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A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller #6

The Drowning at Dyes Inlet

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Sometimes murder comes in waves...

In 1979, a florist's lifeless body surfaced in the serene waters of Dyes Inlet, an enchanting estuary connected to the vast Puget Sound. Although the murder was never solved, a sinister heart carved into the victim's back made the case unforgettable.

Forty-four years later, history repeats itself as not one, but two more victims are discovered within 48 hours, each bearing the exact same chilling carving in their flesh. The county's darkest mystery is about to be ripped wide open.

Enter Thomas Austin, a private investigator with a haunted past he's finally ready to leave behind. Called in to untangle the threads of one of the most disturbing cold cases in the state's history, Austin realizes quickly that nothing is as it seems.

To unravel the mystery, he must delve into the past and confront a chilling How long can love endure, and to what unimaginable lengths will one person go to preserve it?

Gripping, visceral, and hauntingly evocative, The Drowning at Dyes Inlet is a pulse-pounding mystery that will leave you breathless and questioning everything you thought you knew about the depths of true love.

Series List (can be read in any order):
Book 1: The Bones at Point No Point
Book 2: The Shadows of Pike Place
Book 3: The Fallen of Foulweather Bluff
Book 4: The Horror at Murden Cove
Book 5: The Terror in the Emerald City
Book 6: The Drowning at Dyes Inlet
Book 7: The Nightmare at Manhattan Beach

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2023

2226 people are currently reading
896 people want to read

About the author

D.D. Black

64 books485 followers

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5 stars
2,870 (54%)
4 stars
1,814 (34%)
3 stars
530 (10%)
2 stars
50 (<1%)
1 star
18 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
Profile Image for John Fossett.
350 reviews
January 3, 2024
Genre/Sub-Genre
Mystery/Thriller
Overview
Two bodies turn up within 48 hours near Silverdale. Both have similarities to a cold case from 1979. Are they looking for a serial killer back for more or a copycat, either way it’s not good news for Austin or the people of Kitsap County.
Doorway
Story
Story
Austin has a new partner, Kendall, straight from the LAPD. She’s arrogant, elitist, insulting, and constantly looking for a way to get under your skin. She’s hard to work with, let alone like, and with Jimmy and Lucy O consumed by their workload and pending nuptials, Austin and Kendall will be doing the heavy lifting on this case. And they better do it before more bodies appear.
Characters
The usual cast; Austin, his Corgi Run, Kendall, Anna the reporter, Lucy O, Jimmy.
Setting
Contemporary Western Washington, Puget Sound area, specifically.
Language
This is one of the best in the Thomas Austin series, IMHO. Great storytelling, I kept turning pages to find out what happened next, add some tension, throw in a couple of red herrings for misdirection and join Austin & Kendall in a balls-to-the-wall investigation. Plus, we dig a little deeper into Austin’s history and the murder of his wife. Can’t wait for the next volume 😊
Profile Image for Andrew Tucker.
278 reviews10 followers
August 14, 2023
I am biased because I grew up in Kitsap County so the setting of this series is very nostalgic for me. However I wouldnt keep reading just for nostalgia. The stories are great and with each chapter Thomas Austin gets better.

The humor in this book was fantastic...I hope never to experience standup comedy as portrayed here. Kendall is a great new addition...though Im not sure I like her, she certainly brings a big personality.

Highly recommended and addictive series.
Profile Image for Joanne Farley.
1,255 reviews31 followers
August 3, 2025
This book follows the previous ones. There is case that needs solving and Austin steps in to help solve it. We also get one step closer to solving Fiona's murder.
Profile Image for Mary.
1,830 reviews7 followers
November 10, 2025
Another excellent thriller in this series
Profile Image for Jan Lehman.
171 reviews3 followers
April 28, 2025
Great sequel

I wondered how the author would follow up and tie in the terrorist attack on the Seahawks game, we he certainly did it well. The two stories,and characters flowed smoothly back into their near normal roles and their have some great new additions. Looking forward to the continuing sage of Thomas austin. I am so glad that run has a new best friend, corgis do so much better with a buddy to share life. Welcome Ralph!
41 reviews
March 17, 2025
Fun little murder mystery set in my hometown. Easy to root for long suffering Thomas Austin, a detective with the right ratio of haunted past, quirky synesthesia, and NYPD edge.
Profile Image for Michael Fronczak.
89 reviews1 follower
Read
October 22, 2025
Good, but not as good as the previous entries. I wasn't happy with Anna's arc in this book, either - it sort of came out of nowhere and didn't make sense to me. It felt thrown together.
128 reviews2 followers
August 18, 2023
Review of the Drowning at Dyes Inlet

This is a really, really good story. DD Black is the author and, although I have enjoyed everything that he has written, this one is not just good, but superb. An utter delight to read.

