A Study in Drowning: A Deluxe Edition as Hauntingly Beautiful as the Story Itself

Ava Reid’s A Study in Drowning

Ava Reid’s A Study in Drowning is a novel that deserves to be experienced in a beautiful edition, and this Collector’s Deluxe is the perfect vessel for its dark, atmospheric story. If you’re a reader who loves gothic academia, dark fairy tales, and morally grey characters, this book—and this particular version—is a treasure waiting to be discovered.

The story follows Effy Sayre, the only female student in her university’s architecture college, a world dominated by men who dismiss her as hysterical. Her life has been haunted by the stories of the late author Emrys Myrddin, particularly his epic Angharad, a dark fairy tale that has shaped her reality. When a contest arises to design a manor for Myrddin’s family, Effy seizes the chance to visit the author’s crumbling, sea-battered estate. There, she finds herself entangled with the stern and scholarly Preston Héloury, and together they begin to unravel the sinister secrets buried in Myrddin’s past, secrets that challenge everything Effy believes about her favorite story and herself.

This book is a masterclass in atmosphere. Reid’s prose is lush and immersive, making you feel the salt spray of the Welsh-inspired coast and the creeping dread of Hiraeth Manor, a house that is quite literally being consumed by the sea. It’s a story about the power of stories—who gets to write them, who gets to believe them, and the terrifying truths they can conceal. The tension between Effy and Preston is electric, a slow-burn built on intellectual rivalry and a shared desire for the truth.

The Collector’s Deluxe edition elevates the entire experience. With its stunning cover, stenciled edges, and exclusive bonus content, it feels like an artifact from the story itself. Holding this edition enhances the gothic, timeless feel of the narrative, making the act of reading feel even more immersive.

Verdict: A Study in Drowning is a dark, lyrical, and fiercely intelligent novel that blends fantasy, gothic mystery, and a sharp critique of patriarchal power structures. This Collector’s Deluxe edition is the definitive way to own it. It’s a must-read for fans of Babel by R.F. Kuang, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, or anyone who loves a story where the setting is as alive as the characters. A haunting and unforgettable five-star read, beautifully packaged.