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The Dark Water Series #3
Emergence
When Heidi hears the news that a prisoner has escaped, she instinctively knows who it is, even before the name is revealed.
Twelve years have elapsed since her own escape, time enough for her family to move, recover and start to live again.
As a manhunt ensues for the escapee, it seems history is repeating itself as a series of killings work their way up the East Coast towards Heidi’s new home-town. As she watches and waits, and the killings close in, she knows he’s coming back. For her.
Not only has she her own terror to cope with, but also the responsibility of keeping her cousin Alysha and younger brother Harry from getting out of their depth and caught up in something they can’t get out of. What readers are saying about Emergence...
"I honestly didn’t want it to end. I wish there was more."
"Couldn't wait to read this final instalment. The character development and plot are brilliant. Highly recommend reading all of these books for a rollercoaster read!"
Twelve years have elapsed since her own escape, time enough for her family to move, recover and start to live again.
As a manhunt ensues for the escapee, it seems history is repeating itself as a series of killings work their way up the East Coast towards Heidi’s new home-town. As she watches and waits, and the killings close in, she knows he’s coming back. For her.
Not only has she her own terror to cope with, but also the responsibility of keeping her cousin Alysha and younger brother Harry from getting out of their depth and caught up in something they can’t get out of. What readers are saying about Emergence...
"I honestly didn’t want it to end. I wish there was more."
"Couldn't wait to read this final instalment. The character development and plot are brilliant. Highly recommend reading all of these books for a rollercoaster read!"
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2023
54 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Maria Frankland
169 books597 followersMaria Frankland has a dubious internet search history and a very worried mother-in-law. However, neither of these things can stop her writing gripping psychological thrillers in which you’ll never find a happy-ever-after.
Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…
Find out more about Maria at https://www.mariafrankland.co.uk. Whilst you’re there, you can download your free novella – The Brother-in-Law.
Her novels are mostly set in Yorkshire where you’ll hear the accent through all her characters. These are people you could live next door to, or closer still… don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Maria’s novels are fast-paced, down to earth and realistic. You never know what’s around the corner…
Find out more about Maria at https://www.mariafrankland.co.uk. Whilst you’re there, you can download your free novella – The Brother-in-Law.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 11, 2023
We are finally reaching the end of this troubling saga as this is the third and last installment of the Dark Water series. I read them all back to back. I’m still troubled by the shocking twist in the first series, hoping it isn’t, but knowing it’s true. We finally have some resolution to the horrible river drownings of drunken women leaving a bar late on a Saturday night. But, nope, the villain escapes! We learn even more of this family’s troubled. And, yes, there are more twists. I’m not happy about it, but it does add to the story. You must read these books in order. You will then become so invested in the family. And, it’s always nice to finally have closure!
April 9, 2026
Wow, what a whirlwind this was. I could not put it down! The most addictive of the trilogy and what a twist at the end. All the stars for this series, highly recommended.
August 17, 2024
WOW I really enjoyed Emergence a 'why dunit' book 3 of the trilogy The Dark Water Series by Maria Frankland.
News of a dangerous prisoner who has escaped via transit between prisons has left two prison guards dead has reached the ears of Heidi, Will Pott's daughter.
It has been twelve years since Heidi's ordeal at the hands of Will and she knows it can only be him and he will be coming back home to get her.
There is a manhunt in progress and a couple of women have been murdered but is it down to Will or someone else as the police are one step forward and one step back in this cat and mouse chase.
Heidi and her whole family are told to stay indoors and this makes them feel like prisoners. One member of the family is about to put their lives in danger.
Secrets are disclosed and what a shock when they are revealed at the end.
News of a dangerous prisoner who has escaped via transit between prisons has left two prison guards dead has reached the ears of Heidi, Will Pott's daughter.
It has been twelve years since Heidi's ordeal at the hands of Will and she knows it can only be him and he will be coming back home to get her.
There is a manhunt in progress and a couple of women have been murdered but is it down to Will or someone else as the police are one step forward and one step back in this cat and mouse chase.
Heidi and her whole family are told to stay indoors and this makes them feel like prisoners. One member of the family is about to put their lives in danger.
Secrets are disclosed and what a shock when they are revealed at the end.
March 23, 2025
This was the best book yet in the 3 book trilogy!! A truly amazing read that I couldn’t put down. I read it in 24 hours! It is 12 years later and a prison transport van has crashed and a prisoner has escaped. Heidi sees the news on the TV and immediately knows it’s her father, Will. She knows he’s coming back for her.
