Mary-Jane Riley

Dark Waters is the third book in the Alex Devlin series. This is the first book in the series that I've read...and I'm glad I did. This is an enjoyable mystery with an interesting plot and some dark surprises. Well-written and nicely paced, it made for a very enjoyable evening of reading. I got to bed quite past my usual time because I couldn't put this book down. Worth it!

Two men are found dead on a rented boat in the Norfolk Broads. Local investigators say the men were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning. The deaths appear to be suicide. Alex is a reporter and jumps at the chance to cover the case for The Post. Why would a wealthy businessman and a former priest commit suicide together? The case goes down a dark path involving internet suicide forums, dark secrets and revenge. It turns out that 40-year old secrets might be closer to home than Alex realizes.

I like Alex Devlin as a main character. She is intelligent, self-reliant and feisty. She's totally dedicated to getting the story and investigating, even when the situation gets dangerous. Her family and work relationships are complex and complicated, but that just makes the character seem more realistic.

I definitely enjoyed this book! This is the first book by Mary-Jane Riley that I've read. I will definitely be back-tracking to read the first two books in this series!

**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from HarperImpulse via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**… (mehr)

Two men are found dead on a little cruiser moored in the Norfolk broads(small waterways surrounded by marshes,meadows and woodland).
At first sight it looks like a suicide pact,although a strange one as both men don't seem to have a lot in common. Ales Devlin,a not so very successful journalist,is intrigued by the setup and starts digging....the past has an ugly habit to emerge when you don't expect it...
What makes this a fabulous read,apart from a very good storyline that keeps you guessing,is the personality of the main character. Yes,she is a nosy journalist,but she is not a monster,she feels guilt,empathy,compassion. It is a welcome change to all the detectives,inspectors,reporters,amateur sleuths who are arrogant, so sure of themselves, rude,absolutely obnoxious....I really liked it!
www.booksdogsandcats.wordpress.com… (mehr)

This was a fantastic book - it was absolutely compelling reading and I got totally carried away, reading late into the night. The chapters are quite short so just one more chapter very easily became just ten more chapters! There is so much I could say about this book but to do so I'd have to reveal some spoilers so I'm not going to reference the story in my review. This really is an astounding debut that manages to simultaneously create feelings of shock and empathy.

I loved the way it was written, it was so multidimensional showing all aspects of the case and leaving no stone unturned. I enjoyed every single page, from the story of the twins' family to the policewoman who found little Harry's body and the effect it had on her own life. There are so many unexpected moments in this book that it kept me hooked throughout and ensured that the pages kept on turning until everything had been revealed.

I wasn't surprised to learn that Mary-Jane Riley has a journalism background. This book is written in true investigative style and both female leads had amazing depth of character. Alex is a journalist writing for magazines, in a similar vein to Mary-Jane Riley, and Kate is a detective inspector but I felt that both characters were well developed, instantly likeable and, most of all, believable.

There are shocks, twists and disturbing scenes - a brilliant psychological read that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

I received this e-book from the publisher, Killer Reads, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.… (mehr)