This was a quick and enjoyable read which follows on from the previous book in the series, although it could be read as a standalone. Lots of red herrings, twists and turns, and two murders which are linked – or are they? An original plot, short chapters which I enjoy, and a satisfying ending. Some unbelievable parts to the story, but this was a good holiday read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the electronic copy.

This is another engaging title in the Anglesey-based police procedural series featuring DI Laura Hart. This time, DI Hart and her team are investigating the murder of a prisoner on the island’s women’s prison and the disappearance and potential abduction of a teenage girl. Both events appear to be linked to potential rivalries between organised crime gangs in Liverpool and Birmingham. Facing a potentially corrupt prison governor and an army of unwilling witnesses Laura attempts to shatter the conspiracy of silence by going undercover in the prison. Although well-plotted, the move to go undercover did not feel authentic as Anglesey is a small community and the chance of detection would have been high. Other than that, the story was well-paced and compelling.

Fifth in the series, although they read fine out of sequence, and they just keep getting better! You've got string characters, police procedural, plot twists and a gripping finale. All make for another top notch novel from Simon McLeave.

Another episode in the Anglesey series with the same cast of characters having two seemingly separate cases to solve. A missing teenager coupled with a murder in a local prison make for a twisting tale that are cleverly eventually linked. Full of dodgy individuals the crimes are finally solved with the usual exciting climax. One small criticism,the fate of the dodgy prison governor isn’t revealed but I assume she would be brought to book or is this part of the next story.

When a seventeen-year-old girl vanishes from her home overnight, DI Laura Hart knows that time is of the essence.

Then, an inmate at the local prison is murdered in her cell and suddenly Beaumaris CID is juggling two major investigations.

With inmates refusing to talk to the police, Laura is forced to take drastic action: going undercover behind bars.

With everyone under suspicion, Laura’s true identity must be kept a secret, meaning no one can protect her.

Locked in with a killer, it’s a race against time – can Laura find a lead… before she’s found out?

This is a great read. With a fast plot and a major twist I was totally hooked. I love this series and look forward to reading the next one.

Number 5 in the Laura Hart series set in Anglesey North Wales and another excellent read. This series gets better and better with each instalment.
We open in the prologue with a recap of the stunning ending of book 4 which also explains for those not familiar with the series Laura’s unique back story before she came to her current position in Beaumaris CID.
The team are stretched with two major cases, the murder of a detainee in a local women's prison and the disappearance of a teenager from her home. A brilliant tale full of twists and turns delivers a tense rollercoaster of a read that keeps you turning those pages.
What has become a must read series for me, it is almost like catching up with old friends and I can't wait to see what is next for Laura, Gareth and the rest of the team.

When a seventeen-year-old girl vanishes from her home overnight, DI Laura Hart knows that time is of the essence.
Then, an inmate at the local prison is murdered in her cell and suddenly Beaumaris CID is juggling two major investigations.

Another enjoyable police procedural from Simon McCleave. I have read some of the previous books in this series but there is enough character back story to read it as a standalone novel. Great pacing and gritty real life scenarios make this a terrific read.

Book 5 in the Simon McCleaves, Anglesey series, Dead in the water follows straight from the last novel where DI Laura Hunter was left in peril and it is wrapped up quite quickly, so the focus can now be on two mysteries, a missing teenager & a murder in a prison, Lauras Fiancee DCI Gareth Williams has some tough decisions to make to solve the two seemingly unrelated crimes. Definitely worth reading.

Dead In The Water is the 5th book in the incredible Anglesey series and we continue to follow DI Laura Hart.

A 17 year old girl has vanished from her home overnight and a prison inmate is murdered, meaning that the Beaumaris CID are working hard to manage both investigations. Before long, Laura is sent undercover into prison, but she's running out of time to discover the murderer living beside her. Before long, it becomes clear that the two investigations are linked and the pieces start to come together.

I really enjoy reading this series and love the ongoing back story of Laura trying to solve the mystery surrounding her late husband's death. Laura is a complex character and a fiercely strong woman, which is probably why I enjoy reading books about her.

The premise of the book is good and I particularly enjoyed the thrill of the undercover work. I literally couldn't read this book quick enough and enjoyed every single page.