In this story, the body of a woman is found half in and half out of the water. She is presumed to have drowned until a heart-shaped carving on her back is recognized as being similar to that of other victims found in the same area 40 years ago. As you can imagine, the similarity to crimes that were solved 40 years ago makes for an abundance of speculations.

Thomas Austin is a consultant with the local police department and was called in on the case. Austin had been a detective with the NYPD, so the local authorities in Hanville, WA are delighted to have him assist on crimes of significance, including this last one.

I have been reading DD Black's stories for quite some time; his characters and vignettes insert the reader right into the action. I feel as though the Hanville area is familiar to me even though I have never been there. I love revisiting the familiar characters and the new ones always add interest and anticipation.

If you like thrillers, stories that keep you reading past your bedtime, are multifaceted and just a darn good read, this one is for you.

I highly recommend this story.

Fritzi Redgraved
Profile Image for Mguhin.
151 reviews9 followers
March 24, 2025
Did not finish

This book was very frustrating. The plot was snarled, the writing had numerous mistakes, the use of cliches was grating, and the dialog was not realistic. THEN I found out this book ends on a cliff hanger. I have enjoyed other books by this author in spite of similar flaws, but I expected noticeable improvement in this sixth outing. No way am I reading book 7 to find out more about a story I already dislike.
Profile Image for Sam.
193 reviews
June 16, 2025
These are all simple and easy reads - but this one was just silly obvious and predictable
Profile Image for Sharon.
297 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2025
Two recent drownings of women in the Dyes Inlet are tied to a similar case years ago. Again Austin is pulled into the case even though he promised Anna to take a few weeks off. He appears resigned to pursuing a relationship with Anna after their recent estrangement particularly after the bombing of the stadium in which they both played key roles.
Austin continues to try different angles in an attempt to solve his wife's murder. A report from his PIs, who refuse to go any further, found that she appeared to be having an affair. Is it true?
While agreeing to help on this latest case, Austin is teamed with Kendall Shaw, a new detective who is from LA. Though she is originally from the area. But, left as soon as she could after finishing high school.
The big question is are these murders connected? Follow the case to find out. There will be twists and turns, will eventually come to a conclusion at Lucy and Jimmy's wedding. Several mysteries will be solved but more will surface. With Austin realizing he and Anna aren't a good match after she wrote and published a story about Fiona's murder. Austin will move Kendall and her Corgi into his apartment to watch Run while he heads to NYC to find answers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
236 reviews6 followers
September 3, 2023
The shaping of a new (or rather a revived) direction for Austin…

A wonderful series that draws you in. It’s like putting on comfy slippers you feel at home with – at home with the environment, the characters and a certain mindset. Yet, you can’t ever get too comfortable because there is always the unexpected.

Thomas Austin, private investigator, is an evolving persona. Just when you think he is “down and out” he is injected with new life – always intrigued by an unsolved mystery. Personally, he has been through the gamut especially in relationships and police work gone wrong but has since gained notoriety in solving crimes. He’s a strange one to get along with but his gut-punch honesty has its charm. Will it work on his new partner and vice-versa?

The introduction of a “big city” female detective “know-it-all” is refreshing (along with her pet corgi). How she adapts and others adapt to her adds more layers to the series. It feels like “skill” meets “skill” but from a different perspective. All the novels are well-written and flow at an easy pace that holds your attention and descriptive details bring it alive off the page. I’m really looking forward to more to come.
Profile Image for Brie Davidson.
502 reviews4 followers
November 11, 2024
Just as the whole Fiona thing ends, it twists. I knew he was going to New York because of the next book, but I've been waiting since the last book.
Ackerly... the bad guy was definitely dumb as a bag of hammers....but Kendalls mom, Daisy, threw me for a loop! Also, I am so over Anna and her audacity.
Even though i love all the books so far, this one is probably my favorite because it's the closest D.D. gets to where i live, location wise. My husband drives past Lions Field every day after work, and im floored with being able to picture where everything is and improvise some of the places based on what is actually here.
I know he pulls as much from Kitsap as he can, but D.D. what you said about Port Gamble and Dyes Inlet historically is (somewhat) accurate but Dyes Inlet wasn't named after a guy named Eliphalet....and Port Gamble hasn't had the mill since 1995 or 1996...but im sure you got The hauntings right, I haven't done any of the Ghost walks or anything...but the powder blue house and Walker Ames house are real. So, bro, you have got me reeling on some of the history because I am a huge history buff, and it's bothering me, good sir.
1,382 reviews
October 20, 2023
In this book we are back on Puget Sound. A body washes up at Dyes Inlet. The murder matches one that occurred in 1979. There is a new detective on the force. She's from LA and very brash. We do not get her whole story but we do learn about her. She rubs Austin the wrong way to begin with but he agrees to work with her. Austin and Anna have moved forward in their relationship but she is undergoing issues because she cannot find a job. Austin continues to be pulled into trying to figure why Fiona was murdered. He receives information in this book that is devastating. He continues to work the case. The case is solved in dramatic fashion. What I love about the writer is that he doesn't end the book with solving the case. In this book he could have ended on a major cliffhanger. But, he case just enough that we could be satisfied with where the story is going but still very anxious for the next book. I would highly recommend this book and series. I do recommend that you read the books in order for maximum enjoyment.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,864 reviews68 followers
August 16, 2023
The Drowning At Dyes Inlet - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

