The Drowning

by Fiona Lowe

A body on the beach. An inheritance. A family pulled apart. Bestselling Australian author Fiona Lowe returns with her most engrossing mystery to date, perfect for readers of Liane Moriarty and Sally Hepworth.

CC Cilento's best memories are of spending every summer holiday running wild in and out of the Friend family beach house with her cousins, James, Ollie, Felix and Lily. It's the next best thing to having brothers and sisters. They've continued the summer tradition into adulthood, getting together at the shack with its absolute beach frontage.

But now a bombshell has the four sibling cousins have officially inherited the property - along with an unexpected fifth share to CC. What starts out as the perfect gift, and a way of keeping the family connected forever, quickly devolves into an emotional power struggle. Half of them want to keep the legacy intact, while the others want to sell - and each side will do anything to make it happen. Soon, CC can't tell friend from foe.

When a body is found on the shack's beach, has this family dispute turned deadly?

432 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 24, 2026

About the author

Multi published, Fiona is very excited about her 2026 release, The Drowning a novel about a family, a holiday house and a dead body. Previously published with Berkley and currently with Harper Collins Australia, (HQ Fiction) Fiona's been the recipient of a RITA and two RuBY awards. Families and communities intrigue her and she loves creating characters you could meet on the street and enjoys putting them in unique situations where morals and values can blur and she begs the reader to ask themselves, 'What would you do?'
For a free novella, sign up to Fiona's newsletter at http://www.fionalowe.com
Amazon https://bit.ly/FionaLowe
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FionaLoweAus...
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/fionaloweau...
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com.au/fionalow...
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/fiona...
Fiona loves to hear from her readers and you can contact her at her website

Reviews

[Fiona Lowe]

AN UPDATE ON THE DROWNING
Dear Readers,
The process of writing a book is long and the book is printed a solid month before the release date. During the time from final proofing to release is about three months. Why am I telling you this? Because I write contemporary fiction about today's modern world and in The Drowning there is an ADHD storyline. When the book was written the information about diagnosis and prescribing in the state of Victoria was accurate. On February 3rd 2026, this changed and 150 Victorian GPs will be able to prescribe ADHD medication. Prior to this it was only psychiatrists who could diagnose and prescribe. So before you leave a review slamming me about not doing due diligence, please know when the book was written it was up-to-date. I have no control over the government changing the system ;- )

So why did I write The Drowning? People fascinate me, as do the machinations of a family. Inheriting a holiday shack on a pristine piece of beach should be a dream come true. However, take five personalities and each person's memories of summer holidays, then add in the different experiences of adulthood where hopes and dreams often clash with reality. It's a recipe for tension.

It's my observation that families no matter how close can fracture over one incident. Love and affection can easily be trumped by resentment, old grudges and financial need. In The Drowning I have explored how one family deals with the gift of a lifetime. Be careful what you wish for!

I hope you enjoy The Drowning

Cheers,
Fiona

[Jackie McMillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Drowning is a book about a woman moving from an idealised idea of families to a more realistic one. There's a lot of telling rather than showing in the writing: "Thankfully, the pregnant woman didn't seem to have heard as her face didn't betray hurt or any other wounded emotions." The character development isn't particularly good. I found it hard to like or relate to the lead protagonist, CC, particularly her desperate need to fit into a family when she already had one.

The author tries desperately hard to leverage current social concerns, from worries about AI "stealing my data"; to mushroom murderess, Erin Patterson, "CC was surprised that none of the cousins seemed concerned that Lily had picked the fungi rather than purchasing them" to self-diagnosis of ADHD: "But mostly she did it so she could school her face into a neutral expression. The current trend of women self-diagnosing with ADHD based on Instagram and TikTok posts was worrying." I found it a bit heavy-handed.

