The Drowning Summer

by C. L. Herman

Overview

A gorgeously atmospheric contemporary fantasy by the New York Times bestselling author of All of Us Villains.

Six years ago, three Long Island teenagers were murdered—their drowned bodies discovered with sand dollars placed over their eyes. The mystery of the drowning summer was never solved, but as far as the town’s concerned, Evelyn Mackenzie’s father did it. His charges were dropped only because Evelyn summoned a ghost to clear his name. She swore never to call a spirit again.

She lied.
 
For generations, Mina Zanetti’s family has used the ocean’s power to guide the dead to their final resting place. But as sea levels rise, the ghosts grow more dangerous, and Mina has been shut out of the family business. When her former friend Evelyn performs another summoning that goes horribly wrong, the two girls must uncover who was really behind the drowning summer murders—and navigate their growing attraction—before the line between life and death dissolves for good.
 
Beautifully written and enticingly witchy, The Drowning Summer is an eerie story perfect for reading under a full moon.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780759557536
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	04/19/2022
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	30,598
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.50(d)
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

C. L. Herman is the New York Times, USA Today, and indie bestselling author of atmospheric, magical novels, including the All of Us Villains duology, the Devouring Gray duology, and The Drowning Summer. They currently reside in Massachusetts with their partner and cat. To learn more, they invite you to follow them on Instagram @cl_herman, sign up for their newsletter, or visit them at clherman.com.

Editorial Reviews

03/07/2022

In Herman’s (All of Us Villains) atmospherically told tale of the supernatural, 16-year-old fashion designer Mina Zanetti wants to join the family business—not the Italian American catering company that her mother, Stella, runs in Long Island suburb Cliffside Bay, but the Zanetti clan’s work as mediums transitioning ghosts from one world to the next. Hoping for some on-the-job training, Mina accompanies Stella to Sand Dollar Cove, a beach where three high school juniors were killed six years prior in a never-solved case, and where Stella uses saltwater to communicate with ghosts of the dead. Meanwhile, Mina’s former friend Evelyn Mackenzie, also 16, heads to the Cove to summon a spirit, hoping that it will remove evidence that she has cheated on a test. But her clumsy efforts cause trouble for the teens, both bisexual and white-cued, who recall a previous summoning that ended their friendship. The author ticks a wide range of age-bracket and genre standbys—troubles with parents, a past mystery, and false accusations—but wider-world problems, including pollution, add layers and originality to the plot. Ages 14–up. Agent: Kelly Sonnack, Andrea Brown Literary. (Apr.)■

Publishers Weekly

"The descriptions of the magic and hauntings are sensory delights.... Immersed in multilayered personal relationships and engrossing mysteries.—Kirkus

“Haunting and atmospheric, The Drowning Summer is a gorgeous exploration of what it means to forge our own path. With complex characters and a setting so vivid I could smell the salt air, readers will eagerly wade into this timely, eerie tale.”—Rachel Griffin, New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches

“Herman expertly pairs real world issues with the supernatural in this spooky mystery complete with a swoon worthy queer romance. Readers will be haunted by this beautiful and eerie book long after they finish the final page."—Jennifer Dugan, author of Some Girls Do and Hot Dog Girl

“A story of two lost girls trying to find their way back to each other after a broken friendship. With unforgettable characters, vivid imagery and lush atmosphere, this story will keep you guessing about what really happened to the tragic Cliffside Trio while you root for Mina and Evelyn to let down their guard and embrace their connection. If you love magic, true crime, and complicated friendships this book is for you!”—Kat Cho, internationally bestselling author of Vicious Spirits

"Herman’s deft hand weaves a tale that's equal parts spooky and romantic. A ghost story for any season."—Mara Fitzgerald, author of Beyond the Ruby Veil and Into the Midnight Void

"[An] atmospherically told tale of the supernatural.... The author ticks a wide range of age-bracket and genre standbys—troubles with parents, a past mystery, and false accusations—but wider-world problems, including pollution, add layers and originality to the plot."—Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

2022-01-26
A young medium and her ex–best friend are haunted by ghosts from their own pasts.

Sixteen-year-old Mina Zanetti has finally convinced her mother to fully train her as a medium in the secret family business. But Mina’s first night goes wrong in a way that is deeply tied to her former best friend, Evelyn Mackenzie, and the friendship-ending mistake they made by attempting a summoning together 6 years prior. Pushed by desperation, socio-economically disadvantaged Evelyn’s second summoning unleashes dangerous consequences for both girls. At the heart of their troubles are spirits tied to a scandal that rocked their idyllic Long Island town when they were children: the unsolved murders of three teenagers. Between the mechanics of mediumship and the twists and turns of the mystery of what brought the Cliffside Trio to their bad ends, the bisexual leads’ growing reconnection turns toward mutual romantic feelings. Their relationship reads well because of their respect for one another, shared struggles against isolation, and contrasting personalities (put-together, controlled Mina designs her own fashion collection, while fiery, environmentally minded Evelyn wants to escape their town to study marine ecology). Side characters broaden the world and mysteries, appearing in ways that never slow the plot (with lovely depictions of female friendships in particular). The descriptions of the magic and hauntings are sensory delights, and the ending leaves plot threads for future books. Main characters are White, and there’s diversity among side characters.

Immersed in multilayered personal relationships and engrossing mysteries. (Paranormal. 12-18)

Kirkus Reviews