Right off the bat, let me say I am very confused as to why this novel is listed as DI Ruth Hunter #5 when this book has absolutely nothing to do with Ruth. But once I got over that initial confusion.... I was still left confused.

See the problem with this one is that when it begins, there are two main plot-lines running side by side. The murder of a female prisoner as well as the possible abduction of a teenage girl. And every chapter is told from the point of view of one of the two characters that is heading up that particular investigation along with the numerous people that they encounter during their separate investigations. Of course, no one at the prison are willing to talk, which means we now get a third point of view included into the mix, that of DI Laura Hart who has agreed to go undercover as a prisoner in order to try and get to the bottom of what really happened. And while each chapter does tell you the location of where events will be taking place so you are able to keep track of which line of inquiry you are on, the characters are so numerous and one-dimensional that it all starts to blend together.

I was a little confused on just how quickly the other inmates figured out there was an undercover cop in their midst considering no one at the prison knew it, and very little people on the force knew about it. It seemed just a little too convenient for me to believe, as it would have made more sense if the governor (also known as a warden here in America) had let it slip since she claimed to recognize her.

As the story moves on, the reader does eventually find out that the story-lines are connected and there are numerous red-herrings in place to keep the reader distracted and guessing. Despite that, I found it easy to put this book down to go and do other things, sometimes not coming back to it until a day or two later. And once things were wrapped up, I was still left with questions and things still felt unresolved (the supposed drug trade happening inside of the prison for one thing).

All things considered, I may give this author another chance down the road, but I most likely won't be continuing on with this particular series.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Dead in the Water is the latest book in the Anglesey based police procedural written by Simon McCleave however it fails to hit the heights of previous books.

The story centred on Laura is a bit too unbelievable at times whilst the supporting investigation into a missing teenager is definitely the more interesting one but is relegated to being run by supporting characters.

The series has enough credit in the tank for me to look forward to book number 6 but this one was a bit of a disappointment.

This book had me constantly trying to guess who was the killer the whole time. I worried at first that the two storylines would get confusing, but I found them so easy to understand together. I spent most of the book trying to work out if there was going to be a connection, and trying to guess what it was. The many twists and turns kept me on my toes and I couldn’t put it down ! Simon knocked this book out of the park yet again, and I will continue to absolutely love any book he writes! Will definitely recommend to any crime thriller lovers

Dead in the Water is a fast paced thriller/mystery that had me up late at night to finish.

Although this is Book 5 in the Anglesey series ( had not read the others) I had no trouble following the book and the characters.

Seventeen year old Abby disappears from her home and a prisoner with ties to the drug world is murdered in the local prison.

DI Laura Hart, Gareth , Ben and Andrea are stretched to the limit as they search for the killer and the missing teen.

Simon McCleave does an amazing job of dropping clues, twists and turns that had me guessing to the final page.

I must say that I am totally a new fan of Simon McCleave and can't believe this is my first book by him but not for long.

Highly recommend you pick up your copy of Dead in the Water and settle in for a page turning read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK|Avon for introducing me to a great series and author.

Dead In the Water is book 5 in the Anglesey series. I hadn't read any of the first 4 books prior in the series, but I had heard of the author. I chose this book because of the genre, the place where it's set, and because I love a book cover with a lighthouse on it.

What I loved about this book was the short chapters and how easy it was to get into. It gave a bit of a recap into DI Laura Hart's past. So that helped me with the character's back story. I could have easily sat and devoured this book in one go if I didn't have to normal life things to get in the way!

There is a good mix of police procedure, action, and character development throughout this book. It kept me entertained and held my attention. The only thing I wasn't too keen on was that some parts of the story were a little unbelievable. That's just a personal preference. I enjoyed this read enough to go and buy the first book. I hope that there is a number 6 on the horizon.

Synopsis
DI Laura Hart is back, and this time, she is faced with the challenge of going undercover in a women's prison. To try and get to the bottom of a brutal murder that took place there, where no one is willing to talk. Meanwhile, another investigation is running alongside that one. A local teenager girl has gone missing, but some things aren't adding up.

Thank you, Netgalley and Avon Books.
My opinions are my own.

Knowing the authors previous work, this is another enjoyable read that keeps you engrossed as you turn the pages.

This latest book in the Anglesey series does not disappoint. The relationships between police officers continue to develop and it’s good to get to know the characters further. The two separate cases are investigated simultaneously and the plot moves along at a cracking pace. Tension mounts almost unbearably towards the climax of the story! I really like how the author weaves facts and legends from Wales into the books. I sincerely hope there’s another book coming soon!

A continuation of the series so having read the previous books would be an advantage.

Starts off with two murders and it twists and turns from there. Plenty of action.

This is the fifth book in the DI Ruth Hunter series and features DI Laura Hart.
When a 17 year old girl, Abby, disappears from her aunt and uncles home at night.
Forensic evidence leads the two D.S given the case, to the conclusion that, Abby, if not seriously injured could have been killed. The race is on to find her.
When an inmate at the local prison is murdered in her cell the rest of Beaumaris CID become involved.
There seems to be no way any of the inmates will talk to the police so Laura takes drastic action going undercover behind bars.
A dangerous place to be without any backup.
Can Laura find the killer before the inmates discover her true identity.
This one has everything you could wish for in a crime thriller and holds the reader from the first page to the last.
A great addition to an excellent series.