The problem with ADHD and other forms of neurodiversity sat at odds with the lead character who clearly struggles to comprehend the emotions of others. For example, thinking dating apps were clearer than reading emotions of people in front of you feels quite neurodiverse: "This was why the apps were easier–ghosting always answered the question." One would think a doctor would recognise that medical misogyny means getting a diagnosis can be problematic for women. This lack of self-awareness felt at odds with her being a doctor, and to me, made her feel like an unreliable narrator. I found it hard to understand or believe the rapid jump she made between just wanting to belong to the Friends family, to deciding to contest the will.

It's clear that the author, Fiona Lowe, did research ahead of this novel, but needs to find better ways to integrate it into the storytelling than: "She knew that when someone contemplated suicide, they were at a higher risk of doing it again. That the time from thought to action could be as short as five minutes."

Not sure I believed the twist either...

With thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia (HQ) for sending me a copy to read.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecilia Cilento’s favourite childhood memories are of spending summer holiday’s with her cousins at the family beach house at Kooramook with James, Ollie, Felix and Lily and they were the siblings she didn’t have.

The shack was built decades ago and is starting to show its age, however the south west coast of Victoria is very popular and close to Geelong and real estate prices for beach frontage properties and land are going up.

Leo Friend's four children inherited the property, and unexpectedly their father has left a fifth share to CC and it causes mixed reactions. Cecilia thought her relationship with her cousins was strong, two want to keep it and a pair want to sell and they don’t take CC’s situation and feelings into account.

Cecilia is employed as registrar at the Portland Hospital for three months, she had been considering staying at the shack and not living in a rental. Tom is a pharmacist at work, he’s a member of a band and plays at the pub and CC’s not sure if he’s interested in her romantically?

The family dispute starts off with a list of rules, and who can use the shack and when, it escalates and CC’s feels uncomfortable, she doesn’t know who she can trust and it only gets worse when a big secret is revealed and a body is found in a rock pool near the beach house.

I received a copy of The Drowning by Fiona Lowe from Harlequin Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This narrative has more twists and turns than the Murray River, just when I thought I worked out who was stalking CC or drowned, something would happen and I would be completely wrong.

The story is about a family and dynamics with in it, different ideas and plans, money and inheritances, the unknown and lies, tension and being manipulated, and hidden danger.

I highly recommend this mild thriller and a book that will keep your interest and focus from the beginning and until you turn the last page and five stars from me.

[Malvina · Rating 4 out of 5]

CC Cilento has always lived on the fringe of the big Italian Friend family. An only child, raised with no father around, CC's been allowed to stay with the her cousins the Friends and their grandparents when they spend holidays at their holiday beach 'shack' in Victoria. Those times have created halcyon memories for CC, starved as she is for a larger family.

James, Ollie, Felix and Lily and of course CC have now grown, the boys have married with families of their own. Only Lily and CC remain single. The grandparents and also the Friend parents have passed. Slowly the reunions at the holiday house change as the adult cousins change from those carefree childhood times to pursuing the varied interests and the priorities they have in their own lives. Nothing stays the same forever.

Then a family bombshell about the beach shack drops that surprises everyone, and things change irrevocably. When money and property are involved people can become hostile and more proprietary, thinking only of themselves and their own needs, not of extended family.

Then yet another bombshell drops that no-one ever expected, ever, and this changes everything. CC is horrified when the two revelations begin to slowly but surely push her to the outskirts of the family she's loved so fiercely for so long. Legal action is threated, becomes real, hostilities surface, and she watches in horror as 'her' beloved family disintegrates around her.

CC's trying to juggle all this shifting sand of lies and half-truths, plus a burgeoning romantic relationship, but in the end she doesn't know what's real and what's not.

Then comes a real and present danger which blows everything apart, and CC's inability to trust anyone includes even the police. It's a cracker of a climax.

Fiona Lowe, always an eminently enjoyable author, has created a family thriller that makes for compulsive reading.

Many thanks to HQ Fiction for the Advanced Reading Copy.

