Dot Hutchison, author of the Collector series, has released Deadly Waters, a brilliant standalone novel that explores heavy themes such as sexual assault and rape, while including the element of vigilante justice. Deadly Waters follows a group of college students who attend the University of Florida. In the post #MeToo era, college boys are showing up dead after being attacked by alligators. When the book first starts out, the reader learns that the killer is luring men off campus to essentially sacrifice them to alligators but the reason is unknown. As the reader makes their way through Deadly Waters, they learn that the killer is killing these men because they have raped or sexually assaulted women and justice was never served to them, so this vigilante has taken it upon themselves to bring some kind of justice for the victims.
Hutchison has written the vigilante’s part in first person, but it gives very little away so the reader is constantly guessing who it might be. The reader is then introduced to Rebecca and Ellie who live in the same suite on campus along with five other girls. Hutchison has written these parts in third person and focuses on Rebecca and Ellie. Rebecca is in journalism and when she finds out about the murders, she is convinced that her friend Ellie is the vigilante. Ellie has issues with rage and is constantly threatening to hurt men who hurt women, so when dead bodies begin showing up, Rebecca is sure that Ellie is to blame. The reader will learn about their relationship as well as the relationships they have with their suitemates, and they will get to know a little about their pasts as well and why they are so enraged with how men are treating women.
Hutchison has written a timely novel that brings up important themes. Deadly Waters touches on sexual assault, rape, rape culture, the #MeToo movement, racism, sexism, and how women are treated in general. These topics, while they can be triggering to some readers, are important discussion points because they do need to be talked about. Hutchison managed to write a brilliant story while also incorporating these talking points which makes it just that more of a must read.
Deadly Waters is a very well researched and well written book. Hutchison has truly taking the time to weave these sensitive topics into a story that is full of twists and turns. It has some unreal twists that are bound to leave the reader wondering how they didn’t see things coming. Hutchison’s writing has also improved from the Collector series and it is clear that she will be going places with her writing career. Deadly Waters is timely, macabre, and intense. This is a story that you’re going to want to both binge and take your time reading, but not matter how you read it, this is definitely a must read.
Deadly Waters is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
From the bestselling author of The Butterfly Garden comes a suspenseful new series for the #MeToo era about vigilante justice, close friends, and getting away with murder.
Florida journalism undergrad Rebecca Sorley is like any other college student. She tries to keep up with her studies, her friends, and her hot-tempered roommate, Ellie, who regularly courts trouble with the law.
When a male student’s remains are found in alligator-infested waters, the university warns students to stay away from the reptiles. But then a second body shows up, and the link is undeniable. Both men belonged to the same fraternity and had a reputation for preying on and hurting women.
Ellie has previously threatened to kill men who don’t take no for an answer. Rebecca and her friends thought Ellie was kidding. But now a vigilante killer is roaming campus—someone who knows how to dispose of rapists. Someone determined to save female students from horrible crimes.
With each passing day, those who know Ellie become more convinced she’s responsible. But if she is, stopping her might not be in everyone’s best interest…
