Trouble the Water

A Novel

De: Jacqueline Friedland

Narrado por: Kirsten Potter

Abigail Milton was born into the British middle class, but her family has landed in unthinkable debt. To ease their burdens, Abby's parents send her to America to live off the charity of their old friend, Douglas Elling. When she arrives in Charleston at the age of 17, Abigail discovers that the man her parents raved about is a disagreeable widower who wants little to do with her. To her relief, he relegates her care to a governess, leaving her to settle into his enormous estate with little interference. But just as she begins to grow comfortable in her new life, she overhears her benefactor planning the escape of a local slave - and suddenly, everything she thought she knew about Douglas Elling is turned on its head.

Abby's attempts to learn more about Douglas and his involvement in abolition initiate a circuitous dance of secrets and trust. As Abby and Douglas each attempt to manage their complicated interior lives, listeners can't help but hope that their meandering will lead them straight to each other.

Set against the vivid backdrop of Charleston 20 years before the Civil War, Trouble the Water is a captivating tale replete with authentic details about Charleston's aristocratic planter class, American slavery, and the Underground Railroad.

©2018 Jacqueline Friedland (P)2018 Tantor

This book is a period love story

Well written and even better performance. I thought I was going to be listening to a historical novel about the Underground Railroad entertwined with southern society. Instead this is primarily a love story with minimal abolitionist threads. A couple of times I considered abandoning the book but hung on to the end. I’m glad I did but if you are looking for a historical novel this is not the book for you.

Great story

Enjoyed this book , the story and the characters. A great read that by would recommend.

What a story

This is a must read! You will cry, laugh, and hold your breath at times as you become fascinated with all of the characters! Your faith in the existence of and the power of what a few good people can accomplish!

Love this book!

I can’t love this book enough! The character development & storyline are fantastic, but I have to say the epilogue is one of the most powerful things I’ve ever read! Made me gasp & brought me to tears!

Human kindness

Reminder this July 2025 of the past and continued suffering. This beautiful and painful life we have on this earth.

Now I know what trouble the=water means. Epilogue bittersweet

Although I’m a southern born and bred lady living in the “heart of Dixie “ mrs Friedland portrayed what was true of antebellum south. Some good people and some bad. Yankees and the British are Included A good love story but main character is young and immature at times but had gone thru too much. Love the male main character I would read more from this novelist

Intriguing historical fiction

Timely & impactful handling of some dark & painful issues-slavery, sexual abuse, bullying, deception, & greed. I’m thankful that true love won in the end.

Good story

Thoroughly enjoyed the story. Author addresses the very worst of human traits but allows good to win in the end. Epilogue was stellar. Narration was soothing and brought the characters to life.

Historical Fiction or Romance

I thought, when I started listening to this book, that it was a historical fiction story. It is more of a romance. However, the story is decent and the narration was very good. It kept me entertained.

Well written & well read

The story dragged a little in the beginning but it finished strong. I didn’t get the purpose of the title until the end when it was matched with a minor character. Nonetheless, its a good story with scandals and triumphs. I like that it reminded me that not all people back in the day believed slaves should be captured. Theres even a sweet little love story in there. Once again, it is well written because of its structured series of events and it is read extremely well. Enjoy!