Until the Deep Water Stills: An Internet-Enhanced Novel

Michael Robert Dyet
Idiomatic (2009)
ISBN 9780981199504
Reviewed by Carol Hoyer, PhD, for Reader Views (11/09)


Wow! What an ingenious way to write a novel! Author Michael Robert Dyet has included blogs from each of his characters in “Until the Deep Water Stills” to give readers a better perspective and understanding of each character.  In addition to this, Dyet introduces readers to the four main characters a little at a time, which enables us to decide how each person interacts and relates to each other in the overall plot.

Our first characters are Jayce and Katherine (Kat) who are having difficulty communicating in their marriage. Kat is feeling fenced in and would like to go back to work, however, she agreed that if Jayce changed his job she would remain home until the children got into school. Their youngest child is experiencing some development delay problems, which adds more stress to the family. Jayce has a dark hidden past and doesn’t want it to come out, but he seems to be out of control with everything that is going on.

Bryan and Grace lost a daughter from a drug overdose at a rave party. Grace has tried to go on living and appears to be hard and critical. She refuses to go to her daughter’s grave once a year. Bryan lives daily with visions of his daughter and wants to talk about it. Ironically, Grace is Jayce’s sister.

Although the town would rather not see raves continued, one aggressive social activist named Faith is trying to hold them where drugs wouldn’t be allowed. This splits the town in half and leads to some interesting brawls.  She has no idea that more trouble is stirring from her actions. 

“Until the Deep Water Stills” by Michael Robert Dyet was a fascinating read; readers can relate to the characters, their issues and demands. All of us have secrets we keep hidden from others, as do the characters in this book.

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