I can't wait to read what happens next!

My thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

Dead In the Water is the fifth book in the ‘Anglesey’ series by Simon McCleave. However, there appears to be a mistake in the publisher’s blurb linking this to DI Ruth Hunter, another series by the same author. Hopefully, this will be picked up before publication.
The wedding day of DI Laura Hart and DI Gareth Williams is fast approaching, but if they had any notions about relaxing and taking things easy, they could think again. The team is called on to investigate a brutal murder of a prisoner at a local women’s prison. Whispers are that the prison has a drug problem, but the other inmates are not talking. Then a second case demands their attention. Abby, a seventeen-year-old girl has disappeared from her aunt and uncle’s home where she has been staying, ostensibly because her mother is out of the country. Forensics lead the team to believe that Abby may have been taken against her will and has been either seriously injured or even murdered.
Through an expert combination of plot, police procedure and character development, the author flirts with the idea that there is a link between the two cases, but the reader is kept in suspense for much of the book. As usual, the writing is a very high standard.
Two points to note. This book has much going on, so I would advise it’s not read as a standalone. And just my personal preference, parts of the main story are very far-fetched and I would have liked this a bit more contained though it didn’t stop me enjoying the story.
Still, it’s a very well-deserved four stars from me.
My thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books and Simon McCleave for the much-appreciated ARC in exchange for an honest and open review.

When I read my first book by Simon McCleave I carried on binge reading till I reached the stage where I pre order everything he writes.

I was delighted to get the opportunity to read Dead in the Water in advance of its publication, thanks to NetGalley.

Simon invests so much in his characters and their family dynamics that the reader gets to know them; but he's not afraid to subject them to some gbh or even to make them exit stage left, by fair means or foul.

He is also so descriptive with surroundings that you can visualise beaches, woodlands, lakes, hedgerows. You will swear you can feel salt and sand and turn your collar up in fog and smirr and I think I even read faster to get out of the torrential downpours.

Dead in the water has the CID team land two big juicy cases in one day. A gruesome issue at a newly built women's prison (probably an inside job) and a teenage girl who goes missing after midnight, evidence pointing towards her being dead.

With no one at the prison talking one of the team goes undercover with a cover story of having finally had enough and knifed her abusive husband. The missing girl remained missing. I did work out what had happened to her but the why was a total surprise.

Meanwhile goings on back at the prison lets Simon loose on one of his famous high speed, car chases.

The way these cases start to come together is incredible. I almost needed a spreadsheet to keep my head on who was allied with whom and why. Like why were there Liverpudlians on Anglesey?

Another thing that I love about Simon's books are the history and geology lessons. Now I understand why the Welsh and New Zealanders love Rugby. You will have to wait till the publication date to find out.

This picked up exactly where the previous book finished so does not work well as a stand alone novel. Having said that it was another excellent read. The plot moves quickly and the two seemingly unconnected cases begin to merge. Laura’s undercover task in the local prison is fraught with risk and tension and there are a couple of hairy moments. The investigation into a missing girl has a twist in the tale and a happy ending makes this a satisfying read.

Laura and Gareth’s relationship is now out in the open but before they walk down the aisle, they have it cases to solve. The first is on Abby White a 17-year-old who has gone missing from her aunt and uncle’s house. Evidence shows that they are expecting a body more than finding her alive.
The second is an inmate of local Prison HMP Tonsgrove a local prison on Anglesey. Shelia Jonesa kind of a celebrity in the prison and was so untouchable, seemed she wasn’t as she murdered. But nobody’s prepared to talk and grass. So, they have a tough job on their hands. So, they only way they are going to find out as if someone goes under cover in the prison. To whom really killed Shelia Jones. DI Laura Hunter volunteers to go in.
Dead in the water is book 5 DI Ruth Hunter series featuring DI Laura Hart and Gareth Williams and this had me hooked from the very first page. This is full of action, well-paced story and such likeable characters especially Laura. She is a feisty character and I think she should have her own series. 5 stars from me.

I was thrilled to see that there was indeed going to be a book 5 in the DI Hart series especially given how book 4 ended!

The carryover from book 4 is dealt with at the start then we move on. What a great storyline this book had. It really kept you intrigued with the twists and turns as the storyline unraveled.

