A review by luceeefur
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The audiobook was as excellent as my reading the actually book earlier in the month.
....
Since this is my second time finishing this book in one month, I've upped my star rating to 5 stars. I devoured this the first time through, and then literally could not stop thinking about it, to the point that it came available form the library before I took a road trip and decided to listen to it again. Much like  Angharad comforts Effy, A Study in Drowning comforted me through long drives and served as my bedtime story during my trip.

 Perhaps she was making life more difficult for herself. But she couldn’t bear it, the rush of floodwater in her ears, the haze that fell over her eyes, the nightmares smothered only by the annihilating power of her sleeping pills. She wasn’t a Southerner, but she knew what it was like to drown. 

The atmosphere in this book is so perfect, the dark academia and "gothic" decaying mansion by the sea.... I was sold. I am so in love with Effy & Preston. This is probably the first time that I can say 'rivals to lovers' worked for me, it's not usually a trope that I particularly enjoy. I figured out the mystery early on in the story but that didn't detract from the characters journey. This is easily one of my favorite reads of this year.