This was such a unique book in that it was set in Liverpool! No books in my chosen genre are ever set in the North of England, with the exception of some of Daniel Hurst’s books. So being from Liverpool I could picture the streets and places described which made the book all the more serious and thrilling. I’d say this definitely aired on the more graphic side when it came to some injuries of young girls so I would recommend checking your triggers before reading. I would also try to get hold of a ‘scouse dictionary’ because I’m not sure some of the words and phrases translate easy outside of Liverpool. For example ‘the baggy’, ‘birds’ (not the animal) and ‘you’ll look sound’, I could be wrong- but either way I loved it! The book was a combination of a crime thriller and a police procedural read. But I loved it! The ending left me wanting some more closure but equally this means there could be more in the series? I look forward to reading more by this author.

I devoured this book it was great first start to series! A new and upcoming author it was full twists and turns that made me quickly turn the pages.


This author is definitely one to watch really looking forward to reading more of his books. Also I loved the Liverpool setting!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 stars!

Black Water Rising is about the mysterious disappearances of teenage girls in Liverpool. The tension ramps up with the discovery of the third victim, setting the stage for a gripping investigation led by DCI de Silva. However, while the initial setup is compelling, the execution falters at times. DCI de Silva is an okay character whose personal struggles with grief and PTSD add depth to the story, but I had a difficult time connecting with her for some reason. The exploration of her vulnerabilities is important, yet it occasionally slows down the pacing. DS Barclay, another key character, faces his own set of challenges as he tries to prove himself beyond mere tokenism. Their partnership presents an interesting dynamic.

Overall, Black Water Rising was a good introduction to this author and this new series. Sometimes, the story struggles to balance character development and plot momentum. But I think it is a compelling crime thriller, and I will check out more books in this series.

#BlackWaterRising #NetGalley