Today I am thrilled to review a police procedural novel called Death by Dark Waters by Jo Allen. Many thanks to the author for a copy of the book which I have reviewed honestly.

Death by Dark Waters by Jo Allen

The charred remains of a child are discovered – a child no one seems to have missed….

It’s high summer, and the lakes are in the midst of an unrelenting heatwave. Uncontrollable fell fires are breaking out across the moors faster than they can be extinguished. When firefighters uncover the body of a dead child at the heart of the latest blaze, Detective Chief Inspector Jude Satterthwaite’s arson investigation turns to one of murder. Jude was born and bred in the Lake District. He knows everyone…and everyone knows him. Except his intriguing new Detective Sergeant, Ashleigh O’Halloran, who is running from a dangerous past and has secrets of her own to hide… Temperatures – and tension – in the village are rising, and with the body count rising Jude and his team race against the clock to catch the killer before it’s too late…. The first in the gripping, Lake District set, DCI Jude Satterthwaite series

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My Thoughts

Detective Chief Inspector Jude Satterthwaite is just about to tuck into a pub meal with his brother Mikey when he gets a call. One of the firefighters tackling fell fires near his home in the Lake District has literally stumbled over the remains of a badly charred body in a derelict barn. Jude rushes to the scene, the body is indistinguishable, but after a post mortem is carried out it becomes apparent that it was the body of a boy aged between eleven and twelve years old. Detective Sargeant Ashleigh O’Halloran has been transferred to the Lake District from Cheshire Police. It’s her first day on her new job and she finds herself thrust into investigating the suspicious death of a child.

We hear a lot about the backgrounds of the DCI and his Sergeant which is understandable as this is the first book in the series. The descriptions of the Lake District are extremely accurate and atmospheric, which gives a chilling feel to the story. Although the book deals with the death of a child, I was glad that the details surrounding his death were not too graphic. The steady pace leads to a satisfying conclusion with plenty of twists along the way.

I think there is great potential for a series and I warmed to the main characters and would like to see more from them in the future.

Thank you for reading.