The story cleverly links current drownings, with the probability that the same killer evaded detection more than a decade earlier, due to a bizarre heart motif carved by the murderer, before death by the eponymous drowning.

Detective Kendall Shaw, (a former local who's returned from the LAPD) and NYPD Thomas Austin, both have their inner demons and differing ways of working, which initially cause conflict between them. Yet teamwork and dangers faced together eventually reveal shocking truths, in a riveting denouement with an unexpected twist for one of the crime fighting duo, that will completely change their life going forward.

A Thomas Austin Crime Thriller Book 6 by D.D. Black, The Drowning At Dyes Inlet is guaranteed to keep you completely gripped by the imagination throughout and would make a great movie or TV series franchise.
Get it today - and tell all your friends!
Profile Image for Teresa Collins.
1,114 reviews19 followers
September 12, 2023
This is another win for D.D. Black. This series has everything a thriller lover is looking for: characters the reader can really bond with, characters we love to hate, even some that we start out hating and wind up really liking, and ones we really like and end up hating. Then there is all of the action and suspense that a thriller lover needs, a setting that becomes almost a character unto itself, and best of all, revelations that you don't see coming at all!
I am hoping this series never ends because I'm going to be so disappointed when it does. If you haven't read any of the books in the Austin series I highly recommend them. But make sure you set aside a dedicated block of time to read because you aren't going to want to put it down once you start. The books can be read in any order but to really get the benefit of the character development and relationships they are best read in order.
I received a review copy from the author at my request and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Judi Haley.
1,347 reviews6 followers
December 31, 2023
This is the 6th in the series. They are stand alone, but so enjoyable reading from the first one!!

Thomas Austin, better known as Austin, is still trying to solve his wife's murder after all these years. He had some PI's on the case, and think they are making progress, but they just met with him, returned his money and said they would not get involved. Austin thinks he needs to go to New York and find out what really happened, but a woman's body has showed up on the bay there and he is called in to help with the case. He has a "new partner" - Kendall from LA. She is a tough one and doesn't have anything good to say about the town she is now in!

With another body found, they now have two murders and they think that they are related to a murder that took place over 40 years ago. Will Austin be able to work with Kendall and find the killer or will the memories of his dead wife keep coming back.

Don't miss this one!!!
Profile Image for Ricki.
1,379 reviews14 followers
August 23, 2023
Former NYPD Thomas Ausin, has lived in Wash State for a few years and is "sort of famous"
for some of his exploits in previous books. He left NY after his wife Fiona was killed which is a storyline throughout the series. It's taken him a while but he is in a better place, now seeing reporter Anna and consulting for the Sheriff's dept.

Bodies of older women are being found drowned with hearts carved into their backs. The Kitsap Sheriff dept is now being run by Lucy as her boss and his boss are both running for Governor.
There is also a new gorgeous, abrasive Det Kendall from LAPD who thinks she is the best now partnered with Austin on this case.

A few bodies pile up, and they are similar to a cold case from '79.

