This was the best book by far! I loved the whole build up of the book. The characters of Adrian and Imogen and their new relationship as a couple and not just work colleagues was explored well including the difficulties that can bring. The attack on Adrian and the aftermath was so well written I felt my heart ache for the problems it caused him emotionally and physically, how it affected his self belief and his relationships with colleagues, friends and lover. I am looking forward to reading the next instalment

This is another fantastic thriller from Avon Books. I’m really impressed with the standard of books I’ve reviewed for them recently. There’s so much I loved about this book. There is intrigue created around Angela, the woman found in the water and her dark and creepy home life. It’s clear to the detectives that she’s been beaten by her husband. However, she refuses to speak out against him and there are no witnesses so it’s a hopeless situation. Just how did Angela end up in the water? Is the second body connected to Angela? Exactly what is Reece hiding and why does he have such power over the people around him? This is one of those books where so much happens and there are multiple possibilities due to misdirection and clues that may be false. There are some harrowing scenes when one of the detectives discovers the price for rattling Reece’s cage. I’ve never read something quite like this and it’s handled brilliantly. I thought I knew what the book was about until the rug is pulled out right from under me towards the end and Angela and Recce’s dark secret is revealed. I got a severe case of the creeps and I’m still shuddering. I cannot fault one single thing about this. It’s a corker.

Another interesting dark and twisted murder mystery by Katerina Diamond. When a young woman is discovered barely alive in a river after a brutal attack and immediate investigation is launched to find out who she is and what happened. When the body of a man is also then found in a river and the young woman goes missing it sets off a chain of events and introduces the police to a very dangerous man who is not scared of the law and keeping more secrets and lies than they ever believed possible.

I am a huge devotee of the Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey series by Katerina Diamond and I think this could possibly be the one I have most enjoyed so far. The Woman In The Water is a dark and gritty police procedural with real characters and a punchy story-line.

In this sixth instalment, Adrian Miles is travelling home when he spots a body submerged in icy water, and is shocked to find she is alive. The battered woman is taken to hospital where she refuses to give her name and says that she cannot remember what happened to her. When a second body, a young male, is found further down the river, the battered woman disappears from her hospital bed. Detectives Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey follow their only lead to Reece Corrigan's home looking for answers. They receive an unpleasant surprise when they arrive, to find that the woman Adrian rescued is no other than Corrigan's wife.

The author's writing was powerful, and often graphic as the story-line encompassed all kinds of evil from murder, domestic violence, sexual assault, and physical violence. Whilst some scenes were quite difficult and disturbing to read, the tone was full of empathy for the characters.

Primarily the focus is on the woman found in the water, but a great deal of attention is also centred on DS Miles. He is vulnerable as dealings with the Corrigan family transpire, revealing his weaknesses and a difficult childhood, so that I became totally engrossed in the way events were affecting him. I loved that Imogen's loyalty to him was unwavering, especially as Adrian became something of a liability. The two story-lines are interlinked; if Adrian hadn’t stumbled across the woman in the water then he wouldn’t have found himself falling to pieces until he is no longer able to recognise himself.

This was a remarkable and captivating story albeit an emotional, heartrending one and the twists and turns were brilliantly executed with heaps of surprises and reveals throughout. The ending was explosive and totally unexpected. This super series continues to go from strength to strength and is up there with some of the most thrilling reads in the genre. If attention-grabbing, dark, and twisted crime thrillers are your thing, then Woman in the Water must not be missed! I longingly await book number seven.

This review was written voluntarily and was not influenced by the fact that I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel from Avon Books via NetGalley.

Having read all the previous books in the series I was looking forward to this one.

I did enjoy it but it wasn't my favourite in the series.

It felt rushed and the story repeated itself in places.

It was quite dark in places and the ending had some good twists.

I do love the characters and I look forward to the next book in this series.

This is a book that really made its mark on me this year and is a standout read in this genre. Honestly, I think the author has been so brave in this book in tackling the subjects she does, and does so so sensitively that I found it quite moving and affecting and I was left in awe at the skill and talent she exhibits.

It is going to be quite hard to write the review of this book that I’d like to without including any spoilers, so you’ll have to forgive me if I am a little vague, you really need to pick up the book and read it for yourselves.

The book is shocking and gripping from the opening as a woman is found, barely alive, in freezing water. DS Miles plucks her from the river and, immediately, he becomes closely involved in the investigation into who she is and how she got there. This is a case which stirs up issues from his past and causes tensions in his blossoming relationship with DS Grey, who is trying to understand the effect the case is having on him.

I really loved the closely woven storylines of the police investigation and the personal relationship between DS Miles and DS Grey. This book is as much about the police officers and the effect it has on them as it is about the crime, the victim and the perpetrator, and I think this is refreshing and important because it is very easy to forget that police officers are, first and foremost, human beings with the same problems, hangups and issues as the rest of us and that the things they see and the matters they have to deal with can have profound effects on them and their mental state and they deserve help, support and compassion.

This book is not always an easy read, and may be triggering for some because of its subject matter, but the author deals with the issues sensitively. There are some extremely shocking scenes in the book, even for someone who has not been directly affected by these issues, but they are never gratuitous and always necessary for the story and I applaud the way they are handled, but equally, she isn’t pulling any punches with this book and the reader needs to be ready to be shocked and appalled. This is how it should be, because some things in life are shocking and appalling.

This author is skilled at developing characters we acre about, and the relationship between the two main detectives is one in which her readers cannot help being invested, and I really can’t wait to see where this is going following the climax of this book. She has really upped the stakes for them here, and fans of the author’s books will not be at all disappointed with this latest instalment. If you haven’t read any of Katerina’s books before, what are you waiting for?

This is the first book by Katerina Diamond I've read and I really enjoyed it. I didn't know this book was part of a series and I think the story works great as a stand-alone. Although I do think I miss some background information about the two main characters, Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey.

The book starts with Adrian, who is walking home when he sees a group of women standing by a bridge. They seem to be looking at something and when Adrian walks over to ask what it is the women are looking at, he finds the body of a woman in the water. The woman is beaten and unconscious, but still alive. He pulls her from the water. Later the body of a death man is discovered close to where the woman was found. The woman is brought to a hospital and when she awakes, she says she doesn't remember anything. She doesn't remember who did this to her and she doesn't know her name. A couple of days later, she disappears from the hospital.
Adrian and Imogen investigate the murder of the man and the disappearance of the woman.

The story is fast-paced, the chapters are short and I enjoyed reading the book. That said, the story was a bit predictable and I wanted more from the twists and ending.

Trigger warning: Domestic violance and rape.

I’ll admit since the first moment that I love the stories of the detectives Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey, so maybe my review will be a little biased. There are some detectives that stole your heart since the first moment and for me Katerina Diamond’s characters are one of those! 😉
Because this is a disturbing and twisted story, not an easy read, let’s be honest, but be prepared for a very addictive and surprising read.
A woman appears almost dead in the water, with no memory at all and not really eager to help the police to discover who she really is. What is she hiding? When a body appears near where she was found the police start investigating both cases; are they related?
We will know who the killer is quite early on the book, but this doesn’t make the book less interesting or without twists, because with Katerina Diamond books you will never miss the twists.
I’ll have to advise you that this is the sixth book of the series, you can read it as standalone, yes, but you’ll miss the connections between the characters and how they are influenced by the cases. So, I would really recommend you to start the series from the beginning, they are worth every page.
There were some difficult scenes to read on this book, but the author, as always, has done an amazing work relating the most difficult situations and you’ll feel an extensive range of feelings while you read this book, not all of them good. But that’s why I love Ds Imogen Grey books, they always surprise me and keep me waiting for more!
Ready to discover the Woman in the Water?

Thank you for letting me review this title. I have read and enjoyed all KD’s book, this one included.

When the blurb says it has a psychological twist that you will never see coming, I never believe it’s going to be a shock. This one however left me with my mouth hanging open!

I thought I knew what was going to happen but how wrong was I!!!

The scene halfway through the book is absolutely heartbreaking and made me so emotional!

A fantastic book, I can’t wait for the follow on

When a woman is discovered submerged in freezing water, the police are shocked to find that she is still alive. With her refusing to confirm her identity, even after the body of another person is found nearby, the police are at a loss as to how to proceed. This is made even more complicated when she disappears from her hospital bed. Detectives Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey pursue their only lead at the home of the Corrigans, but this only leads to more unanswered questions. Can their secrets be uncovered before time runs out for everyone involved?

I have been aware of Katerina Diamond’s books for some time, but for some reason, have never read any of them. I am now kicking myself as I have definitely been missing out! Woman in the Water is the sixth book in this series, but if, like me, you haven’t read the previous five, please don’t be put off as it can be read as a standalone – you don’t need any previous knowledge of the characters to enjoy this one!

Woman in the Water is, essentially, a book about abuse, power and the abuse of power. The detectives discover quite early on who is behind the death of the man and the near-death of the woman, but with people refusing to speak out, there is no case for him to answer. For Adrian Miles in particular, this became increasingly infuriating and I could understand his reluctance to take the advice he was given and why it became a personal mission to get this man behind bars.

This book does not shy away from controversy and deals with several taboo subjects. One scene, in particular, will remain with me for a long time as it is rare that I am close to tears when reading a crime novel. We realise what is about to happen at the same time as the character involved and this created a powerful, heart-wrenching moment which caused the need to gather my thoughts before reading on. I applaud the author for dealing with this issue and also the brave people who are acknowledged at the end of the book. This highly-charged, emotional scene was written with sensitivity, as were the consequences.

