Trouble the Water

A Novel

By: Jacqueline Friedland

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

Length: 10 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

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

Ridiculous story, poorly researched

Very poorly written story with a total lack of research into the era. Largely disappointing and a complete waste of money and time!

Harlequin Romance?

This book should have been a Harlequin Romance novel. It was cheesy and predictable. The narrator’s voice was very annoying, but given what she had to read I guess it had to be. The only good part of the book was the epilogue.

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

Great story

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

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.

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.

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!