Yet another excellent read. It started with the conclusion to the previous novels cliffhanger. I enjoyed the different storyline involving DI Laura Harts undercover stint in a woman’s prison, while the rest of the force searched for a kidnapped victim. It is the latest of an excellent series, but can also be read as a stand alone.

This is another excellent read featuring DI Laura Hart, set in Anglesey. Easily read as a stand alone but I highly recommend the series. The characters are interesting, good descriptive writing and good flowing story line. Plenty of tension and fast paced to keep the pages turning. It begins with a murder of a young teenager, and a gang related death in prison. Leading to DI Laura Hart going undercover in the prison, with two waring gangs, and living on borrowed time as the inmates find out there is a copper inside. The ending came quite quickly as you are totally engrossed in the story and I would have liked to know more of what happened. Looking forward to the next in the series of DI Laura Hart.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion

An extremely enjoyable read about DI Hart and her team. This time around Laura has to give even more of herself because she spends time in prison as an inmate to find out who killed another inmate. There are two brutal gangs in this prison and everyone has heard the rumor about a copper amongst them. Laura is having a tough time in prison, which is not the most romantic place to plan her wedding...

Excellent character development and a great twisty plot! The ending came quite quickly and I would have enjoyed reading a bit more about that part, otherwise a fantastic read!

Thanks once again to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of "Dead In The Water", the new DI Laura Hart/Anglesey mystery by Simon McCleave. This is the fifth book in the series, and they just keep getting better and better.
It's coming up on their wedding day for Laura and Gareth, but do they just take some time for themselves and get everything into place for the big event? No siree, not on your life.
First up, the disappearance of 17-year-old Abby from the home of her aunt and uncle, where she has been living while her mother is at work out of the country. Two of the DS's are put on the case right away, and forensic examination leads them quickly to the conclusion that the girl has been seriously injured, possibly killed. Was it someone close to home? As the investigation proceeds, things become murkier instead of clearer, but they won't give up until they find the truth.
Concurrently, the team is put on the investigation of a death at the nearby women's prison - a prison that is also under investigation for suspicious activity, drugs related. Of course, nobody is talking, so the decision is made to insert an undercover officer - and they cannot let anyone inside the prison know.
Slowly but surely, it appears that both of the cases may be linked, although it takes a number of twists and turns before that conclusion can be reached.
Red herrings abound in the search for the truth, and one of their own will be put in mortal peril before the end is reached.
But we go out on a happy note - cue the wedding march,
Excellent addition to the series, and can certainly be read as a standalone.

A new episode of the Anglesey Crime books. This time, we have a young girl who goes missing, and an inmate at the prison is murdered. It is up to Laura Gareth and colleagues to find the girl and who murdered the inmate. Another gripping tale with plenty of descriptive language so you can visualise the action. Only slight quibble I could have done with more information from the end of the previous book. All in all, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read. With thanks to the author, Netgalley, and Avon Books.

This is another excellent read featuring DI Laura Hart, set in Anglesey. Easily read as a stand alone but I highly recommend the series. The characters are interesting and well described, especially in the prison setting and the book flows really well. There is plenty of tension and the pace is fast, although the ending came just a bit too quick for me as I was totally engrossed in the story. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

When a seventeen-year-old girl vanishes from her home overnight, DI Laura Hart knows that time is of the essence. Then, an inmate at the local prison is murdered in her cell, and suddenly, Beaumaris CID is juggling two major investigations.

With inmates refusing to talk to the police, Laura is forced to take drastic action: going undercover behind bars.

Dead in the Water is a very good crime thriller. It had the right amount of suspense and twists. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but overall, it was a good story.

#NetGalley @AvonBooksUK

Your heart beat will increase reading this book
I really enjoyed Simon McCleave's Dead in the water especially after the teasing end from The Downing Isle. The way it played out was very clever. This page turner proved to be just as riveting and enjoyable as the previous 4 books in the series that I always find hard to put down. There were two active cases that kept Laura Hart, Gavin Williams, Ben Cordon, Andrea Jones and Charlie Heaton very busy and I am sure we have not read the last of Governor Parveen.
I did not see the big twist in the story coming but it made sense and I am sure a lot of the crimes the police investigate are solved by something as simple as the look on someone's face when they open the door and were not expecting the police! There were a couple of bits in the book where my heart started pumping a bit faster when Laura went beyond the line of duty. I have actually visited Beaumaris and can picture a lot of the stories in my minds eye when reading them. I would recommend Dead in the water as a great page turner

A good read! The plot was original, but too many flashbacks from Laura considerably disturbed the tension of the suspense. Some parts were a bit over the top and not too realistic. Overall a quick and easy read .
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I am leaving voluntarily an honest review.

Dead in the Water, although a part of a series, can be read as a standalone. A seventeen year old girl is missing and an inmate is found murdered in her cell in this Welsh thriller. DI Laura Hart is tasked with going undercover in the prison to dig for information, a dangerous place to be without any backup. In the meantime the search is on for the missing teenager. This is a well constructed and very detailed book. There are many characters to follow, yet they are interesting and clearly depicted. You will want to cheer DI Hart on as she races against time. With thanks to Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

Another great read from Simon McCleave. Laura & Gareth are plannimg their wedding however that doesnt stop police investigations a seventeen year old girl has gone missing and its a race against time to find her.
DI hart goes under cover in prison to try and find out who killed a prisoner. She is completely on her own and could the two cases be connected? Thankyou for advanced copy and looking forward to next installment.