There is also a new thread to his wife's killing in NY, a betrayal by Anna and the lead to the next book. These are quck reads and good stories.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,036 reviews
December 24, 2023
Book 6 in Thomas Austin Mystery Series by D.D. Black is excellent. The story takes off when a body is found submerged in the water with a heart carved into the back. Turns out another body was found 44 years earlier with same carving. Is it a copy cat? The story is well written by Mr. Black, who is becoming one of my favorite mystery writers. He is terrific!!! You don’t know what happened or who did it until the end and you don’t figure it out either. It is a good mystery. It can be read as stand alone since the author provides enough background the reader can figure out past books BUT I recommend starting with the first book so you get the connections with Fiona and Lucy and Jimmy and other characters. It is just a very good book. Give D.D. Black 5 stars!
85 reviews2 followers
December 31, 2024
Secrets revealed

Nothing stays secret for long. Thomas Austin, former NYPD detective and now PI and consultant for the Sheriff’s department finds he has a new partner with Kendall. She is a former LAPD detective who has returned to where she grew up only miles from where murders were committed. One, many years ago and then 2 recent ones. Many secrets come to light both surrounding aspects in Washington state and back in New York. Thomas seeks to unravel the rumors that his deceased wife was involved in an affair. The story involves multiple layers of story, introduction of a new character, cover ups in the past and new details about wife Austin’s wife was gunned down. A must read!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Edwards.
5,548 reviews9 followers
January 22, 2024
this is book 6 of 8 from "A Thomas Austin crime thriller" series. i have not read any others from this series. i am new to D.D. Black writing as well ... i don't see ...will check to be so sure though. always wonder why folks wear sunglasses in their profile photo, right?? curious. mystery series. murder. police procedurals. didn't feel left out by jumping in there at book 6, i think it was a Bookbub suggestion for being free. wondering why they always come in so late in the series to be free ..like is it not doing well comparatively speaking to the other books in the series or?!? will read more from this series and see what else there is in his book collection??!
Profile Image for Carla.
386 reviews6 followers
December 15, 2025
Thomas Austin although retired has decided to work with the local police again. A dead woman was found lying half out of the water with her top bare with a carving on her just like a woman in 1979. Why now all these years later? A new detective has joined the force. Kendall was good at her job and she knew it.
Austin is to be her sidekick but he's not if he likes her tack or attitude but he has to agree she was observant. Will they solve this crime before someone else is killed.
Austin has hired two investigators to look into his wife's shooting but they quit saying they couldn't do it and his wife was having an affair and he needed to move on.
Not happening.
Profile Image for Laura Steinert.
1,277 reviews72 followers
December 22, 2025
I cannot understand whey these were not NYT bestsellers. Almost devoid of filler, excellent characters, realistic personal and professional struggles, a dog, and life far more realistic than NYC uberdrama. A "real" case; "real" hurdles to solving it, an evil boss, a corrupt department for at least two generations (par for small town policing unfortunately) and a hero with problems--but not the typical dry drunk. This one focuses on a cold case and the dangers of senior internet dating. The mystery of Austin's wife's death still hovers, and his romance with Anna hits a snag.
194 reviews6 followers
August 6, 2023
The Drowning at Dyes Inlet definitely lived up to its description as "a pulse-pounding mystery". I enjoyed the addition of Detective Kendall Shaw - she added a new dimension to the energy of the police procedural portion of the series. Having read each book, I feel like this latest installment reads a bit different. It seemed a bit starker - something that I felt was warranted. I love how this one set us up for the next as well - I can't wait to see what Thomas Austin does next.
205 reviews4 followers
August 9, 2023
ARGG, I NEED BOOK SEVEN NOW!,,,

Well, I accomplished nothing this afternoon except to start and finish this book! Black’s writing style has flourished, and he has become a wizard with pace and story flow. I couldn’t put this book down! I live on the Olympic Peninsula, and besides being familiar with the places, I have been there, the settings are brilliantly described! Thank you DD!
255 reviews4 followers
August 17, 2023
Interesting

I like Thomas Austin, but I am getting tired of his revolving door of possible lobe interests. I thought Anna was going to be it after the last book. And another complaint, Jimmy came across as nothing but a complete clown all the way through. Can't figure out why Lucy is in charge. Amazing that anything gets solved. I hope Austin solves Fiona's murder in the next book, so that he can move on. It's dragging on.
Profile Image for Stuart Moulder.
4 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2023
Excellent, addictive read

I love this series and have to say this is one of my favorites. Maybe the top. I love the sense of place in these books. And the evolution of the characters across the series. There are some shocks in this one and I was saddened by at least one character’s choice. Yet it made sense, however much I hated it.

I’m going to be sorry when this series is over.
1,077 reviews7 followers
November 2, 2023
This was the sixth book in this fabulous crime series that take a place in the PNW. Thomas Austin is helping the local detective solve the case of women drowned in Dyes Inlet off the Puget Sound. The first drowning occurs over 30 years ago but the newest ones have the same signature carving on the corpse. It’s another great read that continues a parallel story of the murder of Austin’s wife in New York. Book 7 here I come!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews

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