A Fear Of Dark Water

Jan Fabel #6

by Craig Russell

Jan Fabel returns to the Hamburg murder squad to track down a horrifying killer... From the pen of prizewinning and bestselling author Craig Russell comes this darkly compelling and horribly prescient thriller full of spine-tingling moments and breathtaking tension. Perfect for fans of Stuart MacBride, James Oswald and Ian Rankin.'Russell scores equally highly with his atmospheric portrayal of Hamburg and its dark river Elbe, as well as with the intelligence of his plots' - The Times'A few chapters in and I'm hooked' -- ***** Reader review'A gritty, enthralling read' -- ***** Reader review'Couldn't put the book down' -- ***** Reader review'A cracking good read!' -- ***** Reader review*********************************************************************YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT LIES BENEATH THE SURFACE...Just as a major environmental summit is about to start in Hamburg, a massive storm hits the city. When the flood waters recede, a headless torso is found washed up.Initially, Jan Fabel of the Murder Commission fears it may be another victim of a serial rapist and murderer. But the truth of the situation is far more complex and even more sinister. Fabel's investigations lead him to a secretive environmental Doomsday cult called 'Pharos', the brainchild of a reclusive, crippled billionaire, Dominik Korn.Fabel's skills as a policeman are tested to their utmost as he finds himself drawn into an unfamiliar, high tech world of cyberspace, where anyone can be anybody or anything they want.And he quickly realises that he is no longer the hunter, but the hunted.

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook, Ebooks, Contemporary

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 20, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Award-winning, best-selling and critically-acclaimed author. His novels have been published in twenty-five languages around the world. The movie rights to the Devil Aspect have been bought by Columbia Pictures. Biblical, his science-fiction novel, has been acquired by Imaginarium Studios/Sonar Entertainment, four Jan Fabel novels have been made into movies (in one of which Craig Russell makes a cameo appearance as a detective) for ARD, the German national broadcaster, and the Lennox series has been optioned for TV development.

Craig Russell:
• won the 2015 Crime Book of the Year (McIlvanney Prize) for 'The Ghosts of Altona', and is currently longlisted for the 2017 McIlvanney Prize for 'The Quiet Death of Thomas Quaid', the latest in the Lennox series;
• was a finalist for the 2013 Ellis Peters Historical Dagger;
• was a finalist for the 2012 Crime Book of the Year (McIlvanney Prize);
• won the 2008 CWA Dagger in the Library for the Fabel series;
• was a finalist for the 2007 CWA Duncan Lawrie Golden Dagger;
• was a finalist for the 2007 SNCF Prix Polar in France;
• is the only non-German to be awarded the highly prestigious Polizeistern by the Polizei
Hamburg.

Official website: http://www.craigrussell.com
Facebook Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/craigrussell...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecraigrussell

Also writes under the pseudonym Christopher Galt

Reviews

[Andrew Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 6th book in the series featuring the Hamburg based policeman Jan Fabel, but not my favourite. The series to date has intrigued by introducing an intelligent, clean living and somewhat tortured man who has struggled to get to grips with some of the most violent crimes you can imagine. He’s lost members of his team along the way and carries the mental scars with him. This book, however, is quite different with its focus on cyber crime and cultism. It’s over complex and, to be honest, a bit dull in parts. I longed for a simple tale of good guy hunts bad guy. That said, Fabel remains an interesting character and I’m inclined to forgive the author this one lapse.

[Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Craig Russell’s A fear of dark water, is the sixth book in the Jan Fabel series and serves as my introduction to the loveable detective! I think, unless my memory fails me, and for once I don’t think it does, this is also the first fictional book I’ve read set in Germany. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, especially from an eerie looking book jacket, but what I did find between the covers surprised me.

Just as a major environmental summit is about to start in Hamburg, a massive storm hits the city. When the flood waters recede, a headless torso is found washed up.

Initially, Jan Fabel of the Murder Commission fears it may be another victim of a serial rapist and murderer who stalks his victims through internet social network sites, then dumps their bodies in waterways around the city.

But the truth of the situation is far more complex and even more sinister. Fabel’s investigations lead him to a secretive environmental Doomsday cult called ‘Pharos’, the brainchild of a reclusive, crippled billionaire, Dominik Korn.

Fabel’s skills as a policeman are tested to their utmost as he finds himself drawn into an unfamiliar, high tech world of cyberspace, where anyone can be anybody or anything they want. And he quickly realises that he is no longer the hunter, but the hunted.

My first reaction was to the humour. I really don’t know why but I hadn’t expected the dry and humorous dialogue that would often surface – especially between Fabel and his partner Susanne. Not only did it add warmth to the storyline but it added another level to his character and an enjoyable one at that. Russell continues this subtlety with Fabel’s colleagues, giving the reader a deeper insight into the relationships and camaraderie that made the unit work well together. In a stressful job a little humour and sarcasm goes a long way to lighten a dark situation. It worked well.

Given Russell’s background as a police officer, police procedural is well written and enthusiastically received by this reader. Like many books set in a modern 21st century, it’s all about cybercrimes and technology but given Fabel’s technophobic tendencies he leaves this line of investigation to others – he’s on a roll if he can work out how to send and receive text messages on the phone – and let’s not talk about accidentally deleting them!

A fear of dark water is a complex and busy book but the narrative is so well presented that it serves as a very quick and enjoyable read. Raising issues of environmental concerns and the dangerous and powerful world of the cult, machinations are rife as one man’s plans to dominate and control Germany threaten their very existence.

Full review on my blog - http://www.milorambles.com/2011/06/05...

[Nicole Aroca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meeting Jan Fabel again in an adventure with a very intriguing case and with the deaths more mysterious than ever. The references to George Orwell's 1984 and how technology occupies a bigger and bigger space in our lives every day, Jan Fabel has evolved a lot since the first book, I hope to continue reading more cases that Jan Fabel has to solve.

[Janine · Rating 3 out of 5]

ch kaufe nicht nur Sonderausgaben (😇), sondern bin auch ein großer Fan gebrauchter Bücher. Den sechsten Band um Kommissar Fabel (deutscher Titel „Tiefenangst“) habe ich auf einem Flohmarkt ergattert und nun endlich durchgelesen.

Grundsätzlich sind die Bücher von Craig Russell zum Schmökern geschrieben, lassen sich also gut durchlesen und es kommt keine Langeweile auf. Dennoch merke ich nun seit den letzten Bänden, dass es mich nicht mehr so wirklich packt.

Ein Grund sind die verschiedenen Handlungsstränge, bei denen oftmals mindestens einer dabei ist, der mich praktisch gar nicht reizt. Das ist natürlich ein Problem, wenn letztendlich jeder Strang wichtig ist und ich diesen Teil des Buches am liebsten nur querlesen möchte.

Gerade bei diesem Buch ist es auch das Thema. Jetzt will ich nicht natürlich spoilern, aber es gibt Themen, die mich im Rahmen von klassischen Krimis oftmals eher nicht wirklich interessieren bzw. die für mich selten passend sind. Da werden dann Science Fiction Elemente eingebaut, irgendwelche Mafia-Themen, Verschwörungen oder Ähnliches. So auch hier. Und für mich passt dies nicht zum eher bodenständigen Kommissar Fabel in der Hafenstadt Hamburg. Dies ist jedoch wirklich eine Frage des persönlichen Geschmacks und kann durchaus andere Leser begeistern.

Ein weiteres „Problem“: Ich habe den Eindruck, dass früher mehr der Fokus auf Fabel und sein Ermittlerteam gelegt wurde und die Krimis nun eher zum Thriller mutieren. Aber das ist eher ein Bauchgefühl.

Von daher, ich lese jetzt noch den siebten Band zu Ende und dann nehme ich Abschied von Kommissar Fabel und seinem Team.

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perfectly good reading. Nicely drawn characters of detectives, team and likely suspects. Great description of locations. Little poor language which is a blessing with this type of thriller these days.
A nice change to be set somewhere other than the States - it is in Hamburg - it is a very similar style to many of this popular genre which frequently have hostile and limited vocabularly. RUSSELL AVOIDS that trap of delimiting his narrative by the lowest common denominator and is the better for it.
Just because a character may in reality display those traits they do not have to be highlighted at every turn in the written word. This book would make a great gift and coul dbe recommended to anyone who enjoys the genre.
IMO not quite as tight or tense as say, Deon, but still a good read.

[Cerisaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 6 in the Jan Fabel series is more of a thriller, with cyber crime, a shadowy doomsday cult, environmental activism, some brain hurting quantum physics, and a serial rapist and murderer, a tough and tiring challenge for the Hamburg polizei's Mordkommission. You don't have to have read the earlier books but I guarantee you will seek them out post haste if you haven't.

Russell is a skilful storyteller and a good writer (they don't always go together) whose books have multiple strands that draw together as Kriminalhauptkommissar Fabel and his team puzzle out complex cases that provide plenty of tension and suspense right to the end. Craig Russell is fast becoming one of my favourite writers- I just wish I was able to go more slowly rather than gallop through them! I particularly like how Russell shows the longer term impact of police work on the personal lives and health of those who serve to keep the public safe.

So I'm done and on to the next, sadly the last Fabel, to date.

[Edgar Marín · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mi dinámica de lectura me ha llevado a incluir un libro ligero (thriller o best-seller) en medio de clásicos y obras de otro talante, simplemente para mantener la mente despejada y divertirme, ya que hay clásicos que requieren de todo un esfuerzo.
Este libro del autor de "El Aspecto del Diablo" me resultó ameno, bien escrito y sobresaliente entre los libros de este tipo. No deja de tener los clichés del género: suspenso, acción, algún giro de tuerca. Pero en general está bastante bien, sin ser memorable. Entiendo que hace parte de una saga que seguramente visitaré en el futuro.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Craig Russell. Once again Jan Fabel finds himself up against a ruthless serial killer but can find no connection to the victims.
He is also approached by a high ranking politician and asked to look unofficially into the disappearance of his girlfriend.
The two cases seem to be connected and Fabel himself soon becomes a target.
I must admit I wasn’t sure about this book at the start as I couldn’t work out where it was going but in the end it all made sense.

[Trine Wøldiche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historien er fin. Ikke den bedste af Fabel-bøgerne. Men interessant tema. Tydeligt en forgænger for Russells stand-alone-bog, Biblical. Dog var den danske oversættelse så fuld af stavefejl, at jeg flere gange var ved at droppe læsningen. Det er ærgerligt for en ellers god bog, at der ikke er blevet læst korrektur.

[Studvet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Interesting too. In many other hands it would have been unbelievable fantasy gobbledegook but this writer is very skilful and weaves developed facts and theories into the story to make it seem credible. Spent time as an aside looking up a lot of the incidents, theories and philosophies mentioned and they were certainly as he wrote.

[kiwi · Rating 3 out of 5]

my stepfather made me read this so taking that into consideration it was a tad better than expected

but if mister fabel mentions once more how very not into technology he is which by the way all that does is make him look old as hell im literally gonna EXPLOOODEEE like if u cant take an email or respond to a text message then consider retiring idk

[Lisa Schwochow · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as the whole Fabel books go I think this one was the worst so far but not by a long shot. The first half of the book was quite slow but then it picked up and got better.

Still couldn’t reach the books before it and I’m already anxious for the last one!

[Barbpie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series (and Hamburg, although I’ve never been there). Operatives of a Scientology-like cult are murdering people right and left and Jan Fabel must put a stop to the killing.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rip snorting thriller/police procedural with a serial killer a crazed doomsdays cult and crime arising from virtual reality programs. Definite page turner.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Vivian G-H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super spannend

[Jose Enrique · Rating 5 out of 5]

El que mas me ha gustado de toda la serie, este si que es como a mi me gustan estos libros, trepidante y bien en los dialogos y la trama.

[Genevieve Paquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but not my favourite if the series. Two reasons, one, the themes aren't the most interesting to me (environmental activism and cyber crime), and two, Roman. Poor Roman. I did the conversion, and he would have been 400lbs. Which is a very big guy, but nowhere near the My 600lb Life level that he is written as, unable to move for more than a few minutes without almost suffocating. He represented the stereotype of the sad, repellant, morbidly obese computer nerd, sickly, slovenly, pathetic, but also a total douchebag who looks down on the peasants he is forced to interactwithin real life. He's written so that you can practically smell him through the page. It made me extremely uncomfortable. He was dehumanized, made into a literally gross caricature. (And the other thing is, unless he's 4'10", there's a fair chance that he shouldn't be so totally helpless.) It was depressing. Oh, oh, abd then there's the way he was voiced! I listened to this one, and the narrator is great, but dang, Roman literally sounded like a wheezing, snuffling pig. He practically oinked. Ouch.
Ok, getting off my soapbox, even though the themes weren't my thing, this was still a good book. Excellent writing and cleverly put together plot that moved quickly.
The only thing is, because it deals with technology, it inevitably gets dated almost instantly. It's an interesting picture of a very specific point in time.

[EpidermaS · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Strach przed ciemną wodą” to szósta i ostatnia zarazem część „Cyklu hamburskiego” opowiadającego o zmaganiach nadkomisarza Jana Fabla z mordercami, psychopatami i dewiantami maści wszelakiej. Tytuł powieści może wydawać się nieco przydługi, ale wydaje mi się, że „Talasofobia” wielu potencjalnym czytelnikom kojarzyłaby się raczej z podręcznikiem akademickim. O ile mi wiadomo, Russell parał się w swoim życiu wieloma różnymi zajęciami (był m.in. funkcjonariuszem policji i copywriterem), ale o chęć popełnienia nudnego, standardowego podręcznika raczej go nie podejrzewam. ;)

Tym razem autor gmera w problematyce, która została już wystarczająco rozgmerana przez wielu innych autorów (i to nie tylko ze świata literatury). Tak więc po raz n-ty możemy poznać kolejne zdanie na temat anonimowości w Sieci oraz współistnienia dwóch światów – realnego i wirtualnego. Niestety, w tej kwestii autor nie ma do powiedzenia nic nowego. Przyznam, że nawet trochę mnie zdziwiło, jak bardzo konserwatywny punkt widzenia przyjął pisarz.

Pomińmy jednak ważkie problemy tego świata przewijające się w tle. ;) To, co zaserwował Russell na „dzień dobry”, jest diabelnie mocne. Ba, zaryzykuję stwierdzenie, że to jeden z najlepszych początków w całym cyklu. Książka wciąga już od pierwszego rozdziału i nie za bardzo chce wypuścić czytelnika ze swoich macek. Mnie wessało do tego stopnia, że byłam w stanie wybaczyć autorowi kilka potknięć. A tych, niestety, było małe stadko.

