At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen 3

 

"...that it made no sense whatsoever to throw ourselves into the middle of an ocean crawling with U-boats on a quest to find a monster that probably didn't even exist, especially as a way of proving his worth to people who were too ignorant to realize he was as honorable as any of them. We knew the truth. I knew the truth. It would be difficult, but together we could withstand the scrutiny until the war ended."

                        -Maddie's thoughts, from the novel

Water for Elephants by this author is one of my all-time favorite books. In fact, I've read it twice. At the Water's Edge did not measure up. It took me a while to get into the story, maybe because 3 young Americans going to Scotland to film the Loch Ness monster and become famous is pretty far-fetched. 

Ellis Hyde is driven to find and document the monster, partly for fame but mostly to earn his rich father's respect (and inheritance). He is accompanied by his long-time friend Hank Boyd and the two of them coerce Ellis's wife, Maddie, to go along. This Atlantic crossing will take place while WWII still rages. (see quote)

The three stay in an inn run by Angus Grant. While Ellis and Hank disappear for days at a time, Maddie becomes friendly with the help, Anna and Meg, and Angus. Maddie and the others soon find her husband is verbally abusive and the marriage is loveless.

I rated this book a 3---I liked it but didn't love it.