The Fear of Drowning

With no other options, Hannah’s estranged mother pleads for her help in finding her missing stepdaughter, Emily. Last seen at the secluded Seven Day Saints compound in the desolate Utah border town of Echo Canyon.

Reluctant at first, Hannah agrees to take the case and soon discovers that Seven Day Saints are ruled by one man, Kenneth Pratt—a maniacal leader with absolute power over his followers and influence that makes him nearly untouchable by the law. Under his control, the community is plagued by violence, polygamy, forced marriage, and accounts of sexual abuse.

With the help of another investigator, a reporter, and a former member who barely escaped with her life, Hannah goes undercover in Echo Canyon, determined to find Emily and expose the dark secrets of Seven Day Saints.

What Readers and Reviewers Are Saying About The Fear Of Drowning:

“Some books pull you under slowly. This one grabs your ankles and drags you straight into the deep end with no lifeguard in sight.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Fear of Drowning was just as intense, spellbinding, and captivating as the first two books in the series. Mr. Sterling knows his way around action and creating great characters. It is one of a few books that I’m not sure if I read or devoured. I didn’t want to put it down and couldn’t wait to get back to it when I was interrupted. The books in the series do not have to be read in order to enjoy them, but I think one sees more of Hannah’s development when they are read in order. The main thing is to read them. They’re that good.

I thought Mr. Sterling would go for another type of ending. He surprised me, but not in a bad way. In fact, after thinking about it, I enjoyed his ending better than what I was anticipating. I highly recommend it. If you have high blood pressure, you make sure you are up on your medications because some of these characters will make you livid.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This was a fun book. A real page turner at the end. The story follows private investigator Hannah Jacobs as she goes undercover into a secluded religious compound in Utah to rescue her sister, whom she can’t believe wants to be there of her own free will.

Sterling’s portrayal of the “Seven Day Saints”- a fictionalized, extremist offshoot of the LDS faith- is chilling and incredibly well-researched. The atmosphere of isolation, absolute authority, and the dark secrets hidden behind a “saintly” facade kept me on edge.

The midpoint of the book is where the book turns from a slow simmer to a full-on sprint as Hannah gets deeper into the Echo Canyon community. She gets caught sneaking in and once the investigation becomes dangerous, the book becomes impossible to put down.

If you’re looking for a psychological thriller that actually delivers on its promises, this is it. Just be prepared to see the sunrise!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The Fear Of series gets better with each book! As with the second book, this one is Hannah-focused, but this time with her stepfamily. Hannah’s mother reaches out, asking her to help locate her sister who is part of a cult, and, being Hannah, she ultimately takes the case.

As someone who is fascinated with cults, this book just sucked me in! The situation and characters come across as realistic where you could see someone in your life or in a documentary. Like, some people want to be there and truly believe in the cause. I laughed, I grew frustrated, scared, and relieved. And that’s what I like in a book, to feel things.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and recommend for a cult-based thriller!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The Fear of Drowning by S.C. Sterling is a fast-paced and intriguing read. I really enjoyed following the main character, Hannah. She’s written in a way that makes it easy to connect with her and experience the story through her eyes. Sterling’s descriptive writing style brings every scene to life, helping me vividly imagine the surroundings and atmosphere as the story unfolded. This book is an engaging immersive book that kept my attention from start to finish. I hope there is a next book to come in the series because I can’t wait to read more!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Entering a totally different world, the reader follows a female investigator, Hannah, as she tries to find her stepsister in a cult in Utah when she suddenly finds a gap in her appointments. Others have tried before her but were unsuccessful. The story is full of twists and turns as she faces rapes, kidnappings and capture. While she finds Emily, she does not want to be rescued. Instead Hannah is captured by the cult and her program of programming begins. The evil faced here is overwhelming and sure to surround you in the terror.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“In The Fear of Drowning, S.C. Sterling delivers a character-driven psychological story that leans heavily into emotional realism, internal conflict, and the complicated architecture of identity. Hannah is sharp, opinionated, and willing to take risks — not reckless, but intentional. She doesn’t drift through the narrative; she chooses, and those choices carry weight. I love a woman who moves the story instead of being carried by it, and Hannah absolutely does that.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Fear of Drowning Audiobook Sample