was heartbreakingly sad.

Peyton I adored as she was just lovely and deserved the whole world after how she was treated too but she couldn’t rest until she explored how little Daisy disappeared.

This is one of the best books of 2022 for me.

A slow burner and I didn't really warm to the main characters.

There were a few twists and turns and some interesting observations into how our upbringing can form/affect us but all in all not a great read for me. I found the ending disappointing.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book, probably a 2.5 overall.

A beautifully written dual timeline story. Set in Tennessee in the 1960s and Maine in the late nineties/present day, central to the story is the disappearance of six-year-old Daisy Wright on Independence Day over twenty years ago. Peyton Winchester, returning home to Maine for the summer finds herself remembering the incident and wondering what actually happened to Daisy. Woven around this present-day story is another, of Eualla Tompkins and the hardship she experiences growing up in poverty in Tennessee. At first I wondered how the two were linked, but eventually all becomes clear. It’s a cleverly written multi-layered novel, about family dynamics, and how the past shapes who we eventually become. The kind of read that pulls you in and makes you want to stay there until the story has finished. With family drama and secrets as well as the on-going question of what happened to Daisy, it’s an excellent novel, and one I would thoroughly recommend.
My thanks to Marina McCarron, Head of Zeus, Aria, and NetGalley for an
ARC of The Shimmer on the Water in exchange for an honest review.

This might start as the story of Peyton's search for information about the disappearance of Daisy in the 1990s but it's more about the entwined (yes, they will entwine) stories of Eualla and Peyton, It moves forward from 1960s Tennessee, where Eula and her sister Minnie live miserable lives to present day Maine. Eula is an intriguing character but oddly less sympathetic than one might expect under the circumstances. It's not so much a mystery as a novel of family secrets and lies. While I was pulled along even through the somewhat slow parts (and there are a few), I admit to being less than happy with the ending. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. An intriguing read.

3.5 stars rounded up

Maine, 1997. As the people of Fort Meadow Beach celebrate the fourth of July, four year old Daisy Wright disappears and is never seen again.

Maine, 2022. Fired from her job and heart=broken, Peyton Winchester moves back home for the summer. Bored and aimless, she finds a renewed sense of purpose when an ad for a journalism course reminds her of a path not taken. Returning to life in her hometown brings back all kinds of memories - including Daisy's disappearance when she was a young girl herself.

This story focuses on the life of Peyton, Eualla and the missing four year old Daisy Wright whose story is lightly woven in. The pace is slow throughout. A story of family, hardships, loyalty and mistakes, that we can all make, along the way. I like the authors writing style, it's an easy book to read. But there were a few questions I still felt were unanswered at the end, so I took half a star off for this.

A strong family drama. This is a sombre book but grips you so that you have to keep reading. Family secrets abound. It splits between Eualla and her younger sister Minnie, living in abject poverty in 1990s Maine and would-be journalist Peyton, who returns to Maine in 2021 to investigate Daisy Wright's murder in the 1990s. Eventually, the link between them comes to light. At first, I thought the ending twee and couldn't understand why it was included. Then it dawned on me that it explained the behaviour of the missing girl's father and brother: they drank to forget that they couldn't find her.

A gripping and emotional story of family and the secrets we keep from the ones we love. Wow, a good story like this needs a quiet afternoon, a sofa and a warm blanket. Moving and heartfelt! Enjoy! Whimsical but never frivolous, sweet but not sugary, deeply kind rather than merely nice. I loved it.