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The Drowning Game: A Novel Kindle Edition

4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 5,098 ratings

They said she was armed.
They said she was dangerous.
They were right.

Petty Moshen spent eighteen years of her life as a prisoner in her own home, training with military precision for everything, ready for anything. She can disarm, dismember, and kill—and now, for the first time ever, she is free.

Her paranoid father is dead, his extreme dominance and rules a thing of the past, but his influence remains as strong as ever. When his final will reveals a future more terrible than her captive past, Petty knows she must escape—by whatever means necessary.

But when Petty learns the truth behind her father's madness—and her own family—the reality is worse than anything she could have imagined. On the road and in over her head, Petty's fight for her life has just begun.

Fans of female-powered thrillers will love debut author LS Hawker and her suspenseful tale of a young woman on the run for her future…and from the nightmares of her past.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Unique, quirky and suspenseful The Drowning Game was the perfect audio listen. Both Amanda Dolan and Paul Woodson did an excellent job in capturing the character's personalities and setting the tone of their story." ---Caffeinated Book Reviewer

About the Author

LS Hawker is the author of the thrillers THE DROWNING GAME, BODY AND BONE, END OF THE ROAD, and THE THROWAWAYS. THE DROWNING GAME is a USA Today bestseller and finalist in the ITW Thriller Awards in the Best First Novel category. Her books have been translated into eight languages.

Hawker grew up in suburban Denver, indulging her worrisome obsession with true-crime books, and writing stories about anthropomorphic fruit and juvenile delinquents. She wrote her first novel at 14.

Armed with a B.S. in journalism from the University of Kansas, she had a radio show called "People Are So Stupid," produced fitness videos, and outfitted airports with computer equipment for a major airline, but never lost her passion for fiction writing.

Her extensive media background includes everything from public affairs director at a Denver radio station to television sports intern to website designer.

She's got a hilarious, supportive husband, two brilliant daughters, and a massive music collection. She lives in Colorado but considers Kansas her spiritual homeland.

Visit LSHawker.com to view her book trailers, listen to her podcast with daughter Chloe, The Lively Grind Cafe, and read about her adventures as a cocktail waitress, traveling Kmart portrait photographer, and witness to basement exorcisms.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00WR18RYQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks (September 22, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 22, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.5 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 5,098 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
LS Hawker
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LS Hawker is the author of the thrillers THE DROWNING GAME, BODY AND BONE, END OF THE ROAD, and THE THROWAWAYS. THE DROWNING GAME is a USA Today bestseller and finalist in the ITW Thriller Awards in the Best First Novel category. Her books have been translated into eight languages.

Hawker grew up in suburban Denver, indulging her worrisome obsession with true-crime books, and writing stories about anthropomorphic fruit and juvenile delinquents. She wrote her first novel at 14.

Armed with a B.S. in journalism from the University of Kansas, she had a radio show called “People Are So Stupid,” produced fitness videos, and outfitted airports with computer equipment for a major airline, but never lost her passion for fiction writing.

Her extensive media background includes everything from public affairs director at a Denver radio station to television sports intern to website designer.

She’s got a hilarious, supportive husband, two brilliant daughters, and a massive music collection. She lives in Colorado but considers Kansas her spiritual homeland.

Visit LSHawker.com to view her book trailers, listen to her podcast with daughter Chloe, The Lively Grind Cafe, and read about her adventures as a cocktail waitress, traveling Kmart portrait photographer, and witness to basement exorcisms.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
5,098 global ratings

Review this product

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging with interesting plot twists. They describe the book as an entertaining read with well-developed characters and strong personalities. Readers praise the writing quality, pacing, and editing as excellent. Many find the book hard to put down and difficult to put down. However, opinions vary on the overall story quality.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

362 customers mention "Plot twists"333 positive29 negative

Customers enjoy the book's engaging plot twists. They find the story interesting and well-written, with a chase story with high stakes. The book moves along at a good pace with just enough twists to keep readers engaged. Readers appreciate the first-person narrative changing between Petty and Dekker. Overall, they describe it as an exciting page-turner with a perfect ending.

"...character to love and I would love to read more on her but the story ended perfectly, I love my stand alone's and the debut author LS Hawker did it..." Read more

"...stars because despite of what I just listed, I think it's a good, twisted story and was definitely worth the money." Read more

"...The characters are well developed and easy to like. The story moves along at a good pace with just enough twists and turns to keep us engaged and..." Read more

"...I enjoyed the book and found it very exciting, but plausibility was stretched many times...." Read more

351 customers mention "Readability"346 positive5 negative

Customers enjoyed the book. They found it an entertaining read with powerful characters and many twists until the end. The story got better as it developed, and the author did a fantastic job of engaging and intriguing the reader.

