The Swimmer

Author: Loreth Anne White
Genre: Psychological Thriller
349 pages
Publisher: Montlake, 2024

Synopsis
Socially awkward Chloe Cooper divides her time between dog walking, bartending, caring for her ailing mother, and at a safe distance, watching people and inventing the stories of their lives. Like Chloe’s new neighbors: glamorous influencer Jemma Spengler and Jemma’s husband, Adam, a renowned surgeon. They’re attractive, wealthy, and in a house of open windows, so exposed.

A move to the Pacific Northwest is supposed to be a fresh start for Jemma and Adam. It’s a renewed commitment to a marriage fractured by secrets. A chance to work through the tragic losses in their past. For Jemma, however, this new beginning also comes with an unnerving sensation that she’s being watched.

Then, on a fog-shrouded beach early in the morning, Chloe witnesses the murder of a swimmer. Her suspicions aroused, she suddenly sees her neighbors in a sinister new light. But as a detective and her partner close in, nothing is quite as it seems. Because the Spenglers are not the only ones with secrets. And Chloe isn’t the only one who’s been watching.

My review
Loreth Anne White’s The Swimmer is a psychological thriller that, while entertaining, didn’t quite hit the mark for me. My favorite novel by White remains The Patient’s Secret, and I’ve yet to find another work of hers that matches its depth of character and story development.

In The Swimmer, we follow Chloe Cooper, a socially awkward loner with an obsessive streak. She becomes fixated on her mysterious new neighbors, going so far as to document their every move, spy on them with binoculars, and eavesdrop on their conversations. Her suspicions deepen when she witnesses a jet ski accident that kills a swimmer, leaving Chloe convinced her neighbors are involved.

White’s clear and accessible writing style is present here, and she makes an effort to flesh out her characters giving them distinct quirks and backstories to add depth. Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with them, finding the storyline predictable and the characters somewhat one-dimensional and unbelievable.

Though there are some strong moments of tension in The Swimmer, it didn’t leave a lasting impression. It’s a serviceable thriller, but not one I’d consider a standout in the genre.

My recommendation: may appeal to die-hard Loreth Anne White fans, but overall just an average read!