Within the first chapter of this read Alicen has lost her daughter, husband and seemingly perfect life in Santa Monica. Her childhood friend, Lou, invites her to return to Red Lodge, Montana as Lou packs up her family’s past. It is here Alicen begins to hear voices and see things. Is she going crazy? Are her delusions real? Will she ever find peace after the death of her child? What unfolds within is a twisted, layered story of suspense, mental illness and grief.

I was immediately drawn to When Through Deep Waters as it seemed to put mental health at the center of its story, however I found it difficult to get into as I read. The pace is slow as the reader is led through Alicen’s relationships with her Grandma Joe, Mom and Lou. The past is infrequently dispersed throughout the present day as the author attempts to inject hereditary characteristics and Alicen’s upbringing. Lou’s mom even makes a VERY brief entrance to deliver a crucial piece of the storyline. But, despite this, the story failed to engage.

Where Dekker fell short in pace she certainly made up for in creating an incredible fantasy land within Alicen’s mind. This book serves to ignite the mental health conversation and treatment methods as it did not stray from the uncomfortable. While it may not be the quickest read you pick up this summer it definitely touches on many important, and relevant, topics in any landscape.
*Disclaimer: A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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