Audiobook Review: Dead in the Water by John Marrs
Dead in the Water
Author: John Marrs
Narrators:
Will Watt
Elizabeth Knowelden
Debra Michaels
Published: January 20, 2026
Audiobook: 10 hours 10 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Listened To: January 29- February 6, 2026
Jessica’s Rating: 5 stars
Book Description:
A chilling tale about life flashing before your eyes—including terrifying scenes you don’t remember.
When Damon survives a near-drowning, his life flashes before his eyes. Every memory is crystal clear—except one. A dead boy. A face he can’t place. A moment he doesn’t remember living. At first he tells himself it’s a trick of the mind. But everything else he saw was real. So why not this?
With his waking life stalked by the disturbing scene, confusion quickly turns to obsession. Desperate for answers, Damon digs into his fractured past, and becomes convinced that the only way to remember…is to die again. And again. And again. When he meets a perfect stranger who’s all too willing to help, the stage is set for his dice with death.
But if this is what it takes to uncover the truth, maybe some memories are better left buried…
Jessica’s Review:
I have to say this: Read The Good Samaritan before reading Dead in the Water. It is not necessary, but I felt it would have added to my enjoyment while listening to Dead. We have is a crossover character from Samaritan who plays a big part in Dead. Once I realized this crossover, I made it a point to listen to The Good Samaritan immediately after finishing Dead in the Water.
Dead in the Water is dark and as messed up as it could be and I enjoyed every bit of it! What does that say about me as a reader, but more importantly what does it say about the author himself: Mr. Marrs!?!?! How does he come up with these stories?!?!?!
We have short chapters that keep you pulled in and you find yourself saying “Just one more chapter”! Marrs really knows how to keep his readers/listeners coming in for more! We have Damon who survives a near drowning and as he very nearly dies his life flashes before his eyes and he sees a dead boy. But this is a boy he did not know. Damon falls into a web of the unknowing and obsession. He MUST find out who this boy was and just what happened to him. And Damon believes the only way to find out these answers is to keep dying, and then being brought back to life. Damon then starts on a dangerous journey into his new world of obsession.
There are trigger warnings: Obviously we have a dead child, and suicide attempts. There is also a bit of supernatural that comes into play.
Oh, Mr. Marrs, I must read all of your books! This was one dark and messed up novel I gave five stars too. Keep on writing these novels for us!