Heidi and her whole family are hiding safely indoors while the manhunt for Will Potts is underway and new bodies start piling up. Will Will get to Heidi and her family before he is caught??? The tension is high and new twists and turns are at every turn of the page.
Maria Frankland does such a fantastic job with psychological thrillers and this one is one of her best! The only sad part was when the last page was turned and the trilogy was over. Thank you for an amazing 4 days of reading Maria!
Heidi and her whole family are hiding safely indoors while the manhunt for Will Potts is underway and new bodies start piling up. Will Will get to Heidi and her family before he is caught??? The tension is high and new twists and turns are at every turn of the page.
Maria Frankland does such a fantastic job with psychological thrillers and this one is one of her best! The only sad part was when the last page was turned and the trilogy was over. Thank you for an amazing 4 days of reading Maria!
March 26, 2026
Emergence (The Dark Water Series #3) by Maria Frankland is a breathtaking and high-stakes conclusion to an exceptional psychological thriller trilogy.
Picking up twelve years after the harrowing events of the previous books, the story shifts focus to the now-adult Heidi and Alysha, offering a raw look at the long-term impact of their family's toxic legacy.
Frankland returns to the breakneck pace of the first instalment, "piling up bodies" and delivering a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. With every twisted family dynamic finally explained and every loose end tied up through a series of brilliant, unexpected turns, this finale ensures the series never loses its edge.
Reading the entire trilogy back-to-back is a truly immersive experience that celebrates the strength of the human spirit amidst domestic chaos. An absolute 5-star triumph.
Picking up twelve years after the harrowing events of the previous books, the story shifts focus to the now-adult Heidi and Alysha, offering a raw look at the long-term impact of their family's toxic legacy.
Frankland returns to the breakneck pace of the first instalment, "piling up bodies" and delivering a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling. With every twisted family dynamic finally explained and every loose end tied up through a series of brilliant, unexpected turns, this finale ensures the series never loses its edge.
Reading the entire trilogy back-to-back is a truly immersive experience that celebrates the strength of the human spirit amidst domestic chaos. An absolute 5-star triumph.
June 9, 2022
I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced reader copy of this book from the author.
Emergence is the third book in the Yorkshire dipper series and though I haven't read the first two the story worked really well as if I was reading a stand alone, I should imagine it brings the previous two books to a good conclusion though.
The story is really well written as are Maria's previous books I have read, I was sucked in from the start and absolutely devoured the book in 2 days as I was desperate to see how it all ended, the last few chapters in particular are really taut!
If you enjoy psychological thrillers I would highly recommend you try Maria's books, you definitely won't be disappointed.
Emergence is the third book in the Yorkshire dipper series and though I haven't read the first two the story worked really well as if I was reading a stand alone, I should imagine it brings the previous two books to a good conclusion though.
The story is really well written as are Maria's previous books I have read, I was sucked in from the start and absolutely devoured the book in 2 days as I was desperate to see how it all ended, the last few chapters in particular are really taut!
If you enjoy psychological thrillers I would highly recommend you try Maria's books, you definitely won't be disappointed.
August 15, 2022
This is the third book in the thrilling Yorkshire Dipper series and to my mind the most exciting. I love the way Maria Frankland gets inside the heads of her protagonists so that we know what they are thinking and why they act the way they do. And boy, what a way to act. No one can beat Maria when it comes to writing about dysfunctional families.
Sadly this book brings the trilogy to an end. But what an end. Every page is tension filled as Will Potts makes his murderous journey to wreak revenge on his family. I kept turning the pages to find out whether he would finally win. With Maria’s dark writing one can never tell!!
Sadly this book brings the trilogy to an end. But what an end. Every page is tension filled as Will Potts makes his murderous journey to wreak revenge on his family. I kept turning the pages to find out whether he would finally win. With Maria’s dark writing one can never tell!!
August 1, 2022
A great 3rd instalment from the Yorkshire dipper series. Another great storyline with a collective of characters, some to love and some to hate. Emergence grabbed my interest right from the start and didn’t let go till the end. I won’t write about the storyline as I feel this is the job of a blurb to peak your interest and draw you in and doesn’t need to be re-done in my review, but I will say a really well written, gripping book with a few twists and turns I wasn’t expecting.
August 2, 2022
I always love a Maria Frankland book, they are so well written and you can escape into a dark hole, which suits my mood on occasion. Sometimes you just need that.
It was good to see the final element of the series but it can also be read as a stand alone. I am now going to back to read/listen to the other two in the series, just for reminding me.
I was given an advance copy by the author but this did not impact my review.
