Title: On a Cold Dark Sea

Author: Elizabeth Blackwell

Publisher: Lake Union 2018

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 277

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

On April 15, 1912, three women climbed into Lifeboat 21 and watched in horror as the Titanic sank into the icy depths. They were strangers then…

Con artist Charlotte Digby lied her way through London and onto the Titanic. The disaster could be her chance at a new life—if she hides the truth about her past. Esme Harper, a wealthy American, mourns the end of a passionate affair and fears that everything beautiful is slipping from her grasp. And Anna Halversson, a Swedish farm girl in search of a fresh start in America, is tormented by the screams that ring out from the water. Is one of them calling her name?

Twenty years later, a sudden death brings the three women back together, forcing them to face the impossible choices they made, the inconceivable loss, and the secrets they have kept for far too long.

One of the book club selections for this month. As a young child, I was really into the Titanic and immediately went back to childhood when I read the summary of this book. I really wanted to love the story of three women dealing with the aftermath of the sinking. But I ended up being a bit disappointed by the ending. I wanted more. The book felt like it was 100 pages too short. We don’t get a good conclusion to the story, especially in regards to Anna and Esme. I felt like the book spent too much time and even not enough substantial time on Charlotte. Not bad until the ending. Then I was disappointed.

Next up on the TBR pile: