Learning to Swim

Learning to Swim follows Troy Chance, a freelance journalist in Lake Placid, who spots what appears to be a small body being thrown from a ferry into Lake Champlain. Without hesitation, she dives into the frigid water and rescues a young boy who was bound and weighted down. The rescue leads Troy into an investigation spanning from upstate New York to Vermont and Canada. As she works to uncover the truth about the boy and protect him from those who tried to harm him, Troy must navigate complex relationships and face mounting dangers that test her resolve. This debut novel combines elements of mystery, suspense, and psychological thriller while exploring themes of trust, human connection, and the moral obligations we have to help others - even when doing so puts us at risk.

Readers describe this as a fast-paced mystery with compelling characters, though some found the plot required suspension of disbelief. The protagonist Troy Chance resonated with many readers who appreciated her independent, complex nature. Liked: - Quick-moving narrative that builds tension - Vermont/Lake Champlain setting details - Writing style draws readers in from first scene - Authentic portrayal of French-Canadian culture Disliked: - Romance subplot feels forced - Some plot points strain credibility - Middle section drags - Several unresolved loose ends Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (800+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (300+ ratings) Reader quote: "The opening scene hooks you immediately but the implausible choices the main character makes took me out of the story." - Goodreads reviewer Many readers noted they continued with the series despite their issues with this first book.

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens A kidnapping survivor pieces together her traumatic past while uncovering a web of deception that forces her to question who she can trust.

The Child Finder by Rene Denfeld A private investigator searches for a missing child in the snowbound forests of Oregon while confronting her own haunted past.

The Current by Tim Johnston A near-drowning incident in an icy river connects two crimes separated by a decade and reveals dark secrets in a small Minnesota town.

Before I Go to Sleep by S. J. Watson A woman with memory loss reconstructs her past through journal entries and discovers disturbing truths about her present circumstances.

Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta A survival expert protects a teenage witness through the Montana wilderness while pursued by killers who want to silence them both.

🌊 Lake Champlain, where the story's pivotal scene takes place, is one of North America's largest freshwater lakes, stretching 120 miles long between New York and Vermont. 📝 Author Sara J. Henry worked as both a newspaper sports editor and a bicycle mechanic before becoming a novelist, experiences that influenced her protagonist's character traits. 🏆 "Learning to Swim" won the Anthony Award and an Agatha Award for Best First Novel, making it one of the few debut mysteries to capture both prestigious honors. ❄️ The book's winter rescue scene was inspired by Henry's personal experience of falling through ice, giving her firsthand knowledge of the panic and disorientation of being in freezing water. 🗞️ The protagonist's career as a freelance journalist mirrors a growing trend in modern media - by 2020, more than one-third of U.S. journalists were working as freelancers.