It was good to see the final element of the series but it can also be read as a stand alone. I am now going to back to read/listen to the other two in the series, just for reminding me.
I was given an advance copy by the author but this did not impact my review.
November 1, 2022
This is the 3rd book following the stories of Will Potts and just like the 1, and 2nd it has you totally hooked from page one. I'm half way through and can not wait for the twist to come. It totally gets you sitting on the edge of your seat, biting your finger nails (save a fortune on gel polish and manicure) but absolutely brilliant. Totally recommend Maria Frankland all of her 📖 📕. I have read 7 of them now and ❤️ everyone of them.
March 28, 2025
Gritty and shocking end to a wonderful series
A gritty and shocking end to a wonderful series. It has been 12 years and Will has escaped from prison. As his family holds up from safety and a manhunt begins, Will journeys to meet his children settling scores along the way. This has been a superb series and this is a fitting ending, full of the usual twists and shocks that Maria excels at. Great stuff highly recommended.
A gritty and shocking end to a wonderful series. It has been 12 years and Will has escaped from prison. As his family holds up from safety and a manhunt begins, Will journeys to meet his children settling scores along the way. This has been a superb series and this is a fitting ending, full of the usual twists and shocks that Maria excels at. Great stuff highly recommended.
January 19, 2025
The Grand Finale!
I have just burned through all three books in less than 4 days, and WOW! What. A. Ride! I don’t even know where to begin to describe how awesome this series is…the characters, the points-of-view, the twists, and the plots were all just crazy good! I am so glad I still have more books left to read by this author, because she’s one of my favorites now!
I have just burned through all three books in less than 4 days, and WOW! What. A. Ride! I don’t even know where to begin to describe how awesome this series is…the characters, the points-of-view, the twists, and the plots were all just crazy good! I am so glad I still have more books left to read by this author, because she’s one of my favorites now!
August 15, 2022
The Final Secret
There's a fantastic twist to one of the most electrifyig thrillers you'll ever read. Family skeletons and long buried secrets are finally revealed. It's a shocking and surprising end to a disturbingly wonderful trilogy.
There's a fantastic twist to one of the most electrifyig thrillers you'll ever read. Family skeletons and long buried secrets are finally revealed. It's a shocking and surprising end to a disturbingly wonderful trilogy.
August 3, 2022
Brilliant
A truly tangled storey unfolds drawing you in more and more believable characters first-class plot keeps you guessing until the last page
A truly tangled storey unfolds drawing you in more and more believable characters first-class plot keeps you guessing until the last page
August 3, 2022
Excellent book. Excellent series! One of those series that I am physically grieving because it is over.
September 28, 2022
All I have to say, is flipping brilliant!
November 8, 2022
Not as good as the first 2 books in the series
Didn’t enjoy this as much but had to finish it after the reading the first 2 books. Last few chapters were the most interesting part
Didn’t enjoy this as much but had to finish it after the reading the first 2 books. Last few chapters were the most interesting part
December 6, 2022
Book 3 of trilogy and it didn't disappoint. This author is becoming one of my favourite authors. Highly recommend her books
January 11, 2023
Great ending to the series
July 25, 2023
Fantastic series, devoured them 👏
July 17, 2024
This entire trilogy is amazing. You can’t put it down. Throughout the trilogy, I’ve gotten to read points of view from all of the main characters and I really like that.
February 12, 2025
Emergency
Really enjoyed this 3 book series a good Thriller kept me interested and guessing and on the edge of my seat a surprise ending
Really enjoyed this 3 book series a good Thriller kept me interested and guessing and on the edge of my seat a surprise ending
August 6, 2025
Loved this series!
November 13, 2025
Last book in the trilogy I enjoyed all 3
Love Maria Frankland books read them all
Love Maria Frankland books read them all
August 1, 2022
I read this before reading the first two. It does well as a stand alone but it WILL get you curios and want to read the other ones. Great read and devoured it very quickly.
August 1, 2022
A thrilling read. A family like no other...what an extraordinary mixed up life they lead! It can be read as a stand alone but I'm sure that reading the first two books in the series would be beneficial. Super characters, some misunderstood, some tormented and others devious and manipulative. An escaped prisoner on the run...someone must have seen him. Where will he go? A twisted and well written plot that's tense and gripping.
I've read a few books now by Maria Frankland and enjoyed them all. A great writing style and this one is a definite favourite. Thrilled to have receive the advanced copy for an honest and unbiased opinion.
I've read a few books now by Maria Frankland and enjoyed them all. A great writing style and this one is a definite favourite. Thrilled to have receive the advanced copy for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews