Synopsis
In this debut thriller, a troubled child psychologist returns to a small Louisiana town to protect her secrets but winds up having to protect her life.
Dr. Willa Watters is a prominent child psychologist at the height of her career. But when a viral video of a disastrous television interview puts her reputation on the line, Willa retreats to Broken Bayou, the town where she spent most of her childhood summers. There she visits her aunts’ old house and discovers some of her troubled mother’s belongings still languishing in the attic—dusty mementos harboring secrets of her harrowing past.
Willa’s hopes for a respite are quickly crushed, not only by what she finds in that attic but also by what’s been found in the bayou.
With waters dropping due to drought, mysterious barrels containing human remains have surfaced, alongside something else from Willa’s past, something she never thought she’d see again. Divers, police, and media flood the area, including a news reporter gunning for Willa and Travis Arceneaux—a local deputy and old flame.
Willa’s fate seems eerily tied to the murders. And with no one to trust, she must use her wits to stay above water and make it out alive.
Mini Audiobook Review
5 stars
Well, talk about a ride!
Broken Bayou takes place in a backwater town in Louisiana so small the police station just has three cops.
Dr Willa Watters is coming back to Broken Bayou, her childhood summer town, to hide from a disastrous media situation. She, the famous child psychologist, author and podcaster completely lost it on live television.
What triggered her: a childlike voice reminding her of her younger sister.
The call from her deceased aunts lawyer to come and get some of her mother’s things in the attic was like a life saver to escape the media circus.
But what Willa doesn’t expect is to visit a town in turmoil as the draught is revealing barrels full of human remains that were previously sunk in the bayou.
The draught is also revealing one of Willa s dark secret, something she did as a teenager to protect her bipolar mother.
Between Willa’s dark past, slowly revealed, and with a serial killer on the loose, I was barely breathing, nearly unable to put down the book! Willa’s composure unraveled, her sleek façade cracking under the threat of being exposed for what she did but also as the killer seems to leave her “gifts”, creeping her (and me) out!
It’s full of secrets, unexpected reveals, twists and turns all on a background of a looming threat. I never could guess who the killer was, jumping from suspect to suspect.
It’s chilling, heart pounding and just perfect
Thanks for reading.
Sophie
Sounds good.
It was!
What a way for your secrets to be revealed. Sounds engrossing!
It totally was Sam!