While it is book 5 in the series, you could read it as a standalone there’s enough background given before the storyline moves on.

Highly recommend!

DI Laura Hart and DI Gareth Williams relationship is now one of waiting to be married and it finally does happen at the end of this book. But first they need to solve 2 mysteries. Abby White, a 17 year old girl, is missing. Sheila Jones is killed at a nearby women's prison. She is under investigation for suspicious activity, drugs related. The decision is made to insert an undercover officer but nobody in the prison knows that. Both cases seem to be linked. Through twists and turns, Abby White's case is solved. I was really surprised at what happened with Abby's case. I am now hoping for another book in the Anglesey Crime series. If you like book with action then you will love this book. Highly recommended!

Dead in the Water involves a mystery that DI Laura Hart must help solve. A teenage girl disappears right before a wedding takes place. Meanwhile a horrific murder takes place in a woman's prison that is rife with drugs and other criminal endeavors.

Hart goes undercover in the prison to solve the murder. Unfortunately noone is talking!

Part mystery and part romance, this book is very vivid and hard to put down once you start. The prison description is frightening and I kept holding my breath to see what would come next.

Thanks to netgalley for the wonderful ARC

A murdered prison inmate and a missing girl, considered dead. Two crimes that have no connection. Or do they?

This is the first book that I have read by this author, and I know he has a huge following. There are other DI Hart stories, but this can be read as a standalone as there are many flashbacks of her previous cases. She is a bit like Poirot, if she’s in the vicinity you know there will be a murder 😉.

I thought the writing was ok and the plot(s) though implausible were interesting enough. What I didn’t like and which I felt spoilt the flow of the book were the explanations for the acronyms. Annoying, too much mansplaining! I know the books are available in other countries that may not use the same abbreviations as the Anglesey police, but just supply a glossary!

I think this will be well received by the author’s fans, but just misses the mark for me.

2.5*

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK.

Right off the bat, let me say I am very confused as to why this novel is listed as DI Ruth Hunter #5 when this book has absolutely nothing to do with Ruth. But once I got over that initial confusion.... I was still left confused.

See the problem with this one is that when it begins, there are two main plot-lines running side by side. The murder of a female prisoner as well as the possible abduction of a teenage girl. And every chapter is told from the point of view of one of the two characters that is heading up that particular investigation along with the numerous people that they encounter during their separate investigations. Of course, no one at the prison are willing to talk, which means we now get a third point of view included into the mix, that of DI Laura Hart who has agreed to go undercover as a prisoner in order to try and get to the bottom of what really happened. And while each chapter does tell you the location of where events will be taking place so you are able to keep track of which line of inquiry you are on, the characters are so numerous and one-dimensional that it all starts to blend together.

I was a little confused on just how quickly the other inmates figured out there was an undercover cop in their midst considering no one at the prison knew it, and very little people on the force knew about it. It seemed just a little too convenient for me to believe, as it would have made more sense if the governor (also known as a warden here in America) had let it slip since she claimed to recognize her.

As the story moves on, the reader does eventually find out that the story-lines are connected and there are numerous red-herrings in place to keep the reader distracted and guessing. Despite that, I found it easy to put this book down to go and do other things, sometimes not coming back to it until a day or two later. And once things were wrapped up, I was still left with questions and things still felt unresolved (the supposed drug trade happening inside of the prison for one thing).

All things considered, I may give this author another chance down the road, but I most likely won't be continuing on with this particular series.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Dead in the Water is the latest book in the Anglesey based police procedural written by Simon McCleave however it fails to hit the heights of previous books.

The story centred on Laura is a bit too unbelievable at times whilst the supporting investigation into a missing teenager is definitely the more interesting one but is relegated to being run by supporting characters.

The series has enough credit in the tank for me to look forward to book number 6 but this one was a bit of a disappointment.

This book had me constantly trying to guess who was the killer the whole time. I worried at first that the two storylines would get confusing, but I found them so easy to understand together. I spent most of the book trying to work out if there was going to be a connection, and trying to guess what it was. The many twists and turns kept me on my toes and I couldn’t put it down ! Simon knocked this book out of the park yet again, and I will continue to absolutely love any book he writes! Will definitely recommend to any crime thriller lovers