Thanks to Girl Friday Productions and NetGalley for this ARC of Mark Murphy's 'Rose Dhu.'

I requested the review copy of 'Rose Dhu' because of the description but mainly because I know Savannah fairly well and love reading novels set there, the familiarity with the place, I think, adds an additional layer of enjoyment of and engagement with the story. That said, my expectations weren't overly high for the book. I'm happy and humbled to say that Mark Murphy blew those expectations out of the water and produced a twisty-turny, murder mystery completely steeped in its location and surroundings.

At one point I was pretty smugly convinced I saw what was coming and he led me gently - hook, line, and sinker - down that path only to yank the rug out from under me and set me back to wondering 'whodunnit' and why. There were niggles in my mind as to another possibility but he so skillfully says 'but look over there' to distract you and those niggles disappear. There are a couple of false endings where you wonder how he's going to fill out the final part of the book but rather than being a frustration, they're a welcome extending of the story.

Also, as I'd hoped, Savannah is treated as a real additional character in the book and, for me, that was the clincher.

Bravo to all involved.

Just when this book comes to what seems its logical end, it keeps going and manages to make the incredible credible. People are complex and this book capitalises on that premise. No one is what they appear to be, with even the protagonist surprising the reader with his decisions at the end. Mark Murphy created a cast of characters and a town which are collectively terrifying -a real thriller.

A high-profile woman vanishes from her gorgeous Savannah home, and suddenly everyone has their eyes on the town’s former golden boy, Phillip Carruthers. He swears he’s innocent, but there’s something a little too polished about his story. Detective Frank Winger starts digging, and what he finds is a tangle of secrets, power plays, and old wounds that refuse to stay buried. The tension builds with every chapter, and I couldn’t stop trying to guess the truth. Big thanks to NetGalley for the early read!

I requested Rose Dhu entirely on impulse, the cover was moody, the title intriguing, and I assumed it was the name of the main character rather than a real place. Best impulse request ever.

This is the kind of under-the-radar, sleeper selection I am always hunting for, and I already know it’s going straight onto my book club list.

The pacing is exceptional, and the way the author weaves multiple storylines together is truly impeccable. There are plenty of characters to both love and hate, but the cast never becomes overwhelming, each thread feels purposeful and tightly controlled. Even more impressive is how the setting itself, Rose Dhu, becomes a character in its own right, adding atmosphere, tension, and richness to every page.

This is the kind of novel that sneaks up on you and then completely wins you over. Don’t overlook this one. I’ll be paying very close attention to this author and his future releases.

This book was absolutely amazing!! The way Mark wove this story using flashback and multiple timelines was perfect!!

I do not usually like crime books but he has changed my opinion. I am so happy I read it and if I could give it 6 stars I would.

Just when you think you know the ending -- you do not! Just try to put this book down after starting it - it was impossible!!

Janie O'Connor was the head surgeon at the hospital in Savannah, Georgia. She lived in a house called the Twin Oaks In a complex called Rose Dhu. Her sister Diane lived with her. All through college and medical school she dated David Wommack. But when they went their separate ways to do their residencies she thought it was best to break up with him. When she got back to Savannah she met Philip Caruthers, fell in love with him and ended up engaged to him. He was a wealthy billionaire and eventually the CEO of Caruthers Enterprises. It turns out Philip was a dirty businessman and his company dealt in drugs, arms and human trafficking, but Janie had no knowledge of that.

Philip's plan was that after his marriage, Janie would quit her job. But she was having none of that; she loved her job and she was an extremely independent woman. They had a huge fight about it and she broke up with him. But he refused to accept it. As far as he was concerned they were still engaged. Her mother and sister never liked Philip but they loved David. And she and David got back together and were instantly in love. This infuriated Philip.

Trek Richards was employed by Philip to do his dirty work. One day he went and burned David's porch. If his neighbor hadn't phoned him and given him time to get a fire extinguisher, the fire would have burned his house down. And then immediately after that, Trek went to Janie's house and beat and raped Diane. Janie's dog Boodles tore deeply into Trek's arm. Cameras showed him at David's house and at Janie's. Shortly thereafter Philip fired him and he vanished.

The rape was on July 14th and on the 20th Diane reported Janie missing. Detective Frank Winger was the person assigned to the case. At first he thought that Trek had done something to Janie. But an anonymous email came to a lead reporter stating that Philip was responsible for Janie's death and where to find her remains. About a week later another email came instructing them where to find the murder instrument in Philip's shed. The police went there and found it along with a bloody towel and the blood was Janie's. At that point Frank knew he had to arrest Philip. When he got there Philip had disappeared.


I love, love, loved this book. It had just the right amount of intrigue and suspense. And the author did an incredible job telling the story. All of the characters were absolutely believable, and I loved how he crafted them. I only wish I could give this book 10 stars, but I gave it the maximum: 5.