Learning to Swim

By: Sara J. Henry

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

"If I'd blinked, I would have missed it. But I didn't, and I saw something fall from the rear deck of the opposite ferry: a small, wide-eyed human face, in one tiny frozen moment, as it plummeted toward the water."

When she witnesses a small child tumbling from a ferry into Lake Champlain, Troy Chance dives in without thinking. Harrowing moments later, she bobs to the surface, pulling a terrified little boy with her. As the ferry disappears into the distance, she begins a bone-chilling swim nearly a mile to shore towing a tiny passenger. Surprisingly, he speaks only French. He'll acknowledge that his name is Paul; otherwise, he's resolutely mute.

Troy assumes that Paul's frantic parents will be in touch with the police or the press. But what follows is a shocking and deafening silence. And Troy, a freelance writer, finds herself as fiercely determined to protect Paul as she is to find out what happened to him. She'll need skill and courage to survive and protect her charge and herself.

Sara J. Henry's powerful and compelling Learning to Swim will move and disturb listeners right up to its shattering conclusion.

©2011 Sara J. Henry (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Sara J. Henry opens her first novel like a pro.... the throbbing heart of the story is right out of Jane Eyre." ( The New York Times Book Review)

"In her debut, the first in a projected series, Henry proves herself to be a smooth and compelling storyteller. And her lead is highly appealing: An athletic, fiercely independent young woman who, like crime-fiction author Gillian Flynn’s feisty females, is capable of making delightfully acerbic observations." ( Booklist)

"A compelling plot, a pervading sense of foreboding, well-constructed characters." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Complex mystery

Clean, thought-provoking mystery with an assortment of complex characters. Be sure to read the books in order to avoid spoilers. This is book one..

Opens great, then falters

Loved the first two chapters. What woman wouldn't? You dive off a ferry on the off chance you saw a child thrown into the water from the ferry passing you, and you save that child's life, even though you're no great shakes as a swimmer, less impressive as a diver and you still have to make it to shore. After that, the story sinks into deep snore territory. This writer blew a great lead and set up. Saving the kid was fab. Next time out, save the story too.

A swimmingly good story.

Where does Learning to Swim rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book is one of the top three books I have listened to.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The story line was very captivating and it had many paths that kept your interest but they never provided clues that would lead you to the surprising ending.

What about Suzanne Toren’s performance did you like?

I hope to hear more of her performances, she was excellent.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If I had enough free time I would have sat down, next to the fireplace and listened to the very end.

Any additional comments?

The initial event requires one to suspend reality as it was difficult to believe it could have been pulled off. But with that said, I suppose any other scenario would have resulted in the same comment. However, it didn't take anything away from the story and mystery.

Gripping read

The opening scene is guaranteed to reel you in. A young boy is deliberately thrown overboard and without thinking, our heroine jumps in to save him. She must now discover who the boys parents are and the circumstances that led to him being thrown into the lake.

The romance appeared to have equal importance with the mystery but the ending was surprising. I realise now that this is to be the first book in a series so I guess leaving some things up in the air is appropriate.

Loved the heroine Troy. Thoroughly recommend.

loved this book

#1 I'm from the adirondack so I was familiar with the places she referenced.
#2 I liked how she dove right in (no pun intended) and kept my interested from minute 1.
#3 the characters were totally believable
#4 great narrator

Great book. I finished in a day

This book kept me riveted the the very last. Definitely worth the read! Highly recommend

A Worthwhile Suspense/Mystery

Learning to Swim is a solid novel that I found enjoyable on many levels. I was initially drawn to this book because I lived and traveled in the areas where the story is set. The author does a terrific job of describing the area and the people in the North Country of New York, Vermont, and Ottawa. What Ms. Henry also terrifically accomplishes is to tell an enjoyable story of instant compassion, trust and genuine concern for Paul, a little boy thrown from a car ferry into an icy lake. The characters we meet are well developed and real. After saving Paul from the lake, Troy looks for those responsible for his abduction and tossing Paul into the lake. This story keeps your interest all the way to the last syllable. I found it to be very fulfilling and an enjoyable story. Learning to Swim is well worth your time. If this is the debut, I very eagerly await her next several books.

a page turner, unexpectedly good....

it reminds me of Agatha Christies' novels, everybody is a suspect! up until the last chapter with the plus of a feminine touch...a very realistic romance....and even there you're just not quite sure who mr. right is gonna be. not the typical predictable story not quite at least.
the narrator has a clear nice voice, does not whine, which is great, but her performance is not five stars, maybe i'm too demanding but a narrator can up or down a book. anyway Miss S. Toran, emphasizes too much in parts, or gives an exaggerated tilt to her voice.....
overall: good entertainment!. really, i usually lissten while walking or at night, but this ....i sneaked each litle free time i had...you won't stop till the end, and then you'll be hoping a sequel or at least the beginning of a series!!!

I liked it -- in spite of itself.

I gave it an "overall" four stars because it kept me hooked from the very beginning. The main character seems very real -- and you actually buy that the woman impulsively jumped from the ferry to save the child and that they bonded irrevocably. You want to know WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN?! The problem is that not much does. When the "mystery" is finally revealed, it is kind of unsurprising and a bit disappointing. I guess I should credit the writing for the fact that I was hooked regardless -- and will definitely buy the next in the series when it comes out.

The narrator, as others have commented, overdid it. But, just like the weakish storyline was not enough to make you dislike the book, the overacting does not turn you off.

Yes, I know, dammed by faint praise...but I WAS hooked from beginning to end regardless.

loved it

I really enjoyed this story. I found myself eagerly anticipating the chances I had to listen. I liked the performance and became caught up in the characters. It is not a heavy story, but even in its lightness, it was fun.