"...I recommend this one to all my blogging friends, so good...." Read more

"...listed, I think it's a good, twisted story and was definitely worth the money." Read more

"...This book could make an excellent movie, and I would not be surprised at all to see an adaption to the big screen...." Read more

"...I enjoyed the book and found it very exciting, but plausibility was stretched many times...." Read more

133 customers mention "Character development"123 positive10 negative

Customers find the characters well-developed and easy to like. They appreciate the strong personalities and the female protagonist being stronger mentally and physically than the male lead.

"...Petty is a character to love and I would love to read more on her but the story ended perfectly, I love my stand alone's and the debut author LS..." Read more

"...The characters are well developed and easy to like...." Read more

"...The journey is fast paced with a variety of characters, some wonderful and others dangerous. It is read all night good!" Read more

"Petty Mosher is about a tragic and developed character as I have ever read...." Read more

122 customers mention "Writing quality"105 positive17 negative

Customers enjoy the book's writing quality. They find the storyline engaging and well-written. The author does a good job of keeping readers guessing throughout. They appreciate the descriptive writing that draws them into the story. Readers also mention the fast-paced writing keeps them on edge and wanting more.

"...Author L.S. Hawker hit all the right notes to draw me into the story and keep me turning pages right up to the surprising and satisfying end...." Read more

"Lots of drama and plot twists. Great for the easy reader who likes a fast paced thriller...." Read more

"...It was SO well written and the story line was SOOOOOO good that even with classes early in the morning, I still found myself reading into the wee..." Read more

"...developed, plot moves quickly with building suspense, and writing is clean and simple...." Read more

100 customers mention "Pacing"88 positive12 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find it engaging and fast-paced, keeping them hooked until the end. The storyline keeps them on the edge of their seats until the very end.

"...The journey is fast paced with a variety of characters, some wonderful and others dangerous. It is read all night good!" Read more

"...In addition to being incredibly fast-paced and suspenseful, it's an insightful read...." Read more

"...I didn't find anything wrong with this book. Great story line, keeps you pulled in and a good ending. You can't ask for more than that...." Read more

"...The story took off at high speed, and never let up until the end. I can't wait to read more by LS Hawker." Read more

34 customers mention "Page turner"34 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's engaging story and well-developed characters. They find it suspenseful and interesting, keeping them hooked until the surprising ending.

"...Hawker hit all the right notes to draw me into the story and keep me turning pages right up to the surprising and satisfying end...." Read more

"...addition to being incredibly fast-paced and suspenseful, it's an insightful read...." Read more

"Page turner! The characters have depth and dimension. The story clipped along so well, I stayed up to finish in one sitting...." Read more

"A great page tuner. Interesting characters. I read it in one long night. The ending was a little contrived and choppy...." Read more

19 customers mention "Difficulty to put down"16 positive3 negative

Customers find the book engaging and hard to put down.

"...This was a very thought-provoking read -- hard to put down. There were several twists to this suspenseful tale...." Read more

"Good book. Good characters. Lots of action . Hard to put down. A pretty good ending. Would recommend it to friends." Read more

"I really enjoyed this book, and did not want to put it down. Every time that I thought that I had figured out what was going to happen, I was wrong...." Read more

"Very interesting story line. Hard to put down...." Read more

18 customers mention "Story quality"6 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story quality. Some find it engaging and clever, with well-developed characters. Others feel the actions are unrealistic and the overall story lacks engagement.

"...Constantly is caught unaware with zero reason, constantly 'unable'...." Read more

"...People are a mystery in so many ways and this was a good example. Look forward to reading her next book." Read more

"...The characters portrayed have little depth and few redeeming qualities...." Read more

"...to be amateurishly written, with predictable plot 'twists' and utterly unbelievable and one-dimensional characters...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2016
    From my blog

    I saw this book mentioned during a book meme, I was intrigued and downloaded it. Sometimes the best books are the one's you know nothing about outside of the summary. I want to just say read it, there is something for all, especially the thriller, mystery fans but I think this is perfect for the YA fans that want to get into thrillers. I was captivated and didn't want to go to sleep nights and even bought it to work, which I never do, I just couldn't get enough and had to know what was going to happen.

