If you love thrillers packed with podcast transcripts, mysterious neighbors, and secrets that unravel faster than you can say “plot twist,” Loreth Anne White’s The Swimmer might just be your next obsession.

Told from multiple points of view (including scripts of podcasts analyzing the story), we are first introduced to Chloe Cooper, the 40 year old daughter of a single mother who came to Canada from England when Chloe was a toddler. Chloe never knew her father and was raised by an overprotective mother (who has taught her over the years that she can trust no one) and has few friends in her life apart from her mother’s senior dog.

Across the alley from Chloe’s apartment, a new couple moves in after suffering the traumatic losses of both of their children. Chloe takes up an interest in this new couple, particularly the wife, social media guru Jemma Spengler, who swims at the local beach every morning. Jemma’s husband is a renowned surgeon at the local cancer center.

When Chloe witnesses an unidentified swimmer brutally murdered in a jetski hit-and-run one morning, she calls the police (against the wishes of her elderly mother, who is insistent that Chloe not get involved). From there, the story spirals into chaos – in the best way. The twists keep coming, and the details only get juicier. You’ll want to read through the whole thing in one sitting, I guarantee it.

While reading through this one, I genuinely could not guess what was going to happen next. This book threw me through so many loops at lightning speed. Multiple murders, mistaken identities, love triangles, generational trauma, a coastal town backdrop, a stalker, delusions, a cover-up – this book really has it all! It seems to touch on every well-known trope of the thriller genre without ever feeling like it’s “too much” for one book, and the way all the little details are intricately tied together to unravel the narrative in perfect timing is exceptional. 

This one would make a fantastic weekend binge-read, and for those who have a long commute, it is also available as an audiobook! There is so much to offer with this one, it really has something for every reader! The Swimmer is a must-read for anyone who craves their thrillers sharp, fast-paced, and unforgettable.