Reviews

Death by Dark Waters by Jo Allen

janinereader's review

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3.0

This was a nice mystery story, though maybe a little more on the simple side. Not a bad thing though! My one gripe was really the breadth of information and inner character thoughts that just went on and on and were not always necessary. Still a gripping read, but could benefit from some cuts.

annc's review

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5.0

I really enjoyed this book. I absolutely loved the characters. It was an easy but engaging read and I’m so looking forward to the next one in the series
Oh the joy of getting into a new series from the start

vesper1931's review

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3.0

A burnt body, that of a child, is discovered near the shore of Haweswater on a Sunday, near the village of Burnbanks.
D.C.I. Satterwaite is joined by his team and new arrival D.S. Ashleigh O'Halloran to investigate.
It seems Satterwaite and his team all have their personal problems to deal with during the case, and I didn't take to O'Halloram's character. Unfortunately I did find the plot predictable and not all that exciting, so a like and not a love rating.
A NetGalley Book

fictionophile's review

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4.0

Thirty-five year old DCI Jude Satterthwaite is on a hike with his brother when he spies smoke in the distance. Another fell fire… But this time, in addition to the fire services, his own team will be called in. A body has been found in a burned-out abandoned barn…

When forensic examination determines that the body is that of a child, Jude thinks that identification will prove easy. A child will be missed… This is not the case. When the body is identified, Jude and his team begin a weeks long murder case.

The Team works out of the Penrith Police Station

DCI Jude Satterthwaite – Professional, brusque, attractive, and three years out of a romantic relationship that he just can’t seem to let go of. Becca, his ex, just couldn’t understand how his job had to take precedence over his personal life. He is much respected by his team and he knows how to play to their strengths on the job.

DI Chris Dodd – Jude’s, second-in-command. Clever, quiet, gay, religious, and a chain smoker. Doddsy is the model of common sense.

DS Ashleigh O’Halloran – new to the team, intelligent, beautiful, and a copper who works on intuition and instinct. Newly separated from her husband, she has moved from Cheshire to Cumbria to make a fresh start.

DC Aditi Desai – Hard-working, intelligent working mother.

DC Chris Marshall – single, young, enthusiastic, and very talented at data mining and doing the other mundane office-centered chores the others would find boring.

Tammy – CSI investigator.

MY THOUGHTS

The scenic setting of the Lake District is what initially tempted me to read this novel. That and the fact that I love police procedurals and I’m always keen to discover new series.

The characterization of this novel was strong. The personalities were prominent to the narrative and were a welcome foil to the distressing murder(s).

This is a promising start to a crime fiction series. It is a novel about deceit, revenge, infidelity, and psychological power-plays. With just a hint of romance, this novel will be sure to be enjoyed by many readers. This is a series I will more than likely pursue.

Rated 3.5 stars – rounded up to 4 stars for NetGalley, Amazon and Goodreads.

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