[Cathy Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Start Date : 2nd January 2026
Finish Date : 13th January 2026

If you love a good thriller, that jumps at you and keeps you reeling throughout the story, that keeps you thinking and wondering, and you never know what is going to be thrown at you then this is the book for you! If you haven't already added this into your next read for 2026, then I recommended that you jump into it add it into your list. This book is an unstoppable, unputdownable story that you will not regret preordering and reading. You'll be just as hooked into it as I was!

I started of reading this story at bedtime which is one of the reasons why this has taken me some time to get through it while reading physical books during the day, which then changed today (13th January) and decided I wanted to not stop reading (I was up about 3am and started reading for quiet awhile I shall admit. And this is how I have finished this book tonight and onto my next fun arc read for 2026.

I was up to 41% when I realised holy shit that was a bomb shell and half that I didn't expect and that was hidden from her mother for her whole life, was I completely and utterly shocked well yes I was it was a complete change of events for this book.

With the turn of events that happen after the bombshell, I didn't expect these and I was shocked, especially when I learnt who the drowning victim was. And then you learn so much more about it afterwards and then the different bombs and events that happen have you reeling!

All in all I really did enjoy this book and it's another 5 star rating which is a honest rating from me, is there going to be another instalment? Well all I can say is that I really hope that there will be! Cause I was not ready for the book to be over.

Until then I shall wait.

[Bine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Drowning was my first Fiona Lowe novel — but definitely not my last

Family can be complicated, layered with all kinds of emotions. CC Cilento has always cherished the holidays spent with her cousins at the family beach house. When she suddenly learns she has inherited a share of it alongside James, Ollie, Felix, and Lily, her long-held dream of being more than just a visitor finally seems within reach.

But not all of her cousins are as thrilled, some long-buried family secrets begin to surface. Who can she trust? Is it jealousy, greed or something else altogether?

I thoroughly enjoyed my first book by Fiona Lowe. Although it takes a while to get to the event hinted at in the title, that time is well spent getting to know the characters. The family tree at the beginning of the book was helpful — though once I’d met everyone, I only needed to glance at it once more to confirm relationships.
As the tension built, I kept guessing who the victim might be. I settled on one possibility, discarded it a few pages later, and was still completely surprised when the ultimate truth was revealed — just as I was starting to suspect something and someone else.

With family tension, manipulation, a touch of romance, a cute dog, plenty of twists and turns, and heaps of drama, this book kept me engaged throughout. I also loved the coastal setting and the small-town dynamics, which added even more depth to the story.

Thank you to Harlequin and Harper Collins Australia for providing me an Advanced Reading Copy as part of their HQ Insiders programme. I really appreciate it. The book was a gift in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do to be part of the family?

Cecilia Cilento, called CC for the majority of the book, is an emergency medicine registrar, who grew up as an only child, except for summers/ holidays when she was part of the fun of the Friend family (her cousins) at the shack. As an adult CC is returning to the area to complete a rotation at a nearby hospital and hoping to enjoy some time at the Friend’s holiday home, the shack. When CC arrives she is informed that she has inherited a fifth of the shack along with her 4 cousins and not everyone is happy about this decision.

CC is desperate to be part of the family but when a body is found on the beach who should and can she trust? Who’s telling the truth about their future plans for the shack? Will it be happily ever after or a tragic ending?

The Drowning is set in and around the fictional town of Kooramook along the Victoria southern coast line. I wasn’t sure if Kooramook was a real place and googled it to find it means possum to the indigenous Australians of the area the book is based.

Having grown up in a small town, I could picture the relationships of the locals including the band(s), and the local gossip mill.

Overall, I enjoyed this mystery/thriller with a hint of romance, it went at a decent pace, seemed realistic for the time it is set and I didn’t guess the final twist, which is great, although on reflection there were a few hints along the way that I didn’t pick up on.

Having read 3 other Fiona Lowe books I will definitely be coming back for more.

Thank you Netgallery and Harlequin Australia landmark for the opportunity to read and review this book.

🎶 Taylor swift and Aussie rock like “am I ever gonna see your face again”
🎥The movie Casablanca is mentioned at times in the novel between CC and her love interest, Tom, so might be worth a rewatch.

