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)

Good story

Although the inciting event somewhat stretches plausibility, the novel unfolds naturally and the mystery progresses well. I like stories like this one where the lead female character is smart and acts rather than reacts. This is the same narrator as the Rev. Clare Fergusson mysteries and she is very good.

Incredible Debut Novel!

This is the first time I've read a book by Sara J. Henry, and I've already bought the second. The writing is superb and the story complex and well-plotted. The characters are fascinating and engaging. I simply loved it! The narrator Suzanne Toren did an excellent job! I highly recommend this listen.

Not enough to it.

I realize mystery stories can get by on plot alone, and that average writing ability is not noticeable. Both were lacking. This book was painfully disappointing as a good friend had recommended it. The writing style was like a high schooler learning to write. Maybe the wrong things come out w listening rather than reading. The plot as flimsy as it was went on very slowly. So much more was needed to keep the listener listening.I kept listening because the plot at least had to pick up. I'm not happy having to write such a negative report.

An okay mystery

What would have made Learning to Swim better?

It was not predictable but yet it was nothing new, nothing fresh.

What could Sara J. Henry have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

I'm not sure she could have done much. I did not care for the main character's personality. She was a little to perfect. She was a little to full of herself at times. She knew so much about computers. She knew exactly what to say to the little boy she saved and exactly how to take care of him. Everyone she met liked her. She was surrounded by men who thought she walked on water.

What three words best describe Suzanne Toren’s performance?

She spoke beautiful French.. Okay, that was four words.

What character would you cut from Learning to Swim?

All of them - lol

Any additional comments?

I am not normally one for mysteries, and this book reminds me why.

Where's the editor?

What was most disappointing about Sara J. Henry’s story?

Could have done without the constant commercial references -hope the author gets something for the publicity- and without the endless descriptions of everything her characters eat or drink. And pleeease, if ever I needed a list of Gerald Butler's movies, I would go to IMDB !
A good editor would have helped this author keep to those details and descriptions that are actually useful in fleshing out characters and advancing the story.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Interesting use of Canadian setting and bilingual characters. The Quebec French was well written and nicely done by the narrator.

It could have been so much more . . .

The opening and initial premise was good, but the story and writing fell flat. I nearly did not finish it because of the repetitive "I cried" and "tears rolled down my cheeks" which had very little to do with the story.

So: not a good mystery; not a good thriller; not even a good sex and romance. Chopped up with "red herring" type of ending.