Originally published in 1995, this 2023 release of the first Lewis Cole mystery opens the now 12-volume series of novels set in and around the fictional summer beach town of Tyler, New Hampshire. Cole, who is a pensioned former federal research analyst was given a job as a feature magazine writer after a field exercise in Nevada killed his research team. In his casual attempts to explore topics for his features, Cole becomes aware of the underlying crime in the beach town where teenage girls from surrounding communities who work as waitresses in the local lobster shacks and restaurants. One 17 year old waitress is raped and murdered and this leads to three more deaths over the summer. The only downside to the novel is that it contains driving directions. The author spends many paragraphs providing street directions during his drives on local streets, highways, and roads.

This book includes plenty of action! But the pornography element wasn't my cup of tea, and I lost interest for about a quarter of the book.
Thankfully, the ending kept me guessing. Just when I thought the book was over, the author revealed a new detail that resolved a plot line. I really enjoyed that style element!
I'm looking forward to reading more books in this series! Lewis Cole - and many of the other characters in this book - are flawed but also smart and human.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

When a young waitress is found lifeless, her body dangling like a forgotten kite, retired defense analyst Lewis Cole is thrust back into action. Cole, seeking solace in the tranquil New Hampshire coast, stumbles upon a mystery that refuses to stay buried. As he digs deeper, he uncovers a town’s hidden underbelly—a place where innocence and malevolence collide.

An entertaining series by Brendan Dubois.

Dead Sand is a fast paced thriller that pulls you into a touristy New England beach town with fantastic characters, expertise scene-setting, and really interesting plot that keeps the pages turning. Lewis Cole is a local writer who happens to be with Detective Diane Woods on a ride-along when she gets the call that a body has been found. I enjoyed the way DuBois slowly reveals Cole’s past to create a full-circle story filled with personal tragedy, a seedy underbelly of the beach town, and a cast of characters who are well-developed. If you like thrillers, great descriptions, and incredible voice, you’ll love Dead Sand. Big thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review.

This is the first book in the new Lewis Cole series by author Brendan Dubois. It was an interesting read that I did enjoy but don’t expect to read any more of the series.

A young waitress is found dead at a New England beachside resort and retired defence analyst Lewis Cole is trying to solve the mystery. Lewis retired from his stressful position in the Defence Department hoping for a quieter life working as a magazine columnist living in the New Hampshire coast.

The dead woman worked as a waitress and there is something very mysterious surrounding her death. Lewis senses that there is far more to this case and is determined to find out the truth. The more he investigates the more deceit and danger he uncovers but he is also trying to deal with his own past that is full of tragedy.

I never really fully got into this novel and struggled to connect with any of the characters.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Severn River Publishing for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Brendan DuBois's DEAD SAND is an exciting first book in a mystery-thriller series (if I'm correct, this is a republication, since on Goodreads, there is a version with a different cover). Lewis is more likable and human than other ex-(fill in the government agency) characters I've read, and I enjoyed the story, especially the final twist. I've already picked up the second book!

Reading the prologue was an added bonus as the author wrote of his early endeavors before this book was released. The novel itself was very well designed with a protagonist who grows with each page. After trying to leave his past, he finds that his unique skills are required in this excellent murder mystery.

Dead Sand is book one in the Lewis Cole series by Brendan DuBois.

I found this story to be engrossing and riveting, it is well written, plot paced with murder, mystery, intrigue -from the first page on I couldn’t put it down.
This is my first Lewis Cole mystery, and now I must read read the rest in this very satisfying series.
The book moves very fast, making it a very hard book to put down before it is finished.
I thought this was a particularly twisty mystery with good twists and turns.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Severn River for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

A re-published murder mystery/thriller from the 90's, Dead Sand is set on a beach town in New Hampshire where a girl has been murdered. The book flicks between the investigation and flashbacks of the main character's back story with the department of defense.

I found this slow going for the first half and was more intrigued by the back story than the current day events. The second half picked up a lot and was much more enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this book! It was a slower start but once the action began about half way, I was stuck reading! Not many twists but a classic thriller that keeps you engaged until the end.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, a great who done it and so many crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and had me glued to my Kindle! I will definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

"Dead Sand" by Brendan DuBois is a gripping and suspenseful thriller set in a small coastal town in Maine.
DuBois's writing is taut and fast-paced, with well-drawn characters and a plot that keeps the reader guessing until the very end. The book also explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption, adding depth and nuance to the plot. One of the strengths of the book is its vivid and evocative descriptions of the Maine coast, which add to the atmosphere of the story and make the setting feel like a character in its own right. The dialogue is also well-crafted, with believable and distinct voices for each of the characters. Overall, "Dead Sand" is a highly entertaining and well-written thriller that will appeal to fans of the genre. DuBois's skillful storytelling and attention to detail make for a satisfying and immersive reading experience. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with plenty of twists and turns.
Thank you to Severn River Publishing and Netgalley for the Arc in exchange for an honest review!