An ordinary day in his ordinary life.
It seems like in innocuous beginning. The prologue and first chapter appear to create an idyllic setting for the next chapter in the life of DI Imogen Evans.
Though the novel begins in a quiet hamlet with the opening of Chef Calvin’s coffee shop, readers of Edwards know that there will be a dark twist. Will DI Evans be content with such a slow pace life? Will the coffee shop thrive? It’s only a matter of time before the twists begin. DI Evans has stumbled upon a murder, a suicide, and a missing person in this tiny dull town. She has to somehow live up to the reputation of big city serial killer catcher. Edwards masterfully weaves the dark tale that leaves the reader on the edge of the seat and guessing.
Well done! This is one more example of why Mark Edwards has become one of my favorite authors!

I really enjoyed this one. The plot was great and the author, as usual, kept me reading well into the night.
I liked the way the separate characters’ stories developed and was so busy enjoying the read that I completely forgot to try and work out who was the murderer. In the last few chapters I decided what was obviously going on to find that I was wrong! Well done Mark Edwards it was a joy to read and thank you.

Another great novel as always from Mark. Love the way that his stories embody everyday life and show the pitfalls of how easily things can go wrong.

I always enjoy Mark Edwards books and this one did not disappoint.

This book saw detective Imogen Evans back who was also in the lucky ones. That said this is a standalone book and easily read without reading the lucky ones.

This book was a great easy read, it had lots of twists and turns and also a duel timeline.

I really enjoyed it

This is the new mystery thriller from the brilliant Mark Edwards and it’s just what you expect .. a book that from the beginning keeps you guessing till an excellent conclusion. Set in the beautiful Lake District it really is a read that really kept me on my toes and halfway through I was certain I knew what was going on BUT once again the author threw in another twist and there was I again flummoxed with who to trust , who to believe it was so very good.
I loved the characters. I loved the location loved the suspense and I loved the book I don’t know what more to say other than it’s not one to be missed man many thanks to the author for an excellent read.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Chef Calvin really needs some customers to help his ailing coffee shop and bakery so he joins social media and a clip going viral not only gets him some customers but also a fan who gives off stalkerish vibes. I really enjoyed ready this book and liked the character of DI Imogen Evans. The book is a standalone but does mention a previous case featuring the viper serial killer that Imogen Evans investigated which I believe is another book which I now intend to read. I would give this book five stars and would recommend

Mark Edwards does it again this time with a dead body buried in the sand. They can find a name for the victim but no one seems to know who he is or where he came from let alone how come he ended up being buried in the sand. Along with Imogen starting a new life in this town and being a celebrity cop where ever she goes the new social media success of a local coffee shop starts to get linked in and as someone else goes missing it’s a race against time to find out what is going on and who is responsible. Does the truth live in somewhere in the past? Don’t miss this great read. If you haven’t read anything by this author you are in for a treat as he never disappoints.

4 stars - A rating

My first book by Mark Edwards and I absolutely loved his writing style. I look forward to reading all of his books. This was an ARC from NetGalley for my review. Publishing date: 4/30/24.

Suspenseful premise. A dead body is found. Murder? Suicide? Quirky, fully fleshed out characters. A lively cast of townspeople. A likeable town chef with his own bakery/diner. We follow his story and that of the town detective as the plot twists and turns and the clues unravel. I enjoyed being along for the ride.

I couldn't read it fast enough and was completely engaged in the story.

Thank you NetGalley.

A mysterious death. People leading double lives. The present colliding with the past. The return of a beloved character. A recipe for a great Mark Edwards book. Keep track of the characters – it will help you connect the dots. This one will keep you guessing until the very end.

The darkest Water piqued my interest with its book description. It’s twisted just the way I like my thrillers. There seemed to be a lot of characters to get my head round but the characters are well depicted and each has a unique voice. An enjoyable read but one slightly spoilt by the fact I figured out some of the twists early on in the read

I’m officially a Mark Edwards fan! This book blends elements of detective (crime) fiction with psychological suspense, which I absolutely loved.

There was a lot to like about this one:

🏞️ Atmospheric setting that adds a layer of mystery to the story

👩‍🦰 The detective, Imogen Evans (I also found out she appears in another one of Mark’s books, so now I need to read that too)!

📝 2 storylines that come together perfectly

😮 Shocking twists & turns

Overall, I found this book super easy to read. I flew through the pages (even staying up until late to read it) and really enjoyed the story.

The Darkest Water is Mark Edward’s latest thriller and features Detective Imogen Evans from The Lucky Ones, but if you haven’t read The Lucky Ones yet, don’t worry as this can ABSOLUTELY be read as a standalone.

The story is set in the Lake District and Calvin Matheson’s dreams of opening a cafe and bakery are slowly turning into a nightmare due to no customers and dwindling finances. When his wife tells him to start promoting the cafe on social media with the help of his assistant one of his posts goes viral bringing him overnight success and plenty of new customers.

However, the darker side of social media soon rears it’s ugly head and when Calvin starts getting DM’s from a female stalker claiming to be his greatest fan, suddenly his success puts him and those closest to him in real danger.

Meanwhile, the body of a local man is found buried up to his neck in the sea and Detective Imogen Evans, who has recently moved to the area, is in charge of finding out who this man is, why he was killed and to catch the killer.

