Before I start my review I just want to say that the attention to detail in this book is outstanding so is the rich descriptive detail of the landscape and the surrounding area.

Police officer Fiona MacLeish has come to her childhood home of her Aunt Mary in the Scottish Borders to take break, a few days later a huge mega storm has hit with the cottage about to flood they grab what they can and leave but before they do Fiona goes to check on Mary’s elderly neighbours, she gets a huge shock when she does.

This was such a good locked room mystery or in this case a locked farm mystery because Fiona and her Aunt Mary or sheltering on the closest farm with a handful of other villagers and one of them could be a killer.

I kept switching who I thought was the killer all the way through, the author definitely kept me on my toes.

One part I enjoyed was the flashback chapters, I loved getting to know about Fiona’s teenage years and the tragedy that occurred.

This story is atmospheric and immersive, with an underlying element of menace. The worsening weather means Fiona and her aunt cannot escape the flood, which sets the scene for a compelling crime fiction. The unexpected discovery of the body is impactful and adds to the story's chilling quality. The closed-room mystery that follows has many motivated suspects and characters with unlikeable traits. As the body count rises with the water levels, Fiona has to use her inherent detective skills to find the killer before they kill again. Some areas in the book are too descriptive, slowing the pace. I like Fiona, the off-duty police officer who wants to be a detective, the claustrophobic ethos and the twisty investigation.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A body has been found, but while the water is rising and a landslide has isolated people on the farm, there is also a killer amongst them. Police officer Fiona MacLeish must find the killer among them and she must find out who.

Smith gives us a novel with mystery and characters that we question throughout. Fiona is a great main character and I liked how the author gave us snippets of their background which I look forward to expanding on in future novels.

A slight criticism is that bits of the novel go a bit repetitive, but I enjoyed the novel and would recommend this new series to any crime lover.

'Worst of all, Fiona was looking into the eyes of a killer from the wrong end of a shotgun.' The first book in a new crime thriller series featuring Scottish police officer Fiona MacLeish. Fiona is on sabbatical and visiting her Aunt Mary in a remote valley location when a storm brings an unprecedented flood to the local farmland and community. Finding a dead body that has been murdered and not drowned can Fiona solve the crime and save the lives of those around her? It's a clever idea as the remote location and flood set up a whodunnit very much in the style of a locked room mystery. There's a limited number of suspects as our characters take refuge at a local farm and there's no chance of help until the storm subsides. In a neat twist no one knows that Fiona works for the police apart from her aunt. Can she use that to her advantage or will there be more deaths from the killer or from the increasingly dangerous flood? There's a nice bit of backstory with Fiona and her motivations for joining the police. Her parents were murdered while she was at school and no one has ever been brought to justice for the crime. I suspect that this mystery will deepen as the series progresses. Fiona is a likable lead character and the remote location and storm is described well. The early section of the book is particularly exciting with the discovery of the body and the dangers of the rising floodwater. As the story progressed there were sections where the plot slowed down and almost became a little repetitive with characters having to brave flood waters multiple times for various reasons. For a debut it's a solid start, the crime is interesting and even if you guess the killer there are plenty of twists and motivations for character actions to keep you reading and with short chapters the book has that 'one more chapter' feel so that it's a quick read. A good introduction to Fiona MacLeish and I'm moving straight onto read the second book as the first two are being released together. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the E-ARC.

What a fantastic opener to the Fiona MacLeish series The Flood is, and a brilliant debut too!

I was immediately drawn in from reading the blurb and the opening lines of the prologue - that was my Sunday afternoon sorted.

The remote settings of rural Scotland were the perfect scene setter for The Flood. Throw Storm Odin into the mix and the atmosphere is perfect!

It's fast paced, hugely compelling and the suspense throughout turned me into a nail biting wreck.

Whilst I didn't work out who the killer was (I never do) I really enjoyed the book and will jump into book two as soon as I get a spare minute.

This was a thrilling crime novel set during the flood and spans the whole day with a killer on the loose.

Fiona is off duty and visiting her Aunt Mary in a remote valley location when a storm brings an unprecedented flood to the local farmland and community. She stumbles upon a dead body and finds that the person was murdered and not drowned. Can Fiona solve the crime and save the lives of those around her?

This felt like a locked room mystery with the flood setting in and everyone was a suspect. Fiona is a likeable lead character as she tries to decipher the identity of the killer from the limited number of suspects who take refuge on the farm until the storm subsides.

The book started off really strong with the right amount of intrigue and mystery but as the story progressed, the plot became a bit slow and repetitive. Overall it was an engaging and entertaining crime thriller.

