The night Gabrielle Kelly attended her high school prom would change her life forever. Gabi went to the prom with her (closet gay) friend, Asa, but it was the encounter with her adorable crush, Matt Brennan, that would alter the course of many lives in the small town of Live Oak, Texas. In The Remains in the Pond, Ann Swann brings us a coming-of-age mystery/thriller that takes us on a journey from Texas, to California, to Bern, Switzerland and back again. The chemistry between Gabi and Matt on prom night was undeniable and they appeared to be set for an interesting and torrid two weeks of romance before Matt was due to head off to college. All that would change, however, when a horrific motor vehicle accident and a mysterious phone call from Matt’s cousin, Rose, sends Gabi and her friend, Asa, into a tailspin.

In The Remains in the Pond, author Ann Swann brings us a story reminiscent of We Know What You Did Last Summer. The characters in this story are typical teenagers trying to find their way in a world they’re not sure they fully understand yet. The character of Asa, a gay boy growing up in a small, rural West Texas town and the angst he felt about revealing his sexuality, was particularly poignant. I liked that Gabi, no matter how hard she tries, cannot walk away from and forget what happened that prom night. The author reminds us through this story that all our actions have consequences, and it is the "adult way" to take responsibility for those actions. As a coming of age novel, with a few twists and turns, I found this story a very satisfactory read.

In The Remains in the Pond by Ann Swann, Gabi is off to the Senior Prom with her best friend, Asa, but upon arriving she quickly leaves him for the boy she has had a crush on all year, Matt. Matt is there with his cousin, Rose, but is happy to leave her with friends so as to spend time with Gabi. The two connect deeply and think they have found true love. An unfortunate car accident leaves Matt seriously hurt; Gabi and Rose will have their lives changed forever. Gabi immediately leaves her very small town of Live Oak, Texas and travels to California where she finds new experiences, friendship and romance. Reece is the handsome blond surfer who will turn Gabi’s life upside down.

The Remains in the Pond had me at page one and never lost me. The plot, the characters, the mystery and the excitement are all well defined and represented. I found myself lost in my reading as I was drawn further and further into what really happened at the “Pond” and where it would end. Ann Swann has me as a new fan as I am anxious to read more of her books. Mystery, romance, suspense and adventure is what you will find when you read The Remains in the Pond. There is just so much going on at once and all of it is connected, so I strongly urge you to read and enjoy this book for yourself. The Remains in the Pond is appropriate for young adults as well as older folks because it has a little of everything for everyone without being overly sexy, violent or using bad language. All I can say is read it and you won’t be disappointed.

After her senior prom, Gabi’s life is forever changed. Her main crush, Matt, has finally revealed his feelings for her, and during a magical prom night they make plans for a future together. However, his jealous cousin, Rose, has other ideas. After a night of surprises, promised love and plans, Gabi learns that Matt is lying in a hospital bed, in a coma, after being in a car wreck. Rose convinces Gabi she is pregnant by Matt, sending Gabi into a free-fall of emotions. Rose lures Gabi out to the pond, and through her jealousy, attacks Gabi with a knife. The scenario that follows will drastically change several lives. Why is Gabi haunted by dirty water, shadows and mysterious phone calls? Ann Swann's captivating story leaves the reader unable to put this great book down. What are the remains in the pond? Was it murder or an accident?

The Remains in the Pond is a gripping, suspenseful novel by Ann Swann. The reader is transported to West Texas and into the teenage lives of Gabi and her best friend, Asa, as they attend their senior prom together. I walked this journey with Gabi as she experienced the highs and lows of life, love and friendship, and betrayal. As I read, the image of Gabi, with her glasses and untamed hair, filled my vision. My heart skipped a beat each time she saw a shadow, or dirty water in the sink. I could hear and see the lightning and thunder storm high in the California mountains; and feel the sand between my toes on the sunny beaches as Gabi explored Reece’s favourite places. The author shocked me with a betrayal at the end that I was not expecting. Well done, and I look forward to reading more from Ann Swann.

The Remains in the Pond by Ann Swann was an interesting read. The story is about a girl named Gabi, whose life is changed forever on prom night. Instead of facing up to her actions, Gabi leaves town and tries to live her life and forget about that fateful night. When I first started reading The Remains in the Pond, I did not want to put it down. Swann made the story captivating and she kept me wondering about what would happen next. Reading on, there were things I liked and disliked. I liked how Gabi was able to decide what she wanted to do with her life and how she eventually found happiness. I also liked the career that Gabi picked; it was very unique. Having never heard of it before, it made me curious about it.

I did feel that certain parts of the story were a little rushed and could have had more detail. I thought the buffalo nickel would have had a bigger part and maybe even save Gabi’s life. Some parts of the story were a little unbelievable, but the story was still good. Gabi and Asa achieved a lot in just a year. Most people would take at least 2 or 3 years to achieve all that. I also felt the end was rushed. I was surprised at “whodunit” and was expecting it to be a little more complicated and complex. However, there was no way I would have been able to figure out the mystery by myself. Overall, I really enjoyed this story. Swann makes her characters likeable and the story is exciting. I definitely would like to read more of Ann Swann’s work in the future.