The Darkest Water has two storylines running alongside each other and slowly the reader begins to find out more about Calvin and more about the man on the beach. Is there any connection between them and will Imogen catch the killer before they strike again?

Another twisty tale from the warped mind of Mark Edwards!

"The Darkest Water" by Mark Edwards is a chilling thriller that grips you from the first page. Calvin's dream bakery turns into a nightmare when a mysterious admirer emerges from the shadows, and a local recluse is found buried on the beach. Edwards masterfully weaves suspense, dark secrets, and a sense of impending danger throughout the narrative. The characters are well-developed, and the Lake District setting adds an eerie atmosphere. As Detective Imogen Evans races against time, the tension escalates, keeping readers on the edge. Edwards delivers a captivating tale of intrigue, mistrust, and the haunting consequences of one's past. An engrossing and satisfying read.

I really enjoyed this Mark Edwards novel, a gripping suspense thriller full of obsession, deception, and deadly secrets. The novel is set in the Lake District and centres on Calvin who owns a bakery and has his life take a sinister turn when he becomes the target of a mysterious and obsessive stalker.

Calvin’s life is turned upside down by a viral social media clip that changes his world immeasurably and results in overnight fame. The unexpected attention comes with the introduction of creepy messages from a stranger claiming to be his biggest fan and sets off a chain events.

Meanwhile, Detective Imogen Evans is tasked with unravelling the mystery behind a gruesome murder that has shaken the quiet community to its core. Once the investigation intensifies, the lines between truth and deception blur, and Imogen finds herself drawn deeper into a web of lies and betrayal.

This is a very enjoyable novel with some excellent characters, each with their own secrets and ambitions. Calvin struggles with the realisation that his stalker may be dangerously close, while Imogen’s drive to search for the truth grows as she comes across small-town politics and personal vendettas.

There are lots of twists and turns along the way that kept me guessing as I frantically turned the pages.

A very good suspense novel where nothing is as it seems and danger is never far away.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve been highly anticipating The Darkest Waters as I’m a big fan of Mark Edwards‘ writing and his newest story
has once again confirmed to me why he is one of my favourite thriller authors.
I was super excited to meet again with Detective Imogen Evans(featured in *The Lucky Ones*)
and maybe one day we gonna hear from her again. (I hope so).

Suspenseful, twisted and highly engaging, this story isn’t afraid to go dark
while keeping you entertained along the way.
Thank you, Mark Edwards and NetGalley for ARC!

I’ve read a few of Mark Edwards’ books at this point and have definitely come to expect consistency. His books are absolute page turners for me. They’re well written and easy to consume. There aren’t excessive amounts of characters and he does a great job of slowly revealing puzzle pieces culminating in a twisty end.

The book fell short in the way many thrillers do. Calvin was a complete moron to the point of being unbelievable. There’s many coincidences towards the end to the point of shifting past the point of implausibility.

Overall, I enjoyed the read but did feel as though the story lost points with me for lack of plausibility. I’d rather have less mystery and a well written story than a book so unpredictable it becomes a bit over the top. I still plan on reading more by Edwards but this one missed the mark a bit for me.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Calvin has opened a coffee shop and been persuaded to advertise on social media, a decision he will come to regret.
There are lots of sub plots in this duel timeline thriller and I found the story confusing at times.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

A grisly murder and his wife's disappearance lead Calvin back to a secret he had tried to keep buried....Excellent thriller with plenty of twists to keep you on edge until the end.

The author’s writing is so engaging. The plot is gripping and medium paced. I loved reading about the Therapy, Calvin’s bakery. I loved how Vicky and Tara supported him. Mel was a mysterious character, she of course had a mysterious demeanour. I loved the setting an idyllic village in the Lake District. I loved that the author has shown how social media can become addictive and it has both pros and cons.

A man was found dead on beach, he had a house in the forest, known by the name of Leo James. The most strange thing is no one knew about him. Only a woman came forward who looked alike Freya. Freya was Vicky’s sister. The mystery of Freya was deep and touching. The buried secret made its way out and turned Calvin and Vicky’s life upside down. The day he went at Mel’s place, someone abducted Vicky, he is trying to find her. The killer is on loose. Detective Imogen is trying to find the killer to ensure the safety of those who lives there. Somehow James’s death seems to have some connection with Vicky’s disappearance and Mel. There were so many mysteries in the plot with unexpected happenings, creepy DM’s and buried secret. Will Calvin’s mistakes brings his loved ones lives at stake? The twists and turns were so unpredictable. The ending was shocking and the revelation at the end was so unexpected. I loved Detective Imogen’s character.


Many Thanks to Author and Publisher

A puzzler of a book.

Just like with a puzzle, there are pieces all over the place. At the beginning, this reader wondered where Mr. Edwards could possibly be going with this story. About half way through, I started seeing some of the vision, or so I thought. As the story reached it’s climax, all the pieces of the puzzle start clicking in place. The author is very good at the red herring effect and hiding clues in plain sight all while keeping his characters just your normal everyday people. Once you know the story, you wonder how you could have missed it. This is what makes Mr. Edwards a great author and I highly recommend any of his books, including this one, as a way to get to know him.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.