Nic mnie tak nie wnerwia, jak doświadczony chłop na stanowisku nadkomisarza, który sam pcha się do paszczy lwa. Wprawdzie nasze kochane Fablątko zaznacza, że nie jest to najlepszy pomysł i gdyby zrobił to jego podwładny, on sam na pewno nie byłby z tego powodu szczęśliwy, ale nie przeszkadza mu to realizować swych szaleńczych postanowień. Brawo, Janek, keep going. ;) Nie rozumiem też tego, jak ktoś na stanowisku nadkomisarza może być… nazwijmy to: „oporny technologicznie”. Kolejny minus? Brak poczucia humoru autora. Chyba w każdej części znajdowała się jakaś zabawna wstawka, którą Russell wkładał w usta (bez skojarzeń!) któremuś z bohaterów. Tu jest poważnie aż do bólu. Jedno zdarzenie, przy którym można było się uśmiechnąć (na mnie akurat nie podziałało), to słaby wynik. No i ostatni z minusów ujemnych – swobodne żonglowanie pojęciami „budynek” i „budowla”, z tym, że to już raczej zarzut do tłumaczki. Pora na kącik edukacyjny: „budynek” i „budowla” to nie to samo. W dużym uproszczeniu: w budynku się mieszka lub prowadzi działalność (przynajmniej do tego z założenia ma służyć). Budynek ma drzwi, okna i inne typowe elementy architektoniczne, które sprawiają, że przeciętny Józek czy Franek może sobie w środku poprzebywać bez większych uciążliwości. ;) Budowla już takich założeń nie spełnia. Dlatego do budynków zaliczamy np. domki, bloki, szpitale, szkoły, centra handlowe. Budowle to z kolei drogi, mosty, wiadukty czy tunele. Rozumiem jednak, że w świadomości normalnych ludzi oba te terminy funkcjonują jako synonimiczne, więc nie będę się za bardzo wychylać ze swoją czepliwością. ;)

Mimo że „Strach przed ciemną wodą” jest ostatnią częścią cyklu, to spokojnie można ją czytać jako odrębną historię. Ryzyko jest tylko takie, że – w przypadku chęci nadrobienia zaległości – można zepsuć sobie zabawę. W „Strachu…” autor zdradza, co w poprzednich częściach stało się z niektórymi członkami zespołu Fabla.

Skoro już przy zakończeniu cyklu jesteśmy – powieść w zasadzie nie jest żadnym podsumowaniem. Spodziewałam się fajerwerków, parady słoni i nowego iphone’a. Żadna z tych rzeczy się nie pojawiła. Ba, zakończenia spinającego wszystkie części tak naprawdę nie ma. Autor porzucił Fabla jak niechciane dziecko. A może wręcz przeciwnie, może po prostu nie chciał zakończyć tej przygody… Dzięki temu zawsze będzie można do niej wrócić.

Mimo kilku wymienionych przeze mnie upierdliwości, książka naprawdę jest warta uwagi. Nie wybitna, ale bardzo dobra. Wciąga, ma sens i wyrazistych bohaterów. I choć niektórzy z nich są bardzo przejaskrawieni, to z chęcią podąża się ich śladem. Polecam, polecam serdecznie. Nie tylko „Strach…”, ale cały „Cykl hamburski”.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sincerely hope that this isn’t the end of the Jan Fabel series! This most recent (the sixth) installment is an enjoyable and exciting read. Fabel finds himself embroiled in another complex murder case here and Russell weaves in a lot of elements into this plot, from serial killers to environmental politics even to some quantum physics and some advanced technology. Despite this span of topics covered, the plot doesn’t quite reach the same levels of unpredictability that made previous books in the series such amazing reads. But those many layers do work well to create plenty of interesting thought outside the realms of fiction and he maintains a high level of suspense. Fabel himself plays a much more “hand-on” role than he has lately. And some of the newly introduced characters, like Roman and the Head of the Child Crimes Unit breath fresh life into the cast, adding yet another level of realism to the series.

