Peggy and Drew, two struggling writers, move with their teenage son onto a narrow canal boat hoping for a simpler, more peaceful life. But when Peggy’s writing career takes off and Drew’s doesn’t, jealousy festers, and he begins isolating their family deeper into the waterways. As Drew’s control tightens and his behavior turns manipulative and volatile, Peggy and her son find themselves trapped, both physically and emotionally, in a chilling spiral that tests the limits of love, survival, and sanity.
This book was nothing like I expected and completely different from Will Dean’s other works. I’ve read The Chamber, The Last One, and First Born (which I actually liked!), but Adrift feels like a turning point in his writing. It’s quieter, more intimate, and way more emotionally devastating. I wanted to binge it in one sitting, but I had to take breaks just to breathe.
The alternating perspectives between Peggy and Sammy were brilliant. Being able to watch events unfold through both mother and son’s eyes gave so much depth and heartbreak to their story. Plus, I just loved the relationship between Sammy and Peggy. The unconditional love for each other was lovely and I loved their small gestures to show each other that love. It was such a beautiful display of the mother/son bond.
Adrift, is not a fast-paced thriller in the traditional sense, but the creeping dread and emotional tension are palpable. Will Dean somehow makes simple, everyday actions, a glance, a silence, a misplaced word, feel unbearably heavy and ominous.
The character work is top tier. Drew is one of those villains you loathe with every fiber of your being, yet you can’t look away from how real he feels. The way Dean captures manipulation and gaslighting is honestly chilling.
This one’s going straight into my Top 10 of the Year. It’s raw, tense, beautifully written, and impossible to shake. If you’re a fan of William Kent Krueger, literary mysteries, or slow-burn psychological suspense, you need to read Adrift.
Trigger Warnings: bullying, gaslighting, emotional abuse, parental cruelty, suicide, and forced isolation. These themes are handled powerfully but can be incredibly difficult to read.
Other Will Dean Book Reviews
AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP | ★★★★★
Adrift comes out February 17, 2026. Huge thank you to Atria Books for my copy in exchange for an honest review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
