The Drowning Game

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 813 ratings

Price: 1.99

Last update: 12-16-2024


About this item

A woman’s investigation into her sister’s death exposes the dark side of a secret life in a gripping novel of power, money, and murder by a Wall Street Journal bestselling author.

Sisters Nadia and Cass Brenner are heirs to Ocean House, a decades-old empire that builds superyachts for the rich and powerful: emirs, oligarchs, and titans of industry throughout America and Europe. They’re a next-generation success with the design of their soon-to-be-commissioned megayacht for a Chinese billionaire. But the sisters’ entrée into the coveted Asian market is tragically cut short when Cass falls from a fortieth-floor hotel balcony.

A Singapore detective rules suicide. Nadia’s been in the yacht business too long not to be suspicious. Especially when she discovers Cass’s involvement in dangerously illicit activities. Pulled into the same web of betrayal, lies, and secrets that trapped her sister, Nadia is on the most perilous mission of her life. Because uncovering the truth behind her sister’s death could tear the Brenner family apart—and it just might get her killed.

From Seattle to Austria to the South China Sea, Nadia must hold on to the one thing that can keep her safe. It’s the Brenner family motto: Trust no one.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Mother Dog
    5.0 out of 5 stars Clean language, thriller without the gore.
    Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2024
    I love reading spy and thriller stories, and this book absolutely delivers! It’s packed with twists and turns that kept me hooked until the very end. The unpredictable conclusion was both surprising and satisfying, making for an engaging read.
    Initially, the story seems to center around Cass, but as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that her sister, Nadia, is the real focus. The narrative is filled with intrigue—murders, betrayals, and deeply buried family secrets come to light. Nadia is faced with the daunting question: Who can she trust in a world where she’s been taught to "trust no one"?
    The tension heightens when Nadia is forced to return to Singapore to complete the construction of a luxury yacht, a project originally overseen by Cass. The journey is not just about the yacht but also about unraveling the mysteries surrounding her sister.
    I received a free copy of this book as my December First Reads selection, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a gripping thriller with complex characters and a web of suspense.
  • Reader by Night
    4.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing Ending
    Reviewed in the United States on December 14, 2024
    This story takes the reader behind the super-lux yacht scene, which I found interesting. The writing and pacing were good and I thoroughly enjoyed the story until the final few chapters. It felt to me that in trying to develop a feel-good finish the author spoiled a 5-star book with a 3-star ending.
  • Mike K.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Storyline - Compelling Characters
    Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2024
    Another thriller triumph from Barbara Nickless! In addition to great storylines and compelling characters the extensive research she invests in each of her novels creates a rich backdrop for her story to unfold. I am a huge fan of the detail her extensive research yields. In "The Drowning Game" I feel like I spent a month in Singapore and a week in Monaco - could have stayed longer - which let me better appreciate the environment her characters were operating in. It was fun to learn from Nadia that the phrase "sea change" has nothing to do with the sea. Reading a Nickless novel is like getting a free upgrade - they're just better.
    Of all of the possible words at her disposal Barbara always picks the right ones to tell her tales. I could read 1,000 page Barbara Nickless novels because I love the way her stories flow and I hate for them to end.
    Hopefully, I will get to see these characters again.
  • Craig W.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and somewhat different plotline
    Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2024
    I really enjoyed reading this novel, as it was well written and somewhat unique. However, the ending did disappoint me, as it was a bit too 'Hollywood'. The writer couldn't leave well enough alone. The final confrontation also was sort of 'dropped in' and didn't live up to the rest of the book. It should be noted that endings are the hardest things to get right and are most often why I will drop a book from 4 stars to 3 stars.
  • Pancho
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Shark in Hand
    Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2024
    So much to learn about life is encouraged in this wonderful novel! The characters are solid and the plot very complex. Really loo!led forward to my evening reading time! Sorry it was finished.
  • bb
    4.0 out of 5 stars Different type of spy thriller!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2024
    I really enthusiastic Amazon First Read book. I enjoy spy thrillers and this one had a clear feminine touch. Great female protagonist. Focused on geopolitical issues with China and greater Asia it was an engrossing read. Highly recommend!
  • cnn60
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superyachts, spies, exotic locales -- this book has it all!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2024
    Nadia Brenner does not think of herself as a courageous person. Her sister Cassandra is the bold and fearless one. Co-heirs to Ocean House, the family's business designing and building superyachts for the ultra-rich, the sisters have always been close. When Cass dies in a fall from a luxury hotel in Singapore the police rule it a suicide. Nadia is left with questions and a determination to find the truth about her sister's death. As she peels back the layers of her sister's life in Singapore and the superyacht project that will be Ocean House's entry to the Asian market, she discovers hidden agendas, secrets, and threats to her own life. What is she willing to risk for her sister's memory, for her family's future, for her own principles?

    With a slight shift in genre from her previous books, Barbara Nickless dives into a world of international espionage and intrigue. She has once again delivered a compelling, tightly-plotted story in her usual exceptional prose. The details of the superyacht business, China and geopolitical tensions in East Asia, and developments in artificial intelligence all reflect her flair for research and getting the details right. Also unchanged is her ability to create characters that capture our hearts and locales that come alive. The Drowning Game is a captivating read from start to finish.
  • desertwise
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lifestyles of the rich and dangerous
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2024
    Murder, international intrigue, family secrets, and superyachts. What more could you want? How about a complex and compelling heroine, evocative writing, and a masterful plot that continuously ratchets up the suspense and keeps you guessing until the end? Barbara Nickless delivers another stunner in this outstanding stand-alone thriller. Highly recommended.

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