    Petty is a 21 year old GI Jane. Her father has passed and left a will for Petty, this information was a shock to Petty's system. She finally felt free to explore the world and the will had her to continue to be locked up, she would not have it. The will bought up other questions that made her say she needs to research her history, what is really going on. She has been isolated creating a social awkwardness and the kids and town think she is weird but they are also scared of her. She plans her escape and it involves another young adult, Dekker.

    Dekker is more than happy to assist Petty, he has a crush on her but in an intriguing advocate way but he quickly ends up in a life or death escape plan without his blessing. This is one of the best characters partnered together for me, it just worked, they were exactly what the other needed. This story is fast paced with twists and secrets being revealed along the way.

    Petty has been taught to observe, orient, decide and act, the OODA. She is also a NYCPD tv addict and quotes the TV oath when she is scared. Petty is a character to love and I would love to read more on her but the story ended perfectly, I love my stand alone's and the debut author LS Hawker did it brilliantly. I am excited to read such an intense brilliant thriller. There is no guessing with this one, your guess will be wrong, you are shocked with the secrets and twists and get to the end saying wow, how did the story turn. You are cheering for Petty hoping she finds the family she deserves and before she is captured to continue living a locked up life.

    I recommend this one to all my blogging friends, so good. I really hope to see this one around the blogosphere, It will be on my Top 10 list for 2016 I'm sure.

    And.......... so exciting and laughable. I have chose this as my book club read, they will receive it at next months meeting to read for April's meeting, YES, finally will get them to read something I love but I think they can handle.
    18 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2016
    It's a good story with some nice twists. I'd give 5 stars but there were too many convenient (!) coincidences in this book that caused me to take the story less seriously.
    The worst of them were the tornado and the truck driver incident. Also, everything goes too smoothly in this book even though the author tried to throw some curve balls in there, but like I said, they were too convenient and over the top. Also, the Petty character and her behavior was way too odd. I can see that someone shows weird and antisocial behavior after an upbringing like hers, but the whole "knife in the bra" and clinging to it for every bagatelle, is just too ridiculous.
    I give 4 stars because despite of what I just listed, I think it's a good, twisted story and was definitely worth the money.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2015
    The Drowning Game is a wonderful debut novel! Author L.S. Hawker hit all the right notes to draw me into the story and keep me turning pages right up to the surprising and satisfying end. I love a good mystery, and this book did not disappoint. The characters are well developed and easy to like. The story moves along at a good pace with just enough twists and turns to keep us engaged and interested without confusion. Finishing the book was bittersweet. As I said earlier, the ending was satisfying, yet it left me yearning for more. I want to read a prequel, a sequel, and maybe a few spin off stories about the other characters and families that we met here. This book could make an excellent movie, and I would not be surprised at all to see an adaption to the big screen.
    The author has said her next book should be out next spring, which means it will be a long winter as I anxiously await it. In the meantime, with The Drowning Game, Ms.Hawker has earned her rightful place on my favorites shelf between Lawrence Block and Tony Hillerman.
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2016
    Three and a half for this one. The beginning feels like the end of a book: a young woman has been a virtual captive in her father's home with almost no contact with the outside world, save watching television. We meet her as she realizes that her father has died, simultaneously freeing her from her bondage and sending her life into a tailspin. Everything that her father told her about her life begins to come into question and the plot progresses. A young man from her small town in Kansas is pressed into service along the way. I enjoyed the book and found it very exciting, but plausibility was stretched many times. One particular plot point seemed completely out of synch with the rest of the narrative.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2018
    I really enjoyed this story! I can definitely imagine it happening in real life with the news articles of today reporting on people being held as prisoners in their own homes or as missing persons who are held against their will by others. Love how the relationship and trust grew between the two main characters, especially with the difficulty Petty has learning how to live her life outside her physical and mental confines. This girl is courageous and strong! I recommend 👍😊
    One person found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Subu
    4.0 out of 5 stars A nice, fast moving novel
    Reviewed in India on April 24, 2016
    A nice plot, moves at a great pace. Some might think it's a bit too dramatic like the movies, but overall an enjoyable read with good twists & turns. Felt a bit like reading a Jason Bourne series book with all the guns, chases, big villains & a big finish.
  • Shaz198
    3.0 out of 5 stars Mediocre
    Reviewed in Australia on September 18, 2017
    A little bit of an up and downer for me. A girl who is a little bit unrealistic and a far fetched situation. I wish I'd liked this a bit more than I did.
    Just ok.

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