I raced through this book in three sittings as I became so invested in the plot and the need to see justice served. This may have been my first Katerina Diamond book, but it will definitely not be my last.

Woman in the Water by Katerina Diamond was a cracking read. This is the 6th book in the detective series of Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey and I have found these books within this brilliant series are just getting better and better.
I just loved it............before I knew it the birds were singing outside my window and it was time for me to get up! Katerina's books should come with warning signs - Don't start reading them before you go to bed. So glad It was the weekend!

This book also covers domestic abuse, violence and rape and I found it difficult to read in places, as Katerina has written very graphic scenes throughout. It's not for the faint hearted. It is full of great twists and turns that worked well within the story.

I would highly recommend you read these books in order to get the most of the main characters but you can read it as a stand alone book. All the characters are brilliant and become a great part of this book. I can't give too much away about Woman in the Water, bar its a brilliant read and comes highly recommended.

Big Thank You to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

Woman in the Water is the sixth book in the DS Imogen Grey series. Grey’s partner DS Adrian Miles, is on his way home when he sees a group of women looking at something in the water, and on closer inspection it is the body of a young woman. Barely alive DS Miles pulls her from the river and she is rushed to hospital. She insists she doesn’t now who she is or how she got there, but Grey and Miles are not convinced and when another body is found their Jane Doe disappears from her hospital bed. No one has reported her missing, and their investigations into both attacks leads them to the owner of Corrigan Construction, and others connected who have disappeared or been hurt. Full of action, with plenty of surprises along the way, this fast. paced thriller had me gripped.

It has been quite a while since I picked up a Katerina Diamond book, I seem to have been busy reviewing and neglected her books that I have on my shelf. I was surprised to see that this was he sixth book in the DS Imogen Grey series, I have only read the first book, but found this really easy to read as a standalone and didn’t feel I missed anything. In this book DS Grey and DS Miles have become romantic partners as well as professional which adds a different dynamic to the book. As the investigation continues, and Grey and Miles feel their way through this new relationship, the lines become blurred and the two start to overlap. Adrain came from a background of domestic abuse and this case gets personal for him, wanting to save the victim like he tried to save his mother. His judgement becomes flawed and as Imogen tries to cover his back as his behaviour becomes erratic, tensions arise between them.

Katerina Diamond’s plot is wonderfully complex and very dark at points. She certainly doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, like domestic violence and rape which she delivers with brutal realism. The investigation is fast paced and had me on the edge of my seat with the twists and turns as it built towards a conclusion I really didn’t see coming, which was shockingly brilliant.

Woman in the Water is deliciously dark, full of suspense and totally gripping. The developing romance of Grey and Miles adds a new dynamic to their professional relationship and tension to the plot as the two overlap. Out in January I encourage you to get clicking and pre order this gritty and gripping crime thriller.

This book is crazy good! I didn't know it was the 6th book in a series but it is a standalone as well. Now however I want to read the previous books to get the back story.
There is a lot going on in this story and it is definitely not for the faint of heart. Lots of strong subject matter going on here! Murder, abuse, rape to name a few! The author really out done herself on this one it is so well written. I highly recommend this book. It does not disappoint.

This is the sixth book in the DS Imogen Grey and DS Adrian Miles series from Katerina Diamond which are proving to be in a psychological class of their own. The story is set in Exeter.

DS Miles is driving home early one morning when he sees some activity by the river. He stops to see if he can help. There is something in the water but they can’t quite see what it is without climbing over. He does this and carefully goes forwards. As he gets closer, he can see it’s a body. He gets his phone out to call for help when he feels something around his ankle, then their eyes flicker and he realises they are alive. He tries to get them to dry ground while they await further help.

When the woman has been taken to hospital, it appears she has been badly beaten and cannot remember her name or who done it. Later on, she disappears from the hospital. After mounting a search in the hospital and surrounding area, there is no sign of her. DS Miles and DS Grey follow their only lead which leads them to the construction firm where Simon Glover worked before dying. They reckoned they had fired him but the officers thought something was off so wanted to speak to the boss, Reece Corrigan, who was at home. So they went there.

Upon arrival, he answered the door, dressed ready to go out and basically repeated what they had already been told. They then heard movement from upstairs and saw the woman from the hospital coming down the stairs, although she has tried to mask her injuries and ignores them, like she has never seen them before. They realise they must play along and come back to see her alone, later when he has gone to work. When she does talk to them, they get the feeling that she is hiding something. Perhaps she fears for her life? Did her husband beat her? Is he behind the death of Simon Glover? How do they get the proof? Angela refuses to help them any further with their enquiries. There must be a way to make some progress on this case surely? Why does Angela not want to live?