Though satisfying, the ending brings with it a tinge of sadness as well. Even after scouring the Internet, I cannot find any signs of a release date for a seventh book in the series. And even worse for me, Russell’s Scottish mystery series, starting with Lennox, is proving quite difficult to find Stateside! I have really enjoyed this entire series, and hope to hear soon that a seventh one will be available soon!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the German edition called "Tiefenangst"

Eine Wasserleiche ohne Extremitäten im Hamburger Hafen und eine verschwundene Freundin des Komissars Jan Fabel, dazu noch eine undurchsichtige Organisation. Kein Buch zum zwischendurch mal aus der Hand legen. Komplex erzählt und oftmals den Leser in die Irre führend. Erst später führen alle Handlungsfäden an einem Punkt zusammen. Spannungsreiche Cliffhanger am Ende der einzelnen Kapitel reizen zum Weiterlesen, denn natürlich bleibt es nicht bei einer Leiche! Protagonist Jan Fabel und sein Team sind einigen von Euch vielleicht aus den Vorbänden bekannt. Diese muss man jedoch nicht zwingend gelesen haben, da sich dieser gut recherchierte Thriller völlig unabhängig erleben läßt und sich vor allen Dingen mit aktuellen Themen, sprich Ökoterrorismus, auseinandersetzt. Auch bei diesem Fall ist Fabel ein Profiermittler, der jedoch genau wie der Leser manchmal nicht weiß, in welche Richtung es weitergehen wird und vorübergehend im Dunkeln tappt. Für alle Craig Russell-Fans und solche, die es werden wollen ein Muss.

[Suzan Lloyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jan Fabel, Head of Hamburg's Murder Commission, has his heaviest workload yet. There have been 3 victims of the "Network Killer" who is still at large; a torso has been swept up after a storm and there are fears for delegates and their property being targeted at a forthcoming high profile environmental summit.
I have read all of the previous books in the Jan Fabel series and after downloading this in 2011, I cannot think why I haven't read this earlier. This has all of the usual elements that I put in my reviews for this series; there is immediate action and the pace is kept up throughout; Jan Fabel has a personality that just jumps off the page and the criminals are dark and terrifying; the writing is intelligent and I become so concentrated that the pages fly by; there are always twists to surprise.
The themes within the plot involve an online world and the environment and what is very different in this novel to the others is that it has the feel of a shadowy thriller. Highly recommended.

[Chris Wackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

a most enjoyable read . a real sense of menace all through the book ,even when nothing sinister was happening to the characters. that feeling you get when you are fretting for them because even the most innocent action seems like a threat . excellent .

there's a lot of philosophical questions asked in this book . food for thought rather than anything navel gazing and that added to the story .

[Michael Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and read it through C D s. The interaction between characters was good and the plot developed well. There were sequences which were gripping, especially the opening scene. It was slightly too long, with too many debates about and references tothe environment and other subjects. I did enjoy the German backdrop and I will read another book by Craig Russell in the Jan Fabel series.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read in this series and I am pleased to note the author has stopped his irritating habit of referring to the police ranks and organisations by their German names. This is an interesting story but Fabel and his team do not come across as real people and frankly they do not do much to solve the crimes. There was a nice twist at the end though. I doubt I will look for the other books in this series.

[Lc16 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't find this story as nearly as interesting as the last two Fabel books, which were the highs of the series for me. Also, guessed the twist from almost the beginning of the book. There were still nice moments, such as the redemption of the cyber thief. Hope there are still more Fabel books to come.

[Angelika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't really connect with the world that the writer has created. The characters are interesting and they develop to a satisfying degree but something feels off.
I'm going to give this series a try. I'm going to read one or two other books. But if it doesn't improve, I'm afraid I'll have to drop it. It's the world of the psy that does not sit with me well.

[Matthew Ogborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a few authors over the years that I have always looked forward to reading and never been disappointed. Craig Russell is one of them. His Jan Fabel series has been a constant delight and this is no different. Cinematic in scope and intricately plotted, this is another feather in his cap.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

a well written and well researched thriller. The central character is endearing but not too quirky -it seems all cops or private I's these days have enough eccentricities for a small town on their own. As a thriller it had me on the edge of the seat till the very end.

[Linda Branham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story - as well as a good mystery and police procedural. This is a really good series
This one describes the environmental issues - and how cults can become involved . Lots of information about cults and the environment and how technology can be misused.
The characters are well developed