What Books Are Similar To Those We Drown?

Hooked on the eerie nautical horror in Amy Goldsmith's 'Those We Drown'. Need more deep-sea dread or monster mysteries that feel genuinely unsettling.
2026-03-07 23:31:03
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9 Answers

Best Answer
RobertAsh
RobertAsh
Spoiler Watcher Lawyer
If you're looking for something with a similar aquatic horror and slow-reveal mystery vibe, I'd point you toward books like 'Into the Drowning Deep' or 'The Deep'. For a more obscure pick, I recently read 'Drowning In Their Silence', where the horror doesn't come from a monster in the water but from a coastal town where the ocean seems to actively hide the victims of a series of disappearances. The protagonist's investigation is constantly undermined by the eerie, collective quiet of the locals, which creates a really persistent sense of dread.
2026-08-01 12:44:53
27
Claire
Claire
Expert Electrician
Ever read 'Sphere' by Michael Crichton? It’s older but holds up—an underwater research team finds a mysterious object that messes with their minds. The science-y angle makes the horror feel plausible, and the pacing is relentless.

Or try 'From Below' by Darcy Coates for a shipwreck dive gone wrong. The dual timeline adds depth, and the underwater scenes are so vividly claustrophobic, I kept holding my breath while reading.
2026-03-11 00:56:37
11
Will
Will
Clear Answerer Translator
If you loved the eerie, claustrophobic vibe of 'Those We Drown,' you might want to dive into 'The Luminous Dead' by Caitlin Starling. It’s got that same sense of isolation and creeping dread, but set in a cave system instead of the ocean. The psychological tension between the two main characters is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

Another great pick is 'Into the Drowning Deep' by Mira Grant. It’s a sci-fi horror blend with killer mermaids—way scarier than Disney’s version. The underwater research setting amps up the paranoia, and the way Grant builds suspense is masterful. I couldn’t put it down, even though it made me side-eye my bathtub for weeks.
2026-03-11 09:46:56
5
Andrew
Andrew
Book Scout Data Analyst
For something with a similar maritime horror feel but a more historical twist, 'The Terror' by Dan Simmons is a must. It’s based on the real-life Franklin Expedition, but with a supernatural monster stalking the crew. The cold, the hunger, the sheer hopelessness—it’s brutal and absorbing.

If you prefer modern settings, 'Dead Silence' by S.A. Barnes might hit the spot. It’s 'Event Horizon' meets 'Ghost Ship,' with a derelict spaceship standing in for the ocean liner. The protagonist’s unreliable narration adds layers to the mystery, and the twist had me reeling.
2026-03-13 00:44:52
7
LeoTurner
LeoTurner
Book Clue Finder Electrician
I'm out of my depth here (pun intended). I mostly read cozy fantasy, so all this talk of deep-sea horror and psychological terror is fascinating but way outside my usual lane. The only thing I can think of is 'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' by Neil Gaiman, which has a pond that's an ocean and deals with childhood memories and ancient, feminine magic. It's more wistful and magical than scary, but it has its frightening moments. Maybe it's a gateway book into darker waters? I'll just quietly take notes from this thread.
2026-07-31 07:56:05
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3 Answers2026-03-07 13:00:09
Just finished 'Those We Drown' last week, and wow—it’s one of those books that claws into your brain and refuses to let go. The atmosphere is thick with dread, like walking through a foggy harbor where every shadow might be something... or nothing. The protagonist’s descent into paranoia feels so visceral, especially when the line between reality and delusion blurs. I love how the author uses maritime folklore as a backbone; it’s not just cheap jump scares but a slow, psychological unraveling. That said, if you’re expecting non-stop action, this might not be your jam. It’s a slow burn, more about the creeping horror of isolation and the unknown. The ending left me with this lingering unease—like I’d swallowed a piece of the ocean’s darkness myself. Perfect for fans of 'The Luminous Dead' or 'The Fisherman.'

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4 Answers2026-03-25 09:37:35
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5 Answers2026-03-23 03:13:09
Reading 'Those We Thought We Knew' left me with this eerie, lingering feeling—like the story wasn’t done with me even after I turned the last page. If you’re craving more books that explore deep, unsettling family secrets or small-town mysteries with a literary bent, I’d throw 'The Vanishing Half' by Brit Bennett into the mix. It’s got that same layered exploration of identity and history, but with a focus on racial passing and twin sisters whose lives diverge dramatically. Then there’s 'Sharp Objects' by Gillian Flynn—dark, twisty, and drenched in Southern Gothic vibes. The protagonist’s return to her hometown uncovers horrors that feel eerily familiar if you enjoyed the buried traumas in 'Those We Thought We Knew.' For something quieter but just as haunting, 'Everything I Never Told You' by Celeste Ng digs into the fractures within a family after a tragedy. The way Ng unpacks unspoken tensions reminds me of how 'Those We Thought We Knew' handles its characters’ hidden wounds. And if you’re up for a slower burn with rich prose, 'The Weight of Blood' by Tiffany D. Jackson reimagines a classic horror trope through a racial lens, much like how David Joy’s book confronts uncomfortable truths head-on.
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