This was a brilliant read from start to finish, an absolute roller coaster of a ride. The writing was absolutely superb, a very sensitive subject was handled very well in my view and must have taken a lot of research into an area that can be quite taboo. I am loving this series, especially the main characters DS Miles and DS Grey.

I've read all of the books in the series and I absolutely love the relationship between Adrian Miles and Imogen Grey. Really enjoyed this even though it was quite disturbing in parts. I fervently look forward to more from Katerina Diamond.

POssibly the most emotionally manipulative book in the series. Hard hitting and full of tension, this book contains some harrowing scenes but ones that are sensitively played out. I loved the way in which the author explored the characters emotions, particularly Adrian Miles and the eponymous woman in the water, playing on their fears in drawing out the readers reaction.

It is a testing case, involving themes of abuse and murder, with a vile and dangerous perpetrator at the heart of everything that happens, possibly the worst foe that the team have yet faced. With shocking scenes throughout, this book takes readers on a slow journey through a puzzling and difficult case, but one that reflects the vile truth of domestic abuse situations. in which one partner controls everything the other does.

Full review to follow

Woman in the Water is a really impactful novel that sees the return of much-loved detectives Adrial Miles and Imogen Grey. I feel like you can still enjoy this novel as a standalone read, though there are various references that you won’t get if you haven’t read the previous ones. I don’t think it would affect the enjoyment of this riveting read, though, as I haven’t read all the books before myself – including the first one – and I really enjoyed this book.

I love the characters in the police team – especially Imogen and Adrian. Although they’re very different, they’re both really interesting and likable, and the relationship between them as colleagues and people has really changed.

The plot is as gripping and well researched as previous novels in this series. It’s a little different to many other books in this genre, because you know who is to blame, but everyone is trying to prove it before someone else gets hurt – this takes a bit away from the usual suspense and mystery, but it’s a bit of a different twist!

There are some really dark parts to this novel – one scene in particular which you’ll know when you read it – and I found myself feeling really shocked, which doesn’t happen that often, but I feel like it was portrayed in a respectful, undramatised way by the author. It certainly draws attention to a type of assault that is perhaps not included as much in most books, including crime novels.

This series always appeals to me as it does a great job of blending police procedural elements with character-centred plots. It’s not just Imogen and Adrian (and the rest of the police team) that we follow and find out more about – we also delve into the lives of the characters involved in the case, and their backgrounds, and it all makes for hugely entertaining and addictive reading. I raced through this novel in no time and am already really looking forward to book number 7!

Adrian and In oven are Detective partners who are secretly dating. Adrian saves a girl that is found nearly dead. He gets attached to this woman because his mom was abused as well. It really hits home with him and he wants to help. He goes to the hospital to check on her but she disappeared. Who is after her? Why is she so scared ?

Following a few breads, they pray a visit to Reece Corrigan, Gifford questioning only to see their Jane Doe is his wife. She has covered her bruises and pretends she does not recognize Adrian or Imogen. They play along but return later. She tells them to walk away. Reece is dangerous. People who question him come up missing. Adrian refuses to walk away and will stop wait nothing.


Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of the Woman In the Water in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was a good, well written story but I didn’t expect it to have the kind of content that it did. Without spoiling anything, there was a particular crime committed against one of the main characters which took up much of the latter part of the book. I found it difficult to read because of that content and I was left feeling unsettled and a bit disturbed. It was left as though there may be a follow up book, but I’m not sure I would read it. Although it was a good book, it just wasn’t for me.

Wowee, I think this is the best of the Grey and Miles books I have read so far. I also just need to say this: Ms Diamond, how could you?!

The story opens with DS Adrian Miles rescuing a woman from an icy river. It seems she must be dead but amazingly she has survived. He feels really strongly about the woman as it seems like she has been a victim of some kind of violence and having grown up in an abusive household he is determined not to watch it happen to someone else.

Along with his partner, DS Imogen Grey, they start trying to find out who the woman is and how she ended up in the river. Not easy to begin with but as they start digging a story unfolds. That story follows a fairly standard path but with some deviations that made this a really rather chilling story. I’d already gleaned from other reviews that maybe something quite shocking was going to happen and it certainly does but it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I was horrified by this turn of events, more so I think because I had followed these characters across several books, but I thought the author dealt with it very well and very sympathetically.

Anyway, enough of that because I am definitely not going to spoil it for future readers. I found Woman in the Water to be absolutely gripping. The plot itself is disturbing and dark and there’s also the evolving relationship between Imogen and Adrian running alongside it. I like them both so much and I do hope that we’ll see more from them in the future. Katerina Diamond is a brilliant writer, constructing twisty crime thrillers with characters you can’t help but care about. This is one of only a couple of police procedural series I look forward to reading and this instalment had me completely absorbed.