[Justine Jenke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cecelia Cilento (CC) is a distant cousin to the Friend siblings James, Ollie, Felix and Lily. She has spent many holidays with them at the Friend family shack on the Victoria south coast. However she is very surprised when, after a death in the family, she inherits a one fifth share in the shack, together with her cousins.
The inheritance opens up a can of worms. Who gets to use the shack and when? Should the shack be upgraded to better accommodate a growing family? Who pays the bills? Should the shack be sold? Things really start to heat up after a body is found on the beach near the shack.
This is the third Fiona Lowe book that I have read, and my favourite so far. It took a while to get to the actual drowning that was mentioned in the title. But I had fun learning all about the family dynamics along the way. It was interesting to see how the inheritance affected the different family members.
Family secrets was another theme throughout the book, and the effects on all the cousins. Mental health (and the stigma attached to it) also featured.
It was helpful that Fiona had a family tree at the beginning of the book, I had to refer to it a few times.
I got a little annoyed at some of CC’s decisions, however they made more sense to me once I got to the end of the book.
There were so many twists and turns that I couldn’t put the book down! A very enjoyable read – 5 stars from me.
Thanks to Harlequin HQ for forwarding a copy of The Drowning in return for an honest review.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a long time fan of Fiona Lowe's books and like her change of direction with the last book The Accident and this one. However I found The Drowning pretty hard going for the first half. Thank goodness there was a family tree in the start as it was really tricky to keep up with who was who and I constantly referred back to it for quite some time.

The main character CC reminisces of her childhood days spent at the family beach house with her cousins. Now her uncle has deceased the will is read and she finds out that she has a 1/5th share of the beach house with her four cousins. Of course, this causes angst amongst most of them, then further revelations ensue with CC herself.

The actual drowning victim took half the book to eventuate and eventually the pace picked up in the last quarter. I know she did a lot of research into various parts of this book, but some parts were overly wordy, to no advantage to the reader. There was a mild romantic thread but that just added to more characters to keep up with.

I found the middle section could have been cut back a little, however this is just my opinion. An over 400 page book is a big commitment in this day and age.

Thanks go to Harlequin HQ Insiders for a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

[Mara (tailsandtales.streetlibrary) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to HQ Insiders for the ARC 📚

Set in the fictional Victorian coastal town of Kooramook with a beach house setting …Australian coastal fiction just does it for me.

I really liked the Italian heritage family dynamic, perfectly summed up as “conversation bingo”. That felt accurate and entertaining.

Enjoyed this bit of social commentary;
“The current trend of women self-diagnosing with ADHD based on Instagram and TikTok posts was worrying.”
I hear you.

One thing that pulled me out of the story a little was the use of the term ‘middle school’. I understand (asked my booksta peeps) it is used in some states, but for me it reads as very American and instantly broke the Aussie vibe.

I had mixed feelings overall. As a child of a single mum with no relationship with their father, I expected this storyline to really connect with me, but it did not reflect my own lived experience. I also never warmed to the FMC CC and she honestly annoyed me more than once.

The first half dragged, although the pace did pick up as it moved toward the twist.

Not my favourite Fiona Lowe book, but still an interesting exploration of family, identity, and long held secrets.

[Theresa Canu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Drowning by Fiona Lowe kept me up late reading- always a sign of a great book. CC's happiest childhood memories are with her cousins at their house on the beach. When she is left a share in it, the family dynamics change completely.
Not everyone is happy with this decision and CC soon has problems working out which versions of stories are the truth. She even starts doubting the sincerity of the guy she has started dating.
As the book goes on CC finds out a secret that changes everything, and when one of the cousins dies, she realises the place she has always loved has now become dangerous.
CC always wanted a family but she soon discovers that no family is perfect, and the children she loved to be with are now adults with their own secrets.
I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a thriller with family dynamics that readers can relate to. Thanks to HQ Insiders for the chance to preview it.

