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Review: Dead in the Water by John Marrs

Review: Dead in the Water – John Marrs

"The Anatomy of the Green Water"

Reading Dead in the Water was a profoundly visceral experience. It resonated on a level I didn’t quite expect, largely because of my own history with the water.

I’ve nearly drowned once. My mother told me I had to be slapped on the leg to be revived; the pond was fenced off immediately after. Later, I choked on water at a water chute and felt that unmistakable, burning sharpness. I’ve even been pushed into a river while I was supposed to be the one supervising the group; suddenly, the end felt very near.

Marrs captures this sensation with terrifying accuracy. When you are in that situation, cold water immersion doesn't always spark panic—it sends the body into a state of inertia. You aren’t just drowning; you’re dying, and everything begins to slow down. You find yourself sinking, wondering just how far the bottom really is. Marrs translates that "lead weight" and the clinical reality of survival into a masterclass of tension.

The Tightrope of Perspective

I began this journey in the park, but I quickly realized some things should not be heard in the open. After transitioning from the audio to the physical book, I was struck by the technical "tapestry" Marrs has woven.

The book uses a fascinating hybrid style: Damon’s Point of View in the first person, while the rest of the narrative remains in the third person. As a writer who primarily works in the third person, I find staying in one character's head for an entire novel tasking—even exhausting. This style is a refreshing twist. It takes the edge off the intimacy while maintaining the impact; you are locked inside Damon’s mind, but you are merely viewing everyone else.

The Experience: "Gross" but Not Gratuitous

Listening to this one was difficult in places. Some of the things Damon says are... "gross" (if that word even covers it yet). However, it isn't visceral in a cheap way. You know exactly what he has done and what tools he used, but Marrs is masterful at pulling a veil over your eyes. The acts are clearly horrific, but the gore is often hidden just out of sight, which somehow makes it more unsettling.

The "Mercy" Cameo & The Verdict

Without dropping reveals, Marrs includes a character from one of his previous novels. I won’t name them here—I’ll leave you to discover that "mercy" for yourself. It is a chilling Easter Egg for those who track the DNA of his universe.

I take my hat off to John Marrs. He is the master of the unpredictable; you never know when the floor is going to open up and drop you into an entirely different reality. While some might call this a "slow burn," the constant presence of the protagonist's "vision" creates an immediate, psychological impact. We are left questioning: is he deluded, or is the trauma a window into something else?

Verdict: A masterclass in structural irony. Read it. Be surprised.

To see the full bibliography of the man behind the "tapestry," visit: John Marrs

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