Blood in the Water

by: Tiffany D. Jackson
published: July 1, 2025
genre: Young Adult, Mystery
272 Pages, E-Book ARC Courtesy of NetGalley
GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

After her father is sent to prison, 12-year-old Kaylani spends the summer in Martha’s Vineyard with family friends. When a local teen is found dead after a party, Kaylani sets out to uncover the truth—only to stumble into a decades-old mystery that some in town would rather keep buried.

My Final Thoughts

Twelve-year-old Kaylani is laser-focused on proving her father’s innocence after his recent conviction for fraud and embezzlement—until her summer plans take an unexpected turn. Instead of studying case law, she finds herself shipped off to Martha’s Vineyard to stay with an old family friend. Her mom thinks a little sunshine and time away from all the stress will do her some good. Reluctantly, Kaylani trades legal textbooks for beaches and bonfires.

But adjusting isn’t easy. The Watsons’ granddaughters, London and Cassie, live in a world that feels worlds away from Kaylani’s reality. London, the same age as Kaylani, is desperate to grow up and follow in her older sister’s footsteps—so when Cassie sneaks out to a beach party, London and Kaylani follow. That night ends in chaos, and by the next morning, a boy who got into a fight at the party is reported missing. Soon, he’s found dead at a local waterway, with rumors of a shark attack swirling.

But something about the story doesn’t sit right with Kaylani. When suspicion falls on Cassie, Kaylani teams up with London to uncover the truth. What starts as a quest to clear a friend’s name quickly unravels into a chilling mystery tied to long-buried secrets and powerful people who will do anything to keep them hidden.

Blood in the Water is a lightning-fast read with a strong middle-grade vibe. I didn’t expect it to skew quite so young—it’s definitely meant for the 10 to 15 crowd—but Tiffany D. Jackson’s writing is always solid. Even though this one felt more “kid-coded” than her usual, I still enjoyed it and flew through it. I’ll read anything she writes, and I’m already looking forward to The Scammer.

Acknowledgement

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson. I’m always excited to dive into her work, and this one was no exception.