Thank you @bookouture for having me on the #booksontour and @netgalley for the digital early copy to read and review.

Unfortunately, The Flood did provide the suspenseful, twisty and exciting read I hoped for. It did not work for me. Advertised as a totally unputdownable crime novel, I expected it to be a one siting read. However, this was not the case. The slow pace and the repetitiveness of the story line contributed to me putting the book down several times throughout the course of my reading. I almost DNFed it, however, my curiosity to learn the identity of the villain and their motives had me holding out until the end.

The prologue made me excited to dive into the story. However, the deeper I went, the more my excitement dwindled. The story lacked suspense and there were no exciting moments. One would expect there to be some amount of adrenaline pumping moments in light of the fact that the story took place in the middle of a storm. Also, I hoped there would have been some plot twists, but this was not the case.

The characters were interesting. I was especially intrigued by Fiona and her backstory. I am curious to learn if she will learn who is responsible for the tragedy that changed the course of her life. For that reason alone, I may consider continuing the series.

This is a new author for me and whilst this wasn't the most fast-paced thriller I have ever read, I will be checking out his other books in this series.

Fiona is taking a break from her job as a police officer and visiting her Aunt in an isolated hamlet in the Scottish Borders when a ferocious storm hits. With flood waters rising, Fiona and her Aunt decide to make for safer ground but need to check out their neighbours first to ensure they are ok. They are far from it - one has been murdered and another is missing.

With the waters rising and with no way out, they along with the other residents head for the highest farmhouse in the hamlet to seek shelter and to ride out the storm but the killing has only just begun and it's going to take all of Fiona's experience to work out who the killer is before there's no one left.

Written at a steady pace with some great characters although not many of them particularly likeable, The Flood is a pretty good read. The description of the hamlet and the storm really give this book a dark atmosphere however, it is very descriptive and quite repetitive which slows the action down somewhat. However, overall, The Flood is a good start to a new series.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of The Flood.

"The Flood" by G.N. Smith is an absolute gem in the world of crime novels, and I couldn't put it down from the very first page. Smith's immersive writing style creates a gripping atmosphere that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book.

The story centres around Fiona MacLeish, a police officer who is ordered to step back from her role in Police Scotland and returns to her remote childhood home on the Scottish border. The backdrop of a looming storm and rising floodwaters adds a layer of tension that is brilliantly executed. Fiona's haunted past, including the murder of her parents, adds depth to her character and keeps readers emotionally invested.

The discovery of a bloodied body in a flooded house sets the stage for a chilling murder mystery. The meticulous description of the victim's injuries sends shivers down your spine, leaving you eager to uncover the truth. With the farming village cut off by the relentless rain and landslides, the suspense escalates as it becomes clear that the killer is still among them.

As Fiona races against time to solve the case, you can't help but admire her resilience and determination. She is a strong female lead who captivates readers with her unwavering commitment to justice. The supporting characters are well-crafted and add depth to the story.

Smith's storytelling is filled with unexpected twists and turns that will leave you guessing until the very end. The isolated community and the farm where Fiona takes shelter become a pressure cooker of suspense, and you'll find yourself holding your breath as you turn the pages.

"The Flood" is a remarkable start to the Fiona MacLeish series. It offers an unforgettable setting, a complex protagonist, and a plot that keeps you guessing. It's a five-star read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next instalment in the series.

The Flood is the first in the Fiona MacLeish series. There are two other books all released at the same time, so I have downloaded book two, The Island already!
This is a Scottish murder mystery/ police procedural novel set in a rural world separated from the rest of the world by flood waters from a unusual mega storm. A sinister background for a sinister plot.
I really liked that the whole novel takes place on one night.
A character driven story with a good detailed plot!

I really don't like to DNF an ARC, especially not one from my favourite publisher, unless it is because of a TW where the writing is so good it results in being triggered. However, unfortunately I have to DNF this book at about 15%. It isn't for me but I am sure the right audience will enjoy it, especially because the setting was done so well, the description of the flooded area so good and scene set of flooding. I am giving this 5 stars for fairness, due to not having finished but needing to rate the book, and I will not be sharing a review link as it is not fair to the author where I couldn't read. Thank you very much for the opportunity to receive an advanced copy of this book.

They say it’s grim up north but nothing is quite as grim as torrential rain, melting snow and flooding but Fiona MacLeish has all three, cut off from the outside world both physically and technologically. That’s before she finds a murder victim!!

Mother Nature definitely didn’t play ball in helping Fiona solve the slow demise of this small community. In fact she made Fiona’s job immensely difficult with the flooding, fallen trees and chilling temperatures. I could feel the dark atmospheric character of the elements leap out at me as I huddled under my blanket. The whole ambiance of the book was darkened by the elements battering my cast before me.

Without deterring from the present predicament, I was also invested in Fiona’s backstory. She joined the police to solve her parents’ murder. I for one desperately want to know whether she gets that closure, justice or not. For someone to lose their parents at such a young age is just horrible so I would love over the course of this series for Fiona to get some level of closure and maybe justice.

Smith has written a locked room murder mystery in a remote hamlet. Think Clue (as in the mid 80scult classic film) but serious and in the Scottish Borders. I felt claustrophobic as I followed Fiona around the dark and murky landscape and got in her head, trying to solve the murders. I was handed a finite set of suspects, but none really with a motive for murder, yes a grudge for maybe sending someone to Coventry but not the extreme of murder.

Smith has pulled off another excellent crime thriller. There are differences to his other offerings – every character got a proper name for starters but this slight change in style is no detriment to this fan’s enjoyment of what looks to be another cracking series from the Scotsman. I need to hop over to The Island and find out what’s in store for Fiona next!

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Book Tour!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for early copies of The Flood and The Island by G. N. Smith. Starting with the inviting cover until the very end, these books were amazing reads. These stories played out nicely. I want to book a flight to Scotland, the author did such a great job describing the setting. It was so gripping and it had me hooked right way. I was unable to put it down until I finished the last shocking page!

Happy publication day!

Thank you to NetGalley, G.N. Smith, and Bookouture for the ARC.

Firstly, what a heck of a prologue! It drew me into the book immediately and I was so excited to read more! I want to mention as well that I have never read a mystery/thriller where a flood is a factor in solving the crime and I thought it was an excellent idea.

I did feel like the scene(s) in which Fiona and Aunt Mary are trying to escape the valley did seem a bit too drawn out for me. I was starting to lose a bit of interest and found myself wanting to skim over the words rather than truly read them. And it was really long and very descriptive just for them to have a tree blocking the way and not be able to get out, so for me it was just a little overdone.

Something else that seemed a bit unrealistic too was that after Fiona was fighting for her life in the current that also swept away her car, she just got up and decided she was going to walk 1/2 a mile to the farmhouse just because she didn't want to get her Aunt's car dirty. I would've sat my butt right in that passenger seat! Forget the car, Fiona almost died!

G.N. Smith seems extremely knowledgeable in terms of farm work, what being in the flood would actually be like, and mainly how to problem solve different situations that presented themselves in the book. I do feel it was a bit over described in places. For me, I have zero knowledge when it comes to things like that, so some of the terms used in the book, especially when describing when the tree fell through the house and all of the different beams, I was completely lost in the terminology. Having said that though, I can appreciate how much knowledge and/or research G.N. Smith did when preparing for this novel.

Overall, I thought this was a good thriller! I do enjoy that it happens all in one night. I SO wish Craig would've somehow been found alive, but I understand why he did need to die in the book. I think at times, the book was a little bit repetitive, but I did enjoy it.

Luckily I was granted the request for the third Fiona MacLeish novel so I will be reading and reviewing that one soon as well!

Atmospheric Novel Can Get Repetitive At Times. This is one of those detective novels - not really a police procedural, since it is almost a "locked room" scenario (with the "room" in question being a sequestered area of a small town) with only a single detective available - where the setting seems as much as character as any of the actual human characters. Smith manages to put the reader right in the titular flood and the fight for survival from both the elements and the murderer that only our detective knows lurks in their midst. And yet, in repeating the detective's personal motivation *so* often... Smith does in fact get repetitive enough to at least warrant mentioning in the review. Indeed, it becomes as tedious at times as seeming *every* Batman movie with a new actor portraying the character having to do some version of Thomas and Martha Wayne's murders, or every new Spiderman movie having to do some version of Uncle Ben's murder. With those franchises... guys, we get it. We already know these characters. With this particular book... the first mention was solid character development. Maybe a reference back here or there could have been good. But to be hit with a near word for word repetition of the motivation *so many times*... the editing could have been better here, at minimum. Beyond this though, the story itself was quite strong indeed, even within the "locked room" type space, and the overall plotting was quite solid, with the tension ratcheting up at a fairly steady pace and the reveals coming at enough of a clip to keep the pages turning. Overall a strong series starter and I'm interested to see where we're going here. Very much recommended.

‘As the waters start to rise, they find the first body…’ - cover tag line.

My thanks to Bookouture for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Flood’ by G.N. Smith. I was also invited to take part in the publication week blog tour. My stop will contain reviews for both ‘The Flood’ and ‘The Island’ and be posted in a few days time,

First body..chilling. This is Book 1 in the Fiona MacLeish Crime Thriller series.