[Booked.withb · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Drowning” by Fiona Lowe 🌊🏡

Beach shack. Family drama. Secrets that refuse to stay buried 🌊

I really enjoyed The Drowning, though it did take me a little while to pull me in, not as fast paced as my usual thriller reads. Though it became a solid, engaging read with plenty of tension bubbling away beneath the surface.

The family dynamics were where this one really shone — messy, emotional and very believable. I loved how the inheritance storyline slowly unravelled relationships and shifted alliances and the coastal setting added a great sense of atmosphere. The ending delivered some strong twists that made the slower build-up worth it.

This is a good pick if you enjoy character-driven thrillers with domestic drama at their core, especially if you’re a fan of Liane Moriarty or Sally Hepworth.

Thank you so much to Harlequin for the ARC — I feel incredibly lucky, especially as this is my first one from them 🖤

The Drowning releases March 2026.

[Mon · Rating 5 out of 5]

CC an only child’s biggest want was to be part of a family, which she was during the school holiday for 13 years. She spent the holidays with her cousins the Friends at the beach shack and relished being one of them.
Now adults they still get together at the beach shack but unexpectedly she’s been told since her uncle died she has inherited a fifth ownership of the shack.

CC is thrilled that she will still be connected to the Friend family forever until the emotional games start being played and CC soon can’t tell who really wants her included as part of the family and who doesn’t.
Then a body washes up on their beach shacks beach.
Has the family dispute spilled over into murder?

Thank you @harlequinaustralia for the ARC. I could not put it down (reading into the night!). I hadn’t read any of Fiona’s previous books but I’m now going to source out some of her previous books.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

With thanks to HQ Insiders, I was given the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of The Drowning.
I enjoy a good family drama, and was interested to read this one.
Initially, there are a lot of characters introduced in the first few pages of the book which was a bit tricky to get a grasp of, but was helped with a family tree diagram in the book. Once I formed the characters in my mind, the story flowed well. I liked the beachside setting, and the main character CC was an interesting woman and I am glad the story was told from her view. There are a few secrets throughout the story which kept me interested, although I felt the story did drag a bit. It isn’t until about 200+ pages in that the drowning with which the book title refers to, occurs. So I lost a bit of interest midway but the second half picked back up and made for a good ending.

[Jay Dwight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read from Fiona Lowe. This one is predominantly a family drama with a bit of crime thrown in.

CC has an idealised view of family, being an only child, but loving her annual summer holiday with her four cousins, and wishing she was part of their family. The four siblings inherit "the shack" where the summer holidays are spent, but CC jointly inherits - a fifth share in the "the shack". In her mind, she's finally seen as part of the family.
But self-interest and greed soon arise, with family members played off against each other as different visions for "the shack" become evident.
When one of the family members is found drowned, matters between the family become more complicated and at times toxic.
CC's vision of the ideal family get thrown deep into an unhappier reality.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Cecelia Cilento is unexpectedly left a share of the shack where she spent so many summers while growing up, she thinks it’s a chance to finally be a proper part of the family she loved in her youth. The cracks in that idea however, don’t take long to appear. As she continues to navigate her position and her entitlement, the relationships between all parties continues to deteriorate.
This was an absorbing book on many levels. I always enjoy a story where the family relationships are being explored. This story has that in spades. Allegiances fluctuate, and personal issues become clearer, as the story unfolds. I really enjoyed this book, and certainly didn’t have it all figured out in advance. A really enjoyable read from Fiona Lowe.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Isabeau Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely wild ride that was!

This is a must read! Add it to your TBR immediately!

This is a deeply layered exploration of family dynamics, power struggles, and the devastating impact of long-held secrets with betrayal, handled so masterfully, that you will never see coming!

Fiona had me on the edge of my seat, leaving me in total suspense. I was desperate to know the answers while simultaneously wishing the story would never end!

The pacing of the book had no lulls! Every single chapter was gripping and served a purpose, keeping me engrossed from Chapter one!

The plot twist? Completely blind sided me!
I could never have guessed what was coming.

Amazing writing and highly recommend this book!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

CC Cilento is searching for the family she always wanted until she ends up running from them!
When CC unexpectedly inherits 1/5 of the beach shack where she spent summer holidays with her four distant cousins, James,Ollie, Felix and Lily Friend, she thinks her dreams have come true. It isn’t long before regular family and small town drama turns into a nightmare when there’s a challenge to the will, long held secrets are revealed and a body washes up on a local beach presumed drowned.

This novel from Australian author Fiona Lowe is fast paced, well researched and had me hooked from the start with believable, though not always likeable, characters. It was my first read from this author but definitely won’t be my last.

Thanks to HQ Insiders for my review copy.

[Maree Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several of Fiona's books now, plus have a few more on my tbr pile.
When I saw that she had a new book coming out in 2026 I was so excited.

This book had everything you could wish for, mystery, family secrets, a body on a beach and even some romance.

What complex characters Fiona has created, along with the complicated family dynamics.
A supposedly simple bequest in a Will triggers a series of events no one could have seen coming. I most certainly didn't! With twists and turns aplenty, this book kept me turning the pages long after I should have been in bed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Merry Bastick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona Lowe does family dynamics better than anyone else. In this book with four siblings and a half sibling there were arguments, lies, half-truths and fights and then forgiving and making up. An idyllic beach shack right on the water's edge to go swimming, fishing and surfing and to dodge the sneaky developers. Intermingled with this was a thriving country pub and a band and even a market. Everyone knew each other's business or did they? Throw in a death, magic mushrooms, drugs and throuples .This book had everything and was so cleverly written, I had trouble guessing who the bad guy was.

[Shahnaz Raza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story follows a woman who inherits a share of a family property known as the Shack, a place filled with childhood memories shared with her cousins. I was hooked from the very first chapter. The book does a brilliant job exploring how family dynamics shift the moment inheritance enters the picture. Secrets surface, bombshells drop, and the tension keeps you turning pages. There’s romance woven through the drama, plus a shocking death that becomes a key investigation. The ending completely blindsided me in the best way. I genuinely enjoyed this read and highly recommend it — solid 4/5

[Deborah Bolam]

Cecilia Cilento CC has spent many a happy time at the beach house - shack, now an adult has reunited with her four cousins at the shack, Leo the owner has passed away and the cousins inherited the property CC is stunned to learn she has also been included in Leo’s will and will inherit a share, the family start to argue and are at odds with what to do with the property sell or keep, then the body is found at the beach, secrets are revealed and CC is uncertain as to who she can trust and wow what and great book a real page turner thanks Fiona Lowe

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

These siblings and their cousin CC have inherited a family holiday shack and not everyone is happy with the arrangement. I was intrigued and nostalgic by the holidays as young children. It made me reminiscent of my own family holidays. CC is trustworthy and hardworking but her cousins not so much. She doesn't know who she can trust and who has sinister intentions. When a body washes up is when the trouble starts and the secrets need to be unwrapped to solve the mystery and keep CC safe.

[Caroline Poole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaah the joys of families and great family holidays and coastal villages, wonderful memories, idyllic right? Sorry no, read this entertaining and fast paced novel and unravel everything from your past experiences and what you thought the future might bring. It’s got everything a good family saga has to offer. Loved the Australian setting, characters and believable story line, kept me guessing with varying twists and turns.👍😁

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did enjoy this book I found parts of it a bit frustrating and you had to wait a long time for ‘The Drowning’ to happen.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

[Robyn Schneidewin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked Cassie Stroud’s book, Iluka, then you’ll love this one.
A family drama with a few twists and turns.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters in this book were so well written. I read the book very quickly as I wanted to know what happened to them.
A few unexpected twists and turns that I did not expect!
The setting of the book was fantastic and having been to the area it made it very enjoyable.

[Karina Peacock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Fantastic story from Fiona Lowe!

Gripping from the very beginning, this one had it all!

Family angst, love drama, lies and betrayal!

Kept me guessing till the very end!

Highly Recommend this book!