The titular character is a constable with Police Scotland currently taking a mandated break from duty following a traumatic case. She has been visiting her Aunt Mary at her remote cottage in the Scottish Borders. It was where Fiona had grown up following the murder of her parents, an event that continues to haunt her and had caused her to join the police. Now the visit has been cut short by a storm.

Storm Odin is no ordinary winter storm but a mega storm and there are widespread flood warnings in place across the Northern U.K.. The river waters are already rising in the valley. In the opening chapter Fiona and her aunt are preparing to evacuate.

Before setting off Fiona checks on their elderly neighbours to ensure that they are safe. She is shocked to find the body of Mr Edwards with bruising around his throat indicating that he was strangled. Torn between her duty as a police officer and needing to ensure her aunt’s safety, Fiona is uncertain how to proceed.

With the realisation that the torrential rain has already cut off the small farming community, Fiona thinks it likely that the murderer is still nearby. She and Mary take refuge with other local residents at the highest standing farm. Fiona has kept the fact that she works for the police a secret and so must undertake any investigation on the quiet. Then another victim is found and everyone is on high alert. Tempers fray and the storm continues to wreck havoc. No further details to avoid spoilers.

I will admit that I find storms accompanied by high winds and flooding terrifying even in fiction. Add a murderer on the loose and consider me already on the edge of my seat. I admired how effectively Smith pitched his readers into the building maelstrom of Storm Odin from the opening chapter as Fiona dashes around helping her aunt gather a few treasures, well aware that it was going to be impossible to save the cottage.

‘The Flood’ wasn’t the type of police procedural that I am used to as Fiona was cut off from the usual resources available during a murder investigation. Plus, as she frequently points out, she is not a detective though is able to draw on her experience and instincts.

Indeed, she does a lot of speculation about whodunnit as internal dialogue often flip flopping between suspects. I didn’t find this approach worked that well for me though I appreciated that in this situation surrounded by the danger presented by the storm, she was trying her best to sift through possibilities.

Overall, I found ‘The Flood’ an engaging read and while I found if a little rough around the edges, I certainly wanted to know more of Fiona’s story. As Book 2, ‘The Island’ was published at the same time I shall be reading on.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

This is the first book in the Fiona MacLeish series by G.N. Smith.

Fiona is a police officer with the Scotland police. While visiting her Aunt Mary, a storm hits causing flooding all around them and the other people who live in the valley. While checking on a neighbor, Fiona discovers a body. When she and Aunt Mary can’t leave the area because of the flood waters, they and the other inhabitants of the valley end up taking refuge in the house that is the least likely to flood. However, among them is a killer, and Fiona and her aunt are the only ones that know it. Or is the killer an outsider lurking about the valley? Between Fiona keeping her eye out for the suspect and the water rising around them, there was never a dull moment. Every page held excitement and mystery.

I love strong female characters, and Fiona fits the bill. There is also Fiona’s backstory hinted on throughout the book, and it would be interesting to see the conclusion of that specific story line.

I didn’t guess who the killer was until Fiona confronted that person, and I was actually a little surprised, which is great! I love a book that keeps me on my toes.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a great mystery or police procedural. I'm now going to read the second in the series and will post a review on that one as well.

The Flood is the first book in The Fiona MacLeish Crime Thriller series and it's a great start. It was fast paced, gripping and a complete page turner. I really liked the character of Fiona and am looking forward to seeing how she develops in further books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Wow, what a spectacular start to a brilliantly addictive series! Love, love, love it! I could not put this one down. Cannot wait for the next. Just absolutely amazing!

The Flood by G.N. Smith was an exciting contemporary crime thriller. It is the first book in A Fiona MacLeish Crime Thriller series which promises to be thrilling.
The leading lady is very believable. She is cool and calm as a crisis unfolds, and she is tenacious in her search for the truth. Her police training means she carefully pieces together the evidence to decipher the perpetrator – unlike me who hadn’t got a clue!
We see how our upbringing shapes us into the adults we become. No closure in youth means the leading lady is determined that no one will suffer like she has and is relentless in her pursuit of the truth.
Guilt overtakes a character who realizes their trust was misplaced.
Atmospheric weather adds to the tension as a raging storm mirrors the action.
The opening of the book was superb as the reader experiences heightened emotions – and then we are all flung eight hours backwards in time as we wonder what just led up to the scene we just witnessed?
The Flood was a thinking man’s crime thriller that made my